Green River State Park photo by Tim Avery

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Description:
Green River State Park is located in the town of Green River and consists of a nine-hole golf course, a campground shaded with cottonwood trees, and a boat ramp into the actual Green River which borders it on the east side. The campground which covers the southwest 1/3 of the park is a huge migrant trap with the biggest trees is the area.  Along the river the dominant species of tree is russian olive, with various other trees and shrubs including: willow, salt cedar, cottonwood, and other deciduous trees.  The riparian habitat is along a natural north-south migrant route following the river.  Sand bars, and beaches here provide more habitat, along with the obvious river habitat which ranges form shallow to deep enough to accommodate diving birds.  There are actually 5 ponds on the golf course as well, all of which can be viewed from roads or trails.  While the boat ramp provides the best views of the open water on the river, you can walk along the shoreline north and south as well to bird the river.  As this is a state park there is an entrance fee.

Birding:
Of the 4 public birding locations in Green River, the State Park as of this writing has the biggest species list, and the most number of visits.  It is also the biggest location, and easiest to access with the most varied habitats.  On the flip side it is also the busiest site due to the campers, golfers, and other outdoor enthusiasts that want to venture far enough form the big city, but not quite to the great outdoors.  In any event the bird species here are varied, and the biggest draw in my opinion is that the camp site is a huge migrant trap.  The large stand of trees is a centerpiece to the park.  Year round you'll find AMERICAN ROBIN, HOUSE FINCH, both LESSER and AMERICAN GOLDFINCH, and NORTHERN FLICKER.  Other species that are present year round may include HORNED LARK, COMMON RAVEN, and WESTERN MEADOWLARK. Both GREAT HORNED and WESTERN SCREECH-OWL call the woodlands here home.  During the winter months DARK-EYED JUNCO and WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW move in.   On the river in the winter months COMMON and HOODED MERGANSER are present, while other waterfowl might be seen as well.  During spring and fall migration a variety of waterfowl, shorebirds, and waders are possible along the river. During spring and fall migration you could put together a pretty good day list with the combo of the waterbirds and the migrants.

Even with the birders that have visited the migrant list isn't enormous.  There are a handful of surprise species that have shown up here late during the fall months including BROWN CREEPER, MOUNTAIN CHICKADEE, TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE, WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH, and RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER.  During the breeding season there are a few species that make a stop here worthwhile, including BLUE GROSBEAK, YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT, ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER, along with the more common LAZULI BUNTING, BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK, and BULLOCK'S ORIOLE.  I suspect September into October could be very productive here for migrants.  Spending some time scouring the grounds could easily push the area list over 100 species by adding various sparrows and warblers that absolutely pass through.

Directions:
From the intersection of SR-19/Main Street and Broadway in Green River, head east on Main Street for .4 miles. Take a right on Green River Blvd and go south for .5 miles to the park entrance.  Take a left into the park and you can continue .2 miles to the parking area at the boat ramp and go birding from here.

Carbon Country Club photo by Tim Avery

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Description:
Located midway between Helper and Price, Carbon Country Club is where you will discover the alluring beauty of the Utah frontier sculpted into a one-of-a-kind golf experience. Set within chiseled mesas and rocky valleys, play our golf course that continues to be an oasis for golfers and is open for public play to those who appreciate great golf. There are two main areas you can visit to go birding without golfing, and they are the Club House Drive and the large pond on the south end of the course (directions below).  At the main drive to the clubhouse large trees can be viewed at eye level to the north.  The Price River runs through the course creating a nice riparian habitat--combined with the planted deciduous and coniferous trees the course has plenty of habitat.  Surrounded by desert, and barren cliffs and hills the course really is an oasis.  Ont he south end a large pond  can be seen--while the back streets to get there pass agricultural fields, and several tree lines worth checking.  You can spend a short amount of time here and cover both areas relatively quickly and thoroughly.

Birding:
Carbon County remains largely underbirded, and this easy to access location is one that any birder passing through can take a couple minutes to check out.  We didn't expect much but on a quick April stop had an early migrant COMMON YELLOWTHROAT in the parking area at the clubhouse.  Various species of SWALLOWS might be seen out over the course here, while during migration, WARBLERS, WESTERN TANAGER, and other passerine migrants should be viewable with trees at eye level.  YELLOW WARBLER breed here, along with SPOTTED TOWHEE, and MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD.  Migration is probably the best time to visit in either May or September, with the possibilities wide open given the lack of birding done here in the past. Since we haven't spent much time here, it might be worth checking in at the Club House, or at least calling and asking if its oaky to bird around the club house area--who knows you might be able to expand on where you can go here.

Directions:
So there are two locations to get to and we will cover them both form here.  Heading north on US-191/6 from Exit 240 in Price, go 3.6 miles, taking a right onto Carbonville Road. Go .3 miles and turn right onto 2500 North.  After 1 block the take the right and the road will curve to your left and go under US-191. There is a large pond here on the course. The other area is at the main club house which can be accessed by going back on to US-191 and continuing another .4 miles north then turning left onto Club House Drive. If you were coming out of Price Canyon you can also access these location from US-191.

Cedar Hills Golf Club from Google Street View

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Description:
Cedar Hills Golf Club is an interesting location nestled against a juniper covered hillside on the east, along the foothills at the base of the Wasatch Mountains.  The north side of the course is bordered by the American Fork River, while subdivisions pop up to the south and west.  Just a hop away from the mouth of American Fork Canyon, the mouth of which can be seen form the course, providing looks at the cliffs and some riparian habitat.  The open course has some shrubsteppe to go along with the juniper, but it really is mostly open fairways.  The rocky river bottom lack any substantial riparian habitat along the course except int he northeast corner.  There are 5 ponds on the course, of which most can be viewed from public roads.  While the majority of the holes are in the northwest section, the back 9 do a loop along the mountain then south around a large neighborhood before wrapping back west to the club house. This strange triangle shaped subdivision is essentially an island surrounded by golf course.

Birding:
I've only been birding here once, while golfing a number of years ago--but I remember the birding was good.  On the various ponds aside from the CANADA GEESE and MALLARDS there were a good mix of late April waterfowl migrants still present including GREATER SCAUP, CANVASBACK, and COMMON GOLDENEYE.  Looking skyward here you will probably see TURKEY VULTURE and RED-TAILED HAWK along the mountains.  SWAINSON'S HAWK are present in the summer and during migration you could see any number of raptors soaring past.  WESTERN KINGBIRD and WESTERN MEADOWLARK roam the open fairways here, while WARBLING VIREO, SPOTTED TOWHEE, and SONG SPARROWS keep to the fringes where oak and other deciduous trees are more prevalent.  Along the river in the open areas BREWER'S, VESPER, and LARK SPARROW were present, while in the northeast corner where the best riparian habitat is, FOX SPARROW can be found, along with BULLOCK'S ORIOLE, and YELLOW WARBLER.  Migrant songbirds can be found in this area too, and WESTERN TANAGER, as well as other warblers might be seen.  Although not in eBird I know there are reports of YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT from the river at the mouth of the canyon.  In the summer look for COMMON NIGHTHAWK in the evening feeding over there area.  If you like birds and golf, I highly recommend playing a round here in late April through May or in the fall.  If you just want to birding you can do a lot on the edges, including scan the ponds and some of the open habitat.

Directions:
Form I-15 Ext 284 at Thanksgiving Point head east on SR-92 for .2 miles.  Take the slight right onto the SR-92 express lane and go 7.1 miles.  Right before the mouth of the canyon, take a right onto Canyon Road and go south .8 miles. Turn right onto Bayhill Drive and go .3 miles.  At the traffic circle take the 1str exit onto Nielsen Blvd. After about 250' turn left onto Clubhouse Drive and continue .2 miles to the parking area.

Central Valley Golf Course from Google Street View

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Description:
Central Valley golf course is a 9-hole executive style par 33 golf course located to the south and west of the Central Valley Water Reclamation Facility. The small course is all open fairways with just a handful of small trees.  There are 2 ponds along the south border along 3300 South, another pond on the west border of 900 West on the south portion of the course (this pond is behind private property so not really visible form off course), and a 4th pond in the northwest corner visible from 900 West.  The east edge of the course is bordered by a large open driving range, and then I-15.

Birding:
Central Valley is one of the least beautiful golf courses in Utah.  Located in the middle of a commercial area of the city this patch of green is sort of an oasis--but the habitat is pretty weak.  The ponds do pull a number of waterbirds though so something interesting could turn up.  When I was younger I used to golf here with friends because it was cheap.  I know I saw a number of species not on the current list, including AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN, DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT, WHITE-FACED IBIS, and SNOWY EGRET.  The paltry bird list now includes GADWALL, AMERICAN WIGEON, and NORTHERN SHOVELER.  Songbird wise there isn't a ton of good habitat. AMERICAN ROBIN along with other urban songbirds are present, while n the summer WESTERN KINGBIRD are around, and in the winter you might come across an AMERICAN PIPIT.  You can go birding while golfing here, but in terms of just birding, you can walk the sidewalk along the south and west edges to view the ponds, which are really the only reason to visit here.

Directions:
From I-15 exit 303 for 3300 South, head west on 3300 South for .2 miles till you reach the entrance on your right.

The Canyon Course from Google Street View

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Description:
Mountain Dell Golf Course is one of the few northern Utah courses you can go birding at and not have to be golfing.  Now if you were to go golfing there would be more habitat accessible, but you can effectively bird the course edges year round, and actually bird on the course during the winter months.  This 36 hole course sits at 6,000' and is bordered on the west by Mountain Dell Golf Course/  The northern perimeter is formed along Parleys Creek, where a trail on the north side of the creek allows for the best birding opportunities here.  Following the riparian habitat to the south, and a mixed oak and shrubsteppe hillside to the north, eventually the trail leaves the course and meanders to the northeast up a small canyon.  There are a few small ponds on the course, but they aren't much for birds given the nearby reservoir.  The south side borders I-80--while the course is mostly open fairways, the mixed oak woodland is the predominant habitat bordering the holes. There are also some deciduous and coniferous trees mixed in.  In the middle of the course is George Washington Memorial Grove--and the Washington Terrace Picnic Area.  This road is accessible year round and passes through some great habitat.  If you are a golfer, try an early tee time on the mountain course in mid-summer--the birding is spectacular while you golf!

Birding:
I often visit the riparian area along Parley's Creek during the summer months.  It provides a nice easy to bird area, with some great habitat and birds.  Right at SR-65 it is possible to get GRAY CATBIRD, YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT, and FOX SPARROW alongside the more common YELLOW WARBLER, LAZULI BUNTING, and AMERICAN GOLDFINCH.  On the hillside to the north SPOTTED TOWHEE can usually be heard, while GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE occasionally pop up.  HOUSE WREN are usually hear trilling below, and BELTED KINGFISHER occasionally appear along the creek. More than 50 species have been recorded along this stretch, but these are just the notables.  During the winter months NORTHERN PYGMY-OWL are occasionally reported form the course--and TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE, CASSIN'S FINCH, and other high elevation species might be found along the road to Washington Terrace.  EVENING GROSBEAK flocks have been reported from the course occasionally as well. The walk along the creek is an easy way to bird and get the most out of the area.

Directions:
To get to the course take I-80 Exit 134 for Sr-65 north.  As soon as you exit the freeway there will be a frontage road on the right following the north side of the I-80.  If you turn here you will reach the club house in .7 miles, and the turn off to Washington Terrace on your left in 1.3 miles. To access the riparian area along Parley's Creek, don't turn on the frontage road and instead go .3 miles north on SR-65 till you reach the pull out on the right.

Mountain Dell Reservoir from Google Street View

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Description:
Salt Lake County doesn't have a lot of big freshwater lakes or reservoirs.  In the valley there are several small lake, and a few even tinier ones in the mountains.  But 2 reservoirs give the county mid-high elevation mountain reservoirs that attract a great deal of waterbirds when not frozen.  This typically means March through November on most years.  The reservoir is closed to the public but viewable from a couple overlooks along  SR-65 headed towards East Canyon.  The reservoir is a water storage location for Salt Lake City and the main watershed.  The hills here are covered with oak woodlands and shrubsteppe, while Mountain Dell Golf Course sits on the southeast corner bordering the lake for several holes.  At the inlet from Little Dell Reservoir, and Parley's Creek there is lush riparian habitat as well.

Birding:
No summer trip up to East Canyon is complete without a stop at least at the Mountain Dell inlet to scan the water for birds.  It's quick an easy to scope the north arm of the reservoir from here, as well as a 1/2 miles south at the Parley's Creek inlet.  Various waterbirds and waterfowl are usually present with GADWALL, AMERICAN WIGEON, and often big flocks of RING-NECKED DUCKS present in the spring and fall.  These species are often present in the summer in small numbers as well. In all 23 species of waterfowl have been seen here including: WOOD DUCK, BLUE-WINGED TEAL, CANVASBACK, BARROW'S GOLDENEYE, and HOODED MERGANSER.  One spring a cooperative TRUMPETER SWAN spent a couple weeks near the inlet providing great looks. Spring and fall bring COMMON LOONS and WESTERN GREBES to the water.  Occasionally other grebes pop up as well. There has been a NEOTROPIC CORMORANT reported, and AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN have been seen a few times.  OSPREY nest along the reservoir and can often be seen flying over in search of food.  During the summer YELLOW WARBLER, LAZULI BUNTING, and FOX SPARROW can be found in the riparian inlets--various species of empidonax flycatchers have been seen, and the area boasts a list of more than 125 species. 5 species of SWALLOW are often present overhead.  BUSHTIT, YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT, an HARRIS'S SPARROW have all been reported rounding out the more notable species found here.  As mentioned the 2 spots above are the best places to bird--since they don't require trespassing, and you have good views at the water with them--a scope is highly recommended.

Directions:
From I-80 take exit 134  and go north on SR-65 for .3 miles to the Parley's Creek Overlook on your left.  Continue another .5 miles to the Mountain Dell Creek Overlook on your left.

36th Street Trailhead from Google Street View

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Description:
36th Street Trailhead, located at the top of 36th Street in Ogden, is a popular trailhead for accessing several area hiking trails. The Trailhead accesses three area trails:

Foothill Loop which is a Jogger/mountain bike trail along Mt. Ogden Golf Course which is mostly urban habitat, with a riparianish feel from the number of big trees, and  a good deal of mixed oak woodland; Strong's Canyon which is a 1/2 mile trail through the forest and up the canyon along a riparian corridor with mixed oak woodlands bordering it and links to Bonneville Shoreline Trail--which is the 3rd trail following the foothills an the typical mixed oak woodlands.  You can reach several interesting objectives from the 36th Street Trailhead including Waterfall, Taylor, and Beus Canyons.

Waterfall Canyon: Hike up Strong Canyon trail to its end ~1/2 mile. There is a small footbridge and a sign. Go North (left) on the Bonneville Shoreline Trail for ~1.2 miles. Taylor Canyon: Hike up Strong Canyon trail to its end ~1/2 mile. There is a small footbridge and a sign. Go North (left) on the Bonneville Shoreline Trail for ~1.2 miles. Cross the small foot bridge next to Waterfall Canyon Trail and continue on the Bonneville Shoreline Trail for another mile. Beus Canyon: Hike up Strong Canyon trail to its end ~1/2 mile. There is a small footbridge and a sign. Go South (Right) on the Bonneville Shoreline Trail for ~1.2 miles.

The Strong Canyon area is a popular area for evening hiking and mountain biking. During the winter/late fall the trails are beaten down but the Strong Canyon trail does get a fair amount of ice. During the summer, the area is crowded with dog-walkers, hiker groups and mountain bikers which makes it harder to enjoy.

Birding:
There have only been a handful of checklists submitted from here despite the apparent number of hikes possible from the trailhead.  As expected in the lower areas where the oak is dominant, WESTERN SCRUB-JAY, BLACK-BILLED MAGPIE, and SPOTTED TOWHEE are present.  Some other species notably located here include MACGILLLIVRAY'S and VIRGINIA'S WARBLER which might be migrants, but potentially breed in  the canyons mentioned above.  WESTERN TANAGER, CHIPPING SPARROW, and HERMIT THRUSH have also been reported.  During the winter there is a report of NORTHERN GOSHAWK, and GOLDEN EAGLE likely nest in one of the canyons above as they are seen soaring overhead from time to time. With a small species list the actual bird diversity here is not well represented and many more species can probably be found with a few visits in the spring and fall.

Directions:
From the intersection of 36th Street and Harrison Blvd in Ogden, head east on 36th Street for .6 miles.  Turn left and park at the trailhead.

Talons Cove from Google Street View

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Description:
Talons Cove borders the northwest corn of Utah Lake, and provides an interesting set of habitats for birding while golfing.  You could technically bird the streets along the course here, but much like other courses in the area, this is more of a golfing destination than a birding destination, although for birding it is an excellent golf course! 18 holes of mostly open terrain, surrounded by minimal grasslands and shrubsteppe.  Small trees can be found along the course in various locations, with a few areas of thick russian olive.  2 ponds i the northeast corner of the course provide wetland and marsh habitat, and the lake is visible form the course.  Wetlands along the shore are close enough that with binoculars you could make out some species on the lake.  The front 9 is much birdier than the back from my experience here.

Birding:
Talons Cove really is a great course for birding.  The mix of habitats provides great opportunities for various species.  During the summer months is the best time to visit the course, and you'll likely encounter HORNED LARK, WESTERN KINGBIRD, and CLIFF & BARN SWALLOWS through out the course.  At the marshy areas on the ponds, you can expect YELLOW-HEADED and RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS.  COMMON YELLOWTHROAT and MARSH WREN can usually be heard at these spots as well.  Along the lake front areas scanning you will likely see and or hear CASPIAN TERN, WESTERN GREBE, NORTHERN HARRIER, and AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN.  In the riparian areas, and the spots with dense russian olives songbirds are abound.  YELLOW WARBLER, LAZULI BUNTING, and BULLOCK'S ORIOLE are common.  BLUE GROSBEAK have been observed at the course, and prefer these area on the east edge.  Like most golf courses the access is limited to the edges, unless you're golfing--luckily here there are a lot of edges that can be birded.  If you are passing through during the summer, stop in for a few minutes and see what's singing!

Directions:
From the intersection of Redwood Road and Pioneer Crossing in Saratoga Springs, head south on Redwood Road for 3.9 miles.  Turn left onto Fairway Blvd and go 225'.  Turn left and go .1 miles to the parking lot and club house.

Links at Overlake from Google Maps User

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Description:
The Links at Overlake is a Scottish links style course featuring 11 water hazards, 79 sand bunkers and beautiful native grass measuring a total of 7,248 yards.  The links pond and lake habitat combined with grassland and shrubsteppe created an interesting mix of habitat that resembles native Utah valley habitat.  The fairways and greens of course are grass so things aren't quite perfect.  In terms of birdable golf courses, this is a great course to go birding while golfing at.  There are actually 14 ponds on the course  which is surrounded by grasslands, farms, and now some houses.

Birding:
I've only been to the links one time, but on a windy cold May morning I tallied 52 species while focusing on golf.  Some notable things were that there were at least 3 species of shorebirds nesting along the course edges: LONG-BILLED CURLEW, WILLET, and KILLDEER.  The birds were very approachable and seemed used to people being there.  All 6 regularly occurring species of SWALLOW in Utah might be seen here during migration and during poor weather, are easy to view low over the water.  The numerous ponds create lots of habitat for various waterbirds.  11 species of waterfowl were seen here including GREATER SCAUP--the water on some ponds is deep enough for divers, and more species of ducks probably pass through here.  CINNAMON TEAL, NORTHERN SHOVELER, and LESSER SCAUP were all fairly common in May.  3 species of GREBES and as well as FORSTER'S TERNS can be found here using the water to fish.  Along the course expect to see RED-WINGED and YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD, WESTERN MEADOWLARK, SAY'S PHOEBE, and WESTERN KINGBIRD.  If you come here to go golfing, you'll end up doing a lot of birding--and I can't say that's a bad thing!

Directions:
From the Flying J off I-80 Exit 99 take UT-36 south for 6.8 miles. Turn right on to Cimmarron way and go 1 mile. Turn left onto 400 west and go .8 mile to the turn on your right to the golf course parking lot.

The Ranches form Google Street View

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Description:
The Ranches Golf Club is an 18-hole championship facility nestled in the hillside valley between Lehi and Eagle Mountain. Featuring a Western theme and carved from the native prairie, the course's 220 acres present golfers a true links-style experience. Designed by noted architect Ron Garl, the golf course was created to play a challenging 7,050 yards from the back tees, yet offering multiple tee boxes to cater to players of all skill levels.  To the South is Lake Mountain. To the East towers the Wasatch Front. To the West are the peaks of the Oquirrh Mountains, and Utah Lake is visible to the Southeast.  This is not a birding destination, but birding is typically done while golfing here given the great open habitat.  The native habitat around the course is mostly grasslands and shrubsteppe, but most of the surrounding area is now homes.

Birding:
If you golf an watch birds you see a few here.  As mentioned above this really isn't a destination--there are no ponds or water features for birds here, so it really limits what you will see.  Along the course from spring through fall WESTERN MEADOWLARK, HORNED LARK, BREWER'S SPARROW and LARK SPARROW can be seen.  You can bird the surrounding neighborhoods but most of the trees here are still very young.   One caveat is that with the open spaces raptors are often see here.  Year round you'll find GOLDEN EAGLE, RED-TAILED HAWK, PRAIRIE FALCON, and possibly FERRUGINOUS HAWK.  In The winter months BALD EAGLE and ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS move in--and during the summer SWAINSON'S HAWKS can be found.  Further south from the golf course along Pony Express Parkway there are a number of apartment communities with fruiting trees, and berry bushes.  During waxwing irruption years it is not uncommon to find numerous CEDAR WAXWINGS here, and BOHEMIAN have been found mixed in.  The course is private property so unless you're golfing, there isn't much point to birding here--but if you are golfing please submit a checklist; maybe we're missing something!

Directions:
From I-15 Exit 279 for Lehi Main Street, head west on Main fro 1.2 miles.  At the traffic circle continue straight on Main as it becomes SR-73 for 3.7 miles.  The road will turn south and keep going for .3 miles.  Turn right onto Pioneer Crossing which becomes Cedar Fort Road.  Go 1.9 miles then turn left on to Mt. Airey Drive for .2 miles.  Turn left on to Clubhouse Lane and make your way to the parking area.

St. Goerge Golf CLub Ponds from Google Street View

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Description:
Another great St. George area golf course.  The main attraction here is one long pond along Bloomington Hills Drive where waterfowl congregate during the winter months.  There is a marshy area along a creek just north of the pond along N Fort Pierce Drive as well.  Otherwise the course is predominantly surrounded by housing.

Birding:
Waterfowl, waterfowl, waterfowl! Large flocks of AMERICAN WIGEON often dominate the waterscape here during the winter.  Various other species of ducks, geese, and other waterbirds have been observed here as well. Notably LEAST TERN, GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE, and GREATER SCAUP have all been reported here.  SWAMP SPARROW has been reported from the marshy area described above as well.

Directions:
From the intersection of S. River Road and East Riverside Drive in St. George, head south for 1 mile. Turn right onto N Fort Pierce Drive for .3 miles before turning left onto Bloomington Hills Dr. It's .2 miles to the middle of the pond.

Glendale Golf Course from Google Street View

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Description:
Glendale Golf Course is a public golf course in the Glendale neighborhood, southwest of downtown Salt Lake City.  The course sits between Redwood Road on the west and the Jordan River on the east, and between 1700 South on the north and 2100 South on the south end.  There are 3 small ponds on the course which is mostly open.  The fairways do have some deciduous trees along the fairways, near the ponds, and along the river.  The best birding is along 2100 south from the club house to the Jordan River where you can scan from the street.

Birding:
Glendale is usually checked while birding the Jordan River from the Redwood Trailhead.  It's only a couple blocks away so it's an easy drive or even walk there.  During the winter months there are usually quite a few ducks and geese along the river, and if the water on the ponds is open they will be there too.  Both CACKLING GOOSE and BARROW'S GOLDENEYE can be found here with their more common counterparts, CANADA GOOSE and COMMON GOLDENEYE.  There is also one record of a LEAST TERN from the golf course ponds here in June 2007.  The trees along the river will have migrant during spring and fall, and other species typical of the riparian habitat in the valley during the summer.

Directions:
Take the SR-201/2100 South Freeway to exit 15C.  Take the exit onto Redwood Road northbound and go to 2100 South.  Turn right and drive about a block past the golf course club house on your left.

9180 West from Google Street View

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Description:
This small side road off of SR-201 goes south 2 blocks along the west side of Magna-Copper Park.  The habitat is great deciduous trees along with large numbers of Russian Olives.  You can walk the entire length of the road and back to bird all the trees in less than 15 minutes.

Birding:
This location sits just to the south of the Kennecott Tailings pond, so migrants coming south in the fall over the tailing pond will immediately hit these trees.  For this reason this trap can have a decent number of migrants in it.  However, birders rarely stop at this out of the way location. A few species of warbler have been recorded here including WILSON'S and TOWNSEND'S WARBLER.  With more birders checking this location while birding Lee Kay Ponds and Saltair the list could grow considerably.  Work it in with visits to The IC, the 5600 West Traps, and the 8000 West Trap for a nice trip to the best known traps in this area.

Directions:
From SR-201/2400 South in West Valley City turn south onto 9180 West, just to the west of Magna-Copper Park/Copper Golf Club.

Thanksgiving Point from Google Street View

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Description:
Thanksgiving Point is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that includes the Museum of Ancient Life, Farm Country, and the Thanksgiving Point Gardens that was founded in 1996.  It also includes a golf course. The gardens are approximately 55 acres and include 15 different theme gardens with approximately 4.5 miles of walking trails. The golf course is the largest golf club in Utah at 7,728 yards long and more than 200 acres.   The property grounds, farm, gardens, and golf club can all be birded.  There are entrance fees for the farm and gardens.

Birding:
The best birding occurs generally along Garden Road between the golf course club house and the entrance to the gardens during spring and fall migration.  This road can be walked, as well as a parking area at the entrance to the gardens.  The entire area is lined with trees and shrubbery  and is good for typical migrants such as tanagers, warblers, flycatchers, and sparrows.  The gardens also provide amazing habitat, with miles of trails to check out.  The golf course has two ponds that can be scanned from roads on the southern section of the course, that attract a variety of waterfowl during migration. Some of the more notable sightings from the ponds include RED-NECKED GREBE, GREATER SCAUP, CACKLING and SNOW GOOSE.

Directions:
From I-15 in Lehi take exit 284 west bound onto Club House Drive.  If you take this till it T's you'll end up at the entrance to the golf course.  Turn Right and you will go to the Gardens.  Turn left and you can access the south ponds via Desert Forest Lane, and Cottonwood Drive.  Thanksgiving Point Village is to the east of these locations and can be reached by taking the 1st left off Club House and following the signs.

Lake Park from the Air photo by Tim Avery

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Description:
Lake Park is made up of Stonebridge Golf Course, undeveloped fields,  and a business park.  There are numerous small "lakes" or ponds, connected by various canals.  As of the winter of 2013-2014 there seems to be a bit of development of the undeveloped sections so the landscape may change drastically in the coming years.

Birding:
Lake Park has become a popular winter birding destination in Salt Lake County for gulls and waterfowl from November through April.  Because most of the property is private birding can be difficult, but there are a couple of primary areas to look for things.  You can drive most of the roads, and pull off into parking lots to scan some fields and ponds.  You can also exit your vehicle and walk where there are sidewalks.  Please be mindful of no trespassing signs. The main pond to the south of the Stonebridge Golf Cours Club House is often the center of birding here.  When the water is open various waterbirds may be present.  When frozen, or partially frozen, gulls often use it to roost.  The west pond near 5600 West, just south of Target has been a great spot for close viewing of gulls when the water is open.  In November 2013 a PACIFIC LOON spent a number of days here.  Between the two ponds a hefty list of rare gulls have been recorded, including: WESTERN, GLAUCOUS-WINGED, GLAUCOUS, LESSER BLACK-BACKED, MEW, and THAYER'S GULLS.  The golf course grounds and fields between provide great feeding sites for large flocks of Canada Geese, sometimes numbering in the 1,000's.  CACKLING, GREATER WHITE-FRONTED, ROSS'S, and SNOW GOOSE are all recorded almost annually here with the mix.

Directions:
From SR-201 you can reach the park from the west at 5600 West, or the east at 4000 West/Bangerter Highway.  Take either road south from SR-201 till you reach Lake Park Blvd.  From Bangerter turn right onto Lake Park Blvd, and from 5600 West turn left.