1200 W 1700 N from Bing Birds Eye View

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Description:
In the northwest corner of Logan this area is a wetland and marsh area, surrounded by grasslands, and the city to the east.  There is no other information online about this location, so if you have been or can add anything, don't hesitate to comment below.  It appears there is some shorebird habitat based on the species found here and along with the marshy habitat this is the focus.

Birding:
Most visits to the area appear to be from May and August, assuming this is specifically for shorebirds and potentially passerine migrants it eh riparian areas.  In May look for SNOWY EGRET, WHITE-FACED IBIS, SWAINSON'S HAWK SORA, and WILLET.  WILSON'S SNIPE and KILLDEER are probably found year round, along with AMERICAN KESTREL NORTHERN HARRIER, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD, and WESTERN MEADOLWARK.  During fall migration shorebirds appear to be the focus and in August you might see: SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER, and BAIRD'S, SEMIPALMATED, WESTERN, SOLITARY, and PECTORAL SANDPIPERS.    This array of shorebirds is a nice grouping for such an area in Cache County.  A variety of songbirds have been reported in the fall as well including: AMERICAN PIPIT, YELLOW WARBLER, CHIPPING SPARROW, and LAZULI BUNTING.  Notably a mid-summer record for BOBOLINK suggest this species might breed in the area.

Directions:
From the intersection of Main Street and US-89 in Logan, head north on Main for .8 miles. Turn left onto 1000 North and go 1.3 miles. Turn right onto 1000 West and go .5 miles. Turn left onto 1400 North for .3 miles before turning right onto 1200 West and going another .2 miles and you reach the location on the left..

Antelope Island Marina from Google Street View

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Description:
The marina at Antelope Island State Park is used to launch various craft on to the Great Salt Lake.  Most use is by the state as well as sailors launching private sail boats.  The marina has also been used by a minority of "hunters" who have taken to the practice of stalking birding listservs to attempt to hunt the rare ocean species of waterfowl that over winter here in small numbers.  Due to the drying up of the lake the marina sees far less usage then in former years.  The small marina has jetties/breakwalls on the north and west sides, while the causeway provides the break to the east.  To the south is the island with a decent amount of shrubsteppe habitat in direct view of the marina.  The north jetty can be walked while you can drive the west jetty via the south side of the parking lot at the marina.  Just follow the dirt road as it loops to the west.   The habitat at the marina is shrubsteppe as well as disturbed land, with a beach on the north side of the north jetty facing out.  Mud flats inside the jetties, and on the outside provide additional shorebird habitat.  The open water of the Great Salt Lake to the north and the west is the primary habitat at this location.

Birding:
As with several locations on the island, the marina isn't a major birding destination, but a small part of the great birding on the island.  Scanning the shoreline inside the jetties, and on the beach to the north can turn up shorebirds in the spring and fall including RED-NECKED and WILSON'S PHALAROPE.  The beach here is a spot where RED PHALAROPE has been seen historically and is always worth checking.  Small flocks of WESTERN SANDPIPER are occasionally seen sheltering here, and have had BAIRD'S and SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS mixed in. During the winter months SNOW BUNTING has been reported along the west jetty.  Sea ducks like HARLEQUIN DUCK, LONG-TAILED DUCK, SURF, WHITE-WINGED, and BLACK SCOTER have all been observed inside the breakwater as well as to the north from the jetties. Also during the winter look to the brushy areas south of the marina for AMERICAN TREE SPARROW.  In spring and summer breeding RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS can be seen and heard in the same area.  In May 2013 a LARK BUNTING was seen just up hill from the marina to the south.  One potential for the area that isn't often taken advantage of is a lake watch.  The area on the jetty provides a great vantage point looking north and to see birds following the causeway then heading west around the island in stormy weather.  A LONG-TAILED JAEGER in September 2014 was seen in this general area and these types of rare finds probably pass the island annually going unnoticed as they cruise out over the open water.

Directions:
In Layton, take I-15 exit 332 west bound onto Antelope Drive for about 7 miles to the entrance station to the park.  After paying an entrance fee continue about 6 miles across the causeway to the island. The marina will be on your right when you arrive.

Antelope Island Causeway from Google Street View

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Description:
The Antelope Island Causeway is the lead in to Antelope Island State Park.  The 6 mile causeway is lined by the Great Salt Lake.  The first several miles in recent years have been dry on the south side, and dry and/or brackish water on the north side.  After the first bridge shallow water and mudflats appear on both sides of the causeway, eventually the water reaches the shore of the causeway for the remainder of the road to the island.  The 2nd bridge near the island had deeper water that flows rapidly from the south side into the north.   Besides the the primary habitat mentioned above the road is lined with short grass and some shrubs including Rabbit Brush that provide additional habitat for some prairie birds.

Birding:
The causeway is the go to spot for many birders week in and week out.  It has produced every species of shorebird recorded in Utah at least once.  The largest migrant flocks of WILSON'S PHALAROPE come through each July, numbering in the 100,000's.  Smaller numbers of RED-NECKED PHALAROPE also move through in spring and fall.  There are several records of RED PHALAROPE as well.  Large numbers of peeps--mainly WESTERN SANDPIPER come through, mixing in lesser numbers of birds that would otherwise be rare in Utah, including: SEMIPALMATED, PECTORAL, and BAIRD'S SANDPIPERS, DUNLIN, RED KNOT, and SANDERLING.  But those birds are jsut the tip of the iceberg.  Almost annually other shorebirds are recorded here including: AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER, RUDDY TURNSTONE, WHIMBREL, and SEMIPALMATED PLOVER.  This congregation of shorebirds leads to the real rare stuff, including: CURLEW SANDPIPER, RUFF, WANDERLING TATTLER, BUFF-BREASTED and WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER, and the states only SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER.  The list goes on and on.  But the spring and fall shorebird migration is augmented by the winter sea ducks that show up here.  All 3 SCOTERS and LONG-TAILED DUCK are usually recorded yearly as well.  Gulls are a sight here year round.  During the breeding season 1,000's of California and FRANKLIN'S GULLS line the causeway.  Each fall 100's and sometimes upwards of 1,000 BONAPARTE'S GULLS pass through.  Along with these tiny gulls, the occasional SABINE'S GULL is found and there are several records of both LITTLE GULL and BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE.  The causeway has also had several sighings of both PARASITIC and POMARINE JAEGER. The winter is also a good time to look for rare northern songbirds like SNOW BUNTING and LAPLAND LONGSPUR along the edges of the road.  There was a one day wonder SNOWY OWL here on December 2, 2011--a bird many suspect should show up at this location more often.  If you are going to be in Salt Lake City during the fall, winter, or spring, and have a day or even a half day, the causeway is the one place most birders would recommend you must visit.

Directions:
In Layton, take I-15 exit 332 west bound onto Antelope Drive for about 7 miles to the entrance station to the park.

Antelope Island photo by Tim Avery

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Description:
Antelope Island State Park is a 28,800-acre park, surrounded by the Great Salt Lake, and open year round.  The northern portion of the island is mostly grasslands and shrubsteppe as well as arid hillsides. The southern portion has a small mountain range that has some coniferous and aspen forest. There are also numerous springs on the island that provide riparian habitat.  The most notable is at Fielding Garr Ranch, which is one of the most prolific migrant traps in Utah. On the island are now the following locations in eBird:

Antelope Island (island only)
Marina
Visitor Center & Loop Road
Lady Finger Point
White Rock Bay
Road to Garr Ranch
Garr Ranch
South
Backcountry (incl. Frary Peak Trail)

But the most notable birding location in the park is The Causeway, a 6 mile road connecting the mainland to the north end of the island.  Being a state park there is a daily or annual fee to enter, as well as the Davis County Causeway fee specific to this park.

Birding:
Antelope Island is the most popular birding destination in Utah.  Utah birders flock to the causeway and island almost every week of the year in search of birds.  The causeway is world renowned for the enormous flocks of shorebirds, specifically WILSON'S PHALAROPE, and EARED GREBES that can be found here during migration.  Gulls, waterfowl, divers, and waders can all be found along various stretches of the causeway.  More information about the specifics can be read on the causeway page.  The island is a great location to see CHUKAR, BURROWING OWL, ROCK WREN, SAGE THRASHER, WESTERN MEADOWLARK, and LARK SPARROW during various times of year.  LONG-EARED, SHORT-EARED, GREAT HORNED, and BARN OWL are also permanent residents here.  Garr Ranch has an impressive list of songbird migrants.  It's remote location on the southeast side of the island is literally an oasis in a salty desert. You can read more about birding specific locations at the park through the links above!

Directions:
In Layton, take I-15 exit 332 west bound onto Antelope Drive for about 7 miles to the entrance station to the park.  After paying an entrance fee continue 6 miles across the causeway to the island.