May 2nd (Wed): Great Salt Lake Audubon Field Trip - Mountain Dell Rec. Area, Parley's Canyon - Leaders: Jack Clark and John Middleton - Come and join us for our monthly bird survey. May should be a good month to see a variety of birds as the Spring migrants are beginning to return. We’ll meet by 8a m in the parking lot just west of the REI on 33rd South and 3285 East for a morning of birding. Call Jack (801-255-7989) or John (801-322-2171) if you plan to attend.

•  Wasatch Audubon Bird Walk - South Ogden Nature Park: Meet at 8:00 am at McDonald’s (5745 S Harrison) for breakfast or at 8:30am to carpool.

May 4th-6th (Fri-Sun): Great Salt Lake Audubon Field Trip - Lytle ranch, Washington County - Leader: Dave Hanscom - We’ll leave at 5a m on Friday morning, making a couple of stops along the way (the town of Leeds, Oak Grove, and Red Cliffs Campground), then visit Cox Park, Spring Pond and Tonaquint Park in St. George late day. We’ll stay in motels (everyone is responsible for their own accommodations) and drive to the ranch early Saturday morning, checking for desert species along the way. We’ll hit Gunlock Reservoir and a couple of other places if time allows late afternoon. Up early on Sunday morning to bird at Washington Fields, Sand hollow, and other spots on the way home. this trip is limited to 15 people (4-5 cars only). Call Dave at 801-550-1777 or email hanscom@cs.utah.edu to register and for more information.

May 5th-6th (Sat-Sun): Bridgerland Audubon Field Trip - Allen Stokes Memorial Canoe Trips - Join local expert naturalists Bryan Dixon, Andrea Liberatore, and Jack Greene on either one of these two dates for a canoe trip down the Logan River.  We will start in Trenton and end in Amalga, watching birds and other wildlife along the way, including passing a Great Blue Heron rookery.  Registration in advance required.  Contact Bryan Dixon (752-6830 or bdixon@xmission.com) for details or to register.  This is a joint trip with the Stokes Nature Center.

May 5th (Sat):  Utah County Birders Field Trip - 7:30am-11:00am - Provo Airport Dike and Provo River Parkway, led by Milt Moody.  Meet at the Provo River Parkway parking lot at the west end of Provo Center Street.

May 7th (Wed): Great Salt Lake Audubon Field Trip -  Owling with Bryant Olsen - Moderate/Difficult - leader: Bryant Olsen - We’ll meet at 7:30p m in the parking lot just west of the REI on 33rd South and 3285 East. The first hour or so after dark is the best time for owls. Target owl species are N. Saw-whet, Flammulated, N. Pygmy, and Great horned Owl, plus Poorwills. Bring snacks and water. Group size
is limited so call Bryant (801-498-0362 or email: bryant_olsen@yahoo.com) to register by May 1st.

May 9th (Wed): Wasatch Audubon Bird Walk - Swanson Environmental Center: Meet at 8:00am at McDonald’s (Washington & 2600 N, N. Ogden) for breakfast or at 8:30 am to carpool.

May 10th (Wed): Utah County Birders Meeting -  Sparrow Identification Workshop - This informative workshop will be taught by several members of our group.  Meet at 7:00 pm at the Bean Museum.

May 11th-13th (Fri-Sun): Great Salt Lake Audubon Field Trip - Fish Springs with Jack Skalick - leader: Jack Skalicky - Jack has been conducting bird surveys at Fish Springs since 2005. We have the opportunity to join him and help with a survey on Saturday, and for those who can stay overnight to engage in casual birding on Sunday. This is a great time of year to visit the refuge. We will meet Brian Allen, the new manager, and help out with some kind of service project. Plan on arriving Friday evening either to camp or to use the bunkhouse. Camping is not allowed on the refuge but is possible on BLM land. For those who can stay we’ll have a potluck supper on Saturday. Fish Springs is pretty isolated so you’ll need to be self-sufficient. Driving time from SLC is anywhere from 3.5 – 4.5 hours depending on the route chosen. Driving directions will be given to those who sign up. Coordinator for this trip: Sylvia Gray (801-532-3486). Jack can be reached at (801-585-7363). Call with questions or to reserve a spot. space in the bunkhouse is limited.

May 11th (Fri):  Utah County Birders Field Trip - 7am-early afternoon. Antelope Island Causeway and Garr Ranch. We will go looking for spring migrants. Meet at the Pioneer Crossing Park and Ride on the west side of I-15 off the American Fork Main Street exit.

May 12th (Sat): Red Cliffs Audubon Field Trip - Change of plans - Kolob Terraces, Lava Point, Kolob Reservoir - Because the road over Cedar Mountain remains closed, the field trip will not be as previously planned. We will instead be driving up through Kolob Terraces, and visit Lava Point and Kolob Reservoir. As spring warms these higher elevations, we hope to find Mountain Bluebirds, Lewis's Woodpeckers, and Wild Turkeys. Meet at the BLM office on Riverside Drive in St. George at 7:00 am, and please bring a lunch.

May 15th (Tue): Great Salt Lake Audubon Meeting - For our last meeting of the season, a special program is planned with a live bird, games and ice cream. 7p m in the Tracy Aviary. Bring the kids!!! General meetings are now held in the new education center in the Tracy Aviary. Enter Liberty Park on 900 south at 600 east. General meetings are held on the third Tuesday of the month and are open to all interested people. after a brief social hour with refreshments and announcements, the programs usually begin at 7p m.

•  Wasatch Audubon Meeting - Jolene Rose, Antelope Island State Park Wildlife Biologist, will present Re-introducing Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse to Antelope Island State Park – Jolene will bring us up to date on the status of these native upland game birds and the project so far. Be prepared to ask questions of this and other wildlife activities on Antelope Island State Park. 7:00 pm at the Ogden Nature Center, 966 West 12th Street, Ogden.

May 16th (Wed): Wasatch Audubon Bird Walk - Fernwood Trail/Kays Creek: Meet at McDonald’s (5745 S Harrison, Ogden, UT) for breakfast or at 8:00am to carpool. Directions: From U.S. 89 in Layton, turn East on Cherry Ln. Take Valley View Rd north. Turn onto Fernwood Dr. (2000 N) heading east. Turn right at first “T” intersection. Stay on Fernwood Dr. to parking area.

May 17th-21st (Thu-Mon): Great Salt Lake Bird Festival - registration opens March 1st. - http://www.greatsaltlakebirdfest.com/

May 12th (Sat): Utah County Birders Field Trip - 6:30am-afternoon - Utah County Sparrows - South Utah County, led by Dennis Shirley - Our goal is to see as many species of sparrow as possible.  Meet at Payson Walmart at 6:30 am 

May 23rd (Wed): Wasatch Audubon Bird Walk - Willard Bay: Meet at McDonald’s (1838 W 2700 N, just east of Exit 349 on I-15) for breakfast or at 8:00 am to carpool.

May 25th-26th (Fri-Sat): Utah County Birders Field Trip - Southern Utah including St. George and Lytle Ranch, led by Keeli Marvel. Day trip or overnight trip, depending on what people want. Call/email Keeli Marvel if interested so we can get an idea of how many people might want to make the trip. If we don't have enough people interested, then we will have the alternate trip below:

•  Utah County Birders - Saturday May 26th: 7am-early afternoon - Rush Valley and Ophir Canyon, led by Eric Huish. Meet at the Pioneer Crossing Park and Ride on the west side of I-15 off the American Fork Main Street exit.

May 30th (Wed): Great Salt Lake Audubon Field Trip - 7a m – noon or longer - Farmington Bay Plus - easy - leader: Bryant Olsen - Meet in SE corner of the ShopKo parking lot in Sugarhouse by 7a m to carpool OR meet at 7:30a m at the GSL Nature Center on Glover Lane in Farmington (I-15 exit 319 in Centerville, then Frontage Rd north 4 miles to Glover Lane overpass OR I-15 exit 322 in Farmington, then backtrack 2 blocks on Frontage Rd to the overpass. Afternoon Birding option: After birding “The Bay” for the morning, anyone interested can continue birding northward with Bryant. Destinations will likely be Kaysville Ponds or Antelope Island depending on what birds are being seen. Call or email Bryant if you plan to attend. (801-498-0362; Bryant_olsen@yahoo.com)

•  Wasatch Audubon Bird Walk - East Mountain Wilderness Park, Kaysville: Meet at McDonalds (5745 S Harrison) for breakfast or at 8:00am to carpool.
 

June 2nd (Sat):  Wasatch Audubon Bird Walk - We will visit Northern Utah to look for Bobolink, in the fields north of Brigham City, and look for Grasshopper Sparrows north of the steel plant in Plymouth, then finish at Salt Creek WMA. We will meet at Harmon’s (2nd Street in Ogden) at 8:00 a.m. Bring water and a lunch. (RSVP Les Talbot at 801-589-2591)

June 4th (Mon): Great Salt Lake Audubon Field Trip - Owling in Millcreek Canyon – Moderate/Difficult - leader: Bryant Olsen - We’ll meet at 8p m in the parking lot just west of the REI on 33rd South and 3285 East. The first hour or so after dark is the best time for owls. Target owl species are N. Saw-whet, Flammulated, N. Pygmy, and Great horned Owl, plus Poorwills. Bring snacks and water. Group size is limited so call Bryant (801-498-0362 or email: bryant_olsen@yahoo.com) to register by May 28th.

June 6th (Wed): Great Salt Lake Audubon Field Trip - Mountain Dell Recreation Area, Parley’s Canyon - Moderate - leader: John Middleton - Come and join us for our monthly bird survey. Our summer visitors will be here so come and help us find them. We’ll meet by 7:30a m in the parking lot just west of REI on 33rd South and 3285 East for a morning of birding. Call John (801-322-2171) if you plan to attend.

•  Wasatch Audubon Bird Walk - Sherwood Hills: Meet at McDonalds (1838 W 2700 N, just east of Exit 349 on I-15) for breakfast or at 8:00 am to carpool.

June 9th-10th (Sat-Sun): Great Salt Lake Audubon Field Trip - Basin and Range at Maple Grove Campground - See brochure for details - http://www.greatsaltlakeaudubon.org/pdf/basinrange2012.pdf

June 9th (Sat): Bridgerland Audubon Field Trip - Baby Cranes at Grays Lake National Wildlife Refuge - Grays Lake NWR is the largest hardstem bulrush marsh in North America. Located in a high mountain valley near Soda Springs in southeastern Idaho, the refuge and surrounding mountains offer incredible scenic vistas, wildflowers, and fall foliage displays. Grays Lake Refuge provides breeding habitat for over 200 species of mammals, birds, fish, and amphibians.  The refuge hosts a large nesting population of greater sandhill cranes; as many as 1200 individuals are counted in the valley during migration and staging times. We will be visiting at the peak of Sandhill Crane nesting season and will be looking for the adorable young colts.  The refuge is closed to public access this time of year, but great views can be had from the road, and we will also be birding in the adjacent National Forest.  Most of us will camp in the Grays Lake area and return on Sunday morning, but a late return Saturday night is available for those who don’t want to camp.  Trip is limited to 15 people: reserve your spot by emailing Ryan.ODonnell@usu.edu by June 4^th.

• Great Salt Lake Audubon Field Trip - Bluebird Boxes in Strawberry Valley - Easy/Moderate - leaders: Jeanne LeBer and Ray Smith - Please join us. We will meet at 8a m in the south-east corner of the Shopko Parking lot in Sugarhouse or 9:15a m at the Strawberry Valley Visitor Center. The morning will be spent checking the boxes and recording the species using each box, and if there are eggs or young birds. It’s very exciting – you never quite know what you are going to find! Afterwards we will gather for lunch. Please bring your own sandwich; GSLA will provide cold drinks. Call Jeanne or Ray at 801-532-7384 if you have questions or to let them know you’ll be there.

June 13th (Wed):  Wasatch Audubon Bird Walk - Green Pond: Meet at 7:30am at Dylan’s (12th and Monroe) for breakfast or at Smith’s parking lot (12th and Harrison) to carpool at 8:00am.

June 16th (Sat): Red Cliffs Audubon Field Trip - Oak Grove - When St. George gets too hot, we all get out! We'll head to the high country at Oak Grove Campground below scenic Pine Valley Mountain. We should find good mountain-loving species, including Hermit Thrush, MacGillivray's Warbler, White-breasted Nuthatch, and Brown Creeper. Meet at the St. George BLM office in St. George at 7:00 am, and bring lunch.

• Great Salt Lake Audubon Field Trip - Jordanelle Wetlands Preserve and Heber Fields - Easy/Moderate - leader: Nancy Matro - In addition to many common northern Utah birds, the Jordanelle Wetlands Preserve has been a great spot to find unusual species in recent years. Among them are American Redstart, Northern Waterthrush, Willow Flycatcher, and Purple Gallinule. hopefully, we’ll be lucky enough to see something equally interesting on this trip. We’ll also take a side trip to the nearby Heber Fields to look for Bobolinks. Meet in the parking lot just west of the REI at 3285 E. 33rd S. by 7a m to carpool. For more information call Nancy (435-645-9492).

June 19th (Tue):  Wasatch Audubon Meeting - June is the perfect time to refocus on spring and summer wildflowers! Keith Evans will present Wildflowers of Northern Utah – Keith has been recording and photographing local wildflower species and will share his experiences with us. 7:00 pm at the Ogden Nature Center, 966 West 12th Street, Ogden.

June 20th (Wed):  Wasatch Audubon Bird Walk - Lagoon Trail: Farmington. Meet at McDonalds (Riverdale Rd & 400 W) for breakfast or at 8:00am to carpool.

June 23rd (Sat):  Wasatch Audubon Field Trip - Annual Bluebird Nest Box Census: Meet at Smiths (12Th & Harrison in Ogden) at 8 a.m. This is a great opportunity to get up close and personal with Mountain Bluebird, Tree Swallow, and House Wren eggs or young. Bring a lunch and water. (RSVP Les Talbot at 801-589-2591).

June 24th (Sun): Great Salt Lake Audubon Field Trip - Jeremy Ranch Road, East Canyon – Moderate - leader: Kim Roush - This field trip starts with Catbirds, Willow Flycatchers, dippers, Yellow Warblers as just a partial tempting list. We walk along the dirt road from Jeremy Ranch toward East Canyon which follows a stream lined with willow. Each year the fresh air and the company are a delight. The birds always surprise us. We then visit nests of hairy & Downy Woodpeckers, Red-shafted Flicker, Red-naped Sapsucker.  In addition, I may have other nests staked out in Pinebrook, as well as, some Golden-crowned Kinglets. Bring a scope if you have one. Meet by 7:30a m in the parking lot just west of REI on 33rd South and 3285 East for carpooling OR take I-80 to Exit Jeremy Ranch. Turn north. Turn left/west onto frontage Rasmussen Road. Meet in Park & Ride parking area at the entrance to Jeremy Ranch development. Meet at Jeremy Ranch at 8a m. Call Kim if you have questions. 435 658 2976

June 27th (Wed): Great Salt Lake Audubon Field Trip - 7a m – noon or longer - Farmington Bay Plus - easy - leader: Bryant Olsen - Meet in SE corner of the ShopKo parking lot in Sugarhouse by 7a m to carpool OR meet at 7:30a m at the GSL Nature Center on Glover Lane in Farmington (I-15 exit 319 in Centerville, then Frontage Rd north 4 miles to Glover Lane overpass OR I-15 exit 322 in Farmington, then backtrack 2 blocks on Frontage Rd to the overpass. Afternoon Birding option: After birding “The Bay” for the morning, anyone interested can continue birding northward with Bryant. Destinations will likely be Kaysville Ponds or Antelope Island depending on what birds are being seen. Call or email Bryant if you plan to attend. (801-498-0362; Bryant_olsen@yahoo.com)

•  Wasatch Audubon Bird Walk - Riverdale Trail (South): Meet at McDonald’s (Riverdale Rd and 900 W, Ogden, UT) for breakfast or 8:00am at the trailhead parking lot (from Riverdale Road, south on 700 W for one block, then left on 4600 W to lot on right at the end of road).

 

July 7th (Sat): Bridgerland Audubon Field Trip - Black Swift Expedition - The Black Swift is a rare and unique species that nests only behind waterfalls in western North America.  This species is high on the want list of many Utah birders, and is found in Utah only at Bridal Veil Falls and several nearby waterfalls in the Provo Canyon area.  Join us as we seek out this unique species, and study the difference between this large swift and our more common White-throated Swift.  Meet in the parking lot in front of Caffe Ibis (50E, 150N, Logan) at 7:30 AM to arrange carpools; bring money for gas and a lunch.

July 11th (Wed): Great Salt Lake Audubon Field Trip - Mountain Dell Recreation Area, Parley’s Canyon - Moderate - leader: John Middleton - Come and join us for our monthly bird survey. Last year we saw 39 species in July. We’ll meet by 7a m in the parking lot just west of REI on 33rd South and 3285 East for a morning of birding. Call John (801-322-2171) if you plan to attend.

July 14th (Sat): Red Cliffs Audubon Field Trip - Pine Park - It'll be too hot to do anything in St. George, this time of year, so we'll head for the hills. Pine Park will provide a cool retreat in the ponderosas to watch for local higher elevation birds, including Grace's Warbler, Red Crossbill, Western Tanager, Mountain Bluebird, and Pinyon Jay. We will eat a picnic lunch in the cool shade. Leave the St. George BLM at 7:00 am. Bring a potluck item to share, and your own cups/plates/utensils.

• Great Salt Lake Audubon Field Trip - Brighton Bird Count - leaders: Jeanne LeBer and Ray Smith - Please join Great Salt Lake Audubon for our annual Brighton Bird Count. We will meet at 7:30a m at the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon in the parking lot adjacent to the Silver Lake Visitor Center. Birders can select one of three birding options: 1) Silver Lake (easy walk), 2) Lake Solitude (Moderate hike), 3) Twin Lake (Difficult hike). Novice to expert birders are welcome to participate. A potluck lunch follows at Noon after a pleasant morning. Please bring a dish to share and your own eating utensils, plate, cup. GSLA will provide cold drinks. Please call Jeanne LeBer or Ray Smith at (801-532-7384).

July 21st (Sat): Bridgerland Audubon Field Trip - Butterflies of Cache County - "Beautiful flowers with wings" is a phrase frequently used to express the exquisite beauty of butterflies. Join expert naturalist Jack Greene (jackisgreene@yahoo.com or 563-6816), the Bridgerland Audubon Society, and the Stokes Nature Center for a fieldtrip to learn the secret lives of these amazing sparks of life. Place: Tony Grove meadows Date and time: meet at 9:00 AM in the Forest Service parking lot (1500 East Highway 89, Logan) to carpool. Bring binoculars and a lunch.

 

August 4th (Sat): Bridgerland Audubon Field Trip - Cache County’s Coral Reef - Explore an ancient seabed with local fossil expert Paul Jamison. Hiking north from Tony Grove, we will visit a 400 million year old coral reef in the Ordovician Fish Haven Formation, and trace it out to the White Pine Lake Overlook.  This will involve about six miles of moderate difficulty hiking, including some off-trail, so wear sturdy shoes and bring a lunch and lots of water.  Meet at the Forest Service parking lot at 8:00 AM (1500 East Highway 89, Logan).

 

September 8th (Sat): Bridgerland Audubon Field Trip - Salmon Spawning - Come watch the annual spawning of Kokanee Salmon at Porcupine Reservoir.  The bright red salmon are a beautiful sight here each fall, changing color just before the leaves do.  Meet at 8:00 AM in the parking lot in front of Caffe Ibis (50E, 150N, Logan).  We’ll be back in the early afternoon.

September 21st-23rd (Fri-Sun): Bridgerland Audubon Field Trip - Elk Bugling in the Tetons - Jack Greene will organize and lead our field trip to witness the Elk Bugling in the scenic Teton Mountains.  The car pool will leave at 3:00 PM Friday afternoon, September 23rd and return Sunday afternoon/evening, September 25th.  Witness the Tetons in their best fall dress where rampaging large ungulates (elk, bison, moose) release their fall passion with grunts, bugling, and a nasty disposition.  Fall migrating birds along with winter residents will add to the fun.  Some participants choose to camp while others choose to stay in a hotel.  You will need to provide your own meals.  Expect anything from 40 to 80 degree weather; rain, snow, or sunshine.  For more information, call Jack Greene at 563-6816.