Popular Birding Places
   Salt Lake County
  

Inland Sea Shorebird Reserve    by Ann Neville    ©Ann Neville
  

(To print a county map along with this information, go to the Print Center)

 Big Cottonwood Canyon
  

Butterfield Canyon  ~ submitted by Steve Carr

Directions:  Take the 126th South exit of I-15 (SR 71, Riverton) Continue west on 12600 South to where the main road swings to the north (about 10 miles). Right at that point, the Butterfield Canyon road heads to the SW. The lower gate is closed during the winter so people don’t drive up and get stuck in the snow.

Specialty Birds: Habitat and birds much like Yellow Fork Canyon, but all on paved road. Also has had Long-eared Owls, Cordilleran Flycatchers, Mountain Bluebirds, Townsend Solitaires, Black-headed Grosbeaks, Cedar Waxwings, Lark and Song Sparrows.

(Weather Forecast)

City Cemetery, Salt Lake City
  

City Creek Canyon
  

Coon Canyon (restricted property) and foothills along the west side of SR 111
    ~ submitted by Steve Carr
  

Cottonwood Park, Jordan River Parkway
  

Cougar Park, Nature Preserve  ~ submitted by Steve Carr
  

Decker Lake  (N-40.42.731, W-111.56.991)  ~ submitted by Bruce Robinson
  

Desolation Trail, Mill Creek Canyon

Directions:   From Exit 3 of I-215 in Salt Lake City, go south on Wasatch Boulevard.  Turn left on 3800 South and go to the fee station of Mill Creek Canyon.  Desolation Trail is 2.6 miles up the canyon from the fee station.

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Dimple Dell Regional Park  ~ submitted by Steve Carr

Location:   Between Wasatch Blvd. and 1300 East just north of 10600 South. One access is about 30^th East and 10000 South. Another may be at 10180 South and 30^th East. There may be other accesses as the park runs for some distance westward at about 10600 South.

Habitat and Birds: Semi-riparian habitat. Similar birds as at Butterfield Canyon, except for no turkeys. Lewis’s Woodpeckers and Screech-Owls have been reported on occasion.

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Draper Wetlands  (see Mehraban Wetlands Park)

Draper/Riverton, Jordan River Parkway

Directions:   From Draper/Riverton Exit  of I-215 (Exit #291 -- 123rd South), go west about a mile and turn left (south) on the road just before the Jordan River bridge (on the east side of the river).  Go several hundred feet to a parking lot. 
     You can also go across the river to 1300 West and turn south toward the Riverton Golf Course and turn into the Salt Lake South County Pool lot just before the golf course entrance.  A trail goes from there down the hill and across the footbridge.

Description:  A floodplain with wet meadows and riparian habitat.  On the eastern side seeps keep the squawbush and chokecherry areas wet year-round.

Specialty Birds:  Wilson's Snipe, Bank Swallow, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow-breasted Chat,  and Savannah Sparrow.

(Weather Forecast)  | Jordan River Parkway Maps |

Emigration Canyon  ~ submitted by Steve Carr

Location:  up from Sunnyside Avenue and Foothill Blvd., not too good till you get to Little Mountain.

Birds: Warblers, towhees, accipiters, swallows, occasional Golden Eagle. The road continues to Big Mountain, good for Northern Pygmy-Owls at times, Flam. Owl, Great Horned, Screech, and Saw-whets have all been seen and heard at the divide in July and August. Broad-winged Hawks have been seen here as well in Sept-Oct.

(Weather Forecast)  

Inland Sea Shorebird Reserve  (restricted property) ~ submitted by Steve Carr
  

International Center  ~ submitted by Tim Avery

Location: Between Wright Brothers Drive (4800 W but here is no sign to tell anyone that) and 5600 West, from Interstate 80 to about 600 North. (just west of Salt Lake International Airport)

Description: There are two major east-west roads through the center, Amelia Earhart, and Harold Gatty, which both go from one end of the center to the other. There are several other smaller east-west streets as well as a number of north-south streets. The area is comprised of over 500 acres of space, most of which is in the form of 90+ buildings and warehouses. Between 1979-1987 a landscaping plan by Landmark Development was undertaken. Work included development of Landscape Recommendations and Planting Specifications for one of the harshest landscape conditions in the country. In the end the area had 100's of trees and shrubs planted, creating an oasis on the southern edge of the eastern half of the Great Salt Lake.
The area works as a migrant trap during fall migration funneling lots of southbound migrants into the area. Two of the most productive areas to look for birds are:

1. The "T" intersection of Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh Drives. There are some very large Cottonwoods, as well as conifers, and numerous other species of trees and shrubs here that are often brimming with birds.

2. North of the "Compeq" building. This building lies at the corner of Harold Gatty and John Glenn on the far northwest side of the park. Take 5600 West north to Harold Gatty and turn left. Follow the road till it "T's" at John Glenn and turn right. Follow the road till it dead ends and park. The line of conifers to the right (east) of the road is often a very productive spot.

However, there are typically birds throughout the area and plenty of different places to check. The best time to view birds in the area is between August 15th and October 15th during fall migration. Visiting on weekends provides the best opportunities to look around as most of the business are closed. However, evenings are also a good time to bird the area.

Birds: Merlin, Swainson's Hawk, Northern Harrier, Great Horned Owl, Red-naped Sapsucker, Empidonax Flycatchers, Hermit and Swainson's Thrush, Townsend's Warbler as well as most other common Utah warblers, Western Tanager, Chipping Sparrow, and other migrants. In the evenings, large flocks of White-faced Ibis can be seen flying south over the area (sometimes numbering in the 100's, and low 1,000's). Besides the normal migrants a number of vagrants have been seen here, including: PROTHONOTARY WARBLER, BLACKPOLL WARBLER, CLAY-COLORED SPARROW, LEAST FLYCATCHER, and WHITE-THROATED SPARROW. Over 80 species of bird have been recorded at this location in the fall.

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Jordan Narrows  ~ submitted by Steve Carr

Location: 14600 South west from I-15 Old Exit 291, to 1300 West. Then south, across RR track to end of road. Park so that you don’t block the gates. Walk in 1 – 1 ½ miles on access road.

Birds: Eastern Kingbird, Western Kingbird, orioles, chats, yellowthroats, Black-headed and Blue Grosbeaks, Cedar Waxwings, ibises, herons, puddle and diving ducks.

(Weather Forecast)

Jordan River Parkway

The Jordan River runs between Utah Lake in the south to the Great Salt Lake in the north.  The Jordan River Parkway is a paved trail that follows the river for a good deal of its length and provides some excellent birding.  In Salt Lake County, there are several good access point to the parkway.  Here is a list of some of them with links to the specific directions to each:  (If you have information about other good access points, please send it to webmaster@utahbirds.org).

• Riverside Park (700 North)
• Cottonwood Park (300 North)
• Murray section (4800 to 6400 South)
• Draper/Riverton section (126th South to Bangerter Hwy.)

Summery  by Steve Carr
Jordan River Parkway – Numerous access sites along the river. Main parking sites are- 9400 South, Winchester Street (6400 South), Bullion Street (5750 South), 5300 South (access from 5400 South), Germania Park (access from 5400 South and go north), 4800 South, 3500 South, 700 North.

Birds:
     In winter – Common Goldeneyes, Buffleheads, Ruddy and Ring-necked ducks, Pied-billed Grebes, Mallards, and Wigeons. Song Sparrows, White-crowned, and periodically White-throated, American Tree, and Harris’s Sparrows. Hermit Thrushes all through the winter. Varied Thrush in January and Feb. 2007.
     In summer, herons, egrets, occasional bittern, Green Heron, numerous ducks, Western and Clark’s Grebes, orioles, yellowthroats, chats, MacGillivray’s Warbler.

(Weather Forecast)  | Jordan River Parkway Maps |

Lee Creek Area  (Submitted by Tuula Rose)
  

          Details
   

Lee Kay Ponds
  

         Details
 

Liberty Park
  

Little Cottonwood Canyon

Directions:  Take Exit 295 from I-15 in Sandy and go east on UT 209 toward the Snowbird and Alta ski resorts.  Go 5 miles to the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon.

Description: Not too much to see down low, main birding area is Albion Basin above the town of Alta. ~ Steve Carr

Birds: Red-tailed Hawks and accipiters, solitaires, Hermit Thrust, Mountain Bluebird, Red Crossbills on occasion, Golden Eagles, high-country warblers and wrens, both kinglets, juncos, Lincoln’s and Song Sparrows. ~ Steve Carr

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Little Dell Reservoir

Directions: Go about 5 miles up Parley's Canyon on I-80 and take the UT 56 exit to East Canyon Reservoir, pass Mountain Dell Reservoir which will be immediately on your left and go 2 mile.  You can bird from the highway or at the parking lot by the reservoir.

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Marshy Wetlands NW of Airport  ~ submitted by Steve Carr

Directions: From I-80 west of Salt Lake City, take exit 115 and go north on 4000 West to 2300 North, northwest of Salt Lake international Airport.  With recent airport road construction, some of the dirt road accesses off 2300 North may not be accessible.

Birds: Typical marsh habitat – rails, coots, puddle ducks, herons, occasional bittern. Rough-legged Hawk in winter, Harriers all over the place, Red-tails and kestrels. Short-eared Owl on rare occasions. Wilson’s Phalaropes, other sandpipers and plovers.

(Weather Forecast)

Mehraban Wetlands Park

Directions:  [Take the Draper/Riverton exit (#291) from I-15 and go east to 1000 East] Enter from 1000 East and 11815 South (Riparian Drive). From this intersection you go west about two blocks to a small parking lot at the bend in the road.  ~ Keith Morlock

Description: This is a recently rehabilitated wetlands area that has starting picking up many more migrants and permanent residents in the last few years. There are several walkways around various ponds and boggy areas. Worth a trip in the evenings, especially if you like the sound of hundreds of Red-Winged Blackbirds serenading you. ~ Keith Morlock

Birds: Good riparian spot, flycatchers, W. Kingbird, orioles, grosbeaks, chickadees, accipiters. KC Childs reported a Black Phoebe here, which Steve Carr verified later the same day or next day, about 5-6 years ago. 
~ Steve Carr

(Weather Forecast).

Memory Grove
  

Mill Creek Canyon

Directions:  Depending on the direction your coming from take either the 3300 South or the 3900 South exit of I-215 in east Salt Lake City.  Go east under the freeway and take Wasatch Boulevard to 3800 South.  Turn east into the canyon.  This is a toll canyon - $2.25 per car ($1 for seniors).

Specialty Birds: Northern Pygmy-Owl, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Flammulated Owl, Great-horned Owl

Birding Specifics: ~ Steve Carr
Swainson’s Thrush in lower reaches around Tracy Scout Camp. Dippers are usually seen up and down the stream. Most birds are seen in the side canyons off the main canyon – warblers, Spotted Towhee, Chipping and White-crowned Sparrows. At the head of the canyon, birds are the same as at Brighton.

(Weather Forecast)

Miller Bird Refuge and Nature Park & Bonneville Glen  ~ suggested by M. Lyman Moody
  

Mountain Dell Reservoir

Directions:  Go about 5 miles up Parley's Canyon on I-80 and take the UT 56 exit to East Canyon Reservoir, Mountain Dell Reservoir will be immediately on your left behind the Golf Course.   About 2 miles further up the road is Little Dell Reservoir. 

Birds: Washington Park, at the top edge of the golf course, accessed from the golf course road and lower down are  good for various sandpipers, Sandhill Cranes,  warblers, orioles, Black-headed Grosbeaks, gnatcatchers, and sparrows. Red-naped Sapsuckers nest there, along with Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers. Swainson Thrushes, yellowthroats, MacGillivray’s Warblers and chats. ~Steve Carr

(Weather Forecast)

Murray, Jordan River Parkway
  

Parley's Canyon  ~ submitted by Steve Carr

Parley’s Canyon – The canyon, itself, is too busy with I-80 traffic till you get to Mountain Dell and Little Dell reservoirs. Reservoirs are good for migrating ducks, both puddle and diving, including mergansers. Also good for Common Loons in April, esp. Little Dell, which is on the road toward East Canyon from Parley’s. Various sandpipers have been seen, again, esp. on Little Dell, along with Sandhill Cranes. Warblers, orioles, Black-headed Grosbeaks, gnatcatchers, sparrows in the bushes around the reservoirs. Washington Park, at the top edge of the golf course, accessed from the golf course road, good for the same types, but the area is generally quieter than lower down. Red-naped Sapsuckers nest there, along with Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers. Swainson Thrushes, yellowthroats, MacGillivray’s Warblers and chats.

(Weather Forecast)  |

Parley's Historic and Nature Area / Parley's Gulch

Directions:  Take the 2300 East Street exit (Exit 171) from I-80 in south Salt Lake City.  Turn left on Heritage Way (2760 South) and go to 2700 East.  You can use the parking lots for Parley's Historic and Nature Area or for Tanner Park.  (See Tanner Park)

(Weather Forecast)

Red Butte Gardens  (submitted by Carol Gwynn)
  

Riverside Park (and Rose Park), Jordan River Parkway
  

Riverton/Draper, Jordan River Parkway  (see Draper/Riverton section)

Saltair Marina and ponds  (see South Shore)

Silver Lake Boardwalk
   

South Shore -- Great Salt Lake / GSL Marina / Saltair 

Directions:  Take I-80 going west from Salt Lake City to Exit 104 (Saltair).  Take the frontage road heading northeast.  From this point to Saltair (an old resort six mile down the road), there are points of access, mostly by foot to the mudflats of the Great Salt Lake.

Specialty Birds:
     (spring) Black-bellied Plover, Red Knot, Sanderling, Snowy Plover, Long-billed Curlews;
     (summer) Snowy Plover, Willet, Long-billed Curlew, American Avocet, Black-necked Stilt, Wilson's Phalarope, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Baird's Sandpiper;
     (fall and winter) Least Sandpiper, Red-necked Phalarope, Whimbrel, Franklin's Gull, Boneparte's Gull, Snow Bunting, Red-necked and Eared Grebe, Long-tailed Duck (Oldsquaw), Harlequin Duck, White-winged, Surf and Black Scoter
     (in freshwater ponds) Ruddy Ducks, other diving ducks and Pied-billed, Western, Clark’s Grebes.

(Weather Forecast)

Tanner's Flat Campground

Directions:  Take Exit 295 from I-15 in Sandy and go east on UT 209 toward the Snowbird and Alta ski resorts.  Go 5 miles to the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon.  Go up the canyon road (UT 210) about 4.5 miles.  Tanner's Flat Campground will be on your right, south of the road.

(Weather Forecast)

Tanner Park and Parley's Gulch

Directions:  Take the 2300 East Street exit (Exit 171) from I-80 in south Salt Lake City.  Turn left on Heritage Way (2760 South) and go to 2700 East.  You can use the parking lots for Parley's Historic and Nature Area or for Tanner Park.

Description:  The main problem here is with dogs. Hundreds of people all day long walk their dogs and let them run loose. No reports of dog bites, but they are almost always a nuisance. There are also some interesting historical highlights of what went on in this part of the canyon in the late 1800’s.  ~ Steve Carr

Birds:  Orange-crowned, Yellow, Yellow-rumped, Virginia’s warblers, Chipping Sparrows, Spotted Towhees, Flickers, Downy Woodpeckers, Red-naped Sapsuckers, Wood-Pewees, Gray Vireo, gnatcatchers, grosbeaks. A Rose-breasted Grosbeak and a Yellow-billed Cuckoo were seen in the gulch around 1998. Wood Ducks have been known to nest here in the past. Great Horned Owls and Screech-Owls are sometimes seen or heard. Common Nighthawks have been noted.

(Weather Forecast)

The Spruces Campground

Directions:  Take the 7200 South exit (Exit 297) on I-15 in Salt Lake City and go east about 5 miles on UT 48 to the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon.  Go up the canyon 10 miles to the campground on the right.

Specialty Birds: Red-naped Sapsucker, Western Wood Pewee, Hammond's Flycatcher, Mountain Chickadee, Townsends Solitaire, Fox Sparrow and  Cassin's Finch.

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Yellow Fork Canyon  ~ submitted by Steve Carr

Directions:  Take 12600 South west from Bangerter Highway to center of Herriman, about 6800 West, turn to the south and follow Rose Canyon Road or Blvd. almost to its end where the Yellow Fork Canyon signs appear. Park and walk up the dirt road.

Birds:  Turkeys, Black-throated Gray Warblers, Bushtits, gnatcatchers, Oak Titmouse, ravens, accipiters, vultures, buteos, House Wrens.

(Weather Forecast)