Join us for a special field trip out to the single best hotspot in Utah, Fish Springs. We will be meeting at 5 AM at the Pioneer Crossing Park and Ride in American Fork just on the west side of I-15. Keeli and I will be leading a field trip out there, with a chance we may be able to get access to areas behind the gates, but no promises. Fish Springs is known for rare migrating birds, and you never know what you might encounter out there. We will be checking different areas for shorebirds, passerines, and all the fun birds that use the marsh and ponds at this national wildlife refuge. Be sure to bring water, a lunch, bug spray, sunscreen, and plan on a full day of birding. If you have a scope, feel free to bring it, as it could be helpful looking at shorebirds. I hope we can leave Fish Springs at a decent enough hour to not be home too late. If you have any questions about this trip, please feel free to contact me or Keeli. I hope to get a good turnout for the trip and find some fun birds for those who are able to make it.

We will be doing a hawk watch atop Buffalo Peak along Khyv Peak Rd. This requires a short hike of about a half mile in each direction with about 300 feet of elevation gain. The final part is where most of the elevation comes in and is steep, though the hawk watching from this site allows for many eye level encounters with migrating birds. If you have a portable chair that you are comfortable carrying a half mile, it comes in handy for hawk watching. Also bring water, any snacks you want to munch on, and of course your binoculars. This is at an elevation of 8019 feet, so wear sunscreen. Also, there are no bathrooms at the trailhead, or at the peak. If you need to use the bathroom, you will have to take a scenic stroll. We will meet at the Palisade Park parking lot located in Orem near the old Cascade Golf Club. We will meet at 9:30 AM. We will not be parking by the gas station at the mouth of the canyon, but at the park located west of there. The final part of the Khyv Peak Road is often dusty, rough, and slow going. If you are uncomfortable driving your vehicle, you may carpool with other people. If you are interested in driving up later and meeting us, please feel free to. If you need to leave early then bringing your car, or arranging to leave early will be helpful. We will shoot to be back to the park around 3:30 PM. We are doing this on Monday as this area can get busy during fall with the leaves changing color and want to not worry about having nowhere to park.