In order to assure everyone’s safety during the field trips, and to provide detailed descriptions of each field trip in regards to degree of difficulty, all field trips have been assigned a difficulty level. Should there be any question of participation, check the difficulty level code prior to signing up for field trips. Each participant should be able to access a bus on his/her own power.

Codes for Field Trip Difficulty Levels:
Level 1—Easy walking, mostly level paths, or birding from car possible
Level 2—Paths can be narrow with uneven terrain
Level 3—Obstacles in paths requiring agility or steeper grades
Level 4—Very steep, insecure footing, or long hikes requiring top physical condition

1 - BEAR RIVER MIGRATORY BIRD REFUGE
Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday

Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge is one of the premier birding locations in northern Utah. It is a world-renowned gem, featuring 74,000 acres that host millions of water, marsh and shorebirds annually, either as resident breeders or as migrants. We will enter the back gate of the Refuge and search for breeders, such as Whitefaced Ibis, Soras, Virginia Rails, Long-billed Curlews, and often Sandhill Cranes, along the Bear River. On the main Refuge are American White Pelicans, Doublecrested Cormorants, Franklin’s and California Gulls, Forster’s, Caspian, and Black Terns, American Bitterns, American Avocets, Black-necked Stilts, Willets, Wilson’s Phalaropes, and both dabbling and diving ducks. Northern Harriers and occasional Short-eared Owls cruise over the marshes while other raptors periodically put in appearances. Numerous sparrows may be seen, and Marsh Wrens are heard and seen every 100 feet along the dikes. All three blackbirds, all six swallows, and both goldfinches are also to be counted on this tour. Potential for 75 to 80 species. (Bus trip—Level 1)

2 - MIRROR LAKE AND BALD MOUNTAIN PASS
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Optional Sunday Trip

This trip gets us to the high mountain passes and boreal forests of the state. After an hour of travel, we’re in the 9000-foot-plus level, while Bald Mountain Pass registers at 10,700 feet. We will walk a couple of short hiking trails which are mostly level. The adventuresome may choose to hike one rocky stretch along the side of Bald Mountain itself (elevation 11,000 feet) to look for Black Rosy-Finches, if they are not present in the parking lot. Mirror Lake is an alpine lake bordered by forest and campgrounds. Other target birds for this trip include Gray Jay, Clark’s Nutcracker, American Three-toed Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Williamson’s Sapsucker, Hammond’s and Cordilleran Flycatchers, Red-breasted Nuthatches, Brown Creeper, Mountain Bluebird, Mountain Chickadee, Osprey, Hermit and Swainson’s Thrushes, Townsend’s Solitaire, both kinglets, Cedar Waxwing, Pine Grosbeak, Red Crossbills, Cassin’s Finch, and occasionally Northern Goshawk. Potential for 50 to 70 species. (Bus trip—Level 1, except for the rosy-finch climb that is Level 3-4, and 2 miles of optional Level 2 hiking.)

3 - UTAH COUNTY HOTSPOTS
Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday

Utah County, just south of Salt Lake County, contains several types of habitats that make for varied and interesting birding. The tributaries and shores of freshwater Utah Lake draw many types of water, marsh, and riverine inhabitants – dabbling and diving ducks, Black-crowned Night-Herons, Snowy Egrets, White-faced Ibis, White Pelicans, and Double-crested Cormorants among them. Wet and dry meadows host associated species, such as, Bobolinks (one of few places in the state), Lincoln’s and Song Sparrows. Riparian areas provide cover and forage for Lewis’s Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Willow Flycatcher, MacGillivray’s Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Blue Grosbeak, three blackbirds, Common Raven, and Bullocks’ Oriole. The foothills harbor Lazuli Buntings, Western Scrub-Jays, some flycatchers, Warbling and Plumbeous Vireos, Yellow, Yellow-rumped, and Orange-crowned Warblers, Blackheaded Grosbeaks, Cedar Waxwings, Spotted and Green-tailed Towhees, and Chipping Sparrows. There are also some Pinyon-Juniper forests where the Gray Flycatcher, Pinyon Jay, Juniper Titmouse, Bushtit, and Black-throated Gray Warbler are usually observed. Potential for 70 to 80 species. (Bus trip—Level 1)

4 - ANTELOPE ISLAND, INCLUDING THE CAUSEWAY AND THE FIELDING-GARR RANCH
Tuesday, Saturday and Optional Sunday Trip

Antelope Island is the largest island in the Great Salt Lake, named after herds of American Pronghorn were discovered there by the pioneers who settled Salt Lake Valley in 1847. There are still pronghorn as well as a free-ranging herd of American Bison. The causeway from Davis County attracts migrating shorebirds at any season of the year and Long-billed Curlew and Willets are usually present. Three species of gull, two species of tern, and thousands of Wilson’s Phalaropes and Eared Grebes can be seen from the causeway. Several duck species are usually present and we might see some wandering peeps or plovers. At the State Park Visitor Center, Burrowing Owl, Chukar, Sage Thrasher, and Rock Wren are usually found. On the way to Fielding-Garr Ranch, Grasshopper Sparrows sing from the sunflower stalks while Golden Eagles, Red-tailed and Swainson’s Hawks, and Common Ravens soar overhead. The Fielding-Garr Ranch itself is a warbler trap, especially during migration, but we may see Northern Waterthrush, MacGillivray’s, Yellow, Yellow-rumped, Townsend’s, Wilson’s or Orange-crowned Warblers. Virginia’s Rail and Sora are usually seen or heard in the water courses. Accipiters, Great Horned, Long-eared, and Barn Owls all nest on the ranch. Potential for 60 to 70 species. (Bus trip—Level 1)

4A – CENTURY CLUB SELECTION
Thursday Only

The ABA Century Club members will have an opportunity to participate in a special field trip to Antelope Island. There is a space on the registration form to indicate your interest in this field trip. See Trip #4 for description.

5 - BRIGHTON, SILVER LAKE, AND THE INLAND SEA SHOREBIRD RESERVE
Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday

This trip combines the features of high montane and forest birding, including a high mountain lake, and the playas, marshes, and lakes on the edge of the Great Salt Lake. At Silver Lake in Brighton, a walk around the lake and wetlands should yield Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers, Red-naped Sapsucker, Spotted Sandpiper, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Mountain Chickadee, Steller’s Jay, Clark’s Nutcracker, Hermit Thrush, both kinglets, Lincoln’s, Song, Chipping and White-crowned Sparrows, and some warblers. Leaving the cool mountains, we’ll head for the Inland Sea Shorebird Reserve (ISSR) in Salt Lake County. Closed to the general public, ISSR will be accessible for us during the ABA Convention. It is one of the few places in Utah where Snowy Plovers are likely. Other possible birds are Cinnamon and Greenwinged Teal, Gadwall, Northern Shoveler, Redhead, Ring-necked Duck, Ruddy Duck, Swainson’s and Red-tailed Hawks, Golden Eagle, Peregrine and Prairie Falcons, Northern Harrier, Short-eared, Burrowing and Barn Owls, Black-crowned Night-Heron, American White Pelican, White-faced Ibis, Virginia Rail, four species of grebe, Franklin’s Gull, Willet, Wilson’s Phalarope, Spotted Sandpiper, possible Solitary and Stilt Sandpipers, Killdeer, Forster’s and Caspian Terns, and Marsh Wren. Potential for 50 to 70 species. (Bus trip—Level 1, one short optional stretch of Level 2 walking)

6 - JORDANELLE RESERVOIR AND WETLANDS, ROCK CLIFF STATE PARK, AND THE HEBER VALLEY
Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday

This mid-altitude level reservoir was created less than 15 years ago and already is one of the best birding areas of open water in northern Utah. Numerous waterfowl, waders, and land birds can be seen on the water as well as in the surrounding sagebrush habitat. Rock Cliff State Park is an extension of the reservoir up into an excellent riparian area. Just below the dam is a federal wildlife mitigation area that is a combination of riparian and marsh territory. Heber Valley is full of damp and dry meadows and pastures, all of which can be seen from the country roads. We may stop for shorebirds at Deer Creek Reservoir in Heber Valley depending on water level. Birds that could be expected include various species of ducks and herons, Sandhill Crane, Red-tailed, Cooper’s and Sharp-shinned Hawks, Osprey, California Quail, Wilson’s Snipe, Belted Kingfisher, Red-naped Sapsucker, Mountain Bluebird, most of the swallows, American Dipper, Rock Wren, Cedar Waxwing, Warbling and Plumbeous Vireo, Yellow, Yellow-rumped, MacGillivray’s Warblers, Yellow-breasted Chat, Swainson’s Thrush, Green-tailed and Spotted Towhee, Song, Lincoln’s, Chipping, Savannah, Brewer’s, Vesper, and Lark Sparrows, Bobolink, and Bullock’s Oriole. Potential for 50 to 75 species. (Bus trip—Level 1)

7 – BRIDAL VEIL FALLS, TIMPANOGOS TRAILHEAD AND SUNDANCE RESORT
Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday

Provo Canyon and its tributaries provide birds and scenery that are quite unusual in an otherwise arid state. The first stop will be at Bridal Veil Falls, probably Utah’s best and most accessible location to observe Black Swifts. We will then visit Deer Creek Reservoir to check on waterfowl and early migrating shorebirds. Next, we’ll swing up behind Mount Timpanogos for some alpine birding at the Timpanogos Trailhead. Birds likely here are Red-tailed Hawk, woodpeckers, Hermit Thrush, three species of empid, Mountain Bluebird, Western Tanager, Pine Siskin, and Red Crossbill. Northern Pygmy-Owls have been seen on occasion. The next stop is Robert Redford’s Sundance Resort where Red-naped Sapsucker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, American Dipper, Fox and White-crowned Sparrows, Lazuli Bunting, Plumbeous and Warbling Vireos, Swainson’s Thrush, and both kinglets could easily be found. The ski chair-lift runs up another 800+ feet in elevation, which will offer opportunity for more montane birds. Upon leaving Sundance, we’ll venture up into South Fork Canyon to check on more forest and foothill habitats. Golden Eagle, Northern Goshawk, Lazuli Bunting, and Black-chinned and Broad-tailed Hummingbirds frequent here. Potential for 40 to 60 species. (Bus trip – Level 1; chair lift and some Level 2 walking)

8 - DESERET RANCH LOWLANDS
Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday (Limited to 50 People Per Day)

At nearly 250,000 acres, Deseret Ranch is Utah’s largest piece of privately-owned property. Stretching through five counties, the ranch has examples of nearly all of the habitats of the region. Because of its enormity, the ranch has been split into two trips. The eastern part of Deseret Ranch consists of rolling hills of sagebrush and grassland with wet meadows and various ponds and reservoirs between the hills. These wetlands are home in summer to nearly every species of waterfowl that breeds in Utah, four species of grebes , and nesting colonies of Snowy Egret, Cattle Egret, Double-crested Cormorant, Black-crowned Night-Heron, three species of gulls and three species of terns. Also nesting commonly in the wetlands are Sandhill Crane, American Avocet, Black-necked Stilt, “Western” Willet, Wilson’s Phalarope, and Yellow-headed Blackbird. The drier hills between are home to three “sagebrush species” - Greater Sage-Grouse, Sage Thrasher and Sage Sparrow, along with Gray Flycatcher and Brewer’s Sparrow. The abundant rodents here, including over 14,000 acres of prairie dog towns, attract numerous birds of prey, including Ferruginous Hawk, Golden Eagle, Prairie Falcon, Burrowing Owl, and Short-eared Owl. Potential for 70 to 90 species. (Bus trip – Level 1)
Additional Fee Required.

9 - DESERET RANCH HIGHLANDS
Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday (Limited to 50 People Per Day)

The western half of Deseret Ranch has high mountain ridges cut by spectacular canyons. The birder will find a great variety of habitats; forests of aspen and fir, mountain brush lands of serviceberry and snowberry, stream-side willows and canyon bottoms of Gambel’s oak thickets. Among the many birds we may encounter in these varied habitats are three species of grouse (Ruffed, Dusky, and Greater Sage-Grouse), Northern Pygmy-Owl, Calliope Hummingbird, Lewis’s Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Western Wood-Pewee, four species of Empidonax flycatchers (Willow, Hammond’s, Dusky, and Cordilleran), Plumbeous Vireo, Steller’s Jay, Clark’s Nutcracker, Mountain Chickadee, Rock and Canyon Wrens, American Dipper, Townsend’s Solitaire, Virginia’s Warbler, MacGillivray’s Warbler, Western Tanager, “Slate-colored” Fox Sparrow, and Cassin’s Finch. In between birds you’ll enjoy spectacular vistas of the ranch and the nearby Wasatch and Uinta Mountains. Potential for 70 to 90 species. (Bus Trip – Level 1)
Additional Fee Required.

10 - TRAM RIDE TO HIDDEN PEAK SUMMIT AND EXTREME ALPINE BIRDING
Sunday Only

For those members who enjoy birding and hiking, join Bill Schmoker on a scenic tram ride to the top of Hidden Peak. While up on top, we will navigate around snowfields to search for such species as Black Rosy-Finch, American Pipit, Mountain Bluebird, and raptors. The views over Snowbird, Alta, Albion Basin, as well as Mineral Basin to the south are superb. After lunch on top, the downhill trip back to the lodge covers 3000 vertical feet and may take two or more hours as we bird along the way. You will also have the option to ride the tram back down after it opens to the general public. Some of the other high country birds that could be encountered include Hermit Thrush, Hammond’s and Cordilleran Flycatchers, American Threetoed Woodpecker, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Mountain Chickadee, Clark’s Nutcracker, Steller’s Jay, Cliff, Tree, and Violet-green Swallows, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Yellow-rumped and MacGillivray’s Warbler, Lazuli Bunting, and Cassin’s Finch. Potential for 30 to 50 species. (Level 4)
Additional Fee Required
Disclaimer: Residual snowpack may impact access to trails.

11 - DESERET RANCH – EXTENDED COMBINED TRIP
Sunday Only (Limited to 25 People)

This Sunday-only trip to Deseret Ranch will be an extended ALL DAY trip to explore both eastern lowlands and western highlands. The eastern part of Deseret Ranch consists of rolling hills of sagebrush and grassland with wet meadows and various ponds and reservoirs between the hills and their associated species. The drier sagebrush hills may produce Greater Sage-Grouse, Sage Thrasher and Sage Sparrow, along with Gray Flycatcher and Brewer’s Sparrow. Numerous birds of prey can also be found. The western half of Deseret Ranch is much more mountainous and cut with canyon microhabitats. Among the many birds to be encountered are three species of grouse, Northern Pygmy-Owl, Calliope Hummingbird, Lewis’s Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Western Wood-Pewee, four species of Empidonax flycatchers, Plumbeous Vireo, Steller’s Jay, Clark’s Nutcracker, Mountain Chickadee, Rock and Canyon Wrens, American Dipper, Townsend’s Solitaire, Virginia’s Warbler, MacGillivray’s Warbler, Western Tanager, Green-tailed and Spotted Towhees, “Slate-colored” Fox Sparrow, and Cassin’s Finch. Because of the longer day, you may wish to bring an afternoon snack. Plan on returning to Cliff Lodge at 6:00 pm. Potential for 80 to 100 species. (Bus trip – Level 1)
Additional Fee Required.