Birders head to Utah’s wetlands as thousands and thousands of migratory birds journey via

SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — As fall units in, Utah’s skies come alive. Millions of migratory birds funnel via the Great Salt Lake every year, turning wetlands into one of many high birding spots within the West.

There are over 300 chook species within the State of Utah. At the wetlands of the Great Salt Lake, you may catch sight of them – together with the Forster’s tern which may be seen diving into the waters beneath.

“They’re fishing birds,” defined Brandon Jones, a chook watcher and a wildlife technician at Farmington Bay. “Flying over and watching for fish from above.”

Utah is dwelling to the most effective spots within the West to see birds up shut. The Eccles Wildlife Education Center at Farmington Bay gives 18,000 acres of managed wetlands proper on the sting of the Great Salt Lake. Ashley Kijowski, a coordinator for the schooling middle, referred to as it one of the crucial distinctive ecosystems on this planet.

“Annually, we see about 12 million birds coming through. It’s kind of like an oasis in the desert for migrating birds,” she mentioned. “This is the place to come if you want to go birding.”

Jones agreed. For him, chook watching is a enjoyable technique to move the time nevertheless it’s greater than only a pastime.

“A birder is someone who loves nature and loves looking at birds,” defined Jones. “I take it pretty seriously.”

Kijowski described birding as a “very competitive world.” She added, “The birding community will travel all over the world to get their list.”

Those “lists” are life lists – information of each chook a birder has noticed.

“When a rare bird shows up on the Great Salt Lake, you can count on a bunch of people you already know being there,” joked Jones.

But chook watching will not be so simple as hitting the path with a pair of binoculars and maintaining your eyes open. Jones mentioned utilizing your ears is simply as essential, listening for the completely different chook calls, such because the sharp chirps of a Common Yellowthroat alarm name.

And should you’re fortunate, you may catch a number of the extra secretive and more durable species of birds to see in Utah, just like the wooden duck.

It’s “wow” moments like that that depend upon a wholesome habitat. With rising concern about water ranges on the Great Salt Lake, the well being of the wetlands are essential.

“If the birds are doing well, that shows we are doing well,” mentioned Kijowski.

And regardless of challenges, there’s nonetheless loads of hope – and fervour – on the market.

“For me, I just love nature so much,” mentioned Jones. “It’s about being out here. And the birds are a bonus.”

A reminder that generally, one of the best ways to expertise Utah is just to cease and pay attention.

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