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.
eBird Data: |
Salt Lake International Center
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(Weather
Forecast) |
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