Popular Birding Places
Weber County
(To print a county map along with this information, go to the Print Center)
Description & Directions: Wasatch Audubon Web Page
Directions:
From points south of Ogden, take US-89 north,
[exit 324 for US 89 and So. Ogden, near Lagoon] After passing
under the I-84 underpass, you'll climb the Ogden bench. Turn right (north) at
the second traffic light onto Harrison Blvd and SR-203. Drive north on Harrison
just over 2 miles and turn right (east) onto 42 Street. Drive approximately 3/4
mile and turn right into the Beus Park entrance.
From points north take I-15 exit 344, 12th
Street. Drive east on 12th to Harrison Blvd, and then south on Harrison. Go to
42nd and turn left (east). Go less than a half mile (the road becomes Country
Hills Drive) to
where the road turns north. Just around the bend on the right side of the
road is a parking area for Beus Pond.
From points east, take I-84 to exit 87, Ogden. Turn north onto US-89
and follow the directions above.
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Description & Directions: (see Beus Park above)
Dairy Ridge and Eli Ridge Road (actually in Rich County)
Directions: Dairy Ridge and Eli Ridge Road are located on UT 39 between mile markers 45 and 46. To get there from I-15, exit the interstate at 344 and turn east on 12th Street, also named UT 39. Follow UT 39 through Ogden Canyon, along the south shore of Pineview Reservoir, and east of Huntsville. UT 39 proceeds due east of Huntsville and follows the South Fork of the Ogden River. Watch the mile markers count up. Dairy Ridge and Eli Ridge are served by the same sign and are just over the Cache Valley line. The road into the area may still be impassable due to snow late into spring. ~ Kris Purdy
Specialty Birds: (Summer only) Blue Grouse, Mountain Bluebird, White-crowned Sparrow, Green-tailed Towhee
Directions from the South: Take the 12th Street exit (exit 344) of I-15 in the Ogden
area and go west on Highway 39 to 6700 West and turn right (north). Go
3 mile or so to the end of the road and you will be at the wetlands.
Directions from the North: Take exit 349 of I-15 near Farr West and
go west on Highway 134 into Plain City (3 or 4 miles). Go west from Plain
City on 2050 North a couple of miles until it "T's" into 1900 North and turn
right (west). Go west about .2 miles to 6700 West and turn right (north).
Go north about a half mile to the end or the road and you will be at the
wetlands.
Birding the area: From the trailhead you will see a hack tower to the
northeast. Look for Peregrine Falcons on it. You can walk along the old
railroad bed east or west. If you go east there is a small pond about 1
mile that holds a fair amount of birds and waterfowl. ~ Paul Merola
Birding along the way: On your way there, stop at the West Warren
Cemetery on the corner 6700 West and 700 North. Northern Shrikes may be
in the area and if you're lucky Short-eared Owls may be in a Russian Olive grove about 1/4 mile north of the cemetery on 700 North. ~ Paul Merola
Specialty Birds: Eastern Kingbird, Peregrine Falcon, Prairie Falcon ~ Paul Merola
Fort Buenaventura (submitted by Kris Purdy)
Description: Fort Buenaventura is located within a mature cottonwood
stand along a curve of the Weber River. Well-developed paths through the park
and along the river on both sides allow good access.
Directions: From 1-15 exit 342 (24th Street) turn east. Drive one mile on
24th Street and turn south on A Street. Follow the brown signs to Raptor
Field/Fort Buenaventura; it's less than a block from 24th Street. Pass Raptor
field and continue south. You can park at the yurt and then bird the path west
of the river, or continue over the river into the park proper and park at the
visitor's center.
Birds: Belted Kingfishers, vireos, Wood Ducks, hummingbirds, Western
Screech-owls, Great Horned Owls, Bullock's Orioles, Cooper's Hawks, Spotted
Sandpipers.
Other: Best birding is along the path next to the river because the
habitat is more diverse there. At the end of the paved path, the Kingfisher
Wetlands Trail forms a loop around a small wetland and has an observation tower.
If you enter the park, you can pay your $1.00 entrance fee at the visitor's
center. Bathrooms are located in the park. Fort Buen can be a very noisy place
sometimes due to railroads on the south and east sides, Saturday Mountain Man
Rendezvous and Boy Scout Jamborees.
Maples Loop Nordic Trail (submitted by Kristin Purdy)
Description: Maples Loop Nordic Trail is a National Forest Service
Trail below Snowbasin Ski Resort. The area is forested with mixed aspen, fir,
spruce, and pine. The trail formerly was a dirt road that led to Maples
Camground years ago when the camground was an overnight camping area.
Directions: Maples Loop Nordic Trail is just below the northernmost
Snowbasin Ski Resort parking lot. The trailhead is at the farthest corner from
the entrance to the parking lot. Snowbasin is accessed from SR-167, Trapper's
Loop, that runs between the town of Mountain Green in Morgan County and
Huntsville in Weber County.
Birds: Red-naped Sapsucker, Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers, Flammulated Owl,
both Chickadees, Broad-tailed Hummingbirds, MacGillivray's Warblers,
Orange-crowned Warblers, House Wrens, Lazuli Buntings.
Other: You may either walk down the trail nearly a mile to the open area of
the old campground and return to the trailhead, or follow the trail signs to
other National Forest Service trails.
North Arm Natural (Viewing) Area, Pineview Reservoir
Description & Directions: Wasatch Audubon Web Page
Directions: Take I-15 to the 12th street exit (#344). Go East on 12th and continue through Ogden Canyon. Pineview reservoir's dam will be on your left and you'll see it as you climb a gradual hill that has the Wheeler Creek trail head to your right. Turn left [north] across the dam. This is your last turn and you'll be following the reservoir on it's West side. In five or so miles you'll be at the well seen trail head for the North Arm Wildlife Trail. ~ Ron Wheeler
Description: When this road starts descending after passing the Yacht Club and marina you'll see a Y in the road. The trail head is just before the Y and to your right. Very easy to spot even at the posted 50 MPH. There are a couple of different trails here. The Pineview Trail is the longest and the one I regularly take. It is 4-5ft wide and well maintained. There are numerous food sources along the trail for birds. From bugs to berries. The trail climbs in elevation a bit and you'll be looking over a natural grass wetland area where you'll a wide variety of birds. There are even two Osprey platforms as this is their habitat. There is a new bench ten minutes up this trail that has good views across acres of tree tops. By the way, you are now in Eden. A nice little town to visit with an old time general store that serves food and has lots of neat stuff for sale too. ~ Ron Wheeler
Specialty Birds: (best in early summer) Osprey, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-breasted Chat, Gray Catbird, Willow Flycatcher, Fox Sparrow.
Directions: The cemetery is located on 20th Street between 450 E. and 700 E. streets in Ogden. You can park on 20th Street and walk into the cemetery from there.
Specialty Birds: Bohemian Waxwing, Cedar Waxwing, Brown Creeper, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Mountain Chickadee and Golden-crowned Kinglet.
Description & Directions: Wasatch Audubon Web Page
Directions: Take the 12th Street exit (Exit 344) in Ogden and go east through Ogden toward Ogden Canyon. Turn right at the sign for "Dinosaur Park" about 100 yards before entering Ogden Canyon and cross the river to the parkway head.
Description & Directions: Wasatch Audubon Web Page
Directions: Take the 12th Street exit (Exit 344) and go east toward Ogden. Go about 1.5 miles to the nature center on the left side of the road.
Ogden Bay Waterfowl Management Area
Directions: North Entrance: Go west on 12th Street (becomes 900 South) in Ogden to 7500 West. Turn south and proceed to the north entrance. Or, from Hooper, go west to 7500 West. Turn north and proceed to the south entrance.
South Entrance: "To reach Ogden Bay's south entrance, take exit 338 from I-15 and head west on 5600 S. through Roy. This road becomes 5500 S. and passes through Hooper. 5500S ends at a stop sign at a "T" in the road; turn north on 7500W and drive until you enter Ogden Bay WMA". ~ Kris Purdy
Specialty Birds: Marsh Wren, Savannah Sparrow, Yellow-headed Blackbird
Directions: Perception Park is a National Forest Service campground located on UT 39 east of Huntsville. To get there from I-15, exit the interstate at 344 and turn east on 12th Street, also named UT 39. Follow UT 39 through Ogden Canyon, along the south shore of Pineview Reservoir, and east of Huntsville. UT 39 will proceed due east of Huntsville and follow the South Fork of the Ogden River. Watch the mile markers. Perception Park is located between mile markers 26 and 27 on UT 39. Several other Forest Service Campgrounds--Magpie, Botts, Meadow, Willows--are located along the same stretch and should provide birds similar to those in Perception Park. ~ Kris Purdy
Specialty Birds: Hermit Thrush, Belted Kingfisher, (summer) Lazuli Bunting
Directions: Take 12th Street in Ogden east up Ogden Canyon (UT 39) to the dam and Pineview Reservoir.
Specifics: Geertsen Bay is located on the north end of the reservoir and is due south of the Bar B Ranch on SR-166. The bay is accessible from two paths labeled as Angler's Accesses. The Middle Inlet Swim Area is located on the northeast side of the reservoir along SR-166. The gate is closed to vehicle traffic, but you can still walk in for good views of the water. ~ Kristen Purdy
(See North Arm Viewing (Natural)Area)
Powder Mountain Ski Area (submitted by Kris Purdy)
Description: Powder Mountain Ski Area and upper Highway 158 offer high
montane coniferous and aspen forest. The area is unpopulated and offers views of
Ogden Valley to the south and Cache Valley to the north.
Directions: Powder Mountain is located in Weber County 19 miles northeast
of Ogden on Highway 158. Take I-15 to Exit 344, 12th Street and UT 39. Proceed
east on UT 39 through Ogden Canyon. At the head of the canyon, turn left and
drive over Pineview Dam. You're now on Highway 158. Your last possible pit stop
is at the Maverick or Valley Market at the only stop sign around mile 4. Powder
Mountain canyon actually begins at about mile 7; the ski resort is located at
the end of Highway 158 at approximately miles 11-12.
Birds: Blue Grouse, Ruffed Grouse, Clark's Nutcracker, Green-tailed
Towhee, Red Crossbill, Brewer's Sparrow, Common Poorwill, Mountain Bluebird,
Cassin's Finch, Townsend's Solitaire, Mountain Chickadee, Golden-crowned Kinglet
Other: Not recommended if there's snow on the ground due to hazardous
road conditions and traffic in ski season. Once you enter the canyon the road
becomes steep, narrow and winding. In good weather, pull over periodically to
scan up the canyon walls and listen. Golden Eagles, Sharp-shinned Hawks and
Buteos have been seen high up on embankments and flying along the ridges. Blue
Grouse have been spotted at around mile 10.4 and Common Poorwills have been seen
at mile 10.6. Northern Saw-whet Owls have been heard at this spot as well. When
Highway 158 ends at the ski area proper, a gravel road on the right will take
you up to Powder Ridge Condominiums. This road and the ski area are only open to
the public (without a lift ticket) from mid-June to mid-August. Bird along the
road. Blue Grouse, Mountain Bluebirds, Western Wood-pewees, Clark's Nutcrackers, McGillivray's Warblers, Red Crossbills and many other species have been spotted
here. Drive until the road ends at a gate behind the ski area. Look down the
slope to the south for Green-tailed Towhees, Brewer's Sparrows, American
Kestrels and Mountain Bluebirds. You may walk past the gates from this point for
more of the birds mentioned above. Birders have spotted other mammals along the
roads including porcupines, foxes, moose and deer. Use a low gear when
descending the canyon to avoid smoking brakes.
(Weather
Forecast)
Rainbow and Steward/Birdsong Trails (submitted by Kristin Purdy)
Description: Both trails are located in a riparian "bowl" between the
Ogden River at the mouth of Ogden Canyon and the oak foothills of the bench area
east of Ogden. The habitat includes small streams, a pond, thick willow,
chokecherry, cottonwoods, and dense scrub oak.
Directions: Take I-15 to exit 344, 12th Street/SR-39. Turn east toward the
mountains. Just before Ogden Canyon, turn right on Valley Drive and immediately
left into the Rainbow Gardens Gift Shop parking lot. The trailheads that serve
both trails is located in the far right (southwest) corner of the parking lot.
Birds: Yellow-breasted Chat, Gray Catbird, Virginia's Warbler, MacGillivray's
Warbler, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Bullock's Oriole, California Quail, Chipping
Sparrow, Black-headed Grosbeak, hummingbirds
Other: You can walk a loop using both trails, a short section of the Bonneville
Shoreline Trail (BST), and several blocks of the nearby residential
neighborhood. Take the Rainbow Trail to the BST and leave
the trail system at the 22nd Street Trailhead. Wind north and west a couple
blocks through neighborhoods to the intersection of 20th Street and Fillmore
Ave, where you'll find the south trailhead for the Birdsong Trail. Take the
Birdsong Trail back to Rainbow Gardens. Restrooms and a restaurant are available
at Rainbow Gardens.
Yield right-of-way to mountain bikers and horseback riders.
(Weather
Forecast)
Riverdale Parkway (see Weber River Trail)
Steward Birdsong Trail (see Rainbow and Steward/Birdsong Trails)
Description: Ogden Trails Network
Weber River Trail
(Riverdale Parkway)
~ submitted by Kristin Purdy
Description: The Weber River Trail is located in Riverdale City in Weber
County. The trail is a 10 foot-wide paved path and includes three wooden
boardwalks. It's approximately 1 1/4 miles long from the access near 4400S north
to the end of the trail near Parker Drive in Ogden. The trail is bordered by the
Weber River to the east and a residential area to the west. It's forested with
tall cottonwoods, other old-growth deciduous trees, and lots of dead snags. The
understory is shrubs and brushy edges. Riverdale City plans to leave the
majority of the trail in its natural state to provide habitat critical to
wildlife. Another 1-mile section of the trail continues south of Riverdale Road.
Directions: Take I-15 to exit 339, Riverdale. Turn east on Riverdale Road
and drive 1.3 miles to 700W. Turn left (north). Drive a block to 4400S and turn
right (east). Continue east on 4400S as the road curves north and dead-ends at a
trailhead. You could also turn left (north) on 600W and park at any trail access
up to 4080S. To reach the south section, from Riverdale Road turn right (south)
at 700W. Turn left toward the Riverdale City offices. Cross over the river and
follow the road around to the right. Park at the trailhead.
Birds: Black-chinned Hummingbird, Lazuli Bunting, Black-headed Grosbeak,
Yellow Warbler, Downy Woodpecker, Black-capped Chickadee, Warbling Vireo, Belted
Kingfisher, Bullock's Oriole, Song Sparrow, waterfowl
Other: The trail is popular among the residents of the area and the
birder will meet many friendly people.
(Weather
Forecast)
Description & Directions: Wasatch Audubon Web Page
Wolf Canyon Trail
~ submitted by Kristin Purdy
Description: Wolf Canyon Trail offers a mid-elevation hike that passes
through several vegetation zones. The lower reaches are vegetated by scrub oak
and maple; the mid-elevations have both isolated firs and sometimes cool and
thick fir slopes; and the higher areas open up with shrubs, forbs, and
aspen/alders/box elders along the creek. The trail is one-way, 3 miles long, and
gains 1600' of elevation from 6,000' at the trailhead to 7,600' feet at the
summit. The trail offers a gentle climb on a dirt road until about halfway up;
at higher elevations, the trail becomes steeper and dwindles to a path.
Directions: Wolf Canyon Trail is located in Weber County approximately 16
miles northeast of Ogden at mile 8.2 of UT 158 (Powder Mountain Canyon). Take
I-15 to exit 344 (12th St. and UT 39) and turn east. Pass through Ogden Canyon
and turn right onto UT 158 at Pineview Dam. Watch your odometer; the trailhead
is located on the west side of the road behind the white gate at mile 8.2.
Birds: Virginia's Warbler, MacGillivray's Warbler, Swainson's Thrush,
Black-capped Chickadee, Western Tanager, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Green-tailed
Towhee
E-mail: records@utahbirds.org