(Print PDF - Schedule & Registration Form)

Friday, September 16

7:00 am to 11:30 am - Field trip to Amalga Barrens & Logan Sewage Lagoons

Join local birding expert, Keith Archibald, as he leads us to the Amalga Barrens area to observe migrating waterfowl and shorebirds. Possible species include Baird’s, pectoral and semipalmated sandpipers, red-necked phalarope and peregrine falcon. We will stop at Logan’s sewage lagoon that may be ripe with migrating waterfowl such as scoters and long-tailed duck. Meet in the lobby of the University Inn at 7:00am for this car caravan tour. Bring binoculars, spotting scopes and your own water and snacks. Return time is approximate.

LUNCH ON YOUR OWN

1:30pm to 5:00pm - Field trip to Mendon Area - Staging Sandhill Cranes

Western Cache Valley is our destination, with Bridgerland Audubon Society board member and birding expert, Sue Drown. We’ll look for staging sandhill cranes that make use of recently harvested agricultural fields as staging grounds during migration. We’ll also look for migrating Swainson’s hawks along their Wellsville Mountains migratory corridor. Other target species could include long-eared owl, Cooper’s hawk and other birds of prey. Meet in the lobby of the University Inn at 1:30 pm for this car caravan tour. Bring binoculars, spotting scopes and your own water and snacks. Return time is approximate.

7:00am to 5:00pm - Field trip to Tony Grove & Logan Canyon Hotspots

This will be an all-day excursion to one of Northern Utah’s most beautiful spots. The trip will be led by Utah State University student and birding enthusiast, John Goodell. We’ll look for the elusive American three-toed woodpecker, which has been spotted in the campground area the past two years. Other possible birds include Clark’s nutcracker, calliope hummingbird, Williamson’s sapsucker, Townsend’s warbler, Steller’s jay, northern pygmy owl and golden eagle. We will also make stops at Wood Camp Hollow, Right Hand Fork, Spring Hollow and 1^st dam, following reports from the previous week’s scouting. Meet in the lobby of the University Inn at 7:00 am for this car caravan tour. Bring binoculars, spotting scopes, water, lunch and snacks. Dress for cool temperatures at higher elevations. Hiking will be light to moderate. Wear hiking boots or appropriate foot gear. Return time is approximate.

DINNER ON YOUR OWN

6:00pm - Registration - Social at the University Inn with drinks and hors d’oeuvres.

7:00pm - "The Song of a Bird"Program - University Inn. Is it important to identify the Bald Eagle by sound? Which bird was named ‘A big noise for his size’ by Native Americans in the Great Basin? Why do birds sing at dawn? Can a listening, blind-folded birder keep up with a companion using binoculars and ear plugs? Learn how, why, when and where birds make their sounds with Kevin J. Colver, a Utah physician with a 15-year passion for recording and studying the sounds of birds.

6:30 - 8:30am - Field trip to Logan Sewage Lagoons & Area HOTspots

Join Keith Archibald, bright and early, for a quick trip back to the sewage treatment lagoons to look for unusual species spotted the previous day. We’ll also target any rare species known in the area. Meet in the lobby of the University Inn at 6:30 a.m. Bring binoculars and spotting scopes. We will return to the University Inn with time for morning snacks before the paper session begins.

8:00-9:00am - Registration, breakfast snacks, bird quiz, booths & information - Biology & Natural Resources Building - Utah State University.

Paper Session - (Biology & Natural Resources Building - right next door to the University Inn)

Note: Presentation times are approximate and may change slightly before the event!

9:00am - Keynote - "Birding Tourism in Utah - Where are we Headed?" Leigh Von der Esch, Director of the newly created Utah Office of Tourism, will share with us her goals and plans to market Utah as a premier birding destination in the West!

9:30am - Amanda Bakian - USU - Nesting Success of Willow Flycatchers

10:00am - Landon Jones - BYU - Determining Suitable Habitat for Avocet Nesting

10:30am - BREAK

10:50am - Jenna Jorgensen - Biotic/Environmental Variables of Northern Goshawk Nests

11:15am - Sparrow Identification - Merrill Webb

12:00 - 12:45pm - LUNCH (box lunches provided as part of registration fee)

12:45-1:00pm - Field Trip leader reports from Friday and Saturday morning.

1:00pm - Communicating With Owls - Dick Hurren

1:45pm - Jason Robinson - Factors Affecting Sage Grouse in Utah’s West Desert

2:15pm - BREAK

2:45pm - Russ Norvell - Species Using Shrubsteppe and Sage Habitats

3:15pm - Stephen Peterson - Work of the Bridgerland Audubon Society/Amalga Barrens Project

3:45pm - Announcement of Bird Quiz winners and presentation of prizes

4:00pm - UOS Annual Membership Business Meeting

4:30pm - Birding on your own or in groups - Check out Logan area hotspots. Information and maps will be provided for any interesting species that may be in the area.

DINNER ON YOUR OWN

7:00am - 1:00pm - Field trip to Southern Cache Valley

We will head south to check out multiple spots including Hyrum Dam, looking for loons, scoters and other migrant waterfowl and waterbirds. We will drive to Porcupine Dam in Avon to witness the spawning Kokanee Salmon that brings belted kingfishers, osprey and possibly, bald eagle. Time allowing, we will stop by Paradise Springs to look for ferruginous hawk. A stop in Blacksmith Fork Canyon is possible as well. The trip will be led by Bridgerland Audubon Society board member, Stephen Peterson. Meet in the lobby of the University Inn at 7:00am for this car caravan tour. Bring binoculars, spotting scopes and lunch. We will return to the University Inn at approximately 1:00pm.

LODGING - A special room rate has been arranged with the University Inn. A Deluxe Suite Single room, with one King bed, will be $68.00. A Classic Double room, with two Queen beds will be $62.00. Additional persons, $4.00 each. To receive this special rate, you must tell the booking agent that you are with the Utah Ornithological Society - group confirmation #19179. Rooms will be held at this rate until September 2^nd. Call 1-800-231-5634 for reservations. The Inn will validate for the Terrace Parking ramp adjacent. Directions: From Main St. in Logan, go to 500 North. Turn right/east and follow the road to 700 East. Turn left/north on 700 East. Follow the road as it curves back east. Continue straight through the light and turn right/south into the first lot just past the Parking Terrace. The Inn is on the south side of the Parking Terrace. You may temporarily park in the loading zone while unloading your luggage. After check-in, the Inn will validate your parking permit for the Parking Terrace. For more University Inn information, check on-line at: www.usu.edu/univinn.

PAPER SESSION - The Paper Session will be held in the Biology & Natural Resources Building, which is adjacent to the University Inn. Registration, booths, snacks, lunch, etc. will be in the foyer.

REGISTRATION FEE - The registration fee for the conference is $20.00 per person. Please register only one or two people per form (below). This fee covers the Social on Friday evening, including hors d’oeuvres and drinks, as well as snacks and box lunch on Saturday during the Paper Session.

BOOTHS/POSTERS - We invite affiliate bird clubs, members with events to advertise and students to put up a booth or poster for the Paper Session on Saturday. You must pre-register for space on the form below.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: E-mail the UOS at uosinfo@utahbirds.org, or contact Betsy Beneke at 435-723-6950 evenings.

(Print PDF - Registration Form only)
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REGISTRATION FORM

Complete and mail to: Betsy Beneke - UOS, 420 West 2000 South #10, Perry UT 84302

Name(s) ___________________________________________________________________________

Address ___________________________________________________________________________

City, State, ZIP _____________________________________________________________________

Telephone # ____________________________ Email ______________________________________

Number of people registering: ________ @ $20.00 each = $ ______________ Total enclosed

Number of box lunches needed: ________ (included in registration fee)

Please check the kind of sandwich you would like: