Posted Friday, January 17, 2003

Bald Eagle Day events provide opportunity to view birds

Salt Lake City — A chance to view and learn about bald eagles will be available Feb. 1 as the Division of Wildlife Resources hosts its annual Bald Eagle Day.

Admission is free. Viewing times are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. except at the Gordon Creek site, where viewing will run from 8 a.m. to noon.

Viewing will take place at the following sites:

Compton's Knoll at the Salt Creek Waterfowl Management Area, located about 10 miles northwest of Corinne. To reach the WMA, travel on I-15 and exit the freeway at Exit 368. After exiting, travel about 8 miles west on

SR-83 (to about 11300 W.). Turn right (north) on the gravel road and drive to the north side of the Salt Creek WMA.

Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area, located on the west side of Farmington. If traveling north on I-15, you can reach the WMA by exiting at Exit 325. Turn right on the frontage road and travel south to Glover Lane. Turn west on Glover Lane and drive two miles to the WMA's north entrance (1325 W.). If you're traveling south on I-15, exit at Exit 327 and travel east until the road ends (you'll have to either turn right or left). Turn right and travel south on this road to State St. Turn west on State St., travel over I-15 and then turn south on 650 W. Travel south on 650 W. and turn west on Glover Lane. Travel one mile on Glover Lane to the WMA's north entrance (1325 W.).

Fountain Green State Fish Hatchery, located east of Nephi. If coming from the north, take I-15 and exit the freeway at the second Nephi exit (Exit 225). After exiting the freeway, turn east on SR-132 and travel about 10 miles. About 1 mile before the city of Fountain Green, a Bald Eagle Day sign will point to an access road that leads to the hatchery.

Split Mountain/Green River, located north of Jensen and below the Dinosaur Quarry in Dinosaur National Monument (DNM). To reach the site, drive north from Highway 40 in Jensen on the road (SR-149) to the Dinosaur Quarry. First stop should be at the staging area located just inside the DNM boundary where displays, spotting scopes and possibly bald eagles and other raptors await. From the staging area biologists will direct viewers to other sites where they may have better views of eagles and other wildlife of interest. In past years, visitors have seen bald and golden eagles hunting and feeding, as well as prairie falcons, hawks, mule deer, river otters, pheasants, turkeys, sandhill cranes, porcupines, mergansers, Canada geese and other wildlife. Also, check out the dinosaur bones and other fossils located in the Dinosaur Quarry, which is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Gordon Creek, along Consumer's Road, between Helper and Price. To reach the viewing site, take U. S. Highway 6 to Consumer's Road, which is just north of the Carbon County Golf Course. Travel west on Consumer's Road for about 9 miles to the Gordon Creek Wildlife Management Area. Viewing will run from 8 a.m. to noon. Fewer bald eagles are expected at the site this year than past years, which may be due to unusually mild winter conditions in their summer range to the north. Visitors should dress for cold temperatures and breezy conditions. Consumer's Road is plowed regularly but will be icy and/or muddy, depending on the time of day. Watch out for other vehicles, especially around curves. No live birds will be exhibited at the site this year.

Rush Lake Ranch, located about 13 miles north of Cedar City, on the Minersville highway (SR-130).

"Spotting scopes will be set up at each viewing site and Division biologists and volunteers will be available to help viewers spot eagles and to answer any questions people may have," says Bob Walters, Watchable Wildlife coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources.

Displays also will be set up at each location and pamphlets and other materials about bald eagles will be available for free, or for a minimal cost.

The best time to view Feb. 1 depends on the individual, Walters said.

The most comfortable times are late morning or early afternoon, when the warmest temperatures and the best visibility are enjoyed. The warmer temperatures are especially important if you're bringing young children.

During the late morning and early afternoon viewers can expect to see eagles, though not as many as just before sundown, when eagles "go to roost" for the evening. The best time to see the greatest number of eagles at most of the sites is usually from 2 to 4 p.m., Walters said.

Walters advises those attending to dress warmly and, if there's snow on the ground, to wear waterproof boots.

For those interested in photographing the eagles a telephoto lens is a must, as the eagles will be some distance from the viewing areas.

Photographers who don't bring the proper equipment and try to get close to the eagles for a better shot will most likely scare them away, losing their chance to photograph them and ruining the viewing experience for all those in attendance, Walters said.

Walters started Bald Eagle Day in 1990 as a way to introduce people to Utah's wildlife. "It was started as a way of arousing people's interest, whetting their appetite and making them aware of wildlife around them," Walters said.

Since it began Bald Eagle Day has grown into Utah's most well-attended, and one of its most enjoyed, wildlife-viewing events.

For more information about Bald Eagle Day call Walters at (801) 538-4771, or Division of Wildlife Resources offices in Ogden, Springville, Vernal, Price and Cedar City.