Great Salt Lake Bird Festival:
Three Tours in Three Days

May 17 - Wings & Water Exploration for Families
May 18 - Kay's Creek
May 19 - Evening Walk

Take part in one of three tours offered through the 10th Annual Great Salt Lake Bird Festival.  Explore with your family on the 17th, get behind the gates at Kay's Creek on the 18th, or enjoy a leisurely evening walk on the 19th.  Visit www.greatsaltlakebirdfest.com for more information and to register.  Hurry, Bird Festival tours fill up quickly!

Wings & Water Exploration for Families

Date:
Saturday, May 17, 2008

Time:
10:00 am

Overview:
Join Bruce Thompson and Sylvia Wilcox to discover what the birds already know…Wetlands ROCK! You won’t believe what you’ll find as you get up close and personal with the plants and animals of the marshes along the boardwalk of the Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve Visitor Center. Bruce and Sylvia will engage you and your family in fun, hands-on activities at different stops along the mile-long boardwalk loop that will help you learn about water, soil, plants of the wetlands, and the millions of birds that use wetlands as an important stopping, resting, feeding, and breeding ground every year. 

Guides:
Bruce Thompson, Sylvia Wilcox

Registration/Fee:
Visit www.greatsaltlakebirdfest.com for fees and to register.

Meeting Location:
Davis County Event Center

Kay's Creek

Date:
Sunday, May 18, 2008

Time:
9:00 am

Overview:
Join Chris Brown and John Martin for an exclusive opportunity to see how wetlands restoration has improved habitat for birds. Chris and John will show you how the formerly channeled Kay’s Creek was restored to a natural meander, helping to control flooding and sedimentation. You will also see how historic ponds and natural depressions in the surrounding meadows were augmented to create ponds that have become prime habitat for feeding and nesting shorebirds and waterfowl. This portion of the preserve is closed to the public, so don’t miss this opportunity to explore “behind-the-gates”.

Guides:
Chris Brown, Preserve Manager
John Martin

Registration/Fee:
Visit www.greatsaltlakebirdfest.com for fees and to register.

Meeting Location:
Davis County Event Center

Evening Walk

Date:
Monday, May 19, 2008

Time:
6:00 pm

Overview:
This is a relaxing birding experience with naturalist Brian Currie. You will not be rushed from one bird to the next, but instead will take some time to study the birds found at The Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve. Possible species include: Peregrine Falcon, Northern Harrier, Red-tailed Hawk and other raptors; Sandhill Crane; various ducks, herons and egrets; Marsh Wren; swallows; and the elusive Sora. 

Guide:
Brian Currie

Registration/Fee:
Visit www.greatsaltlakebirdfest.com for fees and to register.

Meeting Location:
Visitor Center
The Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve

Nature picture credits: Photo © Stuart Ruckman (naturalist-guided tour at The Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve).