"I was pleased with the way it was conducted," he said. "I was very surprised that there was that much bird activity and that many bird species live right next to the highway like that."

Fenimore is encouraging the public to come to the Great Salt Lake Bird Festival or participate in a free bird walk. Each Saturday, regardless of weather, he will lead a group to various places across northern Utah. They are then invited to go to his store and purchase materials to make their back yards bird friendly.

For more information, visit www.wildbirdcenter.com/layton or www.greatsaltlakebirdfest.com

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Details about the Layton Wild Bird Center

• Wild Bird Center goal: become a community resource center about wild birds

A. Provide education about wild birds

B. Provide expertise on wild birds

C. Foment creation of bird friendly backyard habitat (there are a lot of contiguous back yards)

D. Give back to the community

E. Conduct weekly bird walks throughout the year, rain or shine

F. Make free presentations to teachers, students, Scouts, garden clubs, senior centers, Audubon chapters, etc.

• The Layton Wild Bird Center has won the national Best Environmental Stewardship Award in 2003 and 2004, as well as the 2004 Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Directors Partnership Award.

Several birdwatching events are planned

The Great Salt Lake Bird Festival will be May 12-17. To schedule a birdwatching field trip, contact Davis County Tourism: 451-3286. Information is available at: www.greatsaltlakebirdfest.com

Each Saturday, the Layton Wild Bird Center hosts a nature/bird walk. Most trips leave at 10 a.m. Call 801-525-8400 or visit: www.wildbird.com/Layton.

The trips will be to the following places:

— May 14, Great Salt Lake Bird Festival

— May 21, Kaysville foothills

— May 28, Antelope Island

— June 4, La Plata (Leave from the store at 7 a.m.)

— June 11, La Plata (Leave from the store at 7 a.m.)

— June 18, Nature Conservancy wetlands, Father's Day Bird Walk

— June 25, North Arm, Pineview Reservoir

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E-mail: nwarburton@desnews.com