Birds of the lake

Thursday kicked off Davis County's seventh annual Great Salt Lake Bird Festival that is attracting thousands of visitors to the resting spots of millions of migratory waterfowl.

It's all about the birds in Davis County.

It is peak migration time, and bird-watchers young and old are coming out to see a variety of birds primp, preen and feast on brine shrimp and brine flies as they prepare for the journey north.

In Utah, birding is a popular hobby. The Great Salt Lake is part of the Western Hemispheric Shorebird Reserve Network and is recognized as a prime bird-watching destination, for everything from red-winged blackbirds to Canada geese.

For the past year, volunteers have been preparing displays and arranging birding trips across northern Utah. It's one of Davis County's largest tourist events, bringing the area about $160,000 last year.

Male birds are often the main focus for birders this time of year. They have songs and antics that mark their territory as well as invite females.

Bill Fenimore, a birding expert and owner of the Layton Wild Bird Center, said the males' behavior is what draws thousands to the sport of birding each year.

According to a 2001 report from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, one out of five Americans is a bird-watcher. It's the nation's fastest-growing hobby and the second most popular. Gardening is first.

Birders spent $32 billion in 2001 for travel, food and gear. More than 863,000 jobs were supported by this output.

This year, the festival runs through Tuesday. Tours range from sold-out kayak trips on the Great Salt Lake to daylong bus trips and bird walks. Booths will be on display at the Davis County Fairpark, and birder Al Batt will be the keynote speaker on Saturday. For more information, visit www.greatsaltlakebirdfest.com.