Get look at big birds before they fly away

There are a lot of big birds in Utah right now.

This would include hundreds of eagles, a few thousand tundra swans and several thousand snow geese.

On cue, most of them will leave and fly north, ending their winter migration and eager to start summer living.

Until then, though, they are on stage, performing their daily routines.

And while they can be seen any day over the next six or so weeks, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources has set up special viewing days for the public.

The idea is not only to see the birds up close, to see them in their natural environment, but to learn from bird experts about their habits, their diets, their families, their migrations.

Bald Eagle Day will be Saturday and again on Feb. 13.

Snow Goose Days, in conjunction with the Snow Goose Festival in Delta, will run Feb. 19-21.

Tundra Swan Day will be March 13.

Bald Eagle Day

On Saturday, viewing will take place at sites in central and southwestern Utah. On Feb. 13, Utah Bald Eagle Day will be at three sites.

There is no cost. Viewing times are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. except at the Salt Creek Waterfowl Management Area site, where viewing will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

On Saturday, viewing will take place at the Fountain Green fish hatchery, located about 1 mile before the city of Fountain Green. A sign will point to an access road that leads to the hatchery. Once there, visitors will receive a map that highlights the best viewing areas. They will also receive literature and see displays.

The second site will be at the Rush Lake Ranch, located on the Minersville highway about 12 miles north of Cedar City.

Sites on Feb. 13 will be at Salt Creek and Farmington Bay waterfowl management areas and at Split Mountain/Green River.

Salt Creek is located about 10 miles northwest of Corinne.

Farmington Bay is located west of Farmington at 1325 W. Glover Lane (925 South). There will also be additional activities at the Great Salt Lake Nature Center at the north end of the management area.

The Split Mountain/Green River site is located north of Jensen below the Dinosaur Quarry in Dinosaur National Monument.