Great Salt Lake Bird Festival starts Thursday

FARMINGTON — Birders from all over Utah are converging on Farmington this weekend for the 12th annual Great Salt Lake Bird Festival.

The festival runs through Monday, and some bird-watching field trips are still available. To book a field trip, call 801-451-3286.

Children's events will take place Saturday at the Legacy Events Center, 151 S. 1100 West, and will include make-and-take birdhouses, a youth "bird-banding" activity, various live bird presentations, information about attracting wild birds to the backyard and crafts.

Renowned naturalist and author Terry Tempest Williams had been scheduled as the festival's keynote speaker at the Dutch oven dinner Saturday but had to cancel due to a serious health situation.

Bill Fenimore, author, naturalist and owner of the Wild Bird Center in Layton, has stepped in as the keynote speaker.

Registration for the Dutch oven dinner will close at 5 p.m. Wednesday.

For more information about the festival, visit www.greatsaltlakebirdfest.com.

— Joseph M. Dougherty