Outdoor notes

WATCH OSPREY ON SATURDAY

Ospreys, which are large fish-eating birds, will be the center of attention on Saturday when the Division of Wildlife Resources' Watchable Wildlife program hosts a free field trip to see the birds in Summit County.

With their five-foot wing span, the ospreys will be easy to see, and those who attend the field trip might even see some turkey vultures and great blue herons as well.

Participants should meet Saturday at the Rockport Reservoir dam from 6 to 7 p.m. To reach Rockport, take I-80 to Wanship, then exit the freeway and travel south on state Route 32 to the dam observation site.

From the dam, participants will follow DWR Watchable Wildlife coordinator Bob Walters in their own vehicles to viewing sites in and near Coalville, Wanship and Rockport State Park. Those who wish to join the field trip at one of the viewing sites should call Walters at 801-209-5326 to make arrangements.

Walters will have some binoculars and spotting scopes available, but those who have their own should bring them.

During the field trip, Walters will also point out waters that can be visited at a later time to witness the spectacular, feet-first "plunge dive" of the osprey, which make out-of-the-air dives to snatch fish swimming under the surface of the water in what he calls "one of the true spectacles of nature."

BOATING EDUCATION CLASS

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah State Parks and Recreation Boating Program offers a boating education course aimed at adults and focusing on boating safety, laws and rules, boater responsibilities and ethics. As an added incentive, some insurance companies offer discounts to those completing and passing the course.

An online course is available for $35 and is recognized by other states requiring boating education. A free home study course is also available, but is valid only in Utah. Throughout 2010, the Utah State Parks and Recreation Department enters student names into a prize drawing for chances to win annual park passes, life jackets, safety equipment and gift certificates to local marine shops.

To access the online course, visit stateparks.utah.gov. To receive a printed copy of the course, send an email to usprboating@utah.gov and request a copy.

For more information, call 1-800-RIDE-PWC.

USE LIFE JACKETS, HELMETS