Hundreds of bald eagles migrate to Utah, viewing functions canceled amid COVID-19

February is the best time to see bald eagles! The huge birds of prey fly to Utah in the winter season to locate food items and escape colder disorders. Hundreds of eagles are ordinarily in the condition by mid-February.

In the past, the Utah Division of Wildlife Methods has ready events in February where by the public can watch eagles and learn extra about them to celebrate Bald Eagle Month. However, to test to reduce the spread of COVID-19, the division won’t sponsor bald eagle viewing gatherings this winter.

Having said that, there are a lot of areas the general public can see America’s iconic bird. And, collectible Bald Eagle Month pins are accessible for absolutely free at various areas stated under by the division.

A term of warning: if you are driving and seeking for eagles, the division admonishes you to be sure to do so safely and securely. Do not prevent in the center of the street if you see an eagle. In its place, pull wholly off the street before viewing. And, do not let your self to get distracted though on the lookout for the birds. Your safety, and the safety of other motorists, arrives to start with.

SOUTHERN UTAH

Cedar City is the location to go to see bald eagles in southwestern Utah. Bald eagles are typically seen at two roosts in and in the vicinity of the city:

  • Rush Lake Ranch at 9600 N. Minersville Freeway (condition Route 130), around 12 miles north of Cedar Metropolis.
  • A team of cottonwood trees west of 3900 West and 2700 North in Cedar City.

By mid-February, Bald Eagle Month pins really should be offered for pickup at the front desks at both the DWR Cedar Metropolis business and the Washington County Field Business.

CENTRAL UTAH

Due to the fact of COVID-19, a bald eagle viewing event held in Fountain Inexperienced for the past 20 yrs will not be held this 12 months. Bald eagle shows will not be readily available at the Fountain Inexperienced State Fish Hatchery, and tours of the hatchery will not be presented.

There are nevertheless tons of sites in Sanpete County to see eagles, while.

DWR Regional Conservation Outreach Manager Scott Root encourages you to seize some binoculars or a recognizing scope, and travel from Fountain Green to the compact city of Wales, and then from Wales to Moroni.

“This quick generate will generally develop an eagle or two to look at,” Root mentioned in a news release. “Eagles can be found in some of the massive, leafless trees, on fence posts or even on the ground.”

Sometimes, you could possibly obtain an eagle roosting on a tree or utility pole upcoming to a road. “Eagles ordinarily fly off as soon as a vehicle doorway is opened,” he states, “so it is ideal to stay in your car or truck and look at from a length.”

Root reminds you not to trespass on non-public house.

NORTHERN UTAH

If you carry binoculars or a spotting scope, you can commonly get great sights of bald eagles at a number of spots in northern Utah. Below are some of the ideal:

  • In the massive cottonwood trees at Rendezvous Beach on the south stop of Bear Lake.
  • In trees along the Blacksmith Fork River east of Hyrum.
  • In trees alongside the Weber River in close proximity to Croydon and just below Echo Reservoir.
  • Alongside the street foremost to Missing Creek Reservoir. The reservoir is north of Croydon.
  • Willard Bay Reservoir west of Willard. You can typically see eagles in trees near the reservoir and on the iced-capped reservoir alone.
  • Compton’s Knoll at the Salt Creek Waterfowl Administration Place west of Corinne. You can view bald eagles and other wildlife from the Compton’s Knoll viewing area on the northeast facet of the WMA. The relaxation of the WMA is shut to site visitors.
  • The Eccles Wildlife Education and learning Heart at the Farmington Bay WMA west of Farmington. You can typically see eagles on the portion of the WMA around the centre. If you location an eagle on the WMA, please remember not to cease your car or truck in the center of the road. As a substitute, pull off to the side of the road so other automobiles can pass.

Also, though you are at the center, take into consideration stepping within and checking out the shows. A display that includes both a bald eagle and a golden eagle are amid the shows you will see. Two more displays target on wetland habitats and upland habitats and the birds and other wildlife that use them.

Admission to the heart at 1157 S. Waterfowl Way is free. It is open Tuesdays by means of Fridays, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Though you happen to be at the middle, you can also decide on up a absolutely free Bald Eagle Month pin. The pins really should be readily available by mid-February at the heart, the DWR’s Ogden business at 515 E. 5300 South in South Ogden, and the Cache Valley Community Shooting Array at 2851 W. 200 North in Logan.

NORTHEASTERN UTAH

Eagles are often obvious alongside the Eco-friendly River in the vicinity of the Ouray Nationwide Wildlife Refuge. The refuge’s auto tour loop begins just in advance of you reach the refuge headquarters at 19001 E. Wildlife Refuge Road in Randlett.

You can often see bald eagles in the vicinity of open up regions of water, higher in the trees higher than the river. You may also notice golden eagles alongside the cliffs that operate future to the most important refuge highway.

Prepare for this trip by bringing your binoculars or a very good recognizing scope. Also, wear heat clothing. If you’d like, you can consider a shorter hike by way of the river hardwood trees wherever you might see porcupines that reside in the area. The bathrooms at the refuge will be open up.

To arrive at the automobile tour route, journey on U.S. Highway 40 — approximately 14 miles west of Vernal or 13 miles east of Roosevelt — and turn south on condition Route 88. Journey south on SR-88 for 14 miles, and then convert left into the refuge entrance. The refuge headquarters is 1 mile down the entrance road.

Bald Eagle Month pins should be out there for pickup at the DWR’s Vernal workplace after Feb. 15.