A Newbie’s Guide to Birding in Salt Lake

Why birding? It might sound like a rebrand of sitting outside staring into space, but it’s not! I recently got into bird watching when a family of finches made a home on my balcony. From laying their eggs to leaving their nest, it was really cool to follow their journey. It also made me feel more connected to nature and my surroundings. Plus, it limits your screen time.

Need more convincing? They’re tiny dinosaurs.

🐦 How to get started

There aren't any hard and fast rules, but here’s a handful of tips to jump in.

Wake up early and find an open space to watch — could be a park, your backyard, or a trail. A field guide will help you identify birds and expand your knowledge, but if you don’t want to lug a book around, this app helps you become an expert.

While you don’t need a bunch of gear to start, a good pair of binoculars can be game changing. The Salt Lake City Library lets you check some out. Pro-tip: Check out FB Marketplace for a cheap pair. Think you’re ready to take it to the next level? Check out Backyard Birds for more equipment.

Most importantly bring your ears, eyes, and curiosity.

🪶 Where to Bird around SLC

• The Great Salt Lake is home to millions of birds and is a great place to observe. Watch out for the Wilson’s phalarope.
• Liberty Park is home to the Tracy Aviary. Go sit by the pond and watch the geese or check out the aviary’s birds.
• Jordan River Trail is a great place to look out for the black-crowned night heron.
• Check out the Salt Lake Cemetery; they even have a bird checklist for you.
• Butterfield Canyon is home to Mountain bluebirds and Cordilleran flycatchers.
• Walking your dog through Memory Grove? You can see local birds there.

👫 Join a Local Group

• The Great Salt Lake Audubon hosts field trips throughout the month.
• Utah Outdoors: Bird Watching is an online group that shares cool pics and events.
• SLC Gay Bird Club is a queer birding group that meets for outings. DM Sam Walker to join.