America’s Favorite Bird hangs out in Utah

February is the perfect time to view bald eagles in Utah. Photo: Courtesy of Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah. — It’s almost ‘Bald Eagle Month’ in Utah. February is typically an excellent time to view bald eagles, when they arrive in Utah by the hundreds to hunt for food and escape colder temperatures farther north.

This year the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) had to cancel all of its bald eagle viewing events because of the pandemic.

That doesn’t have to stop people from ‘bird nerding’ and trying spot America’s iconic bird. There are

plenty of places where people can see these magestic eagles. The DWR recommends the following northern Utah locales for birdwatching.

• In the big cottonwood trees at Rendezvous Beach on the south end of Bear Lake.
• In trees along the Blacksmith Fork River east of Hyrum.
• In trees along the Weber River near Croydon and just below Echo Reservoir.
• Along the road leading to Lost Creek Reservoir north of Croydon.
• Willard Bay Reservoir west of Willard. Eagles nest in trees near the reservoir and on the iced-capped reservoir itself.
• Compton’s Knoll at the Salt Creek Waterfowl Management Area (WMA) west of Corinne. Bald eagles and other wildlife are often visible from the viewing area on the northeast side of the WMA. The rest of the WMA is closed to visitors.
• The Eccles Wildlife Education Center at the Farmington Bay WMA west of Farmington. This center also offers visitors an indoor display featuring a bald eagle and a golden eagle. Additional exhibits focus on wetland habitats, upland habitats, and the birds and other wildlife that use them. Admission to the center is free.

Here is a virtual bald eagle watch: