Best Places to See Migratory Birds in Cache Valley

Cache Valley is one of the best places to see a wide variety of migratory birds year-round. You can see everything from songbirds to Great Horned Owls without leaving the valley.

Perhaps the best place to start is Cutler Marsh, which is located west of Logan on Utah Highway 30. Cutler Marsh is home to a variety of beautiful birds. Not only does the marsh house Sandhill Cranes and White-faced Ibises, but there are American White Pelicans, American Avocets, Black-necked Stilts, Canadian Geese, and a variety of herons, egrets, ducks and shorebirds. Several streams located in this area support a variety of songbirds. The marsh is easy to navigate and there is always has something new to see.

Another great birding area is Dry Lake. Located 15 miles from downtown Logan on Hwy. 89 between Logan and Brigham City, Dry Lake has ponds and marshes that are formed by snow run-off. Like Cutler Marsh, Dry Lake has many White-faced Ibises, White Pelicans and other waterfowl that are easy to see from the side of the road. Birds are plentiful in spring and early summer. After that the water evaporates and the birds do too.

Surprisingly, a great place to see a variety of birds is the Utah State University campus and Old Main Hill. Cedar and Bohemian Waxwings, finches, Pine Siskins and Red-breasted Nuthatches can be seen nesting in the trees around campus, but there is one bird that is truly a sight to see. A Great Horned Owl lives in the cemetery behind the HPER building and has become an icon to the area.

A more strenuous hike with more reward is located at the Wellsville Ridge. The Wellsville Ridge is chilly in the fall, but is a great place to see migratory hawks or eagles from late August until the middle of November. Not only will you see many amazing birds of prey, but you will also get breathtaking views of the entire valley.

Cache Valley is also home to Bald and Golden Eagles. Bald and Golden Eagles can be seen at the visitor center of Hardware Ranch. Hardware Ranch has an easy trail where these majestic raptors can be seen.

Green Canyon is also a great place to see a Golden Eagle if you really look for it. Ruffed and Blue Grouse are more easily seen. Canyon wren are rarely seen in this area, but are often heard, so keep your ears
open as well as your eyes.

Golden Eagles are also spotted at Tony Grove Lake. Tony Grove Lake is home to over twenty species of birds, which includes many uncommon birds such as the American Three-toed Woodpecker or the Williamson’s Sapsucker usually dwelling in the trees by the lake.

Cache Valley is a great place to see many uncommon and unique birds dwelling in the trees. With a national forest and several canyons, birds have found a true sanctuary here. From birds of prey to waterfowl, you can see a variety of birds within just a few miles of each other.

Director of the Cache Valley Visitors Bureau. Go Here for more information. Or, visit TourCacheValley.com