Birdwatchers’ paradise: winter brings bald eagles to Utah

BOX ELDER, Utah — Birdwatchers in Utah may be especially ecstatic in winter, a season that brings with it bald eagles migrating from colder weather. 

Utahn photographers and locals often send in photos and videos to KSL NewsRadio; photos of sunrises, rare animal sightings, sunsets, snow. On Wednesday, a special photo was sent in. 

A bald eagle was spotted at the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge in Box Elder County, Utah. 

This was not the first sighting of bald eagles this year, of course. As the Bureau of Land Management noted in a Facebook post on Wednesday; during the winter months, bald eagles migrate to Utah from places with colder weather. 

Although sightings of bald eagles have already begun ramping up, the Division of Wildlife Resources has good news for bird lovers. The DWR marks February as Utah’s official Bald Eagle Month.

An article from 2021’s Bald Eagle Month explained that, by the time February arrives, Utahns can expect hundreds of the national birds in the state. 

Bald eagles’ diets consist of mostly fish. They are frequently seen near and around bodies of water. 

According to the DWR, these are some of the best places to spot the wintering birds: 

Southern Utah

• Cedar City
• Rush Lake Ranch

Northern Utah

• Bear Lake
• Blacksmith Fork River
• Weber River
• Salt Creek Waterfowl Management Area
• Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area

Northeastern Utah

• Green River near the Ouray National Wildlife Refuge

Viewing the birds in February

The DWR is hosting three free viewing events in different parts of the state. During the month of February, bird enthusiasts can join up with binoculars in hand to catch sight of the birds. 

We are holding three bald eagle viewing events around the state in February! 🦅 Bald eagles fly to Utah in the winter to find food and escape colder conditions farther north. Read more about where to see bald eagles next month: https://t.co/tlU56V3hyS pic.twitter.com/eXUs1oX3wF

— UtahDWR (@UtahDWR) January 12, 2022

Southern Utah

This viewing event will take place on Saturday, Feb. 5 from 8 a.m. to noon at Rush Lake Ranch, located at 9600 N. Minersville Highway (State Route 130).

Central Utah

This event will be held Saturday, Feb. 5 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Fountain Green State Fish Hatchery at 700 N. Big Springs Road in Fountain Green. Staff and volunteers will be near a large tree where up to 50 bald eagles have been seen in past years.

Northeastern Utah

This event will be held on Feb. 19 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Ouray National Wildlife Refuge headquarters at 19001 E. Wildlife Refuge Road in Randlett, Uintah County. As with the other events, DWR biologists will be available to answer questions and to help participants spot golden and bald eagles on the refuge. 

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• Nearly two dozen species of birds, fish and other wildlife are set to be declared extinct and removed from the endangered species list