Farmington Bay WMA

The Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area is a pretty neat little area to go birding. Last time we were here the gate was closed so we walked a little ways along the dike road. I honestly expected the same today, however we found the gate was open. I have since found the gate seasons listed below. So instead of a little walk we did a nice little scenic drive instead. After a quick hike up to Ensign Peak earlier today this was a fun extra adventure.

Northern Harrier along the route.

Scenic Drive Details:

Length: About 7.2 miles out and back to the Turpin parking lot.
Time Needed: Half Hour to an Hour
Road Conditions: Mostly dirt. Somewhat bumpy but a sedan can make it.
Summit: N/A it;s completely flat.
Restrooms: I did not see any, but know there is one at the nature center.
Interesting Things: Over 200 different species of birds to discover!
Other Info: From the wildlife.Utah webpage:

North entrance to Goose Egg Island

• Open year round (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)

Unit 1 dike to Turpin parking lot

• Open Sep. 25 to Feb. 28 to motorized vehicles
• Open year round to foot and bicycle

Other areas in the WMA not explored today

South and east entrances (to parking lot)

• Open Sep. 25 to Jan. 14 to motorized vehicles
• Open Jan. 15 to Feb. 28 to foot and bicycle
• Closed March 1 to July 31
• Open Aug. 1 to Sep. 24 to foot and bicycle

Other dikes and roads

• Open to foot and bicycle Aug. 1 to Feb. 28
• Closed March 1 to July 31
• Closed year round to motorized vehicles

Special regulations

Dogs are welcome from Sept. 25 through Feb. 28. Please stay on dikes and roads from March 1 to Sep. 25 to reduce disturbance to wildlife. Boating is allowed two weeks prior to the waterfowl season (starting about Sept. 25). Firearms allowed only during waterfowl hunting season.

To Get Here:

This is located behind the Great Salt Lake Nature Center You will want to take exit 322 in Farmington. Immediate take the first right on to the frontage rd. Then take the first right onto Glovers Ln and head over i15. Go about 1.4 miles and turn left on 1325 west. If you hit the Nature Center you went too far.

Heading west on Glover Ln. (DBP)

The Great Salt Lake Nature Center is currently closed for construction (DBP). I hope they finish up soon cause I really enjoy the area.

A ringed neck pheasant surprised us and I got a terrible picture of it (DBP).

The side road out the the WMA (DBP).

Frozen pond (DBP).

Some big bird in the distance (DBP).

The new visitor center for the GSL Nature Center seems to be coming along (DBP).

And woot! Beyond the gate (DBP)! You can get to Goose Egg Island anytime, this is just beyond that. You can also access Goose Egg Island from the GSL Nature Center Upland Trail.

Unfortunately a pretty dense fog appears to be rolling in (DBP).

A great blue heron (DBP).

Another one hanging out on the ice.

Kind of creepy with the fog bank.

I love the fog, I really do but not so much when I am exploring a new area or when I am hoping to see wildlife! (DBP).

Even with the fog I got a pretty good shot of a northern harrier.

And another one in flight (DBP).

Boom! Lunch time (DBP). I love watching these guys hunt.

Continuing down the dike road (DBP).

Loving the fog though (DBP).

At the end of the road was a large parking lot with some boat docks. We noticed some hunters out and decided against getting out to explore. Looks like it was about 3.6 miles.

The car in front of us stopped to let a bunch of American Coots cross (DBP).

American Coots (DBP).

Fog out on the ponds (DBP).

Kind of spooky (DBP).

Ducks or coots.. or some of both (DBP).

More fog (DBP). Getting kind of thick.

Well the fog made it so we didn’t see much and it was a little freaky exploring an unfamiliar dike road in it, but we had a good time and did see some wildlife so not a total loss. I think I will go with a 7 out of 10 today.

As for difficulty, with the gate open this turned into a scenic drive. There are a couple spots where you can pull over and get out to take in the views so DR1.

Dogs are allowed Sept. 25 through Feb. 28 and are not allowed Mar 1 through Sep 24 just like the nearby nature center. This is due to nesting birds.

Sep 25 - Feb 28

Mar 1 - Sep 24