Farmington Bay WMA Drive

 Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area (WMA) is a large wetland located in Farmington. It is a great place to go see birds of all kinds. February is supposed to be a good month for bald eagles so I wanted to come back even though we were just here. Also, they close the main dike road to cars after February too, so another reason we came back so soon. It is also adjacent to the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Wildlife Education Center, so after our drive we decided to hike the Nature Trail there.

Farmington Bay Scenic Drive Details

Length: 7.2 miles out and back.
Time Needed: About an hour
Road Conditions: Mostly dirt, but flat and pretty well maintained. It can be bumpy but most cars should be able to do it.
Summit: NA
Restrooms: Near the north entrance there is a pit toilet.
Interesting Things: Over 150 different species of birds. In February Bald Eagles!
Other Info: The main dike road is only open to cars beyond Goose Egg Island between September 25th - February 28th

To Get Here:

This is located behind the Great Salt Lake Nature Center You will want to take exit 322 in Farmington. Take the right fork then 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.

Downtown Salt Lake City (Passenger Seat Photography (PSP)).

Weird patterns of snow on the mountain (PSP).

Farmington Bay Scenic Drive:

Right off the bat we saw a northern harrier (PSP).

I think this is another one soaring above.

The main self serve information center. There is a pit toilet here (PSP).

Then the pavement ends (PSP).

Something hanging out in this dead tree (PSP).

Hanging out on a pole (PSP).

This great blue heron is hanging out right on the road (PSP).

Which allowed for some good shots (PSP).

Another northern harrier (PSP).

Looks like it struck at something (PSP).

But came away empty hande… clawed (PSP).

Another potential strike (PSP).

With nothing again (PSP).

The road with one of the narrow bridges (PSP).

HOORAY!!!! We saw a bald eagle!

It was the only one we saw, but we saw one!

Profile.

Another northern harrier (PSP).

I love watching these guys hunt (PSP).

Got a pretty good shot of the facial disc that kind of makes them look like owls (PSP).

And she’s off (PSP).

We made it to the end of the main dike to Unit 1. This is where we found a bunch of bald eagles last year, but this year, not so much. Couple of tundra swans out there though.

I thought I saw something in a place we had seen them before… geese. Darn.

More tundra swans.

We thought about walking around on one of the dikes, but decided with no eagles it was a meh idea. We decided to head on back and maybe walk one of the trails at the adjacent George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Wildlife Education Center.

Tundra swan taking off (PSP).

I didn’t notice it at the time, but it looks like I caught a night heron having a nap in the background (PSP).

Tundra swans (PSP).

Seagull with some sort of carcass (PSP).

Another northern harrier (PSP).

That great blue heron is still hanging out on the road (PSP). Doesn’t seem to mind the passing cars at all.

Another northern harrier (PSP).

And another one that decided to chill on the ground (PSP).

We stopped at the restroom and I took a picture of the mud splatters on the car.

Great blue heron coming in for a landing.

Fishing.

American coot.

A 2nd heron arrived and there seems to have been a bit of a scuffle.

Then they took off. Earlier, Landis asked me if I could tell male from female and I said honestly, I have never considered sex for great blue herons. I have since learned that generally the male is larger, has a larger bill, and during mating season is the one to start building a nest. That said, they sure seem hard to sex unless you are looking at a pair, which I would put the male to the right here. But, that is just a wild guess haha.

Flying off.

Another great blue heron (PSP).

Red-tail hawk (PSP).

Well, that was a fun drive! And I really enjoyed seeing a bald eagle today! Plus, wow, loads and loads of hawks. Wow! It was a little busier today than last time, but not too bad. I was telling Landis that Farmington Bay is the closest thing we have to a safari here, except instead of large animals you look for interesting birds. Definitely worth a visit. 9 out of 10 squirrels today.

As for difficulty, it's mostly drive up and see, with a couple places you can get out if you want. DR1 for just the drive. There are a couple trails you can do if desired.

Dogs are allowed September 25th - February 28th.

 September 25th - February 28th

 March 1st - September 24th