Rain, snow, or shine, a unique traveler is making its way north and will be passing through northeastern Utah in the coming weeks. DWR Northeastern Regional Outreach Manager Tonya Kieffer-Selby shares that the migrating loons “have a wailing, yodel-like call that echoes in the wilderness. With their bold black-and-white appearance, they’re a beautiful bird to watch. It’s a rare treat that bird-watchers and other wildlife enthusiasts should know about and take advantage of.” Kieffer-Selby says that this time of year, they especially start to show up on Big Sand Wash, Flaming Gorge, Steinaker and Red Fleet Reservoirs. “The loons are fairly consistent,” she continues. “They usually arrive around the first of April or just after the ice leaves the reservoirs. In the past, biologists have reported seeing more than 200 loons on different reservoirs in the Uintah Basin on a single day. Steinaker Reservoir seems to be one of their hotspots.” The DWR is holding a viewing event on Saturday, April 15th from 7 to 10am on the east side of Steinaker Reservoir. The state park day-use fee of $10 per vehicle will still apply.
