A free osprey watching event is coming up thanks to the DWR. Ospreys are unique birds of prey that primarily eat fish, which is why they are drawn to the Flaming Gorge area. “The birds at Flaming Gorge are very active, and they can catch a fish one out of every four times they dive,” shares DWR Conservation Outreach Manager Tonya Kieffer-Selby. “That’s a great success rate, especially in such a popular angler destination…The largest breeding osprey colony in Utah — and one of the largest osprey populations in the interior part of the western U.S. — is found at the reservoir.” Ospreys return to Flaming Gorge every year to breed and raise their young because a breeding pair will build on the same nest year after year. It’s relatively common to see a 10-foot-wide nest at Flaming Gorge. The free viewing event will be held next to the parking lot at the Flaming Gorge Dam Visitor Center. The event will run from 9am to noon on Saturday, July 8th. Spotting scopes will be available at the event, but if you have your own binoculars, you’re encouraged to bring them to see the birds.
