Birds

Great Salt Lake has always been a haven for birds, both migratory and resident. Drawn by the one hundred billion brine flies and the safety and rest that was offered by such a large body of water in such a dry part of the world. The River deltas on the eastern side of the lake are particularly abundant, as water flows in from the Bear, Jordan, and other rivers, lowering the salinity and allowing a diverse array of ecosystems to flourish. Some species that depend on the wetland resources of the Great Salt Lake include Wilson’s phalarope, red-necked phalarope, American avocet, black-necked stilt, marbled godwit, snowy plover, western sandpiper, tundra swan, American white pelican, white-faced ibis, California gull, eared grebe, peregrine falcon, bald eagle, ducks, and geese. The islands of the Great Salt Lake have also proven to be a refuge for birds, with the largest rookery of American white pelicans being found on Gunnison and Cub islands. The security of these redoubts is being tested by low water levels, which exposes the salt flats and allows predators such as coyotes access to the breeding grounds.

Bird community, Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Great Salt Lake, Utah. From the Great Salt Lake Bird Archive Photograph Collection, Mariott Digital Library.

Forster's Terns nesting in Ogden Bay, Great Salt Lake, Utah. From the Great Salt Lake Bird Archive Photograph Collection, Marriott Digital Library.

Great Egrets fishing in Ogden Bay, Great Salt Lake, Utah. From the Great Salt Lake Bird Archive Photograph Collection, Marriott Digital Library.

American Avocets in Ogden Bay on Great Salt Lake. From the Great Salt Lake Bird Archive Photograph Collection, Marriott Digital Library.

American Coot flying over Ogden Bay, Great Salt Lake, Utah. From the Great Salt Lake Bird Archive Photograph Collection, Marriott Digital Library.

Yellow-headed blackbird at Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area, Great Salt Lake. From the Great Salt Lake Bird Archive Photograph Collection, Marriott Digital Library.

Northern Harrier hunting at Farmington Bay, Great Salt Lake. From the Great Salt Lake Bird Archive Photograph Collection, Marriott Digital Library.

Great Horned Owl with Owlets on Antelope Island, Great Salt Lake. From the Great Salt Lake Bird Archive Photograph Collection, Marriott Digital Library.

Black-necked Stilts with Chick, Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Great Salt Lake Utah. From the Great Salt Lake Bird Archive Photograph Collection, Marriott Digital Library.

Click here for the full oral history with John Neill

John Neill was born in Pittsburgh and raised in South Ogden. Growing up, he and his family recreated frequently at Great Salt Lake and on Antelope Island. After graduating from Bonneville High in Ogden, John earned a degree in geology and environmental studies from Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington, and did seasonal work at the Great Salt Lake. After completing a second bachelor’s degree in biology at the University of Utah, John was hired full-time at the Division of Wildlife. John now works for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources’ bird aspect of the Great Salt Lake Ecosystem Program. He also works with the local nonprofit Linking Communities, Wetlands, and Migratory Birds. In this interview, John talks extensively about his work at the GSL. He discusses the lake’s hemispheric significance for bird migration, the brine shrimp industry, and threats to various bird populations.

Click here for the full oral history with John Neill

In this clip, John Neill talks about estimating the populations of birds on the Great Salt Lake.

Click here for the full oral history with John Neill

In this clip, Neill talks about Bald Eagles and a recent outbreak of West Nile Virus.

Click here for the full oral history with Don Paul

Don Paul was born in Cedar City, Utah. He was raised in Clearfield and graduated from Weber State University. He later worked as a conservation officer for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, and then as an information specialist. He also worked on a television program called “Utah Trails” and participated in writing a book on raptors in Utah. Don was the first non-game manager in Utah for the DWR and was the principal biologist for the reintroduction of Peregrines to northern Utah. He then became Chief of the Information Education Section before becoming a wildlife biologist for the Great Salt Lake. Don also became the first avian biologist with the Great Salt Lake Ecosystem Project. In this interview, Don talks about his formative years and his parents’ influence on his love of the outdoors. He also talks about his first experiences exploring the Great Salt Lake. He discusses his education, which led him to a career as a biologist. He also discusses the Great Salt Lake’s ecological diversity, complexity, and importance, and compares it with other similar ecosystems in the world. Mr. Paul goes on to discusses the changes he has seen to the Great Salt Lake, as well as challenges to its ecosystem. He also describes his work with the Linking Communities Program.

Click here for the full oral history with Kyle Stone

Kyle Stone was born in Ogden, Utah. He is a lifelong Weber County resident and graduated from Fremont High School in Plain City. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in zoology at Weber State University, where he worked for Dr. John Cavitt in the avian ecology lab. Kyle has worked for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources since 2010 and is a biologist with Great Salt Lake Ecosystem Program, working mostly with brine shrimp and birds. In this interview, Kyle describes his daily and seasonal work as a biologist. He also discusses giving school presentations, including regular fishery classes for the DWR at Brigham Young University.

Click here for the full oral history with Jim Van Leeuwen

Jim Van Leeuwen was born in Salt Lake grew up mostly at Dugway Proving Grounds, where his parents were civilian employees. After graduating from high school, he did landscaping and other jobs before injuring his back. Following his injury, he attended Weber State University, where he received a degree in zoology and criminal justice. Jim is an avid outdoorsman and loves wildlife. He works for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources’ Great Salt Lake Ecosystem Program. In this interview, Jim talks about his weekly boating expeditions at the GSL to check brine shrimp and other conditions. He shares his experiences getting caught in bad weather on the lake, and discusses the work he does when he’s not checking lake conditions at the lake. Jim describes the brine shrimp collection and monitoring process in detail, and finishes the interview with a brief discussion of Seabase, a scuba diving and lobster raising area near Grantsville.