Moab Bird Watching
Among the canyons, arches, river and mountains that surround Moab, is an abundant wildlife offering living wonders as graceful and beautiful as the scenery. Bird watching in Moab is a natural setting for birds that are unique to the Southwest, offering wetlands, canyons and high nesting area for birds whose habitats change with the seasons. Moab offers numerous picturesque locations for birding.
Scott M. Matheson Preserve
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The Matheson Wetlands, is an 875- acre wetland area and offers excellent birding on the outskirts of Moab. More than 225 species of birds have been recorded on the preserve. Walking the trails and boardwalks from the south side of the wetland is recommended. Two trailheads provide the major access points to the wetlands. The water levels are variable in the area, therefore, sometimes only the boardwalks will be above water and at other times the area appears dry.
HABITATS
Low elevation riparian, marsh, and open water.
FEATURED BIRDS
Plumbeous Vireo, Indigo Bunting, Great-tailed Grackle, Yellow-breasted Chat, Bushtit, and many winter specialties.
SEASON
Yearlong, but especially good during migration and in the winter.
LOCATION
The main Matheson Preserve trailhead can be accessed from Kane Creek Road. Drive south through Moab on US-191 until the highway (Main Street) goes over the Pack Creek Bridge (south Moab), then turn west on Kane Creek Road. The trailhead is signed and on the north side of the road just before the road reaches the banks of the Colorado River. The Mill Creek Parkway runs from Rotary Park (just southeast of the Center Street/400 East junction) to the Matheson Preserve. Also, accessible where the trail crosses Main Street (US-191) at 100 South.
GPS COORDINATES
Colorado River Scenic Byway
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The UT-128 corridor, also known as the Colorado River Scenic Byway, offers great birding and scenic view opportunities. It is approximately 45 miles from I-70 at the Cisco/UT-128 exit (#204) to the junction with US-191 near Moab. The confluence of the Colorado River and the Dolores River is 13.3 miles from the Interstate. Just below the confluence, UT-128 crosses the Colorado River at the Dewey Bridge. Spend time birding the Dewey Bridge and Dewey Bridge Recreational Site. Other birding hotspots in this map provide more detail for recommended side trips. For example, the La Sal Mountain Loop Road junction is 29 miles from I-70 (site #38) and Grandstaff Canyon (site #40) is 41 miles from I-70. Look for signs pointing to other points of interest, like the Mayberry Preserve (The Nature Conservancy), Fisher Tower, and the Castle Creek Bridge.
During winter months, look for Bald Eagle. Yearlong, look for Golden Eagle, Wild Turkey, Great Blue Heron, Blue Grosbeak, Osprey, Common Raven, and waterfowl on the river. The Cisco Desert area, near I-70, is good for Golden Eagle and many other raptor species. Look for the Great Blue Heron rookery between mileposts 9 and 10.
HABITATS
Desert and lowland riparian.
FEATURED BIRDS
Bald Eagle (winter), Great Horned Owl, Hooded Merganser, Peregrine Falcon, Blue Grosbeak, and many waterfowl.
SEASON
Yearlong.
LOCATION
From I-70 exit 204, UT-128 goes east then south then back west along the Colorado River to Moab. It is approximately 45 miles from I-70 to Moab along UT-128 and it is all paved.
GPS COORDINATES
Dewey Bridge, 38º 48′ 42″N, 109º 18′ 10″W
NOTES
There are birding opportunities for many stops along the way.
Moon Flower Canyon
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From Kane Creek Road southwest of Moab, the pullout, campground and picnic area at Moon Flower Canyon offers an excellent birding spot. The trail runs through riparian vegetation with some sagebrush uplands. Peregrine Falcon and Golden Eagles have been seen in this popular hiking area. There are several species of lizards come from this area, in addition to being nearly surrounded by scenic red sandstone cliffs, the area offers views of petroglyphs.
HABITATS
Low elevation riparian and sandstone cliffs.
FEATURED BIRDS
Peregrine Falcon and Golden Eagle are possible, but more likely are Canyon Wren, Rock Wren, Bushtit, and many warblers.
SEASON
Yearlong.
LOCATION
Moon Flower Canyon parking area is just 2 miles beyond the Matheson Preserve south trailhead along Kane Creek Road southwest of Moab.
GPS COORDINATES
NOTES
Restroom and camping facilities are available.
La Sal Mountain Loop Road
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This birding trail (road) from Moab goes through many habitat types and provides good birding and some spectacular scenery. In many travel magazines, it is listed as a desert to alpine scenic trip. The majority of the route is through mountain brush and aspen habitats at an elevation where bird numbers and diversity are high. Look for Virginia Warbler, MacGillivray’s Warbler, Green-tailed Towhee, and Western Bluebird. Hermit Thrush and Townsend’s Solitaire are often heard. Depending on time, side trips can be taken to higher elevation conifer forests and high mountain lakes (9,000 feet). Two possibilities are the unpaved side roads to Oowah and Warner Lakes, where campgrounds and hiking trailheads are available (look for signs along the road). Species such as American Dipper, American Three-toed Woodpecker, Olive-sided Flycatcher and Gray Jay may be found in the spruce-fir forest habitats. As the loop road drops into the Colorado River drainage, some of Castle Valley might appear bird-free, however the scenic views will easily cancel out any disappointment with bird numbers. Look for scenes you’ve seen in commercials and on calendars as this area is well photographed.
HABITATS
Mountain shrub, pinyon-juniper, aspen, and conifer forest. Riparian and running water at a few stream crossings.
FEATURED BIRDS
American Three-toed Woodpecker, Vesper Sparrow, Western Scrub-Jay, and Red-naped Sapsucker.
SEASON
Summer and fall.
LOCATION
Drive approximately 6 miles south of Moab on US-191 and then turn left (east) towards Ken’s Lake on La Sal Mountain Loop Road. The road distance is approximately 60 miles back to Moab. The route crosses the west face of the mountain then drops into Castle Valley and joins UT-128 sixteen miles east of Moab.
GPS COORDINATES
Jct. with US-191 south of Moab, 38º 29′ 14″N, 109º 27′ 46″W
Jct. on Mill Creek and road to Oowah, 38º 29′ 58″N, 109º 18′ 23″W
Jct. with UT-128 NE of Moab, 38º 40′ 27″N, 109º 25′ 01″W
NOTES
A full gas tank, drinking water, and food snacks are recommended for the trip. Don’t attempt the drive during winter storms.
Fisher Mesa
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The red cliff-rimmed mesas on the north side of the La Sal Mountains above Castle Valley are an excellent place to observe the many bird species associated with pinyon-juniper habitat. The south end of Fisher Mesa has scattered ponderosa pine, but the main part of the mesa is dominated by mature, diverse stands of pinyon pine and Utah juniper. The area is easily accessed via paved road from Moab and includes a pleasant hiking/mountain biking trail along the east rim of Fisher Mesa. The Bull Valley Overlook, just beyond the end of the pavement at a large pullout, is an excellent location to observe the cliffs running for several miles above Fisher Valley. The pullout is at the head of Bull Canyon.
In addition to pinyon-juniper birds such as Black-throated Gray Warbler, Juniper Titmouse, and , there is an excellent opportunity to observe migratory raptors during fall months. Spring access is often limited by lingering snow. Along the cliffs, look for Golden Eagle, Turkey Vulture, Violet-green Swallow, and White-throated Swift.
HABITATS
Pinyon-juniper woodlands and rock cliffs.
FEATURED BIRDS
Golden Eagle, Pinyon Jay, Juniper Titmouse, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Violet-green Swallow, White-throated Swift, and Canyon Wren.
SEASON
Best during summer and fall.
LOCATION
From the US-191/UT-128 junction just north of Moab, drive 16 miles to the northeast on UT-128. The road follows along the south side of the Colorado River (site #35). Turn right (south) on the La Sal Mountain Loop Road through Castle Valley. In approximately 12 miles the road forks. Instead of remaining on the La Sal Loop Road, drive east towards Gateway for 7 miles to FR-601 and the Fisher Mesa Trailhead. The Bull Valley overlook is another half mile east.
GPS COORDINATES
Bull Valley overlook is 38º 36′ 56″N, 109º 13′ 22″W.
NOTES
Loose sand and gravel can make footing dangerous, don’t walk too close to the high cliff edges.
Grandstaff Canyon
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The 2-mile trail (one way) up Grandstaff Canyon is a great birding trail. Expect riparian habitat, “slickrock” and the birds associated with these habitats. Grandstaff Canyon was named for William Grandstaff who ran cattle in the canyon. The trail leads to the Morning Glory Natural Bridge that spans 243 feet making it the sixth longest natural bridge in the nation. As the entire length of the trail provides interesting birding opportunities, the length of the walk can be variable. The trailhead is on UT-128 which connects Moab with Exit 204 on I-70 and has been designated the Colorado River Scenic Byway, look for additional interesting spots in publications describing Utah’s scenic drives.
HABITATS
Low elevation riparian and rock cliffs.
FEATURED BIRDS
Gray Vireo, American Dipper, and Canyon Wren.
SEASON
Yearlong, but can be very hot during mid-day in the summer.
LOCATION
From the US-191/UT-128 junction just north of Moab, drive 3 miles to the northeast on UT-128. The road follows along the south side of the Colorado River and the trailhead is on the south side of the road.
GPS COORDINATES
38º 36′ 33″N, 109º 31′ 59″W (trailhead).
NOTES
Restroom facilities are available.