Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area is an amazing birding spot. We had such a lovely drive through this area. There are also a few spots to get out and take a walk. The Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area is right next to the Eccles Wildlife Education Center, and there is even a trail that connects them, if you want to make a day of it.

Farmington Bay is a short drive through some wet areas and along the edge of the Great Salt Lake. We love to go in Spring when it is extra wet. We saw lots of different birds including egrets, cormorants, many species of ducks, coots, and great blue herons. One of our favorite things was that the coots kept walking across the road to go from pool to pool. We loved seeing them out of the water.






We drove slowly along the road and then banked around a corner to head toward Goose Egg Island. This is a small hill where you can overlook the area and spot lots of birds. There are parking spots, picnic tables, and information signs all along the edge of the island.






Just below Goose Egg Island, we parked at the gate and walked along the road for a short distance to see what we could see. This road is open to vehicles from November to March, but closes the rest of the year to vehicles. There was also a trail down to the water where you had to stay between the white poles as you walked. We walked as far as we could before it was covered with water and we even spotted a Bald Eagle sitting out in the middle of the water. We were surprised since it was April. Winter is usually when we come to see the bald eagles at Farmington Bay.





If you are looking for a less traveled place to hike and explore, then Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area is a great spot. You can also walk the trail at the Eccles Center. This is a great bird drive, too. We labeled it one of our favorite bird spots. The gates are open from 8 am – 5 pm every day. We have even visited up here in winter. It’s a great place to find bald eagles. Read more about our winter visit here.


Directions:
The drive begins just a block before the Eccles Wildlife Center at the corner of Glovers Ln and 1325 W in Farmington. If you come from the South, take exit 322 off of the 1-15 and take a right onto 200 W (Frontage road) immediately after exiting. Then turn right onto Glovers Ln. (925 W) watch for 1325 W to come up on the left.
If you come from the North, take exit 325, and turn right onto Park Lane. Follow straight as it merges into Clark Lane. Take a left onto 1525 W. At the T with Glovers Ln, head left back to 1325 W and take a right.