Wildlife-watching is a popular summer activity in Utah, and the state’s variance in landscape and climate give Utahns who want to catch a glimpse of a moose or hawk many opportunities. But what about during winter? Though the state is less accessible during colder months, there are some Utahns who say the winter provides advantages for animal-watchers.
“When we really get into something we would all recognize as winter weather, with snow and ice and colder temperatures, it tends to concentrate animals of all kinds,” said Bob Walters, the Watchable Wildlife Program Coordinator for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. He added the concentration of wildlife during colder months facilitates the viewing of Utah’s rich diversity of wildlife.
“When we have such wide-open conditions wildlife of all kinds are widely separated and spread across the landscape. When we really get into a situation where the weather makes us feel like it’s winter conditions, there’s a good possibility to find species of many kinds in relative close proximity to each other and available for the watching,” he said.
Walters also said changes in weather will bring out species that watchers would not be able to find in the warmer seasons.
“In proximity to Little Cottonwood Canyon, Rocky Mountain goats are very visible. I’m anticipating there is going to be a change in the weather and that should bring them into view,” he said.
For some Utahns, observing wildlife is a sustainable way to interact with nature.
“In the late 1800s there was a tradition where after Christmas dinner people would go out in the afternoon, and to burn off dinner they would engage in a competition to shoot as many creatures as they could and bring them back as sort of a contest,” said Bryan Dixon, who organizes the Bridgerland Audubon Society’s annual Christmas Bird Count. He said concerns about the sustainability of the after-Christmas hunting tradition inspired the first bird count.
“What some observers and scientists were beginning to notice in the late 1800s is activities like that were depleting populations of wildlife, so some individuals got together and decided as an alternative to the Christmas side hunt they would do a count. They would go out on a day at the end of December and they would count as many birds as they could, trying to identify species,” he said.
Dixon added that bird migration and seasonal changes in bird populations make winter birding an engaging and stimulating activity.
He also said the variability of bird populations means even those with short attention spans can enjoy winter bird-watching.
“Audubon societies as well as some other kinds of organizations have field trips all winter. It’s really variable across the hemisphere, but it’s still a very exciting thing to do in terms of viewing wildlife, because birds are not only beautiful and active, but it varies so much that there’s always something to keep your attention,” he said.
Wherever wildlife-watching might take you, Walters has advice for those who want to watch Utah’s fauna in wintry weather.
“I think safety is a big deal and should be job one. The second thing would likely be preparedness. If it’s cold, dress accordingly, and have something to eat or drink in the vehicle,” he said.
Take advantage of Utah’s variation in terrain and seasonal climate. The Beehive State is alive in winter.