Surveying Alta’s
Avian World
Grab your hiking boots and explore Alta through a new lens on our monthly Birding Hikes, where we survey the area’s avian residents alongside a conservation ecologist and citizen scientists from Tracy Aviary. Along the way, you’ll learn how to identify birds by sight and sound while gaining insight into the high-alpine ecosystems they call home. Whether you’re new to birding or more experienced, these hikes are a great way to connect with nature, sharpen your birding skills and be part of Alta’s birding community.
These year-round surveys are part of the Alta Bird Monitoring Program, which promotes responsible recreation while tracking the health of Alta’s unique habitats that thousands of birds depend on. Birds are closely tied to the health of the environment we all share and play essential roles in ecosystems—controlling insects, spreading seeds and helping maintain balance across habitats. Because they respond quickly to environmental change, birds also act as early indicators of issues like habitat loss, pollution and climate shifts. By studying birds over time, scientists can better understand changes in Alta’s environment and the world around us. All observations are submitted to Alta’s public eBird database, where you can explore the data and contribute to ongoing conservation efforts.
When
Second Thursday of the Month | 9am–1pm
- May 14th
- June 11th
- July 9th
- August 13th
- September 10th
- October 8th
- November 12th
Where
Alta Ski Area | Location shared with registration
About
- Registration opens one month before the event
- Best suited for intermediate hikers—adults and ages 12+ (maximum two minors per adult)
- Participants will receive detailed instructions via email one day before their scheduled slot
- View our findings on eBird >
