Bird enthusiasts and nature lovers will have a unique opportunity next month to observe rarely seen alpine birds in their natural habitat. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources  and Ashley National Forest are hosting a free viewing event that offers the public a chance to witness elusive rosy-finches up close.

A rare winter spectacle

Rosy-finches, known for their vibrant pinkish-red wings and mottled brown, black, or gray bodies, are typically difficult to spot. However, during the winter months, these birds descend from the high mountain peaks to lower elevations, making them more accessible. Utah is home to two primary species: the gray-crowned and black rosy-finches. While black rosy-finches nest in Utah’s rocky mountaintops during the summer, gray-crowned rosy-finches hold the North American record for breeding at the highest elevations, with sightings even on Denali, North America’s tallest peak.

Due to the challenges of high-altitude living, large flocks of both species migrate downward in search of food, creating the perfect opportunity for birdwatchers and biologists alike to observe and study them.

Event details and research efforts

The viewing event will take place on Saturday, Feb. 8, at 9 a.m., at a designated meeting site north of Vernal. DWR and Ashley National Forest biologists will set up ground traps to safely capture and band the rosy-finches. These aluminum bands, imprinted with unique identification numbers, allow researchers to track migration patterns and better understand the birds’ behaviors.

DWR Wildlife Conservation Biologist Brian Maxfield highlighted the importance of the event: “We don’t know a lot about this bird species, so we’ve been working diligently with other biologists statewide to try and fill in the data gaps. Over the past few years, we’ve been able to band and deploy several radio frequency identification tags on the birds’ legs, helping us detect how often the tagged birds return to the same winter location to feed.”

Attendees will have the chance to observe the birds up close, ask questions, and use spotting scopes and binoculars provided at the event (participants are encouraged to bring their own equipment as well). A vault toilet will be available on-site.

How to attend

The event site is located 23 miles north of Vernal on U.S. Highway 191, with parking available off Forest Service Road 217. Signs will mark the event location. While the event is free, participants are encouraged to register in advance on Eventbrite.

To minimize disruptions, attendees are asked to refrain from bringing pets.

“This is a great time of year to bundle up and get outdoors for some fresh air and bird-watching,” said DWR Northeastern Region Outreach Manager Tonya Kieffer-Selby. “Bird watching is one of the fastest-growing outdoor activities, and we hope to show Utah residents that you can enjoy birding year-round, no matter where you are.”

Don’t miss this incredible chance to witness these rare alpine birds up close while supporting wildlife conservation efforts in Utah!