MOAB — Bird watchers can enjoy a day spotting birds while helping biologists gather data at the Moab Bird Club’s annual bird walk.
The free walk is open to the public. It will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday on the Scott M. Matheson Wetlands Preserve near Moab.
The results of the walk are added to a national data bank used to track trends in bird species around the United States. The information helps researchers track declines, upswings, and changes in the population and distribution of migratory birds.
To participate in the event, meet at The Nature Conservancy parking lot on the preserve's south side at 8 a.m. The lot is at 934 W. Kane Creek Blvd. From there, bird-watchers will split into small groups and identify the diversity and abundance of birds on the preserve.
Participants should wear sunscreen, and bring water and snacks. Volunteers also can bring their own binoculars and bird books, but binoculars will be provided to those who don't have any.
The event honors International Migratory Bird Day. The walk is a collaborative effort among the Moab Bird Club, The Nature Conservancy and the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.