2025 Fall Birding Report

On Saturday, September 27th, 2025, 24 pairs of eyes scoured the skies along the Provo River Delta as the Bean Museum Birding Nature Experienceship attendees embarked on their journey. Our group recorded a total of 34 bird species encountered as they traversed the path, listening to birdsong and spotting species with the assistance of binoculars and spotting scopes. We extend our thanks to the more reclusive birds for making an appearance and to Keeli Marvel from the Utah County Birders for joining us and being our expert guide.

Here is the full list of the 34 bird species spotted or heard:

• Mallard (7)

• California quail (2) (Heard only)

• Eurasian collared-dove (1)

• Mourning dove (6)

• Common nighthawk (3) 

• American coot (13)

• Sandhill crane (2)

• American avocet (3)

• Killdeer (23)

• Franklin’s gull (4)

• Caspian tern (2)

• Western grebe (2)

• Clark’s grebe (4)

• Double-crested cormorant (3) 

• Snowy egret (1)

• American white pelican (1) 

• Northern flicker (3)

• American kestrel (1)

• Black phoebe (1) 

• Black-capped chickadee (4) 

• Tree swallow (5) 

• Barn swallow (20) 

• Ruby-crowned kinglet (1) 

• Bewick’s wren (1)

• European starling (100) 

• American robin (2)

• House sparrow (3) 

• American goldfinch (20)

• White-crowned sparrow (7) 

• Song sparrow (3) 

• Red-winged blackbird (8) 

• Brewer’s blackbird (5) 

• Orange-crowned warbler (1) 

• Yellow-rumped warbler (9)

Common nighthawk

Birder using a spotting scope to get a closer look.

Northern flicker

All of the Birding Experienceship attendees on River Lane.

Picture credit: Katy Knight, Tasia Smith

Tasia Smith, museum educator

2025 Fall Insect Nature Experienceship Report

On Saturday, September 13, 2025, participants of this year’s insect experienceship had an un-”bee”-lievably fun time. Patrons began the day with a private tour of the Bean Museum’s entomology collection led by none other than Dr. Shawn Clark, manager of our entomology collection and insect extraordinare. After the tour, patrons loaded into museum vans and rode up Provo Canyon to Big Springs Park, on the way receiving some pretty “fly” stories from Dr. Clark all about insects. By this point, patrons were pretty “antsy” to catch some bugs! At Big Springs, the patrons learned all about different catching techniques, then everyone split up to catch some insects. Dr. Clark observed and gave tips about different species while participants caught their insects. At the end of the trip, Dr. Clark taught everyone about preserving and mounting their new specimens before everyone drove back to the museum. “Snailed” it!

Audrey, student educator