Gazing down on this colorful wetlands mosaic, I spotted a silvery flock of swans flying in picture-perfect tranquility and harmony. You don't have to go airborne, though, to see the avian flocks. Nor is a boat necessary. There are plenty of accessible vantages on the ground where you can observe the lake's rich diversity of birds. All you need is a pair of binoculars.
Raptors are plentiful here.
Harriers and American kestrels are the most abundant. Last spring at the ranch, many visitors were treated to the sight of two great horned fledglings perched in the trees like furry watermelons. Chukar, an exotic game species introduced to the western U.S. from Asia in the early 1950s, proliferate here. Although common on the island, this species is rarely seen in the eastern U.S. Tim Smith, Antelope Island State Park manager and an avid birder, says that one of the best places to sight a variety of species is from the seven-mile causeway that spans the lake from Syracuse to the island. Watch for rare species too.