Flammulated Owl Tours
2023 Flammy Count 133
2024 Flammy Season Starts in
After many attempts to actually see a Flammulated Owl (in multiple states) Tim was able to get us excellent views of a very cooperative bird.
Liz S. Flammulated Owling, 2019
Tour Details
Flammulated Owling 100% success rate in locating calling Flammy’s
In the pine, oak, and aspen forests of the mountain west, resides this diminutive owl, measuring about the size of a smartphone with gray and reddish plumage. During the summer months, this owl diligently hunts for moths and other insects in its habitat. Spotting this elusive creature can be challenging due to its small size and cryptic coloration, but its repeated, low-pitched hooting can offer a clue to its presence. While once believed to be rare inhabitants of these mountainous forests, we now understand that this owl species is actually quite abundant!
For those seeking the opportunity to observe Flammulated Owls, the mountains near Salt Lake City, Utah offer some of the closest and most accessible nesting grounds. In fact, this region provides the best chance to witness these birds compared to any other location worldwide. As one of the final owls on the lifelist for avid ABA birders, Utah has emerged as the ultimate destination to encounter this remarkable species!
2024 Flammulated Owl Tour Dates
If you would like to book a private tour date, please don't hesitate to contact us to convert a public date to private, or find other dates that work.
May
Tue, May 14 Utah Highlights Owling
Unavailable
Wed, May 15 Pre Marathon Owling
Unavailable
Thu, May 16 Mountain Owls
Unavailable
Sun, May 19 Marathon Owling
Unavailable
Mon, May 20 Private Owling
Unavailable
Tue, May 21 Post Birdfest Owling
Unavailable
Tue, May 21 Private Owling
Unavailable
Wed, May 22 Basic
4 of 5 Spaces Available
Tue, May 28 Owling +
Sold Out
Wed, May 29 Owling +
3 of 5 Spaces Available
June
Sat, June 1 Private Owling Tour
Unavailable
Sun, June 2 Private Owling Tour
Unavailable
Mon, June 3 Private Owling Tour
Unavailable
Tue, June 4 Basic or Owling +
5 of 5 Spaces Available
Thu, June 6 Basic or Owling +
5 of 5 Spaces Available
Wed, June 12 Basic or Owling +
5 of 5 Spaces Available
Thu, June 13 Basic or Owling +
5 of 5 Spaces Available
Sun, June 16 Private Owling Tour
Unavailable
Tue, June 18 Private Owling Tour
Unavailable
Wed, June 19 Basic or Owling +
5 of 5 Spaces Available
Thu, June 20 Cassia Crossbills Owling
Unavailable
Mon, June 24 Basic or Owling +
5 of 5 Spaces Available
Tue, June 25 Private Owling Tour
Unavailable
Wed, June 26 Basic or Owling +
5 of 5 Spaces Available
July
Mon, July 1 Owling +
4 of 5 Spaces Available
Mon, July 8 Owling +
4 of 5 Spaces Available
Wed, July 10 Basic or Owling +
5 of 5 Spaces Available
Mon, July 15 Basic or Owling +
5 of 5 Spaces Available
Tue, July 16 Basic or Owling +
5 of 5 Spaces Available
Thu, July 18 Most Wanted Owling
Unavailable
Mon, July 22 Basic or Owling +
5 of 5 Spaces Available
Tue July 23 Basic or Owling +
5 of 5 Spaces Available
July 25-30 Most Wanted Tour 2
Unavailable
Wed, July 31 Basic or Owling +
5 of 5 Spaces Available
2024 Pricing
What's Included & What to Expect
What to Expect on Your Tour
We'll arrange a pickup for you in our spacious Transit Van, which can accommodate up to 12 people. Our van, affectionately named Otus, will collect you from one of several meeting locations based on our destination for the night. If you're staying at select hotels, we can also arrange to pick you up from there (please inquire for more information). The duration of our journey will vary between 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the specific location.
For our standard tours, we'll head straight to one of our field sites to begin our owling activities. If you opt for our Owling + Tours package, we'll design an exciting birding experience for a couple of hours before sunset, en route to our owling sites. If you have specific target birds in mind, please let us know during the booking process, and we'll do our best to accommodate your preferences.
Once darkness falls (typically 30 minutes after sunset), we will utilize our proven techniques to elicit a response from owls. Once we locate a responsive individual, we'll work on tracking down the bird. Briefly, we'll shine our low-temperature LED spotlight near the owl and provide directions using a laser pointer, enabling you to spot the tiny creature.
We aim to keep our owl viewing moments under 30 seconds, with the utmost consideration for the well-being of the owls. However, there are occasions when we are fortunate enough to enjoy extended views of cooperative owls, utilizing bounce light from the nearest branch.
After a successful encounter, we'll return to Otus and make our way back to SLC. We'll celebrate with a few high-fives and ensure you safely continue your birding adventure.
What's Included
- Professional Guide Service
- Transportation from SLC
- Spotlight and Playback Equipment
- Water for Refreshment
- Birds—we’ll find some birds
- Some Flammtastic Tour Swag
- Delightful Conversation about Birds
- A Thoroughly Enjoyable Time!
We also include SFW dad jokes, witty bird puns, and the occasional commentary on things non-bird related!
What's Not Included
- Binoculars
- Cameras and Lenses
- Personal Flashlights/Headlamps
- Bug Spray
- Jackets or Sweaters
- Shoes and Socks
- Flights or Transportation to Utah
We highly recommend all of the above ;)
Still have questions? Ready to book a tour? Either way tapping the buttons below will put you in touch with us!
Past Seasons Flammulated Owling
2023 Flammy Count
133
No Recap
2022 Flammy Count
157
No Recap
2021 Flammy Count
192
No Recap
2020 Flammy Count
130
Read Recap
2019 Flammy Count
183
No Recap
2018 Flammy Count
173
No Recap
2017 Flammy Count
228
No Recap
2016 Flammy Count
179
No Recap
2015 Flammy Count
180
No Recap
2014 Flammy Count
77
No Recap
90 Reviews
2020, '22, & '23 Trip Advisor Travelers' Choice Award Consistently earning great reviews from birders!
Top Rated Wildlife Tour in Salt Lake City
Better Than Advertised - Flammy Yes! Let's make this easy...with Tim you get great communications, a great birder, great birding, a great visit, great company and absolute delivery on all accounts.
Blair B Flammulated Owling , 2019
Recent Photos from this Tour
Check out more photos from this tour on Flickr
Still have questions? Ready to book a tour? Either way tapping the buttons below will put you in touch with us!
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