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Flammulated Owl Tours
2024 Flammy Count
145
2025 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
2 Flammy's 3 NSWO, 1 BAOW
Fri, April 26 (Red Cliffs Birdfest)
4 Flammy's 6 COPO
Mon, May 13 (Utah Highlights Tour)
2 Flammy's 1 RUGR
Wed, May 15 (Marathon Scouting)
3 Flammy's 1 NSWO, 1 GHOW, 1 COPO, 1 RUGR
Thu, May 16 (GSL Birdfest)
4 Flammy's 2 GHOW, 3 COPO, 2 RUGR
Sun, May 19 (Marathon Birding)
2 Flammy's 6 COPO
Tue, May 21 (Southern Utah)
6 Flammy's 1 GHOW, 1 COPO
Wed, May 22 (Basic)
7 Flammy's 3 COPO, 1 GHOW
Sun, May 26 (Private)
7 Flammy's 1 NSWO, 1 GHOW, 1 COPO, 1 RUGR
Tue, May 28 (Owling +)
3 Flammy's 1 NSWO, 1 COPO, 1 CONI, 1 RUGR
Thu, May 30 (Private)
June
5 Flammy's 2 NSWO, 6 COPO
Sun, June 2 (Private)
3 Flammy's 3 COPO
Thu, June 6 (Private)
8 Flammy's 5 COPO
Wed, June 12 (Basic)
11 Flammy's 1 COPO
Thu, June 13 (Basic)
1 Flammy --
Thu, June 13 (Private)
15 Flammy's 5 COPO, 1 GHOW
Sun, June 16 (Private)
4 Flammy's 1 NSWO, 2 COPO
Wed, June 19 (Basic)
3 Flammy's 2 COPO
Thu, June 20 (Cassia Crossbills Owling)
7 Flammy's 2 COPO
Mon, June 24 (Basic)
6 Flammy's 3 COPO
Wed, June 26 (Private)
5 Flammy's 1 NSWO, 1 GHOW, 1 COPO
Wed, June 26 (Private)
July
7 Flammy's 1 COPO, 1 GHOW
Mon, July 1 (Owling +)
4 Flammy's --
Wed, July 10 (Basic)
5 Flammy's 3 COPO
Mon, July 15 (Basic)
8 Flammy's 1 GHOW
Thu, July 25 (Most Wanted Owling)
5 Flammy's 1 GHOW, 2 COPO
Fri, July 26 (Private)
5 Flammy's 1 COPO
Sun, July 28 (Most Wanted Owling)
3 Flammy's 1 GHOW, 1 COPO
Tue, July 30 (Season Finale!)
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
94 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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