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We make podcasts and newsletters that connect people with the cities they love.

City Cast Salt Lake

Let us help you find Mother Nature in this concrete jungle.

Whether you’re an avid birder or a casual nature enthusiast, the fall migration season provides a unique opportunity to see a wide range of birds in northern Utah. In fact, 

 stop by the Great Salt Lake on their journey to warmer temps. On Sunday night alone, an estimated 92,000 birds 

. Here are some of the species you can see this season.

Sandhill cranes are known for their complex mating dance. Also, the red on the 

 The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is hosting a 

 on Oct. 7 in Jensen, three hours east of Salt Lake.

Roughly 85% of the population of Eared grebes in North America 

 in the fall to feed on brine shrimp. You can identify them by their distinctive, bright red eyes. They migrate largely at night and can be viewed flying in large flocks on weather radar.

Their bills are long, thin, and curved upwards. They feed by standing in shallow waters and swinging their bills back and forth to catch 

Several songbirds that breed in Canada and winter in Central America, 

, will make a pit stop in Utah. Although they’re diurnal (most active during the day), they usually migrate at night.

Listen to the City Cast Salt Lake podcast for a beginner’s guide to birding in Salt Lake.

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Birds to Watch in Northern Utah During Fall Migration

Urban Almanac

Do you have an influx of seasonal herbs in your garden (here’s looking at you, basil)? Here’s what Wasatch Community Gardens suggests you do 

Herbs can be chopped up and frozen in oil or water (use a ice cube tray for ease). That way you can use them in recipes all year long.

You don’t need a fancy drier to dry summer herbs. You can simply keep them in an open paper bag in a dry, dark place with good ventilation and low humidity. You can also dry them in 

Also, keep in mind these helpful tips from Red Butte Garden when you 

Harvest your bounty. You put in all the work, now reap the rewards. Regular harvesting is better for overall plant health, just make sure you 

Group plants together by needs. So plants that need the same amount of sun, water, and type of soil.

Give your herbs space to grow. Don’t crowd them! A bonus tip: plant mint in it’s own pot. It’s notoriously a plant bully that takes over everything.

 for renters and plant killers. [City Cast Salt Lake 🎧]

Do you have an influx of seasonal herbs in your garden (here’s looking at you, basil)? Here’s what to do with them before the summer’s over by Wasatch Community Gardens.

How To Preserve Your Herbs

 Capybaras are the largest rodent in the world, about twice the 

. They are social and docile animals that famously get along with 

Singing along to the catchy song, you might think to yourself, can I keep a capybara? (Capybaraaa!) Here’s a list of a few of the 

Camel, alpaca, emu, domesticated mink, sugar glider, zebu, tenrec

Raccoon, coyote, ground squirrel, gopher, jackrabbit, muskrat, field mice, Virginia opossum

Degus, ocellated turkeys, fennec fox, lemurs, tarsiers, kinkajou, ocelot, kangaroos, capybara 😭

Keep in mind, taking care of exotic pets requires careful consideration and research. For more information, visit the link from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources below 👇

Exotic pets

Are you on capybara TikTok? Capybaras are the largest rodent in the world, about twice the size of a beaver. They are social and docile animals that famously get along with most animals, even crocodiles. There’s even a capybara cafe in Tokyo.

Can You Keep a Capybara?

When it rains, our lanes may disappear, but the snails are out in full slimy force. Here are some fun facts about these li’l shelled gastropods.

There are both terrestrial (land) and aquatic (water) snails.

The largest terrestrial snail in our state is 

, meaning they’re spineless (but not cowardly, imho they’re quite brave 🥺).

In 2021, biologists discovered a new native species in northeastern Utah: the zoogenetes harpa snail. As a full-grown adult, it only measures 4 millimeters (about the size of a grain of quinoa).

This Utah Snail Is the Size of a Quinoa

Ticks are tiny bloodsuckers that cling onto unsuspecting hosts. They fall in 

 meaning they have eight legs. And while they’re most prevalent between March and mid-July, they also become active in the fall.

There are two categories of ticks: Soft and hard. Hard ticks are more common, with a hard exterior shield. Soft ticks are less common and sort of look like a raisin.

Not all ticks carry Lyme disease. The only Lyme-transmitting tick in Utah is the Western Black-Legged tick which is very rare.

The most common tick found in Utah is the Rocky Mountain Wood Tick. It’s a reddish-brown hard tick that can spread 

, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, or tularemia.

 and when possible wear long-sleeved shirts and pants. Tuck your shirt into your pants and your pants into your socks. Don’t worry, all the cool kids are doing it.

Ticks usually take a few hours or more (ick!) to find their feeding location. So check yourself 

. Search your entire body but especially armpits, backs of knees, waist, belly button, between the legs, around the scalp, and ears.

Ticks are tiny bloodsuckers that cling onto unsuspecting hosts. They fall in the arachnid family meaning they have eight legs. And while they’re most prevalent between March and mid-July, they also become active in the fall.

Can You Get Lyme Disease From Utah Ticks?

Last week was moth week at the Natural History Museum in preparation for their upcoming 

 How can you spot the difference between moths and butterflies? Here are some things to look out for.

have long, club-shaped antennae with a bulb at the end.

 tend to hold their wings in a tent-like way over their abdomen.

 tend to hold their wings up vertically while resting.

have a chrysalis which is hard and smooth.

Moths are faster, fluffier, and have about 

A common misconception is that butterflies are more colorful and moths are dull, but there are many species of dark-colored butterflies and bright moths.

Moths vs. Butterflies: How To Spot the Difference

The Colorado Pikeminnow is the water monster that every Salt Lake angler should know about. This fish is the 

 in North America and can only be found in the Colorado River Basin. It’s also endangered. Here’s some information on what’s being done towards their conservation and how you can help, too.

Conservation officials have built fish-passing structures in the river basin specifically where human activity and the needs of the Colorado Pikeminnow might be in conflict. It allows the fish to navigate barriers — like dams or levees — in order to migrate and complete their life cycle.

If you want to get rid of your live pet goldfish, don’t release it 

. It can put fish like the Colorado Pikeminnow at risk. It can also harm other native species and our ecosystem. Instead, contact your local aquarium store. Most will take fish back.

The Colorado Pikeminnow: Utah's Endangered Water Monster

 here at City Cast Salt Lake. Whether it’s taking a quick stroll, people watching, or picnicking, here are two underrated parks you may not know about.

, that is a precious ecosystem to native vegetation and local wildlife. Miller is a beautiful place to spend an afternoon. One thing to note: Dogs are not allowed off-leash.

 was designed to be a place of solace for caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s, as it’s more of a secluded park. Nearby Franklin Elementary uses the park for the Trails & Natural Lands’ Out of School into Nature program.

: Hear from park ranger Nahuel Tulian on how to 

Salt Lake's Most Underrated Parks

 growing up? If you didn’t know, sea monkeys and brine shrimp are the same thing and the Great Salt Lake is chock full of them. In fact, they play a large role in the lake’s ecosystem.

Every year, millions of birds feed on them when migrating or nesting. Head to 

 for more information on these resilient li'l shrimps.

: We spoke with a graphic designer who is advocating for Utah to get 

, and even mocked up the jerseys. [City Cast Salt Lake 🎧]

Brine Shrimp in the Great Salt Lake

If you’re new to Salt Lake City, you may be wondering what bugs to be aware of, or maybe, you’ve found out the hard way. Here are some common bugs you’ll find in and around your home.

If you notice an uptick (excuse my bug pun) in mosquitos lately, it’s because there has been. Experts say they’re all coming from our wetlands as a result of unusually warm and wet weather.

We’re not talkin’ Scarlett Johansson here. Female Black Widows are identified by their shiny black exterior and distinct red/orange hourglass on the abdomen. They’re 

 to humans in Utah. Their bites can be fatal for children and older adults. Black Widows are commonly found in dark, protected areas like sheds, so use thick gloves as a precaution when working outside.

 and they’re typically found indoors from August through October. There’s a common misconception that these spiders are dangerous, but according to experts there is no conclusive scientific evidence that their bites are venomous or cause flesh-eating lesions. One reason for the lack of data: hobo spiders are difficult to identify without a microscope.

These pesky black and red bugs are called Boxelder bugs because they primarily 

. While they are harmless, they infiltrate your home in droves, usually during the spring or fall. And tbh, they just give me the willies.