BACK
Flammulated Owl Tours
2025 Flammy Count
207
2026 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!
2025 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 1 COPO
Mon, May 12 (Highlights Owling)
1 Flammy 1 DUGR
Thu, May 15 (Marathon Scouting)
19 Flammy's —
Fri, May 16 (Private)
2 Flammy's 1 GHOW, 1 DUGR, 1 RUGR
Sun, May 18 (Marathon Birding)
8 Flammy's 1 PAWR, 1 RUGR
Thu, May 22 (Basic)
13 Flammy's 2 COPO, 1 RUGR
Sun, May 25 (Private)
12 Flammy's 1 COPO
Thu, May 29 (Basic)
June
3 Flammy's 1 COPO
Sun, June 8 (Private)
9 Flammy's 4 COPO, 1 RUGR
Mon, June 9 (Private)
7 Flammy's 4 COPO
Tue, June 17 (Basic)
9 Flammy's 6 COPO
Wed, June 18 (Owling +)
5 Flammy's —
Mon, June 23 (Basic)
4 Flammy's 1 Moose
Wed, June 25 (Owling +)
6 Flammy's 3 COPO
Thu, June 26 (Basic)
5 Flammy's 5 Moose!!!
Fri, June 27 (Private)
13 Flammy's 1 COPO
Sat, June 28 (Private)
4 Flammy's 2 Black Bears!!!
Sun, June 29 (Private)
2 Flammy's 3 COPO
Sun, June 29 (Private)
July
2 Flammy's 1 COPO
Mon, July 7 (Owling +)
7 Flammy's —
Tue, July 8 (Owling +)
4 Flammy's 3 GHOW, 4 COPO
Tue, July 8 (Private)
11 Flammy's 1 COPO
Thu, July 10 (Private)
2 Flammy's 4 Moose
Fri, July 11 (Private)
5 Flammy's —
Sun, July 13 (Private Owling)
5 Flammy's 1 GHOW, 2 COPO
Sun, July 13 (7 Ponds Owling)
5 Flammy's 2 COPO
Fri, July 18 (7 Ponds Owling)
1 Flammy —
Sun, July 20 (Most Wanted Owling)
9 Flammy's 5 WITU and 85 Elk
Mon, July 28 (Private Owling)
2 Flammy's —
Tue, July 29 (Private Owling)
5 Flammy's 5 WSOW, 1 COPO
Wed, July 30 (Private Owling)
4 Flammy's —
Thu, July 31 (AFO Owling Tour)
August
3 Flammy's —
Sat, Aug 2 (Private Owling)
2 Flammy's —
Sun, Aug 3 (Private Owling)
3 Flammy's 2 COPO, 1 Flying Sq.
Mon, Aug 4 (Private Owling)
1 Flammy 1 COPO
Thu, Aug 7 (Private Owling)
4 Flammy's —
Sat, Aug 9 (Private Owling)
4 Flammy's —
Tue, Aug 19 (Private Owling)
4 Flammy's 2 COPO, 3 WSOW
Thu, Aug 28 (Private Owling)
2025 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
2025 Flammy Count
207
No Recap
2024 Flammy Count
145
No Recap
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
100 5-Star 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!