Birding

Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge lies in northern Utah, where the Bear River flows into the northeast arm of the Great Salt Lake. The Refuge protects the marshes found at the mouth of the Bear River; these marshes are the largest freshwater component of the Great Salt Lake ecosystem. Since these marshes are in turn surrounded by arid desert lands, it is little wonder that they have always been an oasis for waterbirds and wildlife.

A snowy mountain is reflected in a lake.

Attention Bird Photographers!

We're looking for talented bird photographers to showcase their work on this website AND to be featured in this year's Art on Main festival!

• Your photography displayed to thousands of website visitors for the next 12 months

• Recognition for your outstanding work

• A featured spot at one of the area's most celebrated art events

• Potential sales and commissions from art collectors and nature enthusiasts

Whether you specialize in majestic birds of prey, colorful songbirds, or rare migratory species, we want to see your best work!

Limited space available - serious inquiries only. Apply here.

Click on one of our featured artists below, or navigate directly from the top menu to see their work.

Nathan West

West Haven, Utah

My name is Nathan. I’m from West Haven, Utah. My love for photography started back in high school, however, life got crazy and up until a few years ago I hadn’t picked up a camera. My daughter’s softball is what brought me back. Prior to that my main focus was cars.

There is something so unique about sports photography that I’ve really enjoyed. I now photography my sons team as well. My father loved photography and after he passed is when I truly found my love and joy for wildlife. I am self taught and always learning. I hope you can enjoy the moments I’ve captured of this beautiful world we get to be a part of.

Instagram Feed

Wade Owen

North Ogden, UT

Wade Owen lives in North Ogden. He worked in Information Technology for the State of Utah and First Security Bank for 36 years and is now enjoying retirement.

Wade is married and has two adult children, a daughter-in-law and a Bernese grand-dog named Daisy.

Wade has taken up photography as a retirement hobby. He has enjoyed dozens of trips to the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge at all seasons and loves to see the subtle changes in the weather, the residents and their behaviors.

In addition to photography, Wade is a volunteer usher for Salt Lake County Arts and is co-chair for the Volunteer Experience Committee with that organization. Wade loves Broadway, musical theater, plays, operas and all the other artistic mediums to which this experience provides access.

Wade is a volunteer at the Ogden Nature Center, working at various events and, until recently, assisting the bird banding team.

Wade is passionate about skiing, traveling and eating fine food. Wade loves reading about history, science and art, and is learning and teaching Spanish.

Bear River Bird Refuge
Visitor Information

The Wildlife Education Center is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and closed on Sundays, Mondays and all Federal holidays.

The Auto Tour Route is open daily, sunrise to sunset throughout the year, and is a gravel road. Rain and snow may affect the road conditions. Please use caution and drive slowly. If conditions become unsafe, the Auto Tour Route will be closed.

Please call (435) 723-5887 for official visiting information.

12

MILE LONG
AUTO-TOUR ROUTE

10,000+

BIRDS

80,000

ACRES

67

BIRD SPECIES
ON THE REFUGE

ABOUT THE REFUGE

VOLUNTEERS

Volunteers play an instrumental role in a wide range positions at the refuge, from welcoming/orienting visitors to the Refuge at the front desk, hosting interpretive/education events, to assisting in biological surveys. Volunteers work together to meet every challenge to increase environmental awareness. Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge is a great place to share talents, learn about the Refuge, and connect to an extraordinary conservation community!

HISTORY

In the 1920s, due to the loss of marshes and huge bird die-offs from botulism, local individuals and organizations urged Congress to protect this valuable resource in Northern Utah, and in 1928, the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge was created. The purpose of the refuge is to serve as a "suitable refuge and feeding and breeding grounds for migratory waterfowl" (Presidential Proclamation, Public Law 302).

PRESERVATION & WILDLIFE

Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge is one of the over 550 refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System—a network of lands set aside and managed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service specifically for wildlife. The Refuge and other wetlands associated with the Great Salt Lake provide critical habitat for migrating birds, over 250 species moving through this area annually by the millions to rest and feed. As part of the Bear River Bay, the Refuge is designated as a Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network site, a globally important shorebird area.

Today, Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge contains nearly 80,000 acres of marsh, open water, uplands, and alkali mudflats. The marshes and open water are managed using a complex system of dikes and water control structures to provide a variety of water depths suitable for the needs of different waterbird species. The Refuge is an excellent place to observe wildlife along a 12-mile auto tour route, as well as enjoying hunting, fishing and wildlife photography.