Birding

Nestled in the northern corner of Utah sits an oasis for both birds and bird watchers. The Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge attracts millions of birds and thousands of birders each year to it's borders. Over 250 species of birds live on this federally managed wildlife preserve, either year-round or as part of their yearly migration flights to and from their breeding and wintering grounds. The refuge is comprised of almost 77,000 acres of wetland and upland habitats and although this nature sanctuary is primarily designated for migratory birds, it does have so much more to offer than just our avian friends. Butterflies, deer, toads and frogs, weasels, as well as many other creatures also call the refuge home and can be seen at varies times throughout the year on the refuge. The refuge visitors center is easily accessed by way of interstate 15 and is located at the Forest Street exit just west of the highway in Brigham City, Utah. It is close enough to civilization where all the amenities we need and rely on are close by but also secluded enough where you can visit the refuge auto tour route and feel hundreds of miles away from anybody. To get a better idea of what the refuge has to offer, visit BearRiverBlogger.com and see the refuge first hand through the eyes of a professional photographer. It is truly an oasis in the desert and a bird watching trip you will never forget.

Sheltering in place can be much more interesting when we have friends. Check out J eff's blog this month on how to attract wildlife in your own back yard.

Jeff's time on the refuge was limited this spring due to COVID-19 restrictions and associated personal challenges. We missed his regular blog, but follow this link to his page and you'll find a delighted narrative about one of his recent trips through the Bird Refuge.

Habitat is a very important part of nature. It is critical for migrating birds and the tundra swan is one of those birds which relies highly on a certain type of habitat being available on its' migration route. Each year during spring and fall migration, thousands of tundra swans pile into the wetlands of the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. This nearly 77,000 acre wildlife preserve provides a most suitable habitat for the tundra swans for their short but very important stay at the refuge as they feed and rest for a few weeks. Swans have an interesting feeding requirement with regards to their habitat, they need shallow open water to feed in. Tundra swans mostly feed on aquatic vegetation provided by marshes and wetlands such as the Bear River Bird Refuge, for example, but when the waters freeze, it's a signal to the swans to start migrating again further south to a warmer climate and open water to feed in. Unlike geese and some ducks, swans do indeed need shallow water to feed in and when it isn't present it signals the swans to take flight once again. It is a fascinating phenomenon to watch the migrating swans on the refuge as they pour in to feed and rest for a few weeks until it is time to leave again. The Bear River Refuge is currently experiencing spring migration and although frozen waters and shorter days aren't the migration trigger this time of year, the impulse to make it to the arctic tundra to breed for yet another season makes their springtime stay on the refuge a short but very active and animated one for bird watchers and outdoor photographers alike. Come visit the refuge as the swans are migrating through this season. It is a feast for the eyes as well as the ears.

Twice each year, the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge opens its doors to thousands of migrating tundra swans flying between California and the arctic tundra to rest and feed for a few weeks. Spring and fall migration is an awesome spectacle for birders and photographers alike on the refuge when these migrating swans stopover on the nearly 77,000 acre federally managed wetland preserve and put on a show for the eyes as well as the ears. Spring is now at hand. Warming temperatures are pulling the ice off the shallow waters and thousands of tundra swans are starting to fill the refuge and will continue to do so for the next few weeks as they come through on their journey back north to the tundra. Unfortunately, however, it's only for a few short weeks and only twice per year us bird enthusiasts are able to enjoy and view these incredibly beautiful birds on the Bear River Refuge but it is well worth the wait. March is also a time when the refuge staff hosts their annual swan day even t to celebrate the tundra swan and to help educate and inform the public of this beautiful bird and its habitat. March 14, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. is their annual event where activities and even a outdoor photography class is being held on the refuge. Volunteers will also be staged on the self-guided auto tour route to help visitors on that day find the swans and answer any questions they might have. If you are wanting to view the migrating tundra swans now is the time. March is when the swans are moving through the refuge and is a great time to see them before they head northward again. The self-guided auto tour loop on the refuge is open from sunrise to sunset 7 days per week and offers a great opportunity to view the swans while they are here. It is an experience any and all bird enthusiasts should enjoy at least once in their lives.

Each spring, typically during the month of March, part of Box Elder County is host to thousands of migrating snow geese. The small farming community of Corinne is a yearly resting and feeding location for nearly 20,000 migrating snow geese as they work their way towards the arctic tundra for another breeding season. It is a great opportunity for bird watchers and photographers alike to come and watch the grand spectacle of migration in action. Twice daily, the large flock of snow geese take to the air and search for grain fields in the towns of Corinne and Bear River City to feed upon for energy for the nearly 3000 mile journey. Small flocks have started to show up already but the mass migration typically happens during mid-March, when thousands of snow geese are present and offer a bird watching experience like no other. If you have always wanted to witness the mass migration of the snow goose, this is your opportunity to come and view thousands of snow geese as they come through northern Utah for a few weeks of the year.

Bird watching is oftentimes thought of as a summer only activity. The birds are more plentiful and the weather is definitely much more pleasant during the summer months but those who go birding during the winter season are rewarded with unique experiences only available during the coldest, harshest parts of the year. The Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge is a bird watching paradise but many people lose out on some of the best experiences of the year by not visiting the refuge during winter. Birds such as the rough-legged hawk, tundra swan and bald eagle are some of the species only found on the refuge during the cold wintry months. Opportunities to see and photograph other birds such as a great blue heron standing over a small ice hole, much like an ice fisherman does while waiting for a nibble, are scenes available to view and photograph only available during winter. The Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge self guided auto tour route, a 12 mile drive through the heart of the refuge habitat, offers the winter visitor a chance to view and experience nature up-close and personal, many times getting much closer to birds than during the summer.