Posted Sunday, March 7, 2004

03/05 — Bridget Olson, Wildlife Biologist at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge conducted the Waterbird/Raptor Survey for Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge and filed the following report: Some wetland units are finally beginning to open on the Refuge. Swans, Sandhill Cranes and a Greater Yellowlegs were notable birds. The swans and yellowlegs were seen from the tour loop and the county road leading into the Refuge. Canada Geese are seen in pairs or threes scoping out nesting sites. Due to the amount of snow we've had in the valley this winter, the salt flats that are next to the county road leading to the Refuge have several inches of sheet water. These mud-flat areas should provide great viewing opportunity to visitors as the birds return over the next couple of weeks. The Tour-loop wetland unit is still frozen over though thawing on the Great Salt Lake side of the tour loop does afford some birding opportunity. Total duck count of 13,000 is down from the long-term average of 35,000. Only the Canada Goose count is above average.

• Tundra Swan, 486
• Canada Goose, 204
• Mallard, 3,147
• Northern Pintail, 5,502
• Green-winged Teal, 2,321
• Cinnamon Teal, 13
• Northern Shoveler, 505
• Gadwall, 383
• Am. Wigeon, 512
• Canvasback, 103
• Redhead, 24
• Scaup, 42
• C. Goldeneye, 448
• Bufflehead, 57
• H. Merganser, 1
• Ruddy Duck, 5
• Great Blue Heron, 3
• Greater Yellowlegs, 1
• Ring-billed Gull, 380
• California Gull, 236
• Herring Gull, 3
• Coot, 1
• Sandhill Crane, 4
• Bald Eagle, 18
• Northern Harrier, 11
• Rough-legged Hawk, 8
• Prairie Falcon, 1