Bear River Refuge Waterbird/Raptor Count

[Bridget_Olson at fws dot gov]

Waterbird/Raptor Survey
Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
Box Elder County
3/05/04

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                 3147
Northern Pintail        5502
GW Teal           2321
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

Bridget Olson
Wildlife Biologist
Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
58 S. 950 W.
Brigham City, UT  84302
Phone: 435/723-5887 ext. 13
Fax: 435/723-8873



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