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Thoughts from the kids!

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 09:55:00 -0600

Friday, April 12, 2013

Last week - the great students and teachers from Green Acres Elementary stopped by the Refuge and we had a great bus tour around our Auto Loop. No one can say it better than the kids themselves - so we're posting many of their own thoughts of what the visit and the Refuge meant to them. ENJOY!

Bird Refuge Reflections by the 4th graders from Green Acres Elem.

When we went to the Bird Refuge one of my favorite things was on the way there we got to drive on the freeway with our windows open. I liked to wave at the people in the cars next to us, and we played games and made up silly stories. When we got there we watched a really cool short movie about the refuge. Then we talked about birds and asked questions. Something I learned is that the Marsh Wren can sew twigs together and make lots of nests to impress the girl Marsh Wren so they can choose their own nest that they like. I thought we had a really fun time and I would like to go again sometime. by: Megan

I liked the trip to the refuge. I liked watching the movie and the bird noises that our tour guide made. My two favorite birds would be the pelican and the American Avocet. I like the pelican’s big bill and I think they look cute. I like the American Avocet because its beak looks upside down and I like that it’s kind of like a peachy color.

I like the marsh wren because it makes 10 to 15 houses for a girl to choose which house she likes. I also like grebe because they swim under the water and dance. I think the trip to the refuge was good and bad because our bus kind of broke down but we still got to see lots of birds.

by Daisy

Something I liked about the Bird Refuge is looking at all of the cool birds. They have a lot of amazing birds. I learned a about many things. Two of my favorite birds are the Grebe because I like how they look and how they dance under water. Another one of my favorites is the Marsh Wren. It makes a lot of nests to impress the female. Also they make a type writing sound .A habitat I learned about is around cattails and tall grass. It was fun seeing all of the birds and that the bus broke down. My feelings are that the Bird Refuge is fun. By Lauren

Something I liked about our trip to the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge was when our bus broke down and we got in a new bus. My 2 favorite birds were the Tundra Swan and the Great Blue Heron. I liked the Tundra Swan because I liked the color. I liked the Great Blue Heron because it was pretty. An adaption I leaned about is a Western Grebe goes underwater like a submarine to hide. I loved the trip and I’d like to go there again.

By Olivia

Something I learned was that Bald Eagles sometimes eat American Coots. My two favorite birds are Bald Eagles and Snowy Owls. These are my favorite birds because they are big and have cool colors. Pelicans have pouches that hold all the fish that they scoop up. My feelings about the trip I think it was cool to see all the birds.

Sincerely,

Josh

I liked the Bird Refuge because we got to see all the birds. I learned that Pelicans are big but are not heavy. My two favorite birds are the Pelican and the red winged black bird. I like the Pelican because the Pelican’s bill is huge and can catch a lot of fish. I like the Red winged black bird because when you look at them up close they are so beautiful. I really liked the bird Refuge. It was fun to see all of the birds and to learn about all the kinds of birds

By Jaylee

I loved the fieldtrip because I learned so much about birds. This refuge has a three mile road that lets you see hundreds of birds, and not all the same type. I saw at least five Great Blue herons two hawks fifty coots and much more. You can boat, drive, and hike there. You don`t want to miss the amazing opportunity to go to the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge.

By Spencer

I liked all the different birds and how they don’t keep them in trap the birds, they keep them out in the open. I also liked the way that all these different birds come and we can see nature closer and seeing their life and also how they fly. AT lunch I loved the way that Jason {our guide} told us about birds and also that they don’t just have birds they have different animals there too. When we got back on the bus. It started slow and the pedal was broken, so I realized that we could see better then when we were going fast. Then we met a different bus and headed back to the school. My two favorite birds were the Pelican and the Great Blue Heron because they’re beautiful.

By: annastin

When I was at the refuge I learned that birds have to go the bathroom every time because they need to be light when flying. My two favorite birds were Cliff Swallows and Pelicans. I like their adaptions. The Cliff Swallow’s nest is cool. They get mud and they spit with their sticky spit to make I hold. It’s so cool how Pelicans eat they scoop fish in their huge beak. It was great I never knew how cool birds were.

Brinley

I learned that birds could dive in the water and swim. I liked the colorful birds and how they could dive under water and fly out of water. But they cannot walk on the ground. My favorite bird is the grebe’s because it can dive underwater. They can see fish when they dive. I love the whiteness on the grebe’s neck. And how they are so calm, unlike ducks. They Quack and hank a lot. I know a lot about birds now. I LOVE birds.

By Philesia

We learned about lots of birds and saw birds that we never saw before. Pelicans and hawks. I like the way the pelicans catch their fish. The hawk was perching on its branch looking for prey. The pelicans adaption is in their beak when the water is Their mouth it drains out of the beak. The hawks habitat cities and deserts. I liked the field trip. It was fun!

By Weston

I learned that a crow sits on a wire and then drops its nut on a cross walk and waits till the red light then hurries and goes down and grabs it. I liked the humming bird because of how fast and pretty it is, and I also liked the Marsh Wren because of its unique sound, it sounds like an old typewriter. An adaption I learned about is a grebe, it has legs behind it so it can run on land faster, because it`s a water bird. I really liked this fieldtrip because it was amazing to see all of the birds and wildlife. I liked it when the bus broke down because we got to see more wildlife during the time from lunch to the bathroom. The fieldtrip may have been hot and a little bit boring but it was one of the most amazing fieldtrips I`ve ever been on before in my whole life.

By Sara

I liked the bird refuge because we got to see lot of pretty birds. My 2 favorite birds are the Tundra Swan and the Great Blue Heron. I liked the Tundra Swan because of its pretty white wings. I liked the Great Blue Heron because of its color. I leaned that the Great Blue Heron has long legs for standing in the water to catch bugs. I enjoyed the trip and would go there again.

By Sarah

I learned about all sorts of birds like: Yellow headed Black-bird, and the Red winged Black-bird. Those are my favorite birds because the color of them. The Yellow headed Black-bird has a really yellow head. The Red winged Black-bird have red on the top of the wing and yellow on the bottom. They live in grassy areas and not dirty areas. I feel good about learning about them, and I bet they like to eat bug a lot but not all the time. I think they are pretty animals. They fly pretty. I like the way they are, where they live, what they eat, how they look, how they fly over water to get to one big shard of grass to another big shard of grass each time it lands on one. From small to medium to large. It is very cool to watch. I like and know that they are not the best flyers in the world. But they are getting better each day like right now I bet one is flying to get better. They are helpless little animals. They start out not so good.

By: Emily

What I liked is when then the bus broke down. I was scared at first because I thought eat I was going to walk home. I learned the five heaviest birds. One of my favorite bird is the Great Blue Heron because we saw six teen of them. It was blue and gray and had long legs. Another bird I liked is the Grebe. Its cool when he goes under water and dances.

By Skylie

I liked it when we stopped and saw the cliff swallows nests. My two favorite birds are the Great Blue Heron, and the red winged black bird. I liked the Great Blue Heron because of its colors and its size. And the reason I liked the red winged black bird is because of the yellow and red on its wings. Their habitat is very swampy. An adaptation for the Great Blue Heron is to have very long legs so it can stand in the water and catch food. My feelings about the field trip were it was extremely fun except for the part where the bus broke down. And they had to bring us a new one.

By Katelyn

I liked the movie because they were cool birds. I like the Red tailed hawk and the Barn Owl . The Red tailed hawk is a bird of prey and eats during the day. The barn owl can see better at night. For adaptions the barn owl eats at night.

By Ares

I liked the fieldtrip when the bus broke down because we got a longer ride. My favorite birds are the cliff swallow and tree swallow because they make cool nests and because their fast. Some adaptations are feathers hollow bones and beaks I felt scared that we wouldn’t get back on time. And happy to have a long ride.

Daniel

I liked the part when the bus kind of broke down and started going slower than usual. We got to see the birds a lot better than before. I also liked the part when Jason, our guide, was making bird noises. They sounded so real. My two favorite birds are the Great Blue Heron and the Cliff Swallow. They are my favorite birds because they are colorful. The Great Blue Heron is a big, beautiful bird. The Cliff Swallows are always sitting on a stick whenever I see them. It was really cool to learn about the Cliff Swallows’ houses. Their house is really cool. They use mud to make their houses. They have an exciting looking habitat. I felt very surprised how many Red-Winged Black Birds I saw. It was amazing! I was really excited to go on the field trip. I’m glad I went!

By: Korina

The Value of a Rarity / Spring / Moving On

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 13:53:00 -0600

Wednesday, April 03, 2013

As you can tell by the title, this entry is going to have three parts. I’d like to start in the middle – because that’s just how I am – I do things my own way.

SPRING! It certainly has sprung on the Refuge lately. Chorus frogs are “chorusing.” Filaree is blooming, and multitudes of migratory birds are amassing across the wetlands. Some recent returnees are: Long-billed curlews, Franklin’s gulls and Cliff swallows! But, I’m not going to name them all, instead I will just say, GET OUT THERE AND SEEM THEM YOURSELVES! It is amazing.

Now, back to the beginning. I would like to mention something I’ve been thinking about lately – a subject that is near and dear to my heart – that is Citizen Science and the value of a rarity.

First, if you don’t know, there are many, amazing citizen science projects out there for everyone to get involved in. For birders, bug lovers, plant fans, etc. And participating is a huge help – more than you know – to science and scientists around the world. From counting and reporting birds and nesting times, to watching lightning bugs or charting plant bloom times, there is something for every interest and age out there. Some of my favorites (being a birder) are eBird, NestWatch and the Great Backyard BirdCount! And that brings up my second point. The value of spotting, and even more so – reporting, a rare bird is beyond words. Over the past year, Colusa National Wildlife Refuge in California has hosted a very rare Asian bird, a Falcated duck. This bird has attracted thousands of birders from all over the country for the chance to see it on their home turf. These birders in turn have created hundreds of thousands of dollars in community revenue for local businesses and conservation concerns – especially for the Refuge. But just think – what if the first birders to spot it had not entered their sighting in eBird, or had not posted it on an internet website or listserv? Think of the effects this would have on that Refuge, the local economy especially of now filled hotels and diners, etc. That one duck brought national attention to wildlife conservation and the need for habitat protection, duck stamps, water quality control and on and on. The effects ripple through almost everything – and all from a report of one lonely and beautiful little duck.

So – I urge you – if you already don’t, to keep records of what you see when you’re outside. Report it to eBird or Bugguide or BudBurst. It DOES make a huge difference and takes very little time.

And finally, I just wanted to let everyone know, that come April 19, I will be moving on to a new career with the National Audubon Society in Texas. It has been a joy working here at Bear River MBR and writing this blog. I hope you have enjoyed reading it. Stay tuned for blog posts by new writers from the Refuge staff and volunteers . . . and as always, I wish you HAPPY BIRDING!

- Jason

Sure Signs of Spring 101

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 16:04:00 -0600

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

With Spring "springing" everywhere outside lately, I thought I'd whip up a quick list of some of the SURE SIGNS OF SPRING around the Refuge right now.

1. Red-winged blackbird males are singing, showing off their neon epaulets and staking out territories!

2. Canada geese are pairing up and looking for good nesting habitat.

3. BUGS! Bugs are zooming through the air and water again - and not far behind will be bug-eating birds! Insects hatching are always a great sign of the warmer weather of Spring.

4. Plants growing and blooming. Grass is greening; bulbs are burgeoning; trees are budding. Aaaahh

5. Water begins to flow faster as ice melts, wetlands thaw and rivers and streams almost burst their banks.

6. WIND! Spring breezes are important to put many seeds, like the seeds at the end of cattail fluff, into the air to be deposited elsewhere and grow more cattails.

7. And on that wind is also the amazing SMELL of spring - wet earth, decayed leaves, sprouting shrubs... of course, for those of with allergies - this isn't the most exciting of the signs, but it surely is one....AAAAAHHHHCHOOOOOO!

8. And finally (though I am sure there are many more signs) the return of migratory birds! From robins to swallows, cranes to curlews - the return of favorite yard or Refuge birds brings the promise of Spring's return to everyone that sees them.

Happy Birding

- Jason

Birds know a very different budget

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 13:04:00 -0600

Thursday, February 28, 2013

On this very final day of February - hours before possible government sequestration and large amounts of government funding cutbacks and personnel furloughs . . . I turn my thoughts to a very different "budget" . . . a bird's activity budget.

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service - especially the Refuges across the nation - are here to protect and serve the natural resource. That is BIRDS, specifically , here at the Bear River Migratory BIRD Refuge. What's that, you say? Basically, an activity budget shows how much time an animal spends in various activities such as eating, resting, sleeping, and moving. So - while we're all worried about the economy, gas prices and sequestrations . . . the birds are worried about where the next meal is coming from and if the water is open or frozen, etc.

It just makes you think. When trying to decide whether or not to move from one spot to another for food or warmth - are the main concerns on your budget - how nice it might be to be a bird. But then, if you've ever watched one closely and tried to record their activity budget, you will immediately realize it IS NOT. To change a bird's activity budget, even by only a small amount (especially during tough years or during mating season), can make a HUGE difference . . . possibly even between life and death. For example - as fun as it may be for your dog to run on the beach and chase sandipers and plover...this is deadly dangerous for those birds, many of which are terribly threatened and endagered species. That bird is working very had to try and feed and gain enough weight to make it through migration. Chased and harried by people or dogs . . . it has just wasted time, energy and fat mass doing something it shouldn't need to. The difference between life and death.

So while we are all watching and wondering what will happen with our won budgets . . . let's not forget how much more dire it can be for our feathered friends and their activity budgets.

Happy Birding

- Jason

"The early bird gets the . . . territory!"

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 17:21:00 -0600

Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013

Even with snow and colder temperatures still in the forecast for the next week or more...it seems that spring is just around the corner. It must be - because out in the frozen marshes, all the local Red-winged blackbird males - as well as the resident male Song sparrows - are singing up a storm!

Many local or resident birds start tuning-up their songs well be for the actual arrival of spring, because - let's face it - "the early bird gets the territory...and thusly, the girl." Many species of birds - from blue jays to cardinals out east - to red-winged blackbirds, song sparrows and chickadees here in the west - that are local residents are practicing their songs and already coming into lovely breeding plumage. This is all to get a jumpstart on the mating season. It literally is life or death to these birds. To be able to mate and pass on their genes is the most important event in a bird's life. And if you can get the best territory, with a bounty of food and resources for nesting, PLUS you happen to have gorgeous epaulets or lovely gorgets or a snazzy song . . . then you are more likely to be chosen as a mate and succeed in your goal.

This early-bird phenomena can definitely be heard right now around the Refuge - and probably in your backyards or local parks. It still seems like weeks to months away til some of the migrants will show up, but for those birds that are already here...the show has already begun. Male pheasants are "coralling the babes" and showing off their rainbow colors, and even a few western meadolarks have been heard to warble a practice tune or two.

Of course - there are also other great views of spring activity this early in the season. Many of the winter duck species - such as goldeneye and bufflehead - have begun chasing each other around the ponds and wetlands, and throwing their heads back in showy splendor in preparations for the all important show up north on their breeding grounds.

So - while spring may not quite yet be "in the air" - it definitely sounds like it can't be too far away!

Happy birding.

- Jason

BALD EAGLE CELEBRATION AND FUN FACTS

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 10:04:00 -0600

Friday, February 8, 2013

Tomorrow is Bald Eagle day in Utah, and we're celebrating this majestic bird here on the Refuge as well with all kinds of activities, movies, and presentations. I'd thought I'd take a quick minute and blog about a few Eagle Fun Facts that maybe you didn't know!

Benjamin Franklin was against having the Bald Eagle as the national bird and symbol of the nation because they so frequently steal from each other. He, instead, preferred the very wily and smart (and noble, he felt) Wild Turkey.
Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) are found ONLY in North America!
Though still protected, due to amazing research and conservation actions, the Bald Eagle is no longer on the Endangered Species list . . . having been removed in 2007, a great success!
Utah hosts 25-30% (around 1200-1300) of the wintering Bald Eagles in the lower 48 states. Last winter of 2011-2012, the Refuge's high count was 180 eagles!
Bald Eagle's second favorite food if they can't nab fish . . . is the slow flying American coot.
Both eagles in a pair will build their nest together . . . but it's the female that picks the tree.
Obviously, Bald eagles aren't truly "bald" . . . the word comes from the old english word, balde, meaning white.
The Golden eagle - another local eagle - is actually not the Bald eagle's closest relative. The "Baldie's" closest cousins are other sea or fish-eating eagles: the African fish-eagle (Haliaeetus vocifer) of sub-Saharan Africa and the white-tailed sea-eagle(Haliaeetus albicilla) of Eurasia.

HAPPY BALD EAGLE DAY and Happy Birding

- Jason

Barn Owl Bonanza!

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 10:54:00 -0600

Thursday, January 25, 2013

Boy, oh boy are the Barn owls out in force this winter...and while that is a great thing for birders and photographers like many of us, it is not necessarily a good thing for the owls.

First - lets talk about the good. It is so thrilling to see these soul-stirring silent hunters up close. Right now - with conditions as they are - is an amazing time to see them hunt and glide above the marshes around the Refuge Auto Loop. They dive from signs and building-tops - they bullet up from roads and rushes - and they stare sarcastically from the snow saying, "I'm not cold - are you?"

Over the past weeks - several Barn owls have been seen on and around the Refuge rather consistently - and my own two forays around the loop in the past week have yielded sightings of 7 Barn owls both times! I've seen them pounce on prey or search the snow for more.

Now - for one of the unfortunate reasons we are seeing so many and getting such a good glimpse of them this winter. They are hungry and possibly starving in the harsh conditions this year.

Barn owls - and owls in general - had a rather good season last winter - with mild temperatures and a plentiful poplulation of rodents for a food source. The cold temps, thicker snow and now - ice on topf of the snow - have really changed those conditions this winter. Rodent populations are down - or they are much harder to get to. With deep snows or hard, ice-covered drifts that the owls cannot puch through, owls resort to hunting along roads and - due to their low flying and camoflauged colors, often get hit by cars during harsh winters. Also - to make up for hard hunting conditions and less food - especially coming into the breeding season or having to feed young - some owls resort to hunting in the daytime much more than they would normally. Again - this makes it great owl viewing, but unfortunately - it is very hard on the birds themselves. But - to end on a good note, usually these conditions and harsh seasons are cyclical (as a lot of natural systems are) so this may be nature's way of keeping populations healthy and thinning out the "herd", so to speak. Either way, it makes for some excellent wildlife viewing right now - so if you can brave the cold and slick roads...get out there and enjoy the owls!

Happy Birding

- Jason

"Raptor's Delight!"

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 16:29:00 -0600

Tuesday, Janary 8, 2013

RAPTOR'S DELIGHT - Bear River Gang

"I said a hick, a hawk, a rough-legged hawk

I said a hick, a hawk, and you don't stop, til you get a Red-tailed hawk!"

O.K. For anyone not around for the early ages of rap, that lil ditty might be completely over your head...and even IF you were around, it is most definitely silly, I admit. But my recent trip around the Refuge and the surrounding promontory mountains was SO FILLED with raptors that I just couldn't help myself in changing Rapper's Delight to RAPTOR'S DELIGHT!

As part of the Mid-winter Bald Eagle Survey...I got the chance for a chilly drive to search for eagles and raptors...and my, they didn't disappoint. My tally by the end of the survey was well over 100 raptors seen of 9 different varieties! We'll start with the most famous...Bald eagles.

I spied 14 Bald eagles, 9 adults and 5 juveniles, along my route. Did you know you can tell the youngsters apart? You can! Bald eagles do not become mature adults, with fully white heads (where the name Bald comes from) and white tails til they reach four or five years of age. Before this - they are very splotchy and patchy with white and brown feathers all over..and their beaks lighten from dark to the famous bright golden yellow. Bald eagles love it here in Utah in the winter - hunting for fish along open areas in the ice and congregatting in tall cottonwoods along the rivers.

Their slightly larger and darker cousins, Golden eagles, stay in the area year-round. Golden eagles are named for the golden colored plumage on the backs of their heads when they are adults, but again - when they are younger - they have some white feathers in large patches under their wings. Unlike Bald eagles who prefer to eat fish, Goldens prey on mammals in the open grasslands like rabbits, marmots or even baby deer or sheep. They also rarely nest in trees, but prerfer cliffs and rock ledges. I was lucky enough to see 5 of these majestic raptors along the route.

Along with the eagles...this route is an excellent place for other raptors, such as owls, hawks and falcons. I spied one Prairie falcon and many American kestrels... our smallest falcons. Peregrine falcons are also seen along this route frequently...but I was not able to find one out there today. Peregrines are known for their 200mph stoop, or dive, to knock their prey right out of the air!

I mentioned owls...and they did not elude me today. I was able to spot two Great Horned Owls. These are the earliest breeders of the owls - already setting up pairs and nests and calling constantly to each other at night. Another owl species that was spotted is the short-eared owl. This little owl is diurnal as well as nomadic...sometimes around in big numbers and other years there may be none at all - all depending on the availability of food sources like mice and voles. This year in northern Utah - it has been a GREAT year for the short-eareds. Almost every trip around the Auto Loop provides a look at several.

And last but not least, is the larger hawk species such as the common Red-tailed hawk and the winter visitors from the Tundra - Rough-legged hawks. These two large Buteo hawks are easily spotted, usually perched atop a telephone pole or tree-top, watching calmly for a small rodent or bird to make a mistake and fly too close or move too slowly. Adding these two species together made up over half of my survey count, totalling 51 birds seen!

So you see- Raptor's Delight is definitely an apt description of the Refuge and northern Utah in the winter months! I hope you get a chance to experience it!

- Happy Birding, Jason

Christmas Bird Count fun!

Fri, 21 Dec 2012 12:43:00 -0600

Friday, December 21, 2012

While many people are celebrating the Winter Solistice...and others are "celebrating" the end of the world (if you believe the Mayans)...I'm thinking back to the excellent time I had on Wednesday taking part in the Christmas Bird Count on the Refuge!

The 113th year of the Audubon Christmas Bird Count is in full swing all around the country, and this past wednesday our friends from Wasatch Audubon ( www.wasatchaudubon.org ) were here to help us count the birds on several portions of the Refuge. This fun and easy..and now free ... citizen science project is a great way to get outdoors during the holiday season and enjoy the birds and the beauties of nature.

Wednesday was a brisk and chilly morning, leaving the majority of Refuge wetlands frozen over and waterfowl numbers a little lower than in past years...but there were still small pockets of ducks, geese and swans. Rough-legged hawks and Northern harriers were numerous and enjoying the weather. And along with many of the species that we expected to find on the Refuge during the count...were a few that were unexpected. First thing in the morning, at our feeder station near the Wildlife Education Center, we had a lovely little Common Redpoll. It is believed this is a first record for the Refuge. These little irruptive finches (as well as Evening grosbeaks and Red crossbills) are being seen all across Utah this year.

A few other highlights from the count this year: a Prairie falcon, a Thayer's gull, and THREE owl species...including a Great horned owl, a Barn owl and several Short-eared owls!

Christmas Bird Counts continue across the country through the first week in January - so if you're looking for something fun to do after all the food is eaten and gifts have been opened - contact your local Audubon chapter and join in the count!

Happy Birding and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

- Jason

Christmas Bird Count Fun

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 17:02:00 -0600

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Today was the Christmas Bird Count on the Refuge. Several Staff and volunteers from the local Wasatch Audubon Society joined up to survey the Refuge as part of the 113th annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC). CBCs have been held around the nation, coordianated by the audubon society, for a long time, and they are a great citizen science project to get people outside and to get a great handle on local bird populations. And not to mention...but they are fun!

Today i had the pleasure of counting thousands of birds on the Refuge, and even though I bird (for both work and fun) a LOT - I can always find or see something new. Today we got to see two female harriers fighting over a recently killed (presumably by one of them) coot. We saw a couple of coyotes eyeing some of the cold birds we were counting. And we even found a few birds that are more rare and exciting for this area at this time of year.

Lots of Bald eagles were seen, as well as several species of owls: Great horned, Short-eared and Barn. There was also a Prairie falcon, lots of horned larks and pipits..and a Thayer's gull. One of the more exciting and uncommon birds seen was a Common Redpoll - first thing on the frigid morning - at our feeder station. These little irruptive finches are being seen all around Utah this year, but some winters you will see none at all.

Along with these highlights - many of the more common birds still gave us a special treat. We got to view two female harriers squabbling over a recently killed (presumably by one of them) coot. We saw some very chilly Tundra swans "skating" on thin ice. And we agonized for several minutes scanning a flock of gulls looking for something different until we all realized they were just all the common ring-billed gulls. We promptly jumped back into our WARM pick-up truck!

There are still many CBCs coming up - running for the first full week of 2013. It is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, see some amazing birds and make some new friends. If you are interested in participating - contact your local Audubon chapter and get out there and count!

Happy Birding and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

- Jason

NOT Seeing the Bird Can Still Be a Success Story

Fri, 07 Dec 2012 10:49:00 -0600

Friday, December 7

I'd like to chat for just a quick second about us crazy birders . . . come on, you know who you are! I freely admit that I am a total birdnerd and sometimes (ok, most times) am a bit more obssessive with my birding and listing than I perhaps would like to be. But, that said, I have learned something lately that I find important and interesting that I'd like to impart.

First - it is certainly not a new concept. I've read about the same feelings in Ken Kaufmann's KINGBIRD HIGHWAY as well as in Mark Obamscik's THE BIG YEAR. And I thank both of those gentleman and all the other birders and birding experiences they introduced me to which has sparked my interest and my upcoming comments.

Second - for those of you who don't know - I have been doing what I'm calling a "Big Year (on a budget)." Several years ago, without trying too hard, I racked up a year list of birds numbering 340. I was surprised and thrilled. But, of course, it made me wonder..."Hmmm, what could I do if I really tried." I knew I wouldn't be able to do a really, truly serious Big Year. They are EXPENSIVE and EXHAUSTIVE...and i'm poor and feeling old. LOL But, why not do what I could. I knew I would be traveling for work and family reunions. I knew I worked on one of the best birding Refuge's around. And with a mild January 2012...I was quickly nearing 200 birds!

Well, it's 11 months later and my number has jumped to 387! I'm thrilled but also - so close to 400 - I'm scrambling to try to reach that benchmark. It's still possible with a holiday visit to my see my Parents in the Rio Grande Valley. But...now to the point.

The point, I have realized, isn't neccesarily the number or the amazing additions (like Sulpher-bellied flycatcher or Ancient Murrelet) to my Life List. The real reward has been that challenging myself - I have seen and done things I hadn't before. I have traveled to amazing places - both local and far afield in this amazing nation and seen sights, even when the birds did not appear, that were stunning and awe-inspiring. I've met fellow birders and nature-lovers, and enjoyed food and culture all along my travels. It is the searching for the bird that can be just or more exciting than actually seeing that elusive bird.

So I challenge all of you to try this. If not a Big Year....a Big month, day, or just try to find as many birds as you can in your backyard, local park or county. It will become much less about the actual list and number you achieve...and much more about enjoying time outside and experiencing something new and wonderful.

Happy Birding, Happy Holidays, and a Happy Birdy Holidays!

- Jason

Scaup Scoop!

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 11:15:00 -0600

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Yesterday we had a rather uncommon bird on the Refuge...a Greater Scaup. This diving duck spends its breeding season well north of us in Alaska in the west and northern Canada to the east. Then, come winter, the Greaters move south along the coastlines - rarely straying inland - but sometimes seen mixed in with other flocks of divers such as Redhead, Canvasback, Ring-necked duck and their cousins, Lesser Scaup. So - when our Biologist, Howard Browers, returned to the office after a bird survey reporting he had seen one female Greater Scaup, the buzz zipped around the birders like static on wool socks.

Luckily, as an avid and experienced birder, Howard asked me to try and go back out and confirm the sighting...and it just so happened I needed to get out and clean our Auto Loop restrooms as well, so the timing was perfect. After performing my watercloset duties, I drove to where the bird had been spotted and YES...she was still there - in bold browns, blacks and whites - to be confirmed and seen.

Greater Scaup are one of the very few circumpolar duck species, over 80% of the population wintering along the coasts in the Atlantic flyway, but small numbers do winter out here in the West. Preferring shallow water lakes and ponds in the summer - the Greaters switch to coastal, shallow, salt-water bays and brackish river inlets in the winter. In Utah, most sightings happen around the Great Salt Lake, so it was unique to find one in the fresh water wetlands of the Refuge. But then, in winter, scaup switch from their summer diet of insects, crustaceans and mollusks to a much more green diet of submerged plant matter, so the Refuge seems like a great place to stop for a snack.

Now, the scoop on differentiating between Greater and Lesser scaup is a bit tricky. But here are some key characteristics or field marks to look for: Head shape. Greater scaup are slightly larger than Lessers, with a noticeably larger and more rounded head. I like to think of it as a clear, curvy S shape from back up to bill on the Greater. Whereas, Lessers have a flatter back-of-the-head area that comes to almost a point at the back of the crown - much more like Ring-necked ducks. This shape - to my eye - always makes it look like the Lessers are looking down a bit, head tilting down toward the water. Another great clue, if you see a male, is the color of the head. Greaters tend to have a much more green irridescent wash on their head unlike a darker blue/black/purple on Lessers - but this is not always clear unless seen in the right light. And another way to differentiate between male scaup is the amount of white and quality of white/grey on the sides of the bird. Lessers are much more grey overall...contrasting shades of grey from sides to back, whereas the Greater males are very bright white to white-ish grey on the sides - a much bolder contrasting set of colors. Now of course, little of that helps in differentiating female scaup. Both have white cresents before their eyes and are mostly brown. Using the head size and shape helps, and female Greaters seems to be "brighter" or to have bolder, constrasting patters of browns/blacks and whites. And finally, bill size. Greaters have larger and slightly wider bill than Lessers. All of this is much easier seen when both species are present and comparisons can be made.

So, that's the scaup scoop for today. I hope you enjoyed and learned a little...but even more so, I hope you have the opportunity to observe these stately and handsome duck in the wild...if not here on the Refuge, perhaps along one of the coasts this winter.

Happy Birding

- Jason

Winter's not rough...it's rough-legged!

Sat, 10 Nov 2012 11:48:00 -0600

Saturday, November 10

So - the title is corny, I know, but just had to say it. And with all the snow this weekend and colder temperatures...it fits perfectly with the return of the lovely Rough-legged hawks!

I took a spin around our Auto loop in the snow yesterday early-eve and had lots of great birding. I didn't realize how much I look forward to the return of these stunning tundra raptors and just how handsome they are. They never cease to amaze me with their ability to perch on the tiniest of branches...looking like at any moment the twig will snap, yet they are calm and statuesque. I also love how - unlike many other birds - each individual seems to look different. This one has more white on it's head...that one looks almost all brown and streaked...while the next is somewhere in between. It felt perfectly apt they they seemed to arrive in numbers (I saw at least 10) just as the snow did; I also think that there may not be anything to match watching a rough-legged hawk fly low over a frozen field as big flakes of white fall gently around it. Aaaaaaaahhhhh...winter.

Now, of course, "roughies" were not the only birds around the loop. The amount of waterfowl, especially in southern unit 3 is amazing. Thousands of pintail and teal and gadwall - and not to mention another winter specialty...Tundra swans! There was also the last bastion of shorebird flocks - hurriedly gorging on food and probably wondering why they had stayed so late. Dowitchers, godwits and yellowlegs remained..but looked furtive and frio out there in the sleety snow, so they may not stay long. And little flocks of pipits were pipping here and there as well...rarely sitting still for long enough to get a good look at.

So, eventhough the seasons have changed, the excellent birding has not. Enjoy a saunter around the loop and let us know what you see . . . and have a wonderful winter and holiday season!

- Jason

Arrival of the BIG STARS!

Fri, 26 Oct 2012 13:12:00 -0600

Friday, October 25, 2012

Let's just admit it right now. Bald eagles and Tundra swans are two of the biggest stars in the bird world, especially right here at the Refuge, and for weeks (and sometimes months) before their return...people are asking "Any swans yet?"; "When do the eagles get here?"; and "When is the best time to see swans and eagles?!"

Well folks...that time is just...about... NOW. Swans have started to arrive on the Refuge..from just a few last week to hundreds and maybe thousands this week, and the number is expected to grow into the 10s & 20s of thousands into mid-November until the wetlands freeze over. Of course, if they don't freeze over like last year (due to such a mild winter) we can have flocks of swans here straight through the cold months until March for Swan day on March 9. But - if we have a more regular year...by Thanksgiving or shortly after, most of the swans will head south and west of us to Mono lake and southern California. (Photo: SWAN MOON, by Lloyd Bush.)

As for the eagles - it is possible to see some in the winter...but they prefer it around here when the ice is almost covering the wetlands with scattered open water to fish in. The best month is February - hence we have Bald Eagle day on February 9th - but we do get "Baldies" coming in in late November and through December as well...so keep an eye out for this superstar.

So, Papparazzi birders, get your bins and scopes ready for the BIG BIRDS and their entourages...and don't forget to dress warm!

Happy Birding

- Jason

“What’s a nice bird like you doing in a place like this?”

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 13:09:00 -0600

Wednesday, October 10

"What’s a nice bird like you doing in a place like this?", I thought, as I realized that the small bird landing on a fence post near the observation tower was a Red-breasted Nuthatch … no kidding, a nuthatch, likely a dozen miles from the nearest wooded habitat where it might be just a wee bit more comfortable. Apparently, I needed another dose of you-never-know-what-to-expect at Bear River Refuge, and that’s what the nuthatch gave me.

My October general bird survey started with a pleasant, seasonal surprise—a milk chocolate and off-white female or first-year Richardson’s Merlin hunting low along a canal near the Perry gate. It was my first Merlin of the fall, and right on time. Another seasonal pattern very obvious today was the use of the sunflower crop by the seed-eaters. Red-winged Blackbirds are dominating the scene in high numbers and billow into patches of roadside sunflowers until a Northern Harrier cruises by, pushing them along or out into the marsh. American Goldfinches tweet and twitter as they flush from the seed-laden heads, and several species of sparrows—White-crowned and Song and Dark-eyed Juncos—work their way deep into the tangles and peck at the seed heads.

Migrating Barn and Tree Swallows leave their roosts on the playa or in phragmites stands as the day warms and insects take to the air. The numbers of both swallow species is humbling, especially because I have to count them. The refuge hosts more than enough of what they need (bugs) to fuel their journey south. Come back in the spring! We’ll make more!

Other signs of the season appear in the species list: Thirty-six Western Meadowlarks distributed throughout the survey route; in spring and summer, I find them only at the east end of the D-line; American Pipits, first of fall migration for me; a Mourning Dove, a species I only see in fall or winter far out on the refuge.

By next month, the first Bald Eagles and Rough-legged Hawks will be on the refuge, and the species count will dwindle to just over a dozen in preparation for the icy lockdown. But I hesitate to predict exactly what the refuge will be hosting then, because after all, I couldn’t have told you that today’s highlight would have been a nuthatch at the observation tower!

- Kris Purdy