Bear River MBR Waterbird/Raptor Surveys

2155 West Forest St, Brigham City, UT 84302       Phone: 435/734-6433

January
Waterbird/Raptor survey
01/09/2009

A total of 2595 waterfowl, no shorebirds, and 69 raptors. The average number of waterfowl for this week in January is around 28,000 with the average number of raptors 88. No unusual birds noted. All units are froze
except at the water outlets or outflow areas.

Bridget Olson
Wildlife Biologist
Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
  

February
Waterbird/Raptor Survey
02/11/09

Total waterfowl around 2,000. Long-term average for this week in February
is around 26,000. All wetland units remain frozen over with the exception
of two locations at wetland unit outlets. Similar conditions existed in
2004 when total waterfowl count was less than 300. Migrant tundra swans
are arriving along with a few diving duck species. Canada Goose pairs
appear to be searching for nesting locations.

Bridget Olson
Wildlife Biologist
Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
  

March
Waterbird/Raptor Count
3/21/08

Migration is now in full swing. Total waterfowl around 235,000. This is about double the average 131,000 for this week in March. Total shorebirds around 1300, average for this week is about 2600. All units are open and
ice free. Very good observation around the tour loop of tundra swans and waterfowl. Oh, and gulls!

March high counts of American Wigeon, redhead, ruddy duck, bufflehead, great blue heron, and Bonaparte's gull. First spring observations of Bonaparte's gull, tree swallow, red-shafted flicker, yellow-headed blackbird, savannah sparrow, American avocet, Baird's sandpiper, Caspian Tern, golden eagle, dowitcher, western and Clark's grebes.

About 30% of all birds tallied were observed from units around the tour loop viewing area.

Bridget Olson
Wildlife Biologist
Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
  

April
Waterbird/Raptor Survey
Apr 2007

Total waterfowl around 44,000. This is above the long-term average of 36,000 for this week in April. Total shorebirds around 14,000, which is lower than the long-term average of 16,500. First spring sightings of Forster's tern, least sandpiper, blue-winged teal and great egret. April record high counts of pied-billed grebe, Caspian tern, and California gull.Not surprising about the gulls now that they're starting to nest not only on the islands but the dikes as well. All time Refuge high count set for lesser yellowlegs.

Bridget Olson
Wildlife Biologist
Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
  

May
Waterbird/Raptor survey
5/01/08

Total waterfowl around 42,000. Average for this week in May is about 20,000. Total shorebirds around 9,000. Average number of shorebirds for this week in May is about 13,000. Notable birds include whimbrel, 1st spotted sandpiper, and great egret. Refuge record May high count for Mallard, Cinnamon Teal, Canvasback, Red-breasted Merganser, Lesser Yellowlegs, California gull, and Bald Eagle.

The following birds were observed from around the Auto Tour Route. This wetland unit is being drained in anticipation of work on the water-control structures during the summer months.

Bridget Olson
Wildlife Biologist
Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
  

June
Bear River Refuge
Waterbird/Raptor survey
6/22/07

Total number of waterfowl around 15,000. Average for this week in June is about 20,000. Total number of shorebirds around 7,000 which is only about half of the long-term average of 14,000. Set June record high counts for Canvasback, Snowy Egret, Caspian Tern and Sandhill Crane. I think the snowy egret numbers were high because of the abandonment of the nesting colony. Normally, the birds aren't as visible this time of year as they are tending young. Nesting, eared, Clark's and western grebes visible from the tour loop.

Bridget Olson
Wildlife Biologist
Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
  

July
Waterbird/Raptor Survey
07/02/09

Total waterfowl around 16,000. Long-term average for this week in July is closer to 32,000. Total shorebird numbers around 12,000 with the average about 22,000. River inflows remained unexpectedly high until July 5th
when it plummeted from a high of 1000 cfs to 100 cfs.

All numbers within expected range. Southbound migrant shorebirds have arrived including marbled godwit and greater yellowlegs. While many western and Clark's grebes have young, the eared grebes have just initiated incubation. Notable sighting includes an American bittern on the auto-tour-loop south from the toilet about 1/4 to 1/2 mile, on the west side of the road. The Refuge road is open and partially paved. Phase 2 of the road construction has not yet begin.......

Bridget Olson
Wildlife Biologist
Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
  

August
08/03/09

Total waterfowl around 17,000 with a long-term average for this week in August around 34,000. Total shorebirds around 29,000 compared to the  long-term average of 61,000. I think the lower numbers observed compared  to the long-term averages is in part due to the amount of habitat  available below or perimeter dike that is not visible from my driving  route as well as a reflection of the number of wetland units we currently  have dry for maintenance purposes. Notable increase in pintail numbers in the last month. Majority of young have fledged and can be see feeding (or being fed) including white-faced ibis, Franklin's gull, California gull, avocet and stilts and western and Clark's grebes. Total counts of birds by species all are within the expected range.

Bridget Olson
Wildlife Biologist
Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
  

September
Bear River Refuge
Waterbird/Raptor Survey
9/25/08

Total number of waterfowl around 188,000. This is just slightly below the long-term average for this week in September of 205,000. The number of American green-winged teal and gadwall were higher than average while northern shoveler and American wigeon were somewhat lower than average. Diving duck numbers were about three times higher than the average for this week in September. Unusually high concentrations of ruddy duck and ring-necked duck. All time high Refuge counts for both species. Canada Goose numbers right at average.

Total number shorebirds was about 13,000. This is just slightly above the long term average of 12,000. Monthly high count of Greater Yellowlegs and Dowitchers.

Just began filling the main auto-tour-loop wetland unit today (Oct. 1) as river flow has finally increased. All hunt units are either full or have begun to fill with the exception of Units 3H and 3I due to the on-going road construction project. Refuge Road is Open.

Bridget Olson
Wildlife Biologist
Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
  

October
Bear River Refuge
Waterbird/Raptor Count
10/02/07

Total waterfowl around 67,000 which is near the long-term average of 71,000 for this week in October but only half of the count from 2005. Total shorebirds around 6,000 which is about double the long-term average. Many of our wetland units remain dry along with Willard Spur. We are now getting our full water allotment as of October 1 to begin re-filling units.

The following birds were observed from the auto tour-route:

Bridget Olson
Wildlife Biologist
Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
  

November
Waterbird/Raptor Count
11/06/07

Total number of waterfowl around 115,000. The long-term average for this week in November is 231,000. Total shorebirds around 2000, with the long-term average at 2,000 also. On average, waterfowl proportions for this time of year are about 30% pintail, 23% green-winged Teal, 13% mallard, 12% shoveler, 9% gadwall 8%, wigeon, 3% canvasback and 2% ruddy duck. On 11/06 the proportions were 20% pintail, 14% green-winged teal, 13% canvasback, 12% wigeon, 11% gadwall, 9% mallard, 6% northern shoveler, 3% ruddy duck and 1% bufflehead.

Wintering rough-legged hawks and bald eagles moving into the area. Late migrant diving ducks (scaup, common goldeneye, red-breasted merganser and bufflehead) numbers continue to increase. A Refuge record high count of Bonaparte's gull observed and November high count of snow geese. Notable sightings include an American golden plover and several flocks of snow geese. The following birds were observed from the tour route:

Bridget Olson
Wildlife Biologist
Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
  

December
Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
Waterbird/Raptor Survey
12/11/08

Total waterfowl around 56,000. The average for this week in December is only about 25,000. Numbers are similar to what we had in 2007. Unusual to have greater yellowlegs and dowitchers here at this time of year. First time we have had dowitchers recorded on the Refuge in December since 1941. Other oddities included a very late white-faced ibis, pelicans, and a cinnamon teal in breeding plumage (early or late?). Set Refuge monthly high counts for cinnamon teal, gadwall, redhead, Am. white pelican, killdeer, dowitchers and total shorebirds.

Bridget Olson
Wildlife Biologist
Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge