Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge

Aloha Everyone

Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge is the top attraction in Brigham City. Established in 1928 to protect feeding and breeding site for migratory birds.

We arrived there shortly after the Wildlife Education Center opened this morning.

Craig is one if the volunteers. He was very helpful in answering our questions and gave us historical information as well as shorebird/water bird facts and lent us a bird identification guide book of the Bear River refuge.

J.J. and I took self auto tour following the routes that were clearly marked.

At first you see birds at a distance. hen you ears begin to catch their chatter. With binoculars around our neck, J.J. drove at a turtle's pace, very appropriate for Honu as it means turtle in Hawaiian.

We came across this bridge where their must have been easily 100 small birds that resembled Bank Swallow. However they flew off too rapidly that we could not ascertain the specie by comparing with the guide book.

We saw at least 40 different species including Snow Goose, Tundra Swan, Sandhills Crane, American White Pelican, Snowy Egret, American Gold Finch, Double-Crested Cormorant several different species of ducks and hawk.

Reeds along the Bear River bank are over 10' high in some places  A great place for birds and other animals to conceal themselves. We saw a family of deer, otter, huge mud-colored carp, numerous butterflies, grasshoppers, dragonflies and bees

Our favorite birds are Black-Necked Stilt.  A flock would be sunning themselves on the gravel road we traveled. They wait until we were within 10 to 15 feet. Then they gaily make their mocking sounds and fly off only to land in our path and wait for our arrival.

What a wonderful way to spend the entire morning.

There were no other cars on the auto tour route and for nearly 3 hours, J.J. and I were alone in the wild bird sanctuary. We were grateful for the peace and quiet we experienced listening to birds flying overhead or what sounded like mating calls. I think our visit would have been more educational if there was an expert who at least spent 30 minutes to talk about birds' behaviors.

Irregardless, it is a "must" place to stop if you are anywhere near the Great Salt Lake. For information go to www.fws.gov/bearriver

Aloha -- Cathi