[Birdnet] Bear River Bird Count

[Bridget_Olson at fws.gov]

Waterbird/Raptor Survey
10/30/06

Total number of ducks around 245,000 (190,000 dabblers and 50,000 divers).
This is right around the long-term average of 237,000 for this week in
October.  The number of divers utilizing the Refuge continues to be high.
About triple the long-term average.  Total number of shorebirds around
10,000 which is also about triple the long-term average.
Aerial Tundra swan count conducted by the UT Division of Wildlife Resources
(10/31/06) was 40,000 with the majority being divided between Unit 1 on the
Refuge and the adjacent Bear River Club.   All time high count of greater
yellowlegs and high monthly count of Northern Harriers.   13% of birds were
observed from the Tour Loop and 5% from the hunt units.

Marbled Godwit update:  Bert/a is still down on the Baja Peninsula moving
around in the same estuary complex it arrived at in late August.  Sassy was
confirmed dead near Last Mountain Lake National Wildlife Area in
Saskatchewan, Canada.  The other two un-named Magos that received
transmitters in August have been experiencing technical difficulties.  The
batteries aren't recharging enough to send out location information.  I did
however, see one when out surveying last Friday so at least 1 is still
here.  We now have a web site to check their progress.
http://www.fort.usgs.gov/Resources/GoGodwits/

Canada Goose            2188
Mallard                 35663
Northern Pintail        52178
Green-winged Teal 16059
Northern Shoveler 30562
Gadwall           20879
A. Wigeon         37198
Unk. Dabbler            250
Canvasback        30485
Redhead           3415
Scaup             1597
Bufflehead        2729
Ring-necked Duck  3
Ruddy Duck        11439
Pied-billed Grebe 7
Eared Grebe       8
Western Grebe           35
Clark's Grebe           22
A.W. Pelican            82
DC Cormorant            51
GB Heron          60
Am. Avocet        5272
Greater Yellowlegs      648
Marbled Godwit          2492
Dowitcher         1501
Bonaparte's Gull  365
RB Gull                 1307
California Gull         16
Virginia Rail           1
Coot              10682
Northern Harrier        50

Bridget Olson
Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
Wildlife Biologist
2155 West Forest St.
Brigham City, UT  84302
Phone: 435/734-6433