[Birdnet] Bear River Waterbird Count

[Bridget_Olson at fws.gov]

Waterbird Count
9/12/06

Just over 200,000 ducks.  This is close to the long-term average of 192,000
for this time of year.  Total shorebirds 27,000 higher than the long-term
average of 20,000 for this time in September.  About 15% of birds counted
were observed from the wetlands surrounding the tour loop.

Update on the Marbled Godwits equipped with satellite transmitters:  Sassy,
the bird that went to Saskatchewan-has lost her transmitter at her breeding
location.  Canadian Wildlife Service biologists have been searching the
area.  No birds left in the area.  Berta that went to Alberta, departed
Canada on July 23, stopped near Cut Bank, MT for about 24 hours and was
located during flight on July 26th.  Came right back to the Refuge around
11:24 pm the night of July 26th.  Stayed for about 2 weeks and then was
located in Blythe, CA for about 2 days.  Has been on Sea of Cortez side of
the Baja in Mexico since August 17th.  On September 4th, much to our
surprise, was located over the mainland of MX and continued on into Texas.
Within 24 hours it was back at the same estuary in Baja.  The apparent
reason for the 900 + mile trip was to avoid Hurricane John.  Two more
Marbled godwits were equipped with satellite transmitters here at the
Refuge the first week of August.  Both birds remain at the Refuge.

Canada Goose            1650
Mallard                 28012
Pintail                 21330
GW Teal           53564
Cinnamon Teal           1887
Shoveler          42999
Gadwall           16045
Wigeon                  30388
Unk. Dabbler            970
Canvasback        534
Redhead           3488
Ring-necked Duck  26
Ruddy Duck        6725
PB Grebe          11
Eared Grebe       32
Western Grebe           77
Clark's Grebe           42
AW Pelican        1405
DC Cormorant            457
GB Heron          111
Great Egret       11
Snowy Egret       93
BC Night Heron          9
WF Ibis                 4147
Killdeer                2
BN Stilt                4351
Avocet                  10232
Willet                  1
Greater Yellowlegs      22
Spotted Sandpiper 5
LB Curlew         1
Marbled Godwit          8852
Peep              200
Baird's Sandpiper 40
Pectoral Sandpiper      2
Dowitcher         4230
Franklin's Gull         136
RB Gull                 762
California gull         429
Caspian Tern            2
Forster's Tern          59
Black Tern        20
Virginia Rail           1
Coot              24022
Sandhill Crane          5
Turkey Vulture          11
Northern Harrier        3
Logg. Shrike            1

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