[Birdnet] Bear River Bird Count

[Bridget_Olson at fws.gov]

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.


Canada Goose            1415
Mallard                 16681
Pintail                 36272
Green-winged Teal 33431
Cinnamon Teal           3005
Northern Shoveler 23228
Gadwall           33806
Wigeon                  9768
Unk. Dabbler            600
Canvasback        865
Redhead           1727
Ring-necked Duck  4033
Ruddy Duck        23053
Eared Grebe       8
Western Grebe           7
Clark's Grebe           1
A.W. Pelican            189
DC Cormorant            238
Great Blue Heron  54
Snowy Egret       28
BC Night Heron          14
White-faced Ibis  281
Killdeer                13
Black-necked Stilt      37
Am. Avocet        302
Greater Yellowlegs      53
Long Billed Curlew      3
Marbled Godwit          220
Dowitcher spp.          12,970
Franklin's Gull         3379
Ring billed gull        2841
California gull         249
Coot              8624
Sandhill Crane          3
Turkey Vulture          2
Golden Eagle            2
Northern Harrier        10
Red-tailed Hawk   1
Peregrine Falcon  1

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