[Birdtalk] Bear River - Grasshopper Sparrows

[cldavis at xmission.com]

I visited Bear River MBR on Sunday. At 7:30am I stopped by the first bridge
by the "Bear River 10 Miles" sign and shut off the car to listen for birds.
 There were GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS singing in the fields and as I continued
down the road I heard them periodically until I reached the old white
trailer. That was a first for me along the Bear River.

Further down the road about 1/2 mile before the large brown Bear River
Migratory Bird Refuge sign I saw a SHORT-EARED OWL next to the road. 
Another first for me at Bear River.  In fact, I had just been cursing the
fact that I had never seen one out there.  It was a beauty!

There were tons of PELICANS and SNOWY EGRETS in the center water as you
drive around the loop. I also saw one GREAT EGRET who tried to hide amidst
the pelicans who were standing in the road.  It's a good time to see young
birds out there.  In fact, I saw my first baby SPOTTED SANDPIPER.

Also, the damselflies are thick.  If you roll down your windows they even
come in occasionally to cool off and check out the upholstery. It was HOT
but not very buggy--except for the "deerflies from hell".

Carol