[Birdtalk] Guided Tours Now Offered at Bear River Refuge

[Betsy_Beneke at fws.gov]

Hi Everyone -

I'm very excited to tell you that Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge is now
offering  GUIDED REFUGE TOURS  to the public!  A dedicated group of refuge
volunteers have been trained and are excited to offer this new service to
visitors.  Tours will be given both morning and afternoon, on Thursday,
Friday and Saturday.

The refuge's large van will be used to transport visitors, but others may
also car caravan along if they wish.  Tours will take people out to the
refuge along the main road, and around the auto tour route, making several
stops along the way.  Guides will share bird and other wildlife sightings,
as well as a little bit about refuge history and management.  Guides will
have a spotting scope along, to help visitors get close-up views of
wildlife.  Tours will be appropriate for all ages.

Two-way radios and binoculars may be checked out by participants at the
wildlife education center prior to the tours.  Tours will be limited to 6
vehicles.

Tours will begin and end at Bear River's James V. Hansen Wildlife Education
Center (visitor center), located at 2155 West Forest Street, Brigham City,
Utah.  From Interstate 15, take exit #363 (Forest Street) and turn west one
block to the Center.  The 3-hour tour may be adjusted to be shorter, or
longer, depending on the wishes of participants and availability of the
leader.

For more information, call (435) 723-5887 weekdays between 8am and 5:00pm,
and Saturdays between 10:00am and 4:00pm.  Tours will not be offered on
federal holidays.  The tours are offered free of charge, but donations to
Friends of the Bear River Refuge will gladly be accepted.  The Friends
group provides support for the refuge tour program.

Some of the BIRDS seen recently, during our "practice runs" included
several pairs of LONG-BILLED CURLEWS with CHICKS, AMERICAN AVOCETS with
CHICKS, BLACK-NECKED STILT, WHITE-FACED IBIS, FORSTER'S AND CASPIAN TERNS,
GRASSHOPPER SPARROW, EASTERN and WESTERN KINGBIRDS, WILSON'S PHALAROPE,
CLARK'S, WESTERN and PIED-BILLED GREBES, various species of waterfowl, and
more!

The tour schedule is:

Thursday
9:00am to 12:00pm
and
4:30pm to 7:30pm

Friday
9:00am to 12:00pm
and
4:30pm to 7:30pm

Saturday
11:00am to 2:00pm
and
3:30pm to 6:30pm

James V. Hansen Wildlife Education Center (visitor center) Hours:
Monday - Friday - 8:00am to 5:00pm
Saturday - 10:00am to 4:00pm
Closed Sundays and federal holidays
(435) 723-5887
bearriver at fws.gov
http://bearriver.fws.gov


Information provided by:
Betsy Beneke
Outdoor Recreation Planner
Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
2155 West Forest Street
Brigham City UT  84302
435.734.6436  office
435.452.8468  cell
http://bearriver.fws.gov