[Birdtalk] Swainson's hawk and shorebirds at Bear River

[Betsy_Beneke at fws.gov]

On Sunday evening I made a trip out to the refuge to look for the
bittern...no luck.  In past years, I have heard a bittern calling several
times south of the restrooms at the River Delta Interpretive Site.  Have
only seen a bird there once.  Have seen a bittern 2-3 times along the north
end of the auto tour route - approximately 2-3 miles from the beginning of
the tour.  I'll be looking some more.

Quite a few more shorebirds were on the refuge Sunday evening as well.  Saw
my first Baird's sandpiper, along with about 50 western sandpipers.  They
were in Unit 3, along the east side of the auto tour route.  I'm betting
that today - two days later - there may be quite a few more.

Also saw this season's first Swainson's hawk - it was sitting on top of a
pole about 1/2 mile west of the wildlife education center.


Betsy Beneke
Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge