[Birdtalk] Bear River Refuge - ideas needed for pullout locations

[Bill Fenimore]

Betsy:

It is very thoughtful for you to seek recommendations on pull outs from the 
birding community.  I am sure that you will receive many insightful 
suggestions.  My over all recommendation would be to consider water 
management throughout the year.  Ideally, pull outs would be located where 
water is normally present.  Other locations might consider habitats with 
known bird activity, such as nesting islands, feeding areas or edges where 
water, emergent growth, bull rush, cattail and land meet.  These areas will 
likely attract wildlife and admiring birders.

Besides, pullouts for parking and viewing wildlife, is there a budget for 
observation blinds that could be located nearby pull outs?

Another recommendation would be strategic placement of one or two "Johnny on 
the Spot" stations on the loop road.

Regards,

Bill Fenimore
Utah Audubon Policy Advocate
801-525-8400 Work
801-699-9330 Cellular
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <Betsy_Beneke at fws.gov>
To: <birdtalk at utahbirds.org>
Sent: Friday, November 07, 2008 4:59 PM
Subject: [Birdtalk] Bear River Refuge - ideas needed for pullout locations


>
> Hi All -
>
> Here's your BIG chance!
>
> We're currently in the planning stages for Phase II of the refuge road
> project.  I'm inviting your input regarding where we should locate
> "pull-outs" for bird viewing along the county road going out to the 
> refuge.
> This project area begins at the end of the wildlife education center
> driveway, and ends at the refuge's security gate (a distance of 12 miles 
> to
> the west).
>
> If you've visited the refuge in the last couple of weeks, you may have
> noticed 2 sites where pull-outs have already been established.  One is 
> just
> west of the Bear River Club driveway (the millionaire's club - red
> buildings).  A second one is a little farther west from the club's 
> driveway
> (this was a freebie from the road work, as they used it as a staging 
> area).
>
> Other "proposed" pull-outs sites can be anywhere from the wildlife
> education center to the Bear River Club driveway.  Our staff has some 
> ideas
> about where pull-outs should be located, but I'd like to hear from birders
> who visit the refuge as well.  What are some of YOUR favorite places to
> stop and view along the road?
>
> If you wish to comment, please be as specific as you can about locations.
> If you can give mileage from the end of the wildlife education center
> driveway, that would be great.  Or use other obvious landmarks to describe
> spots you think would be appropriate.
>
> It's my understanding that the road will have mile markers (Kris Purdy),
> but we may also be able to install small interpretive signs at some of the
> pullouts.  So, if you have any fun and interesting ideas for signs, please
> share those as well.
>
> Please let me hear from you before the end of November.  You can email, or
> if you'd like to call and discuss, that would be fine too.  I'll look
> forward to hearing your ideas!
>
> 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
>
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