[Birdtalk] Bear River birds

[Dave Hanscom]

Bob Huntinton, Bob McDougall, and I checked out Bear River yesterday.  
Our main goal was to see the Glossy Ibis that Jack Binch reported the day 
before.  I'm happy to say that we found both of them right where Jack did, 
which was just west of the Visitors Center, less than a mile from I-15.  
They were on the south side of the road that goes out to the Refuge, along 
the stream that opens up into a marshy area, and close enough for good 
viewing.

Just west of that was a flooded pasture (of which there are many this 
year!) with a nice selection of wading birds - Avocet, Stilt, both 
Yellowlegs, Godwit - along with a nice variety of ducks.  Lots of horned 
larks and curlews were in the fields along the way to the Refuge, and many 
Western Kingbirds on the fences.  No luck on Short-eared Owl.

A bazillion swallows of every variety were cruising around the parking lot 
and bridge at the start of the auto tour loop at the Refuge.  Both Clark's 
and Western Grebes in the canals nearby.

Another target bird for me was Cattle Egret, which we saw in abundance 
just west of I-15 between Willard Bay and Brigham City.

Nice to have the birds back!

Dave Hanscom