We have been spoiled here this winter in northern Utah when it comes to mild temperatures. The past few weeks have brought mid 50’s for daytime highs, temperatures not usually seen until late march or early April. These unseasonably warm temperatures have brought up tulip sprouts in my yard already and it has brought in the tundra swans on the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge.
I had a touch of spring fever today so I did what any bird watcher or nature lover would do in such a situation. I grabbed the camera and headed out to visit the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. When the bird watching bug hits the only cure is to get out and experience the sights and sounds of nature and one of the sweetest sounds I know is the low call of the tundra swan.
I knew the swans were starting to build up so I anticipated a great day on the refuge. It definitely was a day for swans. Thousands of them scattered all over the refuge. Some were quite distant and some, as were the ones in the attached photos, were quite close and very willing to pose for the camera.
I came across other birds as well, including some great blue herons which are always a welcome sight early in the year, but the swans were the mainstay for this drive around the auto tour route. Tundra swans are a common sight on the refuge but only for a short period in the spring and fall as they migrate between their northern nesting grounds and southern wintering grounds.
For birders looking to check off the tundra swan from their life list the Bear River Migratory Bird refuge in early spring offers an incredible opportunity to not only see swans but to experience their sounds and mating rituals as they migrate northward. In fact, with this unusually warm winter now is the time to see the tundra swans. The crowds are light and the swans are plentiful with often times great views of close flocks or individual swans along the auto tour route. Today was one of those days as you can see by my pictures.
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March is the best time to view tundra swans in Utah and the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge auto tour route is the best location to view tundra swans in Utah as well.
I have been watching the weather and it sounds like winter might finally be arriving here in northern Utah tomorrow as a large winter storm is foretasted. Temperatures are supposed to drop very low, well below freezing at night, so open water might give way back to old man winter and its icy grip on the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. This will actually keep the tundra swans around for a while and if the ice starts to reform it could bring back incredible viewing opportunities, depending on how much and where the ice forms.
I have noticed swans love sitting on the ice and when there is partial ice on the refuge the best place to spot the swans are on the ice flows. If those ice flows are near the auto tour route it can offer some incredible viewing and photography opportunities for all who come and brave the cold to see the tundra swans.
Finding the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge is easy. The wildlife education center, including the Avocet Corner Bookstore, is right off interstate 15 west of Brigham City, Utah. The best place to start is the education center with a stop at the Avocet Corner Bookstore while you are there.
Subscribe to this blog, subscription box located in the right hand panel of the page, for notifications about future posts. It is my goal to post weekly about the refuge, including what I have seen and experienced there to give you an idea what to possibly expect if you are planning a trip soon. Visit my photography website for more information about my images on the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge as well as other places I am fortunate to visit, experience and photograph.
Now is the time to come see the swans on the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. Come visit and see the tundra swans before they are gone for the season.
360 view of the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge auto tour route. Use your mouse to spin the image 360 degrees to view all angles. Swans are visible off in the distance in this image as you spin it around.
