Over the past week, I have spent several full days on the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge watching and photographing the migrating tundra swans.
I can say with full confidence that spring migration is in full swing.
Today, the southwest corner of the refuge auto tour route was covered with swans hanging on to the last remaining bits of ice.
I am not sure why the swans like the ice so much, but they certainly do seem to prefer to sit near the edges when there is still some ice available.
Most of the ice on the auto tour route is melted, however, and only a small section remains. I am sure with how warm our weather has been as of recent, that small island of ice will be gone in a day or two.
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This usually means the tundra swans will disperse a bit more all over the refuge, instead of grouping up in one area.
For those wanting to see the migrating tundra swans, now is the time. I couldn’t even venture a guess to any degree as to how many swans are currently on the refuge and surrounding area, but I would assume it’s in the thousands for sure.
On March 13, 2021, the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge will be holding its annual Swan Day event, but due to the coronavirus restrictions, it will be a virtual gathering on their Facebook page.
If you’re not able to come to view the migrating tundra swans in person, this is a good alternative if you are on Facebook and have an interest in the swans.
On Wednesday, I recorded a new YouTube video with some of the swans, and now it’s Saturday and I am certain there has been a good-sized increase in swan numbers since I recorded the video.
I hope everybody that is wanting to see the swans on the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge auto tour route can get up there before they move on northward. There should be a few weeks left of good swan viewing, but as we approach the latter part of March, their numbers will start to noticeably dwindle.
As a side note, for those wanting to keep updated on the snow geese up by the refuge, I am seeing an increase in their numbers as well, and soon, once the snow goose hunt is over this coming week, it will be the best time to view the migrating snow geese.
I will do a new post when I am seeing good numbers once the hunt is over after March 10, 2021, and the snow geese have settled down a bit, meaning they will be much more predictable to find and view.
It is a sight that is as good, if not even better, than the swans on the refuge.
Don’t forget to subscribe to my blog so you can keep updated on the snow geese as well as what’s happening out on the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge.
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