Birds... Oh My!

Wanting to leave the Big City, we headed to Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, just outside of Ogden, where the Bear River flows into the northeast arm of the Great Salt Lake. The Refuge protects the marshes found at the mouth of the Bear River; these marshes are the largest freshwater component of the Great Salt Lake ecosystem. Since these marshes are in turn surrounded by arid desert lands, it is little wonder that they have always been an oasis for waterbirds and wildlife.

I apologize in advance for the plethora of images posted. I couldn't help myself. The Refuge and other wetlands associated with the Great Salt Lake provide critical habitat for migrating birds, over 250 species moving through this area annually by the millions to rest and feed. As part of the Bear River Bay, it is designated as a Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network site, a globally important shorebird area. What a wonder!

One could spend the entire day in the informative Education Center. Wow.

But we came to see birds.

Today, Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge contains nearly 80,000 acres of marsh, open water, uplands, and alkali mudflats. The marshes and open water are managed using a complex system of dikes and water control structures to provide a variety of water depths suitable for the needs of different waterbird species. The Refuge is an excellent place to observe wildlife along a 12-mile auto tour route, as well as enjoying hunting, fishing and wildlife photography.

We were surprised to learn that hunting is an important wildlife management tool that the Refuge recognize as a healthy, traditional outdoor pastime, deeply rooted in America’s heritage. "Hunting can instill a unique understanding and appreciation of wildlife, their behavior, and their habitat needs."

Here's a little history lesson. In 1908, sporting goods stores in Utah expected to sell 6,000,000 shotgun shells for duck hunting. Railroads advertised, in the early 1900s, package deals for about $3.50 to take hunters from Salt Lake City to this gun club in Duckville (it included a day's shooting). Interesting!