One of my favorite locations to photograph birds in northern Utah is Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. I’ve selected some of the birds there that delight and entertain me while I observe and photograph them.

Eastern KingbirdEastern Kingbird

There are several different species of flycatchers that visit the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, among them the ones I see most often during the warmer months are the Eastern Kingbirds…

Western KingbirdWestern Kingbird

and Western Kingbirds. Both of them look rather dapper in my opinion.

Male Black-necked StiltMale Black-necked Stilt

There are also many shorebirds the pass through or nest on the refuge, Black-necked Stilts nest on the refuge…

American AvocetAmerican Avocet

as do American Avocets. Both of these shorebirds appear rather elegant in looks and movements.

Black-crowned Night HeronBlack-crowned Night Heron

Black-crowned Night Herons are common wading birds at the refuge and despite their name, they aren’t strictly nocturnal. Black-crowned Night Herons are year round residents…

Snowy Egret in flightSnowy Egret in flight

but Snowy Egrets are not, they migrate to the refuge. This Snowy Egret is showing the peachy-colored lores seen during the breeding season.

Barn Owl flying in the snowBarn Owl flying in the snow

Barn Owls are year-round residents of the refuge and although they are primarily nocturnal they do fly during the day when the weather is bitter cold and there is heavy snow cover on the ground and they will fly later at dawn and earlier at dusk when they have chicks to feed. This one was flying during the day as the snow fell.

Swainson's HawkSwainson’s Hawk

Swainson’s Hawks are also migratory birds and they are seen on the refuge during the warmer months. Their diet consists primarily of insects like grasshoppers and there aren’t many of those around during the cold months in Utah.

American White PelicanAmerican White Pelican

American White Pelicans also nest on the refuge and come into to feed on fish in the fresh water impoundments.

Spread Eagle Yellow-headed Blackbird male, Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Box Elder County, UtahMale Yellow-headed Blackbird

Yellow-headed Blackbirds, with their mechanical sounding call, can be found perching in cattails, reeds, phragmites and other vegetation as they forage for food. I was tickled to get this male in this pose.

Western GrebeWestern Grebe

The most commonly found grebes on the refuge are Pied-billed, Clark’s and Western although Eared and Horned Grebes are also spotted there at different times of the year.

Tundra Swan at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Box Elder County, UtahTundra Swan

Tundra Swans by the thousands call the refuge home during the winter and can be seen flying overhead, swimming in open water or standing on ice. This adult shows a stained head and neck.

Marsh Wren on a Cattail, Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Box Elder County, UtahMarsh Wren

The sound of Marsh Wrens can be heard all over the refuge, they may be tiny but their voices aren’t.

Odd looking Cinnamon x Blue-winged Teal hybrid, Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Box Elder County, UtahCinnamon x Blue-winged Teal hybrid

All types of ducks can be found on the refuge during different seasons of the year. It pays to keep a look out for unusual ducks, you never know when a hybrid might be seen like this Cinnamon x Blue-winged Teal that I spotted and pointed out.

Forester's TernForster’s Tern

Terns and gulls can also been seeing hunting over the water and nesting there as well. This Forester’s Tern in breeding plumage was hunting for small fish.

This is just a small selection of the birds that can be found at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, a location that I treasure.

Life is good.

Mia