On New Year’s Day, I photographed two small flocks of White-faced Ibis at Bear River MBR. It isn’t unusual at all for this ibis species to overwinter at the refuge.
Winter White-faced Ibis at Bear River MBR – Nikon D500, f11, 1/500, ISO 1250, +1.0 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
In fact, since temperatures dropped to freezing or below, there hasn’t been a single time that I have gone to the refuge where I haven’t seen White-faced Ibis. I’ve been seeing the ibis on the western side of the auto tour loop and on the last leg of it.
On New Year’s Day, the small flock of ibis I saw on the west side of the auto tour route had at least eight ibis. There may have been more that I couldn’t see hiding in the marsh vegetation.
Most of the ibis were resting or preening, but one was foraging for food in the open water.
White-faced Ibis Davis and Box Elder County eBird graph
I did a screenshot of an eBird graph for White-faced Ibis sightings for Box Elder and Davis Counties. The graph shows that this ibis species is observed year-round in those two counties. I included Davis County because Farmington Bay WMA is located there, and I have observed overwintering White-faced Ibis at the WMA as well.
Two White-faced Ibis overwintering at Bear River MBR – Nikon D500, f8, 1/4000, ISO 1250, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
White-faced Ibis are tougher than they look. While the majority of these ibis that nest at Bear River MBR and the marshes surrounding the Great Salt Lake do migrate for the winter, some stick around even in the low temps, ice, and snow. I am always happy to see and photograph the winter White-faced Ibis that I find.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my White-faced Ibis photos plus facts and information about this species.
Love the group shot. The reflections of the Ibis’ while they preen is, like the weather, really cool. Thanks Mia.
Birds ARE tough. They deal with climate extremes much better than we do. And some of the migratory flights are huge and must be draining.
I love the photo with hoar frost, looks colder! Birds are more cold tolerant than many people think, many have special circulation in legs and feet to prevent heat loss and frost bite. We have seen frost bitten feet and toes in some birds in rehab, including some that should not have a problem, like ducks. We have seen pelicans with frost bite. Birds biggest problem is a food source in winter.
Happy New Year indeed!