Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge - Brigham City, Utah - National Wildlife Refuges on Waymarking.com

The Refuge serves a vital role in the Bear River delta ecosystem by protecting, creating, and managing more than 41,000 acres of freshwater wetlands. Fresh water from the Bear River is captured in a series of 25 impoundments.

Water levels are manipulated in these wetlands to ensure that adequate amounts of water and subsequent aquatic habitat are available throughout critical life stages of breeding birds like the American avocet, black-necked stilt, snowy plover, as well as migrating birds such as the northern pintail, Wilson's phalarope, and tundra swan. The importance of the Refuge as a staging area for migratory waterfowl is evidenced by the tremendous numbers of ducks (500,000) and Canada geese (5,000) found on the Refuge each fall. In addition, roughly 75 percent of the western population of tundra swans (more than 30,000 birds) use the Refuge for fall staging and wintering in mild years.

In the last several years, the Refuge has purchased additional upland acres to provide habitat for grassland breeding birds. The primary management tool for these habitats is prescribed grazing to achieve vegetation height and density that favors successful nesting attempts.

Historically, the marshes of Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge (MBR) have been an oasis for water birds. This oasis is surrounded by arid desert lands. As a key part of the Great Salt Lake ecosystem, the Refuge provides habitat for more than 200 bird species, making it a popular birding hotspot in northern Utah. In spring, summer, and fall, visitors can view American avocets, black-necked stilts, white-faced ibis, and a host of other species.

The Refuge is located approximately 50 miles North of Salt Lake City, Utah. It can be reached from Interstate 15 by taking the Forest Street exit at Brigham City and driving west 13 miles. A new wildlife education center is located along Forest Street just one block west of the Interstate. Begin your refuge experience there!

2155 West Forest Street
Brigham City, UT 84302

(visit link)

NWR or Protected Planet Website: [Web Link] Point of Interest (POI): Visitor Information

Visit Instructions:
Enjoy your visit, tell your story and post a picture.

Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log User Rating   01/10/2023 HikingSeal visited it 10/11/2020 Rock Chalk visited it 09/04/2014 merlot visited it 11/30/2013 Chasing Blue Sky visited it 10/01/2013 The_Simpsons visited it 09/05/2013 Poehunters visited it 09/05/2013 philbeer visited it

View all visits/logs