Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge

Utah · Rocky Mountains

EasyOfficial Site

Habitat

WetlandMarsh

Best Seasons

SpringFall

Difficulty

Easy

Best Months

April-May

Entrance Fee

Free

Hours

Dawn to dusk daily; auto tour route sunrise to sunset

About This Location

Bear River MBR at the northeast shore of Great Salt Lake is one of the most important shorebird staging areas in the Western Hemisphere. The refuge's vast marshes and mudflats attract millions of Wilson's Phalaropes, American Avocets, and other shorebirds during migration.

Location

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Notable Species

Wilson's Phalarope American Avocet White-faced Ibis Snowy Plover Tundra Swan

Live Bird Data

Notable Sightings

Clark's Grebe

Aechmophorus clarkii

3/4/2026Echo Reservoir1 observed

Bohemian Waxwing

Bombycilla garrulus

3/4/2026US-UT-Salt Lake City-918 Park Row St - 40.7494x-111.84401 observed

Black-and-white Warbler

Mniotilta varia

3/4/2026Provo River Trail--State St. to University Pkwy.1 observed

Greater White-fronted Goose

Anser albifrons

3/4/2026North Salem Marsh2 observed

Greater White-fronted Goose

Anser albifrons

3/4/2026North Salem Marsh2 observed

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Polioptila caerulea

3/4/2026Swede Lane2 observed

White-faced Ibis

Plegadis chihi

3/4/20265th West Sportsman Access2 observed

Black-necked Stilt

Himantopus mexicanus

3/4/2026Farmington Bay WMA5 observed

Cackling Goose

Branta hutchinsii

3/4/2026Rockport Reservoir & SP3 observed

American Herring Gull

Larus smithsonianus

3/4/2026Rockport Reservoir & SP1 observed

Blue-winged Teal

Spatula discors

3/4/2026Utah Lake Parkway Trail (North Shore)1 observed

Common Poorwill

Phalaenoptilus nuttallii

3/3/2026Oak Creek Service Road, Hurricane, Utah, US (37.213, -112.999)1 observed

Red-shouldered Hawk

Buteo lineatus

3/3/2026Jensen Nature Park1 observed

Mexican Duck

Anas diazi

3/3/2026Lower Provo River Parkway--Oxbow to Lakeshore Dr.1 observed

Burrowing Owl

Athene cunicularia

3/3/2026Cisco (town)1 observed

Brewer's Blackbird

Euphagus cyanocephalus

3/3/2026Green River -- Hastings Rd (Grand Co.)100 observed

Northern Mockingbird

Mimus polyglottos

3/3/2026Green River -- Hastings Rd (Grand Co.)1 observed

Brown-headed Cowbird

Molothrus ater

3/3/2026Green River -- Hastings Rd (Grand Co.)30 observed

Northern Mockingbird

Mimus polyglottos

3/3/2026Green River -- Hastings Rd (Grand Co.)1 observed

Brown-headed Cowbird

Molothrus ater

3/3/2026Green River -- Hastings Rd (Grand Co.)30 observed

Recent Observations

Say's Phoebe

540 Wasatch Hills Drive, Brigham City, Utah, US (41.469, -112.028)

3/4/2026

1 birds

Gadwall

Hyrum Reservoir & SP

3/4/2026

2 birds

Eurasian Collared-Dove

Hyrum Reservoir & SP

3/4/2026

1 birds

Black-capped Chickadee

Hyrum Reservoir & SP

3/4/2026

2 birds

House Sparrow

Hyrum Reservoir & SP

3/4/2026

3 birds

Sandhill Crane

Hyrum Reservoir & SP

3/4/2026

2 birds

Redhead

Hyrum Reservoir & SP

3/4/2026

15 birds

Black-billed Magpie

Hyrum Reservoir & SP

3/4/2026

1 birds

Ring-billed Gull

Hyrum Reservoir & SP

3/4/2026

2 birds

Canada Goose

Hyrum Reservoir & SP

3/4/2026

12 birds

American Crow

Hyrum Reservoir & SP

3/4/2026

2 birds

Spotted Towhee

Hyrum Reservoir & SP

3/4/2026

1 birds

Mallard

Hyrum Reservoir & SP

3/4/2026

3 birds

European Starling

Hyrum Reservoir & SP

3/4/2026

3 birds

Canvasback

Hyrum Reservoir & SP

3/4/2026

20 birds

Common Goldeneye

Hyrum Reservoir & SP

3/4/2026

2 birds

Bald Eagle

Koosharem Reservoir

3/4/2026

1 birds

American Coot

Koosharem Reservoir

3/4/2026

76 birds

Barrow's Goldeneye

Koosharem Reservoir

3/4/2026

3 birds

Pine Siskin

Southern Utah University, Cedar City US-UT 37.67646, -113.06891

3/4/2026

1 birds

Birding Tips

1
Drive the 12-mile auto loop for easy viewing
2
Late summer brings peak shorebird diversity

Amenities

Parking

Restrooms

Visitor Center

Auto Tour Route

Nearby Attractions

Great Salt Lake
Brigham City

Birding Guides

Fall Migration Guide: Hawks, Sparrows, and More

10 min read

Bird Identification Tips: How to ID Birds Like a Pro

11 min read

The Beginner's Guide to Birding

8 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge for birding?▼

The best months to visit Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge for birding are April-May. The best seasons are Spring and Fall.

What birds can I see at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge?▼

Notable species at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge include Wilson's Phalarope, American Avocet, White-faced Ibis, Snowy Plover, Tundra Swan. The area supports wetland, marsh habitats.

How difficult is birding at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge?▼

Birding at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge is rated as Easy. The trails and viewing areas are accessible for birders of all experience levels.

Is there an entrance fee at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge?▼

There is no entrance fee at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. Hours: Dawn to dusk daily; auto tour route sunrise to sunset.

What amenities are available at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge?▼

Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge offers the following amenities: Parking, Restrooms, Visitor Center, Auto Tour Route.