See Hundreds of Tundra Swans

Tundra Swan Day - March 8

The Division of Wildlife Resources will host its annual Tundra Swan Day on March 8. Admission is free.

Viewing will take place at three sites -- the Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area west of Farmington, the Salt Creek WMA west of Corinne and the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge west of Brigham City.

Farmington Bay and Salt Creek

Viewing at the Farmington Bay and Salt Creek WMAs runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

DWR biologists and volunteer naturalists will have spotting scopes set up so you can get a close look at the swans. They’ll also provide parabolic dishes you can use to get a crystal-clear listen to the unique sounds the swans make.

At the Farmington Bay WMA, you can also hop into a van for a “behind the gates” tour. These free tours will take you to parts of the WMA that are normally closed this time of the year.

Bear River

Viewing at the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge runs from sunrise to sunset. You can see swans from your vehicle as you drive along the refuge’s auto-tour route.

Before heading to the refuge, stop by its Wildlife Education Center at
2155 W. Forest St. in Brigham City for maps and information. The center is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

To reach the center, exit I-15 at Exit 363. After you’ve exited the freeway, turn west. The center is about one block west of the freeway.

For more information about Tundra Swan Day, call the DWR’s Northern Region office at (801) 476-2740 or the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge at (435) 723-5887.

Watching and listening on your own

If you can’t attend the March 8 event, some great opportunities are available to watch and listen to swans on your own.

The Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge is one of the best. You can see hundreds of swans along the refuge’s auto tour loop. The 12-mile loop will take you across most of the refuge that’s open to the public.

The Ogden Bay WMA also provides two good spots to see and listen to swans.

One of those spots is the parking area at 5500 W. in Hooper. The parking area is at the end of 5500 W., about one mile north of 4000 S.

The other spot is the parking area at 7500 W. in West Warren. The parking area is at the end of 7500 W., about one mile south of 12th Street (SR-39).

The migration of swans through Utah should peak within the next three weeks. Thousands of swans will be in Utah then.

Junior Ranger Essay Contest Announced Winner to Receive Family Vacation and Other Prizes

The winner of this year’s 2008 Junior Ranger essay contest will receive an all expense paid family vacation to one of the country’s most remarkable national parks and a starring role in an electronic field trip seen by millions of school children across the country.

The essay contest is open to children between 9 and 12 years old. Each person must express his or her thoughts on “What can you do now to turn over a new leaf for the environment and help preserve our national parks?”

National Park Service Director Mary A. Bomar, First Lady Laura Bush, and National Park Foundation President and CEO Vin Cipolla announced the details of this year’s contest during a recent visit to Everglades National Park in Florida. A group of local 5th graders joined them to help plant native trees in a park restoration project prior to the announcement. “Children throughout the country, like those here today, are more interested and involved in environmental issues than ever before,” said Bomar. “They can make a difference, both now and in the future, on the impact of humans on the land. I can’t wait to hear all of the wonderful ideas that will come from this essay contest.”

The grand prize winner will receive a trip for four to Everglades National Park where he or she will appear in an electronic field trip about invasive species in national parks. The prize includes round trip air transportation, car rental, hotel accommodations, meal expenses, a $1,000 Macy’s shopping spree, and an America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands Pass.

Essays must be 500 words or less and received on-line or by mail by March 14, 2008. Each entry will be judged on originality, clarity, and understanding of the issue. Additional contest information is available at www.nps.gov.

Winter Feeding Program Draws Support, Warning from Elk Foundation

MISSOULA, Mont.—Responding to an emergency declaration by the Colorado Division of Wildlife, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is sending funds to help feed thousands of elk, deer and antelope starving in deep-snow conditions.

But the Elk Foundation’s financial support comes with a warning about severe winterkill as a symptom of an even more debilitating disease—habitat loss.

“Artificially feeding elk is a poor substitute for protecting their native habitat,” said Jack Blackwell, vice president of lands and conservation for the Elk Foundation. “In general, some winter mortality is normal. It’s nature’s way of balancing herds with their habitat. But when too much winter range is lost to urban development or invasive weeds, a harsh winter can be a catastrophic reminder of our obligation to conserve land.”

Colorado’s wildlife habitat is being lost at alarming rates as cities sprawl and ranchettes consume open spaces long used by wintering elk.

“If we don’t act urgently to protect habitat, especially Colorado’s winter range, eventually the balance will tip so far against wildlife that severe winterkill will become the norm, not the exception,” predicted Blackwell.

Biologists say Colorado is experiencing brutal weather in many areas, with Gunnison Basin listed as the worst. Snowpack levels are among highest ever recorded with many weeks of winter remaining. At the same time, nighttime temperatures are falling as low as 35 degrees below zero.

Pronghorn antelope and mule deer are hardest hit. Emergency feeding is underway for approximately 6,500 deer and 500 antelope at 105 locations on federal and private lands.

About 2,500 elk are being fed weed-free hay dropped from helicopters. Though elk are faring better than deer and antelope, some biologists worry about fewer births and greater calf mortality next spring.