Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge (a side trip)

Yesterday, I posted about our geode-hunting-rock-hounding adventure...

While at the Dugway Geode beds, I mentioned that Jonathan and I took a little side trip to Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge. That was my husband's great idea. He noticed that it was close to where we were already going. 

The refuge is literally in the middle of nowhere, so for it to suddenly be very convenient to a place we were already going, we couldn't pass up the opportunity to check it out. 

We've wanted to see it for some time now, but since it isn't near anything, we've never found ourselves in the neighborhood. You have to take long dirt roads to get there...about 3 1/2 hours away from our home in Lehi. It's not exactly convenient. The migratory birds think it's great though. ;)

Birding is a fun hobby...it gets you out to places you might not normally see. I've gotten hooked on  birding in the last year. It's a great pastime to get me away from the computer. My typing and mouse hands surely appreciate breaks like these. I highly recommend it. Birding is like making every day into a treasure hunt. Here's a great book to get you started.

Fortunately, the scenery along the drive is beautiful. 

The ride didn't seem as long because of that. 

From the Dugway Geode beds it is another half hour drive to get there. 

There is a small visitors center at the refuge. The ranger wasn't in, but it would have been interesting to talk to him about what recent bird activity they've been having.

As we started our visit, it became very clear that this refuge isn't visited often. That is one thing that makes it so unique! At the visitors center, instead of a ranger, we were greeted by his two happy Labradors who were excited that we accidentally let them out of the office. We had to round them up and get them back inside. That was fun! (seriously...it was fun.)

We signed in at the kiosk, and picked up a map and some brochures. Fish Springs is a natural spring that supports many migrating birds. It's literally an oasis in the middle of the Utah high mountain desert. It has an 11 mile auto-tour route that leads you along the ponds and streams within the refuge. There are also a few places that you can get to by hike only.

We weren't sure what to expect in the way of birds. I think we were a little bit early for the influx of Spring migrants, but it was still worth the trip.

We were greeted by this regal BALD EAGLE in the tree at the picnic area...which is just before the auto tour route. Incidentally, we saw him on our way out (in this very same spot) as well. I'm pretty sure he's put claim on this tree. He was very cooperative in front of the camera. He always had to have an eye on me...but he didn't fly off.

There was also another one soaring in the sky! I hadn't checked a Bald Eagle off my list this year, so I was pretty excited!

There were plenty of AMERICAN-COOTS in every pond and waterway. Here are just a few. I loved the way these photographed with the scenery. I adore this season for all the tall yellow grasses...make for such pretty pictures.

It wouldn't be a marsh without RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS. This guy was hanging out on a fence post. Canadian Geese were in the grass beside him. (not in the picture.)

I saw a few fun ducks mixed in with the coots. This RING-NECKED DUCK was happily swimming along. I was grateful that he didn't see me behind the tall grass.

We also saw a pair of CINNAMON TEAL in this waterway, and a few more in another pond.

I was so excited to see a few BUFFLEHEADS. This was a life bird for me. (birder talk for the first time you've ever seen a certain bird.) I haven't been birding long...so there are lots of lifers yet for me to check off my list. They were so far away (hence the dreadful photo,) but still identifiable (they are the two birds up front, a drake and his lady friend to the right.)

There was a family of TUNDRA SWAN hanging out on a grass strip in this pond. Beautiful! There were two adults and two juveniles.

In this same pond, we saw a group of 3 Juvenile WHITE-FACED IBIS. I think they were hanging around the nest. Apparently, Mama hadn't kicked them out yet. ;)

I was a little overly excited about this find because I thought they might be glossy ibis who had lost their way and accidentally ended up in Utah...but then was able to figure out that the juvenile white-faced ibis looks an awful lot like the glossy ibis from the east coast.

We saw many more birds...Ravens, Harriers, Canadian Geese, Gulls, and more! For a complete bird list from this trip, you can view it on ebird.org
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S28051512

Unfortunately, our side-trip to the refuge had to be quick as we left friends digging at the Geode Beds (which by the way is an excellent adventure in itself!) We wanted to caravan with them back to Lehi. You never know what may happen in the middle of nowhere on a dirt road without cell reception. I would have loved to have stayed longer...but they were kind enough to dig a little longer to allow us the time to go to the refuge.

I'd definitely recommend this trip to any birder wanting to go on a day-trip adventure. You might want to mix it in with a trip to the Geode beds too. Just be prepared for the long beautiful drive.