BEAR RIVER Migratory Bird Refuge NARRATIVE REPORT JANUARY - DECEMBER 1965 .NARRATIVE REPORT
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BEAR RIVER Migratory Bird Refuge NARRATIVE REPORT JANUARY - DECEMBER 1965 .NARRATIVE REPORT BEAR RIVER MIGRATORY BIRD REFUGE For the Period January 1, 1965 to December 31• 1965 .REFUGE PERSONNEL Vanez T. Wilson (Retired 8/O5/65) Refuge Manager Lloyd F, Gunther (Appt, 8/06/65) Refuge Manager Gerald M, Nugent (Trans. 2/23/65). Assist. Refuge Manager William C. Reffalt (Appt. 6/O6/65) . Assist. Refuge Manager Frank Gunnell (Appt. 3/25/65) • • Refuge Manager (Trainee) Leo T, Young Foreman John P. Valcarce ..... Mechanic Roland E. Jorgensen Maintenanceraan Leonda. A. Hansen Maintenanceman LeeBue Allen Clerk James M. Carroll, Jr. (4/19—9/08) .... Student Trainee Bruce C. Bosley . (6/25—7/09) . Temporary Laborer Thomas S. Burt . (6/07—6/11) . Temporary Laborer Dean W. Hawkes (6/08—9/07) . Temporary Laborer Spencer Stone . (7/15—8/20) . Temporary Laborer Archie W. Francis (10/09—12/18 Hunting Season Week-end Duty as Temporary Laborer WILDLIFE RESEARCH PERSONNEL G. Hortin Jensen ..... Flyway Biologist Allen G. Smith Wildlife Research Biologist Dr. Wayne I. Jensen Microbiologist Dr. Malcolm E. McDonald . Wildlife Research Biologist Kenneth Capelle Wildlife Research Biologist Jack P. Allen Wildlife Research Biologist Richard Gritman Wildlife Research Biologist Ellen Capner Clerk C. Dennis Hume . (7/06—9/15) . Temporary Student Assistant Archie W. Francis (6/07—9/15)• Temporary Student Assistant TABLE OF CONTENTS PACffE I. GENERAL A. Weather conditions 1 B. Habitat conditions if II. WILDLIFE A. Migratory Birds 7 B. Upland Game Birds 17 C. Fur Animals 18 D. Hawks, Eagles, Owls, Crows, Ravens & Magpies 2.8 E. Other Birds 18 F. Fish 20 G. Reptiles 20 H. Disease 20 III. REFUGE DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE A. Physical Development 25 B. Plantings , 25 G. Collections and Receipts 25 D. Control of Vegetation 25 IV. RESOURCE MANAGEMENT -. E. Commercial Fishing 26 V. FIELD INVESTIGATION OR APPLIED RESEARCH A. Progress Report 2? VI. PUBLIC RELATIONS A. Recreational Uses 28 B. Refuge Visitors 30 C. Refuge Participation 30 D. Hunting 31 E. Violations 32 VII. OTHER ITEMS A. Items of Interest 33 B. Photographs G. Signature 34 BEAR RIVER MIGRATORY BIRD REFUGE NARRATIVE REPORT CALENDAR YEAR I965 I. GENERAL A. Weather Conditions: Late Summer, 1965 - An example of the abundant water that flowed thru Bear River this year. As is "normal" for weather, the 1965 weather pattern at Bear River strayed considerably from the "normal". One of the most noteworthy departures from the norm occurred in the Bear River flow record for the year. Except for a short two-week period in July, the river flowed over the headquarters spillways from the time of "spring fill-up" until the "winter drawdown". Re sults of this record flow year are very evident on the refuge marshes. The vegetation in the units, even now in its dor mancy, shows by its density, size, and general appearance that -1- 100, 90! Temperature Patterns Sd 70 60 Mo. 50 , 40 230 | 20. |l0 Mo. 1964 nax-ndn profile Min. 0 I [211X1] 1965 aax-ain profile -10 -20 25 yr. ppt. average 1965 ppt. •H 25 yr.avll.95 1965 - 15^1 > I i iTecipitatieta ^.ttar a it was a prosperous year. The vegetation on the delta lands south of the main dike made remarkable growth as a result of nearly year long "irrigation" with the water spilled from the units - an unprecedented occurrence. These "recent" marshlands will provide class "A" habitat for the spring migrants and nesting species in 1966. Below is a "season-by-season" account of the ,65 weather highlights: Winter January was generally mild at the refuge with a +10 degrees as the month's recorded minimum. Very little snow fell and none remained for more than a brief stay. February was "seasonable" with some temperatures above the normal. The precipitation during the month was very near the long term average. The river flow in both January and February was slightly above the usual varying from 800 - 2500 cfs in January, and from 2000 - 2600 cfs in February. March was cold, windy, and dry. The dryness, however, was only in the valley and forecasts concerning the Bear River watershed were optimistic. Spring Lightr rains occurred on fourteen days in April opening the way td^excellent "busting-out" conditions. Temperatures, too, were ideal for the initial burst of growth heealding a new spring. May, however, provided a set-back to spring with a killing freeze on May 6th. General water con ditions remained excellent. June brought additional rain and optimum temperatures to the marshes. The river flow continued, as predicted, to be above average. Summer The continual thumping of the waters passing over the spill ways and control gates at headquarters remained an omnipresent sound through the 8th of July, then came silence as the river flow diminished. However, the silence lasted only until July 22nd when once again the engine-like rumbling of the waters became prevalent. -2- August, 1965 made an indelible mark in the refuge files as the wettest August on record (1940-64) at the headquarters station. The marsh remained verdant with its luxuriant growth of vegetation. September fell short of duplicating its predecessor's feat by a mere 0.37 inch but failing this found another means of reaching the record books. For the first time in the last 90 years the Great Salt Lake water level rose during September. Gaging stations recorded a plus one-tenth of a foot during the month instead of the usual 'minus three- tenths'. The early October lake level was recorded at 4,193*75 feet elevation - an increase of 1.15 feet during 19651 September provided another record for the book with a snow storm and freezing temperatures (30°) on the 17th. Fall October broke the trend established by August-September and only a "trace" of moisture was recorded for this normally moist month. (See weather pattern graph, next page). November returned to the trend with ample precipitation and warm temperatures - a combination that made "Indian SuiiimerM a reality here at Bear River. December was mild for the most part with temperatures and moisture near the narm. Temperature inversions caused the hazardous fog conditions that are not uncommon in this area, and snow and ice made known the closeness of another winter as December 1965 closed the history book on another eventful year. -3- B. Habitat Conditions: Looking SE over Unit - Marsh conditions were generally excellent this year. 1. Water The water situation has been touched upon in the proceeding section. A general statement concerning water conditions in 1965 would have to contain the adjective "excellent" to do justice to the situation. Winter snow surveys throughout the Bear RLver watershed re sulted in a prediction of +20^ runoff. Not only did this prediction come true but abundant spring rains reinforced the runoff and resulted in a nearly perfect spring flow. An unexpected abundance of water in early June resulted in minor flooding of the outer portions of marsh in Unit 2, but it is believed that nest losses were minimal and re- nesting conditions were excellent. As previously mentioned, river flow abated for only a short time in the summer and the normal deterioration of the units -4- did not occur this year. All spillboxes along the main dike were •'buttoned-upH as the river dropped on July 8th and con ditions were appraised as excellent. To our surprise, however, the river rose on the 22nd of July and flowage into all units soon had the water levels above the desired amount. Thus, the spillboxes were reopened and water flowed onto the "mud-flats" south and west of the main dike. This condition revaled throughout the remainder of the summer, fall, and early winter. It is believed by the several crew members who have been on the refuge since its establishment that 1965 was the first year that water was allowed past the main dike during the summer since the dikes were completed. This abundance of water provided for maximum vegetative development both within the units and on the rich delta lands south of the dike. 2. Food and Cover: Only an astute poet could completely describe the effect of the added quantity and quality of water this year. Of course the above average conditions of 1964 must be given due credit for providing conditions that allowed the vegetation to take full advantage of the phenomenal I965 situation. Upland marsh areas within the units continued to flourish this year with additional spread of alkali bulrush (Scirpus pa ludosue) into areas previously supporting glasswort (SalicomiS a SJD«)« Seed production of the bulrushes was well above normal. The expansion of marsh vegetation onto the once barren mud flats south and west of the main dike continued at the nearly unbelievable rate reported last year. Dense mats of glass- wort now cover soil that only a few years ago was barren and sterile. Alkali bulrush also showed significant expansion on these delta lands and the entire portion of the refuge lying outside the main dike from west of Unit One to south of Unit Five is now an impressive, apparently well established pioneer marsh. The value of this area to the migratory bird populations of the refuge is no longer a mere potential but a budding reality. Nesting cover along the dikes did not undergo the usual deterioration this year owing to the abundant summer moisture regime. Thus, as would be expected, the nesting for most waterfowl species showed an uptrend. -5- All weeds common to the dikes showed phenomenal growth this year and proved to be the primary nesting cover for the gadwall, mallard and pintail.