Seasons of Wildlife
Spring
Beginning in April thousands of migrating waterfowl stop to rest and refuel at several of the wetlands at Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge--the only wetlands around for 50 miles. By May, most of the songbirds are starting to arrive. Some bird species are dependent on the riparian riparian
Definition of riparian habitat or riparian areas.
Learn more about riparian corridor for refueling on the abundant insect populations. Some birds, like the black-chinned hummingbird and osprey, stay to nest here while other species continue north to their own breeding grounds. Long-eared and great-horned owls young are beginning to learn how to fly while the red-tailed hawks and ospreys are just beginning to nest. Native plants germinate from seeds or emerge from their winter dormancy to begin growing beautiful flowers.
Summer
Young of all species begin to be visible after they get old enough to be able to escape from predators and start foraging with their parents. If you’re lucky you’ll see river otter young on Butch Cassidy wetland or the river, moose calves along the river with their mothers, or sage thrashers feeding their raucous young. Along the Green River, you can watch beavers and broods of common mergansers swimming around searching for food. During the hot summer months, the best time to observe wildlife is early morning.
Fall
As the cottonwoods begin to turn a brilliant yellow, birds begin their return trip through the Refuge on their way to wintering grounds in the southern United States, and Central and South America. Elk are bugling within the valley while the other animals try to put on fat to survive the winter or the flight to wintering grounds. Moose begin their rut and gather along the Green River riparian corridor and nearby wetlands. Mule deer move down into the valley and graze in the wetlands and meadows.
Winter
The Flaming Gorge Dam releases a constant flow of water throughout the winter which typically keeps the Green River from freezing as it had in the past. This riverine habitat draws bald eagles here to fish all winter long. The Refuge also provides critical habitat for wintering mule deer, elk, and pronghorn. Geese and several species of waterfowl spend their winter on the Green River. Rough-legged hawks and trumpeter swans migrate from the far north to spend their winters here, too. Keep your eyes open for river otter tracks sliding on the riverbanks as well.
Featured Species
Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge is home to many species of birds, fish, and wildlife. Songbirds and waterfowl migrate through the Refuge each spring and fall, using the wetlands and cottonwood galleries to feed and rest before continuing their journey. Waterfowl such as ducks, geese, swans, and wading birds use the wetlands for foraging, shelter, and nesting during spring and summer. Each winter, elk and mule deer move down to the valley where the lower elevations have milder weather and easier access to forage in the sage-steppe uplands and meadows. Bald eagles and ospreys nest in tall cottonwood trees and manmade nesting platforms along the Green River. Bobcats, coyotes, and birds of prey hunt the abundant cottontail rabbits and jackrabbits in the uplands and meadows. The endangered Colorado pikeminnow and razorback sucker live in the Green River and spawn in adjacent sloughs and creeks.