This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Migratory birds have been flocking to the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge in droves in recent weeks. Now it's time for people to do the same.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service officials are celebrating International Migratory Bird Day on May 11, and the staff at the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge near Brigham City is holding a free open house from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. that day to join the celebration.
Bird displays, crafts and movies will be available at the Wildlife Education Center throughout the open house. After seeing the indoor part of the celebration visitors are encouraged to drive the Auto Tour Loop on the refuge and see some of the international migratory birds passing through.
The open house will also honor winners of the 2013 Utah Junior Duck Stamp contest at 1 p.m.
Olympus High School student Zachary Williams, 18, won the Best of Show award with his oil painting of a king eider that was included in the National Junior Duck Stamp contest in West Virginia in mid-April.
The International Migratory Bird Day event is sponsored by Friends of the Bear River Refuge.
Visitors can reach the Wildlife Education Center, 2155 W. Forest St., by taking Exit 363 on Interstate 15 and heading west one block to the refuge entrance.
Twitter: @BrettPrettyman