Wilderness Study Areas

A large part of the Pariette wetlands may be viewed by driving to the observation point. Binoculars or a spotting scope add immensely to the viewing experience. Narrow, single lane roads traverse most of the River Unit where a large concentration of ponds and wildlife may be observed. The Uteland Unit is closed to vehicle traffic but foot access is allowed.

Spring and fall migration periods offer both the greatest number and variety of waterfowl and shorebird viewing. Migrating Bald Eagles are generally seen in late February and March.

Summer means a full capacity for the wetlands, with shorebirds such as avocets, black-necked stilts, marbled godwits, and dowitchers all arriving in early May. Herons, egrets, white pelicans and many more are also summer residents.

You should probably bring wildlife and plant viewing guides to identify the many types of plants and animals on the ponds.

Seasonal Changes At Pariette

The annual spring thaw and melting of snow fills the 20 ponds with runoff from Myton Bench and begins the seasonal cycle at Pariette. Canadian geese are usually the first waterfowl migrants to arrive and set up territories and nesting sites. The arrival of mallards shortly after usually signals the onset of spring migration. Mallards are followed by pintail, gadwall, and finally the teal clan (blue-winged, green-winged, and cinnamon teal). During the summer, broods of geese and ducks feast on the abundant insect and pond vegetation available, developing flight feathers and fat reserves for the upcoming winter months. Colder weather and the arrival of frost on the ground signals the beginning of winter. Typically the teal leave Pariette first, seeking warmer weather farther south. Mallards and geese seem to hang on the longest before migrating from the extreme cold temperatures of winter. Prior to freezing, all the ponds are drained to eliminate carp. Carp, if uncontrolled, muddy the water and prevent aquatic plant growth so attractive to waterfowl. With the onset of winter Pariette receives a covering of snow and the cycle of life rests until next spring, when it once again repeats itself.

Special Status Species

Pariette provides habitat or potential habitat for 13 special status animal species and one plant species.

Special status species are those that are listed, or candidates for listing, as either threatened or endangered. Species identified by the BLM as sensitive are also included within the special status category.

Birds-
Bald Eagle
Peregrine falcon
ferruginous hawk
mountain plover
white-faces ibis
loggerhead shrike
long-billed curlew

Mammals-
spotted bat

Fish-
Colorado squawfish
humpback chub
bonytail chub
razorback sucker

Plants-
Uinta Basin hookless cactus

Desert

Pariette is surrounded by miles of desert which is home to specially adapted species. Typically this area receives between 5 to 6 inches of rainfall annually. Deep rooted bunch grasses, like Indian ricegrass, are mixed in with low growing shrubs, like shadscale and saltbush. May and June bring a splash of color to the desert as many wildflowers, such as the orange globemallow and yellow beeplant, bloom.

Common and Unique Wildlife Species

White-tailed Prairie Dog - Annually hibernates between October and March. Young are born in May, usually numbering between 3 and 5. The western burrowing owl uses abandoned prairie dog holes for nesting sites, modifying them by digging with it's beak, wings, and feet.

Pronghorn antelope - Native only to North America, this well known ungulate is symbolic of western U.S. wide open ranges. Noted for it's exceptional speed and excellent vision, the pronghorn can easily evade most enemies. At the age of 5 days, young pronghorn can easily outrun man.

Mountain Plover - A poorly named unique desert bird which prefers arid, short grass areas over mountainous terrain and is most often sighted in prairie dog towns. Usually nests far from water. Currently a candidate for further protection and possible listing as threatened, under the Endangered Species Act.

Irrigated Uplands

Some nearby areas are irrigated during the summer to produce native grasses and grain crops. They provide a high energy food source for resident and migrant waterfowl. Characteristic plants include winter wheat, barley, millet, alfalfa, and sudan grass. Native grasses include alkali sacatoon and sand dropseed.

Common Wildlife Species

Ring-necked Pheasant - This native bird of Asia is one of the most well known and successfully introduced birds in North America. Noted as a swift runner and strong flyer, it is commonly associated with agricultural lands. Harsh winters limit population growth in the Uinta Basin.

Mallard - The most abundant duck in North America, this species is noted for it's hardiness and capability to "winter" as far north as open water and food permit.

Northern Pintail - The most streamlined and graceful of waterfowl flyers. Males in breeding plumage have especially long tail feathers that make up 1/4 of their total body length. The pintail is one of North America's most common ducks.

Seasonally Flooded Basins

These basin areas are periodically dry up by May and kept dry through the summer. During the summer, seed producing plants grow on these moist mudflats. In fall, these same areas are reflooded making this seed available to waterfowl. Common plants include meadow foxtail, alkali bulrush, and spike rush.

Common Wildlife Species

Canadian Geese - Usually one of the first arrivals at Pariette, often before the ice has melted from the ponds. Geese are basically grazers by nature, but have adapted to feeding on cereal grains and cultivated green forage.

Avocet - A large, handsome shorebird, the Avocet commonly feeds and rests in large groups. It is noted for its distinctive feeding technique in which its conspicuous, recurved bill, sweeps from side to side across mudflats searching for seeds, aquatic insects, and small crustaceans.

Permanent Ponds

During spring and fall, ducks and geese concentrate on these ponds to rest and feed. Throughout the summer, resident waterfowl use these areas as nesting, brooding, feeding, and molting habitat. Characteristic plants include cattail, pondweed, and harstem bulrush.

Common Wildlife Species

White Pelicans - One of North America's largest birds, with a wing span of up to 9.5 feet. This bird floats on the surface scooping up fish with it's wide bill. It never plunge dives for fish like it's cousin the Brown Pelican.

Cattle Egrets - This bird was first identified in northeastern Utah at Pariette in 1988. These birds follow hoofed animals, particularly cattle, around which they capture insects and other small prey disturbed by the cattles' movements.

Ruddy Duck and Redhead Duck - Common examples of waterfowl which utilize aquatic vegetation as their primary food source and build nests in the stands of bulrush within the pond area.

Green River

This important habitat is dominated by cottonwood trees, which border its banks, providing cover, food, and nesting sites for a wide array of wildlife. Great Blue Herons nest in rookeries high up in the cottonwood trees just upriver from Pariette. The river itself shelters the endangered Colorado squawfish, razorback sucker, bonytail, and humpback chubs. The primary game fish inhabiting the river is catfish.

Unique Wildlife Species

Colorado Squawfish - Once reached weights of 50-80 pounds and was referred to as "white salmon" by early settlers. It is rare in the Upper Colorado River Basin today because construction of large dams and water diversions disrupted spawning success.

Razorback Sucker - One of the largest members of the "sucker family" in North America, it can grow up to 12 pounds in weight. It requires warm flowing water to successfully spawn and is probably not reproducing today because of water flow changes.

Bonytail Chub - Common in the Green and Yampa Rivers in the 1960s, it is virtually non-existent today. The bonytail has experienced the most abrupt decline of any fishes native to the Colorado River System.

Humpback Chub - First identified in scientific literature in 1946, although known by native people and early settlers. Small population disappeared from Lodore Canyon in the Upper Green River following the construction of the Flaming Gorge Reservoir in 1962. They are usually less than 13 inches in length and seldom weigh over 2 pounds.