Thousands of Migrating Waterfowl Settle on the Marsh
Paris, ID · October 10, 2026
A chilly mist is hanging over the pastures this morning, but it makes an ideal backdrop for a slow Saturday drive or an afternoon workshop indoors. Grab an extra fleece before heading out into the drizzle.
The Lead
As early freezes begin frosting northern waterways, the autumn waterfowl migration has arrived in full force across the 18,000-acre Bear Lake National Wildlife Refuge on the town’s eastern edge. Flocks of canvasbacks, mallards, pintails, and redheads are resting in heavy numbers on the open pools of the Dingle Marsh, refueling on bulrush seeds and submerged aquatic plants before continuing south along the Pacific Flyway. Lingering family groups of sandhill cranes can still be spotted foraging through nearby harvested grain fields, while trumpeter swans and northern harriers circle above the quiet cattails. With local irrigation gates now closed for the season, water levels through the wetland impoundments have settled into their stable autumn pattern, creating prime viewing conditions for valley birdwatchers and photographers. The refuge auto tour route remains open daily from sunrise to sunset until heavy snowfall closes the gravel roads for winter.
Today's Outlook
- High 66°F · Low 49°F — Drizzle (29% chance of precipitation)
- Keep a water-resistant shell handy for light afternoon drizzle before evening temperatures dip.
What's On Around Town
Today
Bear Lake Writers Workshop National Oregon/California Trail Center (320 N 4th St), Montpelier, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM · $39 Instructional sessions on storytelling craft and publishing across multiple genres.
Bear Lake Monster Mash Bear Lake State Park Visitor Center (25 E 300 N), St. Charles, 2:00–4:00 PM · Free Pumpkin decorating, lawn games, and autumn treats for families.
Spotlight & Story
- LaBeau’s Drive-In
- When Bob and Renee LaBeau answered a newspaper classified ad in early 1981 to buy the old Western Drive-In, they planned a joint venture. After Bob passed away the following year, Renee and her son Brent kept the raspberry shake mixers running.
Paris Daily Digest — compiled from local sources as of 6 AM. For breaking updates, follow your local newsrooms.
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