This Radar Loop Is for the Birds

Meteorological radars are designed to detect precipitation, but any objects of sufficient size and number concentration will give you a return.

This morning's radar loop, for examples, shows returns that are almost certainty from birds leaving their roosts along the wetlands surrounding the Great Salt Lake.  Note in particular the plume-like development and dispersion of echoes from near the southeast shore of Farmington Bay and the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge.

To the west, you can see some echoes created by precipitation.  Some April showers are on tap for today.