Part 7

Drive east for 2.0 miles to an old, white, country school-house. During migration check the fields south of the intersection for Marbled and Hudsonian Godwits. Continue straight east for another mile before turning left (north). After 0.6 mile pull over to the left. Walk to the northwest (45° to the left of the road ahead). There is a Sharp-tailed Grouse dancing ground about 300 yards out. According to Frank Kelley, there is a reasonably good chance of the grouse being on or near the grounds at daybreak. At other times they may be anywhere within a two-mile radius. Sprague’s Pipits and Chestnut-collared Longspurs nest in the same area.

Return south, the same way you came in, and turn left (east). Check any areas with tall grass in the next few miles for Sedge Wrens and Le Conte’s Sparrows. After 2.0 miles turn right (south). In spring check fields to the north and east of the intersection for Ruddy Turnstones and Buff-breasted Sandpipers. After 0.5 mile, stop at the first of three entrances to the sewage lagoons. As many as twenty species of shorebirds can often be seen from the gate. The greatest concentrations occur in mid-August. In migration large numbers of grebes, ducks, and gulls use the ponds. Look for the rarer ducks or shorebirds. Check nearby plowed fields for Lesser Golden Plover (in migration), Buff-breasted Sandpiper (migration), and Upland Sandpiper (anytime from spring through fall). For different views stop at the other two gates. Continue for 5.0 miles and turn left (east) onto Highway 2 to return to Grand Forks.

A good place for woodland birds is Turtle River State Park, one mile north of Arvilla or about 18 miles west of Grand Forks along Highway 2. The entrance is well marked. This whole area was once covered by glacial Lake Agassiz. As the lake lowered, the shoreline remained stable for some time, allowing the wave action to form a prominent beach ridge along what is now the eastern edge of the park. Here Baird’s Sparrows occasionally are found in the grassy fields.

Summer residents are Sharp-shinned (rare), Cooper’s (rare), Red-tailed, and Broad-winged Hawks; Spotted Sandpiper; Black-billed Cuckoo; Common Screech and Great Horned Owls; Common Nighthawk; Ruby-throated Hummingbird; Belted Kingfisher; Common Flicker; Yellow-bellied Sapsucker; Red-headed, Hairy, and Downy Woodpeckers; Great Crested, Willow, and Least Flycatchers; Eastern Pewee; Blue Jay; American Crow; Black-capped Chickadee; White-breasted Nuthatch; House Wren; Gray Catbird; Brown Thrasher; American Robin; Cedar Waxwing; Yellow-throated, Red-eyed, and Warbling Vireos; Yellow Warbler; Northern Oriole; Common Grackle; Scarlet Tanager; Rose-breasted Grosbeak; Indigo Bunting; American Goldfinch; and Chipping, Clay-colored, and Song Sparrows.

Winter visitors include Northern Goshawk (rare), Barred Owl (rare), Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Bohemian Waxwing, Rusty Blackbird, Evening and Pine Grosbeaks, Purple Finch, Red and White-winged (rare) Crossbills, Northern Junco, and American Tree, Harris’ (rare), and White-throated (rare) Sparrows. Other winter species which may be seen in the open areas surrounding the park are Sharp-tailed Grouse, Gray Partridge, Mourning Dove, Snowy and Short-eared Owls, Horned Lark, Black-billed Magpie, Western Meadowlark, Common and Hoary (rare) Redpolls, Lapland Longspur, and Snow Bunting.

The park is at its best in spring when the trees are dripping with migrant warblers and other passerines, such as Olive-sided Flycatcher; Hermit, Swainson’s, and Gray-cheeked Thrushes; Veery; Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned Kinglets; Yellow-throated, Solitary, and Philadelphia Vireos; Black-and-white, Tennessee, Orange-crowned, Nashville, Magnolia, Cape May, Yellow-rumped, Black-throated Green, Blackburnian, Chestnut-sided, Bay-breasted, Blackpoll, Palm, Connecticut, Mourning, Wilson’s, and Canada Warblers; Ovenbird; Northern Waterthrush; American Redstart; Rufous-sided Towhee; and Harris’, White-crowned, White-throated, Fox, Lincoln’s, and Swamp Sparrows. All of these species occur in similar habitat throughout the area (especially along the Red River in Grand Forks).

h) Nelson County

Two excellent spots for water and marsh species are Rose Lake National Wildlife Refuge and Stump Lake National Wildlife Refuge. To reach them proceed south from Lakota on State Highway 1 for 2.1 miles and turn right (west) on a gravel road. Go 5.0 miles and turn left (south). Then turn right (west) at 1.0 mile. After 0.8 mile you will reach a marshy inlet of Rose Lake.

The shallow marsh can be productive in migration and late summer for shorebirds. In the drier fields watch for Bobolink and Grasshopper Sparrow. The wetter edges are good for Marsh and Sedge Wrens, Common Yellowthroat, and Savannah, Le Conte’s, and sometimes Sharp-tailed Sparrows. The lake attracts migrating waterfowl, shorebirds, gulls, and terns.

Continue west for 0.3 mile to another marshy area with the same birds. After 0.8 mile turn left (south) on Nelson County Road #23. Go south for 8.0 miles and turn left (east). Follow the main road as it swings north (3.0 miles) and then east (1.0 mile). After another mile turn left (north). In 1.5 miles you will see Stump Lake on both sides of the road.

This large lake has little vegetation around the perimeter, so few ducks or marsh species actually nest, but some use the area from spring through fall. You may expect lots of grebes (especially Western), American White Pelicans, Double-crested Cormorants, and Ring-billed and Franklin’s Gulls. Occasionally, a Bonaparte’s will put in a late-summer appearance, and in migration watch for White-winged Scoter and Oldsquaw. In spring and from mid-July through early October, the shorelines may be covered with shorebirds. It is a consistent place to find Sanderlings. Piping Plovers may nest.

Continue on to Highway 1 (3.0 miles). Turn south and go 1.7 miles before turning right on the road to the recreation area. After 1.3 miles swing right and continue to Stump Lake Park, a well-wooded area that is ideal for transient passerines and nesting woodland species.

i) Benson County

A rewarding place to look for migrant and nesting woodland birds is Sully’s Hill National Game Preserve. To reach it start in the town of Devils Lake, go south from Highway 2 on Highway 20/57 for 12.0 miles, and turn left at the sign. After 0.6 mile turn left. Go 0.5 mile and turn left again. In 0.2 mile you will cross the cattleguard into the preserve, an area of rolling hills and uplands habitat. Ask at the headquarters for a list of the birds. You may either hike the nature trail (1.2 miles), drive the auto trail (4.5 miles), or do both.

The nature trail winds through excellent deciduous-forest habitat that is good for most of the birds listed under Turtle River State Park. The birds here go crazy when a tape-recording of a Common Screech-owl is played, which is a reliable indication that one of these little owls is in residence. The auto trail goes through a large enclosure, where Bison, Elk, and White-tailed Deer are allowed to roam freely. Because most of the tour traverses uplands and dry-land forests, you probably will not see many birds. Western Grebes, American White Pelicans, and Double-crested Cormorants can be seen anywhere near Devils Lake itself.

j) Ramsey County

One of the best spots for migrant and nesting waterbirds is Lac Aux Mortes National Wildlife Refuge (also known as Lake Alice N.W.R.). To reach it go northwest on U.S. Highway 1 from Devils Lake. After about 13 miles turn right (north) on the road to Penn. Follow this gravel road through town and past Lake Alice. The road is chained off after 9.2 miles. The last few passable miles pass directly between Lake Alice and Chain Lake; you will have water on both sides of the road.

All of the grebes and waterfowl common to this half of the state can be observed in large numbers. In spring Snow Goose numbers may exceed 200,000. American White Pelicans and Double-crested Cormorants use the lake throughout the summer, and there are large nesting colonies of Black-crowned Night Herons and Franklin’s Gulls. Great Blue Herons and American Bitterns are commonly seen, and Great and Cattle Egrets have been showing up in late summer for the past several years. The lake also attracts all of the regular shorebirds, gulls, terns, swallows, and blackbirds. Check the wet, grassy borders of the road for Marsh and Sedge Wrens and for Le Conte’s and Sharp-tailed Sparrows.

SPECIALTIES OF NORTH DAKOTA

Listed below are some of the species found in North Dakota that may be of particular interest to visiting birders. Some may be eastern birds of interest to western birders. Others may be western birds of interest to eastern birders. The purpose of the list is to aid finding each species. Therefore, information is given on abundance, distribution, habitat, and, where possible, on specific locations where each species may be found.

Common Loon—Uncommon summer resident on permanent, freshwater lakes in the Turtle Mountains (Bottineau and Rolette Counties). Try Lake Metigoshe and Sandy Lake. This species is a rare migrant on large ponds and lakes throughout the rest of the state.

Red-necked Grebe—Uncommon summer resident of larger ponds and lakes in the northern portion. Most common in the Turtle Mountains and on J. Clark Salyer Refuge. Also seen with some frequency on Des Lacs (try the Old Lake Road) and Upper Souris Refuges. Rare breeder and uncommon to rare migrant over the rest of the state.

Horned Grebe—Fairly common summer resident on ponds and lakes in the northwest, northeast, and southeast sectors. This species does not nest in large colonies as do the Western and Eared Grebes; hence, it may be harder to find. However, it should be fairly easy to see at places such as Des Lacs, Upper Souris, J. Clark Salyer, Lostwood, Long Lake, and Arrowwood Refuges.

Eared Grebe—Common summer resident on seasonal and permanent ponds and lakes over much of the state. Often nests in large colonies. Hard to miss at such places as Long Lake, Hobart Lake, Arrowwood, Audubon, Des Lacs, Lostwood, Upper Souris, J. Clark Salyer, and Stump Lake Refuges.

Western Grebe—Conspicuous and easy-to-find summer resident on scattered lakes and permanent ponds throughout the northwest, northeast, and southeast sectors. Usually nests in large colonies, and prefers areas with lots of open water. Look for it on Devils Lake and on Des Lacs, Lostwood, Upper Souris, J. Clark Salyer, Arrowwood, Lake Alice, Long Lake, Alkaline Lake, Stump Lake, and Tewaukon Refuges.

American White Pelican—Hard-to-miss summer resident over most of the state. Apparently, the only known breeding colony is on Chase Lake, where there are about 4,000 pairs nesting. Individuals from this colony (and many others which nest in neighboring states) range far and wide all summer. Should be easy to find at Des Lacs, Lostwood, Upper Souris, J. Clark Salyer, Audubon, Arrowwood, Long Lake, Lake Ilo, Bowman-Haley, and Tewaukon Refuges, as well as at Beaver Lake and Baldhill Dam (Lake Ashtabula).

Whistling Swan—Fairly common spring and fall migrant throughout. It can be found on almost any large marsh or lake, including places like Des Lacs, Upper Souris, Lostwood, J. Clark Salyer, Audubon, Arrowwood, Long Lake, and Tewaukon Refuges. The best spot is Hobart Lake, where there are usually hundreds present for several weeks in fall.

Greater White-fronted Goose—Fairly common migrant throughout the western half; uncommon in the eastern half. Found on marshlands or grainfields with congregations of Canada and Snow Geese.

Cinnamon Teal—Rare spring-through-April visitor and probable breeder in marshlands throughout the central and western parts. Occasionally seen in the southeast corner (Tewaukon).

Wood Duck—Fairly common summer resident of wooded streams, rivers, ponds, and lakes through the eastern half. Uncommon in the western half at places like Des Lacs, Upper Souris, and Audubon Refuges—except along the Missouri River below Bismarck, where it is fairly common. Should be easy to find along the Wild Rice and Red (especially at Fargo) Rivers, along the Sheyenne River below Baldhill Dam, and at Arrowwood and J. Clark Salyer Refuges.

White-winged Scoter—Rare migrant on lakes and sewage ponds throughout. Occasionally nests on lakes in the Turtle Mountains and at Des Lacs Refuge.

Hooded Merganser—Rare migrant on water areas throughout. Fairly common summer resident along the woodland-bordered stretch of the Souris River in Bottineau and McHenry Counties (particularly on J. Clark Salyer Refuge). Uncommon to rare breeder at Arrowwood Refuge.

Northern Goshawk—Rare winter visitor/resident and migrant in wooded areas throughout. Some possible areas include the river bottoms of the James, Red, and Sheyenne Rivers in the southeast; Turtle River Park, the Pembina Hills, the Turtle Mountains, the Souris River bottomlands in J. Clark Salyer Refuge, and the forest surrounding Devils Lake in the northeast; and the Missouri and Little Missouri bottomlands and the wooded hills of the badlands in the western half. The Turtle Mountains are probably your best bet.

Broad-winged Hawk—Uncommon to fairly common summer resident of mature, deciduous forests in the Turtle Mountains and Pembina Hills. Rare breeder in other areas with similar habitat in the eastern half. Uncommon migrant through wooded areas of the western half.

Swainson’s Hawk—Common summer resident of prairies and agricultural areas throughout the western three-fourths of the state. Uncommon to rare in the eastern one-fourth. Easy to find.

Rough-legged Hawk—Uncommon to fairly common migrant and winter visitor/resident, in prairies and agricultural areas throughout. Most often seen in November.

Ferruginous Hawk—Fairly common summer resident of open prairies throughout the western and southeast-central portions. Not hard to find. Many people confuse this species with juvenile or light-phase Red-tails. The best mark for separating the two is probably the large, white windows on the upper side of the Ferruginous’ wings. Also, when soaring, the Ferruginous flies with a dihedral (not as pronounced as with the Swainson’s), as opposed to the more flat-winged pattern of the Red-tailed.

Golden Eagle—Uncommon to fairly common permanent resident of the badlands along the Little Missouri River. Uncommon to rare winter visitor throughout. The best areas are the north and south units of the Roosevelt Memorial (including prairies in between) and on the sage-grasslands of Slope and Bowman Counties. The road going south from Marmarth can be especially good. In winter also check Lake Sakakawea, the Missouri River south of Bismarck, and Audubon Refuge.

Bald Eagle—Rare migrant and winter visitor throughout. A pair nested along the Missouri River (McLean County) in 1975, for the first nesting record in several years. In winter it may be found on almost any of the refuges (most likely Audubon), Lake Sakakawea, or along the Missouri River.

Prairie Falcon—Uncommon to rare resident of prairies and badlands in the western quarter. Rare visitor elsewhere. The best areas are the north and south units of the Roosevelt Memorial and Little Missouri and Sully’s Creek State Parks.

Ruffed Grouse—Fairly common to uncommon permanent resident of the Turtle Mountains and Pembina Hills. Can be found almost anywhere in mature deciduous forests throughout these areas. Try the nature trail at Lake Metigoshe State Park, the forest surrounding the Pelican-Sandy Lakes Primitive Recreation Area, the Wakopa and Tongue River Game Management Areas, and the Gunlogson Arboretum.

Greater Prairie Chicken—Rare permanent resident of remnant tracts of tall-grass prairie in Grand Forks, Ransom, and Richland Counties. The booming grounds in Ransom and Richland are on the Sheyenne National Grasslands. However, many of these spots are hard to find and hard to get to because of poor roads. Your best bet is on either of the two game management areas near Manvel in Grand Forks County.

Sharp-tailed Grouse—Common permanent resident over the western half. Fairly common in the central portion, and uncommon to rare across the eastern quarter. Found mostly in mixed-grass prairies and abandoned farm fields. Should be easy to find on the grasslands and sagebrush flats of both units of the Roosevelt Memorial, on the roads going south from Marmarth and Rhame, in the sandhills of Ransom and Richland Counties, in weedy fields along the Missouri River south of Bismarck, and on Des Lacs, Lostwood, J. Clark Salyer, Audubon, Long Lake, and Arrowwood Refuges.

Sage Grouse—Uncommon to fairly common resident of sagebrush prairies in Bowman, Slope, Billings, and Golden Valley Counties. Most common in the western halves of Slope and Bowman Counties. Try the roads going south from Marmarth and Rhame, and the road going north from Marmarth to Amidon. Activity on the dancing grounds usually reaches its peak in April.

Ring-necked Pheasant—Generally uncommon to fairly common resident over most of the state. Prefers weedy fields and ditches, shelterbelts, dry sloughs, and brushy edges of wooded river bottoms. Look for it in Barnes, Ransom, Richland, Sargent, and Dickey Counties; in the sandhills on J. Clark Salyer Refuge; around Lake Ilo; along the Missouri River bottoms near Bismarck; and in the Little Missouri bottomlands of the Roosevelt Memorial.

Gray Partridge—Fairly common resident over most of the state, becoming less common in the northeast. Utilizes much the same habitat as the Ring-necked Pheasant, but is more often found in open prairie areas. Fairly easy to find, particularly in winter when it is often found in the open along the roads.

Wild Turkey—Has been introduced in many areas. Has taken hold in the wooded river bottoms of the Missouri and Sheyenne (locally—around Valley City) Rivers, and in the Little Missouri badlands, where it occupies an upland coniferous-forest habitat. In these areas it is a fairly common to uncommon resident.

Whooping Crane—Rare migrant on its way to and from the nesting grounds in Canada. At those times it may be seen on almost any of the refuges in the western and central portions.

Sandhill Crane—Common migrant throughout the western half; uncommon to rare through much of the eastern half. During migration, may be found in large concentrations on refuges, in grain fields, or simply flying through the air in long skeins.

Yellow Rail—Rare and local summer resident of spring-fed sedge fields in the northern (mostly north-central) portion. Scattered colonies have been reported in recent years from McLean, Mountrail, Bottineau, and Benson Counties. Because of its accessibility, J. Clark Salyer Refuge may offer your best chance of finding it. Check appropriate habitat along the scenic tour.

Piping Plover—Uncommon summer resident of selected alkaline ponds and lakes, and occasionally of freshwater lakes, rivers, and impoundments with open sandy or gravel shores. Watch especially on sandbars along the Missouri River at Bismarck, and on the alkaline lakes and potholes of Lostwood Refuge. Other areas include Long Lake Refuge, J. Clark Salyer Refuge, and the shores of Devils Lake, Stump Lake, and Alkaline Lake.

Lesser Golden Plover—Fairly common migrant throughout, except in the southwest sector where it is uncommon to rare. In fall found in large numbers at places such as Stump Lake, Alkaline Lake, Kelly’s Slough, and the sewage ponds in Fargo, West Fargo, and Grand Forks. Numbers peak in September and October. In spring (mostly mid-April) seems to prefer flooded fields (and even some that are not flooded).

Ruddy Turnstone—Uncommon migrant in the eastern half; rare migrant throughout the western half. Frequently seen on plowed fields (especially flooded ones), and on artificial water impoundments such as sewage ponds, flood-control ponds, and fish-removal ponds. Look for it in Cass and Grand Forks Counties; at the Grand Forks, Fargo, and West Fargo sewage ponds; at Kelly’s Slough; Rush, Alkaline, and Stump Lakes; J. Clark Salyer Refuge; and at the fish hatchery in Valley City.

Long-billed Curlew—An uncommon to rare summer resident of scrub-prairie and short-grass areas in the extreme southwest corner. Most likely in Bowman and Slope Counties. Try the roads going south from Marmarth and Rhame, and the road going north from Marmarth to Amidon.

Upland Sandpiper—Fairly common summer resident of prairie grasslands and wet meadows throughout. Often seen sitting on fence posts in spring. Look for it at Bowman-Haley, Stewart Lake, Lake Ilo, Lostwood, Des Lacs, Upper Souris, J. Clark Salyer, Audubon, Long Lake, Arrowwood, and Tewaukon Refuges; in the Sheyenne Grasslands of Ransom and Richland Counties; and around Kelly’s Slough and the prairie-chicken areas in Grand Forks County. Should be easy to find.

Willet—Fairly common summer resident of prairie potholes, marshes, and lakes throughout. Easy to find at places such as Bowman-Haley, Lake Ilo, Lostwood, Des Lacs, Upper Souris, J. Clark Salyer, Audubon, Long Lake, Arrowwood, Lake Alice, and Tewaukon Refuges; Kelly’s Slough; Rush Lake; Alkaline Lake; and the marshes around Burnstad.

Red Knot—Very rare migrant through the eastern half. Look for it at Tewaukon, Kelly’s Slough, and the sewage ponds at Grand Forks, Fargo, and West Fargo.

White-rumped Sandpiper—Uncommon migrant to water areas throughout. Look for it at Rush Lake, Kelly’s Slough, Stump Lake, Alkaline Lake, Hobart Lake, the sewage ponds at Grand Forks, Fargo, and West Fargo; and on marshes on Long Lake, Des Lacs, Upper Souris, Lostwood, J. Clark Salyer, Audubon, and Arrowwood Refuges.

Baird’s Sandpiper—Fairly common to uncommon migrant to water areas and flooded fields throughout. Can be found at all of the areas listed for the White-rumped Sandpiper.

Dunlin—Uncommon migrant throughout the eastern half; rare in the west. Found on flooded fields as well as on ponds, lake shores, marshes, and sewage ponds. Check Rush, Stump, Hobart, and Alkaline Lakes; Lake Ardoch; Kelly’s Slough; the fish hatchery at Valley City; Tewaukon Refuge; and the sewage ponds at Grand Forks, Fargo, and West Fargo.

Western Sandpiper—Uncommon to rare migrant throughout. Usually associates with Least and Semipalmated Sandpipers, but seems to feed farther out from shore. Difficult to separate from Semipalmated except when in good spring plumage. Look for it on marshes, lake shores, and sewage ponds, or wherever you find other species of “peeps”.

Buff-breasted Sandpiper—Very rare migrant over most of the state; most regular in the northeast. Prefers grassy pastures and plowed fields. Your best bet is to check the farm areas of Grand Forks County.

Marbled Godwit—Fairly common summer resident of prairie wetlands throughout. Often seen on grasslands far removed from water (excluding an occasional stock pond) as at Longspur Pasture. Easy to find at places such as Bowman-Haley, Lake Ilo, Lostwood, Des Lacs, Upper Souris, J. Clark Salyer, Audubon, Arrowwood, Long Lake, Slade, and Tewaukon Refuges; Kelly’s Slough; Alkaline Lake; the marshes around Burnstad; and on the Sheyenne Grasslands of Ransom and Richland Counties.

Hudsonian Godwit—Uncommon to rare migrant to pastures and water areas throughout (less common in the western half). Try Rush Lake, Lake Ardoch, Kelly’s Slough, Long Lake and Tewaukon Refuges, and the sewage ponds at Grand Forks, Fargo, and West Fargo.