Part 8

American Avocet—Fairly common summer resident of alkaline lakes and ponds and shallow wetlands throughout (absent as a nesting species over much of the southwest). Also commonly seen during migration and throughout the summer on sewage ponds and other areas where it does not nest. Easy to find at Bowman-Haley, Lostwood, Des Lacs, Upper Souris, J. Clark Salyer, Audubon, Long Lake, Arrowwood, Stump Lake, and Tewaukon Refuges; Kelly’s Slough; Alkaline Lake; Rush Lake; Hobart Lake; and the North Fargo sewage ponds.

Wilson’s Phalarope—Common summer resident of prairie wetlands throughout. Almost impossible to miss, especially in late summer when it congregates in large numbers on certain water areas such as Hobart Lake, Kelly’s Slough, and the North Fargo sewage ponds. Look for it on almost any of the wildlife refuges, game management areas, and waterfowl production areas.

Northern Phalarope—Fairly common to uncommon migrant to wetlands, lakes, and sewage ponds throughout. Look for it in flocks of Wilson’s Phalarope. In the northwest (around Kenmare) it is more common and can often be seen in large numbers.

Migrant Shorebirds—In North Dakota the following species can be considered purely migratory (The species marked by asterisks may be expected in large numbers.): Semipalmated, Lesser Golden*, and Black-bellied* Plovers; Ruddy Turnstone; Greater and Lesser* Yellowlegs; Red Knot; Short-billed and Long-billed Dowitchers*; Dunlin; Solitary, Pectoral*, White-rumped, Baird’s, Least*, Western, Semipalmated*, Stilt*, and Buff-breasted Sandpipers; Sanderling; Hudsonian Godwit; and Northern Phalarope. Remember that some species which breed in one part of the state may occur only as migrants in other areas. Migrating shorebirds can be found almost anywhere where there is water. Preferred areas include sewage ponds, prairie wetlands, flooded fields in agricultural areas, impounded river areas, and shores of larger lakes. Some specific spots are Long Lake, Des Lacs, Upper Souris, Lostwood, J. Clark Salyer, and Stump Lake Refuges; Kelly’s Slough; Rush Lake; Alkaline Lake; Lake Ardoch; Hobart Lake; the river and settling ponds below Baldhill Dam; the ponds at the Valley City fish hatchery; and the sewage ponds at Fargo and Grand Forks. Shorebird migration is usually a continuous movement from late April through mid-October with peaks during the first two weeks in May and the entire month of August.

California Gull—Uncommon summer resident of scattered lakes (usually alkaline) throughout. Occurs over a larger portion of the state as a summer visitor. There are only a handful of known breeding colonies in the state. The best known is probably the one at Chase Lake. A more accessible colony is located near Westby (page 61). Bob Stewart lists these additional colonies: Stony Lake in Kidder County, East Devils Lake in Ramsey County, and Lake Williams in McLean County (_Breeding Birds of North Dakota_, 1975). Other areas are Bowman-Haley, Audubon, Lostwood, Des Lacs, Long Lake, and Arrowwood Refuges, and Alkaline Lake.

Franklin’s Gull—Common summer resident of extensive marshlands throughout the northern half and southeast quarter. Nesting colonies can be found on Devils Lake, Lake Alice, Stump Lake, marshlands in Sargent County, and on Long Lake, Upper Souris, and J. Clark Salyer Refuges. Non-nesting birds can be found almost anywhere that wetlands exist. In fall it moves south in large concentrations numbering in the tens of thousands.

Bonaparte’s Gull—Uncommon to rare migrant and post-nesting visitor to water areas throughout. Most likely in the southeast quarter. Usually occurs with flocks of Franklin’s Gulls. Try the sewage ponds at Fargo in late summer, or the marshlands in Sargent and Dickey Counties.

Common Tern—Uncommon and local summer resident of large lakes and river impoundments at scattered locations in the central and northwest portions. Look for it on Long Lake, Audubon, Des Lacs, Upper Souris, and J. Clark Salyer Refuges, and on various lakes in the Turtle Mountains.

The Forster’s Tern is more common. The two species can be separated by bill color (more reddish in Common, orange in Forster’s), tail color (white to gray in Common, gray to white in Forster’s—going from the inside or central tail-feathers out), and color of the primaries (darker in Common, very white in Forster’s). The latter is probably the best mark.

Little Tern—Uncommon summer resident of sandbars along the Missouri River near Bismarck. Some years no nesting occurs, because of flooding. To find this species keep checking exposed sandbars along the river in the Bismarck-Mandan vicinity. Try first from the ends of 12th and Washington Streets in Bismarck, or in the vicinity of the Girl Scout camp southwest of that city.

Black-billed Cuckoo—Uncommon to fairly common summer resident of woodland margins, shelterbelts, wood lots, prairie thickets, and wooded coulees throughout. Look for it at Tasker’s Coulee; Sully’s Creek Park; the south unit of the Roosevelt Memorial; the Missouri River floodplain near Bismarck; Upper Souris, Des Lacs, and J. Clark Salyer Refuges; Lake Metigoshe and Icelandic State Parks; the Gunlogson Arboretum; Wakopa and Tongue River Game Management Areas; Sully’s Hill Game Preserve; Turtle River Park; Stump Lake Park; and the bottomlands of the James and Sheyenne Rivers (Stutsman, Barnes, Ransom, and Richland Counties).

Snowy Owl—Uncommon and irregular winter visitor to open country throughout. A few of these large arctic wanderers are present every winter. However, in some winters it may be hard to find while in others it seems to be almost common. There are no specific spots. Just drive the back-country roads any time from December through March. A few can usually be found every winter in Cass County, often right along the roads.

Burrowing Owl—Uncommon summer resident of heavily-grazed prairie throughout the western three-fourths of the state. Look for it on Arrowwood, Long Lake, Audubon, Des Lacs, Upper Souris, Lostwood, J. Clark Salyer, Chase Lake, Lake Ilo, Bowman-Haley, and Stewart Lake Refuges; Salt Alkaline Lake; prairie-dog towns in both units of the Roosevelt Memorial; and south of Marmarth.

Barred Owl—Rare resident of Sheyenne River bottomlands in Ransom and Richland Counties. Occasionally recorded in winter elsewhere in the eastern half, particularly along the Red River.

Short-eared Owl—Uncommon and cyclic resident of grasslands, wet meadows, and fallow fields throughout. In some years fairly common, in others hard to find. An influx of migrants from the north sometimes appears in November. Look at Bowman-Haley, Lake Ilo, Des Lacs, Upper Souris, J. Clark Salyer, Arrowwood, Long Lake, and Tewaukon Refuges.

Saw-whet Owl—Rare winter visitor to conifer stands, alder thickets, and residential areas throughout the eastern half. May be an occasional summer resident in the Turtle Mountains, Pembina Hills, and on the south side of Devils Lake (Sully’s Hill Game Preserve).

Poor-will—Uncommon summer resident of brushy slopes and ravines in the badlands and pine forests of Slope County. Rare in the south unit of the Roosevelt Memorial. Listen for it near the Columnar Juniper Area.

Chimney Swift—Uncommon to fairly common summer resident of towns and cities throughout. More common in the eastern half. Look for it in Fargo, Grand Forks, Devils Lake, Wahpeton, Valley City, Jamestown, Bismarck-Mandan, Minot, Dickinson, and Williston. Should be fairly easy to find in most towns and cities along the Red and Sheyenne Rivers.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird—Uncommon summer resident of deciduous-woods margins in the Turtle Mountains, Pembina Hills, south side of Devils Lake, and along the Souris (J. Clark Salyer), James (Jamestown), and Sheyenne (Valley City to Baldhill Dam) Rivers. Occurs elsewhere throughout the central and eastern portions as an uncommon to fairly common migrant.

Common Flicker—Common summer resident (a few winter) of open woodlands throughout. Both races are found, and many interesting and confusing hybrids occur. The predominant race is the Yellow-shafted. The Red-shafted race occurs throughout the western half, but is common only in the Little Missouri badlands.

Pileated Woodpecker—Uncommon to rare resident of mature woodlands along the Red River in Cass County (and possibly in Grand Forks) and along the Sheyenne River in Ransom and Richland Counties. More common along the Red River at Fargo in winter.

Red-headed Woodpecker—Fairly common to uncommon summer resident of open woodlands and agricultural areas (shelter belts, orchards, farmyards, etc.) throughout (range in the northwest is limited). Look for it in Lindenwood Park (Fargo), the Sibley Island area in Bismarck, Sully’s Creek Park, the Pembina Hills, Turtle River Park, and in the bottomlands of the James, Red, and Sheyenne Rivers.

Eastern Kingbird—Common summer resident of open areas throughout. Nests in hedgerows, shelterbelts, woodlots, farmyards, prairie thickets, and along the edges of extensive woodlands. Commonly seen perched on barbed-wire fences along the highways. Hard to miss.

Western Kingbird—Common summer resident throughout. Can be found in much the same habitat as the Eastern. However, the Western is often found in more wooded areas such as open bottomland forests and residential areas. Even then it is still basically an edge-habitat species. Hard to miss.

Great Crested Flycatcher—Fairly common summer resident of mature deciduous forests throughout the eastern half. Uncommon to rare in the bottomland forests of the Missouri River near Bismarck-Mandan. Look for it in places such as J. Clark Salyer Refuge (uncommon), throughout the Turtle Mountain and Pembina Hills, Turtle River Park, Sully’s Hill Game Preserve, Stump Lake Park, Little Yellowstone Park, and in the bottomland forests of the James (Stutsman County), Sheyenne (Barnes, Ransom, and Richland Counties), and Red (try especially at Lindenwood and Oak Grove Parks in Fargo) Rivers.

Say’s Phoebe—Uncommon summer resident of badlands, sharply eroded buttes, and agricultural areas throughout the western half. Rare east of J. Clark Salyer Refuge. Prefers badlands-type habitat, but also nests under the eaves of farm buildings and under small bridges. Look for it in either unit of the Roosevelt Memorial, at Little Missouri and Sully’s Creek Parks, along the roads going south from Marmarth and Rhame in Bowman County, along Highway 1806 in the badlands area south of Mandan (Morton County), and near Kenmare.

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher—Rare migrant in wooded areas throughout the eastern half. Try the Turtle Mountains, Pembina Hills, Turtle River State Park, Sully’s Hill Game Preserve, and Lindenwood and Oak Grove Parks.

Willow Flycatcher—Fairly common to uncommon summer resident of shelterbelts, prairie thickets and swales, and wood edges. You may hear its distinctive “FITZ-bew” call often before actually seeing the bird. In areas where the Least Flycatcher is found, song is probably the only safe way to separate the two, although the Least is seldom found in prairie areas. Look for the Willow Flycatcher throughout the Turtle Mountains and Pembina Hills, in edge habitat along the James and Sheyenne Rivers, at Sully’s Creek Park, and on Bowman-Haley, Lake Ilo, Lostwood, Des Lacs, Upper Souris, J. Clark Salyer, Arrowwood, and Slade Refuges.

Alder Flycatcher—Uncommon to rare migrant through wooded areas in the eastern third. May nest in the Pembina Hills. This species was formerly considered conspecific with the Willow Flycatcher as the Traill’s Flycatcher. Safely separable from other members of the genus only by song, which sounds like “fee-BEE-o”.

Least Flycatcher—Common summer resident of deciduous forests and wooded farm habitats (like orchards and shelterbelts) throughout. Less common in the western half (with the exception of the Kenmare area). Look for it at such places as Sully’s Creek Park; the campgrounds in both units of the Roosevelt Memorial; wooded portions of Lake Ilo, Des Lacs, Lostwood, Upper Souris, J. Clark Salyer, Arrowwood, and Tewaukon Refuges; Tasker’s Coulee; throughout the Turtle Mountains and Pembina Hills; Turtle River Park; Stump Lake Park; Sully’s Hill Game Preserve; Clausen Springs; and along the bottomland forests of the Missouri, James, Red, and Sheyenne Rivers.

Eastern Pewee—Common to fairly common summer resident of wooded areas throughout the eastern two-thirds. Uncommon in the western edge of this area along the Missouri River at Bismarck, and on wooded portions of Des Lacs and Upper Souris Refuges. Look for it throughout the Turtle Mountains and Pembina Hills; on J. Clark Salyer and Tewaukon Refuges; at Turtle River Park; Stump Lake Park; Sully’s Hill Game Preserve; and along wooded bottomlands of the James, Sheyenne, and Red (try Lindenwood and Oak Grove Parks) Rivers.

Western Pewee—Uncommon to rare summer resident of wooded bottomlands along the Little Missouri River. Look for it in both units of the Roosevelt Memorial, at Sully’s Creek Park, and in wooded residential areas of Medora and Marmarth. This species has a harsh call which is quite different from the “pee-a-wee” of the Eastern Pewee. It can often be separated by sight as well. The Western has a dusky breast and flanks with a light “zipper” extending upward to the upper breast something like an Olive-sided Flycatcher.

Blue Jay—Fairly common permanent resident of deciduous woodlands west to Bismarck. Uncommon in the southwest quarter and uncommon to rare in the northwest quarter. Not hard to find in the Turtle Mountains and Pembina Hills, at Turtle River Park, Stump Lake Park, Sully’s Hill Game Preserve, Linden wood and Oak Grove Parks in Fargo, Little Yellowstone Park, Sully’s Creek Park, Little Missouri Park, the campgrounds of both units of the Roosevelt Memorial, the Sibley Island area at Bismarck, and in bottomland forests along the James, Red, and Sheyenne Rivers.

Black-billed Magpie—Fairly common permanent resident of wood margins, prairie thickets, and agricultural areas throughout much of the western half. Uncommon breeder in the Turtle Mountains and Devils Lake regions. Uncommon winter visitor over the rest of the state. Easy to find in both units of the Roosevelt Memorial, Sully’s Creek and Little Missouri Parks; western Bowman, Slope, and Golden Valley Counties; the Williston area; and along the Missouri River near Bismarck. Look for it also on Lostwood, Des Lacs, Upper Souris, and J. Clark Salyer (especially the sandhills) Refuges. In the east look for it in winter in the Turtle Mountains, Pembina Hills, on the south side of Devils Lake, Arrowwood Refuge, and in the Valley City area.

Black-capped Chickadee—Fairly common permanent resident of deciduous forests throughout. In winter it is commonly seen in residential areas. Should be easy to find at such places as Sully’s Creek Park, along the river and in wooded draws in both units of the Roosevelt Memorial, Upper Souris and J. Clark Salyer Refuges, throughout the Turtle Mountains and Pembina Hills, Turtle River Park, Stump Lake Park, Sully’s Hill Game Preserve, and along portions of the Missouri (near Bismarck), James (Stutsman County), Sheyenne (Barnes, Ransom, and Richland Counties), and Red (around Fargo) Rivers.

Sedge Wren—Fairly common summer resident of sedge fields, wet meadows, grassy edges of seasonal ponds, retired croplands, and alfalfa hayfields in the northwest, northeast, and southeast sectors. Found in the southwest only in alfalfa fields bordering the Missouri and its tributaries in Morton County. Look for it at Kelly’s Slough; Rush Lake; Lake Ardoch; the Little Heart River crossing; Des Lacs, Lostwood, Upper Souris, J. Clark Salyer, Rose Lake, Lake Alice, Arrowwood, Long Lake, and Tewaukon Refuges; and in suitable habitat in the Turtle Mountains. Of these, J. Clark Salyer Refuge may be best.

Rock Wren—Locally fairly common to uncommon summer resident of eroded buttes and desert-like arroyos in the western half. Look for it in both units of the Roosevelt Memorial, Sully’s Creek and Little Missouri Parks, the badlands area south of Mandan on Highway 1806, and in appropriate habitat along the roads going south from Marmarth and Rhame.

Gray Catbird—Common summer resident of brushy forest edges, prairie thickets, and shelterbelts throughout. Easy to find at Sully’s Creek Park, both units of Roosevelt Memorial, Lake Ilo, Des Lacs, Lostwood, Upper Souris, J. Clark Salyer, Arrowwood, and Tewaukon Refuges; throughout the Turtle Mountains and Pembina Hills; at Turtle River Park; Stump Lake Park; Sully’s Hill Game Preserve; and along the wooded bottomlands of the James, Missouri, Red, and Sheyenne Rivers.

Brown Thrasher—Common to fairly common summer resident throughout. Occupies much the same habitat and areas as the Catbird. Occurs more often in residential areas.

Gray-cheeked Thrush—Fairly common migrant in wooded parks, bottomlands, hills, coulees, and residential areas throughout most of the state. Fairly easy to find during May (harder to find in fall) at such places as Lindenwood Park; Turtle River, Little Yellowstone, and Stump Lake Parks; Sully’s Hill Game Preserve; Upper Souris, Des Lacs, and J. Clark Salyer Refuges; throughout the Turtle Mountains and Pembina Hills; and in wooded bottomlands of the Missouri (at Bismarck), James, Sheyenne, and Red Rivers.

Eastern Bluebird—Uncommon summer resident of forest edges, sandhills, orchards, shelterbelts, and agricultural areas throughout (rare in the southwest quarter). Most common in the southeast corner and in the Turtle Mountains. Some of the better areas are around Lake Ashtabula and Clausen Springs in Barnes County, and in the Sheyenne River bottomlands, sandhills, and grasslands in Ransom and Richland Counties. Try also appropriate habitat along the James River near Jamestown, and along the Missouri River near Bismarck and Mandan.

Mountain Bluebird—Fairly common summer resident of scrub prairie, dry slopes, and wooded coulees in the badlands of the western third. Uncommon to rare summer resident of forest-edge (usually near aspen stands) habitats in the Turtle Mountains and on J. Clark Salyer Refuge (sandhills area). Fairly common to uncommon migrant on prairies and agricultural areas throughout the remainder of the western half. Rare early-spring migrant over the rest of the state. Should be fairly easy to find in both units of the Roosevelt Memorial (especially along the Caprock Coulee Trail in the north unit), Little Missouri Park, the sandhills area of J. Clark Salyer Refuge, and throughout the Kenmare area during the second half of March.

Townsend’s Solitaire—Rare winter visitor/resident of wooded areas throughout the western half. Prefers deciduous river bottoms (Little Missouri River), coniferous slopes (badlands), and conifer stands in and around towns and cities. Look for it anywhere in the badlands or at the Northern Great Plains Research Station in Mandan.

Sprague’s Pipit—Fairly common but local summer resident of mixed-grass prairies and grassy lake borders throughout most of the western and central portions, but uncommon to rare in the eastern third. Uncommon migrant throughout. Should be easy to find at such places as Des Lacs, Lostwood, J. Clark Salyer (grasslands tour), Audubon, and Arrowwood Refuges; Longspur Pasture; and in appropriate habitat over much of Mountrail, Kidder, and Stutsman Counties.

Bohemian Waxwing—Fairly common but sporadic winter visitor to wooded habitats and residential areas throughout. In winters when present, often found in large flocks in bottomland forest, wood lots, city parks, crab-apple orchards, and residential areas. In fact it can be found anywhere where there are fruit-bearing trees or shrubs. During non-invasion years; can be impossible to find.

Northern Shrike—Uncommon winter visitor to prairies, agricultural areas, and open woodlands throughout. Often hangs out around feeding stations and picks off smaller birds. One of its favorite habitats is a dry slough with lots of willow growth. Here it can find an abundance of shrews, voles, and mice. Likes to perch in conspicuous places.

Bell’s Vireo—Rare and local summer resident of wooded bottomlands along the Missouri River at Bismarck. Try the Sibley Island area. Has a very distinctive “hurried-up” song, which is useful in locating this rather drab bird.

Yellow-throated Vireo—Fairly common to uncommon summer resident of mature deciduous forests throughout the eastern half. Look for it throughout the Turtle Mountains and Pembina Hills, on J. Clark Salyer Refuge, at Stump Lake and Turtle River Parks, Sully’s Hill Game Preserve, Lindenwood Park, and along bottomland forests of the James (in Stutsman County) and Sheyenne (in Barnes, Ransom, and Richland Counties) Rivers.

Red-eyed Vireo—Common summer resident of deciduous forests throughout. Should be easy to find at such places as Sully’s Creek and Turtle River Parks; along the river in both units of the Roosevelt Memorial; Des Lacs, Upper Souris, J. Clark Salyer, and Tewaukon Refuges; throughout the Turtle Mountains and Pembina Hills; Stump Lake Park; Sully’s Hill Game Preserve; the Sibley Island area at Bismarck; Lindenwood Park; and along stretches of the James (Stutsman County), Sheyenne (Barnes, Ransom, and Richland Counties), and Red Rivers.

Philadelphia Vireo—Uncommon summer resident of aspen forests of the Turtle Mountains. Look for it at Lake Metigoshe State Park and the Wakopa Game Management Area. Uncommon migrant through deciduous woodlands throughout the rest of the eastern half. In migration look for it at Turtle River and Stump Lake Parks, Sully’s Hill Game Preserve, J. Clark Salyer Refuge, Lindenwood Park, Icelandic Park, Gunlogson Arboretum, Tongue River Game Management Area, in all appropriate habitat in the Pembina Hills, and along the bottomland forests of the James, Sheyenne, and Red Rivers.

Migrant warblers—Occur in wooded habitats, shelterbelts, and residential areas throughout. More species and individuals can be found in the eastern half. The greatest diversity of migrant warblers usually occurs along the Red River at Fargo, where one may see as many as twenty species in one day. The species which regularly occur as migrants (some may nest) over the eastern half of the state include Black-and-white, Tennessee, Orange-crowned, Nashville, Yellow, Magnolia, Cape May, Yellow-rumped (Myrtle), Black-throated Green, Blackburnian, Chestnut-sided, Bay-breasted, Blackpoll, Palm, Connecticut, Mourning, Wilson’s, and Canada Warblers; Ovenbird; Northern Waterthrush; and American Redstart. Other species which can be seen in the east but with less regularity are Prothonotary, Golden-winged, Northern Parula, Black-throated Blue, and Cerulean Warblers. In addition, the Yellow-rumped (Audubon’s) Warbler, MacGillivray’s Warbler, and Yellow-breasted Chat can be found in the western half. The peak movements of warblers usually occur in mid-May and September.

Chestnut-sided Warbler—Uncommon to rare summer resident of deciduous forest edges and secondary growth in the Turtle Mountains and Pembina Hills. Fairly common to uncommon migrant throughout the eastern third; rare farther west.

Ovenbird—Common migrant and fairly common to uncommon summer resident of mature deciduous forests (especially bottomland forest) in scattered areas throughout. Look for it in summer along the Little Missouri River in both units of the Roosevelt Memorial (check the campgrounds and picnic areas), at Sully’s Creek and Little Missouri Parks, Tasker’s Coulee, J. Clark Salyer Refuge, throughout the Turtle Mountains and Pembina Hills, Sully’s Hill Game Preserve, Stump Lake Park, along the Missouri River at Bismarck (Sibley Island area), and in the bottomland forests of the Sheyenne River in Ransom and Richland Counties.