Part 9

Northern Waterthrush—Fairly common to uncommon summer resident of wood-bordered bogs, swamps, streams, and lakes in the Turtle Mountains, Pembina Hills, and on the south side of Devils Lake. Fairly common migrant through similar habitat over most of the state.

Mourning Warbler—Uncommon summer resident of forests containing an abundance of secondary growth in the Turtle Mountains and Pembina Hills. Fairly common to uncommon migrant over the remainder of the eastern half; rare in the western half.

Bobolink—Fairly common summer resident of tall and mid-grass prairies, alfalfa and other hayfields, and retired croplands throughout. Easy to find at almost any prairie area. Slightly harder to find in the southwest quarter but try Bowman-Haley and Lake Ilo Refuges, and meadows and alfalfa fields along the Missouri River in Morton County.

Western Meadowlark—Common to abundant summer resident (a few winter) of open country throughout. This is the state bird of North Dakota and is the only meadowlark present. If you miss this one, you are birding with your eyes and ears closed!

Yellow-headed Blackbird—Common summer resident of cattail and bulrush marshes and lake edges throughout. Less common in the southwest quarter. Hard to miss at such places as Kelly’s Slough, the marshes around Burnstad, Rush Lake, and Des Lacs, Lostwood, Upper Souris, J. Clark Salyer, Audubon, Lake Ilo, Bowman-Haley, Long Lake, Slade, Arrowwood, and Tewaukon Refuges.

Orchard Oriole—Fairly common to uncommon summer resident of forest edges, farmyards, shelterbelts, orchards, and residential areas throughout the southern half. Uncommon and local in similar habitat throughout the northern half. Some specific spots include wooded ravines and bottomland forest edges in the south unit of the Roosevelt Memorial, Sully’s Creek Park, the residential areas of Kenmare, the wooded area near the Des Lacs Refuge headquarters, the Sibley Island area at Bismarck, wooded draws surrounding Lake Ashtabula in Barnes County, and at Clausen Springs.

Northern Oriole—The predominant race, the Baltimore Oriole, is a fairly common summer resident of deciduous woodlands, shelterbelts, farmyards, and residential areas throughout the eastern two-thirds (uncommon to rare west of Bismarck). Not hard to find. The other race, the Bullock’s Oriole, is very restricted. It is uncommon and local in riparian stands of cottonwoods in Billings, Slope, and Bowman Counties. Look for it at Sully’s Creek Park, in the residential areas of Marmarth and Medora, along the river and at the campgrounds and picnic grounds in the south unit of the Roosevelt Memorial, and along wooded portions of the Little Missouri River south of Marmarth.

Rusty Blackbird—Uncommon migrant and uncommon to rare winter visitor to bottomland forests, wood lots, and farmyards throughout.

Brewer’s Blackbird—Fairly common summer resident and uncommon to rare winter visitor of open country throughout. Least common in the south-central portion. Not hard to find.

Common Grackle—Common to fairly common summer resident and rare winter visitor of forest edges, farmlands, and residential areas throughout. Easy to find almost anywhere.

Scarlet Tanager—Uncommon summer resident of mature deciduous forests throughout the eastern quarter. Rare breeder in the bottomland forests along the Missouri River at Bismarck. Uncommon migrant throughout the eastern third. Look for it in the Pembina Hills, at Gunlogson Arboretum, Stump Lake Park, Turtle River Park, and along the bottomland forests of the Red, Pembina, Tongue, and Sheyenne (especially in Ransom and Richland Counties) Rivers.

Northern Cardinal—Uncommon permanent resident of brushy tangles in wooded areas along the Red River at Fargo. In summer it is easiest to see at Oak Grove Park. In winter it may be observed at feeding stations along the river.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak—Fairly common summer resident of mature deciduous forests throughout the eastern half. Commonly seen in migration west to Bismarck. Look for it at Oak Grove and Lindenwood Parks in Fargo, Turtle River and Stump Lake Parks, Sully’s Hill Game Preserve, in the Turtle Mountains and Pembina Hills, the Gunlogson Arboretum, J. Clark Salyer and Tewaukon Refuges, Clausen Springs, and in the bottomland forests of the James, Red, and Sheyenne Rivers.

Black-headed Grosbeak—Fairly common to uncommon summer resident of mature deciduous forests bordering the Missouri and Little Missouri Rivers in the western half. Fairly easy to find in the Sibley Island area at Bismarck, at Sully’s Creek and Little Missouri Parks, in the residential areas of Medora and Marmarth, and along the river in both units of the Roosevelt Memorial (especially Squaw Creek campgrounds/picnic grounds in the north unit).

Blue Grosbeak—Rare spring and summer visitor (and possible breeder) to forest edges, prairie thickets, shelterbelts, and agricultural areas throughout. Most likely in the Little Missouri badlands.

Indigo Bunting—Fairly common summer resident of deciduous forests throughout the eastern third. Uncommon breeder along the Missouri River at Bismarck. Look for this striking bird throughout the Pembina Hills, at Turtle River and Stump Lake Parks, Sully’s Hill Game Preserve, Oak Grove and Linden wood Parks in Fargo, along the Red River from Pembina County to Richland County, along the James River in Stutsman County, and in the Sibley Island area at Bismarck. The latter area overlaps the range of the Lazuli Bunting, and you may see mated pairs and hybrids.

Lazuli Bunting—Fairly common summer resident of deciduous forests throughout most of the western half. Like the Indigo Bunting, this species prefers forest edges and semi-open forests to the thickly wooded areas. Should be easy to find at Sully’s Creek and Little Missouri Parks, along the river and at the campgrounds and picnic grounds in both units of Roosevelt Memorial (especially at Squaw Creek campgrounds/picnic grounds in the north unit), along the river on Upper Souris Refuge, and along the Missouri River at Bismarck (try the Sibley Island area).

Dickcissel—Fairly common summer resident of prairie grasslands, alfalfa hayfields, and retired croplands over most of the state. Somewhat cyclic; common one year and hard to find the next. Much less common in the northern third. Look for it at Bowman-Haley, Lake Ilo, Long Lake, Des Lacs (uncommon to rare), J. Clark Salyer, Audubon, Arrowwood, Slade, Tewaukon, and Rose Lake Refuges; in alfalfa and weedy fields along the Missouri River at Bismarck-Mandan; around Lake Ashtabula; along the road to the North Fargo Sewage Lagoons; and along any back roads through open country in the southeast quarter.

Evening Grosbeak—Fairly common but erratic winter visitor to forests, wood lots, farmyards, and residential areas throughout. Easiest to see at feeding stations along river bottoms at such places as Fargo, Grand Forks, Valley City, Jamestown, Devils Lake, Bismarck, and Mandan. This species is more regular than some of the other winter visitors from the north, being present in good numbers during most winters.

Pine Grosbeak—Uncommon and erratic winter visitor to forests, wood lots, orchards, farmyards, and residential areas over most of the state. Less common in the southwestern quarter. Look for it at Des Lacs Refuge, throughout the Turtle Mountains and Pembina Hills, at Turtle River Park, Lindenwood Park and Riverside Cemetery in Fargo, Sully’s Hill Game Preserve, and along wooded river bottoms (such as the Missouri, James, Red, and Sheyenne) across the eastern two-thirds.

Gray-crowned Rosy Finch—Occasional winter visitor to open country in the extreme western part of the state. Most likely in the Little Missouri badlands. Often found in large flocks. Over the rest of the state single birds may show up at feeding stations with flocks of juncos.

Hoary Redpoll—Rare and erratic winter visitor to open country and feeding stations throughout. More common in the eastern half. Usually found with flocks of Common Redpolls. During invasion years it may be uncommon from Bismarck east.

Common Redpoll—Common but erratic winter visitor to open country throughout. Frequents feeding stations in residential areas. Preferred spots include forest edges, weed-filled ditches, dry sloughs, and sunflower fields. Some winters totally absent; when present can usually be found in good numbers almost anywhere.

Red Crossbill—Fairly common but erratic winter visitor to forests, parks, cemeteries, tree lines, and residential areas throughout. Partial to plantings of conifers, but may frequent feeding stations in large numbers. After invasion winters, scattered pairs often nest over much of the state. During good winters often easier to find in the vicinity of Lindenwood Park and Riverside Cemetery in Fargo than elsewhere.

White-winged Crossbill—Rare and erratic winter visitor to woodlands and residential feeding stations throughout. Apparently, more common in the eastern half. Found in the same habitat as the Red Crossbill.

Lark Bunting—Common to abundant summer resident of sage prairies, grasslands, weedy fields, and retired croplands throughout the western two-thirds. Uncommon to rare east of Jamestown. Most abundant in the southwest sector.

Baird’s Sparrow—Fairly common to uncommon summer resident of mixed-grass prairies, alfalfa hayfields, and retired croplands throughout much of the western three-fourths of the state. For the most part rare or absent east of Stutsman County. The preferred habitat seems to be mixed-grass prairie dotted with wolfberry and silverberry shrubs. Tall-grass areas bordering prairie potholes and lakes are also frequented. Some of the better areas include Bowman-Haley, Lake Ilo, Lostwood, Des Lacs, Upper Souris, J. Clark Salyer (grasslands tour), Audubon, Arrowwood, and Long Lake Refuges; Longspur Pasture; and the edges of Salt Alkaline Lake. Of these, Longspur Pasture is probably the easiest place to find it.

The Baird’s Sparrow has a song consisting of three short “tic”’s followed by a musical trill, somewhat like the song of the Savannah Sparrow. The song usually given by the Grasshopper Sparrow is similar in pattern, but has more of an insect-like quality to the trill. The Grasshopper Sparrow also has a second song, which is also very similar to that of the Baird’s. With practice you will learn to distinguish between the two, but at first you will have to see the bird to make sure.

Le Conte’s Sparrow—Fairly common summer resident of sedge fields, wet meadows and lake borders, alfalfa hayfields, and retired croplands throughout much of the eastern half. Fairly common in the Kenmare area as well. This rather shy sparrow often undergoes yearly population fluctuations, which are dependent upon water levels. During dry years it is often absent from many of its regular breeding locations. (This is especially true in the Kenmare area.) Some of the more dependable spots include Lostwood, Des Lacs, J. Clark Salyer, Arrowwood, Audubon, Lake Alice, Rose Lake, and Tewaukon Refuges; Kelly’s Slough; Lake Ardoch; and the area surrounding the Sanborne Waterfowl Production Area in Barnes County. Of these spots J. Clark Salyer, Kelly’s Slough, and the Rose Lake area are probably your best bets.

Sharp-tailed Sparrow—Locally fairly common to uncommon summer resident of sedge fields, wet meadows, and marshes with much emergent vegetation over much of the eastern half and northwest quarter. Undergoes frequent fluctuations of breeding populations. Unlike the Le Conte’s, the Sharp-tailed is more common during dry years. When the water levels of marshes are lowered, there is more emergent vegetation to utilize as a nesting habitat. Look for it at such places as Lostwood, Des Lacs, J. Clark Salyer, Arrowwood, Long Lake, Slade, Lake Alice, Rose Lake, and Tewaukon Refuges; Rush Lake; the Sanborne Waterfowl Production Area in Barnes County; and in proper habitat throughout Sargent, Stutsman, Benson, and Nelson Counties.

American Tree Sparrow—Common migrant and uncommon winter visitor to weedy fields and ditches, retired croplands, sunflower fields, and feeding stations throughout. Not hard to find.

Clay-colored Sparrow—Common summer resident of prairie thickets, shelterbelts, brushy wood margins, and retired croplands throughout. If you miss this species, you are probably not birding.

Brewer’s Sparrow—Fairly common summer resident of sage prairies in the southwest corner. Largely restricted to the western portions of Slope and Bowman Counties. Local populations occur in Billings and Golden Valley Counties. Easy to find along the road going south from Marmarth.

If you are not familiar with this species, you may have trouble in differentiating between it and the Clay-colored Sparrow. The songs of the two species are very different and are the easiest way to tell them apart. The Clay-colored has a very low buzzy song of short duration. The Brewer’s has a series of trills.

Field Sparrow—Fairly common summer resident of sage flats, prairie thickets, brushy ravines, and wood margins in the western half. Uncommon summer resident of sandhills and brushy margins of the Sheyenne River in Barnes, Ransom, and Richland Counties. Uncommon migrant elsewhere. Easy to find along the Missouri River at Bismarck, at Sully’s Creek State Park, and in both units of the Roosevelt Memorial.

Harris’ Sparrow—Common migrant and rare winter visitor to brushy wood margins, shelterbelts, wood lots, parks, residential areas, and feeding stations throughout. Not hard to find.

Swamp Sparrow—Uncommon and local summer resident of brushy bogs scattered throughout the eastern half. Isolated colonies have been located in Bottineau, Benson, LaMoure, Kidder, Dickey, and Sargent Counties in recent years (Stewart, _Breeding Birds of North Dakota_, 1975). Uncommon migrant through wood-bordered streams, ponds, lakes, and marshy areas west to about Bismarck.

McCown’s Longspur—Locally fairly common to uncommon summer resident of short-grass prairies, stubble fields, and summer fallow fields in the northwest and southwest corners of the state. Look along the roads going south from Rhame and Marmarth, in the stubble fields around Bowman-Haley Refuge, in the Kenmare area, in the south unit of the Roosevelt Memorial, the stubble fields of central McKenzie County, and in the vicinity of Crosby (Divide County).

Lapland Longspur—Common migrant and uncommon winter visitor to open country throughout. Can be seen in large flocks around marshy areas during migration. Some flocks may contain thousands of birds. In winter look for it along roadsides with Horned Larks and Snow Buntings.

Smith’s Longspur—Rare migrant in open country throughout much of the eastern two-thirds (more common in the eastern one-fourth). Usually found in flocks of Lapland Longspurs, but occasionally occurs in large, pure flocks in the fall, particularly around marshes in the southeast sector. Try the North Fargo Sewage Lagoons and the waterfowl production areas near Alice (Cass County).

Chestnut-collared Longspur—Common summer resident of mixed-grass prairies, short-grass prairies, pastures, stubble fields, fallow fields, and retired croplands throughout (rare in Steele, Traill, Cass, Ransom, and Richland Counties). Hard to miss at such places as Bowman-Haley, Lake Ilo, Stewart Lake, Lostwood, Des Lacs, Upper Souris, J. Clark Salyer (grasslands tour), Audubon, Long Lake, Arrowwood, and Salde Refuges; along the roads going south from Marmarth and Rhame; at Longspur Pasture; and in prairie grasslands.

Snow Bunting—Common winter visitor to open country throughout. Less common in the southwest corner. Easy to find just by driving any roads (with the possible exception of interstates) leading through prairies or agricultural areas. Often seen right along the road feeding with Horned Larks.

BIRDS OF NORTH DAKOTA

The following charts include all species of wild birds occurring in North Dakota.

The bar-graphs are designed to give a conservative idea of your chances of finding a particular species rather than of its abundance. Thus a large bird such as the Red-tailed Hawk may be shown as “hard to miss” while a shy, hard-to-identify, or small bird such as the Sharp-tailed Sparrow may occur in greater numbers, but be shown as “may see.”

HARD TO MISS ###### SHOULD SEE xxxxxx MAY SEE ====== LUCKY TO FIND ------ HOW LUCKY CAN YOU GET ......

Many local birders and others who bird the area frequently were consulted in determining the status of each bird. Since these people are familiar with the birds, their songs, habits, and habitats, they are good at finding the more elusive species. On your first trip to the area, you may think that some birds are harder to find than is indicated here.

If you are in the RIGHT HABITAT and the RIGHT AREA at the RIGHT SEASON, you should be able to find the “hard to miss” birds on nearly every field trip; the “should see” on 3 out of 4 trips; the “may see” on 1 out of 4 trips; and the “lucky to find” on 1 out of 10 trips or even less frequently. The “how lucky can you get” species occur at very infrequent intervals or take an expert to identify.

Although “forget it” is the answer that you will probably receive when inquiring about your chances of seeing a very rare species, do not stop looking. Adding a rarity to your list is what puts the topping on a trip. If you are positive of your identification, take careful notes and report your find to the regional editor of _American Birds_: Esther M. Serr, 615 8th Street, Rapid City, S.D. 57701.

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