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Chase Lake National Wildlife Refuge, home of the Chase Lake Prairie Project, which is a flagship project for the Prairie Pothold Joint Venture of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. Initiated in 1989, the Chase Lake Prairie Project embraces 5.5 million acres (8600 square miles) of wildlife-rich land in 11 counties. In 1975, over 4,100 acres were designated as the Chase Lake Wilderness Area, one of only three wilderness areas in North Dakota. This refuge supports the largest North American nesting colony of the American White Pelican as well as gulls, terns and shorebirds.
Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge was established as a nesting and breeding ground for migratory waterfowl and other wildlife. Arrowwood's 15,934 acres are made up of lakes, marshes, prairie grasslands, wooded coulees, and cultivated fields; here visitors can go on a 5.5-mile auto tour where they will see various waterfowl, shorebirds, dancing sharp tail grouse and various grassland songbirds.
The Arrowwood Leg of the Historic Fort Totten Trail – This 9-mile backcountry trail was carved out of the beauty of Arrowwood with nature enthusiasts in mind. Bike, hike or go on horseback to enjoy a close and personal encounter with nature! (Click here for map).
A refuge designated as an Important Bird Area by the American Bird Conservancy, and just recently, a Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network Site, Long Lake is about 18 miles long and ranges from three-eighths to two miles wide. The Refuge contains 22,300 acres, 16,000 of which are lake bottom, with rolling prairie and cultivated uplands on the remaining 6,300 acres. Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge Bird Checklist
Valley City Wetlands Management District encompasses the scenic Sheyenne River Valley, which is part of a National Scenic Byway. The area is noted for its abundance of woodland birds including the pileated woodpecker.
Coteau Region
The Coteau region of North Dakota is a prime waterfowl nesting region of North America. The eighteen counties of North Dakota which make up the Coteau contain over one million temporary, seasonal, and semi-permanent wetlands that cover over 1.3 million acres. The average density of these three classes of wetlands is nearly 42 per square mile. These numerous wetlands coupled with adequate cover attract millions of nesting waterfowl and shore birds each year.
Edward R. Brigham III Alkali Lake Sanctuary
The National Audubon Society manages this 2000 acre sanctuary, which encompasses 500 acre Alkali Lake. Besides the alkali lake, this reserve also contains a narrow fringe of deciduous woodland, and some restored grassland.
Jamestown Reservoir
This 2,095-acre lake is located on the James River at the north end of Jamestown and extends north to the southern boundry of Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge. Scope waterbirds as they return to the top of the dam. Common Loons and various grebes might be seen here in migration, along with many other species of waterfowl and gulls.
Jamestown Sewage Lagoons
In the northern plains, sewage lagoons are important stopover points for many species of waterfowl and shorebirds. Typically, hundreds or even thousands of birds are present on the cells. Eared Grebes and Ruddy Ducks are usually plentiful, and several species of gulls are regular in summer and migration. A few Greater Scaups can usually be found here in spring and fall, and large numbers of phalaropes stage on the various ponds. Shorebirds are usually present, including a few Ruddy Turnstones in late May. In October you might find a scoter or two on the lagoon.
Pipestem Reservoir
This 840-acre lake is surrounded by 3400 acres of upland open to public use. Scope here in migration for Common Loons, grebes, and other waterfowl. Spot a rare scoter in October, walk the wooded ares for migrants.
James River
This river is an important north-south migration corridor for many birds. During spring and fall migration the trees and water in the park provide excellent stopover habitat for a variety of flycatchers, vireos, thrushes, warblers, and sparrows. Twenty-three warbler species are regular migrants in the park. Rare but regular are N. Parula, Cape May, and Connecticut. Watch for Yellow-bellied and Alder Flycatchers in late May and early June. Solitary Sandpipers can be seen at the river's edge in migration. Nesting species include Cooper's Hawk, Belted Kingfisher, Least Flycatcher, Great Crested Flycatcher, Warbling Vireo, Gray Catbird, House Wren, Yellow Warbler, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and Baltimore Oriole. In recent years Black-headed Grosbeaks have been present during the breeding season. Keep an eye to the sky for migrant raptors.
Lake Juanita area
Low prairie and wetland provide ideal habitat for grassland birds such as LeConte sparrows, Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrows, and Chestnut-collared Longspurs. Back in Carrington, visit the NDSU-Carrington Research Extension Center to see its 1200-acre facility, which features a variety of native and exotic tree species that make the area very attractive to migrant passerines.
Pelicans at Chase Lake National Wildlife Refuge by Rick Bohn
Birding Drives Dakota | 871 Main St | Carrington, ND 58421 | 888-921-2473 | info@birdingdrives.com
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Birding Drives Dakota | 871 Main St | Carrington, ND 58421 | 888-921-2473 | info@birdingdrives.com
