[Illustration: Black-headed Grosbeak]
The southwest sector will be of the most interest to visitors from the
east. While marshlands are generally fewer here, there are still a few
areas that attract large numbers of waterbirds. For the most part, all
of the North Dakota prairie specialties can be found. The uniqueness of
this area lies in its penchant for attracting western species which are
marginal in the state.
[Illustration: Dickcissel]
The infrequent water areas (including wooded river bottoms), the
extensive sage prairies, the evergreen forests, and the arid badlands
serve to attract species such as Cinnamon Teal, Prairie Falcon, Golden
Eagle, Sage Grouse, Mountain Plover (accidental), Long-billed Curlew,
California Gull, Burrowing Owl, Poor-will, Lewis’ Woodpecker, Say’s
Phoebe, Western Pewee, Black-billed Magpie, Clark’s Nutcracker, Rock
Wren, Sage Thrasher, Mountain Bluebird, Townsend’s Solitaire, Blue-gray
Gnatcatcher (accidental), Black-headed and Blue Grosbeaks, Lazuli
Bunting, Gray-crowned Rosy Finch, Brewer’s Sparrow, and McCown’s
Longspur.
Although some of these species should not be expected by the visitor,
the true degree of regularity of their occurrence is not really known
because of the lack of observers in this area. If you have the spare
time for exploring, do it here. Not only may you turn up an exciting
western lifer for yourself, you may add to our knowledge of the status
of certain marginal species as well.
a) Burleigh County
Water areas (especially large marshes) are relatively few in the
southwestern sector. Probably the best of these is Long Lake National
Wildlife Refuge. To reach it go south on Highway 83 (Exit 40) from I-94
for 12.0 miles before turning left (east) at the sign. Refuge roads lead
around Long Lake and through some good marshes.
During migration, this is one of the best spots in the state. Some of
the more interesting migrants are: Whistling Swan; Canada and Greater
White-fronted Geese; Cinnamon Teal (rare); Common Goldeneye; Bufflehead;
White-winged Scoter (rare); Hooded (rare), Red-breasted (rare), and
Common Mergansers; Golden and Bald Eagles (uncommon); Peregrine Falcon
(rare); Whooping (rare) and Sandhill Cranes; Semipalmated, Lesser Golden
(rare), and Black-bellied (rare) Plovers; Ruddy Turnstone (rare); both
yellowlegs; Hudsonian Godwit (rare); Sanderling (rare); Northern
Phalarope; Solitary, Pectoral, Baird’s, White-rumped, Least, Stilt, and
Semipalmated Sandpipers; Herring, California, and Bonaparte’s Gulls;
Sprague’s Pipit; Le Conte’s (rare), Sharp-tailed (rare—may nest), and
Harris’ Sparrows; and Lapland Longspur.
Although migration is the most exciting time, the refuge should not be
by-passed in summer. Species to be seen then include Horned (uncommon),
Eared, Western, and Pied-billed Grebes; American White Pelican;
Double-crested Cormorant; Black-crowned Night Heron; American Bittern;
Mallard; Gadwall; Common Pintail; Green-winged and Blue-winged Teals;
American Wigeon; Northern Shoveler; Redhead; Canvasback; Lesser Scaup;
Ruddy Duck; Swainson’s, Red-tailed, and Ferruginous Hawks; Northern
Harrier; Sharp-tailed Grouse; Gray Partridge; Virginia Rail; Sora;
American Coot; Piping Plover; Killdeer; Willet; Spotted and Upland
Sandpipers; American Avocet; Wilson’s Phalarope; Ring-billed and
Franklin’s Gulls; Common, Forster’s, and Black Terns; Short-eared Owl;
Eastern and Western Kingbirds; all of the regular swallows; Marsh and
Sedge Wrens; Loggerhead Shrike; Bobolink; Western Meadowlark;
Yellow-headed, Red-winged, and Brewer’s Blackbirds; Dickcissel; Lark
Bunting; Grasshopper and Baird’s Sparrows; and Chestnut-collared
Longspur.
Another area which is often good is McKenzie Slough. To reach it take
Exit #39 off I-94, and go south through McKenzie. The slough begins just
south of the town. When water levels are high enough, the following
nesting species can be expected: American Bittern, Mallard, Common
Pintail, Blue-winged Teal, Gadwall, Ruddy Duck, American Coot,
Pied-billed and Eared Grebes, Sora, Marsh Wren, Common Yellowthroat, and
Red-winged and Yellow-headed Blackbirds. During migration, this spot
attracts many of the same species found at Long Lake. Chestnut-collared
Longspurs nest in the pastures along this road (south of the slough).
The city of Bismarck (population 34,703) lies on the east side of the
Missouri River in western Burleigh County. Not only is it the state
capital, but also it contains a habitat unique in the region—Missouri
River bottomland forest. At one time almost four hundred miles of this
habitat could be found. It stretched from the South Dakota border in the
south-central part of the state to the Montana border in the
northwestern part. The construction of dams brought about the subsequent
flooding of the bottomlands until the forests had been reduced to a
75-mile stretch between Bismarck and the Garrison Dam and a few miles
from Lake Sakakawea to the Montana border. Much of what little remains
is being cleared for housing and agriculture.
Nesting species found in this habitat include Red-tailed Hawk; American
Kestrel; Wild Turkey; Mourning Dove; Black-billed Cuckoo; Great Horned
Owl; Common Flicker; Red-headed, Hairy, and Downy Woodpeckers; Least
Flycatcher; Black-capped Chickadee; White-breasted Nuthatch; Blue Jay;
Black-billed Magpie; American Crow; House Wren; Brown Thrasher; Gray
Catbird; American Robin; Veery; Eastern Bluebird (usually restricted to
semi-open areas and adjacent fields); Cedar Waxwing; Red-eyed, Warbling,
and Bell’s (rare) Vireos; Black-and-white (uncommon) and Yellow
Warblers; Ovenbird; Yellow-breasted Chat; American Redstart; Orchard and
Northern Orioles; Common Grackle; Brown-headed Cowbird; Scarlet Tanager
(rare); Black-headed Grosbeak; Indigo (uncommon) and Lazuli Buntings;
American Goldfinch (open areas); Rufous-sided Towhee; and Chipping,
Clay-colored, Field (open areas), and Song Sparrows.
The woodlands bordering the Missouri River are the best places in the
Bismarck vicinity to look for migrant passerines, such as Red-breasted
Nuthatch; Brown Creeper; Hermit, Swainson’s, and Gray-cheeked Thrushes;
Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned Kinglets; Black-and-white, Tennessee,
Orange-crowned, Magnolia, Yellow-rumped, Blackpoll, Palm, and Wilson’s
Warblers; Northern Waterthrush; Purple Finch; Northern Junco; and
Harris’, White-crowned, White-throated, Fox, and Lincoln’s Sparrows.
Birds to watch for in winter include Great Horned Owl, Common Flicker,
Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers, Blue Jay, Black-billed Magpie (semi-open
areas and margins), Black-capped Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch,
American Robin, Purple Finch, American Goldfinch, Northern Junco, and
American Tree Sparrow (open areas). Both species of waxwings can be
found in most years as well.
[Illustration: SIBLEY ISLAND]
Typical bottomland habitat can be found near Sibley Island. To reach it
start at the Bismarck Airport on the road to the terminal and drive
south on Highway 1804 for 2.1 miles. Turn right (west) on a surfaced
road. After 0.5 mile you have a choice of continuing straight (west) or
turning left (south). To reach the best habitat, turn left and follow
the road as it swings to the left. Go 2.2 miles (.5 mile past the bend)
and turn right at the sign to the Girl Scout camp.
The road passes through excellent bottomland habitat. This consists
mostly of cottonwood, green ash, box elder, and to a lesser extent
American elm and bur oak. The understory, which is thick in some areas,
includes Wood’s rose, red-osier dogwood, snowberry, bittersweet, and
wild grape.
After birding around the camp, drive all the way to the river. From the
high banks you will have a good vantage point from which to look over
the sandbars for the area’s three specialties—Piping Plovers, Little
Terns, and skinny-dippers. The latter species, although cosmopolitan in
range, is quite rare in North Dakota. (When present they are “hard to
miss”.)
The Piping Plover can sometimes be found in good numbers. This is one of
the best areas in the state for them. Likewise, this stretch of the
river is the only known nesting site for the Little Tern in North
Dakota. When looking for them, remember that their locations vary from
year to year, depending on the sandbars. The best way to find them is to
check as many points along the river as possible. A spotting scope would
be very useful in looking for all three aforementioned species.
If you do not get the plover or tern here, backtrack 2.2 miles to the
fork before the Girl Scout camp and turn left (west). Drive 0.5 mile to
12th Street or 1.5 miles to Washington Street. By taking either south
you will eventually reach the river. The view at the end of Washington
Street is better, but access may be difficult if the river is high.
During migration you may want to check General Sibley Park along
Washington Street for passerines.
b) Morton County
The city of Mandan lies in Morton County just across the Missouri River
from Bismarck. Most of the birds here are about the same as on the other
side of the river, but there are some important exceptions.
To reach the best spots, take I-94 west to Mandan and turn off onto Main
Street (I-94/Highway 10 Business Loop). Turn left (south) on 6th Avenue
Southeast at the sign to Fort Lincoln State Park. This street becomes
Highway 1806 and leads to most of the better birding spots.
Fort Lincoln State Park (about four miles south of Mandan) is worth a
visit. It is not a particularly good spot for birds, although you will
probably find typical upland species present. The most interesting
feature of the park is its historical significance. There are three
important sites: 1) the Slant Indian Village, which was once occupied by
the Mandan Indians, 2) Fort McKeen Infantry Post, which was occupied by
the 6th Infantry, and 3) Fort Abraham Lincoln, home of the colorful
George Armstrong Custer and his famous 7th Cavalry. The two military
posts were active in the late 1800’s. The park also offers an
interpretive museum, picnic sites, and several modern camping sites
(complete with electrical hook-ups).
Continue south on Highway 1806 for 6.0 miles to the Little Heart River.
Turn left on an unmarked side road just north of the bridge. This passes
under an old railway trestle and through a field of alfalfa and tall
wheat grass. A colony of Sedge Wrens has nested here in recent years.
This area is also dependable for Gray Partridge, Bobolink, American
Goldfinch, Dickcissel, and Grasshopper Sparrow. At the field’s edge and
in the woods look for Cedar Waxwing, Veery, Yellow-breasted Chat,
Northern and Orchard Orioles, Lazuli Bunting, Black-headed Grosbeak, and
other typical bottomland birds.
Several roads lead from Highway 1806 down to the river, some of which
you may want to take in order to look for bottomlands species and
migrants. Some 4.0 miles past the Little Heart River Bridge, a small
road leads left to a good point for Piping Plover and Little Terns.
Another interesting spot is 6.8 miles past the bridge. Here, you will
enter a small badlands with several severely eroded buttes, much like
those in the extreme western part of the state. Watch for Turkey
Vulture, Swainson’s and Ferruginous Hawks, Western Kingbirds, and Say’s
Phoebes (rare; look near old buildings). Rock Wrens can be surprisingly
common. The best way to find them is to park and walk past eroded
buttes. It is just a matter of watching and listening for their
distinctive series of trills.
[Illustration: Rock Wren]
A great place for winter birding is the Northern Great Plains Research
Station in Mandan. To reach it, continue west on Main Street past
Highway 1806 and turn left after one mile on Highway 6 (8th Street
Northwest). Cross the railroad trestle and continue on 10th Avenue
Southwest for 0.8 mile to a bridge. Just beyond, turn right at the sign.
These grounds are good for winter birding because of the conifers. Look
for all of the regular winter species and for invaders such as Cedar and
Bohemian Waxwings, Pine Siskins, Purple Finches, Pine (rare) and Evening
Grosbeaks, Red Crossbills, and Golden-crowned Kinglets. The Townsend’s
Solitaire, although rare, has been a fairly frequent visitor in recent
years. The trees are good also for roosting owls. With luck, you may
even turn up a Long-eared Owl.
c) Dunn County
[Illustration: DUNN COUNTY]
Yet another location for migrant and nesting waterbirds is Lake Ilo
National Wildlife Refuge. To reach it, start just south of the town of
Killdeer at Highway 22, go east for 3.0 miles on Highway 200, and turn
right at the sign.
Drive south through the mixed-grass prairie, which is good for Northern
Harrier, Swainson’s Hawk, Ring-necked Pheasant, Sharp-tailed Grouse,
Eastern and Western Kingbirds, Horned Lark, Lark Bunting, Lark and
Grasshopper Sparrows, and Chestnut-collared Longspur. Turn left (2.0
miles) and bird until the road dead-ends at a farmhouse.
To bird the rest of the refuge, return to Highway 200 and head east
again. Turn right (1.5 miles) toward the recreation area (just before
the cemetery). After 0.3 mile the road forks. Go straight (keeping
right) and follow the road as it heads to the lake and then makes a
little square back to the road on which you entered. By taking this
little loop you will get a good view of Lake Ilo. From this vantage
point look for Common Loon (rare migrant), Western Grebe, American White
Pelican, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron (lake edges),
Black-crowned Night Heron (lake edges), ducks and geese, and Sandhill
and Whooping (rare) Cranes (migration—lake edges).
After taking the loop, turn right and drive 0.4 mile. Turn left and
almost immediately swing to the right (at the fishing sign) and head
toward the lake. Turn right at the sign pointing to the headquarters
(0.5 mile). After 0.8 mile you may do three things: 1) turn right to the
headquarters for information, 2) go straight for a different view of the
lake, or 3) swing left to the slough.
The slough is the best area for birding. After swinging left, proceed
for 0.8 mile, turn left, and drive for 1.1 miles past the entire marsh.
Species to be seen from spring to fall include Red-necked (rare), Horned
(uncommon), Eared, Western (uncommon), and Pied-billed Grebes; Great
Blue Heron; Black-crowned Night Heron; American Bittern; Mallard, Common
Pintail; Blue-winged Teal; Northern Shoveler; Gadwall; American Wigeon;
Ruddy Duck; American Coot; Sora; Virginia Rail; Killdeer; Spotted
Sandpiper; Willet; Marbled Godwit; American Avocet; Wilson’s Phalarope;
Black Tern; Belted Kingfisher; Eastern and Western Kingbirds; Barn,
Cliff, and Tree Swallows; Marsh Wren; Common Yellow-throat; Red-winged,
Brewer’s, and Yellow-headed Blackbirds; and Song and Savannah Sparrows.
Many other ducks, shorebirds, and swallows may be seen as migrants or as
occasional summer visitors.
After driving by the marsh, turn right, south for 1.0 mile, and turn
right on a road through a mixed-grass prairie, which is good for
Chestnut-collared Longspurs and possibly for Baird’s Sparrows.
d) Bowman County
[Illustration: Bowman Haley Dam Refuge]
Because of its position in the very southwestern corner of the state,
Bowman County is one of the most exciting to bird. If you are going to
find any truly western vagrants, your chances are better in either this
county or the next two.
The best spot for both waterbirds and grasslands species is Bowman-Haley
Dam National Wildlife Refuge. To reach it go north on U.S. Highway 85
from the South Dakota border for 5.3 miles, and turn right on an
improved gravel road at a sign saying “Bowman-Haley Dam Recreation
Area”. (This turn-off is about 11 miles south of Highway 12 near
Bowman.) Go 5.0 miles east and turn right (south) at the sign saying
“Point Rec Area 3 Miles”. After 2.0 miles turn left (east).
In the first mile check the roughly-plowed fields for McCown’s Longspurs
in both spring and summer. After 1.3 miles the road becomes narrower and
grassier and begins to loop around the lake. It should still be passable
in all but wet weather. From 1.3 miles until 4.8 miles (where the road
ends at a fence), you will be traversing some excellent grasslands. Most
are mixed-grass prairie, but close to the lake there are tall-grass
fields choked with weeds.
The mixed-grass prairie is good for nesting Sharp-tailed Grouse, Gray
Partridge, Upland Sandpiper, Marbled Godwit, Burrowing Owl, Sprague’s
Pipit (uncommon), Baird’s Sparrow, and Chestnut-collared Longspur. In
the weedy fields where vegetation is taller and thicker, look for
Bobolink, Dickcissel, and Clay-colored, Vesper, Grasshopper, and
Savannah Sparrows.
For a different view of the lake, back-track to Highway 85, turn right
(east), drive 3.0 miles, turn right (south), go 1.9 miles until the road
forks, and swing right toward the marina. After 0.2 mile bear right.
This road is good for birding, and there are picnic sites as well as
room to spread your sleeping bag.
The lake is mostly open water with few marshy areas. It is not
particularly good for nesting waterfowl. Nevertheless, in summer you
should be able to find American White Pelicans; Double-crested
Cormorants; Great Blue Herons; Ring-billed, California, and Franklin’s
Gulls; and Black Terns although only the latter nests. A sprinkling of
ducks use the lake in summer—both those that nest here and those from
neighboring marshes. During migration, check for transient ducks, geese,
and shorebirds. Short-eared Owls nest in the grassy areas.
The wooded ravines, tree lines, and shelterbelts provide habitat for
migrant and nesting passerines. Look for Black-billed Cuckoo, Eastern
and Western Kingbirds, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Yellow Warbler,
Orchard Oriole, American Goldfinch, and Rufous-sided Towhee (spotted
race).
[Illustration: ROAD FROM RHAME]
There are two roads in the western part of Bowman County along which
most of the specialties of the area can be found. The first starts from
the town of Rhame (northwest of Bowman on U.S. Highway 12). From Rhame
go south on a paved road for 6.0 miles. Watch for a power relay station
(Slope Electric Cooperative) on the left, and turn right (west) on the
next road (paved). Start watching the fields and roadsides for Northern
Harrier, Swainson’s and Ferruginous Hawks, Merlin (rare), Sharp-tailed
Grouse, Gray Partridge, Western Kingbird, Loggerhead Shrike, Lark
Bunting, Vesper Sparrow, and McCown’s and Chestnut-collared Longspurs.
After 5.0 miles the road swings south. Stay with it for 7.0 miles, and
turn right (west) on a dirt road, which starts to zigzag south just
beyond a cattleguard some 2.2 miles ahead. Go 2.8 miles and watch on the
right for a large field peppered with black sage. Check here in summer
for Sage Grouse, Long-billed Curlew, Sage Thrasher (very rare), and
Brewer’s and Lark Sparrows.
Rock Wrens and Belted Kingfishers nest in the eroded buttes by the
stream, and Say’s Phoebes and Cliff Swallows nest under the bridge. Lark
Buntings and Lark Sparrows are rather common.
[Illustration: Rock Wren Habitat near Rhame]
A better road for most of these species starts at Marmarth (Slope
County) and runs south to the state line. From the middle of Marmarth
(The St. Charles Hotel should be on your left.), proceed west for 0.4
mile. Turn left on a gravel road which angles off just before Highway 12
swings to the right and crosses a bridge over the railroad tracks.
Heading south, you will pass a prairie-dog town on your right after 13.1
miles. This town is not very conspicuous from the road, but it is rather
extensive. Watch for Black-tailed Prairie Dog, Black-footed Ferret (one
was observed here in 1976), Burrowing Owl, and McCown’s Longspur.
The predominant habitat is short-grass prairie with extensive flats of
black and silver sages. Some of the hillsides have lots of junipers.
This is good raptor country. Look for Turkey Vulture, Northern Harrier,
Swainson’s and Ferruginous Hawks, Prairie Falcon, and Golden Eagle.
Harding County (directly south in South Dakota) is known as one of the
best areas in that state for Golden Eagles, so it is possible that many
of the eagles seen in Bowman spill over from Harding.
This road passes through some of the best habitat in the state for Sage
Grouse. Sharp-tailed Grouse are also numerous. The Long-billed Curlew,
although uncommon, is present each year in these sage-covered
grasslands. Other species to look for are Mountain Plover (accidental);
Common Nighthawk; Horned Lark; Loggerhead Shrike; Western Meadowlark;
Lark Bunting; Vesper, Lark, and Brewer’s (common) Sparrows; and
Chestnut-collared and McCown’s Longspurs.
Some 4.8 miles beyond the prairie-dog town, turn left on a dirt road to
the Little Missouri River, where the trees and brush act as a migrant
trap. During migration, it is the natural spot to turn up a western
vagrant. Return to the main road and continue south for 2.2 miles to a
small bridge near an eroded butte. Check for Say’s Phoebes and Cliff
Swallows. Some 6.0 miles farther there is a larger bridge, where Cliff
Swallows nest in good numbers, and you may find a Belted Kingfisher or a
Say’s Phoebe. The state line is at the end of the bridge.
e) Slope County
If you did not find a Sage Grouse in Bowman County, try the road from
Marmarth to Amidon. It is 42 miles long, and takes off from the east
edge of Marmarth, where it is marked by a sign. The best area is the
first six miles, where the sage is thickest. However, it may be
worthwhile to drive the entire road.
While in Marmarth, check the trees in the residential area for nesting
Western Pewees. One place where they have nested in the past is in the
cottonwoods at the Marmarth Picnic Area. Turn left (south) off Highway
12 on the first street west of the St. Charles Hotel, drive 0.2 mile,
and swing right to the small picnic area.
Stewart Lake National Wildlife Refuge is excellent for marshland and
grassland birds. To get there go north from Bowman on U.S. Highway 85.
After 12.0 miles turn left (west) by the flying-goose sign. After 3.0
miles turn right and cross the cattleguard toward the lake.
This refuge is rather small, but in migration the lake attracts all of
the regular ducks, shorebirds, gulls (watch for California), terns, and
swallows. Species which nest in the reedy borders include American
Bittern, Blue-winged Teal, American Coot, Sora, Spotted Sandpiper,
Wilson’s Phalarope, Black Tern, Marsh Wren, Common Yellowthroat, and
Red-winged and Yellow-headed Blackbirds. In the mixed-grass prairie
watch in summer for Northern Harrier; Sharp-tailed Grouse; Upland
Sandpiper; Burrowing Owl; Horned Lark; Sprague’s Pipit; Loggerhead
Shrike; Lark Bunting; Baird’s, Lark, and Grasshopper Sparrows; and
Chestnut-collared Longspur.
[Illustration: BURNING COAL VEIN CAMPGROUND]
Evergreen forests are limited in North Dakota, being found primarily in
the badlands of the Little Missouri. Most tracts are dominated by
juniper. However, in north-central Slope County a large tract of several
hundred acres dominated by ponderosa pine borders the Burning Coal Vein
Campground and Columnar Juniper Area.
To reach the area, continue north on Highway 85 from the turn-off to
Stewart Lake for 10 miles and turn left on a gravel road at a sign for
the campground. Go 0.2 mile and turn left. After 1.0 mile turn right.
Stay on this road (follow the signs) for the next 10.2 miles and turn
right to the campgrounds. The turn-off to the picnic area is 1.2 miles
up the road.
For the past few miles you will have passed excellent stands of
ponderosa pine. This hilly, forested country is more reminiscent of the
Black Hills of South Dakota than of anything which one might expect to
find in North Dakota. This is the only place in the state where the
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon’s race) nests. It can be found on
practically any pine-covered slope. Its call note, a distinctive “chip”,
may be of great use in locating the bird.
Other species of the pine forests include Sharp-shinned Hawk, Merlin
(rare), Wild Turkey, Mourning Dove, Common Flicker (red-shafted race),
Black-billed Magpie, American Crow, Red-breasted Nuthatch (rare),
Brown-headed Cowbird, Rufous-sided Towhee, and Chipping Sparrow.
Another specialty of the area is the Poor-will, an uncommon breeder,
which is more easily found on the periphery of the forested slopes than
in the middle of them. A good place to watch and listen for it in the
evenings is the area directly surrounding the Columnar Juniper Area
(just up the road from the picnic site). Overlooking the spot is a
pull-off which makes a good vantage point.
Check the brushy tangles at the picnic area for House Wren, Brown
Thrasher, Lazuli Bunting, Rufous-sided Towhee, and Chipping and Lark
Sparrows. Open flats and arid slopes surrounding the pine forest should
be checked for Prairie Falcon and Say’s Phoebe.
[Illustration: Pine Forest]
f) Billings County
Besides being one of the most scenic, Billings County is one of the most
rewarding to bird. As is the case with Bowman and Slope Counties, this
county is good for western specialties and vagrants.
The two best areas can be reached from the town of Medora. The first is
Sully’s Creek State Park. At the eastern edge of town by a sign for the
park, turn south on East River Road. Keep left at the first fork and
right at the next two. After 2.5 miles you will reach the campground.
This 80-acre park is nestled along the Little Missouri River and
contains a good stand of cottonwoods and willows surrounded by sagebrush
flats and grasslands. There is a high dirt cliff along the eastern edge,
where Prairie Falcons sometimes nest and (if you are lucky) Big-horned
Sheep play around.
[Illustration: Sully Creek State Park]
Birds are abundant. One can expect to find most of the typical
“badlands” species. Along the river look for Belted Kingfisher, any of
the regular swallows, and migrant waterfowl and shorebirds. The
sagebrush flats are good for Sharp-tailed Grouse, Gray Partridge, and
Field Sparrows. In the cottonwoods and among the tangles of wild rose,
snowberry, and currants, you may find Common Flicker (both red-shafted
and yellow-shafted races, as well as many hybrids), Downy and Hairy
Woodpeckers, Eastern Kingbird, Least and Willow Flycatchers, Western
Pewee (rare), Blue Jay, American Crow, White-breasted Nuthatch,
Black-capped Chickadee, House Wren, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Cedar
Waxwing, Red-eyed and Warbling Vireos, Yellow and Black-and-white
Warblers, Ovenbird, Yellow-breasted Chat, American Redstart, Northern
(Bullock’s) Oriole (rare), Black-headed Grosbeak, Lazuli Bunting,
Rufous-sided Towhee (spotted form), and Chipping Sparrow. The chat is
heard more often than seen, but “pishing” noises are often effective in
bringing this species out into the open.
The other top spot in Billings County is the South Unit of Theodore
Roosevelt National Memorial, for which the exit is well marked along
I-94. The entrance is at the western edge of Medora (which you may want
to explore). Just inside the park there is a visitors’ center with
interpretive displays and a good selection of books dealing with the
natural history of the area. The 38-mile scenic loop is an excellent
drive for seeing the park and its birds.
There are several prairie-dog towns scattered throughout the park. The
first is 3.1 miles up the scenic loop. Check this and other towns for
Black-tailed Prairie Dog, Burrowing Owl, and Black-billed Magpie. To the
left of the town there is a Sharp-tailed Grouse dancing ground. Look for
performing males.
[Illustration: Black-tailed Prairie Dog]
Watch on the left for the turnoff to the Cottonwoods Campground, which
is about 5.4 miles from the visitors’ center. This spot lives up to its
name in that there are many cottonwoods. It is a good place for Common
Flicker, Blue Jay, American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, Red-eyed and
Warbling Vireos, Northern (Bullock’s) Oriole (rare), Black-headed
Grosbeak, and Lazuli Bunting. In the summer, there are lots of people in
addition to the birds.
A better area can be reached by continuing for 1.0 mile, turning left,
and then immediately right to the picnic area. This spot is not only
well-wooded, but also it has good patches of secondary growth. Look here
for Common Flicker, Willow Flycatcher, Western Pewee, Blue Jay,
Black-capped Chickadee, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Red-eyed and
Warbling Vireos, Black-and-white and Yellow Warblers, Ovenbird,
Yellow-breasted Chat, American Redstart, Black-headed Grosbeak, Lazuli
Bunting, Rufous-sided Towhee, and Chipping Sparrow.
The Jones Creek Trail (1.3 miles past the picnic area) passes through
vegetation typical of the park. There is also an excellent stand of
sage. Although not many birds are seen along the trail, it is good for
Sharp-tailed Grouse, Rufous-sided Towhee, and Field Sparrow.
Most of the park is occupied by short-grass prairie spotted with
occasional large sagebrush flats. Many of the rolling hills and ravines
are covered with junipers.
In open areas, watch for Swainson’s and Ferruginous Hawks; Prairie
Falcon; Golden Eagle; Sharp-tailed Grouse; Black-billed Magpie; Mountain
Bluebird; Rufous-sided Towhee (brushier areas); Field, Grasshopper, and
Lark Sparrows; McCown’s and Chestnut-collared Longspurs; Bison;
White-tailed Jackrabbit; Mule Deer; Gopher Snake; and Prairie
Rattlesnake. Check in the vicinity of eroded buttes for Poor-will
(rare), Say’s Phoebe, and Rock Wren.
These badlands are fairly good in winter, mainly for raptors and western
vagrants. Look for Northern Goshawk (rare), Rough-legged Hawk, Prairie
Falcon (rare), and Bald (rare) and Golden Eagles. Townsend’s Solitaires
usually winter, and Clark’s Nutcrackers and Gray-crowned Rosy Finches
sometimes wander over. In fact, 200 of the latter species were found on
a recent Medora Christmas Count. Other species found here are
Sharp-tailed Grouse, Ring-necked Pheasant, Great Horned Owl, Hairy and
Downy Woodpeckers, Horned Lark, Black-billed Magpie, Black-capped
Chickadee, White-breasted and Red-breasted (uncommon) Nuthatches,
American Robin, Bohemian and Cedar Waxwings, Northern Shrike, Evening
Grosbeak, Purple Finch, Common Redpoll, and American Tree Sparrow.
After visiting the park, it is easy to see how Theodore Roosevelt
developed such a keen interest in conservation from having lived here.