Part 13

After checking the stockpond, walk north across the open field, watching for Sharp-tailed Grouse, Upland Sandpiper, Western Meadowlark, Grasshopper and Clay-colored Sparrows, and Chestnut-collared Longspur. At dawn check any rises in the field for dancing grouse. During late summer and early fall look for Sprague’s Pipit. This species is rare here but occasionally passes through after breeding. At the north end of this field is a large stock pen. This marks the end of the area which can be walked.

Return to your car, drive 1.0 mile south, and turn left (east). For the next few miles, check all of the grassy/brushy fields for Sharp-tailed Grouse and Gray Partridge. The partridge may be seen almost anywhere, but the grouse is restricted to a few overgrown fields. Some fields have sunflowers, which may attract a number of winter birds (basically goldfinches, siskins, redpolls, and Northern Shrike).

There are several great spots near Grand Forks. The best is Kelly’s Slough. To get to it proceed to the underpass of I-29, go west on Highway 2 for 7.8 miles, and turn right (north). After 3.3 miles stop on the hill overlooking the slough.

This is a fantastic place for migrant waterfowl, waders, and shorebirds. Some of the migrants include Common (occasional) and Red-throated (accidental) Loons; Red-necked (uncommon), Horned, Eared, and Western Grebes; American White Pelican; Double-crested Cormorant; Great Egret (rare); Whistling Swan; Canada, Greater White-fronted, and Snow Geese; Common, Red-breasted (rare), and Hooded (rare) Mergansers; White-winged Scoter (rare); Redhead; Canvasback; Ring-necked Duck; Lesser and Greater (rare) Scaup; Common Goldeneye; Bufflehead; Oldsquaw (rare); Mallard; American Black Duck (rare); Gadwall; American Wigeon; Common Pintail; Green-winged and Blue-winged Teals; Northern Shoveler; Wood Duck; Semipalmated, Black-bellied, and Lesser Golden Plovers; Ruddy Turnstone; Common Snipe; Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs; Solitary, Pectoral, White-rumped, Baird’s, Least, Stilt, and Semipalmated Sandpipers; Dunlin; Short-billed and Long-billed Dowitchers; Hudsonian Godwit; Sanderling; Northern Phalarope; and Herring (uncommon) and Bonaparte’s (rare) Gulls.

Summer residents are much fewer, but many of the transient species are present from mid-summer on. Birds found throughout the summer include Pied-billed Grebe, Great Blue Heron, American Bittern, Ruddy Duck, Sora, American Coot, American Avocet, Spotted Sandpiper, Willet, Marbled Godwit, Wilson’s Phalarope, Franklin’s and Ring-billed Gulls, Black Tern, Marsh and Sedge Wrens, Red-winged and Yellow-headed Blackbirds, and Le Conte’s Sparrow.

For best results bird the slough on both the east and west sides of the road. The area to the east is better for rails, Marsh and Sedge Wrens, and Le Conte’s Sparrows, because there is more emergent vegetation. In fact, the grassy perimeter to the east end of the slough is full of Marsh Wrens and Le Conte’s Sparrows. You may have to wade a bit to get good views, but the water is only a few inches deep throughout most of this grassy area. A walk along the railroad tracks north of the slough may turn up Gray Partridge, Upland Sandpiper, and Chestnut-collared Longspur. In fall watch for Lapland Longspurs along the tracks and over the slough.

Continue north for 1.7 miles and turn right (east). During migration check for Common Snipe and rails in the ditches on the right. Watch for Chestnut-collared Longspurs as well. Drive 1.0 mile and turn right again. Mountain Bluebirds have been found during spring (March 20-30) around the farm area. Also check the surrounding fields in spring and fall for Ruddy Turnstones and Buff-breasted Sandpipers. After 0.7 mile the east end of Kelly’s Slough is on the right. At 1.8 miles you may drive west through the cluster of buildings at Kelly and check the nearby fields for Black-bellied and Lesser Golden Plovers (migration only). To continue the tour, turn left (east) at 0.2 mile past Kelly.

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.