Part 2

Very little of North Dakota is occupied by forest habitat, although it is locally well-represented. Much of it is found in the form of floodplain forests along the Red, James, Sheyenne, Souris, Missouri, and Little Missouri Rivers and their tributaries. In the west the floodplain forests are dominated, for the most part, by cottonwoods (as is true along large portions of the Missouri and Little Missouri Rivers) and have a more open canopy and understory than those of the eastern streams.

In the east bottomland forests are represented by a more diverse plant community. Among the more common trees are American elm, bur oak, green ash, basswood, and box elder.

Tracts of upland deciduous forest can be found locally throughout the state. In the southern and western portions, these are largely restricted to buttes and bluffs overlooking various rivers. Bur oak, green ash, and quaking aspen are usually the most representative trees. (A good example can be found at Little Missouri State Park in Dunn County.)

Upland deciduous forests also occur in the northeast. The best examples are in the Pembina Hills of Pembina and Cavalier Counties. Smaller tracts can be found on hills and bluffs overlooking many of the larger lakes such as those around the shores of Devils Lake and Stump Lake. Predominant trees include bur oak, American elm, quaking aspen, green ash, box elder, and birch. The well-forested Turtle Mountains are dominated for the most part by quaking aspen.

Small groves of evergreen forests dot the slopes and draws of the Little Missouri badlands. These are represented by various species of junipers and by ponderosa pine.

In addition to the natural habitats there are several artificial ones. Agricultural areas, the largest group, have already been mentioned. Others are urban areas—landscaped yards, gardens, golf courses, city parks, cemeteries, and the almost-sterile downtown streets. Stock ponds, reservoirs, and drainage ditches also constitute artificial environments. An interesting man-made habitat (at least from the birder’s view) is the municipal sewage ponds. These often attract an incredible array of waterfowl and shorebirds and make excellent birding spots for anyone who can put up with the smell.

BACKGROUND ON THE BIRDS

A few years ago the American Birding Association surveyed its members to determine the 50 “most-wanted” species in North America. Of these, 9 are to be expected in North Dakota. In decreasing order of priority they are: Yellow Rail, Snowy Owl, Connecticut Warbler, Bohemian Waxwing, Baird’s Sparrow, Northern Goshawk, Sprague’s Pipit, Hoary Redpoll, and Smith’s Longspur. An additional 6 are on the current state list but are very rare and seldom seen: Boreal Owl, Great Gray Owl, Gyrfalcon, Hawk Owl, Black-backed Three-toed Woodpecker, and Eurasian Wigeon.

For the most part, North Dakota has an eastern avifauna which blends almost imperceptibly into a more western one in the extreme western part of the state. The blend zone is most apparent in the vicinity of Bismarck in the south-central part of the state. Here the ranges of Indigo and Lazuli Buntings and Rose-breasted and Black-headed Grosbeaks overlap, and the birder may see some interesting hybrids.

With few exceptions, the birds of the eastern half (especially along the Red, James, and Sheyenne Rivers) are the same species found in similar habitats throughout eastern North America. East begins to give way to West biologically in the central part. Here, the birder begins to notice the western species such as Ferruginous and Swainson’s Hawks, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Lark Bunting, and Chestnut-collared Longspur.

By the time one reaches the badlands on the western edge, it is the eastern birds which are unusual. Here, there is an abundance of western species, including Golden Eagle, Prairie Falcon, Sage Grouse, Burrowing Owl, the red-shafted race of the Common Flicker, Say’s Phoebe, Black-billed Magpie, Rock Wren, Mountain Bluebird, Lazuli Bunting, Black-headed Grosbeak, the spotted race of the Rufous-sided Towhee, Brewer’s Sparrow, and McCown’s Longspur.

Although the breeding birds may vary considerably from one part of the state to the next, winter species are fairly uniform throughout. Comparatively few birds stick out the North Dakota winters. Extremely cold temperatures, little cover, and little open water combine to make this a somewhat poor state for winter birding. The following species can usually be found: Rough-legged Hawk; Golden Eagle; Sharp-tailed Grouse; Ringnecked Pheasant; Gray Partridge; Great Horned, Snowy, and Short-eared Owls; Mourning Dove; Common Flicker; Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers; Horned Lark; Black-billed Magpie; American Crow; Blue Jay; Black-capped Chickadee; White-breasted and Red-breasted Nuthatches; American Robin; Bohemian and Cedar Waxwings; Northern Shrike; European Starling; House Sparrow; Western Meadowlark; Red-winged and Rusty Blackbirds; Evening and Pine Grosbeaks; Purple Finch; Hoary and Common Redpolls; Pine Siskin; American Goldfinch; Red Crossbill; Northern Junco (slate-colored race); Lapland Longspur; and Snow Bunting.

WHEN TO COME

The seasons are defined by the following dates: Spring—April 1 to May 31, Summer—June 1 to August 15, Fall—August 16 to November 20, and Winter—November 21 to March 31.

Most birders will be interested in breeding populations of marsh and prairie species. For these it would be best to come in June, preferably during the first three weeks.

For migration, the timing depends on specifics. Warblers generally peak about the third week of May and again in mid-September. For waterfowl April and October are probably best. Shorebirds are usually good anytime from late April to late October, but the first two weeks of May and the months of August and September are the most consistent. Shorebirding can be the most productive kind of birding in July and August.

Few people come to North Dakota in winter for the purpose of birding, but perhaps more should. Although not abundant, many of the regular winter birds make good additions to the list. Several northern species that are uncommon over the rest of the United States are often relatively easy to find here. This is also the time when the birder can add the most to our knowledge of North Dakota’s birds. There are relatively few good birders in the state, and many do not get out in winter as often as they should. Who knows? You may turn up something extra good, such as a Gyrfalcon or a Boreal Owl. For the northern owls come after January, when the birds have been pushed south by the colder weather.

WEATHER

North Dakota is a state of extremes when it comes to weather. To say that the winters are cold would be a gross understatement. Wind-chill factors commonly reach 50° below zero. (It is not wise to wander far from your car in such weather. Remember, also, never to sit for any period of time in your parked car with the heater on and the engine idling. Carbon monoxide poisoning takes many lives each year in the upper Midwest.) The winters are long in this part of the country, and just when you think one is over, along comes another March or April blizzard. As a rule the weather in spring and fall is pleasant, but be prepared for cold temperatures at all times. Summer is an altogether different story. Summer temperatures are often in the 80’s and 90’s, and it doesn’t cool off very much at night. Summer days and nights are often rather humid. Combined with the high temperatures, the high humidity can make you feel very uncomfortable.

At times the wind never seems to quit blowing (especially in the winter), and summer storms can come up fast. Remember, North Dakota is one of the states occupying the tornado belt. If violent weather hits, head for shelter immediately. Do not let all of this scare you off; most Dakotans have been easily surviving such weather for years.

WHAT TO BRING

Dress is informal in this rural state. Levis are the rule rather than the exception. When birding in spring and fall, carry a warm jacket because the temperature can drop in a hurry. As for winter dress, there is not much to say other than “get the warmest clothes and foot-gear possible.” It is next to impossible to overdress for Dakota winters. Other things that could come in handy in winter are: 1) a shovel (especially if you intend to drive the back roads), 2) studded tires, 3) booster cables, and 4) a lighter-weight motor oil for better cold-weather starts. Make sure to winterize your radiator to at least -30°, and keep more anti-freeze on hand; you may need it.

As a final suggestion, if you own a spotting scope by all means bring it. There are certainly few activities more frustrating than trying to identify shorebirds on a distant mud-flat with nothing more than binoculars. A scope can also come in handy for viewing some of the more elusive prairie sparrows.

PESTS

There are plenty of biting insects around, and the mosquitoes can be downright obnoxious at times (especially if you are sleeping outside). Carry some kind of insect repellent (except in winter). Liquid repellents seem to last longer than sprays.

Watch for ticks in brushy areas. No matter how hard you try you will probably get some anyway. Never pull one off. The proboscis usually breaks, whereupon infection may occur. They are best removed by applying rubbing alcohol (Some of the more obnoxious ticks seem to get “bombed” and then hang on for dear life.) or a hot instrument such as a recently burnt match.

Rattlesnakes do occur in the western part (particularly in the badlands), although you would be doing well to see one.

WHERE TO STAY