As we all know, the best
birding locations are where a variety of habitats intersect. This law
of nature makes Bottineau a true crossroads, where open prairie
grasslands meet wooded hills and lake country.
The Turtle Mountains
provide clear lake sand marshes to attract water birds and ducks.
Surrounding these wetland jewels, are vast aspen groves and expansive
oak woodlands to explore for woodland raptors, Ruffed Grouse, songbirds,
and flycatchers.
On the open prairie
grasslands where native wildflowers abound, the plains attract a variety
of larks,sparrows, buntings, raptors, and Sharp-tailed Grouse. And on
this rolling plains region, innumerable wetlands attract the largest and
most diverse concentration of nesting ducks in the country; most of the
ducks are tied to the grasslands too, as the females select nesting
sites amid the bountiful grasses of the uplands. The first broods of
ducklings will be hatching while you attend the Turtle Mountain Birding
Festival.
The Prairie River Refuge
The largest of the 62 refuges in North Dakota,J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge
protects 59,000 acres of wetlands, prairies, woodlands, and associated
habitats.hese varied habitats provide ideal conditions for about 300
species of birds, which may include concentrations of a half-million
individuals of some species.
We'll be focusing on
Swainson's Hawks,Franklin's Gulls, Black Terns, Western Grebes,
bobolinks, Eastern and Western Kingbirds, Upland Sandpipers, American
Avocets, Wilson's Phalaropes, Sharp-tailed Grouse, Gray Partridges,
Canvasbacks and a dozen other ducks, and a wealth of other birds at
nearby J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge. We will also search
diligently for the rarer LeConte's Sparrows, Sprague's Pipits, Nelson's
Sharp-tailed Sparrows,Clark's Grebes, and others. Pre-Festival scouting
will emphasize these sought-after birds, so we expect a bountiful
Festival checklist of birds.
The Turtle Mountains
Along the border of the
United State sand Canada, the scenic forest and lakes region of the
Turtle Mountains provides another popular birding destination featuring
Lake Metigoshe,
the "clear water surrounded by oaks," with groves of birches, aspens,
ash, and American elms to attract a variety of forest birds. The region
supports exciting Northwards species, including Common Loons, Red-necked
Grebes, Bald Eagles,Broad-winged Hawks, American White Pelicans,
Canvasbacks, Redheads,Common golden eyes, Buffleheads, Wood Ducks, and
many more. Songbird migration will be flourishing during the Festival,
which offers the opportunity to see as many as 25 different species of
warblers, plus several thrushes, vireos, orioles, and more.
The Northern Coteau Region
Saturday will take us to Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge
which lies in the highly productive prairie pothole region. This region
produces more ducks than any other in the lower 48 states. The refuge
is a land of rolling hills mantled in short-grass and mixed-grass
prairie interspersed with numerous wetlands.
This unique combination
of prairie and wetland is a boon to many species of wildlife. Within
the Northern Coteau, mallards nest in the highest densities ever
recorded in North America on Miller Lake Island. The Northern Coteau
has the highest known densities of sharp-tailed grouse in North America
and is an important migration stop for endangered whooping cranes. Fall
snow goose migration numbers peak at over 400,000 birds. And Lostwood
is the location where the coveted Baird's Sparrow was sited during last
year's festival!
Come join the fun! Register today for the Turtle Mountain Birding Festival.
Festival Registration
The 3-day Turtle
Mountain Birding Festival, including all lodging, meals, transportation,
field guides,and the keynote event, is only $449 per person.
Non-birding spouses may stay on campus during the Festival for $29 per night and enjoy 3 meals on campus for $29 per day.
Those who prefer hotel accommodations are welcome to contact us for more information about area lodging.
To make your reservations, call
701-228-5470
Space is limited, so please call to reserve your spot for the Turtle Mountain Birding Festival today!
For those interested in extending their stay, check out our partners in Canada:
Package includes:
- Breakfast, lunch, supper & coffee breaks each day
- Two nights of accommodation at Turtle Mountain Bible Camp
- Transportation both days
- Guide Service
- Registration & Supper Monday, May 20th @ 6pm
- Supper at 6pm, bird tour @ camp, dessert & coffee around campfire
For more information:
Contact Dale Banman
(204) 534-6303
tmcdc@boissevain.ca
Guide Bios
David Lambeth is a semi-retired professor of biochemistry at the
University of North Dakota, and has been birding since 1969. He has
birded extensively all across North Dakota and regularly offers birding
identification classes in Grand Forks. For more than 20 years, he has
compiled seasonal reports for eastern North Dakota for use by the
editor of
North American Birds, and he has written seasonal reports for the northern Great Plains for over a decade. Dr. Lambeth will present on Friday.
Al Aufforth was a professor of ornithology and wildlife at Dakota
College for more than 30 years. He also worked as a game warden in
Lampasas, TX. He holds a Master's degree from North Dakota State
University in Natural Resource Management; thesis: Waterfowl Nesting
Ecology on Islands at J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge. Al's
intimate knowledge of the J. Clark Salyer Refuge will be invaluable
during our treks through the wetlands of that area.
Chuck Lura has been a biology professor at Dakota College at
Bottineau since 1984. He teaches classes in the area of biology,
botany, and range management.
He has had a weekly column in the
Metigoshe Mirror called "Naturalist at Large" since 2005. He currently
has a radio show called "Natural North Dakota."
Chuck will present Saturday evening.
