Things You'll Need:
- Bird watching guide
- A spotting scope or binoculars
- Sunscreen
- Water
- Notebook
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Step 1
Start a North Dakota bird watching outing in the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. This 70,447-acre park is named after one of America's greatest nature lovers and avid bird watchers. The bird checklist for the park currently lists over 185 birds, with about 70 nesting in the park. The Badlands form the foundation of the park.
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Step 2
Travel over to the Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge, which is designated as a Globally Significant Bird Area. The refuge, located in Burke County, is the largest prairie pothole habitat area under federal protection. This area is well-know for waterfowl such as Blue-winged teal, Mallard, Gadwall, Widgeon and Lesser Scaup. Grasshopper Sparrow and Upland Sandpiper call the grassland areas home.
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Step 3
Journey to the J. Clark Salyer Wildlife Refuge in Upham. Over 300 bird species have been identified and 125 species nest in the refuge. Wetlands and grasslands abound in the Salyer Refuge and the well-managed habitat restoration areas. The Refuge's Grassland Trail offers the most intensive and easily accessible biding area.
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Step 4
Go to the Sully's Hill National Game Preserve in the Devils Lake area in Benson County. Although the preserve is only 1,674 acres in size, the list of bird species is extensive. Although the preserve was established for the American bison and elk, the preserved habitat benefits the native and migrating birds. In the summer of each year, Sully's Hill holds a bird and nature festival.
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Step 5
Print out maps, guides, checklists and area information before any North Dakota birding trip (see Resources below).
