And not all the fools are dead yet

Life target list:

• Gray Partridge (ND, SD, MT - agricultural)
• Dusky Grouse (WY-Tetons,Y'stone)
• Ruffed Grouse (MN-SaxZim, ND-Turtle, WY-Tetons)
• Black-backed Woodpecker (MN, WY, SD)
• Baird's Sparrow (ND prairie, espec. Lostwood)

• Red-necked Grebe (ND-ne, MN)
• Upland Sandpiper (ND)
• Sprague's Pipit (ND)
• Three-toed Woodpecker (WY montane)
• Dusky, Cordilleran, Hammond's Flycatchers
• Le Conte's Sparrow (ND prairie)
• Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow (ND prairie)
• Clay-colored Sparrow (ND prairie)
• Dickcissel (SD, ND, WY prairie)
• Lark Bunting (ND, WY prairie)

Flight, Car

• PHL-MSP: Northwest 1652, Jun 10th 2009, Depart: 6:20 AM, Arrive: 8:09 AM; Departs from Terminal E; Seat(s): 25-C
• MSP-PHL: Northwest 1712, Jun 23rd 2009, Depart: 6:50 PM, Arrive: 10:29 PM, Departs from Lindbergh Terminal; Seat(s): 25-C
• Flight confirmation 292DSM
• Budget Rental Car, Lindbergh Terminal, Confirmation # 746142819, Wednesday, June 10, 2009 9:00 AM - Tuesday, June 23, 2009 5:00 PM - Pontiac G6 or similar, estimated total $911.91

Hotel Reservations

• Weds 10th: Motel 6 Duluth #1294, 200 s 27th ave w, i-35 at exit #254, Duluth, MN, 55806, Phone: (218) 723-1123; Conf # 1294M30578
• (Thurs 11th: Fargo)
• Fri 12th: Bottineau Super 8 Bottineau, 1007 11th Street East, Hwy 5 East of Bottineau, Bottineau, ND 58318, Confirmation Number 67063858 cancel by 4pm previous day (11th) 3pm check-in
• Sat 13th: Super 8 Minot, Hwy 83 N, 1315 N Broadway, Minot, ND 58703-1366, Phone: 701-852-1817 ) Confirmation Number 67062980 PREPAID NO CANCELATION 1pm check-in
• Sun 14th: Super 8 Glendive, 1904 N Merrill Ave, I-94 Exit 215 1 Blk N, Glendive, MT 59330-0198, Phone: 406-365-5671 Confirmation Number 67064250 2pm check-in
• Mon 15th: Yodeler Motel at 601 S Broadway Ave (US-212/17th St), Red Lodge, MT 59068 via Expedia (1-800-397-3342), Itinerary #127653506349 ($69)
• Tue/Wed 16th/17th: Motel 6 Jackson: 600 S Hwy-89, Jackson, WY Phone:(307) 733-1620 Conf #328MS76200 ($expensive)
• (Thu 18th: Buffalo)
• (Fri 19th: Rapid City)
• (Sat 20th:)
• (Sun 21st:)
• (Mon 22nd:)

Maps

• I used the Delorme maps of Wyoming, Minnesota and North Dakota. Like other Delorme maps their update schedule is not exemplary and I found significant discrepancies. They also invert the square/oval scheme for county/state roads between the MN and WY maps. Which genius thought that was a good idea ?
• In what follows, I try to be consistent about usage of CR-xxx and MN-xxx roads although that's not always possible. I reference Delorme map and grid numbers as [Delorme 56/A2]. In some cases I reference the birding guides by page number (e.g. Eckert p.200, Scott p.99).
• Click here for Google map of locations

RBAs

• Duluth Birding Report telephone number has been changed to (218) 834-2858.

Prior Trip Reports

• NorthwesternUSA2003_SH.pdf PDF (MN-ND-SD-WY)
• Minnesota, Dakotas and Northeastern Wyoming
• Minnesota, Dakotas
• Stuart Healey Minnesota, Dakotas, Wyoming also contd in July 2008
• Stuart Healey - WY, ND June 17-28 2006
• Stuart Healey - ND, SD, June 2005
• Stuary Healey - Wyoming, 2004
• Stuart Healey also doing ND in 2009, his journals are here with this one for June 7th
• Wyoming in June (and Colorado)
• Yellowstone and Grand Tetons, June 2004
• Wyoming, June 2003
• Montana, Yellowstone and Grand Tetons in May/June 2007

Zen & Art of Motorcycle Maintenance Route Maps

• Route map from Zamm.home.att.net
• Route map with narrative from psybertron.org
• Prof Gurr's route photographs associated with the book and subsequently
• The major route overlap is the stretch in MT from Miles City through Billings and Red Lodge into Yellowstone.
• From Fergus Falls MN a potential overlap route to cut to Sheyenne NG area (Delorme map 64) would be Hwy-210 west from Fergus Falls to Wahpeton, Hwy 13 west of there, overnight in Oakes, ND
• Missouri is crossed at Mobridge and much of the rest of the route in North Dakota seems to be via US-12 to Miles City MT.
• Rest area just west of the S-curve along ND-13 sw. of Milnor [Delorme 63/D10] and Oakes along ND-1 near ND-1/ND-11

Books

• A Birder's Guide to Wyoming by Oliver Scott, in the ABA/Lane guide series
• Birding Montana by Terry McEneaney in the Falcon series
• A Birder's Guide to Minnesota by Kim Eckert
• A Birder's Guide to Planning North American Trips by Jerry Cooper, publised by the ABA but possibly not formally a Lane guide
• There are no current books on birding ND or SD - most of the information for ND or SD has been obtained online

Distances

• Rapid City, SD to Bozeman, MT - 515 miles, 7 hours
• Rapid City, SD to Minneapolis, MN - 600 miles, 8.5 hrs
• Minot, ND to Minneapolis, MN - 500 miles, 8 hrs
• Bismarck, SD to Minneapolis, MN - 430 miles, 6.25 hrs
• Idaho Falls, ID to Jackson, WY - 90 miles, 2 hrs
• Bozeman, MT to Jackson, WY - 215 miles, 4 hrs
• Jackson, WY to Casper, WY - 280 miles, 5 hours

Sunrise, Sunset

• Minneapolis 5:30am, 9pm, TZ=CDT
• Minot 5:50am, 9:30pm, TZ=CDT
• Bozeman 5:40am, 9:20pm, TZ=MDT

Extremely Tentative Itinerary

• Wed June 10th - fly into Minneapolis -
  • North to Aitkin Co (Minneapolis-McGregor = 150 mi, 3 hours) I-35 to Moose Lake, MN-27 west to MN-65 north (alt route US-69 to MN-210 east)
  • Rice Lake NWR [Delorme 56/A2], McGregor Marsh [Delorme 56/A2] Eckert p.200, Aitkin CR380, Aitkin CR18 and Pietz's Rd [Delorme 64/D1] Eckert p.197 (Aitkin) and p.229 (Sax-Zim)
  • Aitkin CR380 (450th St) south of Palisade, [Delorme 64/E1] has sparrows, ST Grouse, etc. Eckert p.198
  • (Savannah Portage SP) [Delorme 64/D3] - probably skip this
  • From CR-18 take SR-200, US-2, CR-25/CR-133 to Sax-Zim [Delorme p.64, 65]
  • Sax-Zim bog in early afternoon [Eckert p.229, Delorme maps 65 and 75] (clusters around sw corner, sites sorted sw nr Meadowlands going north)
    • Blue Spruce Rd CR-211. [Delorme 65/B7] off Meadowlands Rd/CR-133 east of CR-47
    • CR-133 to Meadowlands [Delorme 65/B7-8]
    • Owl Ave CR-202/203, Owl ave bog at Mottonen Rd had CT Warbler [Delorme 65/B7]. Northern part of Owl Ave for Black-backed [Delorme 65/A7].
    • Sharp-tailed Grouse, Upland Sandpipers in the field southwest of the county hwys 52 - 208 intersection (May 2009) [Delorme 65/A7]
    • From updates to Eckert: In the Sax-Zim Bog (inset C), a quite visible Sharp-tailed Grouse lek has been active the last few years near Meadowlands along the east side of County Road 29, 1.5 miles north of County Road 133 [Delorme 65/A7]. Non-displaying grouse (along with Le Conte's Sparrows, Bobolinks, both meadowlarks, and other field birds) can also be seen along the side roads adjacent to County Road 29 in this vicinity. Sharp-taileds sometimes frequent the brushlands farther northeast along 29: from the lek, go 1.5 miles north, 2 miles east, and 2 miles north [Delorme 65/A7].
    • CR-52/Arkola Ave [Delorme 65/A7-8] cited as being recently productive
    • north end of McDavitt CR-213 for Woodpeckers at Tamarack Bog [Delorme 75/E7]
    • recent sighting: Great Gray Owl on McDavitt Rd, 3.1 mi N of Sax Rd toward sunset
    • Connecticut Warbler on the north side of county hwy 27, 50 yds east of county 83 (May 2009) [Delorme 75/E7]
  • Long boreal loop: US-53 north, the Cr-37/CR-135 (Eveleth, Gilbert) to Embarrass Wetlands [Eckert p.230, Delorme 76/B2], CR-110 south through Hoyt Lakes to bogs around CR-11/CR-16 [Delorme 76/D3]. East along CR-16, becoming CR-15 in Lake Co to CR-2 [Delorme 77/D6] (possibly cut corner at FR-409), birding north along CR-2 [Eckert p.236], returning south to Twin Harbors and Duluth, check in Motel6
  • Return to Sax-Zim bog in early evening
  • Possible late evening return trip to McGregor/Rice Lake [Delorme 56/A2] but Yellow Rail only calls after dark. Do this only if we intend to start at Sax-Zim at dawn.
  • McGregor-Duluth is 60 mi, 1.5 hrs, McGregor-Sax is 85 mi, 2 hrs
  • Motel 6 at Duluth #1294, 200 S 27th ave W, I35 at exit #254, Duluth, MN, Phone: (218) 723-1123; Conf # 1294M30578
  Targets: Black-backed Woodpecker, Ruffed Grouse, (Yellow Rail), CT Warbler, Golden-winged Warbler (main chance), Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (main chance), Least Flycatcher, Mourning Warbler, Boreal Chickadee
• Thur June 11 - Duluth area, Sax-Zim to Fargo and the ND prairies
  This is a long hard day starting in the boreal forests and bogs and ending up in North Dakota prairie country and several hundred miles of driving in between.
  • Pre-dawn (5am) at McGregor Marsh for low odds at calling Yellow Rail, wetland sparrows, then skim Rice Lake NWR area
  • Head for Sax-Zim for morning birding
  • Return through Aitkin Co (CR-380, CR-18) on way west - this is a long loop predicated solely on Yellow Rail at dawn.
  • (Savannah Portage SP) - probably skip
  • SR-200 west [Delorme 62, 63] through Walker, US-71 south to Itasca Sp at Clearwater Co boundary [Delorme 61/A6]
  • If we were skipping Itasca SP we'd take SR-200 to SR-34 at Walker, SR-34 to Detroit Lakes and either US-10 or US-59
  • Lake Alice Bog [Delorme 61/A7, Eckert p.208] Itasca SP [Delorme 61/A6] for Black-backed Woodpecker along (start, end) Bohall Trail (and perhaps Nicollet Trail) - we are here solely for Black-backed Woodpecker.
  • Head toward Rothsay area via Detroit Lakes - US-71 to SR-34 or the meandering SR-113 to US-59. SR-113 is better for Felton Prairie.
  • Buffalo River State Park [Delorme 59/D6] - prairie species, 14 mi east of Fargo. Felton Prairie areas [Delorme 59/B6] also to the north of it. Ekcert p.73
  • Maplewood SP - east of Rothsay on Hwy-108, east of US-59 at Pelican Rapids - NOT ESPECIALLY INTERESTING
  • Rothsay area late PM [Eckert p.75, Delorme 51/A-B7] - south via local roads toward SR-210, then west to Wahpeton/Breckenridge [Delorme 50/C5]
  • ENTER NORTH DAKOTA on Z&AMM route
  • Sheyenne NG [Delorme map 64] to the west of here via Z&AMM route originating from Fergus Falls. Micropilgrimage to Milnor rest stop, then backtrack via Milnor and agricultural fields north to Sheyenne NG and either Fargo or Jamestown.
  • Dependent on timing, make run for Chase Lake NWR [Delorme 49/B6] or Arrowwood NWR *CLOSED* [Delorme 38/G5] or a subset of the birding drives near Arrowwood.
  • McGregor-Rothsay is 180 mi, 4+ hours; Rothsay-Bemidji is 140 mi, 2.5 hrs (nr Itasca SP)
  • Fargo for the night (Red River Lodge $40, Motel6 $40)
  • Jamestown: Gladstone Inn And Suites, 111 2nd St. NE, Jamestown, ND 58401, 701-252-0700 $55, 2pm checkin
  • Fargo-Jamestown 100 mi, Fargo-Bismarck 195 mi (3hrs).
  • Sheyenne NG south-west of Fargo as a late evening option, also Valley City hatchery (opening times?)
  Targets: Black-backed Woodpecker (MN), Ruffed Grouse (MN), (Yellow Rail), CT Warbler, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (main chance), Least Flycatcher, Mourning Warbler, Clay-colored Sparrow, boreals, Gray Partridge, first stab at Prairie species
• Fri June 12 - First day in ND, Jamestown area and north to Bottineau
  • Arrowwood NWR *CLOSED* [Delorme 38/G5], Chase Lake NWR [Delorme 49/B6] and areas nearby - plethora of sites on birding drives
  • Sheyenne NG (Delorme map 64) for Gray Partridge [Delorme 64/C1 145th/75th], Yellow Rail [Delorme 64/B1 147th/so of 73rd] , wetland sparrows etc
  • Sheyenne NG recent results Gray Partridge at 143rd/75th, White-rumped Sandpiper at 146th/75th,
  • central-eastern ND prairie potholing en route to Bottineau
  • Fargo-Jamestown is only 100 mi
  • Jamestown-Bottineau passes through MOST of the major prairie pothole regions in the state, bisected by US-52.
  • Lake Alice NWR [Delorme 27/A8] north of Devil's Lake, Buffalo Lodge Lake [Delorme 25/A6] west of this along US-2 (and wet prairie south of the lake)
  • many NWR in this area, most of them not in the classical big NWR mold
  • Gray Partridge areas west of Bottineau [Delorme 13/C9]
  • J. Clark Salyer NWR [Delorme 14/F1], Turtle Mts in late PM (wetland sparrows, grebes, Ruffed Grouse)
  • Overnight Bottineau (Jamestown-Bottineu is 200 mi) - Super8 - $67 - appears to be the best option, no WiFi
  Targets: Prairie Pothole species, Baird's Sparrow, Clay-colored Sparrow, Sprague's Pipit, Red-necked Grebe in Turtle Mtns etc, last chance for Alder Flycatcher this far west
• Sat June 13 - Bottineau and west
  • Clark Salyer NWR [Delorme 14/F1], Bottineu's Turtle Mts (24th road to Lords Lake for Nelson's [Delorme 14/D5], Lake Metigoshe SP [Delorme 14/A4] for Ruffed Grouse, School Section Lake [Delorme 15/A7], Pelican Lake [Delorme 14/B5], Wakopa WPA [Delorme 15/A7])
  • west of Bottineau for Gray Partridge [Delorme 13/C9] + Davids location
  • there's a very pothole-agricultural intensive area west of Westhope toward Kuroki ([Delorme 13/B9]on US-83) and headed west of here, also south of there around Eckman [Delorme 13/E9] - might make sense to cut N-S along the Kuroki-Eckman axis toward Buffalo Lodge Lake. Or if we need Gray Partridge the lands west of US-83 are agricultural north of Minot.
  • working to west Lostwood NWR [Delorme 11/G8] (open 5:30am-10pm), Des Lacs NWR [Delorme 12/E1], Upper Souris NWR [Delorme 12/H5],
  • Upper Souris NWR [Delorme 12/H5] nw. of Minot, continue up Hwy-52, west on Hwy-50 (Coulee), north on Hwy-8 to Lostwood NWR [Delorme 11/G8]
  • Des Lacs NWR [Delorme 12/E1] is almost due east of Lostwood NWR but perhaps better route via Kenaston (dirt roads) or Coulee (Hwy-50)
  • overnight Minot. Minot Super 8 $55 reserved NO CANCEL
  • Bottineu-Minot is a mere 80 miles. Days 2-4 are major Prairie Pothole days and this is probably the most intensive one
  Target: Prairie Pothole species, Baird's Sparrow, Clay-colored Sparrow, Sprague's Pipit, Red-necked and Eared Grebe in Turtle Mtns, Gray Partridge etc.
• Sun June 14 - Lostwood into MT
  • Lostwood NWR [Delorme 11/G8] at dawn (5:30am-10pm) - this is a fair way from Minot
  • Des Lacs NWR [Delorme 12/E1], (Upper Souris NWR [Delorme 12/H5])
  • Area south-east of Lostwood is a major axis of prairie potholes. Pothole region arcs nw above Lostwood, becoming westerly [Delorme 10-11/D1-8]
  • Gets more agricultural west of US-85 - either hunt Gray Partridge or head south on US-85.
  • Lake Zahl NWR and Appam alkali lake - Appam-Kenmare is 110mi, 2.5 hours)
  • The big flooded swath of the Missouri River is crossed at three places - near Williston (US-85), near Sanish (ND-23) and US-83 due south of Minot.
  • Theodore Roosevelt NP Northern Unit - access via southbound US-85 from Williston
  • The above should take most of the day, because the MT stuff is really not that fascinating apart from building a MT list
  • Enter MT via ND-200 and Cartwright (for Medicine Lake, Fort Union etc) or ND-68 and Sidney further south, dropping into Yellowstone River valley
  • Optional Medicine Lake NWR in Montana - a bit of a diversion if we have the energy - Turn north on Montana Highway 16 off U.S. Highway 2 at Culbertson. Follow Highway 16 north for approximately 22 miles until you reach the Refuge, which is marked with a large entrance sign on the North Shore Road. The town of Medicine Lake is located near the northwest boundary of the Medicine Lake NWR. The Fort Peck Indian Reservation borders the west boundary. The towns of Plentywood and Culbertson are about 20 miles equidistant north and south, respectively, along Montana State Highway 16. (Prairie wetlands)
  • If we visit Medicine Lake NWR do so via Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site - Fort Union Trading Post sits on the Montana/North Dakota border, 25 miles southwest of Williston ND and 25 miles north of Sidney MT. The fort sits on the North Dakota side where the main parking lot is 1/4 mile on the Montana side. There is a slight climb in elevation when coming from the smaller parking lot which is about 500 feet from the fort. Hours 8am-8pm.
  • MT border sites, in particular Fox Lake and perhaps Elk Island, Seven Sisters (Nine miles south of Sidney at mile marker 41 off State Highway16. Turn east at town of Crane on gravel road marked by a fishing access sign. Drive 1 mile.)
  • Medicine Lake to Glendive is nearly 3 hours, 120 miles.
  • overnight Glendive MT or similar. Super8 Glendive $64. Minot-Glendive is 300 mi. Late arrival prebook. Glendive-Miles City is 80 miles.
  Targets: Baird's Sparrow, Sprague's Pipit, LeConte's Sparrow, other prairie stuff
• Mon June 15 - ND/MT border to Yellowstone
  • Officially designated the "haul ass to Yellowstone" day, overlapping the Z&AMM route especially on the road through Red Lodge and up through Cooke City into the park
  • ND/MT border sites toward Billings with roadside birding - Glendive/Makoshika, Terry Badlands, (Miles City), Billings/Sword's Park, area around Molt for Gray Partridge (grain elevators)
  • Glendive to Cooke City is 450 mi, 6.5 hours so if we start at 0530 we can devote 2-3 hours to birding sites en route and catch lunch in Billings.
  • Glendive/Makoshika, Terry Badlands, (Miles City), Billings/Sword's Park, area around Molt for Gray Partridge (grain elevators)
  • Rock Creek - small park for Dipper etc
  • Limberpine Campground 15 miles south of Rock Creek (i.e. Yellowstone side)
  • Beartooth Pass - Rosy Finches at east and west summits, American Pipits
  • Beartooth, Island and Long Lakes west of summits toward Cooke City
  • Valley from Cooke City to N.E. entrance into Yellowstone
  • Lamar Valley and n.e. Yellowstone sites in late PM (Tower Falls, Antelope Creek) byt Hayden Valley is extensive enough.
  • Back over the passes to Red Lodge with an eye to the weather at high altitude
  • Yodeler Motel at Red Lodge (US-212/17th) via Expedia (1-800-397-3342), Itinerary #127653506349 confirmed
  Targets: Rosy Finches, Blue Grouse montane WY species, mainly a traveling/position day.
• Tue June 16 - Yellowstone to Grand Tetons - first whole day
  • Dawn at Beartooth Passes en route to Yellowstone if we need Rosy Finches, or shortly after dawn in Lamar Valley if we do not
  • Yellowstone NP
    • Lamar Valley (Soda Butte & Creek, Calcite Springs, Druid Wolf site)
    • Antelope Creek - parallels eastern drive south of Tower Falls
    • Blacktail Plateau Road - side route off road between Tower and Mammoth (northern section of loop)
    • Hayden Valley other generally south-eastern edge sites
    • Lookout Pt south of Canyon
    • Sylvan Pass toward eastern entrance
    • Mary Bay and marshland of nearby Pelican Creek at Yellowstone Lake
    • OTHER SITES ? check WY and MT guides
    • This day should CONCENTRATE on Yellowstone since it's the only day we start there
  • Red Rock Lakes NWR, west of Yellowstone via US-20 and MT-87/287 at Lakeview
  • Grand Tetons in PM
    • Signal Mtn Rd, - perhaps add/move this to dusk
    • Emma Matilda Lake
    • waterfowl espec. Trumpeter Swan (Flat Creek, Jackson Visitor Ctr at Elk Refuge)
    • Woodpeckers at the Jenny Lake/String Lake burns down the west side of Jenny Lake)
    • Ruffed Grouse near west side ferry site
    • Tramway for Rosy Finches as necessary - this will likely be crowded
    • Sawmill Ponds
  • Overnight Jackson, Motel6, 600 S Hwy-89, Jackson, WY Phone:(307) 733-1620 Conf #328MS76200
  Targets: Trumpeter Swan, Blue & Ruffed Grouse, Black-backed Woodpecker
• Wed June 17 - Grand Tetons and Yellowstone - second whole day
  • Dawn at Grand Tetons
    • Signal Mtn drive at dawn for Blue Grouse,
    • Emma Matilda Lake
    • Jenny/String Lake burns for Woodpeckers, west shore,
    • Lupin Trail for Calliope
    • Sawmill Ponds
  • Later afternoon for Yellowstone west side - at least drive by Old Faithful and hike the geyser trail
  • backtrack to eastern route or cut across toward Canyon
  • Completely flexible section depending on must-sees
  • Overnight Jackson, Motel6, 600 S Hwy-89, Jackson, WY Phone:(307) 733-1620 Conf #328MS76200
• Thu June 18 - Grand Tetons to Yellowstone and east
  We might even be tired of the Tetons and Yellowstone by now.
  • Repeat of morning destinations from previous day, shaped by must-sees, residual sites for missing species - Ruffed Grouse and Calliope
  • Relatively early move north into Yellowstone up eastern edge, Hayden and Lamar Valleys
  • Late morning exit either via Jackson/Gd Tetons or via east entrance (better)
  • New Fork Lake Rd for last stab at Ruffed Grouse and Blue Grouse as necessary, far southeast of Jackson north of Pinedale
  • Jackson - Buffalo is 340 mi, 6 hours; West Thumb to Buffalo is 290, 5 hours, via Cody
  • RESEARCH BIRDING SITES EITHER TOWARD CASPER OR TOWARD BUFFALO
  • Overnight Buffalo - probably wise to prebook, or conceivably even Gillette
  • Motel6: I-90 at Exit #58, I-25 at Exit #299, 100 Flat Iron Drive, Buffalo, WY 82834, (307) 684-7000
• Fri June 19 - Buffalo to Rapid City
  • Distance ~300 miles 4++ hours, and much of this done in a very early morning sprint
  • South from Gillete towards Wright on Hwy-59, then east along Hwy-450 to Thunder Basin
  • Healey's account: "Lynch Road" runs generally southwest starting from SR 450 about 7.5 miles east of the SR 116 intersection [Delorme 40/A3]. This road eventually hooks up with SR 59 near the "town" of Bill [Delorme 40/D2], some 35 miles north of Douglas. Land initially fairly flat/dull but becomes more undulating and varied with brushy draws and sagebrush. Many, many LARK BUNTINGS present. LEAST FLYCATCHER, FLICKER in marginal habitat. WESTERN KINGBIRD, LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE, GRASSHOPPER and LARK SPARROWS, many HORNED LARKS and WESTERN MEADOWLARKS.
  • Fields along SR-450 closer to Newcastle: [Delorme 29/F5-ish] Short grass and sage species as possible by random stops where it looked promising. Lark Buntings were plentiful. After about 20 miles on SR 450 (from Newcastle, headed west) we eventually found an area of very short grass. We didn't have to walk more than a hundred meters before we got our first McCown's Longspur. McCown's Longspurs were fairly common here, and we also found Chestnut-collared Longspurs and Burrowing Owl Not far from here a female Greater Sage-Grouse came strolling across the road with her chicks! (This from 1999, area not refound subsequent trips)
  • US-16 north out of Newcastle, US-14 toward Carlile and Devil's Tower
  • Devil's Tower for woodpeckers - Red Beds Trail had Woodpeckers in 1999 [Delorme 19/E5], Prairie Falcon nests around here
  • Backtrack toward Sundance via reverse of Healey's route i.e. CR-196 to FR-847 to FR-838 [Delorme 19/E5,F6]. From trip report: I drove north into the Bear Lodge Mountains about 11 miles on FR-838 (to the crossroads a few miles past Warren Peak). From here I took FR 847 west down the mountain for 17 miles to State Route 24 near Devils Tower. I've mentioned FR 838 before on June 19 and on June 16, 2005. FR 847 was a new road for me and it turned out to be very enjoyable birding without producing anything special. As the road drops, the canyon widens and riparian habitat increases. The lower section is very wide with ranchland, ponds and rocky bluffs. This is a good alternate route from Sundance to Devils Tower without the traffic (much slower, of course, especially so if you stop for birds!).
  • south-east of Sundance via Moskee Road: started by working FR-872 and FR-876 that run west from the Moskee Road (CR-207, east of Sundance [Delorme 29/A7]) to Hwy 585 (the road from Sundance to Newcastle [Delorme 29/A7]). This is one of my favorite birding routes in the area. Although there aren't any special birds to be found here, it's a very pleasant 7 miles drive through pines, meadows and a little bit of riparian habitat. I've birded these roads in multiple years (always in June) since I first "discovered" the area. The "Moskee Road and Bluebird Trail" route is described in Scott p.122. Note that the starting point (7.5 miles south of I-90 exit 191 on the Moskee Road) is no longer marked with a #872 sign. It's now marked Reynolds Road (this is FR-872). The right angle turn after 1.8 miles is now marked Clark Road (this is FR-876).
  • Potentially use FR-875 (Grand Canyon Rd) to enter Black Hills to look for Black-backed Woodpecker en route to US-85 with apparent easterly option to head for Roughlock Falls and Savoy (we will need a good map here)
  • Custer SP also has recent sightings of BB Woodpecker
  • Spearfish Cyn: Hanna Campground is south of Savoy along Alt-US-14 near southern entrance (Cheyenne Crossing). Trailheads: Rim Rock from Rod and Gun Campground; east Roughlock trail near Falls; 76 Trail across from lodge; Little Spearfish from Timon Campground. Native planting trail near Lodge/Restaurant.
  • Roughlock Falls, Spearfish Cyn etc toward evening - campsites will be busy, as will road - Cordilleran Flycatcher.
    
  • "I continued on FR 220, and soon saw Yellow-bellied Marmot crossing the road, and found MacGillivrays Warbler. Opposite the 1997 Holiday Tree was a trailhead, where I turned right. A smart choice, because two American Three-toed Woodpeckers (with much whiter backs than in Minnesota) were along it. I also saw Red-naped Sapsucker. The trail soon turned back to the road. A trail a bit further on was filled with cows and their waste products."
  • Depending on how hellish Spearfish canyon/Hanna Campground is by this stage, we can option Sylvan Lake (Black-backed Wp, Ruffed Grouse) via US-85 and Hwy-87, Mount Rushmore via Hwy-244 ($10 unacceptable gouge), and perhaps a late day (good light) visit to Badlands NP (7am-7pm)
  • Overnight Rapid City Motel6 $36<\li>
  • Motel6: I-90 at Lacrosse Street South, Exit #59, 620 East Latrobe Street South, Rapid City, SD 57701, (605) 343-3687
• Sat June 20 - Rapid City to god knows where - probably Bismarck
  
  • Custer SP early morning - some backtracking here - BB Woodpecker at 4 mile road burn
  • Mount Rushmore on way back north ($10 gouge)
  • Whim factor: rummage in Black Hills for BB Woodpecker, head towards Badlands NP
  • Badlands NP mid-morning
  • Bowman for Gray Partridge, western ND sites around Williston (guidebook)
  • Stage at Bismarck for sprints to either Lostwood or Arrowwood areas the following morning
  • Bismarck ND is reachable (350 mi) as a staging area, Minot is TOUGH (460 mi)
  • If we reach Bismarck the whole Chase Lake NWR area is actually within evening striking distance
  • Bismarck Motel 6 - $40
• Sun June 21 - ND prairie potholing again via Lostwood or Bottineau or Arrowwood
  
  • Start at Bismarck, with either a major push to the nw to Lostwood or the saner se for Arrowwood
  • Bismarck-Jamestown is a mere 100 miles; Bismarck-Kenmare is 160 miles
  • Minot or Bismarck make good overnights depending on what we have planned for the following day
  • Overnight Fargo, Bismarck, Jamestown or somewhere in MN if we are feeling appropriately crazed
• Mon June 22 - open day for MN (Roseau, Sax-Zim etc) or Jamestown-ish ND
• Tue June 23 - residual morning birding, fly out in PM

Minnesota

• MN email list
• MN OU list
• Eckert birding guide plus corrections
• Aitkin Co birding guide site and downloadable PDFs
• LOCATION: MOU info on Sax-Zim bog
• LOCATION: McGregor Marsh and Rice Lake NWR
• LOCATION: Sax-Zim Bog and CR22, Arkola Rd Sharp-tailed Grouse lek, also CR 208 and Arkola Road (be more specific, also Meadowlands Rd)
• Location: Sax-Zim: CT Warbler: Tamarack bog on CR 135 (Sax-Zim); CR202 and Mottonen (Tamarack Bog)
• LOCATION: Sax-Zim: Road 133, signposted for Meadowlands
• Location: Savannah Portage SP - near McGregor
• Location: West of Rothsay*, the prairie-chicken lek at 190th Street (mods to directions)
• Location: (Minneapolis) Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve (Regional Park) - Burnsville Parkway exit from I-35W
• Location: (far northeast) FR 315 off Gunflint Trail, Grand Marais, Isabella Lake, Stony River Rd, White Pine Picnic Gd,
• Location: (far northeast) Grand Marais area/Lima Mountain Road - Black-backed Woodpecker, Three-toed Woodpecker
• Location: (far northeast) Grand Marais area/Lima Grade Road @ Bow Lake Road - Black-backed Woodpecker
• Location: (far southeast) Great River Bluffs SP - Henslow's
• Location: (far southeast) Kellogg-Weaver Dunes
• Location: (WHERE?) Bankton Forest Road (Beltrami Island State Forest) in Lake of the Woods county - mainly Eastern woodland sp
• Location: (far north) just northwest of Roseau in a boggy area (flooded fields, really) that is part of a state wildlife area - marshland birds
• Location: (far north) road from Roseau toward Canada for Black-backed Woodpecker
• Location: (far north) area to the southwest of same, nearby Roseau for Le Conte's, Clay-colored.

North Dakota

• ND email list
• ND RBA
• Where Do You Want To Go Birding: North Dakota
• Birding opportunities in ND from the ND parks dept
• Birding Drives of ND
  • PDF: Chase Lake
  • PDF: Arrowwood
  • PDF: Lake Juanita
  • PDF: Jamestown
• Breeding birds of ND
  • Red-necked Grebe - Turtle Mountains, J. Clark Salyer
  • Ferruginous Hawk - south central
  • Gtr Prairie Chicken - eastern
  • Ruffed Grouse - Turtle Mtns
  • Gtr Sage Grouse - extreme sw
  • Marbled Godwit - widespread prairie pothole
  • Sprague's Pipit - central southern and western northern
  • Philadelphia Vireo - Turtle Mtns
  • Baird's Sparrow - widespread western
  • Clay-colored Sparrow - widespread eastern/northern
  • Chestnut-collared Longspur - widespread western
  • McCown's Longspur - uncommon western, espec northwestern
• ND birding society specialty species tips
• Northwest ND birding guide has the inevitable Lostwood NWR plus additional locations (thanks David)
• Best NWRs appear to be Lostwood, J. Clark Salyer, Arrowwood
• LOCATION: J. Clark Salyer NWR (Upham, ND) - near Bottineau - Delorme map 14/F1
• LOCATION: Lostwood NWR (espec near Grouse Blind for Baird's, ST Grouse at markers 3,12)
• LOCATION: Chase Lake National Wildlife Refuge - entrance road can be entertaining [Delorme 49/B6]
• Location: Arrowwood NWR - Delorme map 38 grid G5 - CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING IN JUNE 2009
• Location: Des Lacs NWR - at Kenmare, Delorme map 12/E1
• Location: Theodore Roosevelt NP southern section (shortgrass prairie), northern section perhaps more badlands-like
• Location: Lake Alice NWR en route between Jamestown and Bottineau
• Location: Area around Bottineau (ND) Turtle Mtns, Pelican Lake [Delorme 14/B5] (Strawberry Lake?): Red-necked Grebe
• Location: Lords Lake (24th St NE) to the east of Bottineau [Delorme 14/D5]
• Location (Bottineau) Lake Metigoshe SP - Ruffed Grouse [Delorme 14/A4]
• Location: Bowman-Haley Dam Reserve - Grey Partridge - see directions below - sw corner of state
• Location: Yellow Rail at Sheyenne NG: Seen on 147th Avenue, 1.75 miles north of 75th Street, 0.25 miles south of 73rd Street (where The Nature Conservancy's Brown Ranch is located - Delorme 64/B1). This is roughly 6 miles from McLeod and 2 miles from where Bryan Stotts heard rails calling a few night's ago (approximately at the southern boundary of the grassland, due south from McLeod). Delorme 64/B1
• What do we know about Long Lake NWR - Clark's Grebe at Unit III ?
• Cross Ranch Preserve - From the north or east proceed to Washburn ND via US Highway 83 then cross the Highway Alternate 200 bridge over the Missouri River. Head south on West River Road following signs to Cross Ranch State Park. Cross Ranch Headquarters are located on the west side of West River Road (Highway 1806) across from the park entrance. From the west or south proceed north from Mandan on Highway 1806 about 30 miles. Over 15 miles of this route is on a good gravel road. Delorme map 35/H9
• Edited excerpts from ABA trip planner: exit Fargo westbkund I-94, Valley City in 60 mi, CR-17 for 3 mi north to Valley City National Fish Hatchery - prairie has Baird's (but not pivotal site [Delorme 51/C6]). I-94 120 miles west of Fargo, exit at Medina for Chase Lake NWR. 11 miles west of Medina exit at Crystal Springs, 1.5 mi west along Frontage Rd, north on gravel rd for 5 miles to Salt Alkaline Lake [Delorme 48/C5] - prairie all the way. 3 mi west and 5 mi south through more prairie to Tappen.

  I-95 8.5 miles west from Tappen to Dawson, Baird's Sparrow at McPhail WMA (7 mi north, 5 mi west, [Delorme 48/B4]). Or Salt Alkaline Lake [Delorme 48/D3] 3 mi south of Dawson and along shore. Really unclear Yellow Rail directions. Horsehead Lake WMA [Delorme 48/A3] for Virginia Rail and Sora.

  Devil's Lake: at Minnewaukan turn east toward lake to Minnewaukan Flats [Delorme 27/E7], Yellow Rail/LeContes/Nelsons at US-281/Rt-19 [Delorme 27/D7], Six Mile Bay 10 mi east on Rt-19 [Delorme 27/D9]. Google indicates US-281 road realignment so this is now 48th St NE/62nd Ave NE. Delorme still shows it the old way.

• Slade NWR is located approximately 2 miles south of Dawson, North Dakota. From I-94, travel south on Highway 3 for 3 miles, then turn east on the gravel road and continue ½ mile to the Refuge gate. A recreational area managed by the Kidder County Park Board lies just south of the entrance gate to the Refuge. Slade NWR overlaps the Dawson area above [Delorme 48/D3]
• ND Game and Fish Dept PLOTS maps (Public Land Open to Sportsmen) which also shows location of "State School" Lands including detailed maps and an interactive map section - the static maps are very detailed and at least as good as the DeLorme
• Public use rules for ND State School Lands (includes links to maps, but the PLOTS ones are more detailed)

South Dakota

• SD email list
• South Dakota OU birding hotspots
• South Dakota Birding Trail
• South Dakota Breeding bird atlas
  • Ferruginous Hawk - north central
  • 3toed and BB Woodpeckers - rare in Black Hills
  • Cordilleran Flycatcher - Black Hills
  • Sprague's Pipit - central southern and western northern
  • Philadelphia Vireo - Turtle Mtns
  • Baird's Sparrow - widespread western
  • Clay-colored Sparrow - widespread eastern/northern
  • Chestnut-collared Longspur - widespread western
  • McCown's Longspur - uncommon western, espec northwestern
• LOCATION: Badlands NP - scenery rather than birding, off Interstate east of Black Hills
• Location: Sand Lake NWR - nothing compelling
• Location: Ordway Prairie
• Location: Lacreek NWR - nothing compelling
• Location: (Black Hills) Roby Canyon - Virginia Warbler - see SDOU info
• LOCATION: Black Hills in general contains many western montane sp.
• Location: (Black Hills) Spearfish Canyon, Hanna Campground
• Location: (Black Hills) Spearfish Cyn and Roughlock Falls - Dipper - SDOU info
• Location: (Black Hills) Sylvan Lake - SDOU info - Ruffed Grouse, 3toed; Hwy 87 in montane section ne of Custer - recent report incl WW Crossbill, BB Woodpecker, Ruffed Grouse
• Location: (Black Hills) Custer State Park on Road 16A. At the entrance station, we first turned east away from the park on road 36 - roadside stop at parking area on left a few miles along - various birds in park, also bison
• Location: (Black Hills) Black Fox Campground - SDOU info west of Rochford off dirt roads? west of Rapid City and west of US-385
• Location: Ordway Prairie (Nature Conservancy) - Baird's and Sprague's - SDOU info - north central
• FR 875 instead. In a burnt-over area a Black-backed Woodpecker's nest could be heard and seen from the road. (this is WY side of Black Hills, mentioned in these directions for Cement Ridge: Route 2 from Sundance, Wyoming: proceed east on I-90, exit on the Moskee Road, Exit 191. Proceed south on the Moskee Road (County Road 141) to the intersection with the Grand Canyon Road (Forest Service Road 875), turn east (left) on 875, east (left) on 804 (Rattlesnake Canyon Road), and then north (left) on 850. Travel time for both routes is approximately one hour. Both routes contain gravel roads. [WY Delorme 29/A7 but a better map is needed]

Montana

• MT email list
• MT Eastern Plains wildlife trail
• Location: Elk Island, 1 mile north of Savage, 20 mi South of Sidney at mm32 on Hwy-16. Assorted eastern riparian species of NOT OF GREAT INTEREST.
• Location: Fox Lake WMA, 21 mi west of Sidney on Hwy 200, turn south through Lambert at mm50. Plains marshland species. These two areas, both nr Sidney are about 55 mi/1.3 hrs northeast of Glendive.
• Location: Makoshika SP 1.5 miles southeast of Glendive.
• Location: Spotted Eagle Recreation area at Miles City, also Strawberry Hill BLM 10 mi east of Miles City on US-12
• Location: Terry Badlands near (you guessed it) Terry
• Location: Swords Park in Billings (Terry-Billings = 180 mi, 2.5 hours)
• Location: entrance road to Pirogue Island State Park on the Missouri River

Wyoming

• WY email list
• The Oliver Scott's "Birding Wyoming" in the ABA/Lane guide series is older but still rather useful. There is also a section in the MT Birding Guide (non-ABA) that covers Yellowstone
• Locations fall primarily into two sets: Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons; the Sundance area west of the SD Black Hills, based on Stuart Healey's journal, including Devil's Tower
• Location: (Sundance) forest roads 872 and 876 that run west from the Moskee Road (east of Sundance) to Hwy 585 (the road from Sundance to Newcastle). the starting point (7.5 miles south of I-90 exit 191 on the Moskee Road) is no longer marked with a #872 sign. It's now marked Reynolds Road (this is FR 872). The right angle turn after 1.8 miles is now marked Clark Road (this is FR 876).
• Location: (Sundance) Sand Creek east of Sundance near SD line (truck traffic - but not on a Sunday)
• Location: Yellowstone: western end of Blacktail Plateau Road (mixed forest); Blue Grouse on road nr Tower Falls; Duck Lake (Barrow's); Sheffield Creek s. of (which?) park entrance; Lamar Valley @ Calcite Springs, Blue Grouse at Antelope Creek - Lamar Valley appears north-east of Tower Falls.
• Location: Yellowstone: Sylvan Pass en route to eastern entrance can hold woodpeckers
• Location: Yellowstone: Beartooth Highway, Beartooth Pass - north-eastern entrance into Yellowstone see here
• Location: Yellowstone: Chief Joseph Scenic Highway Rt-296 - north-eastern edge of Yellowstone - links Beartooth (Rt-212) with Rt-296 toward Cody
• Location: Grand Teton NP
• List of Teton birding hotspots however it's not clear how dated this is
• Location: Tetons: Taggart Lake for Calliope, Cordilleran, also allegedly woodpeckers?; west side of Jenny Lake burn and String Lake burn for woodpeckers; Flat Creek: Trumpeter.
• Location: Tetons: Moose-Wilson Road/Sawmill Lake - south of Moose entrance on spur road south of 390.
• Location: Rendezvous Mountain tramway for Rosy-Finch at top - tramway is west of Teton Village.
• Location: Devil's Tower NP - Red Beds Trail, Belle Fourche Campground - can hold woodpeckers but by no means certain
• Location: Tetons: Signal Mtn Rd for Blue Grouse [Delorme 20/E3]
• Location: Tetons: worked south from String Lake along the west shore, took the ferry to the east shore, then returned north along the east shore. Total walking distance was about 4.5 miles. Our first success came with excellent views of a female Three- toed Woodpecker and we ended up seeing a total of four including a male and female feeding young in the nest. Close to the ferry dock we were called back when a female Ruffed Grouse was discovered walking on the trail. As it turned out, the bird had a nest with eggs about 30 feet from the trail. She wandered around feeding for a while and then settled down on the nest, apparently unconcerned by our presence. After the ferry ride to the east shore, habitat and birds decreased and there was a marked increase in tourists on the trail as the morning wore on. Consequently, we didn't see much until we reached an old burn area near where the river feeds the lake. Here, one of the group spotted a woodpecker which promptly disappeared behind a trunk. When it reappeared, a solid black back confirmed our first guess and our hopes, it was a Black-backed Woodpecker. A radio call to the rest of the group was the kiss of death and the bird flew across the river and was lost. However, it wasn't long before another bird flew in from a different direction and led our eyes straight to a nest. For the next 30 minutes we enjoyed watching male and female make numerous feeding visits. Over a period of five hours, our loop trip yielded a total of 30 species including a surprising number of singing Hammond's Flycatchers. MacGillivray's Warblers were present in scattered locations and were particularly common near the west shore ferry dock.
• Location: New Fork Lake Rd [Delorme 31/E7] for Ruffed and Blue Grouse
• Cody holds a few lakes of questionable interest
• Thunder Basin National Grassland - "Lynch Road" that runs generally southwest starting from SR 450 about 7.5 miles east of the SR 116 intersection in Weston County. However, there's much zigging and zagging through two counties before this road eventually hooks up with SR 59 near the "town" of Bill, some 35 miles north of Douglas. Generally lies sw. of Casper.

Recent Sightings from Regional Lists

• SD/Cust SP: Black-backed Woodpecker at burn at 4 Mile Rd in Custer State Park. There is a road called 4 Mile Rd, just SE of Blue Bell Lodge. If you have a map and find the Custer SP Wildlife Loop Rd, it's 4 miles E of Hwy 87. After going S on 87 from Blue Bell, there are signs for the Wildlife Loop that takes you to the SE. After 4 miles, you can't miss the sign for 4 Mile Rd. Before you get to it, you'll start to see the burn. We found the BBWP about a 1/2 mile or so along that road after it turns west and you can see the ridge and the valley to the north. We had BBWP, lots of Hairies, 1 or 2 Red-headed, 1 Lewis', and Flickers. The road eventually returns back to 87 after a few miles. We had lots of good birds all the way. Multiple records for Custer SP Black-backed via eBird
• ND/Harvey (ND-Birds): several nesting Horned Grebes in Harvey area. Harvey is on US-52 about 50 mi due north of Chase Lake NWR
• ND/Lake Zahl NWR (DavidS): Baird's and Sprague's Pipits here (just north of US-85 and ND-50, walk-in)
• ND/Appam Alkali Lake (DavidS): shorebirds here (just east of US-85 and ND-50, walk-in)
• ND/Niobe road pasture (via DavidS): Chestnut-collared Longspur
• ND/Lostwood (DavidS): Spragues between posts 2-4, Fire Tower; LeConte's at Fire Tower; Bairds between posts 11-13.
• ND/Clark Salyer (ND-Birds): May 30th: Water levels are high at Clark Salyer, and waterbirds are abundant and very visible with the vegetation behind schedule this year. Sprague's Pipit - 3; Le Conte's Sparrow - 3, much of the former habitat is flooded; Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow - 9
• MN/Duluth (RBA): a BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER on the 3rd along Lake County Road 2 at the Sand River.
• MN/Duluth (MOU-RNA): May 30th: observed a Great Gray Owl on McDavitt Rd, 3.1 mi N of Sax Rd in the Sax-Zim Bog, St Louis Co, ALSO 2.5 and 3.1 mi north. This is the same location where one was seen last June, and there were intermittent sightings here last winter. It was hunting along the ditch on the E side of the road for several minutes, and it was still present when we left ~9:00 pm. The previous morning, May 29, Connecticut Warblers, Boreal Chickadees, Yellow-bellied Flycatchers, and other Sax-Zim Bog specialties were found at various locations, mostly along Co Rd 133, Blue Spruce Rd, Owl Ave, and Arkola Rd.
• MN/Duluth (RBA): six YELLOW RAILS and a NELSON'S SHARP-TAILED SPARROW on May 27th at the McGregor Marsh along MN Highway 65, a mile south of MN Highway 200 in Aitkin County
• MN/Duluth (RBA): Chris and Cindy Edwardson found a BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER on May 10th in Hartley Nature Reserve along one of the mountain bike paths in the Kenwood area.
• MN/Duluth (MOU-RBA): May 24th: in the afternoon we saw a male Black-backed Woodpecker at the Park Point Recreation Area, east of the playground. At Sax-Zim bog area where highlights included a singing Connecticut Warbler on the north side of county hwy 27, 50 yds east of county 83. 5 Sharp-tailed Grouse, 3 Upland Sandpipers in the field southwest of the county hwys 52 - 208 intersection (late morning). 3 Upland Sandpipers and a few other shorebirds at the Meadowlands sewage pond.
• MN/Duluth (MOU-RBA): May 23rd: At 7am this morning I was viewing the backside of Herding Island at Park Point and viewed a adult Arctic Tern flying amongst a flock of about 60+ Common Terns.
• MN/Swift Co (MOU-RBA): May 19th: Yellow Rail - a single calling bird was heard both Sunday afternoon and early Monday morning at a marsh located just south of the Pope county line. The marsh is just over a mile west of where state highway 29 crosses into Pope county (just north of Lake Hassel)
• ND/Jamestown-Bismarck (ND-Birds): 5/29: White-faced Ibis - 5 (McKenzie Slough); Virginia Rail - 6 (most at Horsehead Lake); Sora - 17 (most at Horsehead Lake); Sprague's Pipit - 4 (north of Sterling & north of Rice Lake); Grasshopper Sparrow - 20 (n. of Sterling & Rice Lake); Baird's Sparrow - 4 (north of Rice Lake); Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow - 14 (Horsehead Lake, night birding); Chestnut-sided Longspur -50 (n. of Sterling & Rice Lake); 6/1: Horned Grebe - 3 (southwest corner of Dewald Slough square, adjacent to Lake Etta in Kidder County) (1 bird on nest); Clark's Grebe - 2 (Unit III, Long Lake NWR); Sedge Wren - 5 (east side of Lake Isabella, Kidder County); LeConte's Sparrow - 2 (between east of side of Lake Etta and west side of pond in southwest corner of Dewald Slough area);
• ND/Jamestown (ND-Birds): May 18th in Wing area, east to Horsehead Lake and back to McKenzie Slough. Some of the sightings: Red-necked Grebe - 1 on nest (County Line Ponds, BURLEIGH/SHERIDAN Co's, north of Wing) [Delorme 36/F5]; California Gull - 5,000 (colony on island in Salt Lake, BURLEIGH Co); Sprague's Pipit - 6 (prairie north of Sterling & north of Rice Lake) [Delorme 47/B9 and 47/D9] ALSO 5/29; Baird's Sparrow - 1 (north of Rice Lake) 4 ON 5/29
• ND/Tuttle (ND-Birds): (May 21st) birded state school land today: Highlight was seeing a burrowing owl on the state school land just SE of Tuttle [Delorme 37/I7]; Baird's sparrow (2) same section as owl in Kidder Co; Baird's sparrow (2) Burleigh Co north of Sterling [Delorme 47/D9] and 1 mile north of Rice Lake [Delorme 47/B9]; Sprague's pipits were seen/heard at both locations above Chestnut-collared longspurs - 150+ for the day after walking about 6 miles on 5 state school sections
• ND/Chase Lake area: Nelson's sharp-tailed sparrows and LeConte's sparrows were found at multiple locations in both counties including the Chicago Lake area in Stutsman. [Delorme 49/A6] north of Chase Lake NWR

Directions to Various Sites

North Dakota

• The Lostwood NWR headquarters is located 22 miles north of Stanley, North Dakota, along State Highway 8. Stanley is located 55 miles west of Minot on State Highway 2. The auto tour route is open from 5:30 am to 10:00 pm, May through September.
• Coteau Prairie WPA is northeast of the intersection of Highway 8 and 75th Street between mile markers 169 and 170 on Highway 8. For reference it is about eight miles south of the entrance to Lostwood NWR. (Prospective visitors should check with the Lostwood NWR headquarters for current access rules).
• Arrowwood NWR headquarters is located 26 miles north of Jamestown and about 23 miles south of Carrington. From Jamestown, travel north on Highway 281 to Edmunds. At Edmunds, go east on County Road 44 for 5.5 miles and turn north on the headquarters road. From Carrington, travel south on Highway 281 to Edmunds. Turn east on County Road 44 for 5.5 miles, and turn north on the headquarters road. There are signs on Highway 281 and County Road 44 directing visitors to the headquarters. Delorme map 38 grid G5. AS OF JUNE 9th 2009 REFUGE IS CURRENTLY CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING
• J. Clark Salyer NWR headquarters is 2 miles north of Upham, North Dakota, and can be reached by turning off U.S. Highway 2 at Towner and proceeding 26 miles north on State Highway 14. Delorme map 14 grid F1. Refuge areas are open from 5:00 am to 10:00 pm daily.
• Upper Souris NWR office and visitor center is located southeast of Lake Darling Dam. Drive northwest of Minot on State Highway 52 to 1 mile north of Foxholm. Turn right and follow County Road 11 north 7 miles. Follow Refuge directional signs to the Refuge. An alternate route is to drive 12 miles north of Minot on State Highway 83, turn west and drive 12 miles on County Road 6. Delorme map 12/H5 Refuge open 5am-10pm daily.
• Chase Lake NWR is located 10 miles north and 7 miles west of Medina, North Dakota. From Jamestown, travel west on I-94 to the Medina exit. Turn north and go 11 miles on County Highway 68. Turn west on the gravel road and drive 7 miles. Turn south and go 1 mile. The last 5 miles are "prairie trail" road. This is a minimum maintenance road that can be difficult to travel during wet conditions. However, this very scenic drive provides visitors a glimpse of how this country appeared during pre-settlement times. Delorme map 49 grid B6
• The Des Lacs NWR headquarters is located 1 mile west of Kenmare, North Dakota, off Ward County Road 1. A large entrance sign is situated at the junction of County Roads 1 and 1A. Kenmare is located 50 miles northwest of Minot on U.S. Highway 52.
• Theodore Roosevelt NP South Unit is north of Medora off I-94, accessed from the center of Medora. Theodore Roosevelt NP North Unit is about 50 mi north of Bellfield off US-85 (north of South Unit).
• Sheyenne National Grasslands
  • Follow ND 27 east from Lisbon for 10.8 miles. At milepost 30 turn right (south). In 1 mile, drive through the pasture gate into South Durler Allotment. Follow the two-track southeast for another two miles. Please be sure to close the gate.
  • Directions to Allotment R: Follow ND 27 east from Lisbon for 22 miles. Reduce your mileage at milepost 41, then go right (south). Allotment R starts on the left (east) side of the road at mile 3, and lies along both sides of the road between miles 4 and 6.
  • Directions to Forest Area: Travel 16 miles east on ND 27 from Lisbon. At milepost 35, turn left (north) on 147thth Ave. SE. Travel 5 miles and cross the Sheyenne River (private land); travel another 2 miles, turn right (east) onto the gravel road, proceed 200 years, and park on the east side of the bridge. The land to the north and south is public land. Walk in either direction for great birding.
• Before reaching Bowman, and some 5 miles into North Dakota, we turned right (east) off the US-85 on a gravel road signposted for Bowman-Haley Dam Recreational Area. After 5 miles, we turned right (south) onto another gravel road signposted "Point Rec Area", then left (east) after another two miles into the reserve. ..... Grey Partridge .....
• Lake Alice National Wildlife Refuge is located approximately 18 miles northwest of Devils Lake, North Dakota. The Refuge can be reached by turning north from US Highway 2 at Penn, North Dakota and traveling 6 miles north on the gravel road.
• Lake Metigoshe State Park near Bottineau off Rt.43 about half-way between US-281 and Hwy-14.
• Nature Conservancy Brown Ranch at the Sheyenne NG. Brown Ranch [Delorme 64/B1] is located in Ransom County about 8 miles northeast of Milnor, 13 miles northwest of Wyndmere, or 16 miles southwest of Lisbon, ND.

South Dakota

• Spearfish Cyn: is US-14 south of (duh) Spearfish off I-90. The falls appear to be west of Savoy.
• Roby Cyn: From Custer, drive westwards on Hwy 16. Just past the state border with Wyoming, take the first dirt road to the right (east) along Redbird Canyon. About 1 mile from the turn-off, take the road to the left leading north into Boles Canyon. Watch out for Lazuli Bunting, Rock Wren and Mountain Bluebird here. After about 3 miles, the road bends to the right and another dirt road leads northwards to the left. This is Roby Canyon. Park the car at the gate and walk up the canyon. The warblers prefer areas with thick understory.
• Custer SP (main part) is west of Custer along Hwy-87. Hwy 87 loops back (northwest) toward US-16 and US-385. This general area is more accessible from Rapid City than from Spearfish. Also Mount Rushmore is in this general vicinity.
• Badlands NP appears to be a not inconsiderable distance (80 mi?) east of Rapid City, right off I-90.
• Ordway Praire: From the intersection of Highways 10 and 45 in Leola, travel about 8 miles west on Highway 10. There is a blue water tower on the north side of the road. The Ordway property is on the south side of the road. The blue water tower marks the northeast corner. The self-guided trail area is one mile west of the blue water tower on the south side of Highway 10. Look for the kiosk and sign at the trailhead on the south side of the road.

Wyoming additions