birding...

Western Meadowlark Sturnella neglecta ©Don Des Jardin http://www.camacdonald.com/birding/DesJardin/

Experience North Dakota Birding

Neotropical migratory birds (lots of sparrows including Baird`s, sharp-tailed and LeConte`s); waterfowl, hawks, burrowing owls, Sprague`s pipits, gray partridge, and more are found here. Knowing bird songs and habitat enables you spend quality time birding. The beautiful prairie pothole region of ND, with the badlands on the extreme western edge and the mixed grass prairie on the eastern edge with wooded draws and river valleys offers varied habitat to an abundance of birds. Visitors birders traveling to the state of ND find it a worthwhile destination. A rare habitat, the tall grass prairie, is also in the SE region of the state.

Long summer daylight hours - Long days and short nights in the summer (5 AM to 9:45 PM) make it possible to get the most out of a day. Prairie sparrows often sing into the early afternoon and are at their best when exhibiting breeding behavior.

Ecotourism - Birding and ecotourism opportunities await you in North Dakota. Photo opportunities and wildlife viewing are both rewarding pursuits. Whether you have four hours or four days, it`s worth a look!

Scenic North Dakota; Birding Hot Spot! - Lewis & Clark were impressed with North Dakota, it`s culture and beauty. Now, little traffic, expansive landscapes, farming and ranching, scattered towns and friendly people make North Dakota a prime destination for good old-fashioned relaxation. With maps helping you get around the back roads of the state, birdwatchers can manoeuver the state easily. Birds, Butterflies, Scenery, Wildflowers, butterflies, clean air and wide open spaces. Buffalo, antelope, meadowlarks and prairie dogs make this their home. Sunrises and sunsets that will take your breath away. Time and places so beautiful, so special, words cannot describe.

Variety of Birds - 347 species of birds travel through North Dakota, depending on the season. It is possible to see 100 species in a day.

Eastern and mid North Dakota: The Sheyenne River Valley includes national grasslands with native prairie remnants of mixed and tall grass prairie and oak savanna river riparian areas. This area is part of the state`s Scenic Byway and Backway and North Country Trail. Prairie pothole country. Pembina Gorge area, along the Red River in the extreme northeastern corner of the state is plumb bursting with birding, warbling and outdoor opportunities.

Target species for prairie pothole and tall grass prairie region: Baird`s, sharp-tailed, LeConte`s, grasshopper, savannah, vesper, Henslow`s sparrows, Say`s phoebe, abundant ducks, waterfowl, horned larks, sedge and marsh wrens, gray catbird, brown thrasher, chipping, grasshopper and clay colored sparrows, occasional sharp-tailed grouse, prairie chickens and gray partridge, marbled gotwit and more. Duck paradise.

Western and SW North Dakota: Cowboy country, pickup trucks and cowboy hats - badlands regions that are dry, arid; Theodore Roosevelt National Park, national grasslands (1.3 million acres of public land). Due to the distances involved, plan for plenty of time to explore this unique area. It`s worth the trip. Very scenic, bring your camera for the bison, prairie dogs and rattlesnakes.

Rock wrens, turkey vultures, Sprague`s pipit, spotted towhee, Townsend`s Solitaire, mountain bluebird, lazuli bunting, assorted sparrows, Loggerhead shrikes, wild turkey, common poorwill (at night); burrowing owls, long-billed curlew, lark bunting, sharp-tailed grouse, gray partridge, black-billed magpie and more.

In short; there are many local attractions available to tourists in any part of the state visited. Come and check it out for yourself!