A fine marsh can be found just south of Williston (the second largest town in the northwestern sector) in northern McKenzie County. From U.S. Highway 2 just west of town, go south on Highway 85 for 2.3 miles and cross the Missouri River. For the next couple of miles the road transects fine marshlands, which should be checked for all of the usual waterbirds.
c) [McLean] County
One of the better locations for transient and breeding waterbirds and grasslands species is the Audubon National Wildlife Refuge. To reach it, go north on U.S. Highway 83 from County Road #48 north of Coleharbor for 2.8 miles and turn right (east). After 0.5 mile, turn left to the headquarters for a map, birdlist, and current information.
This refuge (formerly Snake Creek Refuge) was renamed in honor of John James Audubon, who made one of his last painting and collecting expeditions to this area in 1843. About the only thing that has not changed since he was here is the extremely rich birdlife.
Most of the transient ducks and shorebirds common to the state can be found in migration. Probably the most exciting migrant is the Whooping Crane (rare), which occasionally stops on its way to or from the breeding grounds in Canada. Hundreds of Sandhill Cranes put in an appearance each spring and fall. Some of the other interesting migrants include Greater White-fronted Goose, Common Goldeneye, Golden and Bald Eagles (also in winter), Osprey (rare), Peregrine Falcon (rare), California Gull (actually a summer visitor), Short-eared Owl (occasionally nests), and Harris’ Sparrow (tree lines).
Although it is migration that brings the rarities, summer is just as exciting. Audubon Refuge has a great variety of habitats, including mixed-grass prairie, open water, marshy bays of the reservoir, prairie potholes, and salt-grass marshes. This makes for a tremendous diversity of breeding birds. Some of the more interesting ones are: Horned, Eared, and Western Grebes; American White Pelican (summers in good numbers but does not nest); Double-crested Cormorant; Black-crowned Night Heron; American Bittern; Canada Goose (reintroduced nester); Mallard; Gadwall; Common Pintail; Blue-winged and Green-winged Teals; American Wigeon; Northern Shoveler; Redhead; Canvasback; Lesser Scaup; Ruddy Duck; Northern Harrier; Swainson’s and Ferruginous Hawks; Sharp-tailed Grouse; Ring-necked Pheasant; Gray Partridge; Sora; Virginia Rail; Upland Sandpiper; Willet; Marbled Godwit; American Avocet; Wilson’s Phalarope; Ring-billed and Franklin’s (visitor) Gulls; Common and Black Terns; Black-billed Cuckoo; Burrowing Owl; Eastern and Western Kingbirds; Marsh Wren; Brown Thrasher; Sprague’s Pipit; Bobolink; Western Meadowlark; Yellow-headed Blackbird; Dickcissel; Lark Bunting; Savannah, Grasshopper, Baird’s, Le Conte’s, Sharp-tailed (rare), Vesper, and Clay-colored Sparrows; and Chestnut-collared Longspur.
The nearest lodging accommodations are at Garrison and Riverdale. Coleharbor has service stations and a cafe.
d) [Burke] and [Mountrail] Counties
Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge is one of the better ones in the state. To reach it, start at the northern edge of Stanley, go north from Highway 2 on Highway 8 for 21.6 miles and turn left (west) at the sign. From here it is just a short way to the headquarters, where you can pick up a refuge map and checklist, and obtain up-to-date information about road conditions and desired species. (The resident dog is dangerous, so exercise appropriate caution.)
Lostwood consists basically of rolling hills dotted with potholes. Mixed-grass prairie is the dominant habitat, but there are several shelter-belts and small woodlots as well as numerous wetlands. The major difference between Lostwood and other refuges in the northwest sector is the presence of several alkaline lakes providing attractive habitat for Piping Plover, American Avocet, and California Gull.