b) [Bottineau] County
BOTTINEAU COUNTY
The city of Bottineau is well-known in North Dakota as the gateway to the International Peace Garden, which symbolizes our long-standing friendship with Canada. More importantly to the birder, it is the gateway to the Turtle Mountains, which are actually low hills dotted with lakes and potholes surrounded by stands of aspen, poplar, birch, and oak. The west end of the mountains is just north of Bottineau, from which they extend 35 miles to the east. This popular recreation area is filled in summer with campers, boaters, fishermen, and water-skiers. The place is not nearly as crowded in winter, but you will still run across snow-skiers and those abominations of the north—the snowmobiles.
Most of the birds can be found just by exploring any accessible areas with good habitat. One specific spot which is usually rewarding is Lake Metigoshe State Park. To reach it start from 4th Street in Bottineau, go north on Main Street for 0.8 mile, and turn right at the sign for the park. Shortly you will pass the North Dakota State School of Forestry on your right. After 1.0 mile turn left (paved road). In 9.3 miles the road forks. Go straight. This road leads along a large segment of the lake, which is peppered with resorts. Continue for 4.4 miles, and turn left to the park. Camping is allowed. There are even showers, which can feel great after a long day of birding.
The best thing about the park is the excellent nature trail. It stays close to the lake shore for awhile before cutting back through the middle of the forest to the campground. The trees and secondary growth along the way are typical of those found throughout the Turtle Mountains, and so are the birds. Some of the species to be found in summer include Cooper’s, Red-tailed, and Broad-winged Hawks; Ruffed Grouse; Black-billed Cuckoo; Ruby-throated Hummingbird; Yellow-bellied Sapsucker; Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers; Great Crested, Least, and Willow Flycatchers; Eastern Pewee; Blue Jay; American Crow; Black-capped Chickadee; White-breasted Nuthatch; House Wren; Brown Thrasher; Gray Catbird; Veery; Red-eyed, Warbling, Yellow-throated, and Philadelphia Vireos; Black-and-white, Yellow, Mourning, and Chestnut-sided Warblers; Northern Waterthrush; Ovenbird; American Redstart; Northern Oriole; Rose-breasted Grosbeak; American Goldfinch; Rufous-sided Towhee (eastern form); and White-throated (rare), Chipping, and Song Sparrows. The real prize has to be the Philadelphia Vireo. This is one of the few areas in the United States where this species is known to breed. Most of its breeding range is in Canada.
If there are not many birds moving, try a Common Screech-owl imitation or tape. You may be surrounded by complaining birds in a matter of minutes. Remember to watch the lake for Common Loon, Red-necked Grebe, Ring-necked Duck, Bufflehead, and Common Goldeneye, all of which nest in the area.
After finishing the park, return to the main road and continue to the left around the lake. After 2.1 miles turn left (east) on Highway East 43 toward the Peace Gardens. Go 4.4 miles; turn right at the sign pointing to Pelican-Sandy Lakes Primitive Recreation Area. This road goes into the forest for 1.0 mile to an undeveloped area with primitive campsites. There is plenty of suitable habitat, so you should be able to find most of the birds that you found at the park, or any you missed. In summer this area will probably be less crowded, as well.
c) [Rolette] County
