Two excellent spots for water and marsh species are Rose Lake National Wildlife Refuge and Stump Lake National Wildlife Refuge. To reach them proceed south from Lakota on State Highway 1 for 2.1 miles and turn right (west) on a gravel road. Go 5.0 miles and turn left (south). Then turn right (west) at 1.0 mile. After 0.8 mile you will reach a marshy inlet of Rose Lake.
The shallow marsh can be productive in migration and late summer for shorebirds. In the drier fields watch for Bobolink and Grasshopper Sparrow. The wetter edges are good for Marsh and Sedge Wrens, Common Yellowthroat, and Savannah, Le Conte’s, and sometimes Sharp-tailed Sparrows. The lake attracts migrating waterfowl, shorebirds, gulls, and terns.
Continue west for 0.3 mile to another marshy area with the same birds. After 0.8 mile turn left (south) on Nelson County Road #23. Go south for 8.0 miles and turn left (east). Follow the main road as it swings north (3.0 miles) and then east (1.0 mile). After another mile turn left (north). In 1.5 miles you will see Stump Lake on both sides of the road.
This large lake has little vegetation around the perimeter, so few ducks or marsh species actually nest, but some use the area from spring through fall. You may expect lots of grebes (especially Western), American White Pelicans, Double-crested Cormorants, and Ring-billed and Franklin’s Gulls. Occasionally, a Bonaparte’s will put in a late-summer appearance, and in migration watch for White-winged Scoter and Oldsquaw. In spring and from mid-July through early October, the shorelines may be covered with shorebirds. It is a consistent place to find Sanderlings. Piping Plovers may nest.
Continue on to Highway 1 (3.0 miles). Turn south and go 1.7 miles before turning right on the road to the recreation area. After 1.3 miles swing right and continue to Stump Lake Park, a well-wooded area that is ideal for transient passerines and nesting woodland species.
i) [Benson] County
A rewarding place to look for migrant and nesting woodland birds is Sully’s Hill National Game Preserve. To reach it start in the town of Devils Lake, go south from Highway 2 on Highway 20/57 for 12.0 miles, and turn left at the sign. After 0.6 mile turn left. Go 0.5 mile and turn left again. In 0.2 mile you will cross the cattleguard into the preserve, an area of rolling hills and uplands habitat. Ask at the headquarters for a list of the birds. You may either hike the nature trail (1.2 miles), drive the auto trail (4.5 miles), or do both.
The nature trail winds through excellent deciduous-forest habitat that is good for most of the birds listed under Turtle River State Park. The birds here go crazy when a tape-recording of a Common Screech-owl is played, which is a reliable indication that one of these little owls is in residence. The auto trail goes through a large enclosure, where Bison, Elk, and White-tailed Deer are allowed to roam freely. Because most of the tour traverses uplands and dry-land forests, you probably will not see many birds. Western Grebes, American White Pelicans, and Double-crested Cormorants can be seen anywhere near Devils Lake itself.
j) [Ramsey] County
One of the best spots for migrant and nesting waterbirds is Lac Aux Mortes National Wildlife Refuge (also known as Lake Alice N.W.R.). To reach it go northwest on U.S. Highway 1 from Devils Lake. After about 13 miles turn right (north) on the road to Penn. Follow this gravel road through town and past Lake Alice. The road is chained off after 9.2 miles. The last few passable miles pass directly between Lake Alice and Chain Lake; you will have water on both sides of the road.