All of the grebes and waterfowl common to this half of the state can be observed in large numbers. In spring Snow Goose numbers may exceed 200,000. American White Pelicans and Double-crested Cormorants use the lake throughout the summer, and there are large nesting colonies of Black-crowned Night Herons and Franklin’s Gulls. Great Blue Herons and American Bitterns are commonly seen, and Great and Cattle Egrets have been showing up in late summer for the past several years. The lake also attracts all of the regular shorebirds, gulls, terns, swallows, and blackbirds. Check the wet, grassy borders of the road for Marsh and Sedge Wrens and for Le Conte’s and Sharp-tailed Sparrows.
SPECIALTIES OF NORTH DAKOTA
Listed below are some of the species found in North Dakota that may be of particular interest to visiting birders. Some may be eastern birds of interest to western birders. Others may be western birds of interest to eastern birders. The purpose of the list is to aid finding each species. Therefore, information is given on abundance, distribution, habitat, and, where possible, on specific locations where each species may be found.
Common Loon—Uncommon summer resident on permanent, freshwater lakes in the Turtle Mountains ([Bottineau] and [Rolette] Counties). Try Lake Metigoshe and Sandy Lake. This species is a rare migrant on large ponds and lakes throughout the rest of the state.
Black-crowned Night Heron
Red-necked Grebe—Uncommon summer resident of larger ponds and lakes in the northern portion. Most common in the Turtle Mountains and on J. Clark Salyer Refuge. Also seen with some frequency on Des Lacs (try the Old Lake Road) and Upper Souris Refuges. Rare breeder and uncommon to rare migrant over the rest of the state.
Horned Grebe—Fairly common summer resident on ponds and lakes in the northwest, northeast, and southeast sectors. This species does not nest in large colonies as do the Western and Eared Grebes; hence, it may be harder to find. However, it should be fairly easy to see at places such as Des Lacs, Upper Souris, J. Clark Salyer, Lostwood, Long Lake, and Arrowwood Refuges.
Eared Grebe—Common summer resident on seasonal and permanent ponds and lakes over much of the state. Often nests in large colonies. Hard to miss at such places as Long Lake, Hobart Lake, Arrowwood, Audubon, Des Lacs, Lostwood, Upper Souris, J. Clark Salyer, and Stump Lake Refuges.
Western Grebe—Conspicuous and easy-to-find summer resident on scattered lakes and permanent ponds throughout the northwest, northeast, and southeast sectors. Usually nests in large colonies, and prefers areas with lots of open water. Look for it on Devils Lake and on Des Lacs, Lostwood, Upper Souris, J. Clark Salyer, Arrowwood, Lake Alice, Long Lake, Alkaline Lake, Stump Lake, and Tewaukon Refuges.