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5th Annual Turtle Mountain Birding Festival, "The logistics were beautifully arranged, the guides were superb, the cooks accommodating to my vegetarianism, and—of course—the birds were terrific. Thanks very much for a great experience." -- MJK-- New York, NY
Remarkable Field Trips
As we all know, the best birding locations are where a variety of habitats intersect. This law of nature makes Bottineau a true crossroads, where open prairie grasslands meet wooded hills and lake country. The Turtle Mountains provide clear lakes and marshes to attract waterbirds and ducks. Surrounding these wetland jewels, are vast aspen groves and expansive oak woodlands to explore for woodland raptors, Ruffed Grouse, songbirds, and flycatchers. On the open prairie grasslands where native wildflowers abound, the plains attract a variety of larks, sparrows, buntings, raptors, and Sharp-tailed Grouse. And on this rolling plains region, innumerable wetlands attract the largest and most diverse concentration of nesting ducks in the country; most of the ducks are tied to the grasslands too, as the females select nesting sites amid the bountiful grasses of the uplands. The first broods of ducklings will be hatching while you attend the Turtle Mountain Birding Festival.
The Prairie River Refuge The largest of the 62 refuges in North Dakota, J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge protects 59,000 acres of wetlands, prairies, woodlands, and associated habitats. These varied habitats provide ideal conditions for about 300 species of birds, which may include concentrations of a half-million individuals of some species. We'll be focusing on Swainson's Hawks, Franklin's Gulls, Black Terns, Western Grebes, Bobolinks, Eastern and Western Kingbirds, Upland Sandpipers, American Avocets, Wilson's Phalaropes, Sharp-tailed Grouse, Gray Partridges, Canvasbacks and a dozen other ducks, and a wealth of other birds at nearby J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge. We will also search diligently for the rarer Le Conte's Sparrows, Sprague's Pipits, Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrows, Clark's Grebes, and others. Pre-Festival scouting will emphasize these sought-after birds, so we expect a bountiful Festival checklist of birds. The Turtle Mountains
Along the border of the United States and Canada, the scenic forest and lakes region of the Turtle Mountains provides another popular birding destination featuring Lake Metigoshe, the "clear water surrounded by oaks," with groves of birches, aspens, ash, and American elms to attract a variety of forest birds. The region supports exciting Northwoods species, including Common Loons, Red-necked Grebes, Bald Eagles, Broad-winged Hawks, American White Pelicans, Canvasbacks, Redheads, Common Goldeneyes, Buffleheads, Wood Ducks, and many more. Songbird migration will be flourishing during the Festival, which offers the opportunity to see as many as 25 different species of warblers, plus several thrushes, vireos, orioles, and more. The Northern Coteau Region Saturday will take us to Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge which lies in the highly productive prairie pothole region. This region produces more ducks than any other in the lower 48 states. The refuge is a land of rolling hills mantled in short-grass and mixed-grass prairie interspersed with numerous wetlands. This unique combination of prairie and wetland is a boon to many species of wildlife. Within the Northern Coteau, mallards nest in the highest densities ever recorded in North America on Miller Lake Island. The Northern Coteau has the highest known densities of sharp-tailed grouse in North America and is an important migration stop for endangered whooping cranes. Fall snow goose migration numbers peak at over 400,000 birds. And Lostwood is the location where the coveted Baird's Sparrow was sited during last year's festival! Come join the fun! Register today for the Turtle Mountain Birding Festival.
The 3-day Turtle Mountain Birding Festival, including all lodging, meals, transportation, field guides, and the keynote event, is only $399 per person. Non-birding spouses may stay on campus during the Festival for $20 per night and enjoy 3 meals on campus for $25 per day. Participants who cannot share the entire weekend at the Festival may attend all activities for $279, or attend individual field trips and lectures for $95 per day which includes transportation and guiding. Families who prefer hotel accommodations are welcome to contact us for more information about area lodging.
To make your reservations, call Space is limited, so please call to reserve your spot in the third annual Turtle Mountain Birding Festival today!
Schedule of Events for May 16-17-18 Thursday, May 15 Friday, May 16 Early Breakfast at MSU-Bottineau Lunch in the field - J Clark Staff Presentation Supper at MSU-Bottineau Saturday, May 17 Early Breakfast at MSU-Bottineau Birding at the International Peace Gardens Sunday, May 18 Early Breakfast at MSU - Bottineau Sunday Morning: Mist Netting on Campus * Schedule is dependant upon weather Join the fun at one of the best prairie and wetland birding locations in the Great Plains, within minutes of the remarkable forest and lake country of the Turtle Mountains at Bottineau, North Dakota, just south of Canada. Join us for a unique Birding Festival at the peak of the spring birding season!
Marco Restani was born in West Germany. As an Army brat, he attended American schools in Germany and Korea, before graduating from high school in Durham, NH. He earned a BS in Wildlife Biology from the University of Montana, MS in Fish and Wildlife Management from Montana State University, and PhD in Biology from Utah State University. His master’s research examined nesting ecology of co-existing red-tailed, ferruginous, and Swainson’s hawks, and his doctoral research investigated foraging ecology of migrant bald eagles at an autumn concentration. He completed a Post-Doctoral Research Assistantship in Ecosystem Sciences at the University of Washington. He is currently Associate Professor of Wildlife Ecology at St. Cloud State University, Minnesota. He has conducted field research in Greenland, Australia, and throughout the western US. He enjoys backcountry telemark skiing, non-fiction adventure books, international travel, pizza, and pale ale. Dr. Restani will present on Saturday
Al Aufforth as been a professor of ornithology and wildlife at MSU-Bottineau for over 30 years. He also worked as a game warden in Lampasas, TX. He holds a Master's degree from North Dakota State University in Natural Resource Management; thesis: Waterfowl Nesting Ecology on Islands at J. Clark Salyer NWR. Al's intimate knowledge of the J. Clark refuge will be invaluable during our treks through the wetlands of that area.
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