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Featured Item
Mini (4.5-inch) Pair of Male and Female Cardinals
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This Mini (4.5-inch) Pair of Male and Female Cardinals carving was hand-crafted from solid Basswood. With a conspicuous crest and a done-shaped bill, the male Cardinal is red overall with a black face and the female is buffy-brown or buffy-olive, tinged with red on the wings, crest and tail.
Reference
National Geographic Field Guide To The Birds of North America, Fifth Edition, Page 438
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The National Wildlife Refuge System came into being on March 14, 1903, when President Theodore Roosevelt established the Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge in Florida.
There are currently 548 national wildlife refuges managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, encompassing some 96,373,969 total acres. Every state in the nation maintains at least one refuge, while most states have several.
The primary objective for the establishment and maintaining of most of these refuges is to provide a suitable habitat and sanctuary for migratory and / or endangered species of wildlife.
While some of these are not open or accessible to the public, most of these refuges are available for recreational use. In fact, according to a recent survey by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, recreational usage of the national refuges generates almost $2 Billion annually in total economic activity.
On these pages, we are providing links and very brief descriptions of each of these refuges. These will be organized by Region with sub-divisions by State. There are currently seven regions – Pacific, Southwest, Midwest, Southeast, Northeast, Mountain-Prairie, and Alaska.
With this page, we have added the information pertaing to the Mountain-Prairie Region, which is made up of Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming.
If you want to see many of the birds that we have for sale in their natural habitat, you are sure to find your next excursion destination on these pages. Enjoy!
Colorado
Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge
The Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1962 and consists of 11,169 acres of wetlands in the San Luis Valley of the Rio Grande River flood plain. Located on the western edge of the Central Flyway. The primary objectives of the refuge are to provide safe and fitting habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife. Springtime migrations present thousands Pintail Ducks, Sandhill Cranes and Canada Geese for feeding and resting, while Summer residents will include American Avocets, Wilson’s Phalaropes, White-faced Ibis, American Bittern, Sora, and Black-crowned Night Herons. The winter season on the refuge is dominated by raptors including Short-eared Owls, Bald Eagles, Northern Harriers, Rough-Legged hawks, Great Horned Owls and many other species.
Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge
The Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1967 and its 24,804 acres provide various and diverse wildlife habitats. The refuge's primary objectives are to provide suitable nesting and rearing habitats for migratory birds. Large numbers of waterfowl are present on the refuge during the migration season, including Mallards, Pintails, Gadwalls, Canada Geese and American Wigeon. Shore birds which can be observed on the refuge include Sora and Virginia Rails, Wilson's Phalarope, American Avocet, Willet, Sandpipers, Yellowlegs, and Dowitchers. Additional birds will include Great Blue Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, American Bittern, and Eared and Pied-billed Grebe. Year-round residents will include Sage Grouse and several species of raptors including Golden Eagles, Hawks, Owls and Falcons.
Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge
The Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1963 and consists of 13,455 acres along the Green River in Northwest Colorado. The refuge was established to provide habitat and sanctuary for migrating birds and other wildlife. In addition to thousands of migrating water fowl on the refuge, a number of other bird species are dependent on the refuge for feeding and nesting sanctuary including Loggerhead Shrike, Sage Grouse, Sage Sparrow, Sage Thrasher, Brewer's Sparrow, Bald Eagles and Nesting Osprey.
Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge
The Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1953 and consists of 14,804 acres of artificially created and maintained wetlands in the San Luis Valley of Colorado. The refuge wetlands are carefully managed to provide welcoming habitat for waterfowl and other water birds including Mallards, Pintail Ducks, Teal, Canada Geese, American Avocets, Killdeer, White-faced Ibis, Egrets and Herons. Each year, the refuge is visited by the entire Rocky Mountain population of Sandhill Cranes.
Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge
The Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge was established in 2007 on nearly 4,000 acres there were formerly used as a nuclear manufacturing facility, located 16 miles northwest of Denver, Colorado. Resident bird species on the refuge include Western Meadowlark, Killdeer, Yellow Warbler and Blackbirds. The refuge objectives include the restoration and protection of the rare and unique, native, tall grass prairie habitat found along Colorado's Front Range for migratory birds and other wildlife.
Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge
The Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1992 and encompasses 17,000 acres of open lakes, wetlands, prairie grasslands, and woodlands. Located on lands that were formerly used to produce chemical weapons, the refuge is located in Commerce City, Colorado, just 10 minutes from downtown Denver, Colorado. One of the refuge's primary objectives is to provide environmental education programs for urban school children regarding the native prairie habitat and wildlife found there, which includes more than 330 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish.
Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge
The Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1992 and consists of approximately 72 acres in Arvada, Colorado, a suburb of Denver. The Refuge is managed and administered to benefit the native wildlife species, which include over 100 different bird species. It also works with the local school system to provide educational programs about wildlife and wetland habitats.
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Kansas
Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge
The Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1966 on 18,463 acres in the Neosho River Valley on the upstream portion of the John Redmond Reservoir. The Refuge objectives include restoration and preservation of the native wetland habitat areas and to provide nesting and feeding habitat for migrating shore birds. The migratory checklist on the refuge includes 294 bird species, 90 of which are known to nest on the refuge.
Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge
The Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1954 and consists of 10,778 acres along the north fork of the Solomon River in north-central Kansas. The refuge provides habitat and sanctuary for over 300 species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. Located in the Central Flyway, the refuge is a critical stopping point for migrating waterfowl such as shorebirds, wading birds, geese, ducks, white pelicans and Franklin's gulls. Winter visitors include Rough-legged Hawks, Golden and Bald Eagles and thousands of Mallards and Canada Geese.
Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge
The Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1992 on 7,500 acres, located 39 miles south of the Kansa City, Kansas metropolitan area. The refuge was primarily established to restore and manage the native bottomland hardwood forest and tall grass prairie habitats. During the Spring migrations, over thirty species of warblers will migrate through the refuge areas. Known nesting species on the refuge include Kentucky Warbler, Northern Parula Warbler, Red Shouldered Hawk, Turkey Vulture, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, and Painted Bunting.
Quivira National Wildlife Refuge
The Quivira National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1955, about forty minutes south of Great Bend, Kansas, on 22,135 acres of prairie grasses, salt marshes, sand dunes, canals, dikes, and timber. The habitat provides a critical Central Flyway stopover for approximately 500,00 migrating birds including Mallards, Wood Ducks, Pintail Ducks, White Pelicans, Great Blue Herons, American Avocets, Sandpipers, Snowy Plovers, White-faced Ibis, and Phalaropes.
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Montana
Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge
The Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1929 and encompasses 12,383 acres on the western edge of the northern Great Plains in Montana. The refuge provides critical habitat for feeding and resting waterbirds during the spring and fall migrations when as many as 150,000 ducks, 2,500 Canada geese, 40,000 snow geese, 5,000 tundra swans, 50,000 shorebird species are found on the artificially maintained wetlands of the refuge. More than 240 species of wild birds have been recorded on the refuge including approximately 90 species which are known to nest there.
Benton Lake Wetland Management District
The Benton Lake Wetland Management District was established in 1975 and is the largest Wetland Management District (WMD) in the USF & W system. Located in the middle of the Big Sky country in Montana, the District encompasses 25,000 square miles spread out over 10 counties of north-central Montana. The primary objectives of the WMD focus on the preservation and protection of waterfowl habitat, however there is a wide array of other wildlife present here including Sandhill Cranes, Bald Eagles, Beavers, Elk, Mountain Lions, Grizzly Bears and others.
Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge
The Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1936 and consists of approximately 15,550 acres in north-central Montana. The refuge was established primarily to provide feeding and resting habitat for migratory birds and as such continues to attract thousands of migrating waterfowl and shorebirds every year. Additionally, many other species of ducks, geese, grassland songbirds and colonial nesting water birds regularly utilize the welcoming habitat for breeding and nesting purposes.
Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge
The Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge encompasses approximately 1,100,000 acres which includes the huge (245,000 acre) Fort Peck Reservoir in North Central Montana. The refuge was initially established in 1936 as the "Fort Peck Game Range" and in 1976 it was established as a National Wildlife Refuge. Perhaps best known for its herds of elk and Mule Deer and the plentiful numbers of Red Fox and coyotes, the refuge is also home to many species of songbirds like the Mountain Bluebird and the Blackcapped Chickadee as well as Osprey, Spotted Sandpipers, White Pelicans and Sage Grouse.
Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge
The Halfbreed Lake National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1987 as part of the Big Lake Complex of National Wildlife Refuges. It consists of a total of over 4,200 acres and is primarily concerned with providing and protecting the breeding habitats for waterfowl and shorebirds. This refuge is administered by the Charles M. Russell NWR.
Lake Mason National Wildlife Refuge
The Lake Mason National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1937 and is comprised of approximately 7,483 acres in three contiguous parcels of land at the foot of the Snowy Mountains in Montana: the North Unit, Willow Creek Unit and Lake Mason Unit. A few of the wildlife species which have been recorded on the refuge include Long-billed Curlews, Upland Sandpipers, Sage Grouse, Pronghorn Antelope, Elk and a variety of raptors.
Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge
The Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1963 under the name of Ravalli National Wildlife Refuge and then renamed to Lee Metcalf in 1978 in honor of the late Senator from Montana. Located on 2,800 acres along the banks of the Bitterroot River near Stevensville in western Montana, the primary objectives of the refuge are to provide and protect the habitat for migratory birds. Nesting residents on the refuge include Osprey, Canada Geese, Mallards, Teal, Wood Ducks, Widgeon, Pintail, Redhead and Scaup. Also a number of songbird species including Yellow Warblers and Yellowthroats are in abundance. During spring and fall migration seasons, Tundra Swans, Peregrine Falcons and Pheasants will be seen.
Lost Trail National Wildlife Refuge
The Lost Trail National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1999 and encompasses 7,885 acres, located in the west-central portion of Flathead County, Montana in an area known as Pleasant Valley. The refuge wetlands provide feeding and breeding habitat for over 14 species of migratory waterfowl including Mallard, Gadwall, Cinnamon Teal, Green-winged Teal, Lesser Scaup, Wood Duck, Redhead, Common Goldeneye and Canada Geese. Summertime residents include Grebes, Herons, Gulls, Killdeer, Sandhill Cranes, Dowitchers, Sandpipers, Common Snipe, Bitterns and Black Terns. The refuge is also home to Spruce Crouse, Blue Grouse and Ruffled Grouse as well a number of raptors such as Northern Harriers, Red-tailed Hawks, Swainson's Hawks, American Kestrels and Great-horned Owls.
Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge
The Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1935 and consists of 31,702 acres located between the Missouri River and the Canadian border in northeastern Montana. Providing critical breeding and nesting habitat for migrating birds, the refuge has been designate as one of 500 Globally Important Bird Areas in the United States by the American Bird Conservancy. In addition to the thousands of migrating ducks and other waterfowl, the refuge provides breeding habitat for many species of prairie songbirds including Grasshopper Sparrow, Baird's Sparrow, Chestnut-collared Longspur, Savannah Sparrow. Western Meadowlarks, Clay-colored Sparrows, Lark Buntings, Sprague's Pipits, and Bobolinks. It is also home to one of the largest colonies of nesting Pelicans in the United States with as many as 5,000 nests in use each year.
National Bison Range
The National Bison Range was established in 1908 making it one of the oldest national wildlife refuges in the United States. Consisting of 18,500 acres, the refuge is located in the Mission Valley of northwest Montana. Initially established to protect and preserve the American Bison, the refuge is currently home to approximately 500 of these animals. The refuge is also home to over 200 species of birds including eagles, hawks, meadowlarks, bluebirds, ducks, and geese.
Northwest Montana Wetland Management District
The Northwest Montana Wetland Management District was established in 1970 and consists of 8,457 acres in fourteen different waterfowl production areas (WPAs) located in portions of both Flathead and Mission Valleys in Montana as well as conservation easements for another 6,300 acres in lake County. The refuge provides critical breeding and nesting habitat for large numbers of migratory geese and ducks as well as many other species including Ring Necked Pheasants, Gray Partridge, Savannah Sparrows, Meadowlarks and Song Sparrows as well as quite a number of raptor species including Peregrine Falcons, Short-eared Owls, Northern Harriers, Rough-legged Hawks, Red-tailed Hawks and Northern Goshawks. Additional residents include shorebirds such as Killdeer, American Avocet, Black-necked Stilts, Wilson's Phalaropes and Yellowlegs.
Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge
The Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1935 and encompasses 44,483 acres in Montana's Centennial Valley. The diverse areas of this habitat support many bird species including Trumpeter Swans, Sandhill Cranes, Curlews, Peregrine Falcons, Eagles, and numerous varieties of Hawks and Owls.
UL Bend National Wildlife Refuge
The UL Bend National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1976 and consists of 56,048 acres in north central Montana. Approximately 21,000 acres of the refuge lands have been designated as Wilderness Area. One of the primary successes of this refuge has been the successful reintroduction of the endangered Black-footed Ferret. The refuge is also home to a large number of bird species including Osprey, Spotted Sandpipers and White Pelicans.
War Horse National Wildlife Refuge
The War Horse National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1958 in central Montana and consists of 3,192 acres, made up of three units - War Horse Lake, Wild Horse Lake, and Yellow Water Reservoir. All the refuge units provide resting and feeding sanctuary for migrating birds. The list of over 100 bird species in residence on the refuge includes a large population of Sage Grouse.
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Nebraska
Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuge
The Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuge was created in 1996 to restore, preserve and protect the wetland habitat areas along the Missouri River in eastern Nebraska close to Omaha, Nebraska. The refuge encompasses approximately 3,350 acres of floodplain woodland, tallgrass prairie, and wetland habitats along one of the major North American bird migration routes. Among the seventy or so bird species which have been documented to breed on the refuge are Baltimore Oriole, Orchard Oriole, Black-billed cuckoo, yellow-billed, cuckoo, Warbling Vireo, Bells Vireo, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Sedge Wren and the Eastern Wood-Peewee.
Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge
The Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1931 and encompasses 45,818 acres of rolling sandhills which makes it easily the largest continuous sand dune area in America. Located at the eastern edge of the Nebraska panhandle in Garden County, Nebraska, the refuge is primarily a resting and feeding area for migrating waterfowl. During the migration seasons, as many as 200,000 or more birds consisting of several different varieties of shorebirds and waterfowl will visit the refuge. Over 275 different bird species have been documented on the refuge, including a number of bald eagles and neotropical migrant songbirds.
Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge
The Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1912 and consists of 19,131 acres along the Niobara River in north central Nebraska, near Valentine, Nebraska. The richly diverse habitat areas of the refuge are attractive to over 230 species of birds which visit the refuge for resting, feeding and nesting. Some of the more interesting species include the Golden-winged Warbler, Wood Ducks, Grasshopper Sparrows, Sharp-tailed Grouse and Greater Prairie Chickens.
John W. and Louise Seier National Wildlife Refuge
The John W. and Louise Seier National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1999 and consists of 2,400 acres in the sandhills of Nebraska near Bassett, Nebraska.
North Platte National Wildlife Refuge
The North Platte National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1916 and includes 2,722 acres of the Nebraska panhandle, currently consisting of Lake Minatare, Winters Creek, and Lake Alice. The refuge was initially created as a preserve and breeding ground for native birds and is residence to some 228 different species. The refuge is a very popular resting place for spring and fall migrating birds, when over 200,000 waterfowl can be found here. Raptor species abound on the refuge including Bald Eagle, Great-horned Owl, American Kestrel, Rough-legged Hawk, Golden Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Northern Harrier, and Osprey.
Rainwater Basin Wetland Management District
The Rainwater Basin Wetland Management District was established in 1963 in the Rainwater Basin, which is spread over a seventeen county area of southeastern Nebraska and at present consists of 60 individual Waterfowl Production Areas. The WPAs encompass 17,080 total acres including 9,463 acres of Wetland areas. The refuge areas provide resting and feeding habitat for millions of birds during their spring and fall migrations. The Rainwater Basin area is known worldwide for it's importance regarding migrating birds, particularly in support of the North American populations of White-fronted, Mallard and Pintail Geese. The annual migrating count for light geese, which includes the Lesser Snow and the Ross's goose species, is over 4.5 million.
Valentine National Wildlife Refuge
The Valentine National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1935 on 71,516 acres in the Sandhills of north-central Nebraska. The refuge is an important nesting and feeding place for migrating ducks including Blue-winged Teal, Mallards, Pintails, Gadwalls, Redheads, Ruddy Ducks, and Shovelers. Among the extensive list of over 260 species of birds known to visit the refuge are Herons, Terns, Shorebirds, Pelicans, Long-billed Curlews, Upland Sandpipers, Prairie Chickens, Sharp-tailed Grouse and Sandhill Cranes.
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North Dakota
Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge
The Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1935 and consists of 15,934 acres of various types of habitats along the James River in east-central North Dakota. The refuge was created to provide safe habitat and breeding grounds for migrating birds and other wildlife. Over 200 species of birds are resident on the refuge lands including Bald Eagles, American White Pelicans, Canada Geese and Upland Plovers. During spring and fall migration periods, many different species of waterfowl and shorebirds make use of the refuge.
Arrowwood Wetland Management District
The Arrowwood Wetland Management District was established in 1961 to provide a breeding habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife species. Located in east-central North Dakota, the WMD consists of twenty-eight Waterfowl Production Areas encompassing 6,162 acres and includes 314 wetland easement areas (19,046 acres). Located in an area of the country called the "Prairie Pothole Region", which is so attractive to the breeding waterfowl population of North America that the Prairie Potholes are also well-known as the "duck factory" of North America.
Audubon National Wildlife Refuge
The Audubon National Wildlife Refuge was originally established in 1955 as the Snake Creek National Wildlife Refuge and was renamed in 1967 in honor of the famous naturalist, John James Audubon. The refuge encompasses 14,735 acres of native prairie, planted grasslands, and wetlands in the "Prairie Pothole Region" of west-central North Dakota. Permanent residents on the refuge include over 243 different bird species, a few of which include the Giant Canada Geese, Mallards, Gadwalls, Blue-winged Teal, Northern Pintail, Lesser Scaup, Northern Harrier, Marbled Godwit, Upland Sandpiper, Western Meadowlark, Bobolink. During migration periods, large numbers of Whooping Cranes migrate through the refuge.
Chase Lake National Wildlife Refuge
The Chase Lake National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1908 in the "Prairie Pothole" region of North Dakota. The refuge consists of 4,385 acres, most of which (4,155 acres) has been designated as wilderness area. Home to one of the largest White Pelican nesting areas in North America, the refuge was originally established to preserve and protect the endangered species.
Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge
The Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1935 and consists of more than 19,500 acres along the Des Lacs River in northern North Dakota. Common nesters on the refuge include five different species of Grebes, American White Pelicans, and Giant Canada Geese.
Devils Lake Wetland Management District
The Devils Lake Wetland Management District was established in 1962 to purchase and protect wetland habitat for migratory waterfowl and other wildlife in northeastern North Dakota. The District is located in the middle of North Dakota's Prairie Pothole Region. This WMD manages over 45,000 acres of wetlands and other wildlife habitats located on approximately 201 separate Waterfowl Production Areas (WPA's) Lake Alice National Wildlife Refuge (12,200 acres), Sullys Hill National Game Preserve (1,674 acres), Kelly Slough National Wildlife Refuge (1,867 acres), eleven easement refuges, and 154,000 acres of wetland easements.
Florence Lake National Wildlife Refuge
The Florence Lake National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1939 and consists of 1,888 acres in central North Dakota which includes approximately 1,000 acres of virgin, native mixed-grass prairie and a 132-acre lake. The refuge was created to provide and protect critical breeding habitat areas for migratory birds and other wildlife species. During the fall migration, large numbers of various waterfowl species use the refuge for breeding and nesting purposes. Commonly seen residents on the refuge include the Ferruginous Hawk, American Bittern, Great-blue Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, American White Pelican, Giant Canada Goose, Mallard, Northern Pintail, and the Blue-winged Teal.
J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge
The J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge was originally established in 1935 as the Lower Souris National Wildlife Refuge. It was renamed in 1967 in honor of J. Clark Salyer II, a long-time head of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The refuge consists of 58,700 acres along the Souris River in north-central North Dakota. Located along the Central Flyway, the refuge provides feeding and resting habitat for hundreds of thousands of migrating waterfowl each year. The extensive list of over 300 birds species which have been identified on the refuge include over 125 species which are known to nest here, including Gadwall, Blue-winged Teal, Mallard and Canada Goose. Other summer-time residents include many varieties of shorebirds and grebes, White Pelican, Sandhill Crane, Lark Bunting, Longspurs, Baird's Sparrow and LeConte's Sparrow.
J. Clark Salyer Wetland Management District
The J. Clark Salyer Wetland Management District consists of 6,543 square miles in Renville, Bottineau, Rolette, McHenry, and Pierce counties of north-central North Dakota. The WMD, located in the Souris Lake Plain area of North Dakota contains some of the most productive waterfowl production areas in the Prairie Pothole Region, with concentrations reaching as high as 180 nesting duck pairs per square mile. Approximately 150 different migrating bird species are known to breed within the area.
Kellys Slough National Wildlife Refuge
The Kellys Slough National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1936 and consists of 1,867 acres in the Red River Valley of North Dakota. The refuge was established to develop and maintain a habitat area of wetlands and grasslands that is native to the Red River Valley. Nesting species on the refuge include twelve species of ducks, Giant Canada Geese and as many as 22 different species of shorebirds. Three islands have been constructed on the refuge to create a safer nesting place for species such as Mallards, Gadwalls, Lesser Scaup and Canada Geese.
Kulm Wetland Management District
The Kulm Wetland Management District was established in 1971 and contains tracts of the Prairie Pothole Region located in the North Dakota counties of LaMoure, Dickey, Logan and McIntosh. District consists of 201 Waterfowl Production areas (45,683 acres), 1,554 Wetland Easement Areas (111,996 acres) and 90 Grassland Easement areas (33,530 acres). The District objectives include optimizing waterfowl production capabilities of the area, preserving and protecting the native grasslands and providing quality habitat for migrating bird populations.
Lake Alice National Wildlife Refuge
The Lake Alice National Wildlife Refuge was established b y the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1972 on lands that were formerly part of the Lake Alice easement Refuge. The refuge is currently comprised of 12,179 acres near Lake Alice in Ramsey and Towner Counties in North Dakota, near the town of Devils Lake. The primary mission of the refuge is to manage and preserve the wetland and wildlife habitat and to promote waterfowl production in the area. The refuge lands provide habitat for large numbers of marsh and wading birds. Some of the many waterbirds which can be found here include: Terns, Grebes, Gulls, Egrets and Herons.
Lake Ilo National Wildlife Refuge
The Lake Ilo National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1939 and currently consists of some 4,000 acres in the Missouri Slope region of western North Dakota. The refuge acreage is comprised of the Lake Ilo (1,240 acres), Lee Paul Slough (145 acres), and 2,650 areas of uplands. Established for the primary purpose of providing nesting and habitat for migrating waterfowl, the refuge is home to approximately 226 different bird species. During the migration seasons, large numbers of Canada Geese, Mallards, Pintails, Blue-winged Teal, Shovelers and Gadwall can be found on Lake Ilo. Other nesting marsh and waterbirds include Eared, Western, and Pied-bill Grebes; Double-crested Cormorants; Great Blue herons; Black-crowned Night Herons; and American Bitterns.
Lake Zahl National Wildlife Refuge
The Lake Zahl National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1939 and consists of 3,739 acres in north-western North Dakota at the juncture of the Missouri Coteau and the Missouri Slope. The refuge was established and is managed to provided nesting and habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife. The mixed-grass prairie habitat provides nesting areas for waterfowl and a wide range of passerines. Large numbers of waterfowl as well as variety of other marsh and waterbirds use the Refuge marshes during spring and fall migration. The Refuge has been a successful reintroduction area for giant Canada geese.
Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge
The Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1932 in central North Dakota near Bismarck. The refuge lands encompass 22,300 acres including the 15,000 acre area know as Long Lake, which is an 18 mile-long, shallow, saline basin. The refuge plays a very significant role in the effort to conserve and protect the habitat areas for migrating and nesting species of waterfowl, shorebirds, and rare migrant birds. Large numbers of migrating birds make use of the refuge lands, including ducks, geese, Sandhill Cranes and Whooping Cranes. The refuge is also home to many other species including Black-crowned Night Herons, Cattle Egrets, White-faced Ibis, Forrester's Terns, Franklin's gulls and various Grebe species.
Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge
The Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1975 and consists of 26,904 acres in north-central North Dakota, about 44 miles west of Minot in the Pothole area known as the Missouri Coteau region. The approximately 2,000 potholes which can be found on the refuge are excellent provisions for duck and other waterfowl production. Many species of birds can be found on the refuge, a few of which includes the Blue-winged Teal, Mallard, Gadwall, Wigeon, Lesser Scaup, Redheads, Canvasbacks, Virginia Rail, Marbled Godwit, Wilson's Phalarope, American Avocet, Sprague's Pipit, Upland Sandpiper, Bairds, Grasshopper and Savannah Sparrows.
Slade National Wildlife Refuge
The Slade National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1941 on 3,000 acres in the Prairie Pothole Region of south-central North Dakota. The refuge was created on the property donated by G. T. Slade, a Northern Pacific Railroad Executive. The refuge objectives include preserving and protecting the waterfowl production and nesting habitats of the region. Previously managed as a duck hunting club, the refuge is home to a large variety of birds including Prairie Sparrows, Bald Eagles, Peregrine Falcons, Ferruginous Hawks, American Bittern, Great Blue Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, American White Pelican, Giant Canada Geese, Mallards, Pintail, and blue-winged Teal.
Sullys Hill National Game Preserve
The Sullys Hill National Game Preserve was established in 1931 and contains 1,674 acres on the south shore of Devils Lake in Benson County in east-central North Dakota near the town of Fort Totten. Formerly part of the U.S. National Park System, the refuge provides a variety of wildlife habitats including wetlands, woodlands, savannahs and prairies and is home to a large number of wildlife and more than 200 bird species, including a large variety of waterfowl, such as Wood Ducks, Canada Geese, White Pelicans, Mallards, Hooded Mergansers, and many other species native to the area.
Tewaukon National Wildlife Refuge
The Tewaukon National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1945 and consists of 8,363 acres in the Prairie Pothole Region of southeastern North Dakota. Established to help preserve and protect the nesting habitat for migrating waterfowl species, the refuge represents reclamation of farm lands for wildlife preservation by the concerned citizens of the area. During migration seasons, large quantities of migrating ducks, Canada Geese, Snow Geese, and Bald Eagles can be identified on the refuge.
Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge
The Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1935 on 32,092 acres in the Souris River valley of northern North Dakota. The refuge areas include the 9,600 acre Lake Darling. The refuge has been designated as a Globally Important Bird Area and plays a critical role in the preservation of the endangered Piping Plover species. The refuge is host to a large number of bird species including Baird's, LeConte's, and Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrows and Sprague's Pipit. Large numbers of migrating waterfowl use the refuge, including Tundra Swans, Northern Pintails, Canvasbacks, Lesser Snow Geese, several species of Grebes, American White Pelicans, Black Terns, Sora Rails, Marsh and Sedge Wrens, Yellow-headed Blackbirds and a large variety of songbirds.
Valley City Wetland Management District
The Valley City Wetland Management District was established in 1971 in the counties of Cass, Traill, Barnes, Griggs, and Steele in east-central North Dakota. The District manages 82 Waterfowl Production Areas, totaling 17,000 acres as well as another 55,400 acres of wetland easement areas. With its primary focus on the enhancement of waterfowl production in the area, the district lands also provides habitat for a large number of other bird species including Savannah and Clay-colored Sparrows, Bobolinks, Northern Harriers, Upland Sandpipers, Pied-billed Grebes and American Avocets.
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South Dakota
Huron Wetland Management District
The Huron Wetland Management District was created in 1992 and includes wetland habitats totaling 17,518 acres in eight counties of east-central South Dakota. The District includes sixty Waterfowl Production Areas and serves a vital role in the effort of preserving and maintaining nesting habitats for migratory birds. Just a few of species found here include the Ringnecked Pheasant, Sharp-tailed Gouse, Prairie Chicken, wild Turkey, Gray Partridge, Blue-winged Teal and many species of ducks, geese, and raptors.
Karl E. Mundt National Wildlife Refuge
The Karl E. Mundt National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1974 and consists of approximately 1,300 acres located in the southern area of the Prairie Pothole Region of South Dakota. The numerous potholes found on the refuge provide excellent breeding and nesting grounds to many ducks and other migrating waterfowl. Also as many as 300 bald eagles spend their winters on the Refuge habitats.
Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge
The Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1935 on 16,410 acres in Bennett County in the southwestern area of South Dakota. While the refuge serves a critical role in providing a staging area for large numbers of migrating geese and Canada Ducks, it has as one of its primary goals the mission to provide a suitable wintering habitat for the high-plains Trumpeter Swan, where as many as 281 of this elegant species has been recorded. Raptor species are abundant on the refuge as well. As many as eighteen different species of hawks and eight species of owls have been identified on the refuge.
Lake Andes National Wildlife Refuge
The Lake Andes National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1936 in the Owens's Bay area of southeastern South Dakota. The refuges currently encompasses a total of 938 acres and manages an additional 4,700 acre easement. An important stopping point for migrating snow geese and other waterfowl and shorebirds, the refuge also provides home to many other bird species including ring-necked pheasants and red-tailed hawks.
Madison Wetland Management District
The Madison Wetland Management District was established in 1969 in southeastern South Dakota and currently manages 38,500 acres of Waterfowl Production Areas and two separate easement areas totaling an additional 91,200 acres. Located in the area known as the Prairie Pothole Region, the district includes parts of a nine-county area of eastern South Dakota (the counties of Brookings, Deuel, Hamlin, Kingsbury, Lake, McCook, Miner, Minehaha, and Moody). The primary objective of the district is to preserve the native wetlands and provide nesting habitat for waterfowl, such as herons, ducks, rails, shorebirds, and gulls.
Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge
The Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1935 and encompasses 21,498 acres in extreme northeastern South Dakota. The Sand Lake Refuge Sand Lake NWR has been listed as one of the top 15 birding sites in the country and has also been designated as a "Wetland of International Importance" and a "Globally Important Bird Area". Established primarily to provide habitat and breeding areas for as many as 123 species of migrating birds, the Refuge is home to more that 256 bird species. Just a few of the bird species recorded here include five different species of Grebes, American White Pelican, Double-crested Cormorant, several species of Heron, Egret and Bittern, numerous varieties of Ducks, Geese, Raptors, Sandpipers and songbirds.
Waubay National Wildlife Refuge
The Waubay National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1935 and consists of 4,650 acres of lakes, marshlands, grasslands, and woodlands habitats in eastern South Dakota. During the Spring and Fall migration seasons, the refuge provides nesting and feeding habitat for over 240 different species of waterfowl, songbirds and upland game birds. The refuge supports numerous species of waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors and songbirds. Some of the species here include several varieties of Plover, Sandpiper, Gull and Woodpeckers. Also common found here are Purple Martin, Great Horned Owl, Black-billed Cuckoo, Eastern Kingbird, Eastern Bluebird and Gray Catbird.
Waubay Wetland Management District
The Waubay Wetland Management District is located in the "Coteau des Prairie," or prairie hills region of South Dakota. Located in the heart of South Dakota's Prairie Pothole Region, the District currently manages over 300 Waterfowl Production Areas, totaling 40,000 acres in six counties of northeastern South Dakota. The Waubay WMD has the distinction of containing the very first Waterfowl Production Area that was established by the USF & W Service, McCarslon WPA, which was established in 1959.
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Utah
Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
The Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge was established in 1928 in the Great Salt Lake in Utah. The refuge consists of 74,000 acres in the Bear River Delta about 50 miles north of Salt Lake city, Utah. Serving both the Pacific and Central North American Flyway, the refuge lands provides resting and feeding spots for literally millions of birds during the spring and fall migrations. Numerous Swans, Ducks and Geese commonly nest on the refuge including Canada Goose, Gadwall, American Wigeon, Mallard, several species of Teal, Canvasback and Redhead. Other nesting species which are easily spotted include the American White Pelican, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Snowy Egret, White-faced Ibis, American Coot, Franklin's Gull, Killdeer and the Horned Lark. Other commonly found birds on the refuge include the Western Sandpiper, Western Kingbird, American Pipit and many others.
Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge
The Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge was initially established in 1959 and currently consists of 17,992 acres including 10,000 acres of wetlands. The refuge is located in what the Lake Bonneville area of west-central Utah. An important location in the Pacific Flyway, the refuge has documented over 277 species of bird visitors. A few of the species which are known to commonly breed here include the Pied-billed Grebe, American Bittern, Great Blue Heron, Snowy Egret, Black-crowned Night Heron, White-faced Ibis, Greed-winged Teal, Canada Goose, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Cinnamon Teal, Northern Shoveler, Gadwall and Canvasback. Other nesters include the Northern Harrier, Ring-necked Pheasant, American Coot, Black-necked Stilt, and the American Avocet.
Ouray National Wildlife Refuge
The Ouray National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1960 and encompasses some 11,987 acres in the desert of northeastern Utah. The refuge bird list includes nesters such as the Pied-billed Grebe, Eared Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Snowy Egret, Black-crowned Night-heron, White-faced Ibis, Canada Goose, and several species of Teal and Ducks. Other bird species which are known to nest on the refuge include Killdeer, Black-necked Stilt, American Avocet, Spotted Sandpiper, Common Snipe, Long-billed Curlew, Forster's Tern, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Great Horned Owl, Burrowing Owl, Black-billed Magpie, Warbling Vireo and several species of Woodpecker, Kingbird and Swallow.
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Wyoming
Bamforth National Wildlife Refuge
The Bamforth National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1932 and encompasses three different locations totaling 1,116 acres in Southeastern Wyoming near Laramie, Wyoming. The refuge boasts a large nesting colony of California Gulls. Other species using the refuge include the American White Pelican, Double-crested Cormorant, Black-crowned Heron, American Avocet and Snowy Egret. Many different varieties of songbirds have been documented in the refuge grassland areas including Western Meadowlarks, Vesper Sparrows, Horned Larks, Brown-headed Cowbirds and Brewer's Sparrow.
Cokeville Meadows National Wildlife Refuge
The Cokeville Meadows National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1993 along the Bear River near Cokeville, Wyoming. As a relatively new refuge in the system, currently only 8,106 acres of the authorized total of 66,657 acres have been acquired. Established primarily to preserve and protect the native Bear River area wetland area of Wyoming, the refuge already provides nesting habitat areas for a number of bird species including American Bittern, Black-necked Stilts, Black Terns, White-faced Ibis, Sandhill Cranes and an impressive number of other waterfowl and shorebirds.
Hutton Lake National Wildlife Refuge
The Hutton Lake National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1932 and encompasses 1,968 acres in southeastern Wyoming in an area which includes five lakes: Hutton, Creighton, George, Rush and Hoge. Some of the many bird species which are commonly found on the refuge include Wilson's Phalaropes, Willets, American Avocets, Black necked Stilts, Black-crowned Night Herons, several varieties of Grebes, Swainson's Hawks, Northern Harriers and Golden Eagles.
Mortenson Lake National Wildlife Refuge
The Mortenson Lake National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1993 and consists of 1,776 acres near Laramie, Wyoming. One of the lakes on the refuge is home to the last known breeding population of the endangered Wyoming toad. Additionally the refuge supports a large number of waterfowl and shorebirds including both Eared and Western Grebes, Double-breasted Cormorants, American Avocets, Willets, Great Blue Herons, Wilson's Phalaropes, Savannah Sparrows and Western Meadow Larks.
National Elk Refuge
The National Elk Refuge was established in 1912 in Jackson Hole, Wyoming and currently consists of some 25,000 acres. Part of the Greater Yellowstone Park System, the refuge was created to provide a secure wintering habitat for the local Elk herd. Additionally, the refuge boasts the largest free-roaming American Bison herd in the National Wildlife Refuge System, about 800 animals. The refuge also supports a large number of waterfowl and shorebirds, including the Trumpeter Swans, Mallards, Northern Pintails, Gadwalls, Barrows Goldeneyes, Buffleheads, both Green-winged and Cinnamon Teal and Canada Geese and a number of raptors including American Kestrel, Northern Harrier, Red-tailed Hawk, Swainson's Hawk and the Rough-legged Hawk.
Pathfinder National Wildlife Refuge
The Pathfinder National Wildlife Refuge was established din 1928 and consists of four different areas totaling 16,807 acres near Casper Wyoming. The refuge provides feeding and resting areas for a number of migrating waterfowl and shorebirds including Willets, American Avocets, Wilson's Phalaropes, American Coots, and Great Blue Herons.
Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge
The Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1965 and consists of 26,400 acres along the Green River in southwestern Wyoming. The refuge was established in order to preserve and protect the an important section of the migration corridor for a large number of waterfowl and passerine bird species. Some of the many migrating songbirds which use these refuge areas during the migration periods include Rufous Hummingbird, Wilson's Warbler, Yellow Warbler and Bullock's Oriole. Additionally a large number of Bald Eagles and various varieties of Hawks as well as many waterbirds including the Trumpeter Swans, Ruddy Ducks, White-faced Ibis, Redheads, Cinnamon Teal, Pied-billed Grebes, Sora Rails and Marsh Wrens are frequent visitors to the refuge.
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