Day 14 Tuesday June 21, 2022- (Summer Solstice) Visiting Upper Souris NWR ND.

It rained hard off and on during the night, and the temps cooled some 10 degrees in an hour. The plan was to visit the above mentioned National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) as it was about 25 miles from us  just a "straight shot" up the road.

We were on the road at 9:15 AM and as I did not fill the tank with gasoline the night before, I  needed to go another 9 miles to a small town further  than planned to get some gasoline. When we did, I also asked the clerk, about the road that turned  there to the NWR. The clerk told me that was the one to the NWR, so we were not back tracking or out of the way at all.

Those White Pelicans lined up behind the dam

A single White Pelican

A female Gadwall

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fortunately for us  that route had abundant "pothole lakes"and ponds on which there were birds aplenty. We stopped often and added to our daily count. Where the road turned north to cross the Lake Darling Dam it also led to the Visitor Center and Hq. of the NWR. We were met by Patti a veteran who has worked there for 11 years and knew many  spots we might try to find birds. Namely, the dam, (Pelicans), the river (more waterbirds), and the boat launches, of which there were three spaced about a mile apart on gravel roads. They all had some good results. Patti has three young grandchildren under 3 years old.

This NWR was created in 1935 (CCC years) and straddles the Souris River for 35 miles. The 32,092-acre  refuge includes a narrow band of river bottom. woodlands, fertile floodplains, native mixed-grass hills, and steep, shrub-covered coulees.

NB: a coulee is a depression between hills that shelters plants and wildlife which would normally be killed by the surrounding dry surroundings..Water accumulates there  to give animals shelter and water.

The CCC was involved (Civilian Conservation Corps)

They built this fire tower, the Lake and roads.

The Souris River just downstream from the dam.

 

At lunch time we picked a high point overlooking the  valley of the Souris, and had just gotten ready  to get out the 'picnic basket', when the rains came hard. Not to be delayed for lunch I squirmed around to reach for the picnic basket on the back floor,and did manage to get it in the front seat. All of this to Ruth's calls of "Wait for the rain to stop". The rain did stop in 10 minutes sure enough!

We finished the three mile auto tour that had 9 stops for info on coulees, grasses, wildlife, and other environmental concerns that the NWR was all about. 

It was a good day and one of three that we hope to take to these NWR's in North Dakota from Minot.

Wild roses were abundant.

A view of the Upper Souris River and valley. 

 

 

 

                                     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We finished the day by heading into  town for groceries. I had checked the propane tanks (A good idea often) and they were good yet. "One stop shopping" would be good. "The Market Place" is the big local store in North Dakota. It was very clean, well stocked, but as Ruth says (even with today's price raises,), "The prices were very high".

But we ended the day cutting celery into strips to use for lunch, and putting the groceries away. (There is a  full 'fridge' again)

We did count some 37 birds today and kept our daily count near 40.  Our trip total is nearly 100 species counted. Tomorrow it will be the Salyer NWR and a look at the Minot "waste ponds" just outside town which are suppose to be excellent for birding as many are.

See you tomorrow .

W