Day 17, Friday June 24, 2022, Last Day at Minot ND

 Day 17, Friday June 24, 2022, Last Day at Minot ND

 Jim forgot that there was  one more day at Roughrider campground. He was all set to move out , when for some reason he looked at the itinerary and lo and behold! There was another day to go.  So...

We repeated the day that we had yesterday without the long drive around the NWR road.  The birding on that road was very good yesterday and was as well today. Ruth had wanted to try to get a better light on those Grebes on the edge of the Refuge, so we aimed for that.  We did take the same route in , north on US 83 and east on Co Rd 30. That is in Botteneau County, ND.

Last night's sunset after the storm

Two white horses we saw on the road both days.

In the village of Upham is this Veteran's Memorial School

 

It was remarkable that we actually picked up more birds than yesterday on these roads. Our total count  for the day was 45 and that included a surprise find in a pond...The Bufflehead Duck and the Hooded Merganser.  (see list below.) We had to get out the big telescope to verify those two. Ruth spotted them (she usually does as I am driving), and we stopped for quite a spell to identify them. That was a great find. 

We did stop at the Refuge HQ, but they all must have been in a meeting as no one came to greet us. 

Interesting note on the life of J Clark Salyer. He was a University of Michigan man, interested in the environment and outdoor studies.  Taught in Kanses in his early days. He caught the attention of Ding Darling and others  to head the beginning of what would become the Fish and Wildlife Refuge System. He was successful at it and was often called the "Founder of the Wildlife Refuge System". 

To restore waterfowl habitat on the Refuge, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built a series of low dikes and water control structures along the river. As the waters of the Souris River slowly inundated the valley, aquatic plants were planted to enhance marsh development.

The day was mostly cloudy , with rain clouds building all day. Ruth did not get the good light that she had wanted  so there were no great photos to show for it. But that happens so we just go with the flow  and get what we can..

White Faced Ibis were not common

Our lunch time cafe right near the ponding  from Souris R.

The Horned Grebes were common there.

 

Some of today's outstanding birds I will list here:

White Breasted Nuthatch (at feeder), Harris' Sparrow (at feeder), Pied Billed Grebe, Bobolink, Forster's Gull, Red Necked Phalarope, Willet, Swainson's Hawk, Wild Turkey (our first), Purple Martin, Broad Winged Hawk,  Red Tailed Hawk,  White Faced Ibis, Lark Sparrow and Common and Black Terns. Forty Five bird species in all.

We did go by the Minot AFB again and this time on the return we saw a B 52 take off and evidently practice a landing as it went right over our truck two times.  Ruth did get a good photo of it  on the return flight.I  guess they have to train those pilots all the time. This AFB has over 5,000 military personnel, and there are 40,000 total people on the base working for it, contracted, civilian or family members.

PRIZE FOR GUESSES!!!

This early return to the trailer, gave us a both a time to identify the photos, sort them and also count the totals that we have for the trip. At this point , we have some 110 species.  I am again going to open up guesses to how many we will have when we return to the state of Michigan.( Across the border). A copy of Sibley's Bird Guide will be the prize to whomever comes the closest either + or -. So send in your guess as to what will be the total species Jim and Ruth will have seen on this trip that ends July 23.? I will not post any totals after today. Last time  we had a contest, (2018), daughter Therese won the prize with 147 birds I believe.

 After getting back to the trailer , we worked on those photos and did some discussion of the difference between the Eared Grebe and the Horned Grebe. Ruth won the 'discussion'.

 

 

The gas tank was filled, and we consumed some Wisconsin 'Brats" for supper. It was a good day and at supper time it did begin to rain and for much longer than last night. but not as heavy. It is still raining after 1 1/2 hours.

Tomorrow we REALLY head for Williston ND for sure. Should be a strong head wind.

Oh,... Yes by the way Jim said that he was bitten by a "mite" this week, well  he meant to say he was bitten by a "Tick" . It was removed easily with some loss of skin.