Day 11 and 12 June 15th and 16th to Williston ND

Day 11 and 12 Devil’s Lake to Williston ND June 15th and 16th

One thing about traveling with a trailer on long distance trips is that the scenery aways changes and it never gets boring. The beauty is everywhere , from the business of cities (we try to avoid as many as possible) to the rolling hills and flat plains of the Plains of Northern USA. Even the grime and mud of the Devils Lake area had it’s character and of course will give travelers many things to talk about and remember for many years to come. The water was everywhere. Two of the areas we wanted to reach were in circuitous routes that were partially underwater so we did not get there . Another had the entrance road under water. So we did what birders do, we looked for side roads that were at least partially open and as there was a lot of water, looked for the attending birds that might be there. And they were. On Tuesday we counted 53 birds seen and on Wednesday about the same number. Each day picking up some 10-12 species we had not seen on the trip this far. (SEE BIRD LIST POSTING IN NEXT BLOG).

Our technique was to cruise the roadsides and when a pond or small lake appeared , we would stop and either look briefly, or close down the engine, set up the binoculars and/or scope and fire away with the camera when needed. There has been so much rain here that the ponds and small lakes were every few hundred feet or so. That was the same in ND all along US 2 into Devils Lake and again on the way to Minot and Williston. (Still on US 2) On Wednesday we actually made a complete “loop” from our campsite around the west end of the Lake and back. Some 85 miles in all. It was an all day trip with side roads and a few small towns included. The stiff wind really whipped up the waves on the Lake.(SEE PICS).

The West Bay Campground was new this past year and so the roads in it had not really been tested as they were newly made and subject to “settling”. Hence getting in and out was tricky in the mud , but we did make it OK. The last morning there we were met by a heavy fog that dissipated by 8:30 after we had driven some 50 miles. Slowing the speed by 10 mph was a necessity. I drive at about 58-9 mph on the highway with the trailer in tow. Was surprised by how many drivers in the fog did NOT have their lights on.

The ride from Devils’ Lake to Williston is about 248 miles and we had to come through the US 2 portion that was closed last Sunday just west of Towner. The east lane still had enough water on it to make splashes from the vehicle tires, but the west bound lane was open all the way.This part of US 2 really allows one to see the prairie as it might have been. It is easy to see some 30-40 miles across the prairie, and the vast 1,000 acre wheat fields are constant for mile after mile. For the most part the wheat has been planted but a few are struggling to get that finished. Then the terrain gets rolling just east of Williston. Here cattle dominates and the feed bins and feed lots are legend.

Western ND is seeing a boom the likes of which has not been seen since the pioneers went west. It is oil, gas and minerals. Never in all of the 100,000 car miles we have driven have we seen so many large trucks (tankers, double bottom, oil tankers and”bottom droppers”, and trucks hauling all sorts of equipment for the oil and gas fields that are springing up out here,. They are crying for workers! Just on the way in to Williston we saw 4 camps that are being constructed for the workers and they can’t keep up. One of them had over 200 cars in the parking lot. These are fully equipped camps for the workers with all amenities. The gas and oil towers are springing up all ver the area. Storage tanks dot the landscape and equipment storage areas are almost in sight at each turn. Amazing stuff in this down economy.

Then to finish the day after we had arrived in Williston at 2:30 we determined to see a small, albeit distant, NWR called Zahl NWR. Some 40 miles north, but promising. And it was a good plan. The viewing road was only 1/2 mile long but the grasses were filled with sounds and birds were darting in and out. There were birds on the accompanying ponds but the prize of the day was a Marbled Godwit with cinnamon colored under wings, and a long, slightly upturned beak. There were many of them so be sure to see the pics.

This campground is right off US 2, Convenient but it will be a test to see if sleep comes easily with all the trucks and traffic. Dawn comes early and these truckers will start work at dawn I am sure.

Incidentally , the Missouri River that flows next to Williston is just 4 feet from flood stage and rising. The dike is huge but only time will tell if it holds unlike 1915 when it did inundate the city. Tomorrow we do a NWR in Montana across the border (Medicine Bow Lake) followed by the Teddy Roosevelt NationalPark (north unit) and hope to see some antelope and Elk.

Day 9, 6-13-11 Last day in MN

Seems like I will go back to posting the same way I did before . That worked and the new approach didn’t sorry that I slowed down the messages , so here goes.

Today was a VERY windy day with 30-35 mph winds blowing all day long. That didn’t stop us from doing some birding in two NWR. The first was Hamden NWR just a few miles from downtown Detroit Lakes MN. It is the only NWR that lies to the immediate west of the forest regions and on the east boundary of the plains where the prairies and grasslands begin. is noticeable all around the “Slough" as it is called that there are ponds, not too deep, and lots of grasses. This is a verdant location for many ducks, shore birds (although the wind kept these from view) some songbirds , eagles,and other raptors. This area has private land that is gradually being bought by the Fish and Wildlife service in cooperation with their wildlife and land organizations. This NWR is small compared to those we have seen thus far at 3,500 acres. We stopped at a very odd mix of buildings that was supposed to be the HQ for the NWR. It was , but as they are in a time of flux, they were in temporary building and the front door was hidden from the parking lot around a delapitated building in front. It seems that they are awaiting a new structure being built at the old HQ some-miles away. They were very helpful and guided us on our way. This area has a lot of farm land in wheat, corn and some hay. One thing I saw was that the fields appeared to be “rolled” as with a roller , but later I found out that they actually run a 4” “hole poker” into the ground with a scraper in tow to make the soil stay in place. Where there is danger of a runoff from water or wind erosion this works and the plants (corn, what) get started Ok. We ate lunch overlooking one of the ponds as the temp had warmed to about 63 F. Today was warmer with a south wind . WOW! The wind kept the birds “down”most of the day. We did observe 42 birds on Monday.

Tamarac NWR is only 15 miles to the east and it’s habitat is in that edge of the MN forest before the prairie starts to the west. This area was a combination of heavy forest and some small ponds and two huge lakes. We took the five mile "loop" road. Loons on the big lakes and Ruth’s “other “ favorite, the Wood Duck were seen abundantly. Trying to get a good picture of the latter is almost impossible , especially up close. They are very edgy and sneak off or fly away when movement is seen. We did see may of them (dozens) but alas you will have to wait for pictures of them.

The drive from East Isle to Detroit Lakes was quite smooth and some on four lane divided (access) highway. The day was rainy in the AM but as we neared the next campgrpund it was partially cloudy and windy. That stretch sees a lot of forested areas and we did see Loons, Osprey, Flickers, and of course lots of Red Winged Blackbirds. On arrival Jim had time to have a horseshoe match with the campground owners father who owned the campground before. Of course Jim lost 19-21.

Tomorrow we head for N Dakota and Devil’s Lake. The Souris River west of there on US 2 has flooded and we will watch that closely. We will take an alternate route in Mn rather than crossing to ND at Fargo as that road north os Fargo is also flooded and no passage along the Red River there.

Toward the end of this week I will post the birds we have seen thus far.

Looks like this one is better!

Visit to Sherbourne NWR , MN

After a very cold night at 43 F here in Northern MN, the sun came out and got us started to this NWR which if we had planned more closely , would have been closer to where we camped. As it was it was a 50 mile trip to the site. We went directly to the Wildlife Drive , which is a 7.5 mile loop around the ponds and prairies of the Reserve. This area of North Central Mn is the dividing line between the forests of the east and the Prairies of the west especially the Dakotas which come next.

Birding from the moving blind

One of the best ways to see, hear and identify birds and wildlife in these Refuges is to stay in the car and actually use the car as a blind.That doesn’t eliminate getting out now and then to pursue an elusive warbler or two, but it disturbs the wildlife the least. So we started off viewing for the next fur hours on this pond filled and vast 30,000 acre NWR.

Originally the Refuge was prairie before it was cultivated and many acres drained. Today it is returning with 22 restored wetlands and pools being raised and lowered to allow the wildlife to use the ponds and grasses to live and thrive. The two main type of habitat are Oak Savannah and Wetland . Many birds were seen and our total reached 50 this day. Our new bird n our list was the Lark S[arrow , which we had not seen before. The many Sandhill Cranes feeding and teaching their young ones to forage was a highlight.

The day ended with a trip to two good State Parks here both of which have good birding and time was much shorter than the 4 hours spent on Sherbourne. W did see Orioles, Flycatchers and a pair of Alder Flycatchers ended the day. The temp never got above 65 , but that was fine. Tomorrow it should be 10 degrees warmer.

1.Eastern Kingbird That Jim took from his side of the car. As Ruth passed the camera. Sometimes the move too fast when they are so close.

2. A typical view of one of the 22 pools and wet;and areas in the NWR

3. One of the many flowers on the NWR called Hoary Puccoon. The Lupine covered many acres and a wild Carolina Rose was prolific.

Catch you next tome from Devils Lake Mn

I told you it would get better!