The Audubon Center in North Dakota Where You’ll See More Than 12 Waterfowl Species in a Single Afternoon

With landscapes like the Theodore Roosevelt National Park and International Peace Garden, it's no wonder North Dakota is lauded for its natural beauty. But the Peace Garden State is also a rich birding site, and several landscapes are managed or designated a Globally Important Bird Area by the Audubon Society, the American environmental organization dedicated to conservation of birds. Today, we're going to take a virtual visit to Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge near Kenmare for stunning views and an opportunity to see rare grassland bird species.

Since its establishment in 1935, hikers have adored exploring the 26,747 acres of Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge. More than half of that — circa 14,000 acres — is mixed-grass prairie, which makes it ideal for rare grassland bird species like Sprague's pipit and Baird's sparrow. While the landscape is stunning, many visitors come for its Globally Important Bird Area designation. It's a remarkable spot for birding!

Its wetlands are one of the most coveted birding spots in North Dakota, and you could easily spot up to a dozen species of nesting ducks in a single afternoon. Other waterfowl, like grebes, pelicans, and gulls are common visitors.

One of my favorite species to look for at Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge is the sharp-tailed grouse. These chicken-lookin' prairie dwellers are common from the Midwest to Canada, and like many birds, the males have a bit of color in their plumage. A yellow eyebrow patch and a violet spot on their necks makes them easier to spot against the shades of prairie brown they call home.

Even more fascinating, these guys are known for their breeding dance. When a gentlemanly sharp-tailed grouse wants to impress his love interest, he'll break out the moves. They can stomp their feet up to 20 times per second while they shake their tail feathers (seriously — while it's a fun expression, it's also the best description for the behavior!), marching forward or in a circle. Viewing blinds are available in the spring by reservation if you're interested in observing this behavior in person.

All in all, more than 250 species of bird have been spotted across Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge's 26,747 acres. You truly never know what you're going to see here... with 347 total bird species in North Dakota, a huge chunk of the state's diversity is represented in this one gorgeous spot.

With hundreds of miles of trails and boardwalks, this vast refuge in North Dakota is always a treat to visit. It hearkens back to an era where America's grasslands were wild and untamed, and it's an incredible place to observe grazing moose, wide, open skies, and dreamy birdsong.

If you're a fan of North Dakota birding, you have to take a trip out to Kenmare. The town is known for its bird population, and the birds are said to outnumber the human residents.