Wildlife

Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge provides year round habitat for numerous species of wildlife, with the busiest times of the year being spring and fall, when large flocks of birds utilize the wetlands. During this time, peak concentrations of ducks and geese can reach 90 to100,000. The principal nesting waterfowl species are Canada geese, mallards, pintails, blue-winged teal, shovelers, and gadwall.

Refuge marshes come alive with other nesting marsh and water birds as well, including eared, western, and pied-bill grebes; double-crested cormorants; great blue herons; black-crowned night herons; and American bitterns. Shorebirds, such as killdeer, plovers, sandpipers, willets, yellowlegs, marbled godwits, American avocets, and phalaropes are also plentiful during migration.

Some songbirds, such as meadowlarks, sparrows, and swallows, are easily seen from roads, while others are best found by walking and quietly observing. The Refuge is also home to white-tailed deer, badger, skunk, beaver, raccoon, mink, muskrat, ring necked pheasant, and sharp tailed grouse.

Refuge management activities benefitting waterfowl and other wildlife species, include placement of artificial nesting structures, wetland creation and restoration, water level management, prescribed burning, farming, haying, grazing, and law enforcement. These activities create a diversity of habitats that are used by many wildlife species throughout the year.

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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service