Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) consists of 22,310 acres located in Burleigh and Kidder Counties, south-central North Dakota. It was established in 1932 and is administered as a unit within a chain of NWRs located throughout the Central Flyway. Long Lake NWR contains mixed-grass prairie grasslands, ravines, cultivated fields, small tree and shrub plantings, and seasonal wetland basins, in addition to Long Lake. Beginning at U.S. Highway 83 near Moffit, the Refuge extends northeastward for 16 miles.

Long Lake is a natural lake of limited depth by reason of its location in a shallow alkaline basin up to 2 miles wide and 16 miles long. It is separated into three units by dikes, and at normal level it covers about 16,000 acres. The refuge was established primarily for the control of botulism, which has a long and varied history at Long Lake. The principal source of water is from Long Lake Creek south of the refuge, which has a relatively large watershed. Dikes and spillways permit the holding of a higher level in each unit from west to east when there is a shortage of water.

The best opportunities for bird observation are in spring, summer, and fall. Canada geese typically lead the northward flight of waterfowl, beginning in late March. Northern pintail, mallards, and a variety of diving duck species follow shortly thereafter. Sharp-tailed grouse occupy traditional dancing grounds across the Refuge uplands throughout April, shortly preceding peak “crowing” activity of male ring-necked pheasants. Impressive flocks of phalaropes, sandpipers, and plovers buzz mudflats during late spring amid the constant din of various waterbird species that are establishing colonies in isolated emergent marsh areas. Vocalizations of numerous prairie sparrows interrupt the early morning quiet in June.

The fascinating mating displays of western grebes can be observed across Long Lake beginning in early June, just prior to the sight of numerous squadrons of ducklings scattered along shorelines and areas of emergent vegetation. Mornings in July reveal a patchwork of molting waterfowl across Long Lake’s open water areas. Not long after the mass of fall migrating shorebirds have filled-up on protein-rich invertebrates and headed to more southerly locations, Long Lake is invaded with a variety of south-bound waterfowl

Large congregations of ducks and geese are accompanied by thousands of sandhill cranes in search of waste grain and other agricultural staples. Occasionally, endangered whooping cranes utilize the Refuge during their fall flight to Texas. In late fall, once Long Lake has frozen solid and fields are snow-filled, resident birds search for food and winter cover along with winter migrants, including Rough-legged hawks, snow buntings, and an occasional snowy owl.

The following checklist includes 308 birds. Species that are known to nest on the Refuge are noted with a bullet (•). Most of the species listed have been seen on the Refuge. Those species known to occur in the vicinity that have not actually been sighted on the Refuge are noted in italics. Visitors are encouraged to report new or noteworthy observations to Refuge staff. All species names are in accordance with the American Ornithologist, Union, 1998. Check-list of North American Birds, 7th ed. Am. Ornithol. Union, Washington, D.C. For clarity, some of the former names of bird species are shown in parentheses.

Bird species listed as “Accidentals” have been sighted once or only a few times and the Refuge is outside of their normal range.

Seasons

Since many birds are migratory, their seasonal occurrence and relative abundance are noted as follows:

SP-Spring March-May
S—Summer June-August
F—Fall September-November
W–Winter December-February

Seasonal Abundance
c..... common certain to be seen in suitable habitat.
u..... uncommon present, but not certain to be seen
r.......rare seen at intervals of 2 to 5 years
(i).... irregular indicates a species which is irregular during at least one season
•.......denotes a species that nests on the Refuge
°...... denotes a species that likely nested on the Refuge historically, but does not presently nest on the Refuge
E...... threatened and endangered species in the United States

Common Bird Name