At Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), a hopeful sign of spring is the return of migratory birds. Some of these birds have flown thousands of miles to reach the Refuge, after spending the winter in the southern United States, Mexico, Central America, or South America.

Spring migration is somewhat rapid, unlike fall migration when many species will linger and feed wherever food is available. In the spring, the strongest males arrive first to stake out their territories. Often this will be where they nested in the past. Next, the females arrive and select the males that occupy the best habitats. The pair then must build their nests, incubate their eggs, and raise their young before it's time to begin fall migration.

Fall is when many birds are preparing to migrate to their winter home. Some of these birds fly thousands to miles to reach their final destination. Day length and temperature play an important part in telling the birds' internal clock that it's time to go, but it's not the only reason. It may also be hormonal changes that allow the birds to store fat deposits for them to survive migration. When water on lakes and ponds begin to freeze over, waterfowl cannot find food and head south where open water and food can be found.

Long Lake NWR, located in the Central Flyway, is an important place for birds to rest and feed during migration. The birds that do not fly non-stop, will usually land during the day at a safe place to rest and find food. The night migrators include vireos, various waterfowl, sparrows, cuckoos, warblers, thrushes, and flycatchers. The birds that prefer to migrate in the daylight hours include, hawks, eagles, pelicans, swallows, shrikes, and some finches stop to feed in a safe place before they move on south.

Refuge staff observed the first fall sandhill cranes on August 29, 2002 (similar to 2001). In the fall of 2002, sandhill crane numbers peaked at about 13,000 on the Refuge during the third week in October. In 2003, Refuge staff observed the first fall sandhills on August 26. Numbers peaked at about 9,500 on the Refuge during the third week in October. A substantial decrease in the Refuge's crane population occurred during the following week. The first small Canada geese arrived during early October. Small Canada goose numbers peaked during the second and third weeks in October. Resident Canada geese were again plentiful in and around the Refuge during 2003, remaining in the area until early November. The most impressive numbers of migrant mallards and diving ducks occurred in central and northern Kidder County, whereas Long Lake held large numbers of northern shovelers and gadwalls during the end of October. Tundra swans first began to arrive at the Refuge and surrounding wetlands in early October. Swan numbers peaked in mid-October and numerous individuals remained in the area to the end of October; however, for unknown reasons, area swan numbers were considerably lower that in past years.

This information was derived from weekly waterfowl checks completed throughout the Wetland Management District during the fall. Fall waterfowl numbers are forwarded to the Bismarck office for their weekly fall waterfowl population press release.