Greetings --

Here's a bit more on my Montana trip. Bowdoin NWR is definitely in
eastern Montana. Here's some extracts from my field journal...

The Bowdoin NWR is set in rolling range land plains at an elevation
of approximately 2300 feet. The Milk River, the preglacial course of
the present Missouri River, flows 5 miles to the north. The core of
the refuge is large lakes, former cut-off meanders of the pre-glacial
Missouri River. The lakes have no natural surface water inlet; water
is conveyed by canals from a irrigation system. The habitat on the
refuge is principally short grass prairie with shelter belt plantings
(largely Russian Olive, Elaeagnus angustifolia); diked impoundments,
most edged by Typha latifolia and/or Scirpus sp.; and the lakes. On
the prairies, the native Prickly-pear Cactus, Opuntia sp., is in
flower.

The weather today (June 25th) was warm-to-hot (the temperature ranged
from 21 C at 0850, warming to 35 C at 1530); partly cloudy (90% cloud
cover at 0850, clearing to 20% cloud cover by 1445); and becoming
windy (a Light Air at 0850, increasing to westerly 10 - 15 mph winds,
gusting to 25 mph by afternoon.

Unlike in 1999, which had been a wet spring, this past winter into
spring has been very dry season. In 1999 I encountered muddy, rutted
roads; this year they were bone-dry and free of ruts. The lakes are
low this year, with much alkali showing. The high winds raised great
clouds of white alkali dust which drifted across the southerly parts
of the refuge.

Observations summary:

Eared Grebe only at north shore boat launch
American White Pelican hunkered down on Pelican Islands
Double-crested Cormorant hunkered down on Pelican Islands
Gadwall only at southeast shore of Lake Bowdoin
American Wigeon seen on west and north shore waters
Blue-winged Teal on Lake Bowdoin, Teal Ponds, and canal pool
Cinnamon Teal only on a canal pool
Northern Shoveler only on west shore Lake Bowdoin waters
Northern Pintail only on west shore Lake Bowdoin waters
Green-winged Teal only on east shore Lake Bowdoin waters
Canvasback on east lake shore waters, canal pool, and ponds
Ring-necked Duck only on Patrol Road Pond (pair)
Ring-necked Pheasant in short grass
American Coot on small ponds and sandbar of
Lake Bowdoin Killdeer only at west boat launch
Black-necked Stilt at west boat launch and Teal Ponds
American Avocet on west, north and southeast lake shores
Lesser Yellowlegs only at west boat launch
Willet on all shores of Lake Bowdoin except Drumbo Unit
Long-billed Curlew over prairie north of Lake Bowdoin
Marbled Godwit one prairie and at north boat launch
Wilson?s Phalarope at most Lake Bowdoin shores and coves
Franklin?s Gull at north, east, and south lake shores
Ring-billed Gull at north and east lake shores
California Gull over prairie and on north shore
Mourning Dove heard in Russian Olive thicket near west boat launch
Eastern Kingbird in Russian Olive thicket, once
Cliff Swallow at most bridges near source of mud
American Robin adults and juveniles in Russian Olive
Common Yellowthroat in Scirpus sp and Russian Olive near water
Savannah Sparrow flock on north side prairie
Red-winged Blackbird in Typha, Scirpus, and Russian Olive
Western Meadowlark on north side prairie
Yellow-headed Blackbird in Typha and Scirpus stands
Brown-headed Cowbird in northwest shore Russian Olive thickets
American Goldfinch in northwest shore Russian Olive thickets


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Douglas Canning
Olympia, Washington
dcanning at nisquallyestuary.org
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