Bowdoin Wetland Management District

The Prairie pothole Region is characterized by thousands of wetlands known as potholes. These wetlands provide essential wildlife habitat, permit ground water recharge, act as filters of sediment and pollutants, and reduce floods by storing water. A large concentration of wetlands is often referred to as a wetland complex. Wetlands in this complex are made up of temporary, seasonal, semi-permanent, and permanent wetlands. This classification of wetlands describes how long they retain water. Wetlands come in all shapes and sizes and can be shallow, deep, small, and large. Wetlands provide valuable wildlife habitat for a multitude of species. The Bowdoin Wetland Management District is predominantly made up of seasonal wetland basins. These basins normally maintain surface water in the spring and early summer but frequently are dry during late summer and fall.

Northern Pintail

The Northern Pintail is just one of the many waterfowl species that nest within the prairies of the Bowdoin Wetland Management District. Pintails are one of the first waterfowl species to return in the spring, typically arriving in early March. Nesting begins in early April in normal years and peaks during the first two weeks of May. High nest densities can be found in more open habitat where vegetation heights are low and where wetlands are abundant. Both environmental factors commonly found within the mixed-grass prairies of northern Montana.

Other waterfowl species that nest throughout the District are Mallards, Gadwall, Northern Shoveler, Wigeion, Blue-winged Teal, Green-winged Teal, Cinnamon Teal, Canvasback, and Canada Geese.

Mallard

Another dabbler, the mallard is one of the most familiar of ducks found throughout North America. Mallards use all wetland habitat types and depend on wetland areas and the associated upland habitats to survive. They feed on insects and larvae, aquatic invertebrates, seeds acorns, aquatic vegetation, and grain. They are well adapted to eating both natural and domestic foods such as waste grain from crop harvests. On the Bowdoin Refuge Complex, mallards typically arrive the beginning of March, peak migration numbers hit in the fall, and decline as the season changes and waters begin to freeze. They feed on insects and larvae, aquatic invertebrates, seeds acorns, aquatic vegetation, and grain. They are well adapted to eating both natural and domestic foods such as waste grain from crop harvests. On the Bowdoin Refuge Complex, mallards typically arrive the beginning of March, peak migration numbers hit in the fall, and decline as the season changes and waters begin to freeze.

Sprague's Pipit

The prairie comes alive during the spring and summer months with the sights and "melodies" of our prairie inhabitants. One of those melodies is the territorial, flute-like song of the male Sprague’s Pipit.  Difficult to spot but easy to hear, the male Sprague's pipit can be heard singing high above the open prairie landscapes of eastern Montana. Pipits arrive to our area in late April. They feed and nest exclusively on the ground therefore difficult to observe. The best time to observe pipits is during the spring and summer mating season, when males are intently performing their aerial displays and singing. Pipits nest in native prairie with high plant species diversity and few shrubs. Habitat loss has contributed to the dramatic decline of this species, and in 2010 it was listed as a candidate species under the Endangered Species Act.

Other native bird species found in our area are Baird's sparrow, McCown's Longspur, and Chestnut-collared Longspur. 

Pronghorn

Once thought to out number the Plains bison, pronghorn are a common site throughout the Bowdoin Wetland Management District. The pronghorn is not really an antelope. It was given that name because its white rump, tan colored coat and black markings on their heads resemble the true antelope of Africa. Pronghorn can reach speeds higher than 45 mph, and often cited as the second-fastest land animal (the cheetah being the fastest). Many people view the pronghorn as the icon of the Great Plains. Visitors to our area often report numerous sightings throughout their travels.

Other mammals that can be found in our district are badger, coyote, swift fox, black-tailed prairie dog, porcupine, mule deer, and white-tailed deer.

Wilson's Phalarope

Wilson’s phalaropes are small wading shorebirds that use both fresh and alkali wetlands. Commonly seen throughout the Bowdoin Wetland Management District, the phalarope feeds by swimming or “spinning” in circles. Spinning aids the bird in feeding by creating a funnel or vortex in the water that raises food to the surface. 

Phalaropes arrive in the District the last week of April. Phalaropes are polyandrous, which means their sex roles are reversed. Interestingly, the females have a brighter plumage than the males, are slightly larger, she is the first to arrive on the breeding grounds, and fights with other females over males.  Upon laying its eggs the female begin its southward migration, leaving incubation and all parental care to the male.

Other shorebirds that can be found in our area are avocet, black-necked stilt, willet, marbled godwit, upland sandpiper, long-billed curlew, and mountain plover.