The website, fatbirder.com, describes birding in North Dakota as follows:
“Scenic North Dakota; Birding Hot Spot! – Lewis & Clark were impressed with North Dakota, its culture and beauty. Now, little traffic, expansive landscapes, farming and ranching, scattered towns and friendly people make North Dakota a prime destination for good old-fashioned relaxation. With maps helping you get around the back roads of the state, birdwatchers can maneuver the state easily. Birds, butterflies, scenery, wildflowers, butterflies, clean air, and wide-open spaces. Buffalo, antelope, meadowlarks, and prairie dogs make this their home. Sunrises and sunsets that will take your breath away. Time and places so beautiful, so special, words cannot describe.”
That could have been written about Morton and Stark Counties, home to the Old Red Old Ten Scenic Byway. Whether you are an experience birder looking for the one certain species or you are just birdwatching as you enjoy the drive, we welcome you to see what the Old Red Trail has to offer.
The Western Meadowlark is calling you. It is beckoning you to come and hear its song. The Meadowlark is waiting for you in the native prairie along North Dakota’s Old Red Old Ten Scenic Byway, also known as the Old Red Trail, from Mandan to Dickinson.
The ecosystem along the Old Red Old Ted may appear singular but it is most diverse. You will encounter ponds, lakes, and wetlands, woods and grasslands, buttes and valleys, and the Heart River and its tributary streams.
Following the Old Red Old Ten you will travel through farming and ranching country. And, as such, there are miles of fences and fence posts that hold the wire. The Western Meadowlark can be found perched on a post. Birds enjoy sitting on posts and can be easily spotted from your car.
You will see cattle along your birding journey on the OROT. Remember that cattle are not your enemy; but they also are not your friend. Enjoy watching them from a distance and think about the bison, a bovine creature related to cattle. As bison moved across the prairie, so do cattle, only on a smaller, controlled basis. The birds you are searching for shared the same habitat as bison and both flourished on the prairie and they coexist well with cattle.
Sighting in Morton and Stark Counties are plentiful. Hotspots listed on Ebird.org (Explore Hotspots – eBird) include:
- Missouri River Natural Area (46o 50’ 09” N Latitude 100o 51’ 53” W Longitude}
- Mandan Union Cemetery
- Mandan Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory (46o 48’ 43” N 100o 54’ 39 W) From the west end of Mandan, go south on ND 6. You will cross over the Heart River and immediately on the west will be the entrance to Northern Great Plains. If you come during normal business hours (Monday – Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm) you are required to check in at the main office. Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory is operated by the US Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Research Service and was established in 1912. One of its first mission was to develop shrubs and trees for the prairie. Trees and shrubs that were planted over 100 years ago have been followed by scientists over the past century and provide unique habitat that attracts species that are difficult to find elsewhere in North Dakota.
- Mandan Porsborg Dam
- Crown Butte Dam (46 o 51’ 55” N 101 o 05’ 34” W)
- Sweet Briar Lake (46 o 52’ 00” N 101 o 16’ 14” W)
- New Salem Gaebe Pond (46 50’043” N 101 27’ 02” W)
- Storm Creek Lake Wildlife Management Area (46 53’ 40 N 101 36’ 20” W) From the intersection of Morton County Road 139 (on the OROT) and County Road 86 go north. At one mile you will cross over I-94 (Exit 120). Continue north on 86 for two miles and then turn west on 36th Street. After 1 ½ miles on 36th St. you will be at the road into Storm Creek. Go ¼ mile north at you will be at Storm Creek.
- Glen Ullin Memorial Park (46 o 48’ 50” N 101 o 51’ 02” W)
- Hebron Kreigs Pond (46 o 53’ 54” N 102 o 01’ 48” W)
- Schnell Recreation Area (46 o 53’ 26” N 102 o 15’ 48” W) From Richardton, go east on Old Red Old Ten (Stark County) for 1 mile. Turn north on 87th Avenue SW. At one mile north the road will turn east and after another mile you will come to the entrance to Schnell Recreation Area.
- Dickinson Patterson Lake Recreation Area (46 o 52’ 00” N 102 o 51’ 07” W)
- Haymarsh Slough (4655’ 34” N 101 52’ 35” W) From Glen Ullin, follow Morton County Route 88 north. About 3 miles north of town you will cross over I-94 (Exit 108), Continue on Route 88.
- Lake Tschida (46 35’ 47” N 101 48’ 37”) From Glen Ullin go south on ND 49 for 17 miles and you will come to Heart Butte Dam and Lake Tschida. Access to the Downstream Recreation Area, is off ND 49 north of the dam.
Do as Burl Ives sang in Holly Jolly Christmas, “Say hello to friends you know, and everyone you meet.” Wave to the farmers and ranchers you meet and they will wave back. Visit with them, if the opportunity arises, and you will make new friends.
Most of all, enjoy your birding journey along the Old Red Old Ten Scenic Byway. Visit the “Birding” page of this website to learn more.
Morton County and Stark County roads are marked well. Road markers. Both counties have street name signing at intersections. With a map and paying attention to signing, you will be able to travel across this land
On gravel roads, there is no lane definition. When sight distance is restricted, such as ascending a hill, slow down and keep to the right.
~ Ben Kubischta, President
Old Red Old Ten Scenic Byway Committee