Bowdoin National
Wildlife Refuge
Many of its 263 bird species can be
observed from the 15-mile auto tour
loop. The 15,551-acre Refuge includes
islands that support American White
Pelican, Great Blue Heron, and DoubleCrested Cormorant nesting colonies.
Many avian species of state and federal
concern can be observed, including the
federally endangered Piping Plover.
Franklin's Gulls fly above their nesting colony on a summer morning. They are named for British
naval explorer Sir John Franklin, but early western settlers called the gulls "prairie doves."
w w w. d i s t i n c t ly mo nt a na .co m
Habitats: Freshwater and saline
wetlands, native prairie, shrubs.
Best Birding Months: April through
October.
Highlights: Long-billed Dowitcher,
Sora, Virginia Rail, Piping Plover.
Location: Seven mile east of Malta,
off of U.S. Highway 2.
Phone: 406-654-2863.
Web site: www.bowdoin.fws.gov
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