All 41 public-land locations in the guide, with the access notes, fees and cautions exactly as recorded. 13 have approximate coordinates for planning only.
Peak-month filter — September
Peak month filter: September
Migration timing changes with weather, ice-out, water levels, and food conditions. Verify current access and recent observations before traveling.
36 places
Prairie Pothole Region
April to October prime; spring waterfowl migration; May warbler movement; fall waterfowl
Top birds: Northern Shoveler, Franklin's Gull, Yellow Warbler
Free
Missouri River Corridor
Spring and fall waterfowl peaks; shorebirds late summer
Top birds: Sandhill Crane, Tundra Swan, Bobolink
Free
Missouri River Corridor
Spring and fall migration; winter eagles where water stays open
Top birds: American White Pelican, Franklin's Gull
Free day use
Missouri Coteau
Spring and fall migration; summer breeding marsh birds
Top birds: American Avocet, Mallard
ND state park vehicle permit: $7 daily / $35 annual
Prairie Pothole Region
Spring and fall migration
Top birds: American White Pelican, Black Tern
Free
Missouri River Corridor
May songbird migration; spring and fall waterfowl
Top birds: Yellow Warbler, Swainson's Hawk
ND state park vehicle permit: $7 daily / $35 annual
Missouri River Corridor
May migration; year-round (close to Bismarck)
Top birds: Baltimore Oriole, Yellow Warbler
ND state park vehicle permit: $7 daily / $35 annual
Missouri River Corridor
Spring through fall
Top birds: Double-crested Cormorant, Mallard
ND state park vehicle permit: $7 daily / $35 annual
Missouri River Corridor
December to March: the state's premier cold-weather waterfowl and eagle site, because the water below the dam stays open. Also spring and fall migration.
Top birds: Bald Eagle, Canada Goose
Free day use
Devils Lake Basin
Spring and fall migration
Top birds: Franklin's Gull, Canada Goose
ND state park vehicle permit: $7 daily / $35 annual
Prairie Pothole Region
April to May spring migration; fall waterfowl
Top birds: Canada Goose, Swainson's Hawk
Free
Red River Valley
May to June breeding songbirds; September fall migration
Top birds: Baltimore Oriole, Yellow Warbler
ND state park vehicle permit: $7 daily / $35 annual
Souris River Loop
April to May for spring migration and grouse lekking; September to November for snow geese and waterfowl buildup
Top birds: Snow Goose, Northern Harrier
Free
Red River Valley
April to May peak spring migration; September to October fall flights
Top birds: Snow Goose, Bald Eagle
Free
Devils Lake Basin
Spring and fall migration
Top birds: Yellow-headed Blackbird, Mallard
Free
Missouri River Corridor
Spring and fall migration; summer breeding riparian birds
Top birds: Yellow Warbler, Baltimore Oriole
Free
Prairie Pothole Region
May for terns, egrets, and sparrows; spring and fall for waterfowl
Top birds: Black Tern, Northern Shoveler
Free
Prairie Pothole Region
April to June for spring breeding-pair season; September to November for fall migration
Top birds: Snow Goose, Ross's Goose
Free
Red River Valley
Spring and fall migration
Top birds: American White Pelican, Franklin's Gull
Free day use
Souris River Loop
May to June for breeding warblers; September for fall migrants
Top birds: Yellow Warbler, Baltimore Oriole
ND state park vehicle permit: $7 daily / $35 annual
Missouri River Corridor
Spring and fall migration; winter eagle viewing
Top birds: Bald Eagle, American White Pelican
Free
Missouri River Corridor
Year-round; spring migration and summer breeding songbirds; fall waterfowl
Top birds: Yellow Warbler, Canada Goose
ND state park vehicle permit: $7 daily / $35 annual
Prairie Pothole Region
April to May spring migration; September to October fall migration
Top birds: Canada Goose, Mallard
Free
Missouri River Corridor
Spring and fall migration; summer lake season
Top birds: Franklin's Gull, Yellow Warbler
ND state park vehicle permit: $7 daily / $35 annual
Missouri River Corridor
May for songbird migration; spring and fall for waterfowl
Top birds: Yellow Warbler, Baltimore Oriole
Free; overnight camping prohibited
Missouri River Corridor
Spring and fall migration; May songbirds
Top birds: Baltimore Oriole, Bald Eagle
Free
Prairie Pothole Region
April to May for spring migration and lekking; fall waterfowl
Top birds: Canada Goose, Northern Harrier
Free
Prairie Pothole Region
April to May for sandhill cranes, grouse, and early waterfowl; late summer for shorebirds on exposed mudflats; fall for waterfowl and crane migration
Top birds: Sandhill Crane, Whooping Crane, American Avocet, Wilson's Phalarope
Free; special-use permit may be needed for temporary blinds
Missouri River Corridor
May for neotropical migrants; spring and fall waterfowl; winter eagles near open water
Top birds: Baltimore Oriole, Yellow Warbler, Bald Eagle
Free
Prairie Pothole Region
March to May spring migration (ibis and stilt window in April); fall waterfowl
Top birds: Redhead, Lesser Scaup, Bald Eagle, Yellow-headed Blackbird
Free
Missouri River Corridor
Spring and fall migration; summer riparian breeding
Top birds: Canada Goose, Yellow Warbler
Free
Red River Valley
April to May and September to October migration peaks; June to July for grassland songbirds and broods
Top birds: Snow Goose, Northern Shoveler, Franklin's Gull, Bobolink
Free
Missouri River Corridor
Spring and fall migration; summer riparian breeding birds
Top birds: Baltimore Oriole, Northern Harrier
Free; overnight camping prohibited
Red River Valley
May for peak warbler migration; September fall movement
Top birds: Yellow Warbler, Baltimore Oriole
ND state park vehicle permit: $7 daily / $35 annual
Souris River Loop
April to May and September to October for peak waterfowl; April for sharp-tailed grouse lekking
Top birds: Snow Goose, Canada Goose
Free; blind reservations through refuge HQ
Devils Lake Basin
May to October; the Vista Loop is open from World Migratory Bird Day (2nd Saturday in May) through National Wildlife Refuge Week (2nd week in October)
Top birds: Bald Eagle, Baltimore Oriole, Yellow Warbler
Free; no hunting permitted on the preserve by statute