Long Lake Refugespring migration
Wildlife refugeSpring waterfowl, waterbirds and shorebirds: April through May is the best time, per the Fish and Wildlife Service. Its usual window for this year has passed.
Sources for this timing ↓About Long Lake Refuge
- What it is
- A wildlife refuge in North Dakota
- A little history
- It is both a Globally Important Bird Area and a Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network site, serving more than 20,000 shorebirds a year for breeding and stopovers.Unit 2 Marsh Trail: A two-track walking trail east of the historic stone residence, between Lake Unit 2 and the Unit 2 Marsh, for shorebirds and waterfowl when water levels allow
- What you'll see
- Spring waterfowl and shorebirds · usual peak April through May
Right now at Long Lake Refuge
Right now in Long Lake Refuge · October
- Best waterfowl and shorebird viewing · Sep–Oct
Next 7 days at Long Lake Refuge
- TodaySunny59° / 40°3% rain
- FriMostly Cloudy60° / 46°10% rain
- SatMostly Sunny66° / 41°9% rain
- SunSunny62° / 43°–
- MonSunny67° / 51°–
- TueMostly Sunny72° / 48°1% rain
- WedMostly Sunny67° / ––
Heads up: Windy (winds up to 23 mph): Friday, Friday Night, Saturday, Monday.
Today: sunrise 7:40 a.m., sunset 7:22 p.m., light until 7:52 p.m. · moon waning gibbous, 67% lit (our calculation)
Your guide to the area
- Long Lake RefugeLocal timing: April through MayThis page
Where to watch
- Butte overlook and Paul Van Ningen MemorialAbove Lake Unit 1, a wide view over the west end of the refuge, a mile north and a mile east of Moffit
- Unit 2 Marsh TrailA two-track walking trail east of the historic stone residence, between Lake Unit 2 and the Unit 2 Marsh, for shorebirds and waterfowl when water levels allow
Worth the drive
- Rydell RefugeWildlife refuge199 miApril and MaySatPartly Sunny
- Lacreek RefugeWildlife refuge260 miSpring (March-May)SatSunny
- Litchfield Wetland DistrictWildlife refuge291 mispring (March-May)SatMostly Sunny
- Sherburne RefugeWildlife refuge318 miMaySatMostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
- Rice Lake RefugeWildlife refuge324 miMaySatPartly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
- Minnesota Valley RefugeWildlife refuge356 miApril - MaySatMostly Sunny
The year at Long Lake Refuge
- Flowering periodApr–Aug
- Sharp-tailed grouse dance on their leksApr–May
- Best waterfowl and shorebird viewingNowSep–Oct
- Winter: snowy owls, grouse, pheasants and many white-tailed deerDec–Feb
Long Lake Refuge in pictures
Questions people ask
When is the best time to see spring migration at Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge?
Spring waterfowl, waterbirds and shorebirds: April through May is the best time, per the Fish and Wildlife Service: April through May. That's general timing for this place, not a peak date or a forecast.
Is spring migration under way at Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge right now?
Not now: its usual spring migration window for this year has passed. Next time: April through May, local timing.
Why is Long Lake Refuge's history tied to shorebirds?
It is both a Globally Important Bird Area and a Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network site, serving more than 20,000 shorebirds a year for breeding and stopovers.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge?
Butte overlook and Paul Van Ningen Memorial: above Lake Unit 1, a wide view over the west end of the refuge, a mile north and a mile east of Moffit; Unit 2 Marsh Trail: a two-track walking trail east of the historic stone residence, between Lake Unit 2 and the Unit 2 Marsh, for shorebirds and waterfowl when water levels allow.
What is Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge like through the year?
Flowering period (Apr–Aug), Sharp-tailed grouse dance on their leks (Apr–May), Best waterfowl and shorebird viewing (Sep–Oct) and Winter: snowy owls, grouse, pheasants and many white-tailed deer (Dec–Feb).
How we know · Sources (5)
How we know
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge (opens in a new tab) (Oct 1) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge (opens in a new tab) (Oct 1) · National Weather Service forecast and alerts (opens in a new tab) (Oct 1) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge: Wildlife Watching (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge: Visit Us (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28)