Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge

Ecology & Conservation

Land Use:
Forty percent of the refuge is open to hunting of waterfowl and upland game-birds during the fall.

Current Threats:
Water quality is a major issue. Lake Bowdoin and Dry Lake accumulate salts from groundwater seeping to the surface; salt can also enter the refuge via incoming water from Milk River Irrigation System. Some salt is advantageous for its positive effect on invertebrate production (a shorebird food source); however, excessive salt loads and biomass production can lead to outbreaks of avian botulism and potential deformities in some bird species.The refuge is not allowed to discharge its water into Beaver Creek except during infrequent flood events, therefore, the only way that salt is released is through wind erosion on dry saltflats in late summer.

Periods of drought, which are a natural occurrence in eastern Montana, help to maintain a healthy prairie-wetland community but also result in fluctuating shorebird populations.

Invasion of noxious weeds and other plants is also a concern, particularly Russian olive trees along shorelines, dikes, and water delivery canals. Refuge staff began an eradication program in 2000 and have restored the prairie-wetland vegetation community in several locations. However, the extent of the invasion is so great that 100% eradication is unlikely.

Management Activities:
Bowdoin NWR was designated an Important Bird Area on March 17, 2001. The refuge is developing its Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP), to be completed by 2012. A primary function of the refuge is to provide resting, feeding, and breeding habitat for migratory birds, and water management practices reflect this. Upland management techniques include prescribed fire, grazing, and mowing to maintain native prairie for upland-nesting shorebirds and waterfowl. The east half of Lake Bowdoin and western portion of Dry Lake are designated as critical habitat for the threatened Piping Plover, and this area is managed accordingly.  

Research & Monitoring:
Currently, research and monitoring on Bowdoin NWR is limited to the Piping Plover given decreases in refuge staff and steady attention required for CCP development and other programs. Previously, staff participated in All-Bird Monitoring for the State of Montana, developed by the Montana Bird Conservation Partnership; International Shorebird Survey (ISS) routes at Bowdoin NWR (1996 - 2003) and Hewitt Lake NWR (2000 - 2003); nest monitoring of upland-nesting shorebirds; and banding of nesting adults and nestlings.