Natural History Calendar

Birds

American bittern walking near wetland

American Bittern

American bittern depart for their wintering grounds.

Graphical depiction of the time range for this entry (see next paragraph for the text depiction).

(Early September through Early October)

Sharptail displaying

Sharp-Tailed Grouse

Sharp-tailed grouse males displaying on leks (displaying on leks is triggered by photoperiod, so sharptails will display in the fall as well as spring).

Graphical depiction of the time range for this entry (see next paragraph for the text depiction).

(Mid-October through Early November)

Snow bunting group in snow (Adobe stock)

Snow Bunting

Snow buntings come to the state to overwinter.

Graphical depiction of the time range for this entry (see next paragraph for the text depiction).

(Mid-October through Early April)

Meadowlark flying from post

Western Meadowlark

Western meadowlarks depart for southern wintering grounds.

Graphical depiction of the time range for this entry (see next paragraph for the text depiction).

(Mid-October through Early November)

Female snowy owl flying over snow

Snowy Owl

Snowy owls may be found overwintering in the state.

Graphical depiction of the time range for this entry (see next paragraph for the text depiction).

(Late October through Early May)

Northern hawk owl in tree

Northern Hawk Owl

Northern hawk owls, an uncommon visitor to ND, may be seen.

Graphical depiction of the time range for this entry (see next paragraph for the text depiction).

(Late November through Late March)

Mammals

Coyote running in field

Coyote

Coyote juveniles are dispersing.

Graphical depiction of the time range for this entry (see next paragraph for the text depiction).

(Early September through Late November)

Older beaver with young one both eating

Beaver

Beaver caching food for the winter.

Graphical depiction of the time range for this entry (see next paragraph for the text depiction).

(Late September through Late November)

Black Bear

Black Bear

Black bears are hyperphagic (eating excessively in an attempt to put on enough fat to survive winter hibernation).

Graphical depiction of the time range for this entry (see next paragraph for the text depiction).

(Late September through Late October)

Moose jumping fence

Moose

Moose breeding peaks.

Graphical depiction of the time range for this entry (see next paragraph for the text depiction).

(Late September through Early October)

Weasel in winter coat (left) and summer coat (right)

Long-Tailed Weasel

Long-tailed weasels molt their tan summer pelt and grow in a white winter pelt.

Graphical depiction of the time range for this entry (see next paragraph for the text depiction).

(Mid-October through Mid-November)

Mule deer buck near female

Mule Deer

Mule deer breeding season.

Graphical depiction of the time range for this entry (see next paragraph for the text depiction).

(Late October through Late November)

White-tailed buck looking over hill

White-Tailed Deer

White-tailed deer breeding season.

Graphical depiction of the time range for this entry (see next paragraph for the text depiction).

(Late October through Late November)