Birds of the Calcareous Fen

Fens Are High Quality Bird Habitat

I was able to visit Bonaparte Meadows in May of 2026. At this time, my list of birds was long! Notable birds included a Wilson’s Phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor), Wilson’s Snipe (Gallinago delicata), Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis), and Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus). The loudest was the Yellow-headed Blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus), and the busiest was the Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus)-who I am pretty sure were trying to keep me from stepping on their nests (which I was grateful for!).

Birds rely on many habitats for their survival. This fen, in particular, is adjacent to important upland woodlands. Together, the two habitats support a vast array of species!