Statistics and Facts:

Lostwood was established by presidential order in 1935 as a refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife.  Today it is 26,900 acres of rolling, mixed grass prairie dotted with more than 4,000 wetlands, sloughs, grassy marshes and lakes.  The only timber in this region was formerly on the southeast corner of Lostwood Lake but was cut off by the homesteaders.  Lostwood NWR is located in the physiographic region of North Dakota named the Missouri Coteau.  Coteau is French for “little hill”.  Lostwood NWR is designated a Globally Important Bird Area by the American Birding Conservancy and the Audubon Society.

Lostwood NWR website http://lostwood.fws.gov

Waterfowl Production Areas:

Waterfowl Production Areas are lands that were purchased and are managed to provide high quality wetlands and nesting cover for waterfowl and many other species of wildlife.  All WPA’s are open for the public to enjoy.  Activities include hunting, bird watching, hiking, and photography.  WPA’s are open to foot traffic only.

Coteau Prairie Waterfowl Production Area is 2,700 acres of prairie grasses, wildflowers, and wetlands.  Coteau Prairie WPA provides great opportunities for hunting, trapping, and wildlife observation.

North Dakota #2 Waterfowl Production Area is a large island in the middle of the largest wetland that makes this area an ideal “Mallard Motel”. 

Piping Plover Waterfowl Production Area provides protection for the threatened piping plover nests on its alkaline beaches.  Access is limited.

Sikes Dam Waterfowl Production Area was originally built in 1933 and received major renovations in 1994.  Today, waterfowl and other migratory birds use the 340-acre marsh created by the dam.

Moen Waterfowl Production Area the habitat along Shell Creek attracts a rich diversity of wildlife species to Moen WPA.

Halvorson Waterfowl Production Area the deeper waters in the wetlands on this WPA make it attractive for diving ducks, particularly canvasbacks and redheads.  It is also a good place to observe the fall migration of ducks and geese.

Birds:

Loons, Grebes, Pelicans, Cormorants, Herons, Bitterns, Swans, Geese, Ducks, Vultures, Hawks, Eagles, Falcons, Partridges, Pheasants, Grouse, Turkeys, Rails, Cranes, Shorebirds, Gulls, Terns, Doves, Cuckoos, Owls, Goatsuckers, Hummingbirds, Kingfishers, Woodpeckers, Flycatchers, Larks, Swallows, Jays, Magpies, Crows, Chickadees, Nuthatches, Creepers, Wrens, Kinglets, Thrushes, Mimics, Pipits, Waxwings, Shrikes, Starlings, Vireos, Warblers, Sparrows, Buntings, Longspurs, Blackbirds, Finches, Weaver Finches.