Br-12 Watchable Wildlife

This 200-acre prairie marsh in northcentral Montana holds a narrow reservoir about one mile long. This reservoir acts as a prairie pothole with its tailwaters slowly drying during the summer and fall. This water cycle permits waterfowl to hatch and raise young in this relatively isolated, resource-rich area, then move fledglings to major waters like the Missouri River. BR-12 also provides habitat for migrating waterfowl, upland birds, and upland wildlife species, so it’s not uncommon to observe 20-30 species in one spring day. Canvasback and redhead ducks regularly nest in the tailwaters, pelicans and tundra swans stop by for a rest and snack on their journeys, and even black terns (a species of concern) and loons have been observed utilizing BR-12’s “waterfowl facilities.” The area around BR-12 is short-grass prairie habitat. Species you might see associated with this habitat include chestnut-collared and McCowan’s longspur, horned lark, northern harrier, ferruginous hawk, Swainson’s hawk, burrowing owl, pronghorn, coyote, red fox, ground squirrel, and badger. Season/Hours: Year–round, but viewing is best in the spring.