A group with Sabrewing Nature Tours recently visited Kidder County in North Dakota. Photo: Jamie Cunningham
MEDINA, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – A small group of birders and photographers were treated to a June tour in Kidder County.
Guide Jamie Cunningham of Sabrewing Nature Tours led a group through North Dakota. The organization plans tours all over the US and other countries including South America, Asia, and Africa.
Cunningham says they plan two trips to the state each year, one for birding and another for photography.
“I am the leader for the photography tour and we saw around 45 species of birds and a handful of mammals on the trip,” Cunningham explained. “What brings people to North Dakota for birds are some species that are hard to find in other areas of the country.”
She says Baird’s sparrow is typically the most sought out in the state, but there are many others that are found in the area.
“Chestnut-collared Longspur, Nelson’s Sparrow, LeConte’s Sparrow, Upland Sandpiper, Marbled Godwit, and Sedge Wren are just a few of the species that depend on native prairie to survive,” Cunningham explained. “The pothole region also hosts huge numbers of wetland species like White-faced Ibis, American Bittern, Ruddy Duck, Wilson’s Phalarope, and Wilson’s Snipe. A lot of these birds are declining in numbers and are heavily dependent on places like Kidder County for raising their young.”
While tours are geared towards birding and photography, participants are also treated to culture and history and a chance to see mammals native to areas such as the Gorilla’s in Uganda.
“We run many tours throughout the year and are currently publishing our tour dates for next year,” Cunningham says.
For more information, you can visit sabrewingtours.com or check us out on Facebook or Instagram.
Below are some photos courtesy of Jamie Cunningham, Sabrewing Nature Tours
