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The 32,000-acre Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge is located seven miles north of Foxholm.
Waterfowl numbering more than 100,000 can be seen during spring and fall migrations. Tundra swans along with pintails, canvasbacks, redheads, buffleheads, and other waterfowl either nest on the refuge or use the area during migration.
Up to five species of grebes have been seen on the refuge during the summer.
Several colonies of nesting cormorants and great blue herons use tree groves near the lake. White pelicans also visit the refuge but do not nest here.
Serious birders will also be able to find Baird's, LeConte's, and sharp-tailed sparrows, as well as Sprague's pipit.
White-tailed deer are common and an occasional antelope can be seen on the hills above the valley. Sightings of elk and moose have also been reported.
Muskrats are common and careful observation will reveal the tracks of raccoons and mink.
Lake Darling, a 10,000-acre lake, is the largest of several water impoundments on the refuge. Its primary purpose is to furnish a regulated supply of water to smaller marshes downstream and especially to the larger marshes on the J. Clark Salyer refuge, 110 miles downstream. The lake is designed to hold a two-year supply of water to safeguard marshes downstream against the threat of drought.
The careful water management permits an active fisheries program on the refuge. This is a cooperative effort between the refuge and the Missouri River Fish and Wildlife Management Assistance Office. Northern pike, walleye, yellow perch, and smallmouth bass may be caught in the lake and Souris River.
Another successful management program has been the re-establishment of a resident Canada goose flock. Once common, these magnificent birds have gradually disappeared with loss of habitat due to changes in land use. The first "honkers" were re-introduced in 1940 and the flock has grown to about 250 birds.
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