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Powder River and Carter Counties, Southeast Montana
In the extreme southeastern corner of the state, the high plains are broken by deep, eroded drainages and scattered stands of ponderosa pine. This is the Powder River Basin, a landscape of immense scale and profound isolation. It is recognized as an Important Bird Area for its intact sagebrush and shortgrass prairie habitats.
The isolation here provides security for species that require vast territories. It is one of the best areas in the state to search for the Mountain Plover, which nests on the bare, heavily grazed flats. The Ferruginous Hawk builds its nests on the isolated rock outcrops, hunting the abundant prairie dogs. In the scattered ponderosa pines, birders can find the Pinyon Jay and the Plumbeous Vireo, species that are at the extreme northern edge of their range here.
Visitor Access
This region is primarily managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the US Forest Service (Custer National Forest). Access is entirely via primitive dirt and gravel roads. There are no developed visitor facilities, and cell service is virtually nonexistent. Visitors must be completely self-sufficient, carry extra water and fuel, and use detailed maps to navigate the checkerboard of public and private lands.