Fireweed, which grows on disturbed soils, is a favorite of the hummingbirds. August - huckleberries ripen, providing tasty morsels for both bears and humans. The month also begins the migration of Canada geese and shorebirds. At mid-month tundra swans stop briefly to restore their energy. Ponds freeze over by late November and bald eagles concentrate around dense flocks of mallards for food.
All wildlife settle in to survive the next two stressful months.
Late in February, tundra swans arrive while goldeneyes and mergansers begin courtship displays. The following list contains 220 species you can expect to see in season on the refuge. In addition, another ten accidentals are of extremely rare occurence. These additional ten species, out of their normal range, have been recorded locally by several sightings. Wildlife of Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge, Idaho.