Swan River National Wildlife Refuge
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Swan River National Wildlife Refuge is a 1,778-acre (720 ha) National Wildlife Refuge in Lake County of northwestern Montana. It is a unit of the National Bison Range Complex.[1][2]
Swan River National Wildlife Refuge | |
---|---|
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area) | |
Location | Lake County, Montana, United States |
Nearest city | Kalispell, MT |
Coordinates | 47°54′26″N 113°51′33″W |
Area | 1,568 acres (6.35 km2) |
Established | 1973 |
Governing body | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
Website | Swan River National Wildlife Refuge |
The refuge was primarily set aside to protect prime habitat for various species of birds and particularly waterfowl. The refuge consists of a wide floodplain of the Swan River, though the river has relocated to the western sections of the refuge due to silt buildup.[3]
171 bird species have been observed at the refuge, including teals, great blue heron and a pair of nesting bald eagles, the last of which may be due to the abundance of fish in the Swan River. Numerous mammals such as the white-tailed deer, elk, moose, black bear, coyote, bobcat and beaver can all be found here. The grizzly bear may occasionally wander in from surrounding mountains.[3]