Lake Mason National Wildlife Refuge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Mason National Wildlife Refuge |
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IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
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 Lake Mason National Wildlife Refuge
Location in the United States
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| Location | Musselshell County, Montana, United States |
| Nearest city | Billings, MT |
| Area | 16,814 acres (6,804 ha) |
| Governing body | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Website | Lake Mason National Wildlife Refuge |
Lake Mason National Wildlife Refuge is a special place in central Montana, USA. It's like a big natural park where wild animals can live safely. This refuge has many lakes and wet areas called marshlands. These places are perfect homes for over 100 different kinds of birds.
Contents
Discover Lake Mason National Wildlife Refuge
Lake Mason National Wildlife Refuge is located in the middle of Montana. It's a protected area that helps keep nature safe. The refuge has many lakes and large marshlands. These wet areas are found along Willow Creek. They provide great places for birds to build nests and raise their young.
What is a National Wildlife Refuge?
A National Wildlife Refuge is a special protected area. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service looks after it. Their main job is to make sure animals and their homes are safe. Lake Mason is managed by people from the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge. It usually doesn't have staff working there all the time. There also aren't many special places for visitors to use.
Different Parts of the Refuge
The refuge is made up of three separate areas. Each area has its own special features:
- The Lake Mason area has wetlands that fill with water during certain seasons.
- The North section is mostly made of higher, dry land called uplands.
- The Willow Creek section was created to protect the home of the mountain plover. This is a special type of bird.
Animals You Might See
Many different animals live and thrive in Lake Mason National Wildlife Refuge. It's a busy place with lots of wildlife! Here are some of the animals you might spot:
- Birds of Prey: Look for large birds that hunt, like the red-tailed hawk, ferruginous hawk, northern harrier, bald eagle, rough-legged hawk, golden eagle, and burrowing owl.
- Waterfowl: You might see birds that love water, such as the Canada goose and mallard.
- Other Birds: The ring-necked pheasant and short-eared owl also call this refuge home.
- Mammals: Many furry creatures live here too. These include the raccoon, coyote, beaver, red fox, porcupine, long-tailed weasel, mink, muskrat, and badger.
These animals all depend on the different habitats found within the refuge.
