Lake Mason National Wildlife Refuge

Lake Mason National Wildlife Refuge
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
Map showing the location of Lake Mason National Wildlife Refuge
Map showing the location of Lake Mason National Wildlife Refuge
LocationMusselshell County, Montana, United States
Nearest cityBillings, MT
Coordinates46°43′55″N 108°47′31″W / 46.73194°N 108.79194°W / 46.73194; -108.79194[1]
Area16,814 acres (6,804 ha)
Governing bodyU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
WebsiteLake Mason National Wildlife Refuge

Lake Mason National Wildlife Refuge is located in the center of the U.S. state of Montana.[2][3] The refuge has numerous lakes and extensive marshlands along Willow Creek, which provide nesting habitat for over a hundred bird species. The refuge is managed from the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge and is normally unstaffed and has few visitor improvements. The refuge consists of three discontinuous areas; the Lake Mason area which has seasonal wetlands, the North section consisting primarily of uplands and the Willow Creek section which was set aside to protect habitat for the mountain plover.[4]

Animals that roam in this refuge include red-tailed hawk, raccoon, coyote, ferruginous hawk, beaver, Canada goose, ring-necked pheasant, red fox, northern harrier, porcupine, bald eagle, rough-legged hawk, long-tailed weasel, short-eared owl, golden eagle, mink, burrowing owl, mallard, muskrat, and badger.

  1. ^ "Lake Mason National Wildlife Refuge". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved February 24, 2014.
  2. ^ Lake Mason NW, MT (Map). Topoquest (USGS Quads). Retrieved February 24, 2014.
  3. ^ "Annual Report of Lands Under Control of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service" (PDF). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. September 30, 2010. p. 23. Archived from the original (pdf) on October 30, 2011. Retrieved February 24, 2014.
  4. ^ "Lake Mason National Wildlife Refuge". U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Retrieved February 24, 2014.