Safe Harbor Marsh Preserve
Flathead Basin, Montana
The Preserve
Once known as the Bird-Pinkney Marsh, Safe Harbor Marsh Preserve is an excellent example of a low elevation freshwater marsh within the diverse wetland region of the Flathead Basin. A continental glacier covered this area of the Rocky Mountain Region during the Pleistocene Epoch. When the glacier retreated, a remarkable array of ponds, sloughs, marshes, bogs, fens and lakes were left in its wake. Safe Harbor Marsh is actually a small bay connected by a narrow channel to Flathead Lake, the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi River.
The Nature Conservancy of Montana acquired Safe Harbor Marsh Preserve in 1989 after exhaustive studies revealed that this wetland provided an exceptional habitat for birds. The preserve contains 132 deeded acres. Within the boundaries of the preserve, various plant and wetland communities spread in concentric rings from the open water at the core of the marsh to the rocky cliffs overlooking Flathead Lake.
The preserve lies within the boundaries of the Flathead Indian Reservation: an area rich in biological and cultural resources. The reservation was established by the Hellgate Treaty of 1855 as a permanent homeland for the Salish, Kootenai and Pend d’Oreille Tribes. Today Tribal policies are directed at maintaining the rich environmental quality of the reservation.
A Variety of Habitats
A variety of habitats supports the plants, animals and birds of Safe Harbor Marsh. At the south end of the preserve there is a meadow which was cleared of large trees and planted with exotic pasture grasses by early landowners. A conifer forest encircles the marsh, with Douglas fir dominating areas where soils are deep and cool, while ponderosa pine grow in the drier sites. Various shrubs, forbs and bunchgrasses compose the plant communities between the trees on the slopes and bluffs and the wet areas around the marsh. Cattail and hardstem bulrush dominate the shallow areas of the marsh, while various sedges such as beaked sedge, needle spike rush and common spike rush grow in the wet silty soil. Grass-leafed pondweed is common in deeper water. This matrix of plant communities helps attract the variety of bird life found on the preserve.
Wildlife
At Safe Harbor Marsh Preserve, a black bear occasionally raids the apple trees in the meadow; beavers assemble a cache of branches for winter forage or retreat to any of several lodges; a coyote trots around the hourglass shape of the marsh hoping to catch a mouse or a muskrat; and a marten or mink might be sighted by a patient observer.
Studies conducted since 1975 indicate that bird life makes Safe Harbor Marsh an exceptional preserve. In the spring and summer months Safe Harbor bursts into avian activity and song. Yellow-headed and red-winged blackbirds, marsh wrens and great blue herons frequent the margins of the marsh. Nesting in the rushes and reeds or swimming in the open water, red-headed ducks vie for territory with mallards, ring-necked ducks and common goldeneye. Canada geese nest on the two small islands. Standing dead trees along shorelines provide habitat for cavity nesters such as wood ducks.
In cattails and rushes, song sparrows and yellowthroats defend their territories with song. In the forest, foraging red-breasted nuthatches call to keep in touch and the western wood peewee repeats its reedy song. The preserve is also home to two species of chickadees, various fly catchers, hummingbirds, thrushes and warblers. Bald eagles occasionally use the ridge above Safe Harbor as a winter roost site and nest nearby during the spring and summer months. Osprey fish in the lake and also keep an eye on the waters of the marsh. From its cliffside nest a prairie falcon occasionally surveys the marsh.
Since research began in 1975, 134 species have been recorded on the preserve. During the 1993 breeding season, 81 species were identified on the preserve through the Breeding Bird Survey, Point Counts and the Monitoring Avian Production and Survivorship project sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. Birds are drawn to Safe Harbor for various reasons--nesting sites, open water, forest cover and abundant food. The Conservancy is proud to be a steward of the rich fauna and flora of this pocket marsh.
Finding the Preserve
From Polson, at the south end of Flathead Lake, take Highway 93 northwest for 1/2 mile. Turn right on Rocky Point Road and go 4 1/2 miles to King’s Point Road. Turn right. Go 1 1/2 miles to the east and look for a gravel turnout on the north side of the road next to a fence marked with yellow Conservancy signs
Planning Your Visit
Safe Harbor Marsh offers exceptional habitat for bird life, including vulnerable “neotropical migrants” that nest in the north but winter as far south as Mexico and Central and South America. Committed to protecting this diversity of species, the Conservancy asks that you observe these principles of etiquette:
· Please walk quietly through the preserve.
· Be especially careful during the breeding season (May-June). Do not stay long within the territory of a singing male, disturb nests or keep adult birds from access to their young. Please don’t leave the trail to look at a nest, as a mammalian predator may follow your scent and raid the nest.
· Please use caution when exploring the preserve. The combination of rocky cliffs, open water and beaver trenches makes vigilance necessary. Because the climate of the area is moderated by Flathead Lake, ice on the marsh is not stable in the winter. It is not wise to travel alone through the preserve.
· Please do not disturb any stakes or poles on the preserve. These markers may be part of the MAPS survey, Point Counts and plant studies.
· The Conservancy does not own all the land surrounding the marsh. Please respect the privacy and property rights of private land owners.
· Please report unusual wildlife observations to the Tribal Wildlife Management Program at: P.O. Box 278, Pablo, MT 59855, (406) 675-2700.
· Please report any damage or vandalism to The Nature Conservancy's Montana office at 406-443-0303.
