Harlequin ducks are a beautiful and unique sea duck species that can be found along rocky coastlines, fast moving streams, and rivers in western and northern North America. While their breeding range extends across Alaska, Canada, and parts of the Pacific Northwest, their winter range is largely limited to coastal sites from southern Alaska to central California. One popular area for viewing harlequin ducks in the winter is the Crown of the Continent (CotC) region of northwest Montana. CotC contains numerous fast moving streams and rivers that provide ideal habitat for harlequins to overwinter. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best places to spot harlequin ducks in Montana’s CotC region.
The Rocky Mountain Front
The Rocky Mountain Front is a spectacular stretch of the Continental Divide located west of Great Falls, Montana. This area encompasses tall rugged peaks, pristine forests, and tumbling streams that cut through limestone canyons on their way to the plains. Several rivers along the Front provide excellent winter habitat for harlequins including the Dearborn, Teton, Sun, and Two Medicine Rivers. Some of the best public access points to scan for harlequins include:
- Dearborn River – Around the town of Augusta where Highway 287 crosses the river.
- Teton River – Check along the riverfront in Choteau, under the Hwy 89 bridge.
- Sun River – Wadsworth Park northwest of Great Falls near Fort Shaw.
- Two Medicine River – Historic Two Medicine Bridge on Hwy 49 near East Glacier Park.
Focus your search on relatively calm pools and eddies where the ducks can rest between feeding forays. Mornings and evenings typically provide the best harlequin sightings along these rivers.
When to Visit
The Rocky Mountain Front area is best for harlequins starting in late fall once the first winter storms start to blow in. Numbers typically peak through the winter from December to February. By March, most birds begin migrating back to their breeding grounds although some may overwinter as late as April.
Glacier National Park
Further north, Glacier National Park provides a rugged wilderness landscape with numerous rushing streams and rivers that attract overwintering harlequins. Some of the most reliable spots include:
- Middle Fork Flathead River – Check along Forest Service Road 586 near Essex.
- McDonald Creek – Scan the creek from the Going-to-the-Sun Road near Lake McDonald Lodge.
- St. Mary River – Walk along the river near the St. Mary entrance station.
- Belly River – Hike along the river near Chief Mountain Customs along the Canada border.
In addition to rivers, watch for harlequins along cold, fast moving streams throughout the park including Swiftcurrent Creek, Kennedy Creek, and the streams around Two Medicine. Early morning is often the best time for spotting them and a spotting scope helps tremendously.
Best Time to Visit
Glacier National Park sees the arrival of harlequin ducks in late October with numbers peaking in December and January. However, due to Glacier’s high elevation and colder temperatures, some ducks may overwinter here as late as early May before migrating back to Alaska and Canada to breed.
Seeley Lake
Seeley Lake is located in the valley between the Swan and Mission mountain ranges. Here the Clearwater River winds its way north where it eventually joins with the Blackfoot River near the town of Ovando. This large river system provides ample habitat for harlequins to overwinter. Some areas to search include:
- Clearwater River – Scan the river from Highway 83 near Seeley Lake and Mission Dam.
- Rainy Creek – Check where the creek joins the Clearwater near Rainy Lake.
- Morrell Creek – Look for birds where the creek meets Seeley Lake.
Seeley Lake is quite popular with human recreation so the ducks tend to prefer quieter sections of river away from busy boat ramps. However, if you stake out a spot along the banks, you may get lucky.
Peak Viewing
Harlequin numbers build along Seeley Lake starting in November and remain consistent through February. March and April can still offer decent sightings here before the last ducks depart by early May.
The Blackfoot River
The renowned Blackfoot River flows 132 miles across western Montana before joining the Clark Fork River near Missoula. This river and its tributaries provide abundant harlequin habitat. Areas to search include:
- Blackfoot River – Check along Hwy 200 near the towns of Ovando and Helmville where the river slows into ponds and pools.
- Monture Creek – Look where the creek joins the Blackfoot near Hwy 200 east of Ovando.
- Nevada Creek – Scan where this tributary meets the river near the town of Lincoln.
The Blackfoot is a popular recreation destination so finding a secluded spot to observe undisturbed ducks takes some effort. Your best chance is to scope the river around sunrise before activity picks up.
When to Go
Harlequins arrive on the Blackfoot River as early as late October with numbers peaking through December and January. The best viewing is typically from November to March.
The Clark Fork River
After gathering water from tributaries across western Montana, the Clark Fork becomes one of the largest rivers in the Pacific Northwest. It provides abundant habitat for harlequin ducks as it winds toward Idaho. Some hotspots include:
- Clark Fork River – Check for harlequins along Highway 200 near the towns of Superior, Alberton, and St. Regis where the river slows into ponds.
- Rock Creek – Look for ducks where this tributary joins the Clark Fork near Clinton.
- Thompson River – Scan where the river enters the Clark Fork near Thompson Falls.
Focus your efforts on slower moving sections of river that provide calmer water. Early morning and late evening are usually most productive.
Peak Viewing
The best time to search for harlequins on the Clark Fork is November through February. By March and April, only a few stragglers may remain before migration back north.
Putting It All Together
Throughout the Crown of the Continent region, the best harlequin duck spots tend to share certain features. Focus your search efforts on:
- Rivers, streams, creeks – Fast moving but with sections of calmer water.
- Confluences – Where tributaries join larger rivers.
- Morning and evening – When harlequins are most active.
- Late fall to early spring – From November to April.
- Secluded spots – Away from heavy recreation.
With persistence and some luck, you’re likely to catch sight of these stunning sea ducks gracing Montana’s wild rivers through the winter. Just be sure to keep your distance and observe them through optics rather than approaching for a closer look which can flush them from preferred habitat. Have a wonderful winter HARLEQUIN hunt!
Harlequin Duck Wintering Sites in Montana’s Crown of the Continent
| Location | Best Viewing Sites | Peak Months |
|---|---|---|
| Rocky Mountain Front | Dearborn River, Teton River, Sun River, Two Medicine River | December – February |
| Glacier National Park | Middle Fork Flathead River, McDonald Creek, St. Mary River, Belly River | December – April |
| Seeley Lake | Clearwater River, Rainy Creek, Morrell Creek | November – February |
| Blackfoot River | Blackfoot River near Ovando and Helmville, Monture Creek, Nevada Creek | November – March |
| Clark Fork River | Near Superior, Alberton, St. Regis, Rock Creek, Thompson River | November – February |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are harlequin ducks found?
Harlequin ducks breed in fast moving streams and rivers across northwestern North America from Alaska through western Canada. They winter along rocky coastlines and inland river systems in western states from Alaska to central California.
What do harlequin ducks eat?
Their diet consists primarily of aquatic invertebrates like mollusks, crustaceans, and insects along with some small fish and fish eggs. They forage underwater by diving to bottoms of swift streams.
Why do harlequins winter inland on rivers?
Coastal wintering sites can’t support the entire harlequin population so many birds, especially juveniles, move inland to freshwater rivers where food is abundant and competition reduced.
How do you identify harlequin ducks?
Males have colorful plumage with slate blue bodies, chestnut flanks, and white spots. Females are more modestly patterned with gray-brown bodies and white face patches. Look for them on fast moving streams and roosting on shoreline rocks.
What is unique about harlequin ducks?
They are one of the few duck species well adapted to fast moving streams and rivers. Unlike most waterfowl, their legs are set far back on their bodies for swimming in turbulent rapids while foraging underwater.
Why should you keep your distance from harlequins?
Excessive human disturbance can cause them to abandon quality habitat. Give harlequins plenty of space and observe them from afar through binoculars or spotting scopes.
Conclusion
For birders and nature enthusiasts, the harlequin ducks wintering across Montana’s Crown of the Continent offer a unique opportunity to observe these striking birds gracing the region’s wild rivers. By focusing efforts on prime locations during winter months and giving the ducks proper space, observers can enjoy witnessing harlequins in their preferred winter habitat. Just be sure to dress warmly for cold weather watching and check river conditions for safety. With a bit of preparation and planning, you’re likely to be rewarded with sightings of vibrant harlequins on several CotC rivers!
