by Jim Oates Most sections were counted twice (but not double counted) so everyone who wanted to participate had an opportunity within the Covid guidelines. There were 29 birders, who reported 74 species, one less than 2019. Some of the highlights were: A ferruginous hawk (11 years since last); 3 peregrines, 2 together, all seen…
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by Lisa Bate Glacier National Park (GNP) held its annual Christmas Bird Count on Sunday, December 20, 2020. Twenty-nine participants contributed to this event by covering 10 different routes in Glacier, and 2 bird feeders in West Glacier. Participants spent the day counting all bird species and individuals detected. The weather started dismally with rain,…
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by Rob Rich As the season dithered between fall and winter on December 19, 12 devoted naturalists sought birds for the Upper Swan Valley CBC. The morning’s heavy rain gave way to overcast skies with periodic wind gusts in the afternoon, when temperatures rose into the low 40s. While the ground remained white in the mountains,…
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by Craig Hohenberger The 47th annual Bigfork Christmas Bird Count was held Saturday, December 19, under cloudy skies, periodic light showers, with mild to moderate SW winds throughout the day. Snow depths were non-existent and/or limited to the higher eastern edges of the count circle; temperatures ranged from 36-46 degrees F. Lakes and ponds were…
Read Moreby Ellen Sullivan and Lewis Young The 28th annual Eureka Christmas bird count was held on Friday, December 18 in mild weather that ranged from 34°F to 40°F. The count this year was conducted with appropriate Covid-19 protocols which accounted for a reduced number of field going observers. Sixteen people went to the field and…
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What Happened to the Migratory Bird Treat Act? Regulations Aren’t That Bad by Carole Jorgensen If you ask the average person if they want more regulations, most would answer “no”. Recently elected leaders, especially in Montana, campaigned on reduced regulation. Perhaps the question should be different. Would you prefer to pay billions of dollars to…
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by Laura Katzman, Flathead Land Trust For years Flathead Audubon has worked with Montana Audubon to ensure the 442-acre Owen Sowerwine property owned by the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), located at the confluence of the Stillwater and Flathead rivers just east of Kalispell, was managed as a natural area for use by…
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by Cindy and Tom Roberts, Flathead Audubon Education Committee Co-Chairs Available Now! The Flathead Audubon Education Committee and our conservation educator, Denny Olson, have had to retool how we provide educational opportunities to the public. As announced in previous articles, Denny, with the help of committee members, created three videos encompassing the most significant ideas…
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by William Blake, MPG Ranch The MPG Ranch in the Bitterroot Valley just found out that one of our Common Nighthawks was detected some 3400+ miles away in Colombia during fall migration! Kate Stone banded this adult male (see picture) on 8/21 in the shrubby draws of MPG Ranch (in an area we commonly call…
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