Highlights from September 2016 Board Meeting 

  •  Learned that the June Birdathon netted us more than we had earlier expected
  •  Appointed 4 committee chairs as 1-year directors
  •  Received a resignation from the Board from Paula Smith
  •  Named Jan Metzmaker as Publicity Chair
  •  Heard a list of programs for the new program year and suggested additional possibilities
  •  Learned that Hawk Watch observers are logging many more birds than at same time last year
  •  Discussed Owen Sowerwine Work Day (September 24)
  •  Studied FAS budget and asset information

Membership News

Please renew your membership in Flathead Audubon as soon as possible. For those who don’t renew by October 18, this will be the last issue of the Pileated Post they will receive. Don’t miss an issue of our very interesting newsletter! The FAS Board proposed and the membership voted last May to raise the membership dues a bit to cover increased expenses. The dues now are $25 for a basic membership and $40 for a supporting membership. This year we really need support for our excellent education program. We are the only organization in the Flathead Valley which offers free environmental education.

For those who join or renew memberships in National Audubon, note that they no longer will accept checks at the New York address. You must either use the envelope sent to you when requesting you to renew or to use the internet at http://www.audubon.org/renew

When you renew your Flathead Audubon membership please include your email address. We would like to compile a list of members email addresses so we can send occasional notifications of events or important news.

Bird Feeders and Bears

Bird feeders are often a strong attractant to bears especially in the fall when they are trying to fatten up before entering their dens. Please consider not feeding birds until the bears have entered dens which usually happens by the end of November.

Other attractants also create conflicts with bears also. Montana FWP Bear and Lion Specialist Erik Wenum says ”We are urging people to step up their efforts in getting attractants secured; lock up the garbage, put the pet foods inside and pick the fruit. It’s unfortunate when we have to kill a bear. It’s not something we enjoy doing, but when a bear is fed human foods that is typically the outcome. If residents take responsibility and clean up all attractants, we will have fewer problems and fewer bears will need to be killed.” You may contact Erik Wenum at 756-1776 or 250-0062.