Kalispell CBC 2021 Results

The 23rd annual Kalispell Christmas Bird Count was held Sunday, Jan. 2nd, a day with calm winds that started sunny and finished with overcast skies. We had 36 participants in 18 parties, who reported temperatures from -2F in the morning to 23F in the afternoon, and snow depths of 2-23 inches. Our efforts included more…

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Bigfork CBC 2021 Results

by Craig Hohenberger The 48th annual Bigfork Christmas Bird Count was held Saturday, December 18th, under cloudy skies and snow throughout the day, with mild SSW winds. Snow depths were about 7 inches at the eastern edges of the count circle and 2-3 inches in the valley; temperatures ranged from 15-26 degrees F.  Lakes and…

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Bigfork CBC 2020 Results

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…

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Bigfork CBC 2017 Report

by Craig Hohenberger, compiler The 44th annual Bigfork Christmas Bird Count was held Saturday, December 16th, under cloudy skies and mild weather conditions; snow depth 1-4 inches, temperatures ranged from 28-34 degrees F with little or no wind. Rivers and lakes were mostly open and there was a little ice on Flathead Lake at the edges….

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Spring/Summer 2017 Field Trips Recap

by Cory Davis and Kathy Ross It was another full and exciting spring and summer for birdwatching in the Flathead Valley. We had a lot of fun, observed some excellent birds (lifers anyone?), and saw some beautiful country. Thank you to all of our wonderful and dedicated field trip leaders! Earth Day 2017, April 22:…

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40 Years of FAS Newsletters Coming to Website – Newsletter Editors to be Honored in May

by Linda Winnie The Accipiter Express, Vol 1, # 1, March 1977, was the first issue of Flathead Audubon’s newsletter — two sheets of yellow paper, typing on both sides, stapled together. It’s fun to read. Topics include: March 1977 meeting Friday ”at the Bigfork Grade School Cafeteria (Small Log Building)”, 3 field trips (including…

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Field Trip Report: Birding by Bicycle

By Laura Katzman and Gael Bissell. Forty people joined Flathead Land Trust, Flathead Audubon, and the Flathead River to Lake Initiative, on a sunny Saturday morning, May 14, for the 2016 spring Bike and Bird field trip. The group met at McWenneger Slough at the 412-acre Fisher property that is protected by a conservation easement…

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Wood Duck

Wood Duck vs Harlequin Duck

By John Ashley There are only two serious contenders for the most dazzling duck in western Montana. The male Wood Duck and male Harlequin Duck are easily our most decked-out waterfowl. But other than looking outrageously handsome, there are surprisingly few similarities between these two Montana natives. Trying to describe the feathers on these fellows…

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