LBCU Citizen Science Survey 2021
Are you ready to hear the ‘currlleeee’ of the Long-billed Curlew? Well, grab your binoculars and get ready, because it’s almost curlew season! These charismatic shorebirds will be trickling back into the state in less than two months and we need your help finding as many as possible in and around the Mission, Blackfoot and Helena Valley! Since 2013, volunteers have recorded curlews sightings in these three Montana valleys and this data helps inform statewide habitat models as well as highlight important tracts of intact grassland that are in need of conservation.
The Long-Billed Curlew Citizen Science survey will take place from April 8 – May 7 and May 8 – May 31. Please email Peter Dudley at peter@mtaudubon.org or Carmen Borchelt at carmen@mtaudubon.org for more information and to sign up!
GBHE Citizen Science Survey 2021
This project was created to bolster statewide efforts to survey Great Blue Heron nesting sites, which are typically conducted through fly-overs, and cover the many miles of prime habitat along Montana’s waterways. Despite this, it is commonly understood that the Great Blue Heron, like many of Montana’s species of concern, require standardized surveys and rookery counts to ensure their conservation. If you’re interested in volunteering, please join us on April 22nd to learn how to survey Great Blue Heron Rookeries. The training will be 1 hour, going over all the materials needed to be successful in the field.
The Great Blue Heron Citizen Science survey will take place from May 1 – June 15. For more information or to receive project outreach materials, please email Peter Dudley (peter@mtaudubon.org) or Carmen Borchelt (carmen@mtaudubon.org).
CHSW Citizen Science Survey 2021
We need your help locating more Chimney Swifts while they are active and nesting. Little is known about their nesting range throughout our state, Montana Audubon is turning to citizen science for answers. Unlike searching for other swifts, or many birds for that matter, Chimney Swifts are best surveyed in towns and near buildings with large chimneys! Surveys are short, occurring 30 minutes before until 30 minutes after sunset, with observers being stationed for just a short time at selected chimneys.
If you’re planning a trip to eastern Montana be sure to put this on your list of things to do! You can also join us in the field during our “Chimney Swift Night Out” events in eastern Montana. Participants will learn about chimney swifts and population monitoring techniques, and then put that training to the test that evening as we search local chimneys together.
Join us at Makoshika State Park on the evening of June 4th, with more dates to come.
For more information or to receive project outreach materials, please email Peter Dudley peter@mtaudubon.org