Hawks, Owls, Eagles and Falcons — up close and personal — and FREE!  From 9 AM until 1 PM on Saturday, September 17th Flathead Audubon and  Lone Pine State Park, will have our biggest event, with activities for everyone, exhibits, booths great programs, and prizes!.

Kate Davis, Director of Raptors of the Rockies, a 34-year raptor educator, photographer and artist, and author of seven books about birds of prey, will be our dynamic  keynote presenter on  “Fascinating Falcons”, along with her Peregrine and Aplomado Falcons and a “surprise” owl. Kate just published her second edition of Falcons of North America to rave reviews, and she will have some copies along for sale.

Dr. Kurt Lindsay, Neurologist and owner of Nebulosa Photography, will present “Owls Through the Lens” his intimate and absolutely stunning photographs of all the owls of Montana, and tell us stories about his relationships with owls.

Dan Casey, retired professional Ornithologist, founder of Jewel Basin Hawk Watch, and co-author of Birds of Montana, will present “Who’s That Flying Over?”– very informative tips and tricks on identifying birds of prey from below. Flathead Audubon will have 27 full-sized color raptor silhouettes for your practice, and you can take a quiz and win some prizes! Dan will also lead a field trip the next day to our Jewel Basin Hawk Watch  viewing site near the top of Mt. Aeneas (limited to 10 participants, 2 hours uphill!).

Flathead Audubon Society (FAS) will premiere “Birds Rock!”, “Bird Trouble”, and “Bird Help” — three entertaining short films produced by FAS during the COVID hiatus. Click here to see them.

Beth Watne and Wild Wings Recovery Center volunteers will be outdoors with many rehabilitating birds, possibly including Ferruginous, Red Tail, Harlan’s, Cooper’s Hawks, Great Gray and Pygmy Owls, and Peregrine, Merlin and Kestrel Falcons.

Fancy Face Design face painting will be there to turn you and your kids into “raptors” for the day. Glacier Institute (thanks for in-kind donations!) Hockaday Museum, Flathead Land Trust, Center for Native Plants (with raffle prizes), Owl Research Institute, US Forest Service, Montana Loon Society, River 2 Lake Initiative, and many other organizations will be there with fun activities.  “Early Birders” can go on guided bird hikes at 8 AM, 9 AM and kids at 10 AM. Binoculars provided!

Continuing a tradition started by the family of the late Rod Ash in 2006, Over 850 people participated and learned at the last Festival! Come early if you are a glutton for knowledge and fun!

NOTE: Parking is severely limited at Lone Pine Visitor Center, so a short walk from the parking along the entrance road may be necessary.  No food or drinks provided. BYO bottles for refill at our cold water station.