by Dan Casey Rare and Notables – Summer Hot conditions early in the period, and smoky conditions later may have contributed to a relatively lackluster migration period; many shorebird locations had dried up, and birders were perhaps staying at home a bit more! Nevertheless, some good finds included the season’s first Herring Gulls, Anna’s Hummingbirds,…
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by Dan Casey We have counted 660 raptors of 16 species during our first 21 surveys (through Sept 17th). Migration has been relatively slow to pick up, perhaps due to stable high pressure and smoke. This has been only the second time we have gone this deep into the migration season without recording a daily…
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by Darcy Thomas and Kathy Ross “Going Batty” was finally back this year with a surprising, uncommon bat guest. A Townsends Big-eared Bat was a special treat for bat biologists and participants, young and old. The enthusiasm for bats was shared by all! Thanks so much to Leslie Kehoe for once again letting us share…
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by Jill and Mike Fanning Sunday June 12 to Tuesday June 14 This Year’s Tally Lake Campout provided some excellent birding to about 17 Flathead Audubon members and guests. We met at Tally Lake Sunday afternoon and after our opening birding walks had a potluck meal around the fire. Some people stayed the night and…
Read Moreby Dan Casey Rare and Notables – Spring-summer May-August 2022 was characterized by much drier weather throughout, and near record temperatures late in the period. Some avian highlights included a long-staying Cattle Egret near Lakeside, two adult Sabine’s Gulls at Somers, 2 Long-tailed Ducks, and a Sage Thrasher near Whitefish. Boreal Chickadees were reported more…
Read Moreby Dan Casey Rare and Notables – March-April Although mid-April snows reminded us that winter was not entirely over, winter resident bird species such as Snowy Owl and Bohemian Waxwing departed, and spring migrants (swallows, cranes, waterfowl, shorebirds and more) continued to arrive on schedule throughout the period. Snow Geese were seen throughout the valley,…
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by Rosemary McKinnon The Economist is an unlikely magazine in which to read information about birds, and yet, a 2021 Christmas article sought to bring attention to some unusual men who have traveled further into the world of birds than most of us will ever even imagine. Many people turn to bird watching as a…
Read Moreby Dan Casey Rare and Notables – Feb/March The Long-tailed Duck at Bigfork, first found in Feb, was joined by another at the same location. One or more Snowy Owls continued near Somers, and a variety of uncommon gull species were reported, mostly from Flathead Lake. Bluebirds and Western Meadowlarks arrived in early March, and…
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Wild Wings in Choteau, a three-day celebration of the annual spring Snow Goose migration through Montana, will be held March 25-27, 2022 in Choteau Montana. It will include presentations, an art exhibit, and guided tours to Freezout Lake to view the large numbers of migrating geese and swans that stop over there. The event is…
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by James Oates The Ninepipes CBC was conducted on December 19th, with 19 participants split into 8 parties. 73 species, which is about average, were reported with no new species. The total number of birds was down about 30% mostly in Canada Geese and Red-winged Blackbirds. A possible new species was seen on the 15th…
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