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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by Dan Casey Rare and Notables – Nov/Dec An out-of-season Brown-headed Cowbird and a regionally rare Lesser Goldfinch continued to sporadically visit feeders in Creston and Somers, respectively, throughout the period. Foy’s Lake and the West Valley Crane Viewing Area each supported a variety of waterfowl as warmer temperatures kept these sites primary ice-free. A…
Read MoreMany 2021 Counts will again be structured to minimize transmission of the COVID-19 virus. Check with the organizer of your usual CBC to find out the plan for your Count. Count Date Contact information Bigfork Sat., Dec. 18 Craig Hohenberger, asoleado2003@yahoo.com, 406-890-1629 Eureka Sat., Dec. 18…
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In accordance with local tradition, the Kalispell Christmas Bird Count will be held on Sunday, Jan. 2nd (two weeks after the Bigfork CBC). Pete Fisher has asked me to re-assume compiler duties now that I am back in the valley, and I agreed to do so, at least this year. Given ongoing Covid concerns, we…
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Once again, we are soliciting volunteers for the Bigfork CBC. If you were a regional leader last year, and will be participating in the Bigfork CBC this year, please let me know. I will assume that all recent local leaders will cover (bird) their previously assigned area, if not, please inform me. I will be…
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by Dan Casey Bj Worth spent a cold, windy day on the ridge Nov. 5th to conduct the 50th survey of the 2021 Jewel Basin Hawk Watch monitoring season. The 30 birds he counted that day brought our season total to 4,418 birds, which exceeded our previous high season count by more than 1,000 birds!…
Read Moreby Dan Casey Rare and Notables – Oct/Nov Wintery weather was slow to come, but winter migrants and residents began to arrive, including Tundra Swans, Rough-legged Hawks, Northern Shrikes, Bohemian Waxwings and Common Redpolls. Rarities included all three scoter species, 2 lingering Anna’s Hummingbirds, and a Lesser Goldfinch in Somers. See https://ebird.org/region/US-MT-029?yr=all for more. 9/28…
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by Darcy Thomas Do you like to watch birds? Are you looking for a classroom or nature club project? How about participating in a project that contributes to scientific understanding of changes in wintering areas of birds? Project FeederWatch may be just for you. This year will be my fourth year for this important project….
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by Denny Olson Despite the disappointment of once again cancelling our Birds of Prey Festival this fall due to health concerns, Flathead Audubon once again made some lemonade from the situation, pivoting smoothly to a more limited number of remote and socially distanced activities called Birds of Prey Week. One of those was a Friday…
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by Darcy Thomas A morning of bird watching September 8 at Smith Lake in Kila was very successful. Eleven birders joined leader Darcy Thomas; two were visiting from out-of-state; the youngest was 5 years old. It was a bit chill at 41 degrees when we started but warmed up comfortably later in the morning. A…
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