by Dave Manuwal If you own a cat (Felis catus), you have plenty of company. There are now more than 100 million house cats in the United States. With regard to predation, cats are classed into three categories:  Owned (live with owner but often are outside) Stray (lost or abandoned by their owners) Feral (descendants…

by Gael Bissell For the last six months, the Flathead Audubon Society board and Owen Sowerwine Natural Area (OSNA) committee along with Montana Audubon in Helena have been working diligently with the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) to renew Audubon’s authorization for the Owen Sowerwine natural area. OSNA is located just off…

by Kathy Ross We have had the enormous pleasure all winter of enjoying birds at our feeders and the birds have benefited. Now is the time to consider taking the feeders down.  If you live in bear country, out of respect for our furry, hungry neighbors, it is essential. Besides helping to keep bears out…

by Dave Manuwal The Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Act was passed by Congress on March 16, 1934 in response to the nation-wide drought and reduction in waterfowl populations. This legislation requires each waterfowl hunter 16 years of age or older to possess a valid Federal hunting stamp (“duck stamp”) along with a state hunting…

by Rosemary McKinnon and Linda Winnie Linda de Kort was presented Flathead Audubon’s Lifetime Conservation Achievement Recognition at the March 9 FAS meeting. Linda is an extraordinary science educator who has instilled in thousands of students and adults in this Valley, and far beyond, an understanding and appreciation of the natural world, and inspired in many…

by Kathy Ross Did you know that the products you buy affect more than just your household and health? Your choice of materials and the practices of manufacturers and growers impact birds, animals, plants, water, and the air we all share. Growing methods, like growing coffee and cocoa in native plant shade, preserve natural forest…

Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) rules could change! WHAT? The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is proposing new MBTA rule that will result in greater losses of migratory birds! Eliminates penalties for industry/entities that “unintentially” kill birds/nests  Removes incentives to prevent harming or killing migratory birds(e.g. Deepwater Horizon killed 1 million birds and BP had…

by Kathy Ross In daylight, by reflecting foliage or sky, windows look like inviting places to fly into. Birds also sometimes see their reflection in a window and attack it. This happens most frequently in the spring when territoriality is high. At night, lights divert nocturnal migrants from their original path, especially in low-ceiling or…

By Kathy Ross. Plastic that escapes into the environment is simply not good for birds or wildlife (as well as humans). We now know that plastic breaks down to tiny micro-plastics that are transported by water to lakes, rivers, and oceans where they are consumed by animals and enter the food web. Micro-plastics can interfere…

by Pam Willison, Co-Chair, OSNA Committee Flathead Conservation District has awarded FAS a $2000 grant through their Cost-Share program, which will be used to address the weed problem in Owen Sowerwine. This is a 75%/25% matching grant, which means FAS will need to provide match funds and volunteer hours to fulfill our match and use…