The Owl Research Institute is embarking on a 3-year collaborative study to monitor Short-eared Owl populations in the western U.S. The study will rely on volunteers to make it a success. Project WAFLS (Western Asio flammeus Landscape Study), involves 15 other agencies and organizations across 8 states and is designed to assess the population status,…
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by Ben Long Bigfork biologist Marilyn Wood has left a positive mark on Montana’s natural landscape that will benefit people, water and wildlife for decades to come. Ironically, that was never her intention. “I kind of fell into conservation,” she said, recalling her undergraduate studies at Montana State University in the mid 1970s. “I took…
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by Ali Ulwelling Rick Trembath’s presentation at last month’s general meeting blended his interest in wildfires and birds, so we’d like to follow up with more information about a local FireSafe Flathead group and tips on how to prepare for our next inevitable wildfire season. Our Flathead area is covered in forests that have evolved…
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by Dan Casey The 10th annual hawk migration survey at the Jewel Basin got off to a roaring start; we recorded birds at record rates from late August through Sept. 22nd. But just as we hit our usual peak season, the snows started to fall. As much as we welcomed the early season snow following…
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by Linda Winnie In spite of a “100% Rain” forecast, 12 volunteers showed up for work at 9 AM at the Kalispell Montessori School for the 16th annual OSNA Fall – Workday, held Saturday, September 30, 2017. It turned out to be a beautiful fall morning – no rain, partly cloudy, cool temperatures – a…
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Once numbering in the millions, the Greater Sage-Grouse has declined precipitously across its range due to widespread habitat destruction. Montana is included in these steep declines. To help prevent this iconic bird from becoming endangered, many stakeholders—states, ranchers, conservationists, industry, scientists, and federal agencies—collaboratively developed a balanced conservation plan to protect 67 million acres of…
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by Kay Mitchell The Flathead Land Trust has met its goal in raising 100% of the required $150,000 non-federal match of the $1.4 million project that will permanently protect the West Valley Pond site. The Pond and surrounding farmland provide rich habitat for a very large variety of birds and other wildlife that we all love…
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by Gael Bissell and Linda Winnie In the October 2017 general meeting, Flathead Audubon Society presented our Conservation Achievement Recognition to Janet Ellis for her career-long dedication to wildlife and habitat conservation in Montana and her contributions to conservation in the Flathead Valley. Janet began her conservation career in 1981 as an intern lobbyist in…
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by Gael Bissell Initiated in 2007 by Dan Casey with the American Bird Conservancy and a hearty crew of dedicated hawk watchers, the Jewel Basin Hawk Watch is entering its 10th year of season-long surveys. “It really takes about 10 years of continuous and accurate data collection to begin to see population and productivity trends…
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The Flathead Audubon Society will present Steve Thompson of Whitefish with their Conservation Achievement Recognition at the September meeting. Steve has had an impressive impact on Montana conservation issues since he arrived in Northwest Montana in 1991. Although Steve readily admits he doesn’t do well as a “cog in a bureaucracy”, he does recognize the…
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