“The Secret to Life is Chickens” is a lovely remembrance of Jean Rocker that appeared recently in the Flathead Beacon (Nov 3, p. 31). It can be viewed in digital form at https://flatheadbeacon.com/e-edition/11_03_2021/mobile/index.html#p=31. The family has announced that no services are planned. They suggest that instead of sending flowers, folks “send remembrances to Audubon Society…
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by Denny Olson I have to admit that a good part of my attraction to tree-line in Northwest Montana — aside from pikas in the talus, whitebark pines, nutcrackers and rosy finches — is the 50-50 chance of a conversation with Boreal Chickadees. They are relatively tame and curious after the breeding season when they…
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June Ash passed away peacefully on November 10 with the comfort of family present. In the week before her passing, she made sure that her bird feeder was filled. June was a long-time Flathead Audubon member, and served Flathead Audubon in various capacities for over 20 years, including as Board member, Membership Chair, and organizer…
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by Joe Batts The Montana Museum of Art and Culture has opened two new exhibitions with avian themes. The first, “Avis marvelous: Ornithology in 19th Century Art and Science” opened Friday, September 24, and runs through January 8, 2022, in the Paxson Gallery of UM’s Performing Arts and Radio/TV Center. This exhibit combines 19th century…
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by 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 Gael Bissell Good News! Migratory Bird Treaty Act Is Back! But Improvements Need Your Support! (It’s Easy!!!) From National Audubon Action Alert: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced it is not only reinstating bird protections under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), but is also considering strengthening the rules going forward. A…
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presented by Aaron Wirsing Aaron Wirsing will be the featured speaker at the Monday, December 13 virtual meeting of the Flathead Audubon Society at 7 PM (See below for how to join the Zoom meeting.) He received his undergraduate degree from Bowdoin College and graduate degrees from the University of Idaho (MS) and Simon Fraser…
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At our November 2021 general meeting, David Manuwal presented an extensive list of ornithologists and wildlife biologists who served in the military at some point in their lives. As he states, the life of a veteran really seems like multiple lives. We are grateful for their military service as well as their service to conservation….
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by Darcy Thomas A group of 12 bird lovers participated in the Sandhill Crane Viewing at the West Valley ponds just north of Kalispell. Darcy Thomas led the group which saw over 250 Sandhill Cranes. From the Bird and Wildlife Viewing Area a large group of cranes grazed in the agricultural fields very near the…
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by Big Sky Watershed Corps member Peter Dudley Montana Audubon was back on the Missouri and Madison Rivers for Black-billed Cuckoo and avian surveys this summer, after a great pilot year in 2020. For nearly a decade, we have carried out land bird monitoring in partnership with the University of Montana Bird Ecology Lab (UMBEL)…
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