by Karen Nichols Although Northern Saw-whet owls are one of the most abundant forest raptors in North America, they are rarely seen due to their nocturnal and secretive nature. Until recent decades, the diminutive owls were thought to be rare in many places and mostly non-migratory. Banding efforts over the past 30+ years are shedding…
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by Dan Casey Rare and Notables – October/November 2023 This period presented several of the less common species we have come to expect in late fall, including all three scoter species, Short-billed Gulls, and a Swamp Sparrow. Pacific Loons were seen in several locations, including two at Rogers Lake. Common Redpoll, Snow Bunting and Bohemian…
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Presented By Sara Lamar The Southwestern Crown of the Continent (SW Crown) is a 1.5 million acre, mostly forested landscape in the Rocky Mountains of western Montana. Swan Valley Connections (SVC) has been collaborating annually with various partners to monitor rare carnivores. This monitoring project was designed to provide a baseline of the current distribution…
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At our November 2023 General Meeting, Denver Holt, Founder and President of Owl Research Institute, shared the amazing work that they are doing. They pride themselves on boots-on-the-ground field work and long term studies to get as accurate a picture as they possibly can of the health and trends of a population as well as…
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by Denny Olson I’ve been lucky enough to sit on a high promontory and watch a group of raven rascals – who always seem to have spare time on their talons – showing off their flight skills. Twice, perhaps the same raven both times, one cackled the raven version of “Hold my beer, watch this!”…
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by Darcy Thomas Northern Saw-whet Owls were the focus of the next two bird outings in October. We travelled to the Flathead Lake Biological Station to learn about owl ecology and watch researchers from the Owl Research Institute band, weigh, and measure owls they caught in mist nests during the evening. Participants got to watch…
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by Darcy Thomas In the darkness of an early October morning, a small group of birders gathered together at the West Valley Ponds viewing area with binoculars and spotting scopes and waited for sunrise. At first light, Canada Geese began to cackle and Mallards began their quacking. Then as sunrise brightened the skies with gorgeous…
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by Denny Olson The evening version of Sandhill Crane watching happened October 1, after a downpour rain delay of one day. The cranes staged at distance or just out of sight, while a few hundred Canada Geese came into the pond. A fairly good variety of waterfowl were there from the start. Just at sunset,…
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by Pam Willison, Work Day Coordinator After a chilly morning, the sun warmed the air and highlighted the beauty of the colorful leaves and the rippling Stillwater River. It really was a great day to enjoy the exceptional autumn sights offered in the Owen Sowerwine area. Fourteen volunteers worked a total of 41 hours on…
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