by Darcy Thomas On a drizzly day in May, a group of twelve from Flathead and Mission Audubon met at the University of Montana’s field station in Yellow Bay to learn about ecology and research of the Flathead Watershed, hear the famous food web disaster of Mysis shrimp, and enjoy a quick picnic before tromping…
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At our May meeting and potluck, Rob Domenech of Raptor View Research Institute told story after story of Ospreys in migration using amazing tracking data. During the presentation, he mentioned ways that we can track those raptors too! Below is a list of resources Rob mentioned (plus a couple bonus resources). MPG Ranch’s Raptor Tracker…
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Latest on Avian Influenza A(H5) and A(H7) by Carole Jorgensen Local media sources have mentioned the continued spread of avian flu and implicated wild birds as major vectors in the state. Waterfowl, particularly dabbling ducks, are thought to be a reservoir of influenza A(H5) and A(H7). The March 2023 USDA update of avian influenza detections…
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Upper Swan CBC December 15 Upper Swan held its annual Christmas Bird Count on Thursday, December 15, with nine field observers. We had decent weather with temperatures ranging from 19 to 27, cloudy skies, and wind at 7 mph. Most still water was frozen and moving water was partly open. Snow depths ranged from six…
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The 24th Kalispell Christmas Bird Count was held on Sunday, January 1, 2023. A total of 75 species was recorded, a number which is about average for this count. Highlights included the 2nd ever Yellow-headed Blackbird (Craig Hohenberger et. al.), the 2nd ever Pied-billed Grebe (Elaine Snyder et al.), the 3rd ever Northern Saw-whet Owl…
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by Denny Olson We are now in the middle of the Jewel Basin Hawk Watch season, and things have begun to heat up — but the numbers of migrant raptors are slightly lower than recent years. Like true geeks, a number of us have been pulling up multiple weather forecasting websites every day, looking for…
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by Carole Jorgensen Conservation Short Notes Avian Flu According to APHIS, there have been 51 cases of wild bird mortality associated with avian flu in Montana, including one bald eagle in Flathead County, as of Aug 2022. Wild birds are apparently more resistant to avian flu than domestic fowl. Feeding birds (once the bears go…
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by Dan Casey Important Bird Area Status Last month we began a series of articles describing the characteristics, history, and management status of the Owen Sowerwine Natural Area (OSNA). This month we examine its status as an “Important Bird Area”, a designation that carries with it no legal protection, but that recognizes the value of…
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by David Manuwal Death by lead poisoning is a tragic way of dying and it can be prevented. The article in the January 5, 2022 Hungry Horse News about the death of a swan found at Flathead Lake reminds us that lead poisoning is still a source of mortality among birds. There are several symptoms…
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