by Dan Casey Rare and Notables – March-April Although mid-April snows reminded us that winter was not entirely over, winter resident bird species such as Snowy Owl and Bohemian Waxwing departed, and spring migrants (swallows, cranes, waterfowl, shorebirds and more) continued to arrive on schedule throughout the period. Snow Geese were seen throughout the valley,…
Read MoreTag: Yellow-rumped Warbler
Flathead Valley Bird Report – April 2022
by Dan Casey Rare and Notables – Feb/March The Long-tailed Duck at Bigfork, first found in Feb, was joined by another at the same location. One or more Snowy Owls continued near Somers, and a variety of uncommon gull species were reported, mostly from Flathead Lake. Bluebirds and Western Meadowlarks arrived in early March, and…
Read MoreTrip to Flathead Lake Bio Station
By Doug MacCarter. On a beautiful June 19th, fifteen scientifically curious folks met at the Flathead Lake Biological Station to learn about birds and research conducted at the University of Montana’s field station at Yellow Bay. The group was met first by field trip leader Doug MacCarter, and later by the Station Assistant Director Tom…
Read MoreMay President’s Column
My, how time doesn’t fly when you have a winter like we’ve just had! We are being rewarded for our enforced patience now with the return of our birds of every size, color and song. And after a siege like we’ve gone through, we can even begrudgingly appreciate the ones who peck holes in the…
Read MoreFamiliar Songbird May Be At Least Three Species
One of North America’s most beloved and familiar birds, the Yellow-rumped Warbler, may be at least three separate species, If the species were to be split, it would upend a status quo that has lasted for almost five decades and would restore two cherished common names that many bird watchers still fondly use. For most of…
Read MoreYellow-rumped Warbler
By Linda DeKort If you ask when Yellow-rumped Warblers will be returning to our valley, Bruce Tannehill, from Flathead Audubon, will tell you immediately, “between April 25th and May 1st”. Bruce and his wife, Gail Cleveland, are avid birders who know their neighborhood birds intimately. Like the rest of us, they look forward to the…
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