montana audubon - bird conservation
Montana Audubon works on the conservation and monitoring of birds, with an emphasis on projects that engage volunteers in citizen science and/or contribute uniquely to the protection of species of special concern. Several examples of bird conservation projects we have been involved in are described here.
All-Bird Conservation Coordinator to be Hired
Even though there are more than 400 species of native birds in Montana, there is presently no statewide leadership for “all bird” conservation. That fact will soon change because in January 2008, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) committed to hiring an All-Bird Conservation Coordinator for a 2-year pilot program. Many bird biologists from throughout the state have long advocated for the creation of this position. Montana Audubon played a leadership role in securing a commitment from FWP for this new bird coordinator.
Montana Common Birds in Decline
In June 2007, the National Audubon Society released a report on the common birds that are declining throughout the United States. In order to understand what this report indicated about birds in our state, Montana Audubon pulled out the information in the report relevant to our state. The datPhoto may not display correctly in all browsers.a showed that 29 of Montana’s common birds are declining, including American Coot, American Redstart, Baird's Sparrow, Belted Kingfisher, Blue-winged Teal, Boreal Chickadee, Brewer's Sparrow, Cassin's Finch, Chipping Sparrow, Common Grackle, Common Yellowthroat, Dark-eyed Junco, Evening Grosbeak, Grasshopper Sparrow, Great Blue Heron, Horned Lark, House Sparrow, Killdeer, Loggerhead Shrike, Orange-crowned Warbler, Pine Grosbeak, Red Crossbill, Ruffed Grouse, Sharp-tailed Grouse, Short-eared Owl, Snow Bunting, Sora, Vesper Sparrow, and Western Meadowlark. In order to draw attention to this report, Montana Audubon has highlighted five of these species that depend on wetlands and streamside habitat (See Montana Birds Send Warning About Our Water and Wetlands and the Billings Gazette article Report: Common Birds in Decline).
The National Audubon report is based on an analysis of 30 years of data from Breeding Bird Surveys and Christmas Bird Counts.
Nesting Black Swifts in Western Montana
The Black Swift is a Level II priority species in Montana, and we know next to nothing about its presence in the state. Only two breeding colonies have been documented, but we strongly suspect others are waiting to be discovered. One problem in surveying for these birds is their proclivity to nest in mountainous areas behind waterfalls that are difficult and sometimes dangerous to access.
Beginning in summer 2004, Montana Audubon will team with the American Bird Conservancy to initiate the state’s first systematic survey of waterfalls for the presence of nesting Black Swifts. Funding for this work is provided by the Montana Natural Heritage Program.
Brewer’s Sparrows in the Blackfoot Valley
Brewer’s Sparrow numbers have declined considerably in recent years as the sagebrush habitat that the birds depend on continues to shrink in area and be degraded in quality owing to a variety of human influences. In 2003, Montana Audubon initiated a multi-year study designed to Photo may not display correctly in all browsersunderstand how Brewer’s Sparrow nesting success and productivity vary in response to changing habitat conditions. The study area, near Ovando in the Blackfoot Valley, contains gorgeous stands of sagebrush that support high densities of sparrows. Moreover, potholes embedded in the matrix of sagebrush are used by a variety of nesting waterbirds, including Black Terns, a Level II priority species in Montana. Our work will result in an IBA nomination of more than 1,000 ha of sagebrush and associated wetlands and will constitute the first sagebrush-dominated site west of the continental divide to be considered for an IBA in Montana.
Funding for this effort is provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, and the University of Montana.
For information contact Steve Hoffman, Executive Director,
at 406-443-3949 or shoffman@mtaudubon.org