Montana audubon -- birds of prey
Audubon both encourages the conservation of raptors and other birds of prey and works to help monitor these magnificent birds. Projects we run, encourage or support include:
- Nesting Golden Eagles in Montana -- know of active eagle or Ferruginous Hawk nests?
- Western Montana Key Migration Corridors
- Bridger Raptor Migration Count and Annual Festival
- Ospreys and Baling Twine
Nesting golden eagles in Montana -- 2012
Montana Audubon is helping to compile all known Golden Eagle nest locations. If you are aware of any active Golden Eagle nests in 2012, please fill out a simple report and submit to the Montana Natural Heritage Program - simple options for reporting are clearly described HERE.
OR you can get information directly to us: simply record date, activity, and location. You can "pin" it on google earth and send us the spatial information, or we can send you a map of the area and you can make your mark. Of course you can also use your GPS and if you are not directly at the nest, record the lat/longs and the approximate distance and direction, and we can reposition. Send this info to Amy.
The Montana Bird Conservation Partnership (MBCP) has initiated a working group to address research and monitoring needs, potential declines, and threats to Golden Eagles in our state. And we are doing our part. Nest site locations will help us conserve these eagles, especially with regards to energy development in our state.
And while your at it, help us find nests for Ferruginous Hawks! All the same applies!
Contact Amy (406-465-1141) with any questions or if you'd like assistance documenting the eagle nest you have discovered. Thanks for your help.
The Golden Eagle was a recently featured Bird of the Month
Back to citizen science.
western Montana's raptor migration corridors
Every year, raptors migrate to and from their breeding grounds. During the fall, they typically fly along high ridge tops and during the spring, valleys and foothills are preferred. The primary known migration corridors are shown here, although there are other secondary and dispersed routes. The green arrows are spring migration routes and the rust arrows are fall corridors.
To view or print in color, download this MAP. Higher quality is HERE.
To view or print in black and white, download the BW MAP. Higher quality is HERE.
Thanks to members of the Montana Bird Conservation Partnership and the Raptor View Research Institute for advice, and thanks to Debbie Leick for crafting this map.
Bridger Raptor Migration Count & Annual Festival
Montana Audubon monitors fall raptor migration at the Bridger Mountain site just north of Bozeman. This is the most important Golden Eagle population monitoring site in the Western US, and we have run this project, in collaboration with HawkWatch International, from 2009-2012.
We had another great season. Thanks to all who ventured up to the site. We look forward to 2013.
Hawk Watchers are needed every fall for ~ 2 months. We hire two technicians to monitor migration, and volunteer watchers are most welcome to give our surveyors an occasional day off.
- Count dates: ~ September 1 – Nov. 5
- Count location: NE of Bozeman. The crest of the Bridger Mountain ridge above the Bridger Bowl Ski Area, on the heli-pad directly above the top of the ski slope.
- To be considered as a volunteer, contact Steve during spring 2013.
Project Overview: 
The purpose of this project is to continue the long-term monitoring of migratory raptor populations using the Bridger Mountain Flyway, with an emphasis on Golden Eagles.
This project was begun by HawkWatch International (HWI) in 1991, and has continued each season since.
During the past decade the Golden Eagle counts have declined. These declines have been corroborated by eagle counts taken at several other sites in western North America. The specific cause of these eagle declines is presently unknown, but is possibly due to deleterious changes in habitat and the associated prey base. More study is needed to determine the cause of the population decline, as well as its severity and extent. Annual scientific counts in the Bridgers are essential to assess population trends of this widespread, top-of-the-food-chain, avian predator.
This project was dropped by HWI in 2009 due to limited funding. A partnership between HWI and Montana Audubon has allowed the project to continue. All data collected are forwarded to HWI so they can continue to measure regional raptor population health and trends over time.
Funding: Montana Audubon is looking for funding to support these surveys. The US Forest Service (Gallatin National Forest) and Bozeman-based Sacajawea Audubon Society often provide project support annually. This year NaturEner USA is also providing valuable financial support, along with individual donors. We continue to rely on donations to support our research and conservation programs. If you would like to donate to the Bridger project, please, contact Steve Hoffman 406.443.3949.
Findings: Read our reports describing each year's results: 2011 Report, 2010, 2009.
osprey and baling twine
This is a project of some of our colleagues -- we like to help promote it!
Ospreys like to line their nests with soft materials, such as moss, grass, and lichens. As they are searching for suitable nesting material, they also tend to pick up baling twine left in fields. Because baling twine easily tangles in the Osprey’s sharp talons, it has been shown to entangle and kill about 10% of Osprey chicks and many adults.
Picking up all baling twine from fields is an easy way you can contribute to conservation of Osprey. A brochure on this issue can be downloaded HERE. Please consider sharing with landowners. A group of individuals and organizations in Missoula have been working on this issue. For more information, e-mail projectosprey@mso.umt.edu.
osprey along the Yellowstone river
Part of the project consists of monitoring the Osprey nest sites for activity and determining how many young are produced. Chapter members and volunteers are assigned nest(s) and observe them throughout the spring and summer, recording any activity seen. The most important observations are shortly after the Osprey return and begin nesting activity – usually April - and again in mid to late July to count the young Osprey before they fledge and leave the nest. Any other observations during the summer would be great too. If you would like to volunteer to help with these surveys or want more information, contact Monty Sullins at 652-3615 or 861-2442
For information contact: Amy Cilimburg, Director of Bird Conservation, at 406-465-1141