Birdathon 2024- Results Are In!
In the days following our whirlwind 24-hour birding marathon, we tallied bird lists from five Montana Audubon staff spread across the state.
Collectively, we visited locations stretching from Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge, in the far northeast corner of the state, to the Elkhorn Mountains near Helena, to Council Groves State Park in Missoula- and many favorite birding spots in-between.
And now, for the grand total (drumroll please….):
168 bird species detected, including 25 Species of Concern!
Some 2024 highlights:
- Nelson’s Sparrow- which has a very limited range in Montana- detected north of Medicine Lake
- Short-eared Owl and Ferruginous Hawk on the prairie outside of Lavina, and Burrowing Owl in a prairie dog town nearby
- Canada Jay in the Elkhorns
- A pair of Yellow-breasted Chats near the National Bison Range
- Purple Martin colony in the town siren in Medicine Lake
- Clay-colored Sparrow and Wood Duck at the Lewis & Clark Fairgrounds in Helena
For the rest of our highlights, see the 2024 Birdathon report (link below!)
Thank you for supporting Birdathon!
Many thanks to everyone who donated to support Birdathon- your donations allow us to continue our critical conservation, policy, and education work across the state. We couldn’t do it without you!
Make a donation to support Montana Audubon & Birdathon 2024
Read the full report here: 2024 Birdathon report (PDF)
