Long-Billed Curlew Initiative

The Long-billed Curlew is an icon of the Great Plains and America’s intermountain grassland basins. It is a relatively large, conspicuous shorebird endemic in short to moderate height prairie. The Long-billed Curlew is a Montana Species of Conservation Concern, and the Montana Bird Conservation Partnership (MBCP) has identified the curlew as a flagship species, or one that is likely to resonate with the public and thus garner support for conservation action. It is declining across its range, but in Montana, healthy populations remain. We’re working with many partners to learn more about Curlews and protect the grasslands and agricultural lands they need to for breeding. Based on curlew presence, threats, and opportunities, we’ve determined the Mission Valley, Helena Valley, Blackfoot Valley, and nearby grasslands are an ideal focal area for our partnership.

One aspect of this initiative includes citizen-based Long-billed curlew monitoring. Since 2014, citizens have helped document hundreds of curlew sightings in and around Montana’s intermountain valleys.

Two survey windows will be available for citizen scientists to participate in this unique effort: April 8th – May 7th, and May 8th – May 31st. The training session for this survey will be held on March 26th at 6:30 pm over Zoom. 

Interested in participating? Email Gwynne at [email protected] and visit our Citizen Science website for resources and information about participating in the Long-billed Curlew Surveys:

Curlews in the Mission Valley and Surrounding Grasslands

The Flathead Indian Reservation and surrounding prairies and agricultural lands host good numbers of Long-billed Curlews. We’re hoping you can help us learn more and conserve this species and its habitat. We began this effort in 2014, and a report of our findings is here.

Mission Valley monitoring reports: 2017,2016, 2015, 2014

Website for Mission Valley volunteers and surveyors.

For Professionals working in the field:  

Curlew habitat management information

• Curlew Conservation Strategies for the Mission Valley. Seven-page guide. 2014
• Long-billed Curlew Conservation Strategies: Focal Areas, Desired Habitat Conditions and Best Management Practices for the western US. 2013. Dan Casey, American Bird Conservancy.
• Status assessment and conservation action plan for the Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americanus). 2009. Fellows and Jones.
• Effects of Management Practices on Grassland Birds; Long-billed Curlew. USGS N. Prairie Wildlife Research Center. 1999. Dechant et al.
• Environment Canada (2013) Management Plan for the Long-billed Curlew in Canada
• Long-billed Curlew from MT FWP’s Field Guide
• NRCS Long-billed Curlew species account

For more information or to help contact Gwynne Rohde at [email protected] or Peter Dudley at [email protected] or 406.443.3949. You may also contact Janene Lichtenberg:  [email protected]

Funding for this project has been provided by the Intermountain West Joint Venture, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Montana Audubon, and in-kind support from many dedicated partners.