Birders prepare for annual counting expeditions
Audubon’s 36th annual Bigfork Christmas bird count will be held Saturday, Dec. 19.
Since 1974, a circle 15 miles in diameter, centered at Streeter’s Corner north of Bigfork, has been the site of the most interesting bird counts in Montana.
Despite the subzero temperatures and deep snow of 2008, last year’s 32 volunteers found 76 bird species.
And three Eurasian collared doves near Somers became the 143rd species seen on the Bigfork count.
This list also includes past winter surprises such as Franklin’s gull, long-tailed duck, snowy owl and swamp sparrow.
Veteran group leaders are typically relied upon to scour their usual areas. They always are looking for additional participants to join in to help Audubon gain a better understanding of the Flathead valley’s early winter bird populations.
Preparation for the Bigfork count begins at Flathead Audubon’s meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 14, at The Summit in Kalispell.
The Kalispell Christmas bird count will be Sunday, Jan. 3.
Last year, Kalispell volunteers tied their previous high of 74 species.
Greater scaup, American coot, Iceland gull and long-eared owl were all new species for the count.
Over the 10 years of the Kalispell count, 109 bird species have been counted.
The traditional start to the Kalispell count is a group breakfast at 7 a.m. at Finnegan’s Restaurant on East Idaho in Kalispell.
Count circle segments (Lawrence Park, Owen Sowerwine Natural Area, West Valley and Evergreen, for example) are assigned and teams are set up for the day’s efforts.
Dan Casey is the compiler for both Kalispell and Bigfork bird counts.
Those interested in participating may sign up and leave their contact information at Flathead Audubon’s Dec. 14 meeting.
Those who want further information about the counts can e-mail Dan Casey at caseys4@century tel.net.
Other local Christmas bird counts include:
n Upper Swan
Saturday, Dec. 19
Contact Jody Wolff at jmw4002@blackfoot.net or 754-4002
n Ninepipe National Wildlife Refuge
Sunday, Dec. 20
Contact Jim Rogers at jmrogers2007@gmail.com or 883-3611
n Glacier National Park
Sunday, Dec. 20
Contact Susan Sindt at sjsindt@hotmail.com or 892-7406