birding montana
Montana Birdwatching Hotspots
Montana Audubon's Chapters have put out “birding hotspots” maps for certain locations in the state. Below you can access the current hotspots publications or websites:
- Bozeman Area
Map
Text
- Helena Area
Birding in the Helena Area - download pdf
Birds of the Canyon Ferry Wildlife Management Area - download pdf
- Flathead Valley
Birding in the Flathead Basin - download pdf
- Bitterroot-Missoula Area
Birding in the Missoula Area - download map pdf
Birding in the Bitterroot Area - download map pdf
Birds of the Missoula and Bitterroot Valleys - download list
- Great Falls - Upper Missouri Breaks
Field Checklist of Missouri River Corridor Birds - Great Falls River's Edge Trail - download pdf
Official State Bird List
This April 2012 edition of the Checklist of Montana Birds is based on the 7th edition of MontanaBird Distribution. The state bird list is a cooperative project between the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks; Montana Audubon; the Montana Natural Heritage Program; and the Montana Bird Records Committee. Hard copies will be available free of charge at all FWP regional offices and the Helena headquarters, or you can download a copy below.
For best results, use legal-sized paper (8 ½ x 14 inches) and change your printer settings to landscape.
Checklist of Montana Birds, April 2012 version (Acrobat pdf)
Bird sightings -- rare and otherwise
Birders in Montana who want to report or learn about rare bird sightings, or about interesting birds and timings or arrival or departure are encouraged to join the on-line Montana Outdoor Birding Group -- MOB. This yahoo users group is the GO TO place for bird sightings and photos around the state.
There is no longer a "birder's hotline" phone message.
The following is from the MOB website:
The purpose of MOB is to provide up-to-date information on bird sightings from throughout Montana. Many of these reports become records in the Montana Bird Distribution database that is maintained by the Montana Natural Heritage Program. Unusual or interesting sightings are welcome, as are general birding discussions. Announcements about birding trips, field projects, meetings, etc., also are welcome. Many people from outside Montana belong to MOB, but the postings generally should be limited to bird species and events that occur within our state borders. Members are encouraged to share their bird photographs for artistic reasons, as well as to help with identification issues. The ultimate goals of MOB are to promote birdwatching, provide a forum for birders of all levels to increase their knowledge and skill, and most important, to increase our understanding of bird distribution within the state