The migrating birds are all around with the official start of spring only days away. Bob Danley of the Bitterroot Outdoor Journal noted an increase of species in Ravalli County - 113 at last count. They include turkey vultures, snow geese, greater white-fronted goose, sandhill crane, ring-billed gull and both tundra and trumpeter swans (photo above). The best place to catch a glimpse is the Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge ponds next to the refuge office. Just sit in your car and enjoy the arrivals and departures.
Bob saw some Eurasian Wigeons near Missoula. The duck-sized birds are from Asia and have only been seen in Montana since the 1980s. The male has a dark rufous head color with a creamy forehead and gray body (photo below).
Bitterroot Outdoor Journal
Spring officially is not here, but don t tell the Western Bluebirds. They have started arriving in western Montana and the Bitterroot Valley. Bob Danley of our weekly Bitterroot Outdoor Journal report heard and then spied a Western Bluebird in his back yard in Lolo in the past few days. The little bird is looking for insects and Bob noted the feeding behavior - where the little 7-inch-long bird plunges to the ground to grab an insect and then returns to its perch with its meal. The bird has a dark blue head and wings and orange chest (photo above). It winters along the southwest Pacific Coast and it s now coming back to Montana as spring arrives.
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Bitterroot Outdoor Journal
As winter starts to lose its grip, the birds are picking areas for nesting activities in the area. This week s Bitterroot Outdoor Journal (heard Wednesday mornings at 7:45 on 1240 AM KLYQ and www.klyq.com) had examples of some home-building by the birds.
Bob Danley said avian action is happening along the Bitterroot River, including Wood Ducks, Bohemian Waxwings and soon to arrive - bluebirds. He also noted Red-winged Blackbird songs (photo below) and saw some Dark-eyed Juncos starting to nest.
The larger birds have found their usual favorite nesting places, including the Great Horned Owl. The photo above shows how well the coloring of the bird blends in with the cottonwood tree it has selected. You can hear them at twilight as the dating goes on, starting about 6 p.m. Bob says your chances of finding nesting owls are better on the north end of the Bitterroot and in the Missoula valley. They lay eggs from mid-February through mid-March.
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