Dear Montana,

Montana Audubon is buzzing with activity this summer, and this month is no exception.

Our Science Team has been busy conducting surveys for Black-billed Cuckoos and riverine birds, as well as many ranch surveys. Citizen science surveys for Chimney Swifts in Eastern Montana will be starting soon, our Conservation Ranching Assistant recently attended Innii Days in Browning, MT, while the Montana Audubon Center has kicked off summer camps and programs. We also hosted our annual Wings Across the Big Sky festival this month!

With so much going on, it's hard to take a break, but everything we do serves a purpose and is important. We appreciate your support, as we couldn't do all of these projects, surveys, and programs without you. Thank you!

Yours in Conservation,

Eastern Montana Swifts are back in town!

With the summer solstice bringing us longer days, you may have noticed Chimney Swifts chittering overhead as they busily forage above eastern Montana’s small city skies. Right now, these small swifts are attending chicks in their tiny, partially cup-shaped stick nests in chimneys all over Eastern Montana, but we know little about their full state-wide range!

We are turning to citizen science to help us understand more about these energetic, urban birds. To get started, we are hosting a live, in-person training event - a “Chimney Swift Night Out.”

Unlike searching for other swifts, Chimney Swifts are best surveyed in towns and near buildings with large chimneys! Surveys are short, occurring 30 minutes before until 30 minutes after sunset, with observers stationed for a short time at selected chimneys. 

Join us to learn more about the survey and this cool bird in Billings at the Montana Audubon Education Center on Tuesday, June 27th. 

Please email Amy Seaman (aseaman@mtaudubon.org, 406-210-9449) if you are interested in this fun project!

The Montana Audubon Science Team has kicked off yet another busy, multi-project field season with a 4-day training session followed by several surveys on the Missouri River near Fort Benton and Loma. This summer we are continuing our partnership with the University of Montana Bird Ecology Lab (UMBEL) on the Black-billed Cuckoo Project and the overlapping Madison/Missouri River Riverine Bird Surveys Project. Since some of the project technicians will conduct surveys along nearly 400 miles of river, we spent a lot of time discussing river safety and practicing proper boating techniques in addition to the usual intensive visual and auditory bird identification training. As soon as everyone on the crew felt comfortable surveying along unpredictable river stretches, we were sent out to survey several long-term monitoring sites between Carter Ferry, Fort Benton, and between Loma (Wood Bottom) and Coal Banks.

A fun note about cuckoos! The Director of Conservation Ranching (ACR), Christian Meny, and Avian Specialist Bo Crees recently surveyed one of the ACR ranches in south-central Montana and were surprised to find 6 different Black-billed Cuckoos in dense thickets lining several upland coulees on the ranch. Although this was not a part of the Black-billed Cuckoo Project, it will be interesting to see if Anna Kurtin will end up finding cuckoos in similar habitats within the cuckoo study area. Stay tuned!

Image: One of six Black-billed Cuckoos observed by Christian Meny and Bo Crees

In early June, Peter Dudley, our Conservation Ranching Assistant, attended Iinnii Days at a ranch near Browning. Iinnii Days is a three-day celebration of the cultural and ecological ties to bison, also known as Iinnii in the Blackfeet language. The event includes traditional practices, discussions about bison conservation and reintroduction on tribal land, and delicious Iinnii-centric meals.

The first day of the event started at Chief Mountain, where groups rode horses from Browning and Canada to attend the construction and dedication of a new medicine wheel. The following day was Kids’ Day, which included activities such as scraping a hide, making a par flesh bag, attending discussions, and playing traditional games. This year, bird watching was added to the list, where children were able to pick out Vesper Sparrows and ask questions about the Barn Swallow nest.

The Conservation Ranching team was invited to participate in a panel discussion with other partners of the Piikani Lodge Health Institute's regenerative grazing program. This was a full-circle moment for Peter, who had previously identified common ground between their organizational goals during his first term as a Big Sky Watershed Corps member back in 2021.

On the final morning, a group gathered around a pit roast to enjoy a community meal made from an adult bull. This served as a reminder of the bounty that Iinnii provide. Although Peter had to head home before the Iinnii Days Horse Races that evening, he is looking forward to attending next year's event.

Image: An Eastern Kingbird perches on a lodge at Buffalo Spirit Hills Ranch

It's June, which means the start of summer at the Center! We're thrilled to bring back our summer camp programming and welcome all the kids. While summer may mark the end of some things, it also brings new and exciting opportunities for everyone. It's a chance to break from routine and embrace the unknown. For our young nature enthusiasts at the Center, we can't wait to show you all the wonders of the natural world this season.

Join us for our upcoming programs to ignite your curiosity and embark on a journey of exploration:

• Bat Night Hike: June 23rd, 8:30pm to 10pm
• Nature Nuts: Tuesdays, 10am to 11am
• June 27th's theme: Tick-a-palooza!  
• Morning Bird Strolls: July 8th, 8:30am to 10am
• Weekend Wonders Family Program: July 8th, 10:30am to 12pm
• Side by Side Nature Painting: July 15th, 3pm to 5pm

For more information on programs, visit our website.

The annual birdathon event has come and gone, but the opportunity to support this great cause is still available. For those who may have missed the event, or were unable to participate, there is still a chance to make a difference. Donations can be made to help fund important bird conservation efforts and continue to raise awareness about the importance of protecting these magnificent creatures. Even small contributions can make a big impact in preserving our natural world. It is important to remember that every little bit counts and any support is greatly appreciated. Thank you for considering donating to this important cause.

Wings Across the Big Sky 2023

Wow, what an incredible weekend at our Wings Across the Big Sky festival! We just wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who came out to join us in exploring the stunning variety of bird species that call Montana home. It was truly a sight to see, with about 147 different bird species spotted on Saturday alone!

We also wanted to give a special shout-out to Sneed Collard, who came out to be our keynote speaker. Your insights and knowledge about birding and nature were truly inspiring, and we're so grateful for your participation.

And of course, we can't forget about Senator Jon Tester, who accepted Montana Audubon's Conservationist of the Year Award. Your dedication to preserving Montana's natural beauty is truly commendable, and we're honored to have your support.

Looking ahead, we're already excited for next year's festival in Helena. We'll partner with the Last Chance Audubon Chapter to make it an even bigger success, so mark your calendars now! Thanks again to everyone who made this year's festival such a memorable experience.

Donate $100 or more and receive our Wildlife Guide or our popular Bird Guide. Give $200 or more and get both!