2025 Sacajawea Audubon Society Spring Birding Series
Participants in all trips will meet at the front parking lot of the Museum of the Rockies at 6:45 AM and depart at 7:00 AM unless otherwise noted. Contact the trip leader to reserve a spot and for more details about all trips. If you signed up for a trip, but are unable to attend, please notify the trip leader as others may be on a waiting list. Field trips are limited to a certain number of participants and vehicles. Car pools will be arranged prior to the trip or at the predetermined meeting place. Dress for the weather; good footwear is a must as field trip conditions are not always dry. Bring any food or beverages that you will need during the course of the trips, and some of the longer trips might require that you pack a lunch. An offer to help with gas to the person driving is always appreciated but not mandatory. Please turn off your cell phones and keep unnecessary conversations to a minimum while in the field. We encourage all skill levels of birders to participate. Enjoy a good time with the birds and your fellow birders!
May 2025
May 10, Saturday: Sweet Grass County Prairie Bird Tour
Leader: Beth Madden 406-224-1012 bethmadden64@gmail.com
Full day tour, with option for early departure.
Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day with a trip to the prairies. We will follow an approximately 45-mile driving route through prairie and agricultural landscapes north of Big Timber, with an hour-long walk on some prairie lands. In addition to migrants, we can expect to see early breeders such as curlews, cranes, raptors, and prairie songbirds like longspurs and meadowlarks. Meet in Big Timber (Big Timber is 63 miles east of Bozeman on Interstate 90) at the Town Pump located at I-90 Exit 367 at 8:00 am. Bozeman carpooling may also be arranged. 12-person limit.
May 11 Sunday: Headwaters State Park
Leader: Dave Story 206-718-5940 story.david.m@gmail.com
(1/2-day trip; easy walking)
The Headwaters area includes a variety of habitats, including sage/grassland and riparian, so anything from waterfowl to sparrows can occur. One of the unique features of the Headwaters area are the limestone cliffs, which support several cliff nesting species such as Peregrine Falcons and White-throated Swifts. The park, which is situated along the Missouri River corridor, is an ideal location to observe early spring migrants. Carpooling will be arranged where possible. Meet in the northeast corner of the Target parking lot at 6:45 AM and depart at 7:00 AM. Those wishing to meet at Headwaters area, please make arrangements with the trip leader. 15-person limit
May 18 Sunday: Milligan Canyon and the Headwaters Area
Leader: Woody Martyn 406-224-1476 woodymartyn@hotmail.com
(Until early to midafternoon; 2 miles of easy walking on gravel roads)
This trip begins with a walk through the arid limestone cliffs of Milligan Canyon. Canyon Wrens, Rock Wrens, and Spotted Towhees frequent this dry landscape. Golden Eagles and Pinyon Jays are also a possibility along this portion of the trip. Later in the morning we will explore some of the other areas near Three Forks featuring a variety of habitats, including sage/grassland and riparian, so anything from waterfowl to sparrows is possible. Meet in Three Forks, contact leader for details. 4 car and 12-person limit.
May 21 Wednesday: Bozeman Fish Technology Center
Leader: Travis Kidd 989-820-0078 travis.w.kidd@gmail.com
(Until late morning; moderate walking)
There are several habitat types that come together in this relatively compact area, including the riparian areas along Bridger Creek, the conifer slopes of Drinking Horse Mountain, and the drier slopes of the M Trail. Many of the breeding birds should already be on their territories and actively singing at this date. Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Townsend’s Solitaires, Green-tailed Towhees, Yellow-rumped Warblers, and American Dippers are expected here. Meet at the Drinking Horse Trail parking lot at 7:15 AM 8-person limit.
May 24 Saturday: Glen Lake Rotary Park
Leader: Brian Thorpe 406-581-8544 thorpe_22@hotmail.com
(3–4 hour trip; easy walking; at most two miles)
There are many possibilities at this local birding hotspot. Over 180 bird species have been seen in the recreation area. With a pond, riparian habitat, limited grassland, and mature cottonwoods, we hope to see a good diversity of what Gallatin Valley has to offer during peak breeding season. Species may include flycatchers, Warbling Vireo, Gray Catbird, several warblers, Lazuli Bunting, and Black Headed Grosbeak. Meet 7:00 AM at the Glen Lake parking lot. 8-person limit.
May 25 Sunday: North Cottonwood Canyon
Leader: Woody Martyn 406-224-1476 woodymartyn@hotmail.com
(4-5 hours; moderate walking with some rocky terrain; 5 miles total)
This is an opportunity to stretch your legs and look for some early arriving migrants in the Bridger foothills north of Bozeman. North Cottonwood has a mix of riparian habitat, mature north facing conifers, and relatively dry open south facing hillsides. We’ll be looking for species such as Western Tanager, MacGillivray’s Warbler, Calliope Hummingbird, Lazuli Bunting, Green-tailed Towhee, grassland birds, and raptors that frequent the open country along the first mile of the trail. Meet at Museum of the Rockies at 6:45 AM 8-person limit.
May 28 Wednesday: Sourdough Nature Trail
Leader: Don Profota 406-579-3200 dprofota@gmail.com
(3-4 hours; easy walking)
Enjoy a weekday morning stroll following Sourdough Creek during the peak of migration and early breeding season. We should see and hear a wide variety of flycatchers, thrushes and warblers. During this time of migration there are often some surprises! Some of the neotropical birds nesting here are Northern Waterthrush, American Redstart, and Black-headed Grosbeak. Meet at Museum of the Rockies at 6:45 AM 8-person limit.
May 31 Saturday: Mount Ellis
Leader: Martha Collins 406-579-0506 marthacoll54@gmail.com
(4 -5-hour trip; moderately strenuous walking 3 miles)
During this slow-paced hike of approximately 3 miles, explore a number of habitats on State and Forest Service lands, including grassland, aspen meadow, and conifer forest edge. At this time of year many of the nesting birds, such as Calliope Hummingbirds, Dusky Flycatchers, Red Crossbills, Orange-crowned Warblers, MacGillivray’s Warblers and a wide variety of sparrows will have arrived on their breeding territories. Along with terrific views of the Gallatin Valley, the wildflowers on this walk will likely distract you from the diversity of birds. Meet at Museum of the Rockies at 6:45 AM 8-person limit.
June 2025
June 1 Sunday: Shields Valley Driving Tour
Leader: George and Valerie Nixon 406-219-6169 or 406-219-6170 hawkowl526@gmail.com
(Options for half to full day) The Shields Valley is home to some impressive diversity. When we leave Clyde Park, we will check some backroads and the riparian corridor along Highway 89 for nesting species as well as any migrants passing through. They should be out in force. We will also visit two separate marshes on the tour in search of Marsh Wren, Virginia Rail, and Sora. One of the highlights will be the visit to Cottonwood Reservoir, which can host an impressive variety of migrant shorebirds and waterfowl including displaying Western and Eared Grebes. The nearby sagebrush environs are a good chance to study Brewer’s Sparrow and Sage Thrashers. Finally, we will head up the Shield River Valley drainage to explore some coniferous and montane riparian habitats to round out the experience! Meet at the Clyde Park Post Office parking lot at 7:30 AM for car-pooling. 4 vehicle and 15-person limit.
June 4 Wednesday: Glen Lake Rotary Park II
Leader: Dave Story 206-718-5940 story.david.m@gmail.com
(3–4 hour trip; easy walking; at most two miles)
There are many possibilities at this local birding hotspot. Over 180 bird species have been seen in the recreation area. With a pond, riparian habitat, limited grassland, and mature cottonwoods, we hope to see a good diversity of what Gallatin Valley has to offer during peak breeding season. Species may include flycatchers, Warbling Vireo, Gray Catbird, several warblers, Lazuli Bunting, and Black Headed Grosbeak. Meet 7:00 AM at the Glen Lake parking lot. 8-person limit.
June 7 Saturday: Chestnut Mountain
Leader: Andrew Guttenberg 406-451-5427 afgutte@hotmail.com
(1/2-day; hike of moderate difficulty, 4 miles out and back)
This trail climbs the north slopes of Chestnut Mountain, from Rocky Creek to the back side of Frog Rock. A wide diversity of birds breed here, including several species of woodpeckers, flycatchers, and finches, among them being Olive-sided Flycatcher and Cassin’s Finch. The cool recesses harbor Swainson’s Thrush and MacGillivray’s Warbler. This may be the best local spot to find Ovenbirds. Meet at Museum of the Rockies at 6:45 AM. 8-person limit.
June 8 Sunday: Spanish Creek
Leader: Tim Preso 406-600-3302 presofamily@msn.com
(Until mid-afternoon; moderate walking on forest trail, with several hundred feet elevation gain)
This trip follows Spanish Creek through the Flying D Ranch, to the edge of the Lee Metcalf Wilderness. We will spend most of the morning birding along the road focusing on the grasslands and forest edges. Once at the trailhead there is a juxtaposition of habitats, which support an interesting mix of birds. In one direction the trail borders the wet willow riparian area along Spanish Creek, while going in the other direction, the trail climbs through dry open slopes. Meet at the rear parking lot behind The Jump at Cottonwood Road and Highway 191 at 7:30 AM. 10 person or 4 cars limit.
June 11 Wednesday: Triple Tree Trail
Leader: Woody Martyn 406-224-1476 woodymartyn@hotmail.com
(5-hour trip; moderately strenuous climbing 500 ft, 4 miles)
As this trail climbs the hillside it passes through a number of habitats and transitional edges between them. At the bottom of the mountain, grassland quickly gives way to brushy deciduous habitat as the trail crosses Limestone Creek, where Ruffed Grouse, Calliope Hummingbirds, and Lazuli Buntings are some of the birds to expect. The trail then ascends through Douglas fir and lodgepole pine forests with a wide variety of nesting birds, including Cassin’s Vireo, Swainson’s Thrush, and Western Tanager. This trip features perhaps the greatest diversity of any short hike in the Gallatin Valley.
Meet at Museum of the Rockies at 6:45 AM. 8-person limit.
June 14 Saturday: Bridger Foothills
Leader: Vicki Saab 406-581-7829 victoriaannsaab@gmail.com
(1/2-day trip; easy to moderate off trail walking)
We will spend the morning exploring the burn within the 2020 Bridger Foothills Fire perimeter. This is an opportunity to visit a recent burn and learn about post-fire ecology, including bird responses and relationships to forest fires and burned landscapes. Notably, Black-backed Woodpeckers and other woodpeckers are known to rapidly return to recent burns to feast on the insect life unique to this fascinating change in the ecosystem. Join us to find out what other pioneering birds and plant life can be found in such a recently burned forest. Meet at Story Mill Community Park, 698 Bridger Dr. Bozeman at 6:45 AM. 10-person limit
June 15 Sunday: Mission Creek
Leader: Robin Wolcott 406-581-5418 pajaros@wewolcotts.com email preferred
(Until mid-late afternoon; mostly driving with light walking on roads)
In the rolling prairie just east of Livingston we will seek McCown’s Longspur and Long-billed Curlew. Along Little Mission Creek we will watch for riparian species, then search for residents of the spruce/fir forest. On our return along Mission Creek, we could find a Cordilleran Flycatcher or a Golden Eagle. Over 130 species have been seen along this route including Sprague’s Pipit, Upland Sandpiper, and Green-tailed Towhee. Spectacular views, abundant wild flowers, and wildlife make the trip through the northern foothills of the Absaroka Mountains a trip to remember. After leaving Bozeman, we
will reconvene at Albertson’s parking lot in Livingston at 7:30 AM and then leave from there at 7:45 AM. Car-pooling is essential. 4 vehicles and 10-person limit.
June 18 Wednesday: Little Bear Road
Leader: John Parker 406-586-5863 conundrumjp@gmail.com
(1/2 day trip; 4 miles easy walking on forest roads)
Beginning at its lower end, this road passes through some cottonwood riparian and open grassland hillsides, then winds through aspen glades before moving into the conifer forest. After three miles the road eventually arrives at the mouth of Big Bear Canyon. Time permitting, we’ll walk a mile up the canyon trail. Most of the foothill transition zone birds can be expected on this trip, including woodpeckers, flycatchers, thrushes, sparrows, and warblers. Meet at the rear parking lot behind The Jump at Cottonwood Road and Highway 191 at 7:30 AM. 8-person limit.
June 21 Saturday: Jackson Creek
Leader: Lou Ann Harris 406-600-3585 montlou311@gmail.com
(4-5 hour trip; moderately strenuous walking on forest road 4 miles)
Located near Bozeman Pass, this area features a surprising mix of habitats and birds. We will begin this walk by passing through wet meadows and grasslands, and then follow Jackson Creek into higher elevation conifer forests. This is the beginning of peak breeding season, so most of the birds should be singing and displaying at their best. Over 40 species of birds can be found along this short run of the creek, beginning with cranes and swallows in the open country. As you work your way up the creek, several species of warblers inhabit the willows on one side of the road, while on the dry slopes an entirely different set of birds can be found. Once in the upper forest, some higher elevation birds will begin to make their presence known. Meet at the Museum of the Rockies at 6:45 AM. 8-person limit.
June 22 Sunday: Rocky Mountain Rd Bluebird Trail
Leaders: Janne Hayward 406-587-6124 and Lou Ann Harris 406-600-3585 montlou311@gmail.com
(1/2 day)
Get up close and personal with Mountain Bluebirds. Join blue-birders Janne Hayward and Lou Ann Harris, as they check bluebird nest boxes and band adults and nestlings along Rocky Mountain Road. This is a rare opportunity to get an inside look at the lives of these amazing birds, including nest building, egg laying and raising young.
The participants on this trip will meet at 8:30 AM, at the north end of the Target parking lot. Due to the sensitive nature of the work, we are limiting this field trip to 8 participants.
June 26 Thursday: Beaver Ponds Trail Yellowstone National Park
Leader: John Parker 406-586-5863 birdsightings@sacajaweaaudubon.org
(Full day trip-12 hours; moderately strenuous hiking)
Once we arrive in Mammoth, we will be hiking the 5-mile Beaver Ponds Trail. The diversity of habitats along the Beaver Ponds Trail is unmatched by any other trail of such short length in Yellowstone. The Beaver Ponds Trail features a wide variety of birdlife including grouse, woodpeckers, and many sparrows as it passes through open forests, sagelands, and skirts several small ponds. If time allows, we will cover other locations on the northern range that are close to Mammoth.
Meet at the Museum of the Rockies at 6:15 AM. 8-person limit.
