I went for a hike up to Lava Lake and extended it to a trudge up to Tabletop Mountain. The hike itself was great if not tiring. Not much in the way of birds, but a few butterflies. A lot of water is flowing in Cascade Creek. I found a couple of Golden-mantled Ground Squirrels at the rocks around the lake.

Panoramas

Map and Google Earth

Google Earth KML

This evening I went for a quick jaunt up Leverich Canyon. Both Swainson’s and Hermit Thrushes were singing along with McGillivray’s Warblers and Dark-eyed Juncos. I managed to run into both Hairy and American Three-toed Woodpeckers in the Douglas-fir forest above the old mine. The first orchids of the year were seen – Fairy-slippers as well as Trillium.

Trail Information

Every year (well almost), Sam Koenen and I make a trip to the Pryor Mountains and specifically Bear Canyon for bird species that cannot be found elsewhere in the state or are very difficult to find. These include Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Canyon Wren, Blue Grosbeak, and rarities such as Black-throated Gray Warbler. Full trip report at WilderTrack.

Our route took us first to Itch-Kep-Pe Park near Columbus and Barb Jaquith’s house in Red Lodge. The park produced White-breasted Nuthatches and a multitude of songsters. The sunrise was spectacular and Barb’s house kick ass as usual. At Red Lodege, there was lots of interesting variations of plumage coloration among the Red Crossbills. There was also a female Broad-tailed Hummingbird and several Cassin’s Finches among the Pine Siskins.

Leaving Red Lodge, we headed for Bear Canyon. When we arrived the morning was cool and ground was actually damp. Immediately, the Rock Wrens and Dusky Flycatchers were singing. We found many Blue-gray Gnatcatchers as the Sagebrush Lizards scurried in the undergrowth. White-throated Swifts were very active and vocal. Say’s Phoebes were in abundance as well. Besides the birds, we had several great butterflies; Acmon Blue, Melissa Blue, Sagebrush Checkerspot, Nevada Skipper and Juniper Hairstreak.

Leaving the canyon, we headed towards Gyp Spring for Mountain Plovers (hopefully). As we drove to the spring, we turned up Loggerhead Shrikes and Sprague’s Pipit. Arriving at the spot, we started scanning the short vegetation for the plovers, and there it was, a lone Mountain Plover followed by woo-hoos and high fives. After this we decided, to keep driving until we were south of the border – the Wyoming border that is. We had no maps or experience in this area, but we managed to come out at Cowley, Wyoming. We headed back into Montana and stop at the traditional Blue Grosbeak spot, and we could not find any grosbeaks. We did, however, turn up a Northern Mockingbird (my second state record). I managed a few documentation images. From here we headed back to Bozeman.

Full trip report at WilderTrack.

Singing Veery

This morning, I went for a walk along the Sourdough Trail where I was treated to the usual cast of characters. I manage to get a few decent shots and a nice video of a singing Veery, though.

In the afternoon, I decided to go for a hike along the new Drinking Horse Mountain Trail, which is a great route for birding and doing a little flower photography. I was treated to great views of Green-tailed Towhees, Rock Wrens, and a Sharp-shinned Hawk.

On Saturday, Vida and I had a great hike up to Pioneer Falls in the Spanish Peaks area. the hike goes along the beautiful Spanish Creek and culminates at the top of Pioneer Falls, a gorgeous ~50 foot waterfall followed by an extended cascade. Olivia had more than fun kicking it along the trail (I actually believe that she got tired).

Topographic Trail Map

In Montana, we learn that June doesn’t necessarily mean summer. Today, there was several inches of fresh snow in the Hyalites, so I naturally decided to grab Olivia and go for an early morning hike to Arch Falls. The gray skies and heavy, wet snow didn’t make for many photo opportunities, but the stillness of the air and sound of falling snow made for a memorable morning. Not many birds, save for a few American Robins, Golden-crowned Kinglets and Dark-eyed Juncos.

I’ve been largely absent from posting for awhile as I have been having a great life and along with it, too much fun. I’ve shot a lot of frames and seen a few good birds. The highlight of the past few days is definitely the Rose-breasted Grosbeak along the Sourdough (just south of Bozeman). I unfortunately don’t have pics of it, yet (it still there as of noon today). I also managed a Townsend’s Warbler at the Kirk Hill area.

May 20th

May 21st (My birthday)

May 22nd

May 23rd

May 24th

May 25th

This post covers both Saturday and Sunday of an incredible weekend

Saturday

This morning I started the day at the Cherry River Fishing Access with several Cinnamon Teals and a Great Yellowlegs. The surprise was a Columbia Spotted Frog engaged in amplexus with an otherwise dead partner. Seems like froggy love knows no bounds. It was very unexpected to have a frog this early…a nice pleasant surprise. I decided to walk down the trail to the East Gallatin Recreation Area, and I happened upon a deceased Meadow Vole…a bio-geek’s dream. Of course, I had to pick it up and take a documentation pic with the cell phone (camera battery was dead…bummer).

Later in the day, Non-birding Vida (NBV) and I went down to the Bear Trap Canyon on the Madison River for a little relaxation and vino. A Canyon Wren was singing high up on the rocks and Red-breasted Mergansers (a single male and his two “bitches” – NBVspeak).

Sunday

The morning started at the Cherry River Fishing Access where a male Northern Harrier was doing a remarkable display flight that consisted of acrobatic roll and twists. As he was flying by, a Wilson’s Snipe was winnowing overhead, a welcome sound indeed. Three Ring-necked Ducks were swimming in the pond with a multitude of American Coots carrying-on with their squeaks and chases with the participants running atop the glassy surface. An American White Pelican glided overhead briefly as the Sandhill Cranes trumpeted in the open fields. The Killdeer numbers are definitely picking as well.

At the East Gallatin Rec. Area, the spring’s first Tree Swallows were calling and feeding over the cottonwood forest. Richardson’s Ground Squirrels were all over the place.

What a great weekend!

We are very pleased to announce the release of WilderTrack 2.0. WilderTrack is the most comprehensive birding and outdoor-focused web application available. If you enjoy watching and studying the natural world, and you need to be able to record, track, and share your outdoor life easily and quickly, WilderTrack is definitely for you.

With WilderTrack you get access to more than 29,000 species in the current database and the ability to record all of your birding, wildlife, hiking, and other outdoor activities in one simple, easy-to-use online package – no downloading or installing software.

Introducing WilderTrack for iPhone. Finally, there is a listing web application for the iPhone mobile device. Imagine being in the field and simply tapping your iPhone as you record and share your sightings and trips. Entering your data with WilderTrack for iPhone could not be any easier and quicker.

There are a host of new improvements and features to the core software.

• The launch of WilderTrack for iPhone
• Improved performance
• Rare Bird and ID Challenge sighting entry
• Easier sighting entry with new and improved QuickSight

Remember, as a member of WilderTrack.com, you automatically receive access to WilderTrack for iPhone. Just go to wildertrack.com on your iPhone or find the web app at apple.com.

This morning felt like the first day of spring. The sun was bright and warm, and the birds were very active. I went to the Triple Tree trail for a little birding hike with the Wunder-Mutt, Olivia. Right in the middle of this wealthy neighborhood, a herd of ~100 elk were bedding down and chewing their cuds. The herd was mostly cows with a sparkling of spikes and rag-horn bulls. I remember this area when it was the Meyers’ Ranch, seemed like there were a lot of elk in those days. Now this place is a series of Mac-mansions of 10 acre parcels.

Along trail, there were American Goldfinches, Pine Siskins, and Mountain Chickadees. These were joined by the ever-present chorus of Black-billed Magpies. As the trail enters the Douglas-fir forest, there were Brown Creepers and a multitude of Red Crossbill. I was able to watch these “Montana Parrots” as they called to one another and went from tree to tree. I could hearing the cracks of cones being pried open with the specialized bills. The Red-breasted Nuthatches were calling with such numbers and fervor that the resulting sound seemed to be almost syncopated.

Along the sun soaked ridge, a pair of Clark’s Nutcrackers were in the treetops, and one of them was carrying seem nesting materials (a sure sign of spring). This species has always held a particular place for me, and seeing them today was special and reassuring. A Cooper’s Hawk went overhead as I started to descend and I won’t mention the part where I slipped on the needle-covered ice into my arse.

A full trip report is at WilderTrack