October 24 in western Montana

The neighborhood merlin (Falco columbarius) is back for the fall/winter. There are many mountain ash plantings attracting waxwings (both species) which are the main prey item for this species. Here are photos of the bird perched and in flight.

With success birding on the homefront, ventured to Maclay Flat, USFS property in Missoula, to see other cool stuff. This public land is great just for fall colors without seeing any wildlife.


Bitterroot river looking east towards Hellgate Canyon

Good find was a northern shrike (Lanius excubitor) hunting on far east side (large meadow).



Northern shrike on mullein

Continuing on the trail encountered a set of tracks in the dried irrigation ditch, any guesses as to identity?

Hint: I believe this is from the largest cervid in the world

Fininshing up my walk near the the parking lot, encountered a large group (~18) of Clark's nutcracker (Nucifraga columbiana) feeding on the ground. See the You Tube video of these birds in action at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iciD6QHlTSs

Dragonfly Watching still good, however…

Even up here, road to the Bass Creek Overlook, dragonflies can be found. Variegated meadowhawk is the most likely species to be found up the mountainside; research has found that they migrate via “hilltops”. So if they are migrating, is the dragonfly season winding down? Cool weather in this part of August may portend an early fall. Here is a photo of one 2 days ago:

Joining the many variegated meadowhawk at this altitude was a band-winged meadowhawk. This dragonfly is also very colorful, note the orangish bands on the wings:

Dragonflies are very interesting creatures to study and find; they are unpredictable frequently. Some live only several days as adults; some species have “flight seasons” that are only brief windows of time (sometimes only a month) in which they are out and about recognizable in the adult form. These challenges do lead one to a path of hard work (researching your objective) and employment of detective skills…ultimately one gets a huge sense of accomplishment at the moment of discovery of a new, colorful or rare species. It is great fun. Drop me a note of your field trip successes for these animals.

3-toed and Black-backed Woodpecker @ Frenchtown, MT

Another cool and wet day in western Montana...not complaining as we really need the moisture. It worked out well for outside discovery as I did not get a soaking rain on me while looking for cool plant and animal life. Decided to visit Blue Mountain briefly for wildflowers...then transit over to Frenchtown to check out the "burn area" from the wildfire of 2.5 years ago. Had success in both ventures, photographed several "new" plants and found the two fire-dependent, code 2, woodpecker species. Video clip follows.

Home Migrants

The last two days I've found spring migrants (birds) feeding in my green ash at home. I imagine with the cold temperatures (down to freezing) birds are having a difficult time finding insects to eat. Our ash tree seems to be an exception...it is the home for aphid-like insects...it is a phenomenon repeated annually. Many times these insects are massed at the base of the tree trunk, a whitish-silver pile. Somehow birds find this single tree and find copious amounts of these bugs on the buds/twigs and lodged in crevices. Can you identify the bird species in the photos below?

Waterbirds put on show at Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge

Temperatures starting to warm closer to long-term averages, today low 60's. Shorebirds still a mainstay for wildlife watching as Pond 5 remains drawn down. Digiscoped 3 species today: white-faced ibis, long-billed dowitcher and Wilson's phalarope.

Ibis, along with herons, spoonbills, and storks, form the Order Ciconiiformes in the Class Aves. There are about 119 species worldwide. White-faced ibis are stunning to see with their glossy purple plumage...I can understand why ancient Egyptians worshipped them...for beauty of course :-)

I remember seeing my first Wilson's phalarope, a bird spinning like a top in a shallow wetland in Northern Illinois. It was just as Roger Tory Peterson described in the first field guide I owned. It was empowering!

Dowitchers, well, they are very challenging to identify even in high breeding plumage. Good looks with expensive equipment is usually a necessity. As usual, listening for diagnostic call notes can trump visual features for identification purposes. Today, a single short-billed dowitcher was feeding outside the main group of long-billed dowitcher...identification nailed down when I heard the mellow "tudulu" flight call.

Long-billed Dowitcher @ Lee Metcalf NWR

Shorebirds continue to trickle through on their way to Arctic breeding grounds. Yesterday was no exception as 10 species were detected on Pond 5 of Lee Metcalf NWR (Stevensville). Captured the long-billed dowitcher in action in video below.




On the margin of the shorebird mudflat is our most colorful blackbird...and nothing like a yellow-headed blackbird erupting with its' locomotive-like song.

Marsh Wren @ Lee Metcalf NWR

No FOY (first of year) migrant bird species were detected on the Refuge today. Still, observed some good birds for my month list with long-billed curlew flyby (giving the curlee' call) being a highlight. Was able to film a "gurgling" marsh wren fairly well. I'd like to say these birds are cute, maybe because they aren't seen as easily as heard. Enjoy the short "news reel".