GOBIRD MONTANA

See you out there

BOOK AVAILABLE

MY MONTANA BIRDS

$39.95

If you have an interest in Montana birds (or know someone who does), this book is for you!
Written by an expert civilian scientist with over 30 years in the field, My Montana Birds is a collection of stories, photographs, and articles that give the reader insight into bird classification, birding ethics, general birding in Montana, birding resources, and how to select and clean binoculars and scopes.
The book also includes a list of the bird species recorded across the area by Lewis and Clark, a glossary of technical terms, and indexes to make finding what you are looking for even easier.
You can obtain a copy by sending a check to Bird Squawk, Gary Swant, 800 St Marys, Deer Lodge, MT 59722 also by VENMO.

OUR STORY

Gary Swant was a biology and field ecology teacher for 25 years in the Upper Clark Fork River drainage before starting GoBirdMontana in 2009. The vision was guiding people who were interested in birds of Southwest Montana, and to develop a stewardship attitude for all things related to birds in our spectacular high elevation corner of Montana.

Since that beginning, we have branched out into field research sampling the density and diversity of birds as it relates to the ongoing remediation work along the Clark Fork River, in association with the cleanup from the 1908 flood. Work has been done for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Montana Department of Environmental Quality, Atlantic Richfield and British Petroleum, along with municipalities along the river. Highlight awards have been: Montana Audubon - Citizen Scientist Award, 2016 and Montana Wildlife Society - Wildlife Conservation Award, 2018.

Caleb Lashway, Gary's oldest grandson, has a natural affinity for all wildlife, especially birds, which began at age 2 when they went birding together. He grew up in East Africa became a proficient world birder and is now a partner in GoBirdMontana leading birding tours and conducting field research.

We especially enjoy guiding individuals and small groups along the various ecosystems of Western Montana’s lakes, streams, mountains & prairies.

GUIDED TOURS

All tours are:

Six to eight hours

$150 for first person, $50 for each additional person

$0.54 per mile after the first 100 miles

Lunch provided

BYOB: Bring your own binoculars

Contact Caleb to book:

(406) 531-9821

helmetvanga@gmail.com

GEORGETOWN AND EAST FORK RESERVOIR

This area is rich with mountain species such as Western Tanager, Evening Grosbeak, Great Gray Owl, Pileated Woodpecker and Pine Grosbeak. In the Fall, the reservoir attracts a variety of scoters, loons and grebes.

WARM SPRINGS WMA

We have documented 217 species at this Wildlife Management Area (WMA) and it is rich in waterfowl and shorebirds as well as passerines. Species of interest in this area are Greater Scaup in the Spring, Red-Necked Grebes and Black-Crowned Night-Herons in the Summer, and a variety of shorebirds in the Fall.

DUTCHMAN WETLANDS

The Dutchman Wetlands is one of the largest natural springs in southwest Montana. There have been 126 species identified in this area including Virginia Rail, Sora, and Long Eared Owl.

BANNACK AREA

This high elevation sagebrush grassland holds several species that are unique in the state of Montana such as the Sagebrush Sparrow and Gray Flycatcher. Other birds of interest in this area are Sage Grouse, Burrowing Owl, McCowan's Longspur, and Sage Thrasher.

BROWN'S LAKE AREA

This area of Montana is characterized by glacial potholes and Ponderosa Forest. Birds of interest in this area include Black Tern, Red-necked Grebe, migrating Pacific Loons, and forest birds such as Townsend’s Warbler, and Olive-sided Flycatcher.