December 30, 2022 The nest sits in the middle of the hawthorn in front of us, silent and inscrutable. We contemplate it, tucked securely among […]
Counting the birds of LaValle Creek in the fog
December 17, 2022 The snowy parking lot along the LaValle Creek Road is framed by frosty branches and a gray blanket of fog this morning. […]
Winter chickadees and nuthatches on the Upper Swan Valley CBC
December 15, 2022 The Swan River slips gently under the snowy bridge where the Cold Creek Road crosses it. A pileated woodpecker flies past, its […]
The Fort Missoula Ponds: a hotspot for biodiversity
December 7, 2022 When it comes to birds around Missoula, Montana, the Fort Missoula Ponds have a reputation. “When you fly over Missoula, you can […]
Missoula’s winter ducks in the teeth of the Hellgate wind
December 10, 2022 The forecast called for an easterly wind this morning, and it’s impossible to ignore here along the pedestrian trail that follows the […]
Ducks, raptors, and more at Lee Metcalf NWR
November 20, 2022 It’s -3°F this morning at the Bitterroot Valley’s Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge. Frost coats the tan cattail stems in thick, furry […]
Finding winter fruits, birds, and more in Greenough Park
November 17, 2022 It’s a cold, sunny morning in the parking lot of Missoula’s Greenough Park. There are eight of us gathered here, carrying binoculars […]
Attacked by pygmy nuthatches: unusual behavior in the ponderosas
October 26, 2022 It was one of the more curious things I’ve observed in the ponderosa pine forest. At first the interaction seemed peaceful. A […]
Kochia: what this despised weed does for fall sparrows
Kochia (Kochia scoparia): the mention of this weed conjures consternation in the minds of many. But when I think of kochia, I think of sparrows. […]
Welcome to Missoula: walking through fall at Kelly Island
November 2, 2022 It’s a quiet day along the Clark Fork River at Missoula’s Kelly Island Fishing Access Site. Deep blue-gray squalls carry short-lived snow […]