of birds have been identified in the area since 1936. Double-crested cormorant and great blue heron rookeries occur on islands and in flooded timber along Fort Peck Reservior. Many species of raptors, such as golden eagles, prairie falcons, ospreys, and American kestrals nest on the refuge.

of the refuge attract up to a quarter million waterfowl during the spring and fall migration. Blue-winged teal, gadwall, shoveler, lesser scaup, ruddy and mallard occur in significant numbers, while pintail, wigeon, redhead and canvasback occur in lesser numbers. Some of these species remain to nest on the refuge and produce up to 30,000 ducklings each year. The refuge has one of the largest white pelican rookeries left in the United States.

to information on:
• Benton Lake NWR
• Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge
....  Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge
• Lee Metcalf NWR
....  Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge
• National Bison Range
• Red Rock Lakes NWR

Bowdoin NWR is a 15,551-acre refuge located in the Milk River Valley of Phillips County in north central Montana. The refuge is approximately half water and half uplands, with the uplands comprised mostly of native short and mid grass prairie. Bowdoin has a history of overgrazing by livestock and sheep, but there has been no grazing on Bowdoin since the mid 1970's. Bowdoin NWR's primary objective is to preserve and enhance resting, feeding and nesting habitat for migratory birds. The refuge attracts migrating waterfowl by the thousands and also provides nesting habitat for breeding ducks and geese.

numbered sites are provided. A hard copy of the map, as well as a bird list, is available for $1 (plus $1 for postage and handling) through the Montana Audubon office.

the Montana Audubon Society. 

provides a "clickable" map to all the Montana Wildlife Management Areas

the Bitterroot River 25 miles south of Missoula, Montana, east of Highway 93 and just north of Stevensville. It's a place for wildlife and man alike. The Lee Metcalf Wildlife Refuge provides a unique opportunity to witness the relationship between tree-nesting geese and osprey.

two options for birding the Bison Range, depending on the time of day and season: the short tour (Buffalo Priairie Drive) and the long tour (the Red Sleep Mountain Scenic Drive, which takes two to three hours to complete).
...

scenic and isolated Centennial Valley of southwestern Montana, approximately 50 miles west of Yellowstone National Park

by Doug and Arlene Ripley. This richly illustrated trip report covers the area from Great Falls, through Banff, Lake Louises and up to Jasper. 

from Blake Maybank's "Birding the Americas - Trip Report and Trip Planning Repository". 

Montana. RME provides guided nature tours, including packages, daylong and custom tours, that are focused on birdwatching and enjoying the natural splendor throughout the greater Pacific Northwest.

Montana--high, wide, and handsome--is the country's fourth largest state. Its immensity accommodates its biological diversity. From great plains, river breaks, mountains, marshes, and alpine tundra, Montana lists about 360 species of birds (260 breeding species), 107 species of mammals, 17 species of reptiles, and 16 species of amphibians. Join researchers for six days of owl hooting, observation, and research. Montana boasts the largest number of breeding owl species in any state or province in the United States or Canada.
• Montana Owl Workshop April 25 - May 03, 2002 (9.0 days - Limit 8) with leaders Denver Holt & TBA
VENT offers nearly 140 tours to over 100 land-based destinations each year and is the largest tour company in the world specializing in birding and natural history.

early summer Montana tour will visit some of the best birding locations in the "Big Sky Country." Montana has long been synonymous with majestic mountains, breathtaking valleys, crystal clear lakes, and wide open spaces. We will combine many of the aesthetic wonders of Montana with some of the most fantastic, off-the-beaten-path birding locations of western Montana. 
• Montana June June 01 - June 10, 2002 (10.0 days - limit 16) with leader Denver Holt and TBA.

....Montana Audubon Bird Festival.  This years event in May 31 - 

June 2 in Livingston MT.  In its third year, the festival features over a dozen speakers and 20 field trips to some of Montana's best bird habitat.  The keynote speaker for the 2002 festival is Dr. Ken Dial from The University of Montana whose research into the origins of flight is groundbreaking.  For more information, email mtaudubon@montana.com.  Registration materials and full program will be ready in early April.

Commerce, 105 E. Main Street, Hamiltron, MT 59840 TEL: (406) 363-2400.

TEL: (406) 754-2262.

celebrated annually in the spring. The big birds (some have wing spans of 6 ft/2 m) return to the park each spring to nest and ride the thermals created in the Badlands. Phone: (406) 365-6256

Contact: U.S. Forest Service, Bozeman Ranger District, 3710 Fallon, Suite C, Bozeman, MT 59718. TEL: 406-522-2520.