It’s a great time for winter birding

By Reader Staff

It’s a great time to key into late winter migrants and early spring arriving bird life! Come join a group of hearty birders on Saturday, March 24 as Friends of Scotchman Peaks presents a program entitled “Winter Birds.”

The group will meet at the Heron School and Community Center in Heron, Mont., at 9 a.m. MST.

After a brief chat explaining some birding handouts, the group will immediately hit the field sites to quietly examine riverside, wetland, and timbered edge habitats in pursuit of spotting birds of prey, waterfowl, woodpeckers and songbirds.

In addition, participants will hunt for roosting birds, owl pellets, tracks, sign and listen for vocalizations.

Please come prepared with lunch, water, binoculars, spotting scopes, good winter boots and snowshoes if you have them. Full gas tanks and potential car pooling appreciated.

This field program entails short, moderate hikes and is free to the public. The class will wrap up around 2:30 p.m. MST.

To register, email Annie at annie@scotchmanpeaks.org or call (406) 475-2847.

Instructor Brian Baxter is a field ornithologist, has 17 years teaching and 40 years experience in the woods. Baxter always makes it a fun learning experience! Bring your cameras as you never know what you might discover.