Swifting up High and Under Waterfalls- Amy Seaman, Montana Audubon

The Black Swift is the largest swift in the U.S. and Canada. The Breeding Bird Survey trend analysis shows a 6.3% per year decline from 1966 -2001. They are hard to study since they fly high in the sky to feed on aerial insects and nest on high cliffs or behind remote waterfalls. It takes unique individuals to undertake Black Swift studies. They must be adventurous, strong, fearless, comfortable in remote areas, surefooted, observant, patient and so on and so forth. All of the above describes Amy Seaman and her fellow researchers. On October 17th, Amy will describe the study she and others have been doing and some of their results. 

According to Amy, “This program will share the fascinating ecology of the Black Swift from its distribution, to unique nesting behavior, to its status here in Montana. I will cover the state’s survey efforts including our Montana Audubon efforts over the last three years in Glacier National Park. This park is one of the state’s largest “Important Bird Areas” and is home to the majority of swift colonies that we are aware of in Montana, though many more surely exist in the Mission Mountains, Flathead National Forest, and even here in the Bitterroots. Prior to our efforts, there were known locations of 13 colonies in Montana, and while we haven’t made a ton of headway, we have learned a lot about how to survey in Montana’s remote backcountry. Be prepared for beautiful waterfalls, blurry bird photos, interesting facts, and plenty of speculation as I share what we know about “the coolest bird”. 

Amy Seaman came to Montana Audubon in 2013. She works on the Important Bird Area (IBA) Program and myriad other bird conservation projects. In 2015, Amy became the lead lobbyist at the 2015 Montana Legislative session in Helena. Amy earned her M.S in Biology in 2012 at the University of Nevada, Reno, studying the ecology of olfaction and foraging rodents in the Eastern Sierras. Her teaching experiences are varied, but include several semesters assisting field ornithology. Avian studies have been a focal point for Amy, taking her to Montana locations such as the Madison and Missouri Rivers, Charles M. Russell NWR, Bitterroot Valley, Glacier National Park, far eastern Montana and The Bridger Mountains. Amy has traveled widely throughout the west, and currently resides in Helena with her orange cat. 

Join Bitterroot Audubon to learn about this fascinating bird Monday, October 17th 7:00 P.M. at the Forest Service/ Natural Resources building, 1801 North 1st (north end of Hamilton), west side of HWY 93. Enter on the west side of the building. The Public is invited. Contact Kay Fulton for more information (642-3794)