The Great Blue Heron is a Species of Concern in Montana, a result of a 2.2% annual population decline measured by Breeding Bird Surveys from 1966 – 2010. Greater concern for colonial nesting species like the Heron is imperative, because they rely on intact river and streamside habitat to establish their nesting colonies or rookeries, and because impacts to one breeding site can impact many individual birds. While numerous rookery sites are active across the state, and many of us have seen large and conspicuous heron rookeries, some of their nesting locations around the state are quite challenging to find.     

Despite these difficulties, standardized surveys and rookery counts are key to conserving this majestic wader. That’s why Montana Audubon partnered with the Montana Natural Heritage Program to see if it was possible to find rookeries using high-resolution satellite imagery from Google Earth and National Agricultural Imagery Program. They have been scanning over selected riparian corridors looking for new and known rookeries, including a section of The Clark Fork- Grass Valley. This search method is what led Montana Audubon to create a new Great Blue Heron citizen science project in 2020. This previous spring was a pilot year for conducting this program, drawing over 30 Volunteers to monitor over 50 rookeries statewide, not to mention, 8 surveys taking place within the Bitterroot valley!

Montana Audubon staff heading up this research and documenting the results are Carmen Borchelt, Big Sky Watershed Corpsmember, and Bo Crees, Avian Data Specialist. 

Carmen grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. She has a Bachelor of Science in Resource Conservation from University of Montana. She has worked in Glacier and Grand Teton National Parks and for the Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks at Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park. She loves conservation and is excited to be at Montana Audubon.

Boaz (Bo) grew up in Israel, where he gained a deep appreciation of nature while hiking with his father. He moved to Michigan with his family and then West for outdoor adventures. He graduated from the University of Montana with a BS in Wildlife Biology and has been in many bird research projects. He has worked as a wildlife technician in every western US state, British Columbia and Mexico. He has worked with Montana Natural Heritage Program and Bird Conservancy of the Rockies. 

JOIN BITTERROOT AUDUBON NOVEMBER 16^THAT 7:00 P.M. ON ZOOM TO HEAR FROM CARMEN AND BO AS THEY WALK US THROUGH THE INS AND OUTS OF THIS UNIQUE PROGRAM. 

MICKI LONG, OUR NEW PRESIDENT, WILL BE SENDING ALL OF YOU AN INVITATION TO JOIN THE MEETING VIA EMAIL. 

Not on our mailing list? Send Micki an email to get a Zoom invite: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

BE SURE THAT YOUR WIFI IS WORKING AND DOWNLOAD THE ZOOM AP BEFORE THE 16^TH.