Peregrine Watchers/Raptor Guardians

2021will be the third year of Bitterroot Audubon’s Bitterroot Peregrine Watch/Raptor Guardian efforts. We help the Montana Peregrine Institute (www.montanaperegrine.org) to document occupancy and/or productivity of Peregrine Falcons (and sometimes Golden Eagles) nesting in the Bitterroot drainage. Peregrines are very active and visible in the lower canyons in April during courtship, and again in July when the juveniles are fledging. Most Bitterroot canyons support a peregrine territory, usually on one of the taller cliff faces within a mile or two of the canyon mouth. Finding them is a challenge but can be very rewarding. We need help in this endeavor because there are so many canyons to monitor in a relatively short time. Peregrine watchers should be able to hike a mile or two up the canyon trails and often need to climb a short distance into talus slopes to get a good view of the cliffs. Patience and concentration are definitely virtues. I often find peregrines within 5 minutes of setting up, but other times it takes several hours. Sometimes I get skunked, but I still hear and see lots of other birds, Pikas and sometimes goats or even bears. Good optics, especially a spotting scope with a tripod, are very helpful. In 2020 I was able to confirm active peregrine territories in 7 Bitterroot canyons during the spring, and other Peregrine Watchers found birds in 4 additional canyons. But many canyons never get looked at. If you’d like a good excuse to get out on the trails in the spring and want to help find these magnificent birds, please contact Dave Lockman (406-381-7679; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or Micki Long (440-221-5256; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). The snow is still deep on the trails, but April will be here before we know it, and the birds won’t wait!

ZOOM ORIENTATION MEETING FOR VOLUNTEERS ON MARCH 30^TH AT 2:00.  YOU MUST EMAIL MICKI TO ATTEND. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.