Bitterroot Audubon is working with Montana Audubon to promote and develop the Important Bird Area (IBA) program in our region. For more background on the IBA program in Montana and in other places, please visit Montana Audubon's website.

Bitterroot River Important Bird Area

Bitterroot Audubon adopted the Bitterroot River Important Bird Area in 2008. This IBA encompasses the 500-year floodplain around a 50 km stretch of the Bitterroot River from Woodside (just north of Hamilton) to just south of Lolo. The Bitterroot River IBA also includes the Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge.

More than 240 bird species were found in the initial surveys of the Bitterroot River IBA, with at least 115 species breeding. The numbers of Lewis’s Woodpeckers (42 pairs in 2006) and Red-naped Sapsuckers (47 pairs in 2006) exceeded the respective thresholds for an IBA of continental significance. Surveyors found other species of conservation concern, including the Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier, Wilson’s Phalarope, Short-eared Owl, Pileated Woodpecker, Willow Flycatcher, Great Blue Heron and Red-eyed Vireo.

We always welcome observations of birds within the IBA. To share your observations, either submit them to eBird or use the datasheet we provide.

Bitterroot River IBA Resources:

• Checklist of birds observed in the IBA
• Bitterroot River IBA brochure
• Full-size map of the Bitterroot River IBA
• Map of current eBird hotspots within the IBA
• Our Birds Call This Home, a guide to managing riparian areas for birds
• Information on our focal species from the Montana Field Guide, including Bald Eagle, Great Blue Heron, Lewis's Woodpecker, Red-eyed Vireo, Red-naped Sapsucker, and Willow Flycatcher

Hotspots within the Bitterroot River Important Bird Area:

The Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge is one of the first places a Bitterroot Birder will suggest you visit. The Bitterroot River and associated bottomland forest, as well as a series of man-made ponds, offer a wide-variety of birding opportunities. The Refuge is an especially great place to view waterfowl of all kinds. The Refuge also hosts a number of educational events and has an outstanding Visitor's Center. Please visit their website for additional information.

Checklist for Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge

Checklist for Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge- Waterfowl Lane Drive

Checklist for Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge- Kenai Trail

Checklist for Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge- Wildlife Viewing Area

Other hotspots within the IBA include:

Checklist for Bass Creek FAS

Checklist for Bell Crossing FAS

Checklist for Chief Looking Glass FAS

Checklist for Florence Bridge FAS

Checklist for Poker Joe FAS 

Checklist for Stevensville River Park

Checklist for Tucker Crossing East

Checklist for Woodside Crossing FAS and Teller Trail 

Hotspots outside of the IBA but within similar Bitterroot River habitat:

Checklist for Heironymous Park

Checklist for River Park 

Checklist for Steve Powell Memorial Park