California condor

[LaughingHorse]

Just returned to Montana from a three week driving tour of the Sonoran Desert in Arizona and Nevada. The birding was exceptional with the highlight being a California condor soaring over the Grand Canyon's north rim out of Mt. Trumball. Other sightings include: Gambel's Quail, two pair of Sandhill Cranes in the Ruby Valley of NE Nevada (they will be here in a few weeks to nest in our Refuge), turkey buzzards, peregrin falcons, kestrels, redtail, sharp shinned, black and Harris hawks, Golden and bald eagles.
If you are looking for an outstanding opportunity, I recommend the Ruby Lake Wildlife Refuge in NE Nevada. Ducks Unlimited and the NWR are doing an outstanding job of rehabilitating a premier flyway stopover. We were about two weeks too early for the height of the season and yet still cataloged 71 species, mostly waterfowl but a good selection of hawks and falcons.
In our own backyard this morning, the tundra swans (about 20) have taken a few days of R&R on Swan River.
If you're looking for an opportunity to visit Montana, consider the first weekend in June when the first Bigfork Bird Festival takes place in Bigfork. Tundra ptarmagin and harlequin ducks are the featured species, but we also count some 75 songbird and waterfowl species too. Dick Holt and Jack Hanna are on the speaker list. More info go to : bigforkbirdfestival.com.
All for now, Laughing Horse

[Screech]

Boy, sounds like a grand trip. Congrat. on the Condor! That must be something to see. Photo's ???
Enjoyed the read. DU is working with our State in reclaiming a marshy area. Looking forward to some great birdng when completed.Enjoy your Spring!
bob

[Beverlybaynes]

Sounds like you had a fabulous trip, Laughinghorse! Seeing a free-flying California Condor would be a dream come true for me! There are SO few left!!

And I'll have to check out your festival website to see how things are coming along.

[bcurrie]

Sounds great Laughing Horse. Bigfork, spent some time there for a few summers (well near there). But you forgot to mention that after the festival they can then drive to Glacier National Park, a fabulous bit of scenery.

[LaughingHorse]

Hi Brian, Glacier National Park is actually one of the tours we're presenting...Harlequin Ducks and Tundra Ptarmagin. We've also added the NAtional Bison Range and Nine Pipes Refuge.
Sunday, we had several dining guests who had come out to see the Sandhill Cranes at our Swan River Refuge...22 pair most recent count, plus a Northern Harrier Hawk and about 40 very noisy snow geese. I'm heading down there this evening to see if I can get up close and personal. Kathleen