CFWEP partners with the University of Montana in Missoula to provide the Bird’s-Eye View Education Program (BEVEP). Funding for this program comes from the State of Montana’s Natural Resource Damage Program. The partnership of CFWEP & The University of Montana provides a unified source for watershed education in the Clark Fork drainage as it relates to damages from a century of mining. The Bird’s-Eye View Education Program runs several times a week from June – August at bird banding stations. These events are free and are appropriate for kids and adults of all ages! Come and gain a bird’s perspective on past mining activities, riparian areas, and what current restoration efforts mean to them.

Visit the University of Montana Bird Ecology Lab Website for more information!

Bird Banding Stations

In the spring and early summer, we capture songbirds at sites along the Clark Fork drainage and collect information regarding the birds’ health and breeding condition. This, in addition to the number of species and individuals, provides us information about the level of biodiversity our riparian habitat is sustaining. We also band and monitor osprey, see our osprey education page.

Join Us at Bird Banding!

Are you curious about Montana’s birds? Join the CFWEP and The University of Montana Bird Ecology Lab for a morning of bird banding at one of the dates below!

What can you expect to see & learn by visiting our bird banding station?

• Observe birds “in the hand” and find out what a “brood patch” is.
• Learn why biologists capture and band birds & what kind of data we collect.
• Gain bird ID skills and learn a few common bird songs.
• Find out why riparian areas are so important to birds.
• Learn the history of mining activities in the Upper Clark Fork Basin and the effect those activities had on bird communities.

Bird Banding Dates 2021

Rock Creek	Grant-Kohrs Ranch	MPG Ranch*	Special Events
June 3	June 4	June 1
June 16	June 15	June 14	June 19 @ Milltown State Park
June 24	June 22	June 23	June 21 @ Mt Haggin in Anaconda
July 1	July 2	July 30
July 15	July 14	July 13
July 22	July 21	July 20
August 3	July 29	Aug 2	July 30 @ Dry Cottonwood Creek

* By appointment only. Call Mike at 703-217-7592.

Visitors should plan to arrive at 7:30 am or 9:00 am in order to participate in our program. It is also possible to schedule a visit later in the morning, but birds are at their most active early in the morning. For more information about this program or to arrange a group visit, contact Mike at 703-217-7592 or michael.krzywicki@mso.umt.edu.

Please keep in mind that these programs are weather dependent – if the forecast is for rain or high winds, we may have to cancel – contact Mike at 703-217-7592 for an update.

Visitors should wear shoes and clothes appropriate for hiking near riparian woodlands & consider
bringing snacks or a lunch, as well as water, sunscreen, a hat, and bug repellent (the mosquitoes can be quite numerous!) Bring binoculars if you have them and a camera if you’d like – this unique “bird-in-the-hand” situation creates nice photo opportunities.

Questions?

Want more information? Check out this flier for information about when to arrive, what to bring, and how to get to bird banding sites.

You can also contact Mike at 703-217-7592 or michael.krzywicki@mso.umt.edu