FULL ITINERARY
Day 1 - Arrival in Kalispell/Drive to Missoula
Departing the airport we will begin birding our way to Missoula. The light stays good until nearly 10pm and we will take advantage of that with an early dinner before birding along the many rivers and streams outside Missoula. A bit of owling once the sun goes down will round out our day!
Day 2 - Missoula to Bozeman
Today we’ll explore the Ninepipe NWR, the National Bison Range and the shores of Flathead Lake in search of Red-necked Grebe, Wood Duck, Common Merganser, White-throated Swift, a number of swallow species, as well as Bison, Elk and Pronghorn. Night in Bozeman.
Day 3 - Bozeman to Roundup
An early start and detour from the main road taking the Beartooth Highway toward northern Yellowstone NP, where we’ll look for Black Rosy-Finch at elevations above 10,000 feet. Then off to Bear Canyon after lunch in Red Lodge to seek some local specialties. Night in Roundup.
Day 4- Roundup to Malta
Our morning begins with a drive through the badlands and open prairie. Along the way we’ll stop at Fort Peck to search for Piping Plover, Red-headed Woodpecker and several oriole species. We will arrive in Malta to enjoy the evening light around the Bowdoin NWR before looking for Eastern Screech Owl around town.
Day 5- Malta
Today will be a relaxing, spent in the shortgrass prairie around the Bowdoin area in search of Virginia Rail, Caspian Tern, Sprague’s Pipit, and Baird’s and Grasshopper Sparrows, with an early night to catch up on rest!
Day 6- Malta to Great Falls
We’ll start on the Missouri Breaks looking for Mountain Plover, Common Poorwill, and Sprague’s Pipit. The Little Rockies at Zortman will offer forest birds such as Clark’s Nutcracker, Cassin’s Finch, and Red Crossbill. Night in Great Falls.
Day 7- Great Falls to Glacier National Park
Venturing toward the high peaks we’ll bird the Front Range and high prairies. Freezout Lake should produce American Bittern and Clark’s Grebe. The new boardwalk through Benton Lake NWR may offer Chestnut-collared Longspur and the rare Baird’s Sparrow. Before arriving in Glacier we’ll seek Alder Flycatcher and McCown’s Longspur.
Day 8- Glacier National Park
Glacier NP is rich in wildlife and fantastic scenery. Alpine meadows full of color, spectacular views and great birding along the world-famous Going to the Sun Road where we’ll seek White-tailed Ptarmigan, Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch and more. Mountain Goats, Bighorn Sheep, Mule Deer and both Black and Grizzly Bears are often seen!
Day 9 - Glacier National Park
Today we’ll explore the Highline Trail and its exhilarating path along the mountain face! We’ll then drop down into the cedar forests looking for Varied Thrush, Northern Hawk-Owl, Le Conte’s Sparrow, and Olive-sided Flycatcher. Afternoon birding may offer Harlequin Ducks, Black Swift, Cordilleran Flycatcher, and American Dippers. Night birding for Barred Owl, Northern Pygmy Owl, and Great Gray Owl.
Day 10 - Return Home
After a couple more birding stops we’ll head to Kalispell for flights home.
Bison still roam the Great Plains as Ferruginous Hawks soar overhead. Long-billed Curlew, Mountain Plover and Piping Plover all breed in this region and we will seek them as we watch for displaying McCown’s Longspurs and singing Baird’s Sparrows. The Marshes and lakes of the Front Range host Clark’s Grebes and White-faced Ibis. The mountains of southern Montana, the Beartooth Range, offer several unique bio-zones where we will seek Black Rosy-Finch, White-tailed Ptarmigan and Northern Hawk-Owl.
