Local Spots To Pass The Time

Finally got out and went BIRDING!!!

I just did a little loop of 3 wetlands today and found some cool stuff.


The first marsh is on Fairview Crossroad, thus named Fairview Marsh. Here I found AT LEAST 12 Black Terns!! The most I have ever seen in one spot in Montana. Other birds around were Red-necked Grebes, Eared Grebes, Cinnamon Teal, Yellow-headed Blackbirds, and Common Yellowthroats....the usual marsh crew.

The fields held large amounts of Savannah Sparrows. Singing all day.

Next on the list was Montford Road Pond.

- Brewer's Blackbird panting

This really scummy pond had several families of American Coots as well as a family of Ruddy Ducks, and Cinnamon Teal. The Teal were actually diving completely underwater. They didn't stay down there very long but it was a new behavior I have never seen before.

Anyone good with dragonflies????

This one looks really cool...

(edit) Many thanks to Chuck Carlson for the ID to this dragon: A "Twelve-spotted Skimmer"

No ID for this one...I am still looking.

- Red-tailed Hawk

The last pond was on....well I seem to have forgotten the name of the road it was on, but I got a yearbird! BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD. Surprising I have went 7 months without seeing one here.

- Song Sparrow

The Hummingbird brings my total yearlist to 185.....sad. I need to get out more!!