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INSTITUTE FOR FIELD ORNITHOLOGY

2007 IFO Ornithology Field Camp Report

Instructor: Terry McEneaney • 5-10 June 2007 • Great Falls, Montana

Our "ornithology field camp" was even better than I envisioned as an instructor. Everything came together—good camaraderie, weather, cooperative birds, fine canoeing, and a backdrop and setting that befit the very best of ornithology field camps. As a field ornithologist for over 33 years, this field camp matched some of the best I have ever experienced. For an instructor it couldn't have been better. And for the student it rivaled some of the best forms of field instruction and learning, being in the field for an extended period of time. Our setting for the June 2007 IFO "Ornithology Field Camp" was the famed Missouri River below Great Falls and on the edge of the "shining mountains". And as we found out, the country hasn't changed that much since Lewis and Clark's time. Our base camps were very close to the original Lewis and Clark campsites, as we paddled our canoes down 48 miles of the Missouri River.

First we compared the site where Lewis and Clark made their first bird checklist in 1805, and compared it to present day observations(2007). Interestingly enough, only seven bird species were recorded during Lewis and Clark's time at this site, whereas we tallied approximately 34 bird species including the same species found at this site during Lewis and Clark's time. The river has changed somewhat, but the feeling of being on our own "corps of discovery" field trip made it even more worthwhile.

The trip had multiple highlights including: birding by canoe, tent camping, excellent food, spectacular scenery, broad landscapes, rich history, interesting hikes, campfires, weather changes, living with and near birds, and a cornucopia of stories all related to birds and experiences with birds. Again this was not a bird listing workshop, it was an "ornithology field camp" where the goal was to improve personal field skills in avian ecology. We reached all our target birds and then some: Burrowing Owl, Golden Eagle, Prairie Falcon, Brown Thrasher, Least Flycatcher, American White Pelican, Red-naped Sapsucker, Osprey, Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier, Long-billed Curlew, Swainson's Hawk, Sharp-tailed Grouse, Lark Bunting, Gray Partridge, Short-eared Owl, Common Nighthawk, Yellow-breasted Chat, and Chestnut-collared Longspur to name a few.

We ended up tallying 120 species of birds in 6 days, including nests of at least 20 different bird species. Interesting bird behaviors included: a close view of a Golden Eagle attacking a Canada Goose; Sharp-tailed Grouse displaying on a lek; a Western Meadowlark on a nest crawling with ants; a Red-tailed Hawk attacking a Golden Eagle; antics near a Prairie Falcon eyrie; an American Kestrel attacking a Red-tailed Hawk; close looks at Ferruginous Hawks; Am. White Pelican feeding techniques; 6 Common Nighthawks resting on day perches; Brown-headed Cowbirds, American Kestrels, and White-throated Swifts copulating; a family of cottontail rabbits in camp; and a prairie rattlesnake rattling to name a few. If you add in the spectacular cliffs, canyons, arches, dikes, and river coupled with camping and canoeing with adventurous people, it was an "ornithology field camp" that will not be forgotten. It was delight to teach such fun and adventurous students. A good time was had by all.

Terry McEneaney, Ornithologist, Yellowstone National Park

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ABA Institute for Field Ornithology, ABA
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