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INSTITUTE FOR FIELD ORNITHOLOGY | |
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INSTITUTE FOR FIELD ORNITHOLOGYOrnithology Field Camp: Flathead Lake and Western Montana FULL 23-31 August 2008  Black-backed Woodpecker - © Bill Schmoker The word Montana is Spanish for "mountains", and no place in Montana has a higher density of mountains than western Montana. And when you ask most Montanans, "What is the prettiest, well known mountain lake in Montana?" Flathead Lake will win the vote hands down. Our base of operations for this educational ornithology field camp will be none other than Flathead Lake Biological Station, in Yellow Bay on the shores of Flathead Lake. The glacial lake called Flathead Lake will be our principal outdoor laboratory, but we have many nooks and crannies to explore such as the Continental Divide and the valleys of the Rocky Mountain Trench. Our goal is to study avian ecology in this basin/range topography, while hopefully capturing bird migration in progress. This course is designed to go beyond bird listing and ticking, but to add an adventurous ecological perspective while being out "in the field" with the elements. Our seven day immersion "ornithology field camp" will involve a combination of classroom, field, weather, physical energy, avian ecology, campfire talks and stories, with the ultimate goal of having fun outdoors with a group of strangers from all walks of life. 
Red Crossbill - © USDA D. Herr Topics that will be covered in this course will include: lacustrine and mountain ecology, bird identification, molting strategy, habitat assessment, fledgling searches, bird census techniques, bird behavior, tips on learning bird song, bird migration, conservation. We will discuss and compare life histories of each species we encounter and their ecology, including nesting, food habits, wintering requirements, migration, etc. Again this is not a bird listing workshop, it is an "ornithology field camp" where you can improve your field skills in avian ecology. Target birds for this course will include: Black Swift, Vaux's Swift, Dusky Grouse, Spruce Grouse, Trumpeter Swan, Short-eared Owl, Long-eared Owl, Gray Partridge, Pygmy Nuthatch, American Dipper, Varied Thrush, Red Crossbill, White-winged Crossbill, Gray-crowned Rosy Finch, American Pipit, White-tailed Ptarmigan, Fox Sparrow, Red-naped Sapsucker, Black-backed Woodpecker and Pileated Woodpecker to name a few. Bonuses will include special instruction on raptor identification and ecology, waterfowl identification and ecology, and bird migration.  Terry McEneaney is the staff ornithologist in Yellowstone National Park, and has been in this position for the past 20 years. Prior to this experience, he was employed as an ornithologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for 12 years where he gained valuable field experience throughout the western United States, Canada, Mexico and Greenland. He has lived in 13 towns in Montana, and has birded the Big Sky state for 40 years. Terry is author of three books, Birding Montana, Birds of Yellowstone, and The Uncommon Loon; has authored numerous scientific publications and popular articles in magazines; appeared in periodicals such as National Geographic and Smithsonian; is a consultant and cinematographer guide for Nature, British Broadcasting Company, and Audubon; is a special field consultant for David Attenborough's BBC Series Life of Birds; has guided career ornithologists from all over the world; is a professional birding guide for Field Guides, Inc. and instructor for the Yellowstone Institute; authors "Big Sky Birding" in Montana Best Times; member of the Wyoming and the Montana Bird Records Committees; and is an international lecturer. Field biology is Mr. McEneaney's expertise. It is in the outdoors where he feels most comfortable. And it is at the field biology level where he has made his most valuable contribution. 
White-tailed Ptarmigan - © Bill Schmoker Our setting is Flathead Lake, and this is an absolutely beautiful time of the year to be in Western Montana. Although it is the end of summer it will start to feel like fall. Our entire base of operations will be The University of Montana's - Flathead Lake Biological Station on the shores of Flathead Lake with Missoula, Montana being the nearest airport. We will be housed in small cabins and use the university classrooms at the field station. The instructor believes in daily physical exercise, so hiking, walking, and quick stops are all part of the workshop, even though we will be traveling by van. The goal is to be active and not lethargic. If exercise is not part of your routine, you may want to reconsider this workshop. Being in average physical condition is one of the requirements of the workshop. That means hiking and getting up early are prerequisites. This will require hiking anywhere from 2-8 miles daily (average 2 mile/hr pace), with an elevation gain of 1,000-2,000 feet. Lastly, people who feel a need to whine may not like this workshop. Simply put, no whiners. Also be aware this is not going to be all physical, so those that are looking for that type of experience need to look somewhere else. The "ornithology field camp" will be geared for a moderate physical pace. $1995 Price includes 8 nights lodging, ground transportation from and to Missoula, and all meals (dinner Day 1 - breakfast Day 9). Workshop is limited to 9 participants. ABA Institute for Field Ornithology, ABA |
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