South Valley County, Montana

I wound up not doing the shorebird survey I had planned, but I did head out to collect some Greater Sage-grouse feathers on a lek I hadn't gotten to yet. It was a great day to be out and I found between 1000 and 1500 Wilson's Phalaropes and 5 Hudsonian Godwits on a stock reservoir. The godwits are particularly rare in MT and it is only the second time I have seen this species. Lots of other species have arrived and the sage is starting to fill up with the summer residents. Swainson's Hawks, Lark Bunting, Willets, Marbled Godwits, Loggerhead Shrikes, Brewer's Sparrows, and McCown's Longspurs. I even had a gorgeous Peregrine Falcon fly alongside the vehicle and then land in a dead tree just off the road (far enough not to be able to get a decent picture though). Here is a sample of the sights from today:


Horned Lark

Vesper Sparrow


McCown's Longspur

Mountain Plover

American White Pelican


Bluebells

Evening Primrose

Bluebells

Purple Bluebells