Urban Birding in the Flathead Valley

Join Flathead Audubon Society Board Member Michell De Leon Tyler and Flathead Conservation District Conservation Program Manager Jessie Walthers for a relaxed, beginner- friendly bird walk at Whitefish Riverside Park in Whitefish on Whitefish Riverside Park offers a bea......More

Join Flathead Audubon Society Board Member Michell De Leon Tyler and Flathead Conservation District Conservation Program Manager Jessie Walthers for a relaxed, beginner- friendly bird walk at Whitefish Riverside Park in Whitefish on Whitefish Riverside Park offers a beautiful mix of riverfront habitat along the Whitefish River, mature cottonwood trees, and shrubby edges that attract a wide variety of birds. Weâll stroll along the paved and gravel paths at a comfortable pace, with plenty of time to stop, listen, and observe. Possible sightings include Ospreys and Bald Eagles along the river, Belted Kingfishers, Cedar Waxwings, Red-naped Sapsuckers, Black-capped Chickadees, American Goldfinches, Yellow Warblers, and other migratory songbirds using the riparian corridor. No experience needed. Binoculars will be provided. Wear comfortable shoes, and dress for the weather. All experience levels are welcome! Restrooms available. To sign-up, please email Michell at [email protected]

Riverside Park in Whitefish, 504 Baker Ave, Whitefish, Montana, 59937, United States

Wild Mild Trail Field Trip

Join Sela Hardy on the Wild Mile trail in Bigfork for a chance to view and hear many of our early migrants. We should be able to see a few warbler species and others, such as American Dipper and possibly, Northern Waterthrush!  This trail is flat and two miles one way......More

Join Sela Hardy on the Wild Mile trail in Bigfork for a chance to view and hear many of our early migrants. We should be able to see a few warbler species and others, such as American Dipper and possibly, Northern Waterthrush!  This trail is flat and two miles one way, although it is unlikely that we will walk the entire trail. There is a pit toilet around the halfway point and ample shade in case it is a hot day. We will meet on the west end of the trail, closest to downtown Bigfork, and go to the beginning of the dam, if not farther, depending on how many birds we encounter. Bring water and binoculars. Sign-up is required by emailing Sela at [email protected].

Urban Birding in the Flathead Valley

Join Jess Garby, Conservation & Education Coordinator for Flathead Audubon, and Jessie Walthers, Conservation Program Manager for Flathead Conservation District Conservation for a relaxed, beginner-friendly bird walk at Riverâs Edge Park in Columbia Falls on Saturday Ma......More

Join Jess Garby, Conservation & Education Coordinator for Flathead Audubon, and Jessie Walthers, Conservation Program Manager for Flathead Conservation District Conservation for a relaxed, beginner-friendly bird walk at Riverâs Edge Park in Columbia Falls on Saturday May 16th at 10am. This park has walking trails along open meadows, river edge habitat, and near a small pond, perfect for spotting waterfowl, songbirds, and raptors. Weâll walk at an easy pace,with time to stop, listen, and learn. This walk is great for families and people new to birding. Binoculars will be provided. Restrooms available. Wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather. All experience levels are welcome! To sign-up, please email Jess Garby at [email protected]

River’s Edge Park, 501 4th Avenue E, Columbia Falls, Montana, 59912, United States

Bike & Bird Kalispell to Kila

Join the dynamic duo, Jess Garby and Derrick Rathe, for a rewarding âBike & Birdâ outing. We will bike about 24 miles on a gravel path designed for both cycling enjoyment and wildlife observation. This trip will take approximately four to five hours, allowing plenty of ......More

Join the dynamic duo, Jess Garby and Derrick Rathe, for a rewarding âBike & Birdâ outing. We will bike about 24 miles on a gravel path designed for both cycling enjoyment and wildlife observation. This trip will take approximately four to five hours, allowing plenty of time to stop, scan, and appreciate the birds along the way. It is a scenic loop with a moderate elevation gain (711 feet cumulative), suitable for riders of varying experience levels. Along the way, weâll stop at key habitat areas to look for local bird species. Derrickâs bike will be equipped with a dog cart carrying a scope, basic tire repair gear, and a first aid kit. Restrooms are available at three locations: Kelly Rayâs gas station in Kila, the bike path trailhead in Kila, and at the Smith Lake Fishing Access Site. Kelly Rayâs will also serve as our primary water and snack refill stop, so plan accordingly. Participants should bring their own water, snacks, tire repair kits, and binoculars. This is a great opportunity to combine adventure, birdwatching, and community! Whether youâre an avid birder, a casual cyclist, or both, this trip offers a fun and accessible way to experience the area. The ride is limited to ten participants and sign-up is required. You must provide your own bike and be comfortable with the 24-mile distance and a cumulative elevation gain of roughly 711 feet. Contact Jess Garby at [email protected] to sign up and receive the meeting location.

Warbler Weekend

Flathead Audubonâs annual Warbler Days at Tally Lake will be held this year from Friday, May 29, through Sunday, May 31. Join us at the Tally Lake Campground for an extraordinary three days of birding and relaxing. This is an ideal time of year to find a wide variety of......More

Flathead Audubonâs annual Warbler Days at Tally Lake will be held this year from Friday, May 29, through Sunday, May 31. Join us at the Tally Lake Campground for an extraordinary three days of birding and relaxing. This is an ideal time of year to find a wide variety of migrant and resident birds. The campgroundâs group pavilion will be our central gathering place. It provides cover from rainy weather and a fire ring for warmth, equipped with cooking grates. We will have an optional potluck meal at the pavilion on Saturday evening. Please bring firewood, if you have it, and camp chairs for sitting around the fire. There is plenty of space for tents and campers for those who want to spend the nights. Camping and day use will be FREE, courtesy of Flathead Audubon.

Tally Lake Campground, Tally Lake Camp C Rd, Whitefish, MT, 59937

Smith Lake Whitefish Field Trip

Please join Flathead Audubon and Whitefish Legacy Partners for a morning of early summer birding at Smith Lake, north of Whitefish. FAS Conservation and Education Coordinator Jess Garby and Pileated Post editor Molly Miller will be on hand for a quiet morning, listening......More

Please join Flathead Audubon and Whitefish Legacy Partners for a morning of early summer birding at Smith Lake, north of Whitefish. FAS Conservation and Education Coordinator Jess Garby and Pileated Post editor Molly Miller will be on hand for a quiet morning, listening to birdsong and searching for nesting sites on the shores of this tranquil lake. Binoculars will be available for those who need them, but feel free to bring your own.  Sign-up is required at https://www.whitefishlegacy.org/event-details-registration/birding-with-flathead-audubon-1. Be advised, there are NO bathroom facilities of any kind at Smith Lake.

Wings Across the Big Sky Festival

Join us June 12 through 14, 2026, for the Wings Across the Big Sky Festival! Both Montana Audubon and Flathead Audubon Society are celebrating 50 years, so we’ve been hard at work putting together a birding festival to commemorate the incredible history of both organiza......More

Join us June 12 through 14, 2026, for the Wings Across the Big Sky Festival! Both Montana Audubon and Flathead Audubon Society are celebrating 50 years, so we’ve been hard at work putting together a birding festival to commemorate the incredible history of both organizations.  The festival will feature prominent raptor biologist and conservationist, HawkWatch International founder, and former Montana Audubon executive director, Steve Hoffman, as the keynote speaker. In addition, field trips are planned to various locations in the Flathead Valley, including local conservation areas, state parks, and private properties under conservation easements, not normally accessible to the public. Special trip topics will include birds and native plants, and bird photography. You will even have the opportunity to join a bike and bird outing along Going to the Sun Road in Glacier National Park! Registration opens in March 2026, and brochures will be mailed to you in the coming weeks. We look forward to seeing you there!