Glacier hosts alpine bird BioBlitz
A young Clark’s nutcracker rests a snag in Glacier National Park. The birds used to be far more common in Glacier, but numbers have dwindled with the loss of whitebark pine in the Park.
To celebrate the “Year of the Bird” and the array of birds in Glacier’s alpine areas, the Crown of the Continent Research Learning Center in Glacier Park will host its first Alpine Bird BioBlitz. Participants will work alongside expert birders to document and learn about 12 of Glacier’s alpine bird species.
Park biologist Lisa Bate, will give a brown bag talk on the project from noon to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, July 25 at the West Glacier Community Building. The presentation will include an overview of the 100th anniversary of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 and the Alpine Bird BioBlitz, a guide to identifying the alpine bird species in the field, and a brief look at the survey protocol to be used during the BioBlitz. No registration is required to attend the brown bag presentation. BioBlitz participants are encouraged, but are not required, to attend the Wednesday presentation.
The Alpine Bird BioBlitz will be held on Friday, July 27 at designated locations within the park. The event begins at 6:30 a.m. for most hiking destinations. Event end times will be variable with some hikes lasting into the late afternoon or early evening.
This a free event and is open to the public. Participants should be able to hike moderate to strenuous trails and have some prior birding experience. Registration is required. Visit https://www.nps.gov/rlc/crown/bioblitz.htm to register. Contact CCRLC at (406)-888-7986 or email glac_citizen_science@nps.gov for more information.