News Release

Park Hosts First Alpine Bird BioBlitz

Date: June 28, 2018
Contact: Lauren Alley, 406-888-5838

West Glacier, MT.  – 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 (CCRLC) will host its first Alpine Bird BioBlitz. Participants will work alongside expert birders to document and learn about twelve of Glacier’s alpine bird species.

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 [e-mail] for more information.

In advance of the BioBlitz, all interested members of the public are invited to attend a brown bag presentation by park wildlife biologist, Lisa Bate, on Wednesday, July 25 from 12:00-1:00pm at the West Glacier Community Center. 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 focal 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 Year of the Bird is a year-long celebration of birds and marks the significance of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, signed in 1918. Organizations like the National Park Service have joined with the National Audubon Society, National Geographic, Bird Life International, and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology to celebrate birds and encourage actions to protect birds and their habitats.

Visit the Crown of the Continent Research Learning Center events page for more information on other learning opportunities offered this summer.