Things You'll Need:
- Bird watching guide
- A spotting scope or binoculars
- Sunscreen
- Water
- Notebook
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Step 1
Begin bird watching in Montana at the Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge and find some of the best bird watching in the northern states. Established as a migratory bird refuge, this north-central Montana birding hot spot also provides breeding and nesting grounds for grassland songbirds and colonial nesting water birds. The threatened Bald Eagle, Piping Plover and Peregrine Falcons also can be seen around the refuge.
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Step 2
Go up to northwestern Montana, where the Swan River National Wildlife Refuge offers birders a chance to see some of the more than 170 species of birds which have been identified. This refuge, located 38 miles southeast of Kalispell, has a variety of habitats which offer nesting and breeding cover to waterfowl, songbirds and raptors. In the winter, Canada Geese, Whistling Swan, Mallard and Goldeneye Duck are easily viewed.
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Step 3
Travel to the Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge and easily find dozens of species of birds. Such northern species as Whooping Cranes, Sandhill Cranes, Tundra Swans, and boreal-forest-nesting warblers stop at the refuge during their migrations. At least 106 species have been identified as nesting here. Located near Medicine Lake in northeastern Montana, this refuge is one of the finest birding spots in the state.
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Step 4
Find an out-of-the-way spot along the Montana Birding Trail. This trail offers one-day, two-day or even weeklong bird watching activities. Select from birding hot spots along trails through Glacier, Bitteroot and the Missoula areas. There are several places to stay and dozens of activities to keep even the most active bird watchers busy.
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Step 5
Print maps, checklists and guides before leaving for a Montana bird watching trip (see Resources below). Montana has a lot of scenic landscape to enjoy.
