Centennial Valley - Montana Audubon BirdingTrip

This past weekend(May 29-31), Montana Audubon sponsored a birding trip to the Centennial Valley in southwestern Montana, adjacent to the Idaho border. At 6500+ feet, this is one of the highest valleys in the state and offers spectacular scenery and exceptional birding. Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge is the focal point of this area and provides 45,000+ acres of nearly pristine wildlife habitat. It was established in 1935 to protect a remnant population of trumpeter swans. Steve Hoffman, Executive Director of Montana Audubon, and expert birder - specializing in raptors - organized and lead the excursion.

Participants from various parts of the state car-pooled to Belgrade where we picked up two vans to begin our journey. Heading south through the Madison River Valley, the wide open spaces and snow-capped mountain peaks provided a preview of better things to come. Steve's unbounded enthusiasm for raptors became quite evident when he executed a perfect u-turn on the highway so that everyone could get a better view of a prairie falcon he had just spotted on a power pole.

Accommodations in the Centennial Valley are tough to come by, but fortunately Elk Lake Resort located at the east end of the Valley offers comfortable rooms, great food, and very friendly hosts - Craig and Lerrina Collins. Our stay there added measurably to the enjoyment of the trip. The scenic setting was a joy to return to each evening, and the morning sun on the Centennial Mountains was a great beginning to each day.Trip participants ranged from newcomers/novice birders to experts with years of birding experience. No matter what the level of experience, everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. For most, these trips are taken for more than just the birding. Meeting new people, making new friends, enjoying the scenery, getting a little exercise, and many other aspects of the birding experience combine to make excursions such as this memorable occasions. Steve's every present enthusiasm and birding expertise always kept things lively!OH! And then there were the birds! And other critters! For the trip, over 120 species of birds were notched, ranging from the smallest - calliope hummers - to the largest - golden and bald eagles, trumpeter swans, and sandhill cranes. Also noted were 12 or more mammals plus some amphibians. Unfortunately for me, it was a bit too early for my new interest - dragonflies - to be found.

There were mountain bluebirds on the resort cabins.
And white-crowned sparrows in the willows!
Swainson's Hawks liked to sit on fence posts when not hunting ground squirrels.
And sometimes, there was just so many options that folks looked in opposite directions!

The Centennial Valley of Southwestern Montana should certainly be on everyone's list of "must places" to visit!!