Naturalist Field Days
Enjoy the beauty and majesty of Montana’s winter raptors while learning key identification techniques, anatomy, and behaviors. Naturalist Brian Williams will begin the day with an in-class orientation and a series of journaling exercises to reinforce field mark recognition. We will then move into the field to practice our skills and gain greater understanding of raptor behavior and ecology with Denver Holt of the Owl Research Institute.
Nine Pipes and the Mission Valley provide spectacular raptor viewing opportunities including: rough legged hawks, harriers, kestrels, merlins, bald eagles, red tails and more.
- We will meet at the Montana Natural History Center and travel by bus to the field site.
- Please bring warm clothes, walking shoes/boots, water, lunch, snacks, a journal, binoculars (MNHC as pairs to borrow), and an ID guide of your choice (MNHC has copies to borrow).
Recommended reading:
- Hawks in Flight by Pete Dunne, David Sibley, and Clay Sutton (Brian’s Favorite)
- Hawks from Every Angle: How to Identify Raptors by Jerry Liguori
- A Photographic Guide to North American Raptors by Brian K. Wheeler
- Raptors of the West: Captured in Photographs by Kate Davis, Rob Palmer, and Nick Dunlap
Please call 327-0405 to register. Space is limited. Full payment due upon registration.
Date: Saturday, February 2nd We are sorry, this class has filled.
Time: 9:00 am- 5:00 pm
Location: Meet at the Montana Natural History Center, 120 Hickory St.
Cost: $80/$70 MNHC members. Some scholarships are available.
For more information about Naturalist Field Days and Course Schedule, please visit our Master Naturalist page.
