Yellowstone Valley Audubon Society

06/13/2026

Tuesday, June 16th, Megan O'Reilly & Daniel Johnson of Montana FIsh, Wildlife & Parks will lead a YVAS field trip to the Yellowstone Wildlife Management Area (near Pompeys Pillar).
To participate, meet at the Bundy Bridge Fishing Access by 8:00 a.m.
The route from the fishing access to the WMA includes gravel roads; you will want the usual outdoor supplies such as water, snacks, and insect repellent.
Participation is free and open to the public.
https://myfwp.mt.gov/fwpPub/landsMgmt/siteDetail.action?lmsId=39754640

For more information and a schedule of future field trips seehttps://yvaudubon.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-FIELD-TRIP-SCHEDULE-Update-KN-4.13.26.pdf

Travel 28 miles east of Billings on I-94, take the Pompeys Pillar exit 23. Turn northwest onto Highway 312 and follow it westward past Pompeys Pillar and turn north onto Bundy Road, cross the Yellowstone River and travel up the hill for less than a mile. Turn west onto Bozeman Trail and follow it fo...

06/10/2026

This Saturday, June 13th, you can experience one of our favorite field trip destinations--Bear Canyon, a Montana Audubon designated "Important BIrd Area" in the Pryors. Stan Health will lead the walk up the canyon. Be prepared for weather and hiking over uneven terrain; bring food and water.
Participation is free and open to the public. We will meet at the south end of Bridger at the little park along US-310 by the statue of Jim Bridger, and plan to leave from there at 7:30 a.m.
For more information and a schedule of all YVAS field trips seehttps://yvaudubon.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-FIELD-TRIP-SCHEDULE-Update-KN-4.13.26.pdf

06/09/2026

Some of the stars of today's YVAS birding field trip in the Red Lodge area: An Ovenbird singing loudly, a female American Redstart trying out a nest under construction, a Yellow-rumped Warbler of the Audubon's/Myrtle intergrade variety, and a female Bullock's Oriole.
Our next field trip is this Saturday, June 13th, when Stan Heath will lead birders on a walk up Bear Canyon (Pryors). For details, see:https://yvaudubon.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-FIELD-TRIP-SCHEDULE-Update-KN-4.13.26.pdf

Photos by Ginny Waples

06/05/2026

You can explore the Red Lodge area from a birding perspective on Tuesday, June 9th with Stan Heath and Susan Hovde who will lead a YVAS field trip there. Be prepared to start out from the Red Lodge Town Pump at 8:30 a.m. Bring water and provisions and leave pets at home.
Participation is free and open to the public.
For more information and a schedule of YVAS Field Trips (June has a generous selection), seehttps://yvaudubon.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-FIELD-TRIP-SCHEDULE-Update-KN-4.13.26.pdf

06/01/2026

Saturday's forecast: Sunny with a high probability of good birding! Stan Heath & Susan Hovde will lead a June 6th field trip on a backroads route from Columbus to Bridger Creek, traveling through a variety of habitats including fields, burnt forest, creek bottom, and canyon.
Participation is free and open to the public. To join the adventure, meet by 8 AM at Itch-Kep-Pe Park (Columbus). Expect gravel roads, pack food & beverages, and leave pets at home. For more information about YVAS field trips seehttps://yvaudubon.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-FIELD-TRIP-SCHEDULE-Update-KN-4.13.26.pdf

Photo: Western Tanager (foreground) and Yellow-rumped Warbler (background).

05/30/2026

The first egg of the year to hatch in a Yellowstone Valley Audubon's Osprey Project nest was announced on May 25th! The 39-day incubation period is almost over for many more ospreys along the Yellowstone River.
Pictured: A female osprey incubating low in the nest. Her mate has arrived with a fish and is offering to take a turn at incubating the eggs. A successful pair will vigilantly guard their eggs from predation and endure rain, hail, snow, frost, heat, and wind. We suspect two nests of having failed this spring due to windstorms.

05/28/2026

If you missed hearing Yellowstone National Park biologist David Haines speak at our May 18th program, you won't want to miss Brett French's story. If you were at the program, you won't want to miss reading this either.

330 species simply pass through Yellowstone. Of those, 150 stick around to breed. only 49 species live in the park year-round — including ravens, magpies and owls.

05/22/2026

Do you want to do more bird-friendly planting? Audubon Magazine has answers to your questions.

Got questions? We have answers.

05/20/2026

Yikes! Are you in need of birding therapy? We have two more May field trips--one or both might be just what you need.
Saturday, May 23rd is a birding exploration in the Stillwater River/Woodbine area. Participants meet 8:00 a.m. at Itch-Kep-Pe Park, Columbus.
Tuesday evening, May 26th, we will enjoy a birding walk through Riverfront Park, Billings, beginning at 5:00 p.m.
Participation is free and open to the public.
For more information about YVAS Field Trips and the 2026 schedule seehttps://yvaudubon.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-FIELD-TRIP-SCHEDULE-Update-KN-4.13.26.pdf

Photo: Gray Catbird at Riverfront Park by Ginny Waples.