RaptorView Research Institute

08/26/2026

Part 2 of this rescue story just went out to our newsletter subscribers! If you like adventure you’ll appreciate this one. A bucket truck, a ni**le peck (ask Rob) and a wad of bailing twine. All in a days work!!

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08/18/2026

Pony Palace Rescue part 1:
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This one was a total team effort and required a flurry of logistics to attempt a rescue of a fledgling osprey entangled in twine and bound to a branch in a giant cottonwood tree. We want to thank Scott Nelson of Nelson Tree Service for his truck and expertise in dicey lifts. We also want to thank Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks staff Torrey Ritter and Aubrey Sullivan. And none of it would have happened if it weren’t for a concerned citizen who saw a dangling osprey and took the time to call it in. Seriously, it’s a team effort.

Let us know in the comments if you want the whole story emailed to you. Part 2 drops next week

07/28/2026

RVRI staff with volunteer and bird enthusiast Logan Ackerman banding osprey nestlings in our hometown McCormick Park in Missoula. Big thanks to Logan and all the volunteers who help RVRI with conservation and education efforts. We asked Logan to share her WHY for volunteering

“I volunteer with RVRI because birds have always been my passion. I grew up out in the country in Oregon and have raised and shown poultry as long as I can remember. I have always been extremely passionate about birds and conservation, especially birds of prey. I work with raptor view not only to gain experience, but pursue my future career in raptor conservation. Additionally I am an intern at Wild Skies Raptor center this summer and will continue to work with both RVRI and Wild skies throughout my school years at UM. I will be heading into my sophomore year studying wildlife biology at UM. I think volunteering with Raptor view is amazing because not only am I gaining necessary experience, I get to make connections and contribute to an incredible research group. I’m incredibly grateful to have these experiences as I’m doing something I love and care deeply about”

05/25/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/194KmNE3Ym/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Sometimes a shot can have impacts far beyond its intended target. Three eagles have died of lead poisoning so far this year after rescue attempts at Wild Skies Raptor Center.

05/15/2026

05/01/2026

Rob headed to Helena, MT early this morning to rescue an adult female Osprey with several feet of baling twine tangled around her leg. Entanglement like this is a major—and often fatal—threat to both adult and young Osprey.

We are the only organization in Montana equipped to safely capture free-flying Osprey, an incredibly complex and delicate process. With some luck, we can reach her before the situation turns deadly—whether from getting snagged in a tree or caught on a utility pole. Time truly matters.

You can be part of the rescue.

Missoula Gives kicked off yesterday and I times through today, and we’ve been offered a generous $5,000 matching grant. Thanks to early support,we’re already nearly halfway there!

Help us reach our $10,000 goal and make rescues like this possible. Visit the Missoula Gives link (below) to donate.

Thank you for helping us, help the raptors.

https://share.google/Oeruc338TsLTd1FeN

04/17/2026

Hey friends! Be sure to check out RVRI’s new Science Director, Kylie Denny, as she gives a talk on ospreys on April 20th at 7 PM for the Bitterroot Bird Alliance. Don’t miss it—click the Zoom link to register!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScOkDIHQ4-sss0KxoZ2BVbXsWSUXa6F1nKTZomVr1d56ZR6gQ/viewform