Audubon program explores reservation's avian diversity

"Avian biodiversity of the Flathead Nation" is the topic of the Mission Mountain Audubon's next community program, 7 p.m. Thursday, April 16, in the Polson Library.

Cara Thompson, a wildlife biologist for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, offers this free talk. Her work focuses on non-game species and biodiversity within the Flathead Reservation, particularly in relation to habitat restoration efforts.

The Flathead Reservation is home to five Audubon-designated Important Bird Areas and the Mission Valley is a raptor, waterfowl, and exotic game bird hotspot. One can find an impressive diversity of avian life, including Trumpeter swans, Common loons, Peregrine falcons, Black swifts, Black-backed woodpeckers, White-tailed ptarmigan, Bobolinks and Brewer's sparrows, all within the 40-mile width of the reservation.

Thompson's talk will dive into what makes this area so special for birds, including the Tribes' habitat and wildlife restoration efforts by its Wildlife Management Program. Her presentation will also discuss the local challenges birds are facing as well as current research and interesting avian-related projects being done on the reservation.

The event is open to the public.

    White-tailed Ptarmigan turn snow-white in winter and twig-brown in summer, making them very deft at camouflage. (Craig Barfoot photo)