Osprey ecology and nest monitoring focus of Flathead Audubon Society's meeting

Flathead Audubon Society’s Conservation and Education Coordinator, Jess Garby, will take attendees into the wonderful world of osprey on Oct. 12.

The talk is part of the society's meeting beginning at 7 p.m. in Room 26 of the Gateway Community Center. 

These widespread birds of prey are uniquely adapted to life around water, with specialized feet and remarkable hunting skills that allow them to catch fish from rivers and lakes. Ospreys are also accomplished travelers, migrating thousands of miles between their breeding and wintering grounds.

This talk will explore osprey ecology, behavior, migration, and the unique challenges these birds face. Garby will also introduce a new research project focused on monitoring osprey nests in the Flathead Valley. By keeping a close eye on these nests, community scientists hope to better understand Osprey populations and identify potential threats to their health and success.

Garby's background is in raptor migration and research. She has spent years studying hawk migration at various hawk count sites and has participated in multiple seasons banding western diurnal raptors. She has been involved in an ongoing osprey research project in Missoula that examines the presence of heavy metals in nestling ospreys. Through her work, Gaby hopes to deepen the understanding of these fascinating birds and help guide conservation efforts to protect them for generations to come.

Room 26 is on the east side of the building along Glenwood Drive in Kalispell. Look for the banner outside.

For information on how to attend by Zoom, or how to get an audio connection by phone, contact [email protected].