Sac Audubon program adds splash of color to wintry Montana March
For its monthly program, Sacajawea Audubon Society will host naturalist Steve Eshbaugh for a presentation entitled “Bringing Color to a Montana Winter.” The event will take place on Monday, March 14th at Hope Lutheran Church, located at 2152 W Graf. The evening begins with a social at 6:30pm, followed by the program at 7pm.
You’re out birding in the spring in Montana, when suddenly a flash of yellow and orange zips by. You immediately identify the bird as a Western Tanager. The bird in your binoculars has no idea what winter is like in Montana. He likely is returning after enjoying a warm, wet tropical forest in Costa Rica where food is plentiful during the colder months here in Montana. The bird will breed here, joined sporadically by Scarlet and Summer Tanagers. The colors of each of these birds is a welcome sight to birders throughout the United States.
Imagine being that colorful, yet when you return south, you’re not anywhere near as eye-catching as some of the other tanager species. Just under 40 species of tanagers provide eye-catching sights in tropical forests. The color palette of many tropical tanagers is almost unimaginable.
As with many bird species, the picture is not all colorful and upbeat. Deforestation of the Amazon in Brazil has landed a few tanagers on the endangered species list. Join for this interactive program that will explore this spectacular group of birds. Your eyes will pop at the colors!
This event will also be presented virtually with registration information available at www.sacajaweaaudubon.org. Masks will be required if attending in-person.
Sacajawea Audubon Society programs are free and open to the public. The events feature a special guest speaker the second Monday of each month, September through May. The organization’s mission is to build on an interest in birds to promote the conservation of our natural environment through enjoyment, education and action. •