birds

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Veteran Yellowstone birder leads Hayden Valley Hawk Watch

A rough legged hawk takes flight east of Yellowstone National Park.

Throughout the summer, thousands of visitors come to Yellowstone National Park to catch a glimpse of awe-inspiring predators like grizzly bears and gray wolves. But during the fall, there's a different group of apex predators who travel through Yellowstone in search of prey. They often strike without warning, and sometimes go unseen until the fatal moment. Migratory raptors like hawks are a familiar sight in the park at this time of year, and visitors have a rare chance to learn about raptors from an expert, while also helping track birds of prey as part of a citizen science effort that could inform management decisions in Yellowstone. Continue Reading →

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Yellowstone invites visitors to Hayden Valley hawk watch

A rough legged hawk takes flight east of Yellowstone National Park.

On Sunday, September 20, visitors can join Yellowstone Raptor Initiative volunteer Katy Duffy as she explores the spectacle of raptor migration in Yellowstone National Park’s Hayden Valley. The Hayden Valley Hawk Watch is a great opportunity to watch and learn about raptors, their ecology, and their migration strategies. Continue Reading →

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Parks celebrate migratory birds with weekend field trips

Sandhill cranes are among the birds participants may see during an annual event to count migratory birds across North America.

Visitors and residents across the region are invited to celebrate International Migratory Bird Day in Grand Teton National Parks this Saturday, May 9, and in Yellowstone National Park on Saturday, May 17. Observed each year in May to support avian conservation, International Migratory Bird Day serves as the hallmark outreach event for Partners in Flight—an international conservation program with a goal to reverse dwindling populations of migratory birds by bringing attention to factors that contribute to worldwide declines. Continue Reading →

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Yellowstone and Grand Teton celebrate Migratory Bird Day

Sandhill cranes are among the birds participants may see during an annual event to count migratory birds across North America.

Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks will both be hosting events this month in observance of the 2014 International Migratory Bird Day. Attendees will also have a chance to help conduct bird counts which aid in monitoring and managing wildlife and natural resources in the parks. Continue Reading →

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Cody to launch ‘Spring Into Yellowstone’ birding and wildlife festival in May

Working with a wide range of partners, the Cody Country Chamber of Commerce is launching Spring Into Yellowstone, a birding and wildlife festival that will include guided trips, interactive forums and a trade show May 15-19. Much of the event will focus on bird-watching and photography, as organizers aim to tap into a national community of 48 million self-identified birders who spend more than $35 billion annually on the hobby, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Continue Reading →

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Yellowstone birds in focus for Migratory Bird Day events in park, West Yellowstone

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A National Park Service ranger will lead a bird-watching caravan in Yellowstone Park to view Yellowstone birds in celebration of International Migratory Bird Day. Participants will watch migrating Yellowstone birds as enthusiasts across the continent take part in an annual tally migratory birds in North America. Staff members from Yellowstone National Park and the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center staff will celebrate International Migratory Bird Day on Saturday, May 19, with free programs about Yellowstone birds and a field trip that are open to the public. Continue Reading →

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Grand Teton birds on display during ranger-led event

Sandhill cranes are among the birds participants may see during an annual event to count migratory birds across North America.

A National Park Service ranger will lead a bird-watching caravan on May 12 to view Grand Teton birds in celebration of International Migratory Bird Day. Participants will help count migrating birds as part of an annual tally that takes place across North America. Park ranger naturalist Andrew Langford plans to visit areas throughout Grand Teton National Park that provide great opportunities to locate, identify and record birds as part of the North American migration count. Continue Reading →

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Grand Teton rangers lead free tours to watch sage grouse strut

The greater sage grouse faces pressure from fragmented habitat resulting from development across the West. (Stephen Ting photo - click to enlarge)

Ranger naturalists in Grand Teton National Park will lead early-morning tours this month to watch sage grouse during their annual courtship dance. Each spring, the birds engage in elaborate rituals aimed at helping them find a mate. Male sage grouse perform intricate displays known as "struts" in an attempt to attract females. The struts take place on leks, or mating grounds, and include subtle vocalizations and other highly specific behaviors. Continue Reading →

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