They're Back

Wood Ducks, too. They love our little pond in the front of the house and we love them. The true native birds at the feeder alongside side the Ring-necked Pheasants, California Quail, and Eurasian Collared Doves. 

Sandhill Cranes

First heard them on St. Patricks Day for a split second, then several more times as their call travels as far as two miles. Finally spotted a couple yesterday, hurray!

Return Today

"I'm baaaack!" At least we think it's the same Osprey at my neighbor Kathy and Terry's. Early girl, always the female first, determined by the dark "necklace" of feathers, and the last two years on March 23rd. And also both years no young, as the pair abandoned the nest nearly right away last year, perhaps found a better spot. Kathy wonders if it may be due to the new house just to the south. And hey, you House Sparrows! Scram. Anyway, we'll keep an eye and fingers crossed! 

Tim, Miller Barns...

 ...Loves Sibley the Peregrine! He told me to park by the hitching post (for horses!) 

Mission Valley Amish Christian School

What an amazing day in St. Ignatius yesterday, Amish kids grades 1-8, two teachers, and some family members. We were invited by Tim Schrock of Miller Barns, makers of our awesome new Falconhouse. I drove right by the school as I thought it was empty - no cars, then noticed the fleet of bicycles leaning up on one wall. I offered to do a Powerpoint (I called it a "slide show") but no electricity. For lights, hand lit mantles on lines from the ceiling, all wood heat, amazing. These were by far the sweetest kids I have ever met, shy and reluctant to hoot up an owl at the end. But I covered my eyes so they wouldn't be embarrassed and they eventually all joined me in a hoot, after 6 or 7 tries! And this was Taiga the Rough-legged Hawk's first off site program, a NATURAL. Man, really needed a good day, trust me.  Thanks Amish Community, with Sibley for a pose in their back yard.

406 Woman Magazine Story

 Just out this week and 10,000-16,000 printed copies + on line flip-book https://issuu.com/406woman/docs/406_woman_march_april_2025_lifestyle/14  Me So Proud.

Miller Barns to the Rescue

I knew we had to move a bunch of birds with the neighbor's new warehouse, and thought of the buildings by Miller Barns! I was standing front of a gorgeous greenhouse talking to owner Tim Schrock on the phone. "Can you make it 16 feet long, slanted roof, divided in half, doors on either end?" SURE and two weeks later, the new Falconhouse delivered/installed south of the driveway. Awesome, new pals!

Before/After 2

 

Relocation

 In o  In our 25^th year at the Raptor Ranch in the Bitterroot Valley, we have undergone a huge facelift this month. Changes in the neighborhood have required us to relocate half our birds, two to the southern side of the property in a new building after the quiet solitude they enjoyed their entire lives. We have new neighbors and their 80 foot warehouse built by the enclosures.There is a solution thanks to an awesome local business and news on the way.        Before/After

Big Day

We started the afternoon with a visit from our favorite high school science teacher, Vanessa Haflich and her Hamilton senior class. It was our 6th year in a row we guessed (bet I could look that up) and lucked out between snow squalls. Then a trip to Missoula for a Board Meeting that we decided was the opposite of a Bored Meeting. Big news on the way.

  

Quail, Too!

 I keep hearing the name of a place I lived as a kid, "Chicago! Chicago!" and it's all the California Quail in the yard. Beginning of breeding season for these non-native, introduced, everywhere-birds. That's what their call sounds like, but actually we lived in Glenview, Illinois - 1965 or so.

Song Sparrows Singing!

 

Another

Here's another shot from the program last week for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, or MOLLI, U of M. They gave me a little round of applause when I announced I just got my Medicare card - they are all over 50!

 

MOLLI Program

Two hours at the University of Montana Tuesday, Nigel the Golden Eagle and Sibley the Peregrine there 10 years ago. Also Portia and Little Billie our great owls!