Montana Easement Protects Habitat for Migrant Birds

Photo: © Tom Grey

Red-naped Sapsucker.

Photo: © Tom Grey

 

Thanks in part to efforts by American Bird Conservancy, the Flathead Land Trust recently signed a conservation easement with the owners of one of the highest quality wetlands in the Flathead Valley of northwest Montana. The easement protects 295 acres on the interior of Church Slough, an oxbow of the Flathead River that is heavily used by migrant waterfowl, especially in spring.

Thousands of Tundra Swans, Northern Pintails, and American Wigeon feed here from late March through April on their way north. The property currently provides habitat for Bald Eagles, Ospreys, Sandhill Cranes, Red-naped Sapsuckers, Vaux's Swifts, Willow Flycatchers, and many other birds, and includes the potential for a growing local Trumpeter Swan population.

“There were more swans here this spring than we have seen in years,” said landowner Ben Louden, who has also voluntarily removed his cattle from the land to improve riparian habitat conditions. “We are glad to protect the future of these habitats for the sake of the birds and other wildlife.”

The easement was purchased using funds from a North American Wetland Conservation Act (NAWCA) grant. Dan Casey, American Bird Conservancy's Northern Rockies BCR Coordinator, provided technical support, including identification of bird habitat benefits and field surveys of spring waterfowl at the site, while Susannah Casey, American Bird Conservancy's GIS Technician provided GIS support.

American Bird Conservancy works closely with the land trust and their “River to Lake” Initiative, designed to protect valuable riparian habitats along the Flathead River and the north shore of Flathead Lake. This valley is one of 22 Bird Habitat Conservation Areas designated by the Montana Bird Conservation Partnership, an effort of the Intermountain West Joint Venture.

The Church Slough property was a key site, not only because it is so important to migrant and breeding birds, but because it can serve as an “anchor” property for additional habitat protection efforts along a portion of the river where development pressures have been mounting and family farmers are looking for long-term conservation alternatives for their lands.

“American Bird Conservancy has been a valuable partner in our efforts to achieve our conservation vision,” says Marilyn Wood, Executive Director of the Flathead Land Trust. “We see the protection of bird habitat and our waterways as critical to long-term ecological health and quality of life here in the Flathead Valley.”