Articles
75 posts
eBird: Checklists, Life Lists and Bird Taxonomy Explained
What eBird is for, how a checklist differs from a life list, why bird taxonomies give different species counts, and how prairie birders can choose regional checklists and apps.
Following Waterfowl Migration with Maps and Reports
How to read duck migration reports, live maps and trackers: what the main sources offer, and how to check dates, coverage and reporting bias before you head out.
Birding and Bird Photography Ethics
A practical guide to ethical birding and bird photography: how to behave around nests, read signs of stress, keep a respectful distance and share the field with others.
Understanding Prairie Pothole Wetlands and Their Birds
What is a prairie pothole? A plain-language guide to these shallow prairie marshes, where they occur, which birds use them, and why water levels matter.
Bird Field Notes and Observation Journals
A reusable bird field notes template you can copy into Word or save as a PDF, with fields for identification evidence, uncertainty, photos and observation conditions.
Birdwatching and Bird Photography from a Car
How to photograph raptors and other birds from a car: set exposure before you stop, use the vehicle as a steady rest, and check stopping rules and disturbance guidance.
Montana Bird Watching: A Planning Guide Centered on Medicine Lake
Plan Montana bird watching around Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge: choosing a season, comparing trip approaches, and the details to confirm before you go.
Bobolinks at Medicine Lake, Montana
Are bobolinks found at Medicine Lake, Montana? What the refuge's official species list confirms, which other grassland songbirds it lists, and what it leaves unanswered.
Montana prairie birds and grassland habitats
A cautious reference to Montana prairie birds and grassland habitats. It covers what the supplied evidence supports, where to find a verified species list, and which questions remain open.
Birding packing list
A practical birding packing list and planning sequence: core optics and field gear, how trip length and transport change what you bring, and which rules and conditions to confirm before you go.