Coeur d’Alene Audubon has arranged for our members to participate in the capturing and banding of saw-whet owls near Polson, MT under the guidance of the Montana Owl Research Institute at the University of Montana Biological Field Station. The Owl Research Institute is located in Charlo, MT. Owl banding, however, will occur at the Flathead Lake Bio Station near Polson, MT.

The deadline for signup closes on September 27, 2024. Please email trip leader Theresa Shaffer at shaffer@gold.uidaho.edu to RSVP and to receive email updates leading up to the event.

This is a late-night event, starting at dusk and ending on October 10th at approximately 11:30 pm. It will be entirely outdoors and as such, is weather-dependent. Dress for weather, bring beverages, bring portable seating and be prepared to relieve yourself in the woods. Short walks are required to get down to the area to check nets; you can also choose to stay in the main area and wait for the net-checkers to return.

UPDATE: There has been significant interest in this event and we have a large group attending. Many of us are planning to stay for several days. For those who are interested in further exploration, chapter president Ted Smith is coordinating side trips to the Ninepipe National Wildlife Refuge late morning/early afternoon on the arriving Thursday and to the National Bison Range on the following Friday after breakfast. Carpooling can be arranged once we’ve all arrived to our destination. Please plan accordingly so you can join in the group exploration.

The suggested donation is $10 per person, but please consider donating more if you are able.