Buffalo and Birds - International Migratory Bird Day comes to the National Bison Range

MOIESE - The National Bison Range will celebrate International Migratory Bird Day on Saturday, May 10, 2008. And, in celebration of the Refuge's Centennial Year, there will be a number of family-oriented activities available.

The big event of the day is the opening of Red Sleep Mountain Drive for the summer season, weather and road conditions permitting, of course. This is a 19-mile, one-way gravel road, which climbs 2,000 feet to the high point of the Range and descends along steep, 10 percent graded hills. Because it travels through a variety of habitats, including grassland and forest, the scenic drive is a great place to see a broad spectrum of birds, as well as abundant wildlife and wildflowers. As an extra bonus, expect to catch a glimpse of baby bison among the herds.

Visitors can attend a number of activities. Sign up for a Beginning Birding Walk starting at 8:30 a.m. This is an easy walk along Mission Creek to see which birds have returned for the spring. Wildlife photographer and author Donald M. Jones will lead a wildlife photography program in the afternoon. Bring your camera and your questions. Trumpeter swans are repopulating the valley, thanks to reintroduction activities by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. Take the opportunity to spend a few hours with these incredible birds. All of these trips have limited space so preregistration is required. Please call the National Bison Range at 644-2211, extension 207 for more information and to register.

Bluebird enthusiasts can join Erv Davis at noon at the Visitor Center for a talk about bluebird habitat and nest boxes. Erv has spent many years monitoring numerous bluebird boxes located on the Refuge and throughout the valley. Following this program, Kate Davis of Raptors of the Rockies will be on hand with a discussion of migration and four Teaching Team birds. Meet Kate at the Visitor Center at 1 p.m.

Don Jones will be available through lunch to autograph his wildlife books, including the award-winning publication, Buffalo Country: America's National Bison Range. Additional activities for the day include special bird video showings, information on backyard bird feeding, trivia contests, coloring pages, and free posters. The Refuge and its scenic drives will open at 7 a.m. Visitors coming in the evening will need to start Red Sleep Mountain Drive by 6 p.m. to complete the trip before the Refuge closes as dark. All Bird Day events are free but fees are charged for the scenic drives.

International Migratory Bird Day celebrates the incredible journeys of migratory birds between their breeding grounds in North America and their wintering grounds in Mexico, Central, and South America. This year's Migratory Bird Day theme is "Tundra to Tropics: Connecting Birds, Habitats, and People." For more information about migratory birds and about events happening throughout the nation, you can check out the website at http://www.birdday.org/imbd_climate.htm.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit http://www.fws.gov