“Building on the tradition of special interest in birds, Yellowstone Valley Audubon Society is organized to promote enjoyment and protection of natural environment through education, activism, and conservation of bird habitat.”
Yellowstone Valley Audubon Society hosts a Public Program Series with a featured speaker September through May on the 3rd Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the Mayflower Congregational Church. Members, the general public and visitors to the Billings area who are interested in birds, bird habitat and conservation are invited to join us. YVAS sponsors birding field trips, ornithology classes, the Christmas Bird Count, a monthly newsletter, and various conservation and educational projects. Feel free to contact any Board or Committee member for more information.
For the latest news and updates, see the November/December 2024 newsletter, The Flyer.
Visit us on Facebook – the link is in the upper right-hand corner.
Join a birding trip – 2024 Bird Field Trip Schedule.
The YVAS mailing address is YVAS, PO Box 1075, Billings MT 59103.
Common Yellowthroat by Jim Petek
Short-eared Owl by Jim Pekek
Jim Petek became interested in nature photography 50 years ago. A retired, heavy equipment operator by trade, he is a self-taught amateur who honed his craft by visiting National Wildlife Refuges throughout Montana and the western US pursuing his passion – birds. His images have appeared in numerous magazines and calendars, one of which was chosen by the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History in 1993 to be included in a 3-year traveling exhibit titled “Nature Photography: A Current Perspective.”
His striking photo of Bohemian Waxwings won the “Composition and Form” category in the prestigious, international BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. He traveled to London to receive the award in 2000. Originally from Billings, he is a longtime resident of Red Lodge where you might see him on local outings with camera in hand.
The program starts at 7:00 p.m. at the Mayflower Congregational Church. Coffee and cookies are served at 6:30 so come early. The program is free and open to the public.
Upcoming YVAS Birding Field Trips 2024
Unless otherwise noted, field trips are open to the public and depart at 8:00 a.m. by car from the Rocky Mountain College parking lot on Rimrock Road next to Billings Studio Theater. Make transportation and carpooling arrangements ahead of time if possible.
November 2, Saturday – Yellowtail Dam Afterbay. Meet at Rocky at 8 a.m. Sack lunch. Ron Kuhler, leader.
December 14, Saturday – Christmas Bird Count. Jerry Dalton, leader.
January 1, Wednesday – Annual New Year’s trip to Yellowtail Dam Afterbay. Meet at Rocky at 8 a.m. Sack lunch. Ron Kuhler, leader.
January 5, Sunday – Mid-Winter Eagle Count. Sack lunch. Mike Weber, leader.
Recycle Your Aluminum with YVAS and Support YVAS’ Educational Fund
Aluminum cans, old license plates, signs and other aluminum items (magnet will not attach) can be dropped off in secure bags at 918 Avenue C by the garage or they can be left with a board member at the Chapter Meetings September through May (information above). The refund received go toward YVAS’ Education Fund which supports a variety of projects – educational signs in public parks, Citizen Science Kits at the Billings Public Library and educational projects as requested. If you have several bags, call Larry (406-855-9832) and he will be happy to pick it up.
Killing of Native Migratory Birds to Save Nonnative Fish
Steve Dubois
In 2018, the US Fish Wildlife Service began issuing Osprey Depredation Permits to the Miles City Hatchery allowing them to kill native migratory Ospreys that were eating their nonnative largemouth bass. With the approval of the US Fish Wildlife Service and the Dept. of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services, the eastern most breeding population of Ospreys on the Yellowstone River was lethally removed by the MT Fish Wildlife & Parks’ Hatchery Division at the Miles City Hatchery in less than two years.
YVAS and others immediately protested this practice and the permit process (and continue to). Yet the Miles City Hatchery continues to apply for and receive Depredation Permits from the US Fish Wildlife Service to shoot Ospreys indiscriminately in order to protect nonnative fish.
The Hatchery’s brood stock of largemouth bass spend three summer months at the Miles City Hatchery before being hauled by trucks to the Bluewater Hatchery outside of Bridger, MT, for nine months. Due to an outbreak of invasive New Zealand mudsnails at the Bluewater Hatchery in 2021, the bass brood stock were destroyed in late 2021. In May 2022 another outbreak of the invasive snail occurred at the Bluewater Hatchery.
Still the Miles City Hatchery continues to apply for and receive Depredation Permits from the US Fish Wildlife Service to shoot native species of birds to protect nonnative fish. Great Blue Herons, Double-crested Cormorants and Canada Geese are also included in their Depredation Permits.
YVAS, Earthjustice and others are vigorously pursuing corrective measures to this lethal management of native birds a
nd misguided permit process.
For more information see:
Journal of Raptor Research – Range Contraction of an Osprey Population Following Lethal Control at a State Fish Hatchery in Montana by Dr. Marco Restani
Billings Gazette – FWP’s Bluewater Hatchery contaminated by mudsnails 2nd time in 2 years
Shooting Birds at the Miles City Hatchery (070821) and Protect The Wild Fishing Birds Of Eastern Montana (121321).
We want your photos!
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