Bitterroot Outdoor Journal – Hummers Arrive

The birds have been regularly arriving in Western Montana and Bob Danley of the Bitterroot Outdoor Journal reported 170 species so far in Missoula County and 144 species in Ravalli County, with 9 new species last week. He's using the online ebird lists, by the way. It's a great way to see all the different varieties that are here. Highlights are the Blue-winged Teal, White-faced Ibis and the Rufous and Calliope hummingbirds. Don't forget - you don't want colored water in your hummingbird feeder. Just regular transparent sugar water will bring 'em in. Songbirds are gettin' noisy in the mornings. Warblers, sparrows and more.

Bob is looking for butterflies, too. He's seen Tortoiseshell and Sara Orangetip (See photo below). He's counted 23 kinds of wildflowers, including Arrowleaf Balsamroot, Blue-eyed Mary, Bulbous Woodland Star and, of course, Dandelions!