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Field Guides Tour Report
MONTANA: YELLOWSTONE TO GLACIER 2013
Jun 13, 2013 to Jun 23, 2013
Terry McEneaney and John Coons

For our tour description, itinerary, past triplists, dates, fees, and more, please VISIT OUR TOUR PAGE.

See this triplist in printable PDF format with media only on page 1.


A herd of American Bison graze the grasslands of the scenic Lamar Valley in Yellowstone National Park. (Photo by guide Terry McEneaney)

The Montana: Yellowstone to Glacier FG tour is without a doubt one of the greatest scenic wildlife trips in North America. What makes this tour so unique is the combination of birds and mammals, cloudscapes and landscapes, mountains and valleys, forests and grasslands, wetlands and riparian zones, glaciers and snowfields, rivers and creeks, and how quickly one can be out there in a land that time forgot, and most importantly, far away from it all. The late Montana historian K. Ross Toole summed it up best when he wrote these words: “East or west there is a profound quietness lying just beneath the surface of the small sounds the earth makes. And within 20 minutes of slow driving from any city in Montana, you are suddenly in it and alone. It has always been there—and you feel it, that old, that primitive affinity for where you came from some limitless time ago”.

As always happens, people new to the Rocky Mountain west are dying to see Yellowstone and rightfully so, for it is an internationally famed wildlife and geothermal paradise. It is easy to be biased about Yellowstone, since it is such a fabulous place. But what catches people by surprise and also captivates their attention, is this lesser known magical mountainous environment called Glacier National Park. Those are the highlight areas of this tour, Yellowstone and Glacier national parks. And the wildlife and scenic wonders found within the confines of these parks are hard to match. But in between is the other Montana, a land with few people---The Centennial Valley, the Rocky Mountain Front, the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, the Rocky Mountain Trench, and the list goes on.

Our efforts on the FG Montana: Yellowstone to Glacier tour paid off big time in personal rewards. We ended up with 182 species (183 taxa) of birds and 28 species of mammals. Highlight birds included: Red-breasted Merganser, Golden Eagle, Ferruginous Hawk, richardsonii Merlin, Krider’s Red-tailed Hawk, Caspian Tern, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Burrowing Owl, Alder Flycatcher, Gray Flycatcher, Boreal Chickadee, Pacific Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Chestnut-collared and McCown’s longspurs, Yellow-breasted Chat, Ovenbird, Fox Sparrow, Clay-colored Sparrow, and Bobolink. Our long mammal list was very impressive as well, with the full compliment of megafauna ranging from predators such as grizzlies, Black Bears, and wolves to ungulates the likes of pronghorn, Bighorn Sheep, bison and Moose. Our trip provided a series of surprises such as super views of a rare Pygmy Rabbit up close, and nice looks at a Snowshoe Hare in summer pelage. Our bird experiences were not too shabby either, and included: a female Peregrine Falcon delivering food to hungry young; a Golden Eagle being harassed by two ravens; Long-billed Curlews being wigged out by a marauding Golden Eagle; flycatching Lewis’s Woodpeckers; an Eared Grebe floating with young on her back; a Ferruginous Hawk being harassed by Lark Sparrows; and a Burrowing Owl greeting sunrise, to name a few.

We traveled over 1800 miles in nine days, and after three years of trying and given the right snow conditions, we finally made it to Logan Pass in Glacier NP from both the east and the west sides. Although foggy and with plenty of snow at Logan Pass, we managed to get Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch and American Pipit. We were some of the first one’s (visitors) on the pass for this year which is good, since the human crowds later in the season can be horrendous.

We ended the tour by going home with fond memories of Montana: Yellowstone and Glacier, and the great time we had exploring the Big Sky Country and the interesting areas and wildlife found within and between. It was the trip of a lifetime, and we are so glad you joined us on this unique Montana adventure. The pleasure is ours indeed!

All the best!

--Terry and John

KEYS FOR THIS LIST
One of the following keys may be shown in brackets for individual species as appropriate: * = heard only, I = introduced, E = endemic, N = nesting, a = austral migrant, b = boreal migrant

BIRDS
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)


A couple of striking male Harlequin Ducks loaf on a rock beside a rushing mountain river. (Photo by guide Terry McEneaney)

CANADA GOOSE (Branta canadensis) – Seen eight of nine field days.
TRUMPETER SWAN (Cygnus buccinator) – Found three out of nine field days, including very good looks at Montana's largest wildfowl.
WOOD DUCK (Aix sponsa) – Seen two out of nine field days. Including a hen with a brood of ducklings.
GADWALL (Anas strepera) – Seen six out of nine days.
AMERICAN WIGEON (Anas americana) – Found seven out of nine days.
MALLARD (Anas platyrhynchos) – Found nearly every day.
BLUE-WINGED TEAL (Anas discors) – Found four out of nine days.
CINNAMON TEAL (Anas cyanoptera) – Found five out of nine days, including one on a nest. [N]
NORTHERN SHOVELER (Anas clypeata) – Found six out of nine days.
NORTHERN PINTAIL (Anas acuta) – Seen two out of nine days.
GREEN-WINGED TEAL (AMERICAN) (Anas crecca carolinensis) – Found two out of nine days-most are nesting.
CANVASBACK (Aythya valisineria) – Found three out of nine days.
REDHEAD (Aythya americana) – Good looks on four out of nine days-mainly along the Rocky Mountain Front.
RING-NECKED DUCK (Aythya collaris) – Found six of nine days in the field.
LESSER SCAUP (Aythya affinis) – Found eight of nine days in field.
HARLEQUIN DUCK (Histrionicus histrionicus) – Found three individuals--two in Yellowstone and one in Glacier. All were drakes.
BUFFLEHEAD (Bucephala albeola) – Found two out of nine days in field--most were difficult to find because of nesting.
COMMON GOLDENEYE (Bucephala clangula) – Found on days one and six.
BARROW'S GOLDENEYE (Bucephala islandica) – Found two out of the nine days in the field. Many still in nest cavities.
HOODED MERGANSER (Lophodytes cucullatus) – Found on day 6 only.
COMMON MERGANSER (Mergus merganser) – Found seven on the nine days in the field.
RED-BREASTED MERGANSER (Mergus serrator) – Found pair on day three on Yelllowstone Lake.
RUDDY DUCK (Oxyura jamaicensis) – Found six of the nine days in the field.
Phasianidae (Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies)
RING-NECKED PHEASANT (Phasianus colchicus) – Found on three separate days, all calling. [I*]
WILD TURKEY (Meleagris gallopavo) – Found on the last day in a meadow by Flathead Lake.
Gaviidae (Loons)
COMMON LOON (Gavia immer) – Found an individual flying at Warm Springs, and others at Yellowstone Lake.
Podicipedidae (Grebes)
PIED-BILLED GREBE (Podilymbus podiceps) – Found on day one only.
HORNED GREBE (Podiceps auritus) – Found a lone individual on day five on the Rocky Mountain Front.


Waiting for sunrise along the spectacular eastern front of the Rockies. (Photo by guide Terry McEneaney)

RED-NECKED GREBE (Podiceps grisegena) – Found quite few on three out of nine days in the field.
EARED GREBE (Podiceps nigricollis) – Found on days one and four and many individuals.
WESTERN GREBE (Aechmophorus occidentalis) – Found on four out of nine days in the field.
CLARK'S GREBE (Aechmophorus clarkii) – Found on two out of nine days in the field, including a pair close-up..
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax auritus) – Found on five of the nine days in the field.
Pelecanidae (Pelicans)
AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) – Found six of the nine days in the field.
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
AMERICAN BITTERN (Botaurus lentiginosus) – Found one individual calling on the Rocky Mountain Front. [*]
GREAT BLUE HERON (Ardea herodias) – Found five of nine days in the field.
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (Nycticorax nycticorax) – Found in the Centennial Valley and on the Rocky Mountain Front.
Cathartidae (New World Vultures)
TURKEY VULTURE (Cathartes aura) – Found five of nine days in the field. Over the decades Turkey Vultures have been increasing in Montana.
Pandionidae (Osprey)
OSPREY (Pandion haliaetus) – Found six of nine days in the field.
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
GOLDEN EAGLE (Aquila chrysaetos) – Found five of nine days in the field, including an adult female being attacked by ravens on east side of Glacier NP.
NORTHERN HARRIER (Circus cyaneus) – Found on four of nine field days--drought obviously playing a role in numbers seen.
COOPER'S HAWK (Accipiter cooperii) – Found on a couple occasions.
BALD EAGLE (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) – Found seven of nine days in the field.
SWAINSON'S HAWK (Buteo swainsoni) – Found five of nine days in the field, including some in Idaho.
RED-TAILED HAWK (Buteo jamaicensis) – Found every day.
FERRUGINOUS HAWK (Buteo regalis) – Found two out of nine days in the field--got very good views.
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
SORA (Porzana carolina) – Seen and heard, best views were along the shores of a lake in Idaho.
AMERICAN COOT (Fulica americana) – Seen eight of nine days in the field.
Gruidae (Cranes)
SANDHILL CRANE (Grus canadensis) – Found seven of nine days in the field. One of the oldest known living birds, fossil evidence dates back as far as 10 million years.
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
KILLDEER (Charadrius vociferus) – Found most days and quite plentiful.
Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets)
BLACK-NECKED STILT (Himantopus mexicanus) – Found on two out of nine field days. A magnificent bird with bubble gum colored legs. [N]
AMERICAN AVOCET (Recurvirostra americana) – Found on three out of nine days in the field, including newly hatched young.
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
SPOTTED SANDPIPER (Actitis macularius) – Found every day.
WILLET (WESTERN) (Tringa semipalmata inornata) – Most in breeding plumage, on three out of nine days in the field. Of the Western race inornata, which has less heavily marked plumage, a bit larger with longer legs and a longer dark bill than the Eastern or semipalmata race. You might want to make special note of this in your bird records.
LONG-BILLED CURLEW (Numenius americanus) – Seen four of nine days in the field, and does not like Golden Eagles.


There's nothing like fresh mountain air and a gorgeous, natural setting to stimulate one's appetite, and make a delicious picnic lunch even tastier! (Photo by tour participant Karen Davidheiser)

MARBLED GODWIT (Limosa fedoa) – Seen two out of nine days and super views on ground and in flight.
WILSON'S SNIPE (Gallinago delicata) – Seen three out of nine days in the field, including one on shore of lake in Idaho.
WILSON'S PHALAROPE (Phalaropus tricolor) – Found four of nine days in the field.
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
FRANKLIN'S GULL (Leucophaeus pipixcan) – Found only on three days but found many.
RING-BILLED GULL (Larus delawarensis) – Found six of nine days, and found many.
CALIFORNIA GULL (Larus californicus) – Found five of nine days in the field.
CASPIAN TERN (Hydroprogne caspia) – Found one individual on a nest. [N]
BLACK TERN (Chlidonias niger) – Found two different days and nice looks at this beautiful diminutive tern.
COMMON TERN (Sterna hirundo) – Found dozens. [N]
FORSTER'S TERN (Sterna forsteri) – Found well over a dozen and even nesting. [N]
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) – Every day but one. [IN]
EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE (Streptopelia decaocto) – Found five of the nine days, and becoming quite numerous. [I]
MOURNING DOVE (Zenaida macroura)
Strigidae (Owls)
GREAT HORNED OWL (Bubo virginianus) – Found a recently fledged youngster.
BURROWING OWL (Athene cunicularia) – Found one cooperative adult at sunrise in a shortgrass prairie.
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
COMMON NIGHTHAWK (Chordeiles minor) – Seen and heard a few individuals.
Apodidae (Swifts)
VAUX'S SWIFT (Chaetura vauxi) – Found on three different days and well over a dozen individuals.
WHITE-THROATED SWIFT (Aeronautes saxatalis) – Nice looks at dozens of individuals coming out of a cave.
Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD (Archilochus alexandri) – One individual seen at a feeder on day nine.
BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD (Selasphorus platycercus) – An adult female showed up for a brief period at a feeder on day nine.
RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD (Selasphorus rufus) – Super looks at feeders on two different days.
CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD (Selasphorus calliope) – Dozens.
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
BELTED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle alcyon) – Seen and heard.
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
LEWIS'S WOODPECKER (Melanerpes lewis) – Super looks at a few individuals.
RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER (Sphyrapicus nuchalis) – Good looks on five different days.


A rusty-necked Sandhill Crane plays peekaboo in the tall sagebrush in Yellowstone. (Photo by guide Terry McEneaney)

DOWNY WOODPECKER (Picoides pubescens)
HAIRY WOODPECKER (Picoides villosus)
NORTHERN FLICKER (RED-SHAFTED) (Colaptes auratus cafer)
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
AMERICAN KESTREL (Falco sparverius)
MERLIN (Falco columbarius) – Found a lone adult female of the prairie or richardsonii race carrying a dark unidentified bird on an overcast day.
PEREGRINE FALCON (Falco peregrinus) – Found an adult female delivering food to begging young on a cliff. [N]
PRAIRIE FALCON (Falco mexicanus) – Found several individuals through the course of three days.
Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER (Contopus cooperi) – Good looks and super sounds reverberating the mountains with "quick-three-beers".
WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE (Contopus sordidulus) – Got good close looks at this species.
ALDER FLYCATCHER (Empidonax alnorum) – Good looks despite an overcast light.
WILLOW FLYCATCHER (Empidonax traillii)
LEAST FLYCATCHER (Empidonax minimus)
HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHER (Empidonax hammondii)
GRAY FLYCATCHER (Empidonax wrightii) – Nice looks at this bird. Not easy to find in Montana.
DUSKY FLYCATCHER (Empidonax oberholseri)
WESTERN KINGBIRD (Tyrannus verticalis) – Found four out of nine field days.
EASTERN KINGBIRD (Tyrannus tyrannus) – Found five out of nine field days.
Vireonidae (Vireos)
CASSIN'S VIREO (Vireo cassinii) – Nice looks, including a nest high in a Douglas-fir at L&C Caverns. [N]
WARBLING VIREO (Vireo gilvus)
RED-EYED VIREO (Vireo olivaceus) – Super looks at a few individuals.
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
GRAY JAY (Perisoreus canadensis) – Found Gray Jay and Clark's Nutcracker together, which made for wonderful ID comparison.
STELLER'S JAY (Cyanocitta stelleri) – Super looks at this bird.
BLACK-BILLED MAGPIE (Pica hudsonia) – Many and often.
CLARK'S NUTCRACKER (Nucifraga columbiana) – Found Gray Jay and Clark's Nutcracker together, which made for wonderful ID comparison.
AMERICAN CROW (Corvus brachyrhynchos)
COMMON RAVEN (Corvus corax) – How can you not enjoy the energy of a raven.
Alaudidae (Larks)
HORNED LARK (Eremophila alpestris)
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW (Stelgidopteryx serripennis)
TREE SWALLOW (Tachycineta bicolor)
VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW (Tachycineta thalassina)
BANK SWALLOW (Riparia riparia) – Got nice close looks at these birds in a cutbank. [N]
BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica)
CLIFF SWALLOW (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota)
Paridae (Chickadees and Tits)
BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE (Poecile atricapillus)
MOUNTAIN CHICKADEE (Poecile gambeli)


There's a reason Montana is known as "Big Sky Country!" (Photo by tour participant Beth Tillman)

CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEE (Poecile rufescens) – Wonderful views of this species.
BOREAL CHICKADEE (Poecile hudsonicus) – Wonderful views in Glacier of this hard to find yet relatively rare species.
Sittidae (Nuthatches)
RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH (Sitta canadensis) – Wonderful views of all three species of nuthatches.
WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH (Sitta carolinensis) – Wonderful views of all three species of nuthatches.
PYGMY NUTHATCH (Sitta pygmaea) – Wonderful views of all three species of nuthatches.
Troglodytidae (Wrens)
ROCK WREN (Salpinctes obsoletus)
HOUSE WREN (Troglodytes aedon)
PACIFIC WREN (Troglodytes pacificus) – Nice views of this dark chocolate mouse-like wren in Glacier, including feeding fledged young.
MARSH WREN (Cistothorus palustris)
Cinclidae (Dippers)
AMERICAN DIPPER (Cinclus mexicanus) – Nice looks on four different days.
Regulidae (Kinglets)
GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET (Regulus satrapa) – Super looks at this bird.
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET (Regulus calendula)
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
WESTERN BLUEBIRD (Sialia mexicana) – Wonderful views of an adult male and female on days one and nine.
MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD (Sialia currucoides) – Many.
VEERY (Catharus fuscescens) – At two locations on two different days-seen and heard.
SWAINSON'S THRUSH (Catharus ustulatus) – Good views.
HERMIT THRUSH (Catharus guttatus) – Super looks especially in Glacier.
AMERICAN ROBIN (Turdus migratorius) – Every day.
VARIED THRUSH (Ixoreus naevius) – Wonderful views of this special off-tone large thrush songster.
Mimidae (Mockingbirds and Thrashers)
GRAY CATBIRD (Dumetella carolinensis)
SAGE THRASHER (Oreoscoptes montanus) – Great looks through a scope.
Sturnidae (Starlings)
EUROPEAN STARLING (Sturnus vulgaris) [I]
Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)
AMERICAN PIPIT (Anthus rubescens) – Several individuals in Glacier.
Bombycillidae (Waxwings)
CEDAR WAXWING (Bombycilla cedrorum) – Found six out of nine days in the field.
Calcariidae (Longspurs and Snow Buntings)
CHESTNUT-COLLARED LONGSPUR (Calcarius ornatus) – Saw one colorful dark male on the Rocky Mountain Front, becoming scarcer every year.
MCCOWN'S LONGSPUR (Rhynchophanes mccownii) – Beautiful looks at them performing the breeding parachute display.
Parulidae (New World Warblers)
OVENBIRD (Seiurus aurocapilla) – Found one individual, although elusive, outside YNP in Montana.


Though we saw a lot of large mammals on this trip, they were almost upstaged by this tiny Pygmy Rabbit, a rarely seen species and the world's smallest rabbit. (Photo by guide Terry McEneaney)

ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER (Oreothlypis celata) – Found in Glacier on day nine.
MACGILLIVRAY'S WARBLER (Geothlypis tolmiei) – There are more"Macs" out there than you think.
COMMON YELLOWTHROAT (Geothlypis trichas)
AMERICAN REDSTART (Setophaga ruticilla) – Found in Glacier on day nine.
YELLOW WARBLER (Setophaga petechia)
YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER (AUDUBON'S) (Setophaga coronata auduboni)
TOWNSEND'S WARBLER (Setophaga townsendi) – Found in Glacier NP.
WILSON'S WARBLER (Cardellina pusilla)
YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT (Icteria virens) – Found a lone individual on day one. Not an easy bird to find in western Montana.
Emberizidae (Buntings and New World Sparrows)
GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE (Pipilo chlorurus) – Quite the color combination for a towhee.-rust, gray, white, and yellow-green.
SPOTTED TOWHEE (Pipilo maculatus)
CHIPPING SPARROW (Spizella passerina)
CLAY-COLORED SPARROW (Spizella pallida) – Excellent views on day six.
BREWER'S SPARROW (BREWERI) (Spizella breweri breweri) – Great canary-like song.
VESPER SPARROW (Pooecetes gramineus)
LARK SPARROW (Chondestes grammacus)
SAVANNAH SPARROW (Passerculus sandwichensis)
FOX SPARROW (SLATE-COLORED) (Passerella iliaca schistacea) – Wonderful views and sounds of the "slate-colored" race"on three different days.
SONG SPARROW (Melospiza melodia)
LINCOLN'S SPARROW (Melospiza lincolnii)
WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW (MOUNTAIN) (Zonotrichia leucophrys oriantha) – Found seven of the nine field days of the oriantha race.
DARK-EYED JUNCO (OREGON) (Junco hyemalis oreganus) – Found in more western Montana.
DARK-EYED JUNCO (PINK-SIDED) (Junco hyemalis mearnsi) – Found in the Yellowstone region.
Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies)
WESTERN TANAGER (Piranga ludoviciana) – One of the most magnificently colored forest birds of Montana.
BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK (Pheucticus melanocephalus)
LAZULI BUNTING (Passerina amoena) – Named after the mineral Lapis lazuli.
Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)
BOBOLINK (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) – Found on two different days. Numbers have declined in Montana over the past three decades.
RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD (Agelaius phoeniceus)


Bison grazing in the early morning mist in Yellowstone. (Photo by tour participant Karen Davidheiser)

WESTERN MEADOWLARK (Sturnella neglecta)
YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) – Found an incredible high-density nesting area. [N]
BREWER'S BLACKBIRD (Euphagus cyanocephalus)
COMMON GRACKLE (Quiscalus quiscula)
BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD (Molothrus ater)
BULLOCK'S ORIOLE (Icterus bullockii) – Nice looks, especially in Bannack.
Fringillidae (Siskins, Crossbills, and Allies)
GRAY-CROWNED ROSY-FINCH (Leucosticte tephrocotis) – Found several individuals near the snow-Glacier NP.
PINE GROSBEAK (Pinicola enucleator) – Found one individual on day eight.
CASSIN'S FINCH (Haemorhous cassinii) – Excellent views of males and females.
PINE SISKIN (Spinus pinus)
AMERICAN GOLDFINCH (Spinus tristis)
EVENING GROSBEAK (Coccothraustes vespertinus) – Super looks at both adult males and females.
Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus)
MAMMALS
PYGMY RABBIT (Sylvilagus idahoensis) – Got within three feet of this very rare and extremely small lagomorph.
NUTTALL'S (MOUNTAIN) COTTONTAIL (Sylvilagus nuttalli)
DESERT COTTONTAIL (Sylvilagus audubonii)
SNOWSHOE HARE (Lepus americanus) – Found one tame individual on the way to Red Rock Lakes.
WHITE-TAILED JACKRABBIT (Lepus townsendi) – Found one individual sitting and on the run, hopping in its hinds.
LEAST CHIPMUNK (Tamias minimus)
YELLOW-PINE CHIPMUNK (Tamias amoenus)
YELLOW-BELLIED MARMOT (Marmota flaviventris) – Nice close looks.
COLUMBIAN GROUND SQUIRREL (Spermophilus columbianus)
RICHARDSON'S GROUND SQUIRREL (Spermophilus richardsonii)
WYOMING GROUND SQUIRREL (Spermophilus elegans)
UINTA GROUND SQUIRREL (Spermophilus armatus)
GOLDEN-MANTLED GROUND SQUIRREL (Spermophilus lateralis)
BLACK-TAILED PRAIRIE DOG (Cynomys ludovicianus) – Some of the most favorite prairie mammals in Montana.
RED SQUIRREL (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) – Come in different colors--more red in Yellowstone and darker in Glacier.
MUSKRAT (Ondatra zibethica)
COYOTE (Canis latrans) – Although seen- our best experience was two packs serenading at dawn one morning.
GRAY WOLF (Canis lupus) – Found only two individuals total from two locations in YNP. Not as reliable to find as in the past.
BLACK BEAR (Ursus americanus) – Found several individuals mainly in YNP but also in GNP.
BROWN (INCL. GRIZZLY) BEAR (Ursus arctos) – Found six grizzlies all in Yellowstone.
ELK (Cervus canadensis) – Found on five out of nine days, but mainly in YNP.
MULE DEER (Odocoileus hemionus) – Quite a few.
WHITE-TAILED DEER (Odocoileus virginianus) – Dozens.
MOOSE (Alces alces) – Surprisingly we found moose on three different days (days1,6,9) including a bull off I-90 en route to YNP and another on the Rocky Mountain Front. Moose are becoming hard to find these days.
PRONGHORN (Antilocapra americana) – Dozens.
AMERICAN BISON (Bison bison) – In excess of two thousand, all in Yellowstone.
MOUNTAIN GOAT (Oreamnos americanus) – Great views in Yellowstone and Glacier.
BIGHORN SHEEP (Ovis canadensis) – On day two in Yellowstone.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Totals for the tour: 183 bird taxa and 28 mammal taxa