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Field Guides Tour Report
Montana: Yellowstone to Glacier 2015
Jun 11, 2015 to Jun 21, 2015
Terry McEneaney

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.


Yellowstone gives you the feeling of being in the wilderness with sensational wildlife. Photo by guide Terry McEneaney.

Our tour from Yellowstone to Glacier, including the off-the-beaten-track places in between, is one of North America’s greatest wildlife experiences. The contrasts provided by this tour are sensational, whether that be the mountains and valleys, the high alpine peaks and low elevation desertlike conditions, the humidity and the dryness, the forests and grasslands, the blue sky and the skyscapes, the wind and the rain, the snowfields and the glaciers, the stillness and the wilderness -- and the remoteness.

The weather for this year’s tour was way ahead of schedule; even though it was mid-June, it was reminiscent of late July for the snowmelt, and warm temperatures came way too early. We didn't let that stop us; we took it all in stride, and ended up tallying a total of 181 species of birds (the total below shows 182, but two were subspecies of Dark-eyed Junco) and 28 species of mammals. These totals were quite good, particularly considering the quickly advancing summer temperatures.

Highlight birds included: Harlequin Duck, Trumpeter Swan, Barrow’s Goldeneye, Golden Eagle, Ferruginous Hawk, richardsonii Merlin, Black and Caspian terns, Clark’s Grebe, Alder, Cordilleran and Gray flycatchers, Cassin’s Vireo, Pacific Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Chestnut-collared and McCown’s longspurs, Upland Sandpiper, Varied Thrush, Pygmy Nuthatch, Veery, Tennessee, Nashville and Townsend’s warblers, Yellow-breasted Chat, Sagebrush, Clay-colored and Fox sparrows, Lewis’s Woodpecker, Bobolink, California Quail, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, White-tailed Ptarmigan, Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch, and super looks at five Black Swifts.

The two California Quail displaying in the boonies of southwest Montana caught us by surprise. We found two adult Common Loons in breeding plumage feeding a relatively large youngster, while at another location a subadult Common Loon was still in winter plumage. Not everyone was lucky enough to see the one White-tailed Ptarmigan we found in the alpine snowfields of Glacier National Park. But we saw many of the birds on the checklist over and over.

Our long mammal list included super up-close views of a couple of rare Pygmy Rabbits. In total, we observed four Gray Wolves, three Grizzly Bears, four Black Bears, seven Moose, and the myriads of Elk, Bison, Mountain Goats, Bighorn Sheep, Mule and White-tailed deer, and Pronghorn. Many of these species had accompanying newborn young. The wolves we discovered on our own, making it a very memorable experience one morning in Yellowstone National Park. A Long-tailed Weasel tried to cross the road in front of us one morning in Glacier National Park.

We watched a whimsical Black Bear standing on its hind legs while drinking water from a pedestal bird bath. But our top observation for the tour was of a mammal. We had a very rare sighting of a cow Moose swimming the half mile width of Lake Sherburne in Glacier National Park. Watching her easily swim the distance with her snout high above water and her ears drooping at times was fabulous. Sometimes her ears would touch the water, and she would shake them to get rid of the water. But she constantly used her ears to listen for signs of danger. Quite the sighting!

Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to show you Yellowstone and Glacier and points in between, and the birds and mammals, all beneath the Montana Big Sky.

Take good care! And keep in touch! -- Terry

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)


Magical Glacier National Park. Photo by guide Terry McEneaney.

CANADA GOOSE (Branta canadensis) – Found on 8 of the 9 days in the field.
TRUMPETER SWAN (Cygnus buccinator) – Found on 3 of 9 days in the field, including 6 subadults in Yellowstone (Alum Creek).
WOOD DUCK (Aix sponsa) – Found on day one.
GADWALL (Anas strepera) – Found on 4 of the 9 days in the field.
AMERICAN WIGEON (Anas americana) – Found on 6 of the 9 days in the field.
MALLARD (Anas platyrhynchos) – Found every day.
BLUE-WINGED TEAL (Anas discors) – Found on 4 of the 9 days in the field.
CINNAMON TEAL (Anas cyanoptera) – Great views on five different days.
NORTHERN SHOVELER (Anas clypeata) – Found on 4 of the 9 days in the field.
NORTHERN PINTAIL (Anas acuta) – Not an easy bird to find this time of year--found on 2 of 9 days in the field.
GREEN-WINGED TEAL (AMERICAN) (Anas crecca carolinensis) – Found on 6 of the 9 days in the field.
CANVASBACK (Aythya valisineria) – Found on days 1 and 6.
REDHEAD (Aythya americana) – Found on days 1, 6, and 9.
RING-NECKED DUCK (Aythya collaris) – Found on days 1,5,6, and 9.
LESSER SCAUP (Aythya affinis) – Found every day but days 7 and 8.
HARLEQUIN DUCK (Histrionicus histrionicus) – Found on days 3 and 7--in Yellowstone in two places, and Glacier in one location. Two adult males and an adult female.
BUFFLEHEAD (Bucephala albeola) – Found on 5 of the 9 days in the field.


Harlequin Duck -- a bird of splash and color. Photo by guide Terry McEneaney.

BARROW'S GOLDENEYE (Bucephala islandica) – Found on 6 of the 9 days in the field.
COMMON MERGANSER (Mergus merganser) – Found on 4 of the 9 days in the field--including 8 molting males at Many Glacier.
RUDDY DUCK (Oxyura jamaicensis) – Found on days 4-6.
Odontophoridae (New World Quail)
CALIFORNIA QUAIL (Callipepla californica) – At least two adult males in breeding plumage and displaying as well. An out-of-the-way place in southwest Montana. Surprising find. Juniper habitat. [I]
Phasianidae (Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies)
RING-NECKED PHEASANT (Phasianus colchicus) – Found on days 5,6, and 9. [I]
WHITE-TAILED PTARMIGAN (Lagopus leucura) – Unfortunately only one person got a glimpse of a lone ptarmigan. Our group effort did not pay off.
WILD TURKEY (Meleagris gallopavo) – Found only on day 9. [I]
Gaviidae (Loons)
COMMON LOON (Gavia immer) – Found on days 4 and 7.
Podicipedidae (Grebes)
PIED-BILLED GREBE (Podilymbus podiceps) – Found on day 6 only-hard to come by this year.
RED-NECKED GREBE (Podiceps grisegena) – Found on days 1 and 7, including one on a nest on day 7.
EARED GREBE (Podiceps nigricollis) – Found on days 5 and 6.
WESTERN GREBE (Aechmophorus occidentalis) – Found on days 3-5 and 9.
CLARK'S GREBE (Aechmophorus clarkii) – Found on day 5.
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax auritus) – Found on 5 of 9 days in the field.
Pelecanidae (Pelicans)
AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) – Found on 7 of 9 days in the field-including wonderful views of them circle soaring.
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
GREAT BLUE HERON (Ardea herodias) – Found every day but one.
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (Nycticorax nycticorax) – Found several individuals on day 5.
Cathartidae (New World Vultures)
TURKEY VULTURE (Cathartes aura) – Found on 4 of the 9 days in the field.
Pandionidae (Osprey)
OSPREY (Pandion haliaetus) – Found on 6 of the 9 days in the field.
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
GOLDEN EAGLE (Aquila chrysaetos) – Found on 4 different days-sometimes fabulous views. The most beautiful of all age plumages is the subadult with chocolate plus worn brown combo and neon white in wings and tail.
NORTHERN HARRIER (Circus cyaneus) – Found on 6 of the 9 days in the field.
SHARP-SHINNED HAWK (Accipiter striatus) – Found one individual on day 6.
BALD EAGLE (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) – Found on 6 of the 9 days in the field.
SWAINSON'S HAWK (Buteo swainsoni) – Found on 4 of the 9 days in the field--best find was a light 2nd summer plumaged bird not seen in Montana normally until 3rd year.
RED-TAILED HAWK (Buteo jamaicensis) – Found on 6 of the 9 days in the field.


Mountains, mountains, and more mountains -- if you like remote places with few visitors, this is the tour for you! Photo by guide Terry McEneaney.

FERRUGINOUS HAWK (Buteo regalis) – Found on days 2 and 6--one a dark morph on day 2 and the other a light morph on a monster nest with at least three young.
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
SORA (Porzana carolina) – Heard on four different days. [*]
AMERICAN COOT (Fulica americana) – Found on 6 of 9 days in the field.
Gruidae (Cranes)
SANDHILL CRANE (Grus canadensis) – Found on the first 6 days in the field. On day two two adults with two colts or cranelets.
Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets)
BLACK-NECKED STILT (Himantopus mexicanus) – Found on day 5 only.
AMERICAN AVOCET (Recurvirostra americana) – Found on days 1 and 5.
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
KILLDEER (Charadrius vociferus) – Found most days.
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
SPOTTED SANDPIPER (Actitis macularius) – Found every day.
WILLET (WESTERN) (Tringa semipalmata inornata) – Of the western race inornata, found on days 5 and 6.
UPLAND SANDPIPER (Bartramia longicauda) – A difficult species to find in recent years due to declining grasslands and grassland conditions. Very close views of this bird. Fascinating.
LONG-BILLED CURLEW (Numenius americanus) – Found on 4 of the 9 days in the field.


We even incorporate some western history into this tour, visiting several ghost towns. Photo by guide Terry McEneaney.

MARBLED GODWIT (Limosa fedoa) – Found on days 5 and 6.
WILSON'S SNIPE (Gallinago delicata) – Found on 5 of the 9 days in the field. Also very vocal.
WILSON'S PHALAROPE (Phalaropus tricolor) – Found on 3 of the 9 days in the field.
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
FRANKLIN'S GULL (Leucophaeus pipixcan) – Found on days 1 and 5.
RING-BILLED GULL (Larus delawarensis) – Found most days except days restricted to mountains.
CALIFORNIA GULL (Larus californicus) – Found 8 of the 9 days in the field.
CASPIAN TERN (Hydroprogne caspia) – Found a couple individuals on day 9.
BLACK TERN (Chlidonias niger) – Found on day 9-normally found in other places. Sever drought playing a role.
COMMON TERN (Sterna hirundo) – Found on days 5 and 9.
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) – Found on 4 of the 9 days in the field. [I]
EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE (Streptopelia decaocto) – Found on 4 of the 9 days in the field. Actually came to Montana on its own, sort of an invader. [I]
MOURNING DOVE (Zenaida macroura) – Found on 6 of the 9 days in the field.
Strigidae (Owls)
GREAT HORNED OWL (Bubo virginianus) – Found on 2 different days--day 2 adult with four fledged young and day 5 with two individuals.
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)


Montana Rocky Mountain Front wildlife viewing. Notice that there are no large crowds of people -- we have it all to ourselves and we hope to keep it this way! Here, our group watches the sun come up as wildlife comes out of the woodwork. Photo by guide Terry McEneaney.

COMMON NIGHTHAWK (Chordeiles minor) – Found on 4 of the 9 days in the field. Augusta and West Glacier come to mind.
Apodidae (Swifts)
BLACK SWIFT (Cypseloides niger) – Found a total of 5 individuals flying insect sorties with very good views of this most spectacular large black swift.
VAUX'S SWIFT (Chaetura vauxi) – Found on 2 of the 9 days in the field. Usually more numerous in other years.
WHITE-THROATED SWIFT (Aeronautes saxatalis) – Found on days 2 and 3.
Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD (Selasphorus platycercus) – Found one indvidual on day 2.
CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD (Selasphorus calliope) – Found on 3 of the 9 days in the field--many good views of this quite small hummer.
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
BELTED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle alcyon) – Found on 2 of the 9 days in the field.
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
LEWIS'S WOODPECKER (Melanerpes lewis) – We ended this tour with one very spectacular woodpecker flycatching insects. We had incredibly close views on day 9 of several individuals at very close range. Described during the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1805, yet not given this common name well after the expedition. Formerly called "Clark's Crow" but assigned the present common name Lewis Woodpecker by Alexander Wilson. The colors of this woodpecker are to die for---black, dark green, pinkish red, and gray..
RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER (Sphyrapicus nuchalis) – Found on 4 of the 9 days in the field.
DOWNY WOODPECKER (Picoides pubescens) – Found only on day 1.


A first-year Swainson's Hawk. You'll rarely find this age and color morph in Montana in the summer, and they're not illustrated in most North American field guides. These younger birds typically linger in Argentina (their wintering grounds) and don't return to Montana until their second full year. What you don't see in this photo are the pointed wing tips and the light gray rump characteristic of Swainson's Hawks. Photo by guide Terry McEneaney.

NORTHERN FLICKER (RED-SHAFTED) (Colaptes auratus cafer) – Found 7 of 9 days in the field.
PILEATED WOODPECKER (Dryocopus pileatus) – Heard it only day 9. An unmistakable sound. [*]
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
AMERICAN KESTREL (Falco sparverius) – Found on 5 of the 9 days in the field.
MERLIN (Falco columbarius) – Found one individual of the nominate race R.c. columbarius first perched then in flight on the Rocky Mountain Front. Of the Taiga morph, slightly darker overall with three light bands in the tail. A female or "jenny" based on coloration.
PRAIRIE FALCON (Falco mexicanus) – A lone individual flew by us on day 2 not far from the Big Hole River.
Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER (Contopus cooperi) – Found on days 3 and 9.
WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE (Contopus sordidulus) – Quite numerous- found on 7 of the 9 days in the field.
ALDER FLYCATCHER (Empidonax alnorum) – Found on days 5 on the Rocky Mountain Front and day 6 outside and on the edge of Glacier NP.
WILLOW FLYCATCHER (Empidonax traillii) – Although found on 4 of the 9 days in the field -quite regular.
LEAST FLYCATCHER (Empidonax minimus) – Seen and heard on three of the 9 days in the field.
HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHER (Empidonax hammondii) – Heard more often than seen-- found on 5 of the 9 days in the field.
GRAY FLYCATCHER (Empidonax wrightii) – Found a couple of individuals on day 1.
DUSKY FLYCATCHER (Empidonax oberholseri) – Found primarily on day 2.
CORDILLERAN FLYCATCHER (Empidonax occidentalis) – Found on days 3-5, in both Yellowstone and heading north. [*]
WESTERN KINGBIRD (Tyrannus verticalis) – Found 4 of the 9 days in the field.
EASTERN KINGBIRD (Tyrannus tyrannus) – Found on 5 of the 9 days in the field.
Laniidae (Shrikes)


One of the incredible panoramas of Glacier National Park. Photo by guide Terry McEneaney.

LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE (Lanius ludovicianus) – Found one individual on day 1 Bannack Bench.
Vireonidae (Vireos, Shrike-Babblers, and Erpornis)
CASSIN'S VIREO (Vireo cassinii) – One individual heard often and seen briefly on day 9.
WARBLING VIREO (Vireo gilvus) – Found every day.
RED-EYED VIREO (Vireo olivaceus) – Found on day 7 with great looks.
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
GRAY JAY (Perisoreus canadensis) – Found on day 4 in Yellowstone of the lighter form P.c.capitalis, and also on day 7 on the edge of Glacier the darker morph P.c. bicolor. Both morphs observed with dar masked fledged young of the year.
STELLER'S JAY (Cyanocitta stelleri) – Found on day 8 in Glacier.
BLACK-BILLED MAGPIE (Pica hudsonia) – Found nearly every day but one.
CLARK'S NUTCRACKER (Nucifraga columbiana) – Found on days 3-6.
AMERICAN CROW (Corvus brachyrhynchos) – Found on 7 of the 9 days in the field.
COMMON RAVEN (Corvus corax) – Found every day.
Alaudidae (Larks)
HORNED LARK (Eremophila alpestris) – Found on 4 of the 9 days in the field.
Hirundinidae (Swallows)


Another great view of Glacier National Park. Photo by guide Terry McEneaney.

NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW (Stelgidopteryx serripennis) – Found 7 of the 9 days in the field.
TREE SWALLOW (Tachycineta bicolor) – Found every day.
VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW (Tachycineta thalassina) – Found on 6 of the 9 days in the field.
BANK SWALLOW (Riparia riparia) – Found on 5 of the 9 days in the field.
BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica) – Found on 5 of the 9 days in the field.
CLIFF SWALLOW (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) – Found every day.
Paridae (Tits, Chickadees, and Titmice)
BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE (Poecile atricapillus) – Found on 6 of the 9 days in the field.
MOUNTAIN CHICKADEE (Poecile gambeli) – Found 3 of the 9 days in the field.
CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEE (Poecile rufescens) – Found on day 9 in two locations.
Sittidae (Nuthatches)
RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH (Sitta canadensis) – Found on 3 of the 9 days in the field.
WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH (Sitta carolinensis) – Found on 2 of the 9 days in the field.
PYGMY NUTHATCH (Sitta pygmaea) – Found on the last day with super looks.
Troglodytidae (Wrens)
ROCK WREN (Salpinctes obsoletus) – Found on days 1 and 2 with very good views.
HOUSE WREN (Troglodytes aedon) – Found on 7 of the 9 days in the field.
PACIFIC WREN (Troglodytes pacificus) – Found in two places in the same habitat, including an adult feeding two recently fledged young.
MARSH WREN (Cistothorus palustris) – Found on three of the 9 days in the field-days 1,5, and 9.
Cinclidae (Dippers)


A bull bison in full breeding garb: large beard, large horns, an impressive mane, and baggy pantaloons. He's gray because he's been wallowing in the dust to ward off flies. Photo by guide Terry McEneaney.

AMERICAN DIPPER (Cinclus mexicanus) – Found on three of the nine days in the field.
Regulidae (Kinglets)
GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET (Regulus satrapa) – Found on three of the nine days in the field. [*]
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET (Regulus calendula) – Found every day.
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD (Sialia currucoides) – Found every day.
TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE (Myadestes townsendi) – Found on day 8.
VEERY (Catharus fuscescens) – Heard on day 5. [*]
SWAINSON'S THRUSH (Catharus ustulatus) – Found on six of the nine days in the field.
HERMIT THRUSH (Catharus guttatus) – Found on three of the nine days in the field.
AMERICAN ROBIN (Turdus migratorius) – Found every day.
VARIED THRUSH (Ixoreus naevius) – Found on only 2 of the 9 days in the field.
Mimidae (Mockingbirds and Thrashers)
GRAY CATBIRD (Dumetella carolinensis) – Found on 5 of the 9 days in the field.
SAGE THRASHER (Oreoscoptes montanus) – Found on 4 of the 9 days in the field-quite a few.
Sturnidae (Starlings)


One of the tour's many vistas: the Lower Falls of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, in Yellowstone National Park. Photo by guide Terry McEneaney.

EUROPEAN STARLING (Sturnus vulgaris) – Found nearly every day except one. [I]
Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)
AMERICAN PIPIT (Anthus rubescens) – Found on day 8.
Bombycillidae (Waxwings)
CEDAR WAXWING (Bombycilla cedrorum) – Found on 7 of the 9 days in the field.
Calcariidae (Longspurs and Snow Buntings)
CHESTNUT-COLLARED LONGSPUR (Calcarius ornatus) – Found two individuals on day 5 with super views of this most magnificent bird.
MCCOWN'S LONGSPUR (Rhynchophanes mccownii) – Found on 3 of the 9 days in the field.
Parulidae (New World Warblers)
NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH (Parkesia noveboracensis) – Found on 3 of the 9 days spent in the field with very nice views at times.
TENNESSEE WARBLER (Oreothlypis peregrina) – Singing on two different days-- 7 and 9. [*]
ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER (Oreothlypis celata) – One individual singing on day 7. [*]
NASHVILLE WARBLER (Oreothlypis ruficapilla) – Found on day 8.
MACGILLIVRAY'S WARBLER (Geothlypis tolmiei) – Found on 7 of the 9 days in the field.
COMMON YELLOWTHROAT (Geothlypis trichas) – Found on 5 of the 9 days in the field.
AMERICAN REDSTART (Setophaga ruticilla) – Day 5.
YELLOW WARBLER (Setophaga petechia) – Found nearly every day.
YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER (AUDUBON'S) (Setophaga coronata auduboni) – Found every day.
TOWNSEND'S WARBLER (Setophaga townsendi) – Found 3 of the 9 days in the field.
WILSON'S WARBLER (Cardellina pusilla) – Found on day 3.
YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT (Icteria virens) – Day 2.
Emberizidae (Buntings and New World Sparrows)
GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE (Pipilo chlorurus) – Day 2.
SPOTTED TOWHEE (Pipilo maculatus) – Found on 3 of the 9 days in the field.
CHIPPING SPARROW (Spizella passerina) – Found nearly every day but one.
CLAY-COLORED SPARROW (Spizella pallida) – Found on days 1 and 6.
BREWER'S SPARROW (BREWERI) (Spizella breweri breweri) – Found on days 1,3, and 5.
VESPER SPARROW (Pooecetes gramineus) – Found nearly every day.
LARK SPARROW (Chondestes grammacus) – Found on day 1.
SAGEBRUSH SPARROW (Artemisiospiza nevadensis) – Found on day 1 Bannack Bench.
SAVANNAH SPARROW (Passerculus sandwichensis)
FOX SPARROW (SLATE-COLORED) (Passerella iliaca schistacea) – Found on days 7-9.
SONG SPARROW (Melospiza melodia) – Found 7 of the 9 days in the field.
LINCOLN'S SPARROW (Melospiza lincolnii) – Found on 4 of the 9 days in the field.
WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW (MOUNTAIN) (Zonotrichia leucophrys oriantha) – Found on 6 of the 9 days in the field.
DARK-EYED JUNCO (OREGON) (Junco hyemalis oreganus) – Found on days 7-9 in far western Montana.
DARK-EYED JUNCO (PINK-SIDED) (Junco hyemalis mearnsi) – Found on days 3 and 4 in sw Montana and Yellowstone.
Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies)


Mountains and landscapes are a major attraction on the tour. Photo by guide Terry McEneaney.

WESTERN TANAGER (Piranga ludoviciana) – Found on 7 of the 9 days in the field.
BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK (Pheucticus melanocephalus) – Found on 4 of the 9 days in the field.
LAZULI BUNTING (Passerina amoena) – Found on 7 of the 9 days in the field.
Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)
BOBOLINK (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) – Found on days 5 and 6.
RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD (Agelaius phoeniceus) – Found nearly every day but one.
WESTERN MEADOWLARK (Sturnella neglecta) – Found nearly every day but one.
YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) – Found 7 of the 9 days in the field.
BREWER'S BLACKBIRD (Euphagus cyanocephalus) – Found every day.
COMMON GRACKLE (Quiscalus quiscula) – Found on days 1,3, and 6.
BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD (Molothrus ater) – "Bisonbird" found every day.
BULLOCK'S ORIOLE (Icterus bullockii) – Found on days 1,2 and 9.
Fringillidae (Finches, Euphonias, and Allies)
GRAY-CROWNED ROSY-FINCH (Leucosticte tephrocotis) – Found several individuals in Glacier NP day 8.
HOUSE FINCH (Haemorhous mexicanus) – Found on days 2 and 9.
CASSIN'S FINCH (Haemorhous cassinii) – Found on days 1-5.
RED CROSSBILL (Loxia curvirostra) – Super looks. Mainly found 5 of the 9 days in the field.


Traveling the Big Sky country, where the mountains and plains meet the sky, is the theme of this tour. Photo by guide Terry McEneaney.

PINE SISKIN (Spinus pinus) – Found every day.
AMERICAN GOLDFINCH (Spinus tristis) – Found on 5 of the 9 days in the field.
EVENING GROSBEAK (Coccothraustes vespertinus) – Found on day 2 --male and female.
Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus) – Found on 5 of the 9 days in the field.
MAMMALS
PYGMY RABBIT (Sylvilagus idahoensis) – Found two individuals-day 1.
NUTTALL'S (MOUNTAIN) COTTONTAIL (Sylvilagus nuttalli) – Found on days 2,5,6.
DESERT COTTONTAIL (Sylvilagus audubonii) – Found on day 1.
LEAST CHIPMUNK (Tamias minimus) – Found on days 1,4,9.
YELLOW-PINE CHIPMUNK (Tamias amoenus) – Day1.
RED-TAILED CHIPMUNK (Tamias ruficaudus) – Days 6 and 7.
YELLOW-BELLIED MARMOT (Marmota flaviventris) – Found on days 2,4 and 5.
COLUMBIAN GROUND SQUIRREL (Spermophilus columbianus) – Observed days 6-9.
RICHARDSON'S GROUND SQUIRREL (Spermophilus richardsonii) – Found days 1,2, and 5,6.
WYOMING GROUND SQUIRREL (Spermophilus elegans) – Observed day1.
UINTA GROUND SQUIRREL (Spermophilus armatus) – Days 3 and 4.
BLACK-TAILED PRAIRIE DOG (Cynomys ludovicianus) – Observed days 5 and 6.
RED SQUIRREL (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) – Found on days 4,5,7-9.


Yellowstone is most famous for its pristine thermal features --particularly its geysers. Photo by guide Terry McEneaney.

MUSKRAT (Ondatra zibethica) – Day 5.
RED FOX (Vulpes vulpes) – Day 2.
COYOTE (Canis latrans) – Found on days 3-5.
GRAY WOLF (Canis lupus) – Observed 4 individuals from a single pack on the Northern Range in YNP.
BLACK BEAR (Ursus americanus) – Found 4 individuals of different color persuasions.
BROWN (INCL. GRIZZLY) BEAR (Ursus arctos) – Found three different grizzly bears all in Yellowstone.
LONG-TAILED WEASEL (Mustela frenata) – Crossing a road in Glacier NP on day 9.
ELK (Cervus canadensis) – Many-days 2-5.
MULE DEER (Odocoileus hemionus) – Nearly every day and numerous. One mother with two newborn fawns.
WHITE-TAILED DEER (Odocoileus virginianus) – Found on 6 of 9 days in the field.
MOOSE (Alces alces) – A whopping 7 individuals, mainly bulls and a rare sighting of a cow moose swiiming a lake.
PRONGHORN (Antilocapra americana) – Found on 6 of 9 days in the field.
AMERICAN BISON (Bison bison) – Found on days 3,4,and 9. A couple thousand plus.
MOUNTAIN GOAT (Oreamnos americanus) – Found on days 3 and 7 including sightings with kids.
BIGHORN SHEEP (Ovis canadensis) – Found on days 3, 7, and 8. Rams, ewes and lambs.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Totals for the tour: 182 bird taxa and 28 mammal taxa