October 3rd – 11th, 2018

Join Steve Hoffman, HMANA board member, raptor biologist, and professional bird guide, for a trip of a lifetime to witness the great migration of Golden Eagles through the mountains of western Montana. This exciting 9-day tour will include all-day hawk watching at the Big Belt and Bridger Mountains’ lookouts, a full-day visit to an active migratory raptor banding site, participation in the annual Bridger Raptorfest, and birding and exploring Montana’s wetlands and valley habitats searching for a variety of raptors (including Ferruginous & Harlan’s Hawks, Prairie Falcons, etc.) as well as a diversity of wetland species.

On October 7, 2015, 329 Golden Eagles were counted at the Big Belt Mountains (highest daily count for this species in the lower 48 states). In both 2015 & 2016, more than 2,600 migrating Golden Eagles were tallied each season, with daily totals in the 100-200 range in early-to-mid October. Other species moving through at this time of year include Northern Goshawk, Rough-legged & Harlan’s Hawks, Merlin, Bald Eagle, and many others.