Westby Montana

The tiny town of Westby on the North Dakota border is a birding mecca for Montanans. In late summer, many species of birds normally associated with the Eastern US, migrate through here from Canada. But we are here for the handful of hard-to-find breeders that barely get into Montana: Sedge Wren, LeConte's Sparrow, Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow and Yellow Rail. We will also expect Piping Plover, Sprague's Pipit and Baird's Sparrow. With luck, we will find lingering waders that might include White-rumped and Stilt Sandpipers.

Heading North from Sidney, we stop at the bridge over the Missouri River for another try at Least Terns, which often roost on a sandbar here. Continuing north, we stop at Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge for waterbirds that can be seen near the highway. We then continue North to the tiny town of Westby on the North Dakota border, which is a birding mecca for Montanans. Later in the summer, many species of birds normally associated with the Eastern US migrate through here from Canada. But we are here for the handful of hard-to-find breeders that barely get into Montana: Sedge Wren, LeConte's Sparrow, Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow and Yellow Rail. We will also expect Piping Plover, Sprague's Pipit, and Baird's Sparrow. With luck, we will find lingering waders that might include White-rumped and Stilt sandpipers.

Headed west after a morning in Westby, we will visit a Black-tailed prairie dog town for Mountain Plovers, if we have not found them already. Our next stop, Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge, has wonderful wetlands and prairies. American White Pelicans, White-faced Ibises, Black-necked Stilts, American Avocets, Long-billed Curlews, and Virginia Rails are among the nesting species, and the diversity of waterbirds is phenomenal. We will also get additional looks at Sprague's Pipit, Baird's Sparrow and McCown's Longspur.
mtaudubon.org/html/birdwatching_field_trips_a...

I would like to mention Westby, MT, a small town as far northeast as you can get in MT without venturing into Canada or North Dakota. My friend Ted Nordhagen has lived and birded here since he was little and it has become a hotspot for Montana birders. Here is a list of species found in Westby this fall (spring is similar):

Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Alder Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher
Olive-sided Flycatcher
Red-eyed Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Blue-headed Vireo
Philadelphia Vireo

Swainson's Thrush
Tennessee Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Black and White Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Black and White Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler

Yellow Warbler
Mourning Warbler
Canada Warbler
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Swainson's Thrush
Tennessee Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Black and White Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler