Audubon to observe spring waterfowl

Witness the spring waterfowl migration at Freezout Lake Wildlife Management Area (WMA) with Flathead Audubon and Dan Casey on Saturday and Sunday, March 31 and April 1.

Freezout WMA is located south of Choteau on the eastern edge of the Rocky Mountain Front. During March and April, birders may observe migrating waterfowl in spectacular numbers. Snow Geese, en route to Arctic nesting grounds after wintering in central California, often number 100,000 or more.The migration includes thousands of swans and a wonderful diversity of ducks and other birds.

The trip leaves at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday from the west end of the downtown Super 1 parking lot on First Avenue East in Kalispell. Participants will arrive at WMA in time to watch the white geese leave Freezout Lake for the surrounding barley fields. Participants should make their own overnight reservations for Saturday night.Choteau options include The Stage Stop Inn 888-466-5900, Bella Vista Motel 466-5711, Big Sky 466-5318 and Gunther Motel 877-466-5444.

After observing the geese leave the lake at dawn on Sunday morning, brunch and one more visit to the WMA, participants will head for home to arrive in Kalispell by 5 p.m.

Contact trip leader Dan Casey at 857-3143 or dan ielcasey55@gmail.com to arrange carpooling and to sign up for the trip. Bring binoculars/spotting scopes.