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Montana

Birding in Glacier National Park

Program No. 22411RJ
Join expert birders for an off-the-beaten path adventure to search for and learn about warblers, loons, woodpeckers and many more bird species that thrive in Glacier National Park.

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Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone? 800-454-5768
Select your type of room
Price will update based on selection
Prices displayed below are based on per person,doubleoccupancy.

DATES & PRICES

1 Double Bed 2 Double Beds
Jun 17 - Jun 22, 2024
1 Double Bed 2,849
2 Double Beds 2,849
Jun 24 - Jun 29, 2024
1 Double Bed 2,849
2 Double Beds 2,849

DATES & PRICES

1 Double Bed
Filling Fast!
Jun 17 - Jun 22, 2024
1 Double Bed 3,729
Filling Fast!
Jun 24 - Jun 29, 2024
1 Double Bed 3,729

At a Glance

On this off-the-beaten path birding adventure, both novice and skilled birders will hone their birding skills while hiking in Glacier National Park, one of the nation’s most intact and undisturbed ecosystems. Explore eastern, western and alpine habitats with expert local birders who will use both sound and sight to seek out a diverse array of avian species. Enriching stories and lore will help you gain a greater appreciation for the species you encounter. This program will emphasize birding by ear due to thick vegetation, and many birds may be heard and not seen.
Activity Level
Outdoor: Spirited
For hearty explorers who enjoy a good physical challenge while spending most of their days on the go. Hike up to five miles daily with elevation gains of 500-700 feet on natural surface dirt trails in mountainous, uneven and rocky terrain. Elevations from 3,200 feet to 7,200 feet.
Small Group
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

Best of all, you’ll…

  • Benefit from the instruction of some of the top birding experts in the region and develop your birding by ear skills.
  • Search for a diversity of species that call Glacier National Park home, such as Harlequin Duck, Black-backed and Three-toed Woodpecker, and Water Ouzel.
  • Explore an array of habitats on the west and east side of the continental divide, and learn about the geology, botany, history and wildlife of Glacier National Park.

General Notes

This program will emphasize birding by ear due to thick vegetation, and many birds may be heard and not seen. All Road Scholar birding programs have a maximum participant-to-instructor ratio of 14:1 in the field. We adhere to the American Birding Association’s Code of Ethics. Learn more at http://www.aba.org/about/ethics.html
Featured Expert
All Experts
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Denny Olson
Denny Olson holds a master’s degree and was trained as a biologist and geologist, but his approach to illuminating nature with humor is better illustrated by one of his less formal titles: Professor Avian Guano. Denny is a published author, an educator with more than 30 years’ experience, and a master performer inspired by Native American storytelling traditions. He enjoys sharing his intimate knowledge of, and love for, Glacier National Park.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Denny Olson
Denny Olson View biography
Denny Olson holds a master’s degree and was trained as a biologist and geologist, but his approach to illuminating nature with humor is better illustrated by one of his less formal titles: Professor Avian Guano. Denny is a published author, an educator with more than 30 years’ experience, and a master performer inspired by Native American storytelling traditions. He enjoys sharing his intimate knowledge of, and love for, Glacier National Park.
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Wildflowers of Glacier National Park
by Shannon Fitzpatrick Kimball and Peter Lesica
Wildflowers of Glacier National park and Surrounding Areas is a user-friendly guide featuring over 300 of Glacier National Park's most common plant species. From wildflowers to trees to grasses and sedges, this book features beautiful photographs, detailed descriptions, notes on habitat and fun facts for each plant. It's a perfect plant reference for anyone with an interest in the natural history and splendor of Glacier National Park. The index lists plants both by their common and scientific names.
The Sibley Guide to Birds
by David Allen Sibley
David Allen Sibley, America's most gifted contemporary painter of birds, is the author and illustrator of this comprehensive guide. His beautifully detailed illustrations—more than 6,600 in all—and descriptions of 810 species and 350 regional populations will enrich every birder's experience. The Sibley Guide's innovative design makes it entirely user friendly. The illustrations are arranged to facilitate comparison, yet still capture the unique character of each species. The Sibley Guide to Birds provides a wealth of new information: —Captioned illustrations show many previously unpublished field marks and revisions of known marks —Nearly every species is shown in flight —Measurements include length, wingspan, and weight for every species —Subspecies and geographic variants are covered thoroughly —Complete voice descriptions are included for every species —Maps show the complete distribution of every species: summer and winter ranges, migration routes, and rare occurrences Both novice and experienced birders will appreciate these and other innovative features: —An introductory page for each family or group of related families makes comparisons simple —Clear and concise labels with pointers identify field marks directly —Birds are illustrated in similar poses to make comparisons between species quick and easy —Illustrations emphasize the way birds look in the field With The Sibley Guide to Birds, the National Audubon Society makes the art and expertise of David Sibley available to the world in a comprehensive, handsome, easy-to-use volume that will be the indispensable identification guide every birder must own.
Exploring Glacier National Park
by David Rockwell
Glacier National Park in northern Montana offers visitors the chance to be immersed in a pristine landscape, and an opportunity to experience the Rocky Mountain West in all its unspoiled glory. Author and naturalist David Rockwell explains the evolution of the park's geology from the erosion of mountains more than a billion years ago to the glaciers that gave Glacier National Park its distinctive landscape. He explores the natural history of the plants and animals of the park's six distinct regions.
eBird Pro 7, iBird Pro
by North America
Handheld Field Guide to birds of North America for iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android, Kindle and Windows 8 with powerful decision engine. These programs include bird songs, checklists and GPS locators. If you have a smartphone or pad, these are highly recommended.
Birds In Place: a Habitat-based Field Guide to Birds of the Northern Rockies
by Radd Icenoggle
Radd Icenoggle is a native Montanan, who has spent a lifetime as an outdoors and wildlife enthusiast. He possesses a degree in biology with an emphasis on habitat relations. During his studies, he wrote a thesis that explored the effects of slope aspect on communities in southwestern Montana and, more specifically, the ways that Clark's Nutcrackers use their habitat. He has worked for the U.S. Forest Service as a botanist, bird biologist, and hydrology technician. Through his writing and photography, he endeavors to bring nature to his audience. This habitat-based guide is written for both novice and long-time birders to use in the Northern Rockies. Color photographs illustrate the species and graphics supply information on seasons, migration, residents. Text includes physical description, mating, nesting and fledging behaviors, and especially in what type of domain to seek each species.
Montana Bird Distribution
by P. D. Skaar
The long awaited, newly revised, 7th edition of P.D. Skaar’s Montana Bird Distribution is available. This book is an excellent companion to field guides because it indicates where birds are found in Montana. It is a book of maps: for all of Montana's 427 bird species observed in the state, maps show breeding and wintering areas. Eighteen birds are new to the new edition: Cackling Goose (a split from Canada Goose), Tufted Duck, Manx Shearwater, Glossy Ibis, White-tailed Kite, Crested Caracara, Ross’s Gull, Iceland Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Long-billed Murrelet (a split from Ancient Murrelet), Inca Dove, Carolina Wren, Pacific Wren (a split from Winter Wren), Curve-billed Thrasher, Siberian Accentor, Blue-winged Warbler, Eastern Towhee, and Eastern Meadowlark.
The Birder's Guide to Montana
by Terry McEneaney
Your comprehensive guide on where to find Montana's birds. Includes detailed descriptions of over forty-five major birding areas, maps, black and white photos, illustrations and much more.





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