Trektellen

Information - Bridger Ridge (MT)

Migration site Bridger Ridge (MT) Contacts Stephen Hoffman Contacts Last count  31 October 2024 Observation hours 467:59 observation hours, 1 year

lat: 45.81734, lng: -110.92932

Description

The Bridger Mountains site lies within the Gallatin National Forest on the east slope of the mountain range, about 25 km north of Bozeman and 3 km north of Saddle Peak. The count occurs from a helicopter platform located atop the ridge above Bridger Bowl Ski Area. This ongoing effort monitors long-term trends in populations of raptors using this northern portion of the Rocky Mountain Flyway. The flyway is noted for the largest concentration of Golden Eagles in the lower 48 states, with peak eagle activity (sometimes more than 200 eagles/day) in mid-October. Golden Eagle counts typically range from 1200-1900 birds per season. Up to 1,500 migrants of 17 additional species also may be seen each season, with Sharp-shinned Hawks, Cooper's Hawks, Red-tailed Hawks, Bald Eagles, and American Kestrels among the most commonly seen species. To further promote awareness of the Bridger migration and raptor ecology and conservation needs, the locally organized Bridger Raptor Festival occurs each year during the fall-migration season.

Fred Tilly discovered the Bridger Range to be an important fall flyway for raptors and conducted limited migration counts at the site in 1979, 1980, and 1982 to set the stage for HWI beginning standardized counts. HWI began full-season, fall migration counts at this site in southwestern Montana in 1991, with standardized, single-site counts commencing in 1992.

Location

The Bridger Mountains are a relatively small range that runs primarily along a north–south axis. From Sacagawea Peak (2,950 m elevation), the range extends southward for 40 km before meeting the Gallatin Valley 5 km northeast of Bozeman, Montana.

Access

From Bozeman go to the Bridger Ski Area, approximately 15 miles NE of town on SR 86 (Bridger Canyon Road). Once at the ski area, the site is accessed from the ski area's Deer Park Chalet by following a primitive dirt road for 1.5 miles to the top of Bridger chair-lift, then continuing a short way along a footpath to the observation site at the top of the ridge. The climb is 2,100 feet in elevation gain and will take from 1.5 to 2 hours. Warm clothing, binoculars, and extra food and water are recommended.