15 Projects Approved by Bitterroot National Forest RAC
A number of local organizations and the Bitterroot National Forest personnel will be working on roads, signs, weeds, riparian areas and more this summer.
The Ravalli County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) has approved many more projects than in recent years. The RAC is a group of local citizens that ask for project proposal submissions either on the Bitterroot National Forest or will help the general environment. Todd McKay of the Bitterroot National Forest said this year s $400,000 worth of work will be spread throughout the valley and will involve quite a few organizations.
They include Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, the Bitterroot Water Forum, the Bitterroot Land Trust, Defenders of Wildlife, the Selway-Frank Church Wilderness Foundation, Bitterroot Trout Unlimited, Ravalli County Weed Department, Ravalli County Road Department and Bitterroot Back Country Cyclists. Project proposals from those and other organizations
Bitterroot Outdoor Journal
As winter starts to lose its grip, the birds are picking areas for nesting activities in the area. This week s Bitterroot Outdoor Journal (heard Wednesday mornings at 7:45 on 1240 AM KLYQ and www.klyq.com) had examples of some home-building by the birds.
Bob Danley said avian action is happening along the Bitterroot River, including Wood Ducks, Bohemian Waxwings and soon to arrive - bluebirds. He also noted Red-winged Blackbird songs (photo below) and saw some Dark-eyed Juncos starting to nest.
The larger birds have found their usual favorite nesting places, including the Great Horned Owl. The photo above shows how well the coloring of the bird blends in with the cottonwood tree it has selected. You can hear them at twilight as the dating goes on, starting about 6 p.m. Bob says your chances of finding nesting owls are better on the north end of the Bitterroot and in the Missoula valley. They lay eggs from mid-February through mid-March.
Bitterroot Outdoor Journal - Birds Are Nesting kyssfm.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from kyssfm.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.