Page 53 - Flathead Beacon // 5.11.16

MOUNTAIN EXPOSURE
OUTDOORS IN BRIEF
GLACIER PARK LAUNCHES NEW BIKE SHUTTLE SERVICE
Last weekend the National Park Service and the Glacier National Park Conservancy launched a new shuttle bus service for bicy- cle riders on Going-to-the-Sun Road. This free service will oper- ate seven days a week through June 26 or when the GTSR opens to vehicles, whichever comes rst. Operating hours for the shuttle are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with buses running every 20-25 minutes on weekends, and every 30-35 minutes during the week.
The new service is a pilot proj- ect for the NPS Centennial in 2016, the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service. The new service is part of a pilot proj- ect to study bicycle use in the park during the NPS Centennial year. The project is also intended to prevent resource damage that may be caused by congestion at Avalanche Creek, a popular stag- ing location for bicyclists and
hikers in the months before the GTSR opens to tra c.
The $52,000 project was funded by a grant from Climate Ride to the GNPC. Climate Ride is a nonpro t organization that organizes life-changing chari- table events to raise awareness and support sustainability, active transportation,andenvironmen- tal causes. The Glacier Conser- vancy is the o cial fundraising partner for Glacier National Park.
The grant funds two bike trail- ers, operation costs for the shut- tle buses, bike counters for mon- itoring use on the road, equip- ment for a new volunteer bicycle patrol group, several bike racks and a new interpretive wayside exhibit and signs. The bike trail- ers can carry up to 16 bikes and have storage space for small wag- ons and bike trailers. Riders are expected to load their own bikes andequipment.
Going on an adventure? If you would like to be featured in “Mountain Exposure,” email information to news@ atheadbeacon.com.
OUT OF BOUNDS ROB BREEDING MARSH HAWKS
WHEN I USED TO RUN MY dogs in the elds near Kid- sports Complex searching for pheasants and Huns we often encoun- tered another bird: northern harriers. You’ve probably seen these mid-sized hawks if you spend time roaming around the marshes and grasslands the birds prefer.
What’s most recognizable about northern harriers is their ying style. The birds glide over the grasslands low to the ground, their wings held in a notice- able V-shape. The birds tilt from side to side, a little like turkey vultures. Harriers have outsized wings and a long, slender tail with a distinctive white band on their rump just above that tail. The birds are an otherwise nondescript grayish brown.
Unlike most hawks, harriers use sound as well as sight to locate pray, which accounts for the low elevation. I suppose at red-tailed hawk hunting heights it’s di cult to hear small mammals scurry- ing about in the underbrush.
I’ve never seen a northern harrier up close and it’s hard to see this when they are on the wing, but the birds have an owl-like face, the shape of which helps direct sound to their ears.
But I have seen a harrier or two go after prey, but it’s not as dramatic as the dive bomber style of red tails. The other day I was out on the chukar grounds get- ting the dog a little exercise and watched a harrier glide over a grassy plain. Then, as it neared a thick stand of sage, the bird whirled and dove, ushing a chukar.
Harriers are mostly mammal eaters, but as I can attest, chukar are delicious. I can’t really blame the hawk for trying to add some poultry to its diet.
Chukar pair up this time of year, pre- paring for nesting. I try to leave the birds be, as unharassed couples are more likely to produce big coveys. But in this case, since one bird had already ushed,
I decided to lead Doll over to the sage to get her on a little scent. I didn’t see the second bird and thought it might have lingered.
We never found that second chukar. It likely ran o when the rst bird ushed. But Doll could still smell them. As she worked upwind into the sage I could see as she slowed down, then began to catwalk in the belly dragging style of a focused bird dog with a nose full of obsession.
She went on false point a couple times, then when the scent trail didn’t lead to a bird, she worked back to get the wind between her and where she suspected the birds might be, then moved in again. One of my daughters was with me and she remarked that our dog looked like a cheetah, and she was right. Doll is a tall, lanky English setter and we could see her shoulder blades undulating like a stalking cheetah as she moved through the sage.
Even her markings contribute to her cat-like style. Doll’s primary color is white, but she’s covered with black spots that look a bit like the rosettes on the coats of some big cats. She’s a bit of an unusual looking dog and when I take her out in public I’m repeatedly asked if she’s a long-coated Dalmatian.
I never knew there was such a thing, but apparently smooth-coated Dalma- tians will occasionally have long-haired o spring. The dogs look like black and white English setters to me, but I doubt they’d be of much use on the chukar grounds.
There’s good green up on the Bench so I’m optimistic for fall. It wasn’t the snowiest of winters in these parts, but early spring was particularly wet. Now if it can stay nice, with only an occasional rain to keep things moist, those boy-girl pairs should produce big coveys for fall.
As long as those northern harriers and Doll give the birds the space they need.
ATTENTION EDUCATORS
The Flathead Conservation District Education
Grant Program helps educators purchase equipment and
supplies to support natural resource and conservation education activities.
Application forms and details are available on the district website. Applications due June 10, 2016.
CONTACT:
FLATHEAD
CONSERVATION DISTRICT
(406) 752-4220 • www.flatheadcd.org
Locally-Led Conservation Since 1945
Rob Breeding writes and teaches when he’s not shing or hunting.
The Cabinet Connection, Inc.
406-756-1359 Syth Business Park, Airport Road in Kalispell • www.thecabinetconnection.com
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& FINE CABINETRY
Provided with PERSONAL
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Domenic Gare no, CKD (Certi ed Kitchen Designer)
With over 30 years experience, Serving the Flathead Valley & Beyond for over 24 Years
MAY 11, 2016 // FLATHEADBEACON.COM
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