Bird Walk to be Held at Ucross

On April 22, the Bighorn Audubon Society and Ucross, the acclaimed artist residency program in northern Wyoming, invite the public to a free, guided bird walk on Saturday, May 2, at 10 a.m., with special guests Bill Yellowtail and Birdie Real Bird.

The event offers a special opportunity to witness spring migration and explore the diverse ecosystems of the Ucross Ranch, one of Wyoming’s officially designated Important Bird Areas (IBA).

Participants will meet at the Ucross Art Gallery, where Real Bird will begin by sharing stories on the Apsáalooke nation’s deep connection with birds. Bighorn Audubon Society will then guide the walk to the ponds — a scenic, 1.5-mile loop through diverse habitats that support a rich variety of bird life.

Yellowtail, a former member of the Montana Senate and former Regional Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, will share stories along the way. The walk will last approximately an hour and a half. Guests are encouraged to bring binoculars, wear sturdy walking shoes and dress for the weather.

Spring is an especially active time for bird life in northeastern Wyoming, according to JoAnne Puckett with the Bighorn Audubon Society. Likely sightings include Mountain Bluebirds, Western Meadowlarks, Sandhill Cranes, Great Blue Herons, Bald Eagles, Ferruginous Hawks, Swainson’s Hawks, Wild Turkeys, Long-billed Curlews and Greater Sage-Grouse.

“We’re delighted to welcome the public to this inspiring corner of the High Plains and to share the ecological importance of the Ucross landscape,” said Caitlin Addlesperger, President and Executive Director of Ucross. “It’s a chance to connect with nature and celebrate the wildlife that makes our artist residency program’s location so special.”

The Ucross Ranch received its Important Bird Area designation in 2015 through the leadership of Dr. Jackie Canterbury, former president of the Bighorn Audubon Society. Located on the western edge of the Powder River Basin, the ranch offers diverse habitats — including riparian corridors, wetlands, native grasslands and sagebrush scrublands — that support species of conservation concern.

The designation reflects Ucross’s long-standing commitment to land stewardship, strengthened by habitat improvements from the Apache Foundation, environmental research by Yale University and creative works by Ucross artists-in-residence that celebrate the region’s birdlife.

The Bighorn Audubon Society, a regional chapter of the National Audubon Society, has served northeastern Wyoming since 1970. Through educational programs, field trips, conservation advocacy and community engagement, the organization works to protect birds and their habitats while promoting a healthy natural world for future generations.

The Ucross Art Gallery and Café is located at 30 Big Red Lane in Ucross, Wyoming. The bird walk is free and open to all ages. For more information and to register, visit ucross.org.

Sandhills photo taken in Nebraska. Vannoy photos.