Fort Missoula Ponds

Fort Missoula Ponds: An Opportunity

by Jim Brown

The Missoula community faces a new challenge and an exciting opportunity at Fort Missoula. An 87 acre parcel of land, formerly a Knife River gravel extraction operation, is now owned by the City of Missoula. Left behind from the gravel operation are two deep water ponds, one about 10 acres and one 27 acres. Missoula now must consider what is the best use of these ponds and surrounding area.

The ponds lie next to the Bitterroot River and are bordered by University of Montana property at Fort Missoula containing undeveloped grassland. Nearby are Slevin’s Island, the Bird Ecology Lab, and native plant garden. The private land on the West is mostly protected by a conservation easement and includes McCauley Butte and the flood plain below. This largely undeveloped landscape has outstanding riparian values providing the Missoula Valley with a treasured resource that is vital to many plants and animals. Birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, insects and aquatic invertebrates are found here. The ponds and adjoining lands are part of the Clark Fork River-Grass Valley Important Bird Area, recognized as having continental significance and is a Cornerstone Area in the City Open Space Plan.

The significant wildlife values of the ponds became apparent when disturbance caused by the gravel operation ceased. Since then many different bird species have appeared on the ponds. In just the past five years 231 bird species have been reported for the eBird hotspot covering these Ponds including a number of species of conservation concern. The ponds are particularly sought by migrating waterfowl and other water birds. Some of the unusual observations include Common and Pacific Loons, Horned and Red-necked Grebes, American White Pelican, Black-crowned Night Heron, White-faced Ibis, Surf and White-winged Scoters, American Avocet, Sabine’s Gull, Bewick’s Wren, Magnolia Warbler, and Scarlet Tanager. During early spring large flocks of Snow Geese and ducks have been stopping off at the ponds to rest as they continue their journey. Wintering birds from the arctic tundra that regularly visit here include Tree Sparrow, Rough-legged Hawk and Northern Shrike.

These ponds are the only large water body in the greater Missoula Valley, a significant resource for migrating birds that need to stop, rest and refuel to meet their high energy demands. These ponds provide an extraordinary opportunity for citizens to observe and enjoy the many varied forms of life that depend on wetlands. Managing the area for its natural values would provide a form of nature based recreation that allows people of all ages to observe wildlife in a natural setting and provide a laboratory for environmental education. The only other comparable migration stopover habitats in west central Montana are Nine Pipes Reservoir and the wetlands at Lee Metcalf. The importance of these wetlands for wildlife is reflected by the fact that these are both National Wildlife Refuges. The Fort Missoula Ponds are on par with their significance for migratory waterfowl.

The City of Missoula must decide on how best to manage the ponds considering their natural values and recreational opportunities. A public involvement process is planned to determine how best to serve the interests of Missoula’s citizens. Five Valleys Audubon, the Montana Natural History Center and Clark Fork Coalition are actively advocating that the Fort Missoula Ponds be formerly established as a highly valued and sought after natural area unique to the greater Missoula Valley. Your voice in support of a natural area that protects and enhances the critical wildlife resource for all citizens to enjoy will be needed as the public involvement process unfolds.

Where are the Fort Missoula Ponds?

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FVAS Concept Sketch

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Since 2016 237 species of birds have been documented at the Fort Missoula Ponds.

See eBird data here.

The Missoulian Covers FVAS Survey Efforts at the Fort Missoula Ponds

On June 30, 2022 Joshua Murdock and Tom Bauer from the Missoulian accompanied FVAS members on a bird survey at the ponds, read the article here.

The Fort Missoula Ponds: Biodiversity Hotspot

A podcast from Shane Sater, field biologist, BA in Environmental Science (Carroll College, 2022) and author of the blog Wild With Nature.

Spring Migration on the Fort Missoula Ponds, 2023

by Poody McLaughlin, aerial photos courtesy of Jim Brown (photographer) and Erick Greene (pilot), 5/30/2023.

On Mother’s Day the chapter wrapped up a series of nine spring migration surveys at the Fort Missoula Ponds. Beginning in late March and ending mid-May we documented the birds’ usage, especially for waterfowl, of the two ponds and the riparian area adjacent to the Bitterroot River.

The weather on the first survey March 26 was snowy with the South Pond totally frozen and the North Pond mostly frozen. Nonetheless we heard meadowlarks singing brightly through the snow and chill. A coyote crossed the frozen south pond. Our cool, late spring meant that the South Pond remained frozen until the April 10 survey. Although deeper than the South Pond, the North Pond was completely open by April 4.

In addition to waterfowl usage of the ponds we wanted to record the species’ pulses of migration. On the initial survey of 3/26 on the North Pond there were high numbers of Northern Pintail (an early migrant) and American Wigeon. The Bucephala genus — Bufflehead and Common and Barrow’s Goldeneyes – were regulars on the North Pond through most of the surveys along with Hooded Mergansers. Great Blue Herons were active at the heronry flying in with nest material. Speaking of pulses, we counted 50 Western Bluebirds in one active flock in the riparian habitat. The birds were acting like it was Spring despite the weather!

Three grebe species were found on both ponds over most of the surveys: Horned, Eared, and Red-necked. For three surveys beginning 4/24 there were 2 Common Loons on both ponds, generally one loon on each.

The South Pond attracted many waterfowl species on 4/24: Snow Geese, Redhead, and high numbers of American Wigeon, Northern Shoveler, Green-winged Teal, Ring-necked Duck, and Lesser Scaup. An uncommon Red-breasted Merganser was on the South Pond on 5/4. The South Pond also hosted 26 Ruddy Ducks on the 5/14 survey. One Eurasian Wigeon was among several American Wigeons on the North Pond on 4/4.

On his 3/29 survey, Thomas Kallmeyer captured a Prairie Falcon (in photos) flying over the ponds. Red-tailed Hawks nest in the vicinity and were seen on all surveys. Osprey first appeared on 4/14 and on subsequent surveys. Before the Osprey’s arrival, Turkey Vultures were initially seen on 4/10. Cooper’s Hawk, American Kestrel, and Great Horned Owl rounded out the predators’ presence.

Among smaller species, the meadowlarks were a constant auditory presence throughout the surveys. In the riparian area, Red-naped Sapsuckers first appeared on 4/14. On that survey we found an American Pipit on the North Pond. Savannah and Lincoln’s Sparrows were first reported on 4/24 in the North Pond area. Those hardy Yellow-rumped Warblers showed up on both pond areas on 4/24, along with Wilson’s Snipe on the North Pond. Vesper Sparrows arrived later with Yellow Warblers and Vaux’s Swifts on 5/4. Orange-crowned Warblers were first sighted in the river riparian vegetation on 5/10.

The hardy Yellow-rumped Warblers were no hardier than the 25 volunteers who braved all sorts of weather conditions. Thank you to all of you, and I hope that our discoveries outweighed the wet boots and optics!

With this third survey (preceded by last year’s breeding bird surveys and fall migration surveys) we have collected a full year of data for the Fort Missoula Ponds parcel. This information and data will provide the city with a strong case to maintain this parcel as a natural area. Despite its history as an industrial site, the ponds attract a diverse array of species, both for breeding and for migration. Imagine the lure to birds if the habitat were improved! Stay tuned for how you can participate in the public’s input for the future management of this incredible parcel. At the earliest, the city will produce a final report with management options late this fall, depending on funding. Sometime this winter we may have the opportunity to weigh in on the future of this special habitat.

Spring 2022 Breeding Bird Survey Report Fall 2022 Bird Survey Report

The Missoula community faces a new challenge and an exciting opportunity at Fort Missoula...