Freezout Lake offers views of huge migrating flocks on Front

[Ptah]

A flock of snow geese prepares to land near one of the public parking areas at Freezout Lake,
between Fairfield and Choteau on the Rocky Mountain Front. Migrating birds by the thousands
stop at Freezout each spring on their way to northern nesting grounds. Savvy birdwatchers can
also prowl the county roads east of Freezout Lake to find birds feeding in stubble fields during
the middle of the day.

CHOTEAU – Ice conditions have been changing daily on the Rocky Mountain Front ponds
where huge flocks of migrating birds make a spring pit stop.

Last Sunday, Freezout Lake was still about half-frozen, and most of the pothole lakes
between Fairfield and Choteau were completely iced over. Nevertheless, the air was filled
with the honks of snow geese and other waterfowl.

Birdwatchers have reported seeing tundra swans, green-winged teal, northern shoveler,
common mergansers, gadwall and northern pintail ducks on various reservoirs, as well as
clouds of snow geese. The area has also been good for occasional bald and golden eagles
watching the webfooted crowd.

“There’s lots and lots of snow geese – we’re thinking tens of thousands,” said Fish, Wildlife
and Parks spokesman Bruce Auchly in Great Falls. “The whole point of Freezout Lake is the birds
are headed north as fast as they can to nest, but sometimes the lakes farther north are still
frozen. That’s what causes a big pileup at Freezout. Plus it’s a natural resting spot where they
can look for waste grain in the fields.”

http://missoulian.com/lifestyles/recreation/freezout-lake-offers-views-of-huge-migrating-flocks-on-front/article_c1afcf42-b55a-11e3-b90d-0019bb2963f4.html

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