BOZEMAN, Mont. – Each year thousands of birds make their way to Bridger Bowl in October for one of the nation’s largest eagle migrations.
The 22nd Bridger Bowl Raptor Festival is free and open to the public and mostly focuses on the migration of golden eagles to Bozeman. But there are many other activities and booths for people who attend the event to learn about birds of prey and ways of conserving them.
The festival says raptor migration counting has taken place at the ski area since 1991.
The Montana Raptor Conservation Center held a booth at the festival showing off several owls and sharing these birds’ stories of rehabilitation.
“Conservation of raptors is a crucial part, also educating people on the importance of raptors is a very crucial part,” said Montana Raptor Conservation Director of Operations Jordan Spyke. “You know, we are very fortunate to live in the region that we do and have such an abundant raptor population, so the more people know, the better it is.”
The festival says the mission of the celebration is to promote awareness and appreciation for raptors and other wildlife right here in Bozeman’s backyard.
The event is hosted by the Sacajawea Audubon Society, Museum of the Rockies, the Bridger Bowl Foundation, Custer Gallatin National Forest, the Montana Raptor Conservation Center, Montana Outdoor Science School, Yellowstone Forever, and Yellowstone National Park.
