Why Bird Watching In Montana Is Now Changing This Year

BUTTE, MT - Each spring, a jaw-dropping phenomenon unfolds in the quiet prairies of north-central Montana.

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Tens of thousands of snow geese, swans, and ducks roar through the skies like nature’s own awesome airshow, descending on the waters of Freezeout Lake for a brief stopover on their journey north.

It's the kind of spectacle that has photographers, birders, and awe-struck tourists flocking to this 12,000-acre wildlife sanctuary outside of Fairfield with binoculars and telephoto lenses in hand.

But this year? The birds might just take a rain check.

The Water’s Low. And So Are Expectations.

Freezeout Lake is running critically low on water, and the effects could ripple far beyond just a dry patch of marshland.

“We’re seeing some improvement in snowpack, but it’s still below average,” said Brent Lonner, a wildlife biologist with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, to KRTV. “It’s going to take time to really build that back up. Folks visiting this year will definitely notice the north end of Freezeout is fairly dry.”

And that’s a big problem. The lake goes beyond being a pretty pit stop, it’s a biological lifeline.

Birds crossing thousands of miles rely on the lake to rest and refuel. Without it, migratory patterns begin to shift. And with them, the certainty of one of Montana’s greatest natural events.

Birds Off Course, Tourists Left Behind

Each year, hundreds of visitors pour into the area to catch what some call the “spring snowstorm”—and they aren't talking of weather...

Up to 300,000 light geese and 10,000 swans have been seen swirling above Freezeout at once. It’s a seasonal boost to the local economy and a soul-filling experience for nature lovers.

But this year, many birds are bypassing Freezeout altogether in favor of wetter, more stable pit stops. That means less magic for the crowds, and fewer dollars for local businesses that depend on migration season.

It also means stress on other lakes and wetlands along the route, as bird populations concentrate elsewhere—sometimes in less protected or less suitable habitats.

Blame the Drought—and Perhaps Something Bigger

The culprit?

A long-running drought and the growing footprint of climate change.

Across the U.S., fluctuating lake levels are becoming the norm. From the Great Lakes to Lake Mead, warmer surface temperatures are causing increased evaporation and delayed ice formation—two major factors leading to lower water levels.

And when lakes shrink, the effects multiply: habitat loss, shoreline erosion, even the collapse of local fish populations. Freezeout Lake is just one of many caught in this chain reaction.

Conservation Hopes on the Horizon

Despite the sobering situation, there’s still reason to look up.

Other areas like Lake Mead and Eagle Lake have seen water levels rebound thanks to aggressive conservation efforts. Similar habitat restoration programs and drought initiatives could help Montana’s wetlands bounce back, too; just not overnight.

So what does this mean for birdwatchers?

If you’re planning a trip to Freezeout Lake this year, temper your expectations. With water levels down, so is the concentration of birds.

But there’s still plenty to see across the landscape, from raptors and prairie birds to the dedicated conservationists fighting to keep the skies full and flapping.

The Takeaway

Birdwatching in Montana isn’t canceled, it’s just evolving. The story of Freezeout Lake is a reminder that even the most timeless natural wonders are now deeply entwined with the urgency of climate change.

So if you go, go with wonder—but also with awareness. And maybe, just maybe, with a renewed sense of how fragile Montana’s most beautiful traditions really are.