Custer Country Southeastern Montana Birding Trail 6-10:

6. Chief Plenty Coups State Park
7. Pompeys Pillar National Monument
8. Howrey Island Recreation Area and Nature Trail
9. Pirogue Island State Park
10. Matthews Recreation Area

CHIEF PLENTY COUPS STATE PARK

GENERAL INFORMATION:  Chief Plenty Coups gave his log home and farmstead “to all cultures as a place for all peoples to come together in a peaceful and cooperative nature.”  The Chief’s two-story log cabin, a modern interpretive center, and “Crow Lifeways Trail” are available for visitors’ enjoyment and education.

HABITAT:  Mixed woods, shrub/scrub, sagebrush/grassland, short grass prairie.

SPECIES:  Black-capped chickadee; Lark, House, and Chipping sparrow; American robin; Roufous-sided and Spotted towhee; Red-winged blackbird; Western tanager; Western meadowlark; Mountain and Western bluebird; Yellow-breasted chat; Yellow warbler; Bullock’s oriole; Western wood peewee; Black-billed magpie; American crow; Lazuli bunting; Golden eagle; American kestrel; American and Lesser goldfinch; Prairie falcon; Rock and Mourning dove; Ring-necked pheasant; Northern “Yellow-shafted” flicker; and Mallard.

BEST VIEWING SEASON:  Morning and evening, year-round.

FACILITIES:  Parking, restrooms, interpretive trail, picnic area, guided and self-guided tours, and public programs; restaurant and fuel nearby.

CONTACT:  Park Manager – 406-252-1289

DIRECTIONS:  On I-90 take Exit 447 at Billings and travel 35 miles south to Pryor and then 1 mile west.

POMPEYS PILLAR NATIONAL MONUMENT

GENERAL INFORMATION:  Pompeys Pillar National Monument and the surrounding area supports a remarkable diversity of bird species including many neo-tropical migratory species that use the riparian corridor for nesting or resting cover during migration.  Peregrine falcons have historically occupied rocky cliff habitat near Pompeys Pillar, and in 1996, 21 peregrines were released east of the Pillar.  The Monument is open daily to drive-in traffic from April 30 through October 28.  An entrance fee is charged.  All valid federal recreation passes are honored at the National Monument and there is no separate fee for access to the interpretive center.  Although no services are available after October, visitors may still walk into the site during daylight hours. The walk from the gates to the Pillar is about 3/4 mile. 

HABITAT:    Cottonwood, green ash and willow tree species dominate along this braided, prairie river. Many standing cottonwood trees within the flood plain are estimated to be more than 100 years old.  

SPECIES:  Ferruginous hawk, Loggerhead shrike, Franklin’s gull, Forster’s tern, Northern goshawk and Peregrine falcon are all on the BLM’s sensitive species list. Others species include American white pelican, Double-crested cormorant, Greater and Lesser yellowlegs, Spotted sandpiper, Belted kingfisher, Hairy woodpecker, Western wood peewee, Tree and Cliff swallow, Blue jay, White-breasted nuthatch, House wren, Brown thrasher, Yellow-rumped warbler, Common yellowthroat, Yellow-breasted chat, Spotted towhee, Bullock’s oriole, American goldfinch, Gray catbird, Black-headed grosbeak, Lazuli bunting and Bald eagle.

BEST VIEWING SEASON:  May through October

FACILITIES:  The site has an interpretive center, restrooms, and picnic tables. An approximately 1,000-foot long, 200-step boardwalk leads up the pillar to Clark’s signature and continues to the top of the mesa. The interpretive center, restrooms, parking lot, and day use area are fully accessible. Pets must be on a leash at all times except in the pet exercise area. No overnight camping is allowed.

CONTACT:  Pompeys Pillar National Monument Interpretive Center –  406-875-2400, or Bureau of Land Management, Billings Field Office, 5001 Southgate Drive Billings, MT 59101 – 406-896-5013

DIRECTIONS:  Located 25 miles east of Billings on the south bank of the Yellowstone River. The site is accessible from Interstate 94 via exit 23. The site can also be accessed from Montana Highway 312.   

HOWREY ISLAND RECREATION AREA AND NATURE TRAIL

GENERAL INFORMATION:  Howrey Island consists of approximately 321 BLM-administered acres and is in the floodplain of the Yellowstone River. This is a “Pack In, Pack Out” area and all garbage must be removed. Some road sections may be closed due to high river flows or to protect habitat. The entire area is open to walk-in visitation, regardless of conditions. Overnight camping is permitted. No fireworks are allowed. Be mindful of seasonal and area fire restrictions.

HABITAT:    Native grasses, forbs and shrubs. Cottonwood, green ash and willow trees. Forest canopy and meadows.   

SPECIES:  American white pelican, Double-crested cormorant, Greater and Lesser yellowlegs, Spotted sandpiper, Belted kingfisher, Hairy woodpecker, Western wood peewee, Tree and Barn swallow, Blue jay, Black-capped chickadee, White-breasted nuthatch, House wren, Brown thrasher, Yellow-rumped warbler, Common yellowthroat, Yellow-breasted chat, Spotted towhee, Bullock’s oriole, American goldfinch, Gray catbird, Cedar waxwing, Black-headed grosbeak, Lazuli bunting, and Bald eagle.

BEST VIEWING SEASON:  May through October.

FACILITIES:  Restrooms, picnic tables, fire pits, interpretive kiosk, boat ramp and a 1.3-mile nature trail are on-site. No dumpsters—all garbage must be removed.

CONTACT:  Bureau of Land Management, Miles City Field Office, 111 Garryowen Road, Miles City, MT 59301. Call  406-233-2800

DIRECTIONS:  Off Highway 311, 6 miles southwest of Hysham, located along the Yellowstone River.

PIROGUE ISLAND STATE PARK

GENERAL INFORMATION:  Pirogue Island State Park is located along the north bank of the Yellowstone River in the northern great plains of extreme eastern Montana. Due to the site’s location, birds typically associated with a more eastern range are frequently observed at this locale during spring and fall migrations. Examples include Indigo bunting, Rose-breasted grosbeak and Green heron along with various mid-continent warblers. Woodland and wetland/riparian birds can be found along the river and side channel as well as grassland/meadow birds.

HABITAT:    Cottonwood and Russian Olive riparian areas, gravel and sandbars along the Yellowstone River together with narrow, stream-like side channels and grassland meadow. 

SPECIES:  American white pelican, Red-tailed hawk, Bald eagle, Turkey vulture, American kestrel, Wild turkey, Mourning dove, Eastern screech owl, Belted kingfisher, Northern flicker, Eastern and Western kingbird, Blue jay, Eastern bluebird, House wren, Gray catbird, Brown thrasher, American redstart, Yellow warbler, Yellow-breasted chat.

BEST VIEWING SEASON:  May through September.

FACILITIES:  Interpretive trail, latrine, benches, picnic area.

CONTACT:  Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, P.O. Box 1630, Miles City, MT  59301. Call 406-234-0900

MATTHEWS RECREATION AREA

GENERAL INFORMATION:  Access Matthews Recreation Area by gravel road. Launch canoes or kayaks on the Yellowstone River, but no improved boat launch facilities are present. Fishing, bird watching, and wildlife viewing are frequent activities. Overnight camping is permitted. This is a “Pack In, Pack Out” area and all garbage must be removed. No fireworks are allowed. Be mindful of seasonal and area fire restrictions.

HABITAT:    Cottonwood, green ash, and willow trees are prominent near the riverbank flanked by open grassy meadows.  A seasonal irrigation canal loops through the area. 

SPECIES:  American white pelican, Double-crested cormorant, Greater and Lesser yellowlegs, Spotted sandpiper, Belted kingfisher, Downy woodpecker, Western wood peewee, Barn swallow, Blue jay, Black-capped chickadee, White-breasted nuthatch, House wren, Brown thrasher, Common yellowthroat, Yellow-breasted chat, Spotted towhee, Bullock’s oriole, Gray catbird, Cedar waxwing, Black-headed grosbeak, Lazuli bunting and American goldfinch. Raptor species include: Bald eagle, Cooper’s hawk, American kestrel, Red-tailed hawk, Great horned owl and Osprey.

BEST VIEWING SEASON:  May through October.

FACILITIES:  Restrooms, picnic tables, fire pits, standing grills, covered picnic area, interpretive kiosk, handicap-accessible fishing platform and cement walking path.  No dumpsters—all garbage must be removed.

CONTACT:  Bureau of Land Management, Miles City Field Office, 111 Garryowen Road, Miles City, MT 59301. Call  406-233-2800

DIRECTIONS:  At Miles City take I-94 exit 141 north approximately 1 mile to Valley Drive, then northeast 9 miles.