Lewis and Clark County a great place for birding!
Whether you are new to birding, or a long-time participant, Lewis and Clark County is Montana’s best place to see birds year-round.
At 323 species recorded, a full 72% of the 446 species ID’ed in Montana have been seen in Lewis and Clark County (L&C) over the years. Over 1,850 birders have recorded species lists in L&C County. One birder in L&C county holds the statewide record for species seen in a county by an individual at 308 species recorded.
The February 2025 Newsletter from Last Chance Audubon can be quoted as saying that, using their qualitative and quantitative measures, “We are number one!!!” in L&C County for birding opportunites in Montana.
Our diverse landscape, with grasslands, craggy cliffs, decently high elevation around the edges, forests, lakes, ponds, streams, and the Missouri River just a stone’s throw away, makes this a great place for birds and birders alike.
Birding is a terrific way to get outdoors and actively enjoy nature. Being in nature feels good and it is good for us. Birding, and its somewhat less active counterpart, birdwatching, both increased in popularity during the pandemic.
Both activities are still growing.
NatureMT, our partner site, has an image library of over 200 Montana birds (and growing), a page with the birds you are most likely to see in the greater Helena area, and a Rapid Raptor Resource.
Enjoy!
See what bird species are being heard on the NW shoulder of Mount Helena in real time!
See bottom of page for printable list of bird species that have been recorded in L&C County
The selected locations below provide six quick, easy places to begin to see birds without dedicating a large amount of time or effort. Just to get a taste and see if birding is for you. The sites are listed in order of both ease of use and species density. Prickly Pear Park in East Helena is the crown Jewel in the Helena area easy birding scene.
Prickly Pear Park
Location: bulge.tuxedos.skaters
This park, which opened in May of 2025, is a fantastic place to spend an hour slowly taking in all that a lovely riparian area has to offer. The Loop trail is about 1.4 miles (2.4k), and the Out & Back spur is about .5 miles (.8k) overall. The Prickly Pear Creek winds through the park and the two bridges that cross the creek are great spots to stop and listen to the combination of running water and birdsong. The wetlands that the trail encircles provide ample habitat for a myriad of bird species.
Montana eBird indicates that more than 100 species of birds have been recorded here. There is some road, train, and airport noise, but the birds don’t seem to mind.
Spring Meadow State Park
Location: ///fateful.floats.noticed
Spring Meadow State Park is a great place to find birds. Early in the day there are often a a dozen folks wandering the trail with binoculars or cameras. This roughly 1 mile (1.6k) trail is easy to navigate and offers good views of the water in several areas.
Montana eBird indicates that more than 185 species of birds have been recorded here.
The K-Mart Wetlands
Location: ///hope.oasis.studio
These ponds are stormwater runoff ponds, but the birds don’t seem to mind. The walking ‘loop’ is about a mile (1.6k). Unless it is all frozen, the top pond (in the image to the left) always has water, the two below it usually have water. The marshy area to the left of the three main ponds has a stream of water coming in, but is rarely full.
Montana eBird indicates that more than 190 species of birds have been recorded here. There is highway and airport noise, but, again, the birds don’t seem to mind.
Regulating Reservoir
Locations: ///listeners.allow.solved and ///extracting.combines.exclude
You can see lots of birds from the causeway, or you can walk any number of short trails to the shoreline. There is also a trail that circumnavigates the entire reservoir. During the fall and early winter, the Reservoir gets its share of accidental rarities. Jaegers, and a few species of gulls and loons not typically found inland sometimes end up at the reservoir.
Montana eBird indicates that more than 220 species of birds have been recorded here.
Upper Prickly Pear Fishing Access Site
Location: ///assemble.turtle.smelter
This mile long (1.6k) path follows a section of the Little Prickly Pear Creek. You will need a state issued recreation permit, also called a Montana Conservation License, to use this site. This is a popular flyfishing and dog walking area. Sandhill Cranes are often found here in the springtime, and lots of ducks, geese, warblers, and sparrows populate the farther reaches of the trail.
Montana eBird indicates that over 130 species of birds have been recorded here.
Nature Park
Location: ///swing.hook.sunk
Considering the trains, nearby residential area, golf course, and other industrial aspects of the area surrounding Nature Park, it seems as though it should not be as productive as it is. However, over 150 species of birds have been recorded on Montana eBird in Nature Park.
This is a great, quick, easy place to start birding in Helena. Binoculars, a couple of apps on your phone, and a willingness to slow down and immerse in your surroundings is all you really need to get started.
“The Question Is Not What You Look At, But What You See.”
Henry David Thoreau
This printable pdf file lists all of he birds seen in Lewis and Clark County over the years. Feel free to download it and keep track of what you see.