BirdAnalyst
BBS Route · Montana · BCR 11

Ester Lake Bird Survey Route

A standard 50-stop Breeding Bird Survey route. 94 species recorded across 9 survey years, still active.

94Species RecordedSpecies recordedDistinct species detected on standard-protocol BBS runs here across all years on record — a measure of survey breadth, not a complete checklist.Full methodology →
9Years SurveyedYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →
2015–2024Span
1Observers

Bird Species Found on Montana Ester Lake

Top 40 of 94 species by most recent count. Each links to its species trend.

Species recorded on the Ester Lake route.
Recent countThe raw number of individuals recorded on this route in its most recent survey year. A single-route tally, not a trend.Full methodology →TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →Baseline yearThe first year of the smoothed window the trend is measured from. An earlier baseline means a longer record stands behind the number.Full methodology →History
Western MeadowlarkIcteridae2762024+29%2017
Franklin's GullLaridae1282024-27%2018
Horned LarkAlaudidae1272024+112%2017
Lark BuntingPasserellidae1162024+17%2017
Red-winged BlackbirdIcteridae742024-10%2017
Ring-billed GullLaridae712024-22%2019
Grasshopper SparrowPasserellidae682024+20%2017
Chestnut-collared LongspurCalcariidae432024+253%2017
Brown-headed CowbirdIcteridae342024-35%2017
Mourning DoveColumbidae272024+92%2017
MallardAnatidae242024-59%2017
Vesper SparrowPasserellidae232024+26%2017
Eastern KingbirdTyrannidae172024+135%2017
Brewer's BlackbirdIcteridae142024-65%2017
BobolinkIcteridae132024-58%2017
Yellow-headed BlackbirdIcteridae132024-54%2017
American White PelicanPelecanidae102024+22%2017
Canada GooseAnatidae102024+983%2017
GadwallAnatidae92024+35%2017
Long-billed CurlewScolopacidae92024+31%2017
Ring-necked PheasantPhasianidae92024-87%2017
Barn SwallowHirundinidae92024+7%2017
Marbled GodwitScolopacidae82024-57%2017
Common NighthawkCaprimulgidae82024+100%2019
Wilson's PhalaropeScolopacidae72024-60%2017
KilldeerCharadriidae72024-77%2017
Clay-colored SparrowPasserellidae72024-43%2017
California GullLaridae62024+14%2016
WilletScolopacidae62024-29%2017
Sprague's PipitMotacillidae62024-32%2017
CanvasbackAnatidae62023-59%2017
Baird's SparrowPasserellidae52024-18%2017
Common YellowthroatParulidae52024-19%2017
American WigeonAnatidae42024-62%2017
Blue-winged TealAnatidae42024-68%2017
Northern HarrierAccipitridae42024-33%2017
European StarlingSturnidae42024+0%2017
American CootRallidae42024-64%2018
Brewer's SparrowPasserellidae42023+250%2019
Eared GrebePodicipedidae42024+100%2023

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-05-22. A route is a sample, not a census.