Park and Trails Planning Within a Great Avian Habitat

In December, staff presented the initial proposal for the Cattail Creek and Anchor Route Park Master Plan to the City Commission and the Sustainability Board to raise awareness of the master plan, which City Commission will ultimately adopt by resolution.

Staff have continued discussions with neighborhood representatives and community organizations to prepare for implementation once the plan is adopted. The main elements of the proposal that will move to construction first include pathway connections, wayfinding, and replacing groomed lawn with a more diverse array of drought-tolerant and native vegetation.

The planning process has provided a conceptual overlay for an undeveloped "gap" area between Baxter and the Cattail Creek Subdivision, offering an opportunity for the Park Master Plan to proactively guide growth rather than react to it. Additionally, collaboration with the Bozeman School District as one of the largest landowners in the area presents opportunities to enhance safe routes to schools and secure grant funding.

We are excited to educate the community about the Master Plan through unique opportunities and have been discussing hosting a winter bird count and a nature hike in partnership with the Sacajawea Audubon Society (SAS) and the Bozeman Tree Coalition. Stay tuned for information and check back here for project updates!

A bit about birds in Bozeman, report provided by Paulette Epple, SAS Conservation Co-Chair.

SAS has been conducting annual Christmas Bird Counts, which includes the project area around Cattail Lake. On December 14, counters tallied 76 species, one of the highest counts recorded in the Bozeman area count. Three new species – Greater White-fronted Goose, Anna's Hummingbird, and Williamson's Sapsucker – were added to the list. Other rare sightings included a Sandhill Crane, a Hermit Thrush, and a Great-tailed Grackle, all of which typically migrate south earlier in the season. Notably, a record of 611 American Robins were observed, likely due to warm weather and minimal snow delaying bird migrations in Montana. Within this area, there have now been 180 species of birds recorded since the Cornell database eBird was established in 2002, with an increase of 15 species since 2021 alone.

Eared Grebe, photo by Lou Ann Harris (Co-Conservation Chair, SASMarsh Wren, photo by John ParkerTree Swallow, photo by John Parker

Note: these photos showcase bird species associated with the Cattail corridor, though they may not be present in the area during winter or photographed at this exact location.