The Last Chance Audubon Association has a full slate of events planned for this spring and summer.

- April 19, Saturday -- BLM's McMaster Hills, at the mouth of Spokane Creek

This will be a partly off-trail walk of about five miles round trip, with occasional steep and/or rocky slopes. Highlights are a lush riparian habitat at the mouth of Spokane Creek, views of Hauser Reservoir, an intriguing wooded and rocky canyon and open grasslands. Meet at 9 a.m. in the parking lot in front of the Good Samaritan Store. Preregister by calling Cedron at 442-1271.

- April 26, Saturday -- Spring Meadow Lake State Park

Sara Toubman would like to share the avian surprises at nearby Spring Meadow Lake. Meet her at 7:30 a.m. in the parking lot at Spring Meadow Lake State Park, on the road to Fort Harrison. Please call Sara to sign up at 442-1271.

- April 26, Saturday -- Spring Meadow Lake State Park

James Wilbur of the Prickly Pear Creek Watershed Group will plant shrubs to help Spring Meadow recover from last summer's fire. The LCAS chapter has given them $2,000 to assist in the effort, so this would be a good chance to participate in the Park's program to replace the vegetation that hosts the birds in the area that we so enjoy. Meet James at 8:45 a.m. in the parking lot of the state park and bring a shovel and gloves. The group will work from 9 a.m. to noon, then gather for a bring-your-own picnic lunch.

- May 14, Wednesday -- Evening Last Chance Gulch Bird Walk

Meet Cary Lund at the Lewis and Clark Library at 5:30 p.m. for an easy stroll around the neighborhood close to the library, looking for a variety of local species. Call Cary at 449-3180 to sign up.

- May 17, Saturday -- Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Jo Lace, Brian Shovers and Bob Johnson will lead a group to Benton Lake near Great Falls. This is an excellent opportunity to see waterfowl and burrowing owls. Meet at the Department of Transportation parking lot at 7 a.m., return about 4 p.m. Bring a lunch, water, binoculars, spotting scope and dress for any weather. Call 443-6640 to reserve a spot.

- May 28, Wednesday -- Evening Last Chance Gulch Bird Walk

Meet Cary Lund at the Lewis and Clark Library at 5:30 p.m. for an easy stroll around the neighborhood close to the library, looking for a variety of local species. Call Cary at 449-3180 to sign up.

- June 14, Saturday - Little Prickly Pear Creek

Set your alarm clock and join early bird Dan Sullivan at 6:50 a.m. to enjoy some fantastic birding from Silver City to Sieben Ranch, where Little Prickly Pear Creek winds through a narrow valley of grass-covered hills and rocky outcroppings. There is a good chance for hawks, rock wrens, cranes, bobolinks, thrushes, orioles and warblers. Dan would like to meet in front of the Good Samaritan Store at Custer and Montana. Please call him at 443-4229 to reserve a spot.

- June 28, Saturday -- Nevada Valley Trumpeter Swan Release (tentative)

Fourteen trumpeter swans were released on two separate ranches in the Nevada Valley in 2007, bringing the total number of swans released in the valley to 41.

Biologists anticipate releasing approximately 40 swans in 2008 and will continue releases until seven active breeding pairs are established in the Valley. A maximum of 20 visitors from outside the Valley are allowed to witness this moving event, so call Nancy Tunnicliff at 442-5024 to confirm the date, reserve a spot, and learn the meeting place and time.