See Hundreds of Thousands of Birds in Montana

Montana’s mild winter may have surprised a lot of people, but it’s not changing one important thing: wildlife migration is still right on schedule. In fact, one of the most spectacular wildlife events in the state is about to take place.

What Is the Wild Wings Festival?

The annual Wild Wings Festival is returning March 20–22 in Choteau, and it celebrates the massive spring migration of birds stopping at Freezeout Lake Wildlife Management Area.

Each spring, hundreds of thousands of birds pass through the area, with huge flocks of snow geese, swans, and other waterfowl gathering at Freezeout Lake. The sight—and sound—of thousands of birds taking off at once is one of Montana’s most impressive wildlife spectacles.

What to Expect at the Festival

The Wild Wings Festival includes several events designed to help people experience the migration up close:

Wildlife photography workshop for those hoping to capture the migration on camera
Meet-and-greet events kicking off Friday night
Free guided tours of Freezeout Lake on Saturday where many of the birds gather
Educational booths about wildlife and conservation
Guest speakers, including presentations about raptors and the story of Montana’s snow geese migration
️ ️ Raffles and prizes

It’s a rare chance to see enormous flocks of birds gathered in one place while learning more about the migration routes that pass directly through Montana.

Why Freezeout Lake Matters

Freezeout Lake Wildlife Management Area is one of the most important migration stopovers in the Northern Rockies. As birds head north toward Canada and Alaska each spring, they pause here to rest and feed before continuing their journey.

During peak migration, the sky can literally fill with birds—something that draws birdwatchers, photographers, and wildlife lovers from all over the region.

If you’ve never seen the migration at Freezeout Lake before, the Wild Wings Festival is one of the best ways to experience it.