Date: 10/20/26 7:33 am From: susanjoneswismer via groups.io <susanjoneswismer...> Subject: [sd-birds] Harris Sparrows
I have a question of you experts about Harris Sparrows. I love the Harris sparrows that I hear and/or see for a day or two in the spring, and again in the fall as they pass through. I've been hearing them for at least 5 days now. At dusk you'd think my treebelt was full of them for all the noise they were making. Merlin says I was only hearing Harris Sparrows. Maybe I just haven't spent that much time listening for birds at dusk...after the sun was down. But one minute they were singing to beat the band, and the next minute all was quiet. Is this unique to Harris, or do other sparrows/species do this? I don't mean the pre-sunset burst of feeding activity; I mean the chorus.
Date: 10/19/26 2:31 pm From: Judy Hengen via groups.io <judyhengen...> Subject: [sd-birds] Canyon Lake Park Survey, RC, Pennington Co. Oct. 19, 2026
Canyon Lake Park Survey, Rapid City, Pennington County
Oct 19, 2026 7:15 AM – 9:50 AM
Surveyors: Anya Hartpence, Judy Hengen, Jackie Stucky-Strom
Conditions: Temp: Start: 36 End: 47 Wind (Beaufort Scale): 3
mostly
Cloud Cover: 20%-50% cloudy Weather: wind early, clouds hiding sun
mostly, wind CHILL
SPECIES: 25 INDIVIDUALS: 593
Canada Goose 332
Wood Duck 1
Northern Shoveler 5
Gadwall 41
American Wigeon 5
Mallard 76
Ring-necked Duck 1
Bufflehead 1 FOS
Hooded Merganser 1
Common Merganser 9
Rock Pigeon 21
Eurasian Collared-Dove 12
American Coot 26
Great Blue Heron 3
Bald Eagle 1
Belted Kingfisher 1
Northern Flicker 2
Blue Jay 5
American Crow 2
European Starling 23
Townsend’s Solitaire 2
American Robin 5
House Sparrow 13
House Finch 4
White-crowned Sparrow 1
Date: 10/17/26 10:09 am From: Vic Fondy via groups.io <treasurecreek...> Subject: [sd-birds] Trip to Belle Fourche Reservoir and Whitewood sightings
We birded backroads Friday 10/16 to Bear Butte Lake then to Nisland, Belle Fourche Reservoir and Crooked Oaks and backroads back to Whitewood. Good weather but poor birding and only 24 species. Bear Butte Lake is about 70 percent land and 30 percent water and the South gate is closed. The Belle Fourche Reservoir is 17 feet below full with the water area quite distant from the shore. Irrigation has ceased and the canals are dry. There was waterfowl out in the water area but too far out to safely identify. Our birds of the day were migrating hawks. We counted 10 Red-tailed Hawks, one large flock of Swainson's Hawks near Bear Butte Lake, one Northern Harrier, and one American Kestrel. Other sightings of interest included American White Pelicans, DC Cormorants, one late Belted Kingfisher, Wood Ducks, and clouds of European Starlings in the hundreds or thousands. Sparrows were limited to Chipping and White-crowned.
At our feeders 1.5 south of Whitewood, some of the species may have migrated south. Last sighting of Spotted Towhee was 10/9, American Goldfinch 10/5, and Mourning Dove 10/15. We still have lots of the winter resident birds but no new species.
Date: 10/16/26 5:41 pm From: David Strom via groups.io <djstrom...> Subject: [sd-birds] Outdoor Campus West Survey 10-16-2026
The weekly survey at the Outdoor Campus West was conducted on October 16, 2026, by Judy Hengen and Jackie Stucky-Strom. 33 species were identified with a total of 250 individuals.
Canada Goose-8
Mallard-53
American Wigeon-4
Blue Wing Teal-1
Rock Pigeon-21
Eurasian Collared Dove-13
Wilson's Snipe-1
Northern Flicker-8
Downy Woodpecker-2
Hairy Woodpecker-1
Red Tail Hawk-1
Sharp Shinned Hawk-1
American Kestrel-1
Eastern Phoebe-1
Red -Eye Vireo-1
Blue Jay-5
American Crow-8
Black Capped Chickadee-10
Red Breasted Nuthatch-2
White Breasted Nuthatch-5
Pygmy Nuthatch-5
European Starling-13
Townsend's Solitaire-7
American Robin-64
House Sparrow-1
House Finch-3
Red Wing Blackbird-1
Common Grackle-1
Dark Eyed Junco-2
Song Sparrow-1
White Crowned Sparrow-2
White Throated Sparrow-2
Northern Cardinal-1
Start Time: 7:15 AM, 31 degrees, Sky-Clear, Wind-0
Date: 10/16/26 9:01 am From: N Drilling via groups.io <dril0008...> Subject: [sd-birds] upcoming SDOU meeting!
Hi SoDak birders,
I just registered for the upcoming SDOU meeting, which is going to be in Yankton November 6-8. The list of speakers looks amazing and you can never go wrong birding in the Yankton area. I'm very excited to be going! Come and join us, you don't have to be a SDOU member to attend. Details/registration at https://sdou.org/SDOU/NextMeeting.aspx
Date: 10/12/26 2:02 pm From: jociebaker115 via groups.io <jociebaker115...> Subject: Re: [sd-birds] [nhbc] Keyhole Dam Field Trip
The Evening Grosbeaks seem to be showing up everywhere! Thanks for sharing, Jocie
-----Original Message-----
From: <nhbc...> <nhbc...> On Behalf Of Vic Fondy via groups.io
Sent: Monday, October 12, 2026 11:47 AM
To: NHBC <nhbc...>; SD-Birds <sd-birds...>
Subject: [nhbc] Keyhole Dam Field Trip
The Northern Hills Bird Club conducted a field trip to Keyhole Dam in Wyoming led by Jennifer A. The group birded the old Sundance Road, town of Pine Haven, and most locations on Keyhole Dam. Weather was overcast /light drizzle in the morning with clearing in the afternoon. I couldn't find a percentage level, but the reservoir is 15 feet below full with large areas of beach showing and the lake water was about 1/2 miles from Highway 14 instead of right by the highway. The area is suffering from major drought with most area small reservoirs dry and the Belle Fourche river flowing into Keyhole reservoir was completely dry.
Birding on the reservoir and Pine Haven yielded 34 species for the trip. The surprise sighting was a small group of 8 or 10 Evening Grosbeaks on a lawn in Pine Haven. Other highlights included large numbers of Mountain Bluebirds and Robins, a FOS Oregon Junco, both Bald and Golden Eagles, clouds/hundreds of European Starlings, Wild Turkeys everywhere in Pine View, lots of Townsend's Solitaires, one Yellow-rumped Warbler, and quite a few American White Pelicans. The complete list of sightings is below:
Common Loon, Western-Horned-Pied Billed Grebe, American White Pelican, DC Cormorant, Canada Geese, Gadwall Ducks, Red-tailed Hawk, Bald and Golden Eagles, Wild Turkey, American Coot, RB Gull, EC and Rock Dove, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Blue Jay, BB Magpie, American Crow, BC Chickadee, WB Nuthatch, Robin, Townsend's Solitaire, Mountain Bluebird, European Starling, YR Warbler, House Sparrow, Western Meadowlark, Evening Grosbeak, House Finch, Oregon Junco, and White-crowned Sparrow.
Date: 10/12/26 11:04 am From: Judy Hengen via groups.io <judyhengen...> Subject: [sd-birds] Canyon Lake Park Survey, RC, Pennington Co. Oct. 12, 2026
Canyon Lake Park Survey, Rapid City, Pennington County
Oct 12, 2026 7:15 AM – 9:40 AM
Surveyors: Muriel Anderson, Laural Bidwell, Judy Hengen, Jackie
Stucky-Strom
Conditions: Temp: Start: 50 End: 48 Wind (Beaufort Scale): Wind
0-1
Cloud Cover: 100% cloudy Weather: fog, intermittent falling mist,
wet, low light
SPECIES: 23 INDIVIDUALS: 238
Canada Goose 18
Wood Duck 4
Gadwall 31
American Wigeon 7
Mallard 64
Hooded Merganser 1
Common Merganser 7
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Rock Pigeon 23
Eurasian Collared-Dove 6
American Coot 20
Bald Eagle 1
Belted Kingfisher 3
Northern Flicker 3
Blue Jay 3
American Crow 3
European Starling 9
American Robin 7
House Sparrow 16
House Finch 4
White-crowned Sparrow 4
White-throated Sparrow 1
Common Grackle 2
Date: 10/12/26 10:50 am From: Vic Fondy via groups.io <treasurecreek...> Subject: [sd-birds] Keyhole Dam Field Trip
The Northern Hills Bird Club conducted a field trip to Keyhole Dam in Wyoming led by Jennifer A. The group birded the old Sundance Road, town of Pine Haven, and most locations on Keyhole Dam. Weather was overcast /light drizzle in the morning with clearing in the afternoon. I couldn't find a percentage level, but the reservoir is 15 feet below full with large areas of beach showing and the lake water was about 1/2 miles from Highway 14 instead of right by the highway. The area is suffering from major drought with most area small reservoirs dry and the Belle Fourche river flowing into Keyhole reservoir was completely dry.
Birding on the reservoir and Pine Haven yielded 34 species for the trip. The surprise sighting was a small group of 8 or 10 Evening Grosbeaks on a lawn in Pine Haven. Other highlights included large numbers of Mountain Bluebirds and Robins, a FOS Oregon Junco, both Bald and Golden Eagles, clouds/hundreds of European Starlings, Wild Turkeys everywhere in Pine View, lots of Townsend's Solitaires, one Yellow-rumped Warbler, and quite a few American White Pelicans. The complete list of sightings is below:
Common Loon, Western-Horned-Pied Billed Grebe, American White Pelican, DC Cormorant, Canada Geese, Gadwall Ducks, Red-tailed Hawk, Bald and Golden Eagles, Wild Turkey, American Coot, RB Gull, EC and Rock Dove, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Blue Jay, BB Magpie, American Crow, BC Chickadee, WB Nuthatch, Robin, Townsend's Solitaire, Mountain Bluebird, European Starling, YR Warbler, House Sparrow, Western Meadowlark, Evening Grosbeak, House Finch, Oregon Junco, and White-crowned Sparrow.
Date: 10/9/26 6:14 pm From: David Strom via groups.io <djstrom...> Subject: [sd-birds] Survey at Outdoor campus west 10-9-2026
The weekly survey at the Outdoor Campus West was conducted on October 9, 2026, by Judy Hengen, Rachel Benton, Laural Bidwell, Anya Hartpence and Jackie Stucky-Strom. 26 species were identified with a total of 282 individuals.
Mallard-16
Rock Pigeon-32
Eurasian Collared Dove-25
Osprey-1
Belted Kingfisher-2
Northern Flicker-9
American Kestrel-2
Blue Jay-6
American Crow-5
Black capped Chickadee-19
Ruby Crowned Kinglet-1
Red Breasted Nuthatch-2
White Breasted Nuthatch-3
Pygmy Nuthatch-5
Townsend's Solitaire-14
European Starling-32
American Robin-49
House Sparrow-7
House finch-8
American Goldfinch-5
Red Wing Blackbird-5
Common Grackle-26
Dark eyed Junco-2
Common Yellowthroat-1
Yellow Rumped Warbler-1
Orange Crowned Warbler-4
Start Time: 7:15 AM, 45 degrees, Sky-clear, Wind-0
Date: 10/5/26 7:14 pm From: Brian Kringen via groups.io <bkringen...> Subject: Re: [sd-birds] Lewis's Woodpeckers--Devil's Tower
A few blurring shots with the phone….
> On Oct 5, 2026, at 8:11 PM, Brian Kringen via groups.io <bkringen...> wrote:
>
> In case anyone is headed out to Devil’s Tower soon, there are at least four (possibly more) Lewis’s Woodpeckers having a feast on the oak acorns in the picnic area next to the prairie dog town. There are quite a few B-B Magpies as well, always looking for a handout. I observed some interesting interaction between one of the Lewis’s and a Magpie: What looked like the two playing together was probably either the Lewis’s trying to steal the Magpie’s cached acorns… or vice-versa! Great observations. We only had the iPhones with us, but they should offer some good photos.
>
> Brian Kringen
> 3788 Chapel Lane
> Rapid City, SD 57702
> Tel: (605) 342-8281
> E-Mail: <bkringen...>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 10/5/26 7:11 pm From: Brian Kringen via groups.io <bkringen...> Subject: [sd-birds] Lewis's Woodpeckers--Devil's Tower
In case anyone is headed out to Devil’s Tower soon, there are at least four (possibly more) Lewis’s Woodpeckers having a feast on the oak acorns in the picnic area next to the prairie dog town. There are quite a few B-B Magpies as well, always looking for a handout. I observed some interesting interaction between one of the Lewis’s and a Magpie: What looked like the two playing together was probably either the Lewis’s trying to steal the Magpie’s cached acorns… or vice-versa! Great observations. We only had the iPhones with us, but they should offer some good photos.
Brian Kringen
3788 Chapel Lane
Rapid City, SD 57702
Tel: (605) 342-8281
E-Mail: <bkringen...>
Date: 10/5/26 5:42 am From: Ricky Olson via groups.io <olsonr088...> Subject: Re: [sd-birds] E. STARLING
No you won't because then you would have to add them to all your lists lol
On Sun, Oct 4, 2026 at 3:22 PM Gary & Cindy Olson via groups.io <olsonfam=
<nvc.net...> wrote:
> Found this bird to be of interest this morning during my morning walk
> combined with a birding outing along Moccasin Creek here in Aberdeen.
> Most folks I bird with know I don't have a big (well any kind of) love
> for E. Starlings. But this morning I saw this particular Starling, body
> blocked by dead branches in tree with a white head looking out being
> only visible part of bird. Re positioned myself for a better view as of
> that point I wasn't fully aware of it being a Starling. Head was fully a
> bright white and bill was straight and black. My new position I was able
> to see full bird plus it was with other Starlings so my thoughts was
> Starling. Anyhow I thought rather Kool. Now if all E. Starlings looked
> this way I might be able to find some love for them. Hmmm. Naw.
>
> Gary Olson
>
> Aberdeen
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 10/4/26 1:22 pm From: Gary & Cindy Olson via groups.io <olsonfam...> Subject: [sd-birds] E. STARLING
Found this bird to be of interest this morning during my morning walk
combined with a birding outing along Moccasin Creek here in Aberdeen.
Most folks I bird with know I don't have a big (well any kind of) love
for E. Starlings. But this morning I saw this particular Starling, body
blocked by dead branches in tree with a white head looking out being
only visible part of bird. Re positioned myself for a better view as of
that point I wasn't fully aware of it being a Starling. Head was fully a
bright white and bill was straight and black. My new position I was able
to see full bird plus it was with other Starlings so my thoughts was
Starling. Anyhow I thought rather Kool. Now if all E. Starlings looked
this way I might be able to find some love for them. Hmmm. Naw.
Date: 10/4/26 12:34 pm From: Vic Fondy via groups.io <treasurecreek...> Subject: [sd-birds] Pinedale Field Trip
The Northern Hills Bird Club (NHBC) will conduct a field trip to Keyhole Dam in Wyoming on Sunday October 11, 2026. (There were conflicts on Saturday) We'll meet at the Sundance West side Conoco off of I-90 exit 185 at 8 AM. Jen Adams will be leading the trip which will take back roads to Keyhole and around the dam.. The group will have lunch at Pine Haven and birding will end early afternoon around 3 PM. Please bring your hand-held radio if you have one.
Date: 10/3/26 5:50 pm From: jociebaker115 via groups.io <jociebaker115...> Subject: Re: [sd-birds] [nhbc] Whitewood to Orman/return and WW Sightings
Thanks for the report. Good to see you are back and got out with Donna, Hope all was great in Alaska. Jocie
-----Original Message-----
From: <nhbc...> <nhbc...> On Behalf Of Vic Fondy via groups.io
Sent: Saturday, October 3, 2026 6:21 PM
To: NHBC <nhbc...>; SD-Birds <sd-birds...>
Subject: [nhbc] Whitewood to Orman/return and WW Sightings
We birded today from Whitewood to Belle Fourche Reservoir via Whitewood Valley and Crooked Oaks and returning via East of Belle Fourche, NE of Spearfish, and Crook City Rd.,. Weather was warm and windy. Belle Fourche reservoir has been lowered to about 37% with lots of shoreline visible and only a low-water platform to launch boats. BF reservoir sightings were limited with no ducks or shorebirds seen, but numbers of Ringed-billed Gulls, American White Pelican, and DC Cormorants. Raptors today were 4 Red-tailed Hawks, and 2 American Kestrels. Other sightings today included large numbers of Wild Turkeys in many locations, one flock of 15-20 Western Meadowlarks probably migrating, plus quite a few Mountain Bluebirds. Sparrows sightings were Vesper, Chipping, and White-crowned. Most all of the roadside ponds were dry, but we had 7 Wood Ducks on St. Onge cutoff road and a few Mallards and Gadwalls on a couple of small ponds with water.
At our feeders 1.5 miles south of Whitewood, Summer migrants including Black-headed Grosbeak, Western Tanager, Brown Thrasher, and Mourning Dove have departed and we have had only a few Chipping/White-crowned Sparrows as new Fall arrivals. Hairy Woodpeckers were also absent most of September, but showed up again yesterday. We still have lots of year around birds including Turkeys, BC Chickadees, Red and White-breasted Nuthatches, EC Doves, Blue Jays, House Finches, Goldfinches, and Downy Woodpeckers. Our Spotted Towhees are also still around but will probably leave soon.
Date: 10/3/26 5:21 pm From: Vic Fondy via groups.io <treasurecreek...> Subject: [sd-birds] Whitewood to Orman/return and WW Sightings
We birded today from Whitewood to Belle Fourche Reservoir via Whitewood Valley and Crooked Oaks and returning via East of Belle Fourche, NE of Spearfish, and Crook City Rd.,. Weather was warm and windy. Belle Fourche reservoir has been lowered to about 37% with lots of shoreline visible and only a low-water platform to launch boats. BF reservoir sightings were limited with no ducks or shorebirds seen, but numbers of Ringed-billed Gulls, American White Pelican, and DC Cormorants. Raptors today were 4 Red-tailed Hawks, and 2 American Kestrels. Other sightings today included large numbers of Wild Turkeys in many locations, one flock of 15-20 Western Meadowlarks probably migrating, plus quite a few Mountain Bluebirds. Sparrows sightings were Vesper, Chipping, and White-crowned. Most all of the roadside ponds were dry, but we had 7 Wood Ducks on St. Onge cutoff road and a few Mallards and Gadwalls on a couple of small ponds with water.
At our feeders 1.5 miles south of Whitewood, Summer migrants including Black-headed Grosbeak, Western Tanager, Brown Thrasher, and Mourning Dove have departed and we have had only a few Chipping/White-crowned Sparrows as new Fall arrivals. Hairy Woodpeckers were also absent most of September, but showed up again yesterday. We still have lots of year around birds including Turkeys, BC Chickadees, Red and White-breasted Nuthatches, EC Doves, Blue Jays, House Finches, Goldfinches, and Downy Woodpeckers. Our Spotted Towhees are also still around but will probably leave soon.
Date: 10/3/26 11:53 am From: Jeff Hansen via groups.io <jeff.hansen.sd...> Subject: [sd-birds] Turkey vultures
I find these birds to be so interesting because they flock and are huge. I bought groceries yesterday at coburns in Mitchell. As I was leaving there was a steady stream of vultures flying overhead. I counted 60. Do they fly to the cities to roost. I think they do.
I have sparrows at my place in Southern sanborn county. Lincoln's, song, Harris and likely chipping but maybe Clay colored. Other birds include a pine siskin and yellow rump warbler.
Date: 10/2/26 5:43 pm From: David Strom via groups.io <djstrom...> Subject: [sd-birds] Outdoor Campus West Survey Friday 10-2-2026
The weekly survey at the Outdoor Campus West was conducted on October 2, 2026, by Judy Hengen, Rachel Benton, Laural Bidwell, Anya Hartpence and Jackie Stucky-Strom. 30 species were identified with a total of 228 individuals.
Canada Goose-3
Mallard-33
Wood Duck-1
Rock Pigeon-33
Eurasian Collared Dove-16
Downy Woodpecker-1
Hairy Woodpecker-1
Northern Flicker-4
Eastern Phoebe-1
Red-eyed Vireo-1
Blue Jay-6
American Crow-15
Black capped Chickadee-19
Red Breasted Nuthatch-5
White Breasted Nuthatch-7
Pygmy Nuthatch-7
European Starling-25
Townsend's Solitaire-11
American Robin-8
House Sparrow-1
House Finch-5
Red Crossbill-3
Chipping Sparrow-2
White Crowned Sparrow-4
Dark Eyed Junco-1
Spotted Towhee-1
Golden Crowned Kinglet-1
Orange Crowned Warbler-2
Wilson's Warbler-2
Common Grackle-9
Start Time: 7:15 AM, 50 degrees, Sky-50% cloud covered, Wind-3
Date: 10/1/26 1:27 pm From: Chris Anderson via groups.io <canderson1...> Subject: [sd-birds] SFBC events next week - Oct. 6 and 10
Next week the Sioux Falls Bird Club will have two events.
Tuesday, Oct. 6, 7:00 p.m. - our fall business meeting. We will quickly talk about our club finances, our Christmas Bird Counts this upcoming winter, next year's field trip schedule, and more, then enjoy a presentation from member Scott Leuning about a trip to Africa he took earlier this year. All told, these meetings usually last a little over an hour.
Saturday, Oct. 10, 8:00 a.m. - our monthly field trip. We'll meet at the Outdoor Campus East (4500 S Oxbow Ave) to organize carpooling, and then will head west of town to Wall Lake, Dewey Gevik Nature Area, and other wetlands to look for migrating sparrows, gulls, late warblers, and other birds. We will likely walk some of the trail at Dewey Gevik, but for those who don't wish to walk much, there are ample opportunities to view birds from the observation deck and bird blind near the parking lot. We'll aim to return to the OC around midday.
You do not need to be a club member to attend either event, all are welcome!
Chris Anderson
Sioux Falls, SD
Date: 9/27/26 7:21 pm From: Jeff Hansen via groups.io <jeff.hansen.sd...> Subject: [sd-birds] Movie
I just read the plot to North by Northwest and I obviously did not follow it. It was a very confusing movie. The Man who knew too much was another favorite of mine. I think I liked it. Probably better.
Date: 9/25/26 6:30 pm From: David Strom via groups.io <djstrom...> Subject: [sd-birds] Outdoor Campus West Survey 9-27-2026
The Weekly survey at the Outdoor Campus West was conducted by Judy Hengen, Laural Bidwell and Jackie Stucky-Strom on September 25, 2026. 34 species were identified with a total of 254 individuals.
Canada Goose-10
Mallard-7
Rock Pigeon-50
Eurasian Collared Dove-22
Killdeer-1
Great Blue Heron-1
Turkey Vulture-1
Belted Kingfisher-1
Downy Woodpecker-1
Northern Flicker-8
Western Wood Pewee-1
Eastern Phoebe-3
Red -eyed Vireo-1
Blue Jay-8
American Crow-2
Black Capped Chickadee-28
Red Breasted Nuthutch-3
White Breasted Nuthatch-1
Pygmy Nuthatch-5
Brown Thrasher-1
European Starling-49
Townsend's Solitaire-8
Swainson's Thrush-1
American Robin-13
House Sparrow-8
House Finch-5
Lincoln's Sparrow-1
Spotted Towhee-1
Common Grackle-5
Orange Crowned Warbler-2
Wilson's Warbler-3
American Redstart-1
Western Tanager-1
Northern Cardinal-1
Start time: 7:00 AM, 50 degrees, Sky-50% covered, Wind-0
End Time: 10:30 AM, 68 degrees, Dky-90% covered, Wind-1
> Fellow birders:
>
> FINALLY!
>
> Yesterday and the day before I was finally rewarded with birds. Everywhere I went was a joy-spring of avian delight.. .okay.. okay.. enough purple prose.
>
> After several weeks of no birds, I found 3 species of vireos (Warbling, Yellow-throated and Philadelphia) in my front yard Tuesday AM, with Tennessee and Yellow-rumped warblers. They were joined yesterday by Ruby-crowned Kinglets and American Restarts. I headed to the outdoor campus, but got side-tracked at “the Hole” off Kiwanis Ave at Sertoma Park (Oxbow Park). 5 more species of warbler (best a Canada) and bluebirds.
>
> Excited to finally be seeing birds in Sioux Falls, I headed out to Farm Field Park and got more birds including a Black and White Warbler and Swainson’s Thrush. Took a trip out to our west Minnehaha County wetlands and found 3 Great Egrets and only 1 Great Blue Heron. No shorebirds other than 3-4 Killdeer.
> But I found a traveling group of gulls headed south—way high I could only surmise that most were ring-billed and the smaller ones were Franklin’s. One extra large one was probably a Herring, but no ID possible. For all I know is it was a Kelp Gull. (No, it wasn’t.)
While looking at this trail of high up gulls I saw that some were not gulls. Luckily I got to see they were kettling and were not with the gull-train. They were lower and were Braid-singed Hawks.
Date: 9/23/26 10:13 am From: Jeff Hansen via groups.io <jeff.hansen.sd...> Subject: [sd-birds] Shorebirds
I was musseling on the James River as it is quite low. I had 6 greater yellow legs feeding on mud flats as well as killdeer and a peep. I think I saw a spotted as well. Sanborn and beadle counties.
Date: 9/23/26 4:01 am From: N Drilling via groups.io <dril0008...> Subject: Re: [sd-birds] FT PIERRE
On Monday, I found another odd group of migrants in the Pierre area, a
large group of egrets on Discovery Island. I counted 167 W. Cattle Egrets
and 12 Snowy Egrets in the flock. Not only are these two species rather
unusual this far west, but these numbers typically aren't seen except in
breeding colonies. But in my experience, egrets are particularly loathe to
migrate in dismal weather, which may explain this fallout.
Nancy Drilling
Rapid City/Miller
On Fri, 18 Sept 2026 at 11:24, Ricky D Olson via groups.io <tatanka40=
<pie.midco.net...> wrote:
> This morning there were 43 terns on a sandbar 3 Forster’s and 40 Commons.
> Usually only see a few Common’s??
>
>
>
> On the end of Oahe East Tailrace was a flock of Gulls
>
>
>
> Many Ring-billed
>
> Fair number of Franklin’s
>
> A Short-billed Gull
>
> An adult Lesser Black-backed
>
> Few California
>
>
>
Date: 9/23/26 3:48 am From: N Drilling via groups.io <dril0008...> Subject: Re: [sd-birds] Black-throated Blue Warbler, Sioux Falls
I also found some small but diverse warbler/vireo flocks on Tuesday, in
Aurora and Jerauld counties. And plenty of Broad-winged and Cooper's hawks
to chase the songbird migrants around. Best bird of the day was an adult
Red-shouldered Hawk that popped out of the woods along the nature trail in
southwest Wessington Springs. I hadn't seen any shorebirds, except
Killdeer, for about a week but found a group, which included Dunlin and
Short-billed Dowitcher, in a flooded field in Jerauld County. Perhaps the
sunny skies after several days of fog/drizzle/low clouds allowed some late
migrants to come through, despite the stiff southeast winds.
Best mammal of the day was a teeny-tiny Least Weasel that sprinted across a
gravel road in western Hughes County on its teeny-tiny legs. A few days ago
I saw a Long-tailed Weasel run across Highway 14 in nearby Hyde County. I
don't recall having seen either of these species in South Dakota before,
even though I regularly see them in North Dakota.
Nancy Drilling
Rapid City/Miller
On Tue, 22 Sept 2026 at 12:23, Chris Anderson via groups.io <canderson1=
<sio.midco.net...> wrote:
> There is a nice group of warblers and vireos moving around Elmwood Park in
> central Sioux Falls right now, one of the busier flocks I’ve found this
> fall. Nine warbler species so far including a female Black-throated Blue
> Warbler.
>
> Chris Anderson
> Sioux Falls, SD
>
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 9/22/26 10:23 am From: Chris Anderson via groups.io <canderson1...> Subject: [sd-birds] Black-throated Blue Warbler, Sioux Falls
There is a nice group of warblers and vireos moving around Elmwood Park in central Sioux Falls right now, one of the busier flocks I’ve found this fall. Nine warbler species so far including a female Black-throated Blue Warbler.
