Date: 7/16/25 8:46 pm From: bmswax via groups.io <bmswax...> Subject: [sd-birds] Western screech owl
Hello,
I'm preparing a fact sheet for use by program presenters at the Black Hils Raptor Center. Have there been any reports, confirmed sightings/hearings of western screech owls in the Black Hills, or are the closet reports from western Wyoming? Thank you.
Date: 7/13/25 3:28 pm From: Vic Fondy via groups.io <treasurecreek...> Subject: [sd-birds] Bear Butte Orman and Whitewood
We birded Saturday to Bear Butte Lake then to Orman Dam (Belle Fourche Reservoir) and return via back roads to St. Onge and home. Bear Butte lake is still very low and not much bird activity on the water. Sightings included Least Sandpipers, Killdeer, lots of bugs/Swallows, Mallard/Gadwall ducks but no Eagles. Orman campgrounds were full and lots of boat activity on the water. Sightings included Pelicans, lots of Ringed-bill and California Gulls, and few Caspian Terns. Raptors yesterday were limited to Turkey Vultures. 1 Red-tailed Hawk, and 1 Kestrel. Other sightings of interest were Lewis's and Red-headed Woodpeckers, one Loggerhead Shrike, Bobolinks, Lark Sparrows, and one Dickcissel.
Our feeders 1.5 miles south of Whitewood are dominated by Blue Jays, Red Crossbills, and Black-headed Grosbeaks. We are not seeing/hearing any Warbler or Vireo activity, no Kingfishers, and have few bugs so very little Swallow activity. We have the usual summer regulars including both Nuthatches, Downy/Hairy Woodpeckers, EC/Mourning Doves, House Finch, Spotted Towhee, a few Turkey Vultures overhead intermittently, a pair of American Robins daily on the the front lawn, some Brown-headed Cowbirds, and a couple of Western Tanagers are intermittent at the jelly feeder.
Date: 7/12/25 3:48 pm From: devin.a.pitts via groups.io <devin.a.pitts...> Subject: [sd-birds] White-eyed Vireo in Brookings
I saw the rare bird alert for this bird the other day and figured I'd stop by the Brookings Nature Park on my way back to Watertown from Sioux Falls today to take a shot at re-locating. Managed to find 2 of them today singing along the trail on the north side of the park( https://maps.app.goo.gl/5QaSBJoLF4r4cRPb7 ). Lifer for me, and managed to get quite a few shots of them!
Date: 7/11/25 1:22 pm From: David Strom via groups.io <djstrom...> Subject: [sd-birds] Outdoor Campus West Survey 7-11-2025
The weekly survey at the Outdoor Campus West was conducted on July 11, 2025, by Judy Hengen, Rachel Benton, Laural Bidwell and Jackie Stucky-Strom. 31 species were identified with a total of 158 individuals.
Mallard-13
Rock Pigeon-23
Eurasian Collared Dove-13
Mourning Dove-1
Great Blue Heron-3
Turkey Vulture-7
American Kestrel-1
Belted Kingfisher-1
Hairy Woodpecker-1
Northern Flicker-4
Blue Jay-9
American Crow-1
Black Capped Chickadee-1
Tree Swallow-3
Violet Green Swallow-1
Barn Swallow-1
Pygmy Nuthatch-4
Gray Catbird-4
Northern House Wren-3
European Starling-5
American Robin-7
Cedar Waxwing-5
House Sparrow-11
House Finch-5
American Goldfinch-2
Song Sparrow-4
Spotted Towhee-1
Red Wing Black Bird-17
Common Grackle-4
Northern Cardinal-2
Black Headed Grosbeak-1 (fledgling)
Start Time: 6:15 AM, 70 degrees, Sky- 1100% cloud covered, Wind-6
End Time: 8:30 AM, 69 degrees, Sky-100% cloud covered, Wind-5
Date: 7/10/25 6:44 am From: Judy Hengen via groups.io <judyhengen...> Subject: [sd-birds] Canyon Lake Park Survey, RC, Pennington Co. July 9, 2025
The weekly survey at Canyon Lake was held on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, by Laural Bidwell, Victoria Hernandez, and Jackie Stucky-Strom. 30 species were identified with a total of 546 individuals.
Canada Goose- 142 Mallard- 143 (inc 28 fledglings ) Wood Duck- 21 Common Merganser- 2 Hooded Merganser- 1 Rock Pigeon- 26 (feeding young) FY Eurasian Collared-Dove- 7 Osprey- 5 (inc 3 nestlings) FY Great Blue Heron- 54 Turkey Vulture- 23 Belted Kingfisher- 1 Red-Eyed Vireo- 1 Western Flycatcher- 1 Downy Woodpecker- 1 Northern Flicker- 4 Blue Jay- 3 Black-capped Chickadee- 3 Tree Swallow- 2 Violet-green Swallow- 3 Barn Swallow- 9 (inc 1 fed in nest) FY Cliff Swallow- 14 Gray Catbird- 2 European Starling- 3 American Robin- 4 Cedar Waxwing- 5 House Sparrow- 24 House Finch- 8 Song Sparrow- 4 Red-winged Blackbird- 24 Common Grackle- 7 Start Time: 6:15 AM, 65 degrees, Sky-100% Clear, Wind-0 End Time: 8:45 AM, 80 degrees, Sky-100% Clear, Wind-0
Date: 7/5/25 12:44 pm From: David Strom via groups.io <djstrom...> Subject: [sd-birds] Outdoor Campus West Survey 7-4-2025
The weekly survey at the Outdoor Campus West was conducted on Friday July4, 2025 by Judy Hengen, Rachel Benton, Laural Bidwell and Jackie Stucky-Strom. 29 species were identified with a total of 216 individuals.
Gadwall-1
Mallard-11
Rock Pigeon-11
Eurasian Collared Dove-14
Mourning Dove-6
Great Blue Heron-3
Belted Kingfisher-2
Western Wood-Pewee-3
Eastern Phoebe-2
Downy Woodpecker-4
Hairy Woodpecker-4 (1 juvenile)
Northern Flicker-6
Blue Jay-12
Black Capped Chickadee-2
Tree Swallow-4
Pygmy Nuthatch-3 (feeding young in nest hole)
Northern House Wren-6
European Starling-10
Gray Catbird-11
American Robin-16 (inc 3 juveniles)
Cedar Waxwing-6
House Sparrow-9
House Finch-7
American Goldfinch-6
Spotted Towhee-4
Red Wing Blackbird-7
Common Grackle-36
Northern Cardinal-5
Black Headed Grosbeak-5
Start Time: 6:15 AM, 62 degrees, Sky-100% overcast, Wind-0
End Time: 9:00 AM, 74 degrees, Sky-100% overcast, Wind-0
Date: 7/4/25 6:51 pm From: Michael M. Melius via groups.io <pingothenbingo...> Subject: [sd-birds] Catbird night song?
Here in Hot Springs, a pair of Gray Catbirds have nested, successfully, in a big yellow rose bush. About two weeks ago, which was in the midst of their feeding nestlings, I awoke to an unfamiliar birdsong not far outside the bedroom window. Very clear two-toned notes, descending in volume to an indistinct trill. Rather off-key but very sweet, pensive. I heard it about six times in about a minute. I got up to see if I could find it, but it was dark gray twilight, hard to see. I heard it again, sounding far away.
I've listened to a lot of bird songs online and other media, and found nothing quite like it. An old Solitary Vireo recording was reminiscent, but not it. Eventually I got to thinking it could be a catbird, and found this account of a bird singing in Bent's Life Histories by one F. H. Allen:
"On May 19, 1923, nearly two hours before sunrise, I heard the nocturnal song from a catbird. He sang for some time very sweetly but slowly, the phases coming much farther apart than in the usual daytime singing."
Date: 6/27/25 1:27 pm From: David Strom via groups.io <djstrom...> Subject: [sd-birds] Outdoor Campus West Survey 6-27-2025
The weekly survey at the Outdoor Campus West was conducted on June 27, 2025, by Judy Hengen, Rachel Benton, Laural Bidwell and Jackie Stucky-Strom. 34 species were identified with a total of 262 individuals.
Mallard-17
Gadwall-1
Hooded Merganser-1
Rock Pigeon-10
Eurasian Collared Dove-15
Mourning Dove-7
Great Blue Heron-2
Turkey Vulture-1
American Kestrel-2
Belted Kingfisher-1
Northern Flicker-5
Downy Woodpecker-7
Hairy Woodpecker-4
American Crow-1
Blue Jay-11
Black Capped Chickadee-10
Chimney Swift-1
Tree Swallow-5
Red Breasted Nuthatch-1
White Breasted Nuthatch-1
Northern House Wren-3 (feeding young)
European Starling-12
Gray Catbird-7
American Robin-9
Cedar Waxwing-1
House Sparrow-12
House Finch-11
Red Crossbill-13
Song Sparrow-1
Spotted Towhee-4
Red Wing Blackbird-14
Common Grackle-65
Northern Cardinal-3
Black Headed Grosbeak-4
Start Time: 6:15 AM, 62 degrees, Sky-100% cloud covered, Wind-1
End Time: 9:15 AM, 74 degrees, Sky- 100% clear, Wind-1
Date: 6/25/25 8:35 pm From: Paul Roisen via groups.io <roisenp1950...> Subject: Re: [sd-birds] Hummer
The post below, from Ricky Olson in South Dakota regarding a Broad-tailed
Hummingbird. It just dawned on me that despite the number of birding
outings in Nebraska, Iowa and South Dakota, that I have not seen a single
hummingbird this year. They seems a little scarce last year as well. Am I
just not seeing them or do they seem to have a reduction in numbers this
year.
God Bless. Be Safe. Stay Safe.
*Paul O. Roisen*
*Woodbury County, IA*
*Mobile 712-301-2817*
On Wed, Jun 25, 2025 at 8:50 PM Ricky Olson via groups.io <olsonr088=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> I guess I should have mentioned reasons for the Broad-tailed ID
>
> Tailrectrices (feathers)
>
> rufous color on R3-R5 equals BT.
> Rufous has rufous color on 4 feathers R2-R5.
> R1-2 are rounded like BT.
> Rufous R1-2 are pointed
>
> No rufous color on face or rump
>
> A Rufous hummingbird should have rufous colored feathers in these areas
>
> The folded tail appeared broad not pointed
>
>
>
Date: 6/25/25 7:22 pm From: Jeff Hansen via groups.io <jeff.hansen.sd...> Subject: [sd-birds] Long eared owls fledge near letcher in sanborn county at my sister's. I think they nest there yearly..
Sunday evening I had a brief look at a hummingbird in my Ft Pierre Backyard. The brief look made me think Rufous. Rufous is the species that wanders east etc. Broad-tailed rarely wanders east. In SD I only know of Peter Binstock's sighting in Tripp County last year. Broad-tailed usually migrate straight south. It is a few weeks early for either Rufous or Broad-tailed to be migrating.
Ruby-throated has not been documented breeding in Pierre area and it is early or late for a migrant
But after 2 days I am able to feel that I have a valid ID. After many photos and hours. I believe it to be an adult female Broad-tailed Hummingbird. Female Rufous & Broad-tailed hummingbirds can be very difficult to identify
Date: 6/25/25 9:23 am From: Maggie Engler personal via groups.io <birdwomanSD...> Subject: [sd-birds] Spearfish area birders - help needed
Hello. If you live in the Spearfish area, and know the sounds of kestrels at
a nesting site, I could use some help. I have a kestrel chick that needs to
be renested ASAP. I have a specific address, in town.
Date: 6/20/25 1:21 pm From: David Strom via groups.io <djstrom...> Subject: [sd-birds] Outdoor Campus West Survey 6-20-2025
The weekly survey at the Outdoor Campus West was conducted on June 20, 2025, by Judy Hengen, Rachel Benton, Laural Bidwell, and Jackie Stucky-Strom. 29 species were identified with a total of 268 individuals.
Mallard-18
Gadwall-1
Wood Duck-2
Great Blue Heron-5
Turkey Vulture-3
American Kestrel-2
Mourning Dove-4
Eurasian Collared Dove-22
Rock Pigeon-2
Downy Woodpecker-6
Hairy Woodpecker-1
Northern Flicker-8
Eastern Phoebe-1
Blue Jay-7
Tree Swallow-2
Black Capped Chickadee-7
Northern House Wren-5 (2 feeding young)
American Robin-12 (incudes 3 juveniles)
Gray Catbird-2
European Starling-29
Cedar Waxwing-20
Northern Cardinal-3
Black Headed Grosbeak-2
Spotted Towhee-1
Song Sparrow-1
Red Wing Blackbird-8
Common Grackle-66 (includes 10 juveniles)
House Finch-16
House Sparrow-12
Start Time: 6:00 AM, 65 degrees, Sky-clear, Wind-0
End Time: 8:45 AM, 75 degrees, Sky-clear, Wind-gusts to level 2
Date: 6/18/25 1:46 pm From: Jeff Hansen via groups.io <jeff.hansen.sd...> Subject: [sd-birds] Yellow breasted chat
Merlin keeps reporting a yellow breasted chat. I think I have the habitat. There aren't many reports in eastern SD. I wonder if it's not mistaking a brown thrasher or cat bird for the chat. Any thoughts.
Date: 6/17/25 5:45 am From: Chris Anderson via groups.io <canderson1...> Subject: [sd-birds] Long-eared Owls nesting in Sioux Falls
Sharing on behalf of Peter Binstock - a mutual friend of ours shared photos of both adult and fledgling Long-eared Owls in their Sioux Falls yard from late last week. Peter was able to observe at least two fledglings during a visit, but it sounds like there were four of them.
I can’t find any documentation of them nesting east of the Missouri at all (Stanley, Hughes, Sully Counties seem to be the furthest), so this seemed noteworthy.
