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30 Jun Re: Appley/vonHagel Wetlands information [douglas chapman ] 30 Jun Re: Appley/vonHagel Wetlands information [douglas chapman ] 30 Jun Appley/vonHagel Wetlands information [douglas chapman ] 30 Jun Spearfish Canyon American dippers [cbstafford ] 29 Jun Goatsucker Duet [Bill Bossman ] 29 Jun Re: prothonatory warbler [douglas chapman ] 29 Jun prothonatory warbler ["Todd Jensen" ] 29 Jun Bufflehead Brood in Brown County ["Jensen, Kent" ] 29 Jun Demonstration gardens around Lake Poinsett [] 28 Jun Meade Cty.: Lesser Yellowlegs, etc. ["Jocelyn Baker" ] 28 Jun NHBC, 27 June 09 Field trip report ["Gene " ] 28 Jun Stone Lake etc. ["Ricky D. Olson" ] 28 Jun Piping Plovers - Yankton ["Roger Dietrich" ] 28 Jun Hummingbird feeders [Cheryl Wormstadt ] 27 Jun Rose-breasted Grosbeak ["Peter Hill" ] 26 Jun albino grackel [john gilman ] 26 Jun Prothonotary Warbler ["Bill Huser" ] 26 Jun black-necked stilt at Stone Lake ["Nancy Drilling" ] 25 Jun New backyard bird guide [] 24 Jun Northern Mockingbird ["Peter Hill" ] 24 Jun Lake & Day Co. ["brandy_frcyc" ] 24 Jun Re: mandarin duck? [Eric Liknes ] 23 Jun Pinse Siskin Fledglings in Brookins Co. ["Jensen, Kent" ] 22 Jun Appley/VanHagal Wetlands: Union Co. [Mike Keppen ] 22 Jun West River Red-bellied Woodpeckers and Great Crested Flycatchers [Jennifer Fowler ] 21 Jun Western Grebes and one Clark's Grebe ["Doug Backlund" ] 21 Jun Prothonotary warblers [Paul Roisen ] 21 Jun Re: Please Save The Date! [douglas chapman ] 21 Jun Please Save The Date! [Sue Callahan ] 21 Jun BBA block tour by Nancy ["brdfsd AT sio.midco.net" ] 20 Jun Prothonotary warblers ["Todd Jensen" ] 20 Jun Dickcessel song ["mick" ] 20 Jun mandarin duck? [Kim Kuper ] 20 Jun Breeding behavior hummers ["Terry Sohl" ] 20 Jun Prothonotary Warblers [douglas chapman ] 19 Jun Re: Spearfish Convention June 12-15 [douglas chapman ] 18 Jun Spearfish Convention June 12-15 [douglas chapman ] 18 Jun Northern Hills Bird Club Field Trip, Saturday, June 27 ["Gene " ] 18 Jun Pactola birds - further info. ["Heather" ] 18 Jun Black-throated Blue Warbler [KENNY MILLER ] 17 Jun Screech Owl ["Ricky D. Olson" ] 17 Jun Pactola birds ["Heather" ] 16 Jun Corvid intelligence ["mick" ] 15 Jun Black-billed cuckoo questions [John Clem ] 15 Jun a second to Todd's post [Douglas Prisbe ] 14 Jun weekend ["mick" ] 14 Jun Union Grove and Spirit Mound ["Roger Dietrich" ] 13 Jun prothonary warblers ["Todd Jensen" ] 13 Jun Re: Prothonotary Warblers in Union County [Paul Roisen ] 13 Jun Prothonotary Warblers in Union County ["Gary and Jan Small" ] 13 Jun Blue Grosbeak ["R&M Mabie" ] 13 Jun Cinnamon Teal Meade County [Dick Latuchie ] 12 Jun FOY Blue Grosbeak, NE Custer Co. ["m. melius" ] 11 Jun Protonotary Warbler pair ["Roger Dietrich" ] 11 Jun Pactola Lake Osprey: Pennington Co [Jennifer Fowler ] 11 Jun Lawrence Co: White-winged Crossbills [Jennifer Fowler ] 11 Jun Brookings area report [Dan W ] 11 Jun School & Public lands ["m. melius" ] 10 Jun Mary Todd and Mr. Lincoln (update 1 week later) ["turkeyfeathrs" ] 8 Jun MEADE COUNTY: NESTING DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS, etc. ["Jocelyn Baker" ] 8 Jun Birds observed at 2009 Spring Meeting ["Jocelyn Baker" ] 7 Jun Pennington County - Common Loon at Canyon Lake [Richard Latuchie ] 7 Jun Pierre with Squirter ["Gary & Cindy Olson" ] 6 Jun (unknown) [Dick Latuchie ] 6 Jun saturday ["mick" ] 5 Jun PENNINGTON CTY.: CLARK'S NUTCRACKER ["Jocelyn Baker" ] 5 Jun Black-bellied Plover at Sevey Lake (Meade County) [Richard Latuchie ] 05 Jun Spring Migration ["markotnes AT cableone.net" ] 5 Jun the spring migration [Douglas Prisbe ] 4 Jun Northern Hills Bird Club field trip June 13. ["Gene " ] 3 Jun Atlasing Summer 09 [] 3 Jun FT Pierre ["Ricky D. Olson" ] 3 Jun Blue-winged warbler at Newton Hills? [John Clem ] 2 Jun Sunday ["mick" ] 2 Jun Mary Todd and Mr. Lincoln [cbstafford ] 03 Jun Re: Birders or ? ["retromod13" ] Subject: Re: Appley/vonHagel Wetlands information From: douglas chapman <foodrev AT sio.midco.net> Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:04:44 -0500 Make that "...30 years...." Doug Chapman Sioux Falls, SD On Jun 30, 2009, at 3:02 PM, douglas chapman wrote: > who has been a volunteer member > of the Akron IA Park dept. for over 0 years and knows the story (and > stories) of Appley/VonHagel very well. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Appley/vonHagel Wetlands information From: douglas chapman <foodrev AT sio.midco.net> Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:02:27 -0500 I just received a call from Bob Brown, who has ben a volunteer member of the Akron IA Park dept. for over 0 years and knows the story (and stories) of Appley/VonHagel very well. It all started with the floods of 1993, when the Sioux River was rampant. Details as desired. Suffice it to say that the old section line that looked abandoned is not. The end of that road goes to the high-wire access for the City of Akron's electric lines. The city went in and cleared several feet of brush on either side of the road to keep it open, something not done this year. Bob had no knowledge of any rare birds and was kind of upset that they may have harmed something. I am going down there on Friday to meet with him and go over the entire area; he wants to see these birds. He even pulled his truck over and wrote down the name "Prothonotary Warbler" and will report to the Akron City Council he said.. The ownership is a bit more complicated than at first thought, but much too long for here. STILL. Good news! There will be no more work now that they know. Doug Chapman SIOUX FALLS, SD On Jun 30, 2009, at 2:20 PM, douglas chapman wrote: > > > Hi, > > After Todd Jensen posted that habitat destruction was going on at the > Prothonotary Warbler nesting sight on SD Hwy. 48 on the IA border, I > spent most of the morning today finding out what may be up. From > Pierre to the Outdoor Campus to Union County officials, I have spent a > lot of time on the phone and driving around. > > Here's what I know to date. > > The Appley/VonHagel Wetlands are owned by the City of Akron, Iowa. > However, the Director of Public Works for the City of Akron is out of > the office on vacation this week (per Akron City Hall) and no one else > knows what it is or anything about any work being done there. > > So we have to wait until next week. I hope there is a bit of habitat > left by then. It's been a frustrating morning. > > Doug Chapman > Sioux Falls, SD > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Appley/vonHagel Wetlands information From: douglas chapman <foodrev AT sio.midco.net> Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:20:49 -0500 Hi, After Todd Jensen posted that habitat destruction was going on at the Prothonotary Warbler nesting sight on SD Hwy. 48 on the IA border, I spent most of the morning today finding out what may be up. From Pierre to the Outdoor Campus to Union County officials, I have spent a lot of time on the phone and driving around. Here's what I know to date. The Appley/VonHagel Wetlands are owned by the City of Akron, Iowa. However, the Director of Public Works for the City of Akron is out of the office on vacation this week (per Akron City Hall) and no one else knows what it is or anything about any work being done there. So we have to wait until next week. I hope there is a bit of habitat left by then. It's been a frustrating morning. Doug Chapman Sioux Falls, SD Subject: Spearfish Canyon American dippers From: cbstafford <turkeyfeathrs AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 08:23:23 -0700 (PDT) We hiked along Spearfish Creek from the lower parking area to Roughlock Falls on Sunday afternoon, gorgeous day! There were wildflowers everywhere, many butterflies, lots of riparian and forest birds singing. Highlight of the day were the American dippers we saw. One was bathing modestly in the willows just upstream of the beaver meadow. We got a quick, not very clear video clip. The bird was partially obscured by the leaves, but neat to see anyway. A second bird flew under the footbridge at Roughlock, heading downstream, as I was standing on it taking pictures. I don't know where it came from behind me. We had a 3rd sighting, I suspect it was probably the first bird that had moved further downstream from where we observed it bathing. We were able to direct several other birders to their location which was neat, as one man had come specifically to see them and it was a lifer for him. Caroline Stafford [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Goatsucker Duet From: Bill Bossman <billbossman50 AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:07:03 -0600 I went to Gavins Point Nature Trail west of Yankton tonight to see if I could hear the Chuck-will's-widows and Whip-poor-wills reported earlier. Standing in the trailhead parking lot I heard a Chuck-will's-widow at 9:27 and a Whip-poor-will at 9:34. I continued to hear them calling until 9:45 when I left the area. Bill Bossman [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: prothonatory warbler From: douglas chapman <foodrev AT sio.midco.net> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:38:07 -0500 Jim Dunn just called me about 2 hours ago to tell me he an dhis brother found the Prothonotarys--incl. the female. She was very nervous and upset. He did not mention any of this, but of course he had never been there before today either, so would not have known. Doug Chapman On Jun 29, 2009, at 7:54 PM, Todd Jensen wrote: > > > Saturday 27 june 09 I went down to look for the prothonatory warbler > and anything else that maybe there. I birded for 4 hours down there. > I discovered that someone with a payloader had gone and knocked down > all the shrubs and trees fron anywhere from 10 to 25 feet away from > the road about 2/3's the distance to where the warbler had been > nesting. Also some crushed cement and gravel had been put down > lightly until they reached the mudholes. I was unable to find the > prothonatory warbler or any other rare warblers. Also some people > came down camping and were riding atvs down there in same area about > 11:00 am. So one wonders how much more habitat alterations are going > to take place down there. Todd > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: prothonatory warbler From: "Todd Jensen" <gyrfalcon AT redwoodwireless.com> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 18:54:02 -0600 Saturday 27 june 09 I went down to look for the prothonatory warbler and anything else that maybe there. I birded for 4 hours down there. I discovered that someone with a payloader had gone and knocked down all the shrubs and trees fron anywhere from 10 to 25 feet away from the road about 2/3's the distance to where the warbler had been nesting. Also some crushed cement and gravel had been put down lightly until they reached the mudholes. I was unable to find the prothonatory warbler or any other rare warblers. Also some people came down camping and were riding atvs down there in same area about 11:00 am. So one wonders how much more habitat alterations are going to take place down there. Todd [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Bufflehead Brood in Brown County From: "Jensen, Kent" <kent.jensen AT sdstate.edu> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:09:17 -0500 Kurt Foreman (USFWS biologist here in Brookings) told me that he had seen a bufflehead brood last week in Brown County. He forwarded me photos of the brood that have uploaded to the photos section on the group webpage. As far as I know, only 2 other documented occurrences of buffleheads breeding in the state was at Oakwood Lakes in 1991, and in Roberts County in 2001. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sd-birds/photos/album/1657225460/pic/1045003675/view?picmode=&mode=tn&order=title&start=1&count=20&dir=desc K. C. Jensen, Ph.D. Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences SPB 138D, Box 2140B South Dakota State University Brookings, SD 57007 (605)688-4781 (office) (605)690-6104 (cell) (605)688-4515 (FAX) wfs.sdstate.edu/wfsdept/faculty/kcjensen.htm 100% of the shots you don't take don't go in - Wayne Gretzky [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Demonstration gardens around Lake Poinsett From: laura_hubers AT fws.gov Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 09:59:32 -0500 I will be teaching a Landscaping for Wildlife class at the Becoming an Outdoorswoman workshop in September. Does anyone know of any interesting/well landscaped/wildlife certified yards we could visit near or on Lake Poinsett? Laura Hubers Wildlife Biologist Waubay National Wildlife Refuge 44401 134 A St Waubay SD 57273 605 947-4521 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Meade Cty.: Lesser Yellowlegs, etc. From: "Jocelyn Baker" <osprey AT hills.net> Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 21:39:46 -0600 Among species observed by Jen Fowler and myself today (June 28) in Meade County were Golden Eagle (pair), Bell's Vireo (Curlew Lake) and American Avocet and Lesser Yellowlegs near the intersection of Elk Ck. Rd/New Underwood Rd. Jocelyn Baker JOCELYN LEE BAKER RAPID CITY, S.D. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: NHBC, 27 June 09 Field trip report From: "Gene " <gene AT neopaleo.net> Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 21:02:10 -0600 Five members participated on the 27 June trip from Newell to Slim Buttes to JB Road. A very windy day produced 50 species. Highlights include close views of Chestnut-collared Longspur, Upland Sandpiper, and Long-billed Curlew. Also noted were Horned Lark feeding young, and a Sharp-tailed Grouse with young. Many birds were seen carrying food or nesting material. Attempts to find Baird's Sparrow were thwarted by the wind. There is much water in all the ponds. Some of the flooded fields are starting to dry. Gene K. Hess, NHBC Rapid City, SD Subject: Stone Lake etc. From: "Ricky D. Olson" <tatanka40 AT pie.midco.net> Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 19:13:51 -0500 PLEASE do not walk the south shore of Stone Lake for a couple weeks. I went to look at the Black-necked Stilt, Nancy Drilling had reported a couple days ago. I was abale to see the Stilt with my spotting scope from my pickup sitting on the shoulder of the road. I was able to see 1 Black-necked Stilt on a nest. There were 2 others close by. I believe there might be 2 pairs nesting. I watched the Stilts for awhile. The one Stilt chased away a Willet and Wilson's Phalarope when they came too close to the other Stilt on the nest. I also observed the Stilts swap places on the nest. One got up to feed and the other than sat on the nest. All this was way cool to watch. Also today I saw 15 adult sized Piping Plovers and 2 broods in Sully County. One brood appeared to be a single white fluff ball and another brood of 2 white fluff balls. I suspect some of the larger Piping Plovers were actually young from a early hatching. I also saw a fair number of Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs today. I also saw 30+ Marbled Godwits in a group. So it looks like as some shorebirds are still nesting, some have new young, and some are also already migrating. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Piping Plovers - Yankton From: "Roger Dietrich" <rogerd AT iw.net> Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 17:36:23 -0500 If anyone is interested in getting a close look at Piping Plovers the Yankton Fish Hatchery is a good place right now. Saturday morning there were three feeding there and this morning there were five. They are very busy feeding and as long as you walk up slowly and keep a low profile they just keep feeding. I took a number of pictures and you can see five colorful leg bands on each bird. I am going to see if I can get any information from the COE on what the different color combinations mean. Steve Van Sickle told me about hearing and seeing a Chuck-wills-widow near Gavins Point Nature Trail. I was out this Tuesday night and heard Whip-or-wills calling at first then the Chuck-wills-widows started up and were still going when I left at 10:00 p.m. Roger Dietrich Yankton, SD 57078 rogerd AT iw.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Hummingbird feeders From: Cheryl Wormstadt <cmlgworm AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 11:53:09 -0700 (PDT) I wonder if someone could tell me when is the best time to put out Hummingbird feeders in the Spearfish area?  Thanks, Cheryl [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Rose-breasted Grosbeak From: "Peter Hill" <petermhill AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 27 Jun 2009 01:11:19 -0000 I was sitting at the kitchen table this afternoon watching the tail end of a big rain/hail storm when a male Rose-breasted Grosbeak came and sat on the fence right outside the window. It was rather wet. The RBG was a yard first, and one of the only ones I've ever seen in these parts. (Obviously the Black-headed species is much more common out here.) Peter Hill Pine Ridge Shannon Co. Subject: albino grackel From: john gilman <bartgilman AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:58:59 -0700 (PDT) There is a full albino grackel hanging around Bramble Park Zoo in Watertown. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Prothonotary Warbler From: "Bill Huser" <beehive AT pionet.net> Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 17:22:12 -0500 Jerry Probst of Sioux City and I made our pilgrimage to the Appley-Van Hagel wetlands on the Big Sioux River near Akron, Iowa on Thursday, 25-Jun, to see the Prothonotary Warbler. The male was present and sang intermittently but would then disappear for 20-30 minutes. No female or fledglings were seen. The Brown Creeper seen was unexpected, but no other unexpected species. Bill Huser 140 Oakmont Drive South Sioux City, NE 68776 402-494-1657 712-258-0638 x3127 bus. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: black-necked stilt at Stone Lake From: "Nancy Drilling" <nancy.drilling AT rmbo.org> Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:13:01 -0600 This morning I saw a black-necked stilt foraging at Stone Lake, Sully Co. There are also a few hundred other shorebirds, including Am. Avocet and Marbled Godwits. The small shorebirds were too far away to identify. Marsh vegetation is starting to grow around the edges of the lake which has attracted the attention of Eared Grebes. I saw many pairs but no grebe chicks yet. Nancy Drilling Coordinator, South Dakota Breeding Bird Atlas Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory www.rmbo.org/SDBBA2 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: New backyard bird guide From: <eileen.dowdstukel AT state.sd.us> Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:16:28 -0500 Good afternoon. By way of forwarding this news release, I wanted to let you know about our new education product and especially thank Addison Ball for arranging for sponsorships from SDOU and the Northern Hills Bird Club. This would be a great tool for you as you mentor new birders or interact with neighbors or friends who feed or watch birds. So far, this has been very popular. Our secretary who's handling distribution told me that she's received many followup thank yous from people who have received the guide, and many who can't believe it's free. As usual, we have Doug Backlund to thank for many of the photos. You'll also see photos from Terry Sohl, Bill Schmoker, and Cynthia Mead. Just a reminder that these are the kinds of things we could do much more of when Teaming with Wildlife becomes a reality. Please consider signing up your group or business at our website: http://www.sdgfp.info/Wildlife/Diversity/teaming.htm Let me know if you have a need for multiple copies of the guide. Thanks again for help in producing and printing this new product. Eileen Dowd Stukel, SDGFP > SD GFP NEWS FOR 6-18-09 > > New free booklet on backyard birds > > PIERRE, S.D. - From the widespread black-capped chickadee to the more > unusual gray-crowned rosy-finch, South Dakota wildlife watchers will > find color photos and descriptions of nearly 80 species in a new guide > to birds that may visit backyards or small properties. > > The Game, Fish and Parks Department has produced the backyard bird > booklet to give readers tips on how to identify and attract birds. A > bird checklist will help you document your growing bird list. > > The "2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated > Recreation" by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service demonstrated the > outdoor interests of South Dakotans goes beyond hunting and fishing to > a broader range of outdoor activities - wildlife viewing, > photography, and bird feeding - particularly if they can be done close > to home. > > In 2006, 432,000 South Dakotans were wildlife watchers. They spent > $183 million dollars on watchable wildlife pursuits in 2006 alone. > Sixty percent of them enjoyed these activities around the home by > viewing, feeding, and photographing birds and providing wildlife > habitat or nesting structures. > > To meet this strong and widespread interest, GFP Wildlife Division > staff created the guide, with financial help from a dozen conservation > organizations. Sponsors include Batworks, Brookings Wildlife > Federation, Great Lakes of South Dakota Association, Human Dimensions > Consulting, Izaak Walton League of America South Dakota Division, > Izaak Walton League of America McCook Lake Chapter, Missouri Breaks > Audubon Society, Northern Hills Bird Club, Prairie Hills Audubon > Society, South Dakota Ornithologists' Union, South Dakota Parks and > Wildlife Foundation, and Wildlife Experiences. > > To request a copy, visit > http://www.sdgfp.info/Wildlife/Diversity/BackyardBirdsBook.htm. Game, > Fish and Parks asks that you request one copy per household. > > --GFP- > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Northern Mockingbird From: "Peter Hill" <petermhill AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 24 Jun 2009 22:41:08 -0000 I observed a Northern Mockingbird today in pine hills habitat approx. 5 miles north of Pine Ridge village. Peter Hill Shannon Co. Subject: Lake & Day Co. From: "brandy_frcyc" <brandizen AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:08:18 -0000 Hello, I'm new to birding. I'm just trying to see what I can see and identify. I have my little birds of SD book by my side and recently purchased a pair of binoculars. I am curious what updates you all would like to have... but for now I'll tell you what I saw and of the new birds to my eye.* Lake Co. trip to Reynolds Slough: 6/17/09: * bobolink (2) possibly some females with them but couldn't identify. *Red-headed woodpecker (2), cowbirds, yellow head and red winged blackbirds, barn swallows, Pelicans, Cormorant, Egret, Common Yellowthroat I just discovered I may be mis-identifying the oriole and tanager, I need to be more observant what color head the bird has. Day Co. Bristol to Enemy Swim: 6/20-21/09: *Western Grebe, *Black-Crowned Night Heron, barn swallows, Belted Kingfisher, hummingbird (not sure which), Am. Goldfinch, Western Meadowlarks (5+), Killdeer, Blue-winged Teal, Mallards, American Coots with young, Geese with young, Pelicans, Cormorant, White-breasted Nuthatch, Eastern & Western Kingbirds, Egret, *Blue billed Ruddy Duck (2) An orange/brown headed duck, no way to identify. Many other new birds but not distint for a quick glance id. SOMETIMES my hubby just drives too fast! ha! Subject: Re: mandarin duck? From: Eric Liknes <etliknes AT northern.edu> Date: Wed, 24 Jun 2009 08:22:15 -0500 I haven¹t seen the Mandarin Duck for a while, since the end of May, I think? There are a number of pairs of Wood Ducks that have successfully fledged ­ there are Wood Duck babies everywhere ­ but I only see Wood Duck pairs. I¹m not sure what Mandarin x Wood Duck hybrid look like, especially as ducklings, but the ducklings all look alike. Eric On 6/20/09 9:28 PM, "Kim Kuper" wrote: > > > > > > Does anyone have an update on the mandarin duck up in Aberdeen?  Is he still > around, any baby woodduck/mand.? > > Kim > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Pinse Siskin Fledglings in Brookins Co. From: "Jensen, Kent" <kent.jensen AT sdstate.edu> Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 10:35:30 -0500 I've got some fledgling pine siskins visiting the feeder at my home near Volga. I guess that after the numbers we saw last winter some decided to stay around a reproduce here. :) K. C. Jensen, Ph.D. Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences SPB 138D, Box 2140B South Dakota State University Brookings, SD 57007 (605)688-4781 (office) (605)690-6104 (cell) (605)688-4515 (FAX) wfs.sdstate.edu/wfsdept/faculty/kcjensen.htm 100% of the shots you don't take don't go in - Wayne Gretzky ________________________________ From: sd-birds AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:sd-birds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Jennifer Fowler Sent: Monday, June 22, 2009 4:05 PM To: sd-birds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [sd-birds] West River Red-bellied Woodpeckers and Great Crested Flycatchers Hello Birders! I would like to hear of any June and July sightings of Red-bellied Woodpeckers and Great Crested Flycatchers west river. While atlasing, I have found both of these species each in Pennington Co (Wall) and Meade Co. (east of Sturgis). According to the online database, there are minimal sightings of them even during migration. They seem to be expanding their range to the west which will prove the SD Breeding Bird Atlas #2 results to be very insteresting! I suggest learning the calls of these and other species of birds! With each of my observations of the Red-bellied Woodpecker and Great Crested Flycatchers this summer, because of the circumstances, I would have not seen the birds. If you hear a song or call that seems different to you, check it out. Who knows what you will find! Happy Birding! ~Jen Fowler SDBBA#2 Technician Pactola Lake, SD [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Appley/VanHagal Wetlands: Union Co. From: Mike Keppen <mkeppen AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 22 Jun 2009 18:39:55 -0700 (PDT) Two Prothonotary Warblers seen AT noon 6/21. I was as stealthy as possible but had to move my car to let a 4-wheeler into the area! The sandy area beyond the Prothonotary's area had several Am Redstart pairs, several Yellow Warbler pairs and a Yellowthroat. It was hard to watch birds since this unique habitat (owned by the city of Akron IA !) had many beautiful insects including scores of the brilliant green iridescent tiger beetle Cicindela sexguttata.A few blue variants were seen. C. formosa tiger beetles with the "manitoba" variation was seen on the open sand. Northern Pearly-eye butterflies and small orange skippers were present. I have never seen such sandy habitat in SE SD except at the Elk Point sand dunes. Are there similiar bird and insect populations in SE SD? Mike Keppen [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: West River Red-bellied Woodpeckers and Great Crested Flycatchers From: Jennifer Fowler <waterfowlerlover AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:04:31 -0700 (PDT) Hello Birders! I would like to hear of any June and July sightings of Red-bellied Woodpeckers and Great Crested Flycatchers west river.  While atlasing, I have found both of these species each in Pennington Co (Wall) and Meade Co. (east of Sturgis).  According to the online database, there are minimal sightings of them even during migration.  They seem to be expanding their range to the west which will prove the SD Breeding Bird Atlas #2 results to be very insteresting! I suggest learning the calls of these and other species of birds!  With each of my observations of the Red-bellied Woodpecker and Great Crested Flycatchers this summer, because of the circumstances, I would have not seen the birds.  If you hear a song or call that seems different to you, check it out.  Who knows what you will find! Happy Birding! ~Jen Fowler SDBBA#2 Technician Pactola Lake, SD Subject: Western Grebes and one Clark's Grebe From: "Doug Backlund" <dougback AT pie.midco.net> Date: Sun, 21 Jun 2009 14:44:43 -0500 Yesterday, I went down to Platte Lake (Aurora County, 4 miles south and 3 miles west of White Lake) to photograph western grebes. There was one Clark's Grebe that seemed to be paired with a western grebe. I thought some of you might like to see the photos: http://wildphotosphotography.com/WildPhotos/birds5/Western_Grebes.htm There is a road on the south side of the lake that provides excellent views of western grebes with young. If the link is cut off, you will have to cut and paste. Last time I posted a link several folks said the link didn't work, but it does, if one gets the entire link in the browser window. It may be simpler to go here: www.wildphotosphotography.com then to Bird Photography then to the "Western Grebes With Young" link. Doug Backlund Pierre, SD www.wildphotosphotography.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Prothonotary warblers From: Paul Roisen <roisenp1950 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 21 Jun 2009 11:08:24 -0700 (PDT) 8:25 AM  Protonotray Warbler at Appley/ Von Hagel (Hwy48 west of Akron Iowa)  Protonotary Male only singing on territory  Redstart  Louisiana Waterthrush (continue down the road on the sand--WALK do not drive)  Yellow Warbler  Common Yellow-throat  Ovenbird NO Hooded. ***Protonotary also calling on the IOWA side (parked on the edge) of the road east of the bridge by the Scout 182 clean up sign.  Calling was from the Iowa side east of the river bank). God Bless, Paul Roisen Sioux City, IA Woodbury County 712-276-0371(H) 712-301-2817(C) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Please Save The Date! From: douglas chapman <foodrev AT sio.midco.net> Date: Sun, 21 Jun 2009 10:28:05 -0500 In my chance meeting with Nancy Wilson yesterday at Union Grove SP, she mentioned that the largest interpretive trail in existence devoted to lichen is at the Whitney Preserve, over 50 stations!. I will definitely be there! I was looking for a reason to get to the Whitney-- now I have it. Thanks. Hopefully the Say's Phoebe's and Common Poorwills will still be around too. Doug Chapman Sioux Falls, SD On Jun 21, 2009, at 10:15 AM, Sue Callahan wrote: > > > Hi Everyone! > We are planning a recognition of the 10th Anniversary of the > Dedication of the Nathaniel & Mary Whitney Preserve, on Saturday, > September 19, 2009. This will be in conjunction with the Volunteer > Fall Work Day. This will not be a "formal" event as was the case 10 > years ago, but rather a time for everyone to enjoy the Preserve, > whether it be working, birding, mist-net banding, or hiking. More > information will be coming as we get closer to the date, and solidify > the plans, but for now, we would appreciate your saving this > date. We will post more information, later, on SD-Birds. > > The Whitney Preserve is located a few miles south of Hot Springs on > Highway 71 (toward the Horse Sanctuary). There are picnic areas at > Cascade Springs, and at Cascade Falls. Jeff Symstad's house > (Preserve Manager) is near the site of the old town of > Cascade. Many events also take place at the old site of the > Brainerd Indian School - which now looks nothing like it used to! > > Thanks - we hope to see you in September! > > Sue Whitney Callahan > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Please Save The Date! From: Sue Callahan <angels AT rapidnet.com> Date: Sun, 21 Jun 2009 09:15:43 -0600 Hi Everyone! We are planning a recognition of the 10th Anniversary of the Dedication of the Nathaniel & Mary Whitney Preserve, on Saturday, September 19, 2009. This will be in conjunction with the Volunteer Fall Work Day. This will not be a "formal" event as was the case 10 years ago, but rather a time for everyone to enjoy the Preserve, whether it be working, birding, mist-net banding, or hiking. More information will be coming as we get closer to the date, and solidify the plans, but for now, we would appreciate your saving this date. We will post more information, later, on SD-Birds. The Whitney Preserve is located a few miles south of Hot Springs on Highway 71 (toward the Horse Sanctuary). There are picnic areas at Cascade Springs, and at Cascade Falls. Jeff Symstad's house (Preserve Manager) is near the site of the old town of Cascade. Many events also take place at the old site of the Brainerd Indian School - which now looks nothing like it used to! Thanks - we hope to see you in September! Sue Whitney Callahan Subject: BBA block tour by Nancy From: "brdfsd AT sio.midco.net" <brdfsd@sio.midco.net> Date: Sun, 21 Jun 2009 07:28:08 -0500 Thanks, Nancy Drilling for the Breeding Bird Atlas II Block Survey yesterday. The 3-mile by 3-mile block a bunch of us from the Sioux Falls Bird Club checked out with Nancy had no public land, but we were able to drive through it, identify different habitat types, watch and listen along roads, and id one very extensive shelter belt one might want to contact the landowner about visiting. We also id'd many breeding species, so a good start for that block. We discussed breeding codes and habitat type codes, and Nancy made it all seem quite manageable. If anyone is thinking of taking a block to survey a couple times per year for the next four years, please contact Nancy. She will get you started, you will find it interesting volunteer work, and South Dakota will benefit from the knowledge we gain because of your effort! The website: http://www.rmbo.org/SDBBA2/ Nancy's email: http://www.rmbo.org/SDBBA2/ Nancy's phone: 970-482-1707 ext. 14 (Nancy is actually in SD and will get her phone messages headquartered at Rocky Mt. Bird Observatory, the fiscal agent for the atlasing project.) See good birds. Rosemary Draeger Sioux Falls Subject: Prothonotary warblers From: "Todd Jensen" <gyrfalcon AT redwoodwireless.com> Date: Sat, 20 Jun 2009 23:29:05 -0600 Saturday afternoon I plus three other people were down by Akron, IA looking for the Protonotary warblers. Male still present singing didnot see the female or the young. There was also no interaction or signs of wanting to do any feeding. We also did not hear or see any Hooded Warblers down there. Todd Jensen [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Dickcessel song From: "mick" <zerrm AT sio.midco.net> Date: Sat, 20 Jun 2009 23:07:44 -0500 From today's visit to BBA block 2R0193 near Hartford SD, hear the Dickcissel sing. http://www.leifericson.org/sfbc/id32.html Mick SFBC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: mandarin duck? From: Kim Kuper <roddyhunt AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 20 Jun 2009 19:28:14 -0700 (PDT) Does anyone have an update on the mandarin duck up in Aberdeen?  Is he still around, any baby woodduck/mand.? Kim [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Breeding behavior hummers From: "Terry Sohl" <tlsohl AT alliancecom.net> Date: Sat, 20 Jun 2009 17:53:46 -0500 I have had multiple male Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, and at least one female, consistently at my feeder and flowers since May 5th. Today I was working in the back yard. I've got multiple honeysuckles, weigela, cardinal flowers, and other flowers the hummingbirds love, and I've seen them on a few occasions at my little waterfall on my little pond. Today as I was working, the female was at some flowers, and perched in a crabapple by the pond. I heard him first, and then looked over, and a male was doing courtship displays. He did U-shaped flights, with the "U" about 30 feet tall and wide. He did it many, many times, until the female left and went around the corner of the house. About 30 minutes later, same thing. Didn't see the female as I was working, but heard the male in the same place, and looked over and saw him doing the U-shaped display flight again. I know they nest very close. Every since we moved to this house, they come all summer long, from the first week of May through September. Usually I see them departing and arriving in the direction of the Big Sioux Rec. area. I've had them perching in my trees a lot this year though. Haven't done much birding over the last several months, at least not around here. Did have a family vacation in Oregon and northern California this month, and had a great time in Cannon Beach, Oregon (and elsewhere). "Haystack Rock" is just a blast, especially at low tide when you can walk right up to it. Tufted Puffins, Pigeon Guillemots, Pelagic Cormorants, and Common Murres nest in numbers on the rock. The "resident" pair of Black Oystercatchers were very cooperative. There are also a group of Harlequin Ducks that evidently are there most of the year. Most fun was watching an adult Bald Eagle who would make hunting runs about every hour, throwing the entire rock into chaos and putting hundreds and hundreds of birds in the air. Very cool. Since I have no recent South Dakota photos, here's some from Oregon/California: http://sdakotabirds.com/species_photos/black_oystercatcher_20.htm http://sdakotabirds.com/species_photos/black_oystercatcher_1.htm http://sdakotabirds.com/species_photos/black_oystercatcher_10.htm http://sdakotabirds.com/species_photos/tufted_puffin_11.htm http://sdakotabirds.com/species_photos/tufted_puffin_9.htm http://sdakotabirds.com/species_photos/tufted_puffin_10.htm http://sdakotabirds.com/species_photos/harlequin_duck_7.htm http://sdakotabirds.com/species_photos/brandts_cormorant_1.htm http://sdakotabirds.com/species_photos/pelagic_cormorant_1.htm Terry Sohl [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Prothonotary Warblers From: douglas chapman <foodrev AT sio.midco.net> Date: Sat, 20 Jun 2009 15:04:37 -0500 This morning I went to find the Prothonotary Warblers nesting off SD hwy 48 near Akron IA. Before I got out of the car I could hear them singing and soon saw them flitting mid-story to up higher than I'm used to seeing them. Soon I saw why. There were 2 (probably more) very young fledglings in the low under cover growth--unable to fly, they could not even flutter very well. I took one photo (which did not come out) and left. They were better off left alone to mom and dad. Also Hooded Warbler was heard plus much else. Great spot to find. The name is Appley/Van ???? Wetlands (can't remember the last part of the name). Went looking for the Regal Fritillaries at Makoce Washte; no luck. No flowers=no butterflies! I stopped at Union GRove SP and met Nancy Wilson. What a fascinating time looking at lichen! Doug Chapman Sioux Falls, SD Subject: Re: Spearfish Convention June 12-15 From: douglas chapman <foodrev AT sio.midco.net> Date: Fri, 19 Jun 2009 20:37:49 -0500 I mention Broad-billed Hummingbirds in Boles Canyon. No. It was Broad- tailed. Thanks to Todd Jensen for pointing this out. I would have called all the BH birders if a Broad-billed had been present. Doug Chapman Sioux Falls, SD On Jun 18, 2009, at 7:26 PM, douglas chapman wrote: > > > Hello All, > > Well, it's now officially over. > > We did well on all counts, I think; though I keep telling everyone > that I am NOT the person to ask how it went. It seems it went okay, > but I keep thinking of the things I might have done differently. Oh, > well, we live and learn. > > HIghlights for me include: > > 1. A trip across South Dakota with a Washington, DC, birder to help > him in his quest for a state bird seen within that particular state's > borders--we saw over 50 Ring-necked Pheasants between Sioux Falls and > Spearfish. The first was heard--and then found--as we were looking at > Stilt Sandpiper and Dunlin in a Prairie Pothole just east of Humboldt. > What a disconnect! A separate highlight of species list for this 2-day > trek is included at the end. > > 2. The really FINE weather. When Sam and I arrived in Spearfish a week > ago Wednesday morning, it was foggy and rainy and was forecast to be > the same for the weekend. My heart was saddened. But in what must be > ascribed to good, clean Unitarian living, we had perfect weather! And > today it is storming all over the area again! > > 3. Meeting each and every one of you. You all (Ya'll, for some) > contributed much to the meeting--each and every one of you. It was a > delightful group--with all levels of birding experience, from > enthusiastic new-comer to experts (but not the obnoxious know-it-wall > kind of expert). Again, thanks for being you. > > 4. The birds! We missed only Sprague's Pipits and Greater Sage Grouse > of the targeted birds: the grouse were just not on lek any more and > the hens were not taking chicks out along the fence rows to learn to > forage. The pipits must have been in the "dead zone" between broods as > the males stop displaying and singing to help feed the first brood. > But we got many great birds--many of the good ones were found all > days. Of course, not everyone got to see all birds. I have a > preliminary total of 160 species--but more later. Sam and I racked up > another 34, including Gray Partridge, White-rumped Sandpiper, > Bonaparte's Gull, Black Tern, "Eastern" Bell's Vireo, Sedge Wren, > Field and Swamp sparrow and Dickcissel. > > 5. Of course not everyone saw all the birds--that's the nature of the > event but we did very remarkably on that account! Van trip highlights > include the McCown's Longspur spot as well as the Mountain Plover > spot. Everyone (as I understand) got these birds, but a few got > distant looks at the plover. As you all know, I think that the name > "Mountain Plover" stinks. I rather like Doug Pratt's suggestion on my > tour Monday that we use "Highplains Plover". Much better. Everyone > also saw the Lewis's Woodpecker (my van on Monday makes no apology for > the bird flying right over our heads a few times); the Baird's > Sparrows on the road (!) at the best spot to see them; the Virginia's > Warbler in Roby Canyon (some saw better than others). So many more > were seen. The hawks--esp. the Ferruginous delighted many and my van > on Monday also saw how thrilled the dark morph Swainson's Hawk made > me. The Broad-billed Hummingbird heard in Boles Canyon on Monday > indicated that they are there--just waiting for flowers to bloom. Also > exciting was the McCown's Longspur nest that Doug Pratt found as he > flushed the female from a nest (completely innocently I hasten to > add!). I peered down and saw a bird so young it could not yet hold up > its head, even though the gape was trying to open--what a strong > survival technique that is! I then saw an egg hatching and another > egg. I quickly told the group we needed to leave. If there had been > just eggs or if there were 3-4 strong nestlings gaping wide for food, > I probably would have just said to everyone to take a quick look and > we'd be off. But this was a critical time it seemed to me--the female > needed to be back NOW, so I was rather business-like in taking the > group away. I hope all understand--I'd do it again! Luckily, Paul > Pisano was in the process of snapping a photo when I saw the nest and > got it accomplished before I said to clear out, so it will be > documented. > > 6. The food was cool. Sorry some didn't like pickled eggs--I love > them. And the Wild Rice salad was great--few restaurants know NOT to > cook wild rice to mush. It is supposed to be a little crunchy. > Overcooked to the bursting point it is just a mushy mess. You do know > that "wild" rice is not rice at all, right? But I must say that the > mystery spread was disappointing. When the hotel gave me menu ideas I > knew I was going to be in Jamaica with Rich Hoyer. "Jamaican Vegetable > Dip" sounded great--even more so after eating jerk foods at Boston Bay > where jerk cooking started. Little did I know that they would make it > more of a Jamaican fruit dip--sweetened, and with pineapple and lots > of allspice (THE Jamaican spice, however) and just a bit of shredded > carrot. Actually it WAS good; but I was "surprised" indeed. Not what I > envisioned. > > 7. I am sorry ONLY for not being able to bird with all of you. Another > time. But those who were in my vans were delightful and, I hope, felt > well-treated. I cannot thank Mal Hodges enough for driving on Sunday > and letting me just lead. It was a life-saver. > > 8. I want to thank all of the Black Hills birders for all the > suggestions, and George Prisbe for the memorable welcoming speech he > gave Friday night to the group. What a great way to start looking in > the hills. (One of the participants teaches native comparative > religion at San Jose State in California and was transfixed with > George. I think she wants him as a guest lecturer!) Jocie Baker was > there for morale support and was appreciated. Anna Ball allowed us to > bird her home and yard. Every day we found a White-tailed Jackrabbit > there. It was a life mammal for several and was a highlight. > > 9. More later. I'm still beat. > > Bird on... > > Doug Chapman > Sioux Falls, SD > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Spearfish Convention June 12-15 From: douglas chapman <foodrev AT sio.midco.net> Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:26:26 -0500 Hello All, Well, it's now officially over. We did well on all counts, I think; though I keep telling everyone that I am NOT the person to ask how it went. It seems it went okay, but I keep thinking of the things I might have done differently. Oh, well, we live and learn. HIghlights for me include: 1. A trip across South Dakota with a Washington, DC, birder to help him in his quest for a state bird seen within that particular state's borders--we saw over 50 Ring-necked Pheasants between Sioux Falls and Spearfish. The first was heard--and then found--as we were looking at Stilt Sandpiper and Dunlin in a Prairie Pothole just east of Humboldt. What a disconnect! A separate highlight of species list for this 2-day trek is included at the end. 2. The really FINE weather. When Sam and I arrived in Spearfish a week ago Wednesday morning, it was foggy and rainy and was forecast to be the same for the weekend. My heart was saddened. But in what must be ascribed to good, clean Unitarian living, we had perfect weather! And today it is storming all over the area again! 3. Meeting each and every one of you. You all (Ya'll, for some) contributed much to the meeting--each and every one of you. It was a delightful group--with all levels of birding experience, from enthusiastic new-comer to experts (but not the obnoxious know-it-wall kind of expert). Again, thanks for being you. 4. The birds! We missed only Sprague's Pipits and Greater Sage Grouse of the targeted birds: the grouse were just not on lek any more and the hens were not taking chicks out along the fence rows to learn to forage. The pipits must have been in the "dead zone" between broods as the males stop displaying and singing to help feed the first brood. But we got many great birds--many of the good ones were found all days. Of course, not everyone got to see all birds. I have a preliminary total of 160 species--but more later. Sam and I racked up another 34, including Gray Partridge, White-rumped Sandpiper, Bonaparte's Gull, Black Tern, "Eastern" Bell's Vireo, Sedge Wren, Field and Swamp sparrow and Dickcissel. 5. Of course not everyone saw all the birds--that's the nature of the event but we did very remarkably on that account! Van trip highlights include the McCown's Longspur spot as well as the Mountain Plover spot. Everyone (as I understand) got these birds, but a few got distant looks at the plover. As you all know, I think that the name "Mountain Plover" stinks. I rather like Doug Pratt's suggestion on my tour Monday that we use "Highplains Plover". Much better. Everyone also saw the Lewis's Woodpecker (my van on Monday makes no apology for the bird flying right over our heads a few times); the Baird's Sparrows on the road (!) at the best spot to see them; the Virginia's Warbler in Roby Canyon (some saw better than others). So many more were seen. The hawks--esp. the Ferruginous delighted many and my van on Monday also saw how thrilled the dark morph Swainson's Hawk made me. The Broad-billed Hummingbird heard in Boles Canyon on Monday indicated that they are there--just waiting for flowers to bloom. Also exciting was the McCown's Longspur nest that Doug Pratt found as he flushed the female from a nest (completely innocently I hasten to add!). I peered down and saw a bird so young it could not yet hold up its head, even though the gape was trying to open--what a strong survival technique that is! I then saw an egg hatching and another egg. I quickly told the group we needed to leave. If there had been just eggs or if there were 3-4 strong nestlings gaping wide for food, I probably would have just said to everyone to take a quick look and we'd be off. But this was a critical time it seemed to me--the female needed to be back NOW, so I was rather business-like in taking the group away. I hope all understand--I'd do it again! Luckily, Paul Pisano was in the process of snapping a photo when I saw the nest and got it accomplished before I said to clear out, so it will be documented. 6. The food was cool. Sorry some didn't like pickled eggs--I love them. And the Wild Rice salad was great--few restaurants know NOT to cook wild rice to mush. It is supposed to be a little crunchy. Overcooked to the bursting point it is just a mushy mess. You do know that "wild" rice is not rice at all, right? But I must say that the mystery spread was disappointing. When the hotel gave me menu ideas I knew I was going to be in Jamaica with Rich Hoyer. "Jamaican Vegetable Dip" sounded great--even more so after eating jerk foods at Boston Bay where jerk cooking started. Little did I know that they would make it more of a Jamaican fruit dip--sweetened, and with pineapple and lots of allspice (THE Jamaican spice, however) and just a bit of shredded carrot. Actually it WAS good; but I was "surprised" indeed. Not what I envisioned. 7. I am sorry ONLY for not being able to bird with all of you. Another time. But those who were in my vans were delightful and, I hope, felt well-treated. I cannot thank Mal Hodges enough for driving on Sunday and letting me just lead. It was a life-saver. 8. I want to thank all of the Black Hills birders for all the suggestions, and George Prisbe for the memorable welcoming speech he gave Friday night to the group. What a great way to start looking in the hills. (One of the participants teaches native comparative religion at San Jose State in California and was transfixed with George. I think she wants him as a guest lecturer!) Jocie Baker was there for morale support and was appreciated. Anna Ball allowed us to bird her home and yard. Every day we found a White-tailed Jackrabbit there. It was a life mammal for several and was a highlight. 9. More later. I'm still beat. Bird on... Doug Chapman Sioux Falls, SD Subject: Northern Hills Bird Club Field Trip, Saturday, June 27 From: "Gene " <gene AT neopaleo.net> Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2009 16:03:45 -0600 The Northern Hills Bird Club will conduct a field trip out of Newell, SD on Saturday, June 27. Birders of all levels and non-members of NHBC are welcome to participate. There is no charge for the trip. Participants will meet at the Blue Line Diner in Newell at 7:00 a.m. for a 7:30 a.m. departure. The trip will last into the afternoon so pack a lunch. Please contact Gene Hess at 605-791-0630 or gene AT neopaleo.net for more information. Thank you, Gene K. Hess, NHBC Rapid City, SD Subject: Pactola birds - further info. From: "Heather" <beachbettyhlm AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2009 04:31:11 -0000 Tues. evening 6/16 saw 60+ eared grebes out in the middle of Pactola Reservoir (Pennington Co., SD). Saw them about 2-3 weeks ago too. Also three American avocets on Pactola's south beach (a new lifetime species for me!) and a female common merganser right next to the lake shore further north . . . plus the obligatory ospreys and great blue herons. Lots of Canada goslings too. Heather Morijah Pennington Co. Rapid City, SD Subject: Black-throated Blue Warbler From: KENNY MILLER <littlebend AT q.com> Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2009 01:15:54 +0000 Ricky called me this afternoon to tell me he had heard a different song coming from the trees in his backyard. One of the birds he thought it might be was a black-throated blue warbler. He had to go to work and didn't have time to try and track it down so I went over there tonight to look. He proved to be correct; it was a very nice black-throated blue male. Very late for this species. Kenny Miller Pierre [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Screech Owl From: "Ricky D. Olson" <tatanka40 AT pie.midco.net> Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:39:14 -0500 I saw 4 Eastern Screech Owl babies in my trees today. They were grey phase. The Screech Owls have raised a brood for several years in my trees. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Pactola birds From: "Heather" <beachbettyhlm AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2009 03:39:19 -0000 This evening saw 60+ eared grebes out in the middle of the lake (saw them about 2-3 weeks ago too), three American avocets (a new lifetime species for me!) and a female common merganser . . . plus the obligatory ospreys and great blue herons. Lots of Canada goslings too. Subject: Corvid intelligence From: "mick" <zerrm AT sio.midco.net> Date: Tue, 16 Jun 2009 15:51:08 -0500 I am sure many of you have read the story about the tool making Corvids, but this is the first video I have seen. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article6360754.ece Mick SFBC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Black-billed cuckoo questions From: John Clem <johndavidclem AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 15 Jun 2009 10:41:32 -0700 (PDT) This weekend I saw a black-billed cuckoo at the Missouri River boat landing located about five miles west of Elk Point.  I've been there several times before, but had only seen yellow-billed cuckoos until now.  For those of you familiar with the area, is this species regular there?  Do any of you know of other good spots for this bird in the eastern half of the state?  Thanks.   John Clem Freeman   [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: a second to Todd's post From: Douglas Prisbe <przybysz AT wildblue.net> Date: Mon, 15 Jun 2009 09:44:29 -0600 Hooray for Todd! I totally agree with his cautionary advice about using PED's (performance enhancing devices) and trampling of habitat. From my experience, use of audio recording to lure birds in for a better look or a better shot, has become a bit of a crutch - a lazy approach to birding. It has become too easy to forget that birding, just like life, is about the journey - the process - not about the end result. So what if you don't see the bird? You will see others, and the experience is what should matter. Audio recording are great for learning to identify calls. In most cases, there use can be limited to that. An angry, crotchety quacker, George Prisbe Hanna South Dakota [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: weekend From: "mick" <zerrm AT sio.midco.net> Date: Sun, 14 Jun 2009 22:26:29 -0500 Had time for a few short spurts of birding between other obligations. At Perry Nature area, A male Baltimore Oriole was chasing a male E. Bluebird. A Kingfisher was watching the creek for a hapless minnow, and some H.Wrens were bugging an E. Phoebe. Others at the feeder area included: RB Grosbeak, RB Woodpecker, Downy WP, T. Vulture and C. Geese overhead. Sitting on the viewing log watching the feeder area was worth the view, even without the birds. See the view at: http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u210/zerrmick/6-13-09creek.jpg The creek was busy with the Mallard, Kingfisher, Robins, and Phoebes. http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u210/zerrmick/6-13-09robin.jpg At the SFBC blind at Dewey Gevik, not much but C. Geese, Tree and Barn Swallows, Marsh Wren, Song Sparrows, and RH and YH Blackbirds. To the west 3 miles in the WPA areas, The GT Grackle was on his usual post, RH Woodpecker, Two male and one female RedHeaded Ducks, plus 6 Ruddys, BW teal, many YH Blackbirds, http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3594/3626852613_a7d9e9e262_b.jpg and Killdeer. In the adjacent Bobolink field, Kestrel, many Bobolinks (of course), and Dickcissles. Mick SFBC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Union Grove and Spirit Mound From: "Roger Dietrich" <rogerd AT iw.net> Date: Sun, 14 Jun 2009 16:52:03 -0500 I had a very enjoyable day birding today. I spent three hours a at Union Grove and one hour at Spirit Mound. I didn't discover anything very unusual at either place but did see a lot of birds. Birding Sunday June 14, 2009 Union Grove State Park: American Crow, Res-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Northern Cardinal, Blue Jay, Gray Catbird, Eastern Phoebe, Eastern Wood Peewee, Field Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, House Wren, American Goldfinch, Eastern Towhee, Barn Swallow, Tree Swallow, Cliff Swallow, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Redheaded Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Indigo Bunting, Wild Turkey, Ring-necked Pheasant, Great Blue Heron, Mourning Dove, Eurasian-collared Dove, American Robin, Eastern Kingbird, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Ovenbird, Western Meadowlark, Then went north and west / 306 St west: Upland Sandpiper, American Kestrel, Belted Kingfisher Spirit Mound: Common Yellowthroat, Red-winged Blackbird, Dickcissel x many, American Robin, Northern Flicker, Cliff Swallow, Barn Swallow, Eastern Kingbird Roger Dietrich Yankton, SD 57078 rogerd AT iw.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: prothonary warblers From: "Todd Jensen" <gyrfalcon AT redwoodwireless.com> Date: Sat, 13 Jun 2009 15:29:07 -0600 Since a number of people may be considering going to look for the birds. A word of caution if, one is going to look for them, one needs to take in consideration the birds welfare as finding the birds is no problem and the nest is easy to spot. One needs to avoid playing any sound recordings and avoid walking through all the follage. There welfare is important and we do not want to cause nesting abandonment or failure due to our over zealousness. Todd Jensen [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Prothonotary Warblers in Union County From: Paul Roisen <roisenp1950 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 13 Jun 2009 10:49:55 -0700 (PDT) Roger and Gary,  I am not familiar with the location of SD Hwy 48 in Union County.  Could one of you please provide me with more specific directions?  I know Hwy 46 and 50 and several others in Union but do not seem to be able to locate 48 on the map. God Bless, Paul Roisen Sioux City, IA Woodbury County 712-276-0371(H) 712-301-2817(C) --- On Sat, 6/13/09, Gary and Jan Small wrote: From: Gary and Jan Small Subject: [sd-birds] Prothonotary Warblers in Union County To: sd-birds AT yahoogroups.com Date: Saturday, June 13, 2009, 11:11 AM Thanks to Roger Dietrich for posting the info about the prothonotary warblers in Union County. We drove over there this morning and found the pair. We first saw the male singing high in a tree, then he returned lower in the bushes with a fat grub and continued singing as he hopped around in the bushes. Then we accidentally stumbled on the nest when we saw the male feed the grub to the female sitting on the nest. Gary got some nice photos which we can share if anyone is interested. The location is in Union County--on SD Highway 48 just before it crosses the Big Sioux River into Iowa. There is a public access road on the south side of the highway. The road is very muddy after all this rain so we just parked and walked in along the road. Gary and Jan Small Vermillion [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Prothonotary Warblers in Union County From: "Gary and Jan Small" <gjsmall AT cedarwb.net> Date: Sat, 13 Jun 2009 11:11:03 -0500 Thanks to Roger Dietrich for posting the info about the prothonotary warblers in Union County. We drove over there this morning and found the pair. We first saw the male singing high in a tree, then he returned lower in the bushes with a fat grub and continued singing as he hopped around in the bushes. Then we accidentally stumbled on the nest when we saw the male feed the grub to the female sitting on the nest. Gary got some nice photos which we can share if anyone is interested. The location is in Union County--on SD Highway 48 just before it crosses the Big Sioux River into Iowa. There is a public access road on the south side of the highway. The road is very muddy after all this rain so we just parked and walked in along the road. Gary and Jan Small Vermillion [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Blue Grosbeak From: "R&M Mabie" <rmmabie AT hcinet.net> Date: Sat, 13 Jun 2009 07:13:29 -0500 We also had our first Blue Grosbeak yesterday. It was seen at North Point State Recreation Area. Ron Mabie Pickstown, SD [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Cinnamon Teal Meade County From: Dick Latuchie <rlatuchie AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 13 Jun 2009 04:45:45 -0600 On my way to North Dakota yesterday, I found Common Tern and Wilson's Snipe at Bear Butte Lake, and a single male Cinnamon Teal at Nisland slough. Or is that Butte County. Dick Latuchie Rapid City Sent from my iPod Subject: FOY Blue Grosbeak, NE Custer Co. From: "m. melius" <mmelius AT earthlink.net> Date: Fri, 12 Jun 2009 10:30:11 -0600 (GMT-06:00) A pair of Blue Grosbeaks stopped at my place briefly this morning. Better late than never.... Michael Melius Subject: Protonotary Warbler pair From: "Roger Dietrich" <rogerd AT iw.net> Date: Thu, 11 Jun 2009 22:18:13 -0500 I received a call from a birder from Indiana tonight. His name is Chuck Mills from Newburgh, IN 47630, telephone 812-853-9090 and email ccmills AT wowway.com He appeared to be a very knowledgeable birder. He manages a Least Tern project in Indiana and has worked on breeding bird atlas projects. He was birding along the South Dakota - Iowa border today and on the SD side of the river at an access point right by the river on Hwy 48 Chuck and the others with him hear a Prothonotary Warbler singing and then saw a male and a female. He also reported American Redstart, Northern Cardinal, and Eastern Peewee there. He is familiar with Prothonotary Warblers as there are many around his home area. He thought it looked like they were nesting in the area. If anyone would like more information he would be glad to communicate with you. He is returning to Indiana today. Roger Dietrich Yankton, SD 57078 rogerd AT iw.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Pactola Lake Osprey: Pennington Co From: Jennifer Fowler <waterfowlerlover AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:30:28 -0700 (PDT) It appears that the osprey nest in Pactola Lake Basin has been recenty abandoned.  The facts:   The female was incubating at the new relocation pole site in early May.  The new nest is empty as seen from the road on top of the dam.  This week, the pair has been attempting to build a nest at the "original" nest site on the trusses of the powerpole.  I watched coutrship behavior between them as the male would cower with drooping wings when she presented him with sticks and pine needles.  The most interesting part for me is that this is a new female to the area.  The female in the previous three years was the same as she wore band with numbers that I could read.  Wednesday, there were three osprey flying together in the area, although this is not unusual as I had seen males come in from nearby nest sites to fish and often interact with the pair at the lake. If anyone has noticed reasons for the nest failure or have other info to share, please contact me. FYI-  The Pilot Knob osprey nest, visible from The Sugar Shack on HWY 385, was relocated off the high tension powerpole to a single pole nearby.    ~Jennifer Fowler Pactola Lake, SD Subject: Lawrence Co: White-winged Crossbills From: Jennifer Fowler <waterfowlerlover AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:40:24 -0700 (PDT) Hello Birders- While atlasing this morning, I saw a flock of White-winged Crossbills feeding in spruce trees off Nemo Rd in Lawrence Co.  Over the years of birding and living in the forest, I had never heard them before, but always was jealous of friends that had found them.  They told me that I would certainly notice the difference in their calls as they fly.  They were correct!  Instead of the "jip" sounds of the Red Crossbills as they fly, collectively they seemed to "rattle" through the sky.  I always wondered if I was just missing them as I was out, but after today, I know that I had never been in the same place as them. So, keep your ears open as we seem to be encountering more flocks of them recently.  They were also at the Sylvan Lake area during the SDOU Custer meeting in May. ~Jen Fowler Pactola Lake, SD Subject: Brookings area report From: Dan W <birdalot2009 AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 11 Jun 2009 19:08:10 -0700 (PDT) Due to the poor weather I did very little birding and thus did not see much of interest. I saw around 75 species of birds many of which we in and around Oak Woods Lake SP. Red-necked grebe, cattle egret, blk crown night heron, harrier, sharp-shinned, and broad-winged hawks. Of interest were 2 female McCowns Longspurs near Volga. Dan Illinois [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: School & Public lands From: "m. melius" <mmelius AT earthlink.net> Date: Thu, 11 Jun 2009 11:16:28 -0600 (GMT-06:00) Since seeing an orange "Public Land" sign at a local school section in NE Custer Co, proclaiming it as open to hunting and other non-motorized recreation, I've been heading for such lands to go birding/botanizing. The free "Hunting Atlas" published by Game, Fish & Parks Dept. shows these lands clearly, in blue. I invite other birders to check out these school lands. Some are farmed or cut for hay, but many that I've found are grazed and in fairly high condition. Yesterday I drove through NW Hyde County and found some beautiful prairie on school lands about 12 miles south of Seneca. Chestnut-collared Longspurs were thick in most of the prairie there, but I didn't have much time birding yesterday. I intend to look into the management plans for these lands with hopes of encouraging some long-term commitment to prairie conservation on the part of the Office of School & Public Lands. I would appreciate any input from people who have experience with school lands, insight into the Office's management/ownership plans, or who would like to assist in this conservation effort. Michael Melius Hermosa 605/255.4766 Subject: Mary Todd and Mr. Lincoln (update 1 week later) From: "turkeyfeathrs" <turkeyfeathrs AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 10 Jun 2009 21:22:53 -0000 Mary Todd has completed her nest at Lincoln Academy and has begun sitting on eggs. (Photos taken this morning posted on Caroline Stafford photo album). She was very suspicious of watchers from the window and photographers, as you might ascertain from her expression. Hoping to keep photo account for students when they return in the fall. Mr. Lincoln is keeping watch from his post in the elm tree by the flagpole, a good spot for a gentleman of a political bent, I think. With all the rainy weather we have had, having a solid brick wall behind her and a solid roof overhead must be a comfort to the lady. Cornell Lab of Ornithology is having a "Funky Nests in Funky Places" contest to celebrate urban birds, I sent in Mary Todd's residence with photos, hopefully, she will do South Dakota proud. I will keep you posted if she is funky enough. Caroline Stafford Subject: MEADE COUNTY: NESTING DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS, etc. From: "Jocelyn Baker" <osprey AT hills.net> Date: Mon, 8 Jun 2009 17:40:07 -0600 This morning I drove to the Bear Butte area and observed what I believe is a new nesting colony of Double-crested Cormorants. The location is the pond just north of the Sturgis sewage lagoons on the east side of Highway #79, to the south of Bear Butte. There were approximately 30 cormorants in the trees with 4 visible nests. The nests were occupied by a female incubating and a male either nearby or flying to the nest with nesting materials. I hope someone from the Sturgis area will monitor this colony to see if it is successful. At Bear Butte I observed a dozen or more gulls (Franklin's, California and Ring-billed) and 5 Common Terns. After viewing the gull island at the Belle Fourche Reservoir (also this morning) and finding it about 50% smaller than other years due to high water levels, I wonder if the gulls and terns at Bear Butte Lake aren't "displaced" birds from the B.F. colony. I also observed 3 Caspian Terns at a small pond along Highway 212 in the Nisland area. Black Terns were in large numbers at the Nisland Slough (Butte Cty.). Jocelyn Baker JOCELYN LEE BAKER RAPID CITY, S.D. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Birds observed at 2009 Spring Meeting From: "Jocelyn Baker" <osprey AT hills.net> Date: Mon, 8 Jun 2009 17:26:36 -0600 A list of the 127 bird species which were observed at the spring meeting in Custer (15-17 May 2009) is posted on the SDOU web site (www.sdou.org). Click on "Upcoming Meetings" and then "Meeting Checklists" with title "SDOU Spring Meeting Checklist 15-17 May '09". Jocelyn Baker JOCELYN LEE BAKER RAPID CITY, S.D. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Pennington County - Common Loon at Canyon Lake From: Richard Latuchie <rlatuchie AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 7 Jun 2009 13:52:17 -0600 Sorry 'bout that last message - not sure how I sent it. Spent much of the morning on the back roads east of Rapid City in the mist and intermittant rain. Highlights for me were great look at a Great Horned Owl, Marbled Godwit, 4 Long-billed Curlews, a Common Nighthawk, sitting by the side of the road, lots of Grasshopper Sparrows, Upland Sandpipers (40 or so in one field), lots of Lark Buntings, and a Loggerhead Shrike. Then at Canyon Lake, that one Common Loon was back, and I got a great look at him taking off from the lake. Thanks to Jocie for previously showing me the route, and also letting me know there were Franklin's Gulls at Canyon Lake, prompting me to go over and find the Loon. Dick Latuchie Rapid City [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Pierre with Squirter From: "Gary & Cindy Olson" <olsonfam AT nvc.net> Date: Sun, 7 Jun 2009 10:07:00 -0500 Dan Streifle and I put on the rain gear and went to the Pierre area on Saturday morning. Rained off and on in the morning. Never all that hard from the time we arrived but was misty for a chunk of the day. Had some moments though when all was calm and saw a total of 68 species. Seen some FOY birds including: Common Loon, Red-headed and Red-bellied Woodpeckers (I do see both of these in the Aberdeen area and in town but as of yet not this year) Black-headed and Blue Grosbeaks, Northern Mockingbird, and a Lark Sparrows. Some other highlight birds we're lots of A.W. Pelicans still a Swainson's Thrush, Blackpoll and Tennessee Warblers one each, Baltimore and Orchard Orioles, Indigo Buntings and a Lazuli Bunting as well. A Lazuli Bunting had been in Aberdeen on and around Memorial Day. An interesting bird for us was a male Red-bellied Woodpecker. The white barring on his back was extremely fine. Made it seem almost non-existent. He did show more white in the rump and his front side while we did see some red belly, was very dark tan. Darker then a Mourning Dove. I cannot find in any of the guide books any mention of the dark tan front side. Also none show the extremely fine white backside barring. An odd colored bird we both enjoyed very much! Gary Olson Aberdeen [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: (unknown) From: Dick Latuchie <rlatuchie AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 6 Jun 2009 20:19:50 -0600 Sent from my iPod Subject: saturday From: "mick" <zerrm AT sio.midco.net> Date: Sat, 6 Jun 2009 15:11:57 -0500 Saturday, 9 hardy members of the SFBC did our scheduled field trip. We cancelled Newton Hills due to impending heavy rain. We birded the Outdoor Campus and Perry Nature Park before the rain hit us and we had to disperse. Most of the feathered folks were hiding, due to the rain, but we still did see or hear over 32 species. Some of us had FOY E. Wood Pewee at Perry. Arriving home at the feeders at my house, a RT Hummingbird was drinking cold sugar water while two fledged House Sparrows could not figure out why a male House Finch was only feeding the fledged house finch sitting next to the sparrows. Catbird and Baltimore Oriole are still at the grape jelly, but all the migrating sparrows and warblers are gone. The group discussed trying for a make up regular field trip on the 20th (two weeks from now). to Newton Hills. Mick SFBC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: PENNINGTON CTY.: CLARK'S NUTCRACKER From: "Jocelyn Baker" <osprey AT hills.net> Date: Fri, 5 Jun 2009 21:15:54 -0600 Several raucous Clark's Nutcrackers were observed Friday morning in ponderosa pines adjacent to the Walk-in Fisheries parking lot off of Slate Prairie Road near Deerfield Lake. Jocie Baker JOCELYN LEE BAKER RAPID CITY, S.D. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Black-bellied Plover at Sevey Lake (Meade County) From: Richard Latuchie <rlatuchie AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 5 Jun 2009 17:28:01 -0600 I was able to swing by Sevey Lake tonight on my way home, and saw a Black-bellied Plover in full breeding plumage on the north shore of the northern part of the Lake. Also saw a Sanderling, with an injured leg walking on the road. And lots of Wilson's Phalaropes, Black Terns, Yellow-headed Blackbirds, Eastern and Western Kingbirds, a few pied-billed and eared grebes, and a good variety of ducks. Made my day. Dick Latuchie Rapid City, SD [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Spring Migration From: "markotnes AT cableone.net" <markotnes@cableone.net> Date: Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:03:16 -0700 I birded both North Dakota and South Dakota this May and these are my impressions about the spring migration. I think that the migration was late and westerly winds kept the warblers to the areas where they are usually more common – the Red River Valley and northeastern North Dakota. Bismarck however appeared to have some pretty decent fallouts. The migration appeared to be late in North Dakota- the trees leaved out late and the woodland birds arrived late. I had only three or four warbler species on the 14th of May before I dropped down into South Dakota. I birded southeastern South Dakota on Monday and Tuesday the 18th and 19th of May. Monday was pretty good with about 13 warbler species mostly at Newton Hills. Tennessee and blackpoll warblers were abundant. Tuesday was a very poor day due to poor weather conditions – very windy (southwest winds) and hot. Wednesday the 20th was still very windy from the southwest and I started birding that morning at Hartford Beach at about 7:30 AM, hit Sica Hollow in the late morning, and then headed north into North Dakota. I think I only had 6 warbler species that day with only Tennessee and blackpoll warblers being non-resident warbler species. On Thursday and Friday I checked out southeastern North Dakota localities west of the Red River Valley and found very little. Jack Lefore whom I met on Friday also had found very little in the southeast and south-central part of the start. At this same time however warblers were common and diverse in the northeast part of the state according to posts from Ron, Corey, David Lambeth, and others. Talking to North Dakota birders and reading their posts it appears the Grand Forks had a very good spring and that Fargo had a good spring. I experienced a good fallout in Fargo on the afternoon of Tuesday May 26th after I snuck out of work early. That day filled in most of the regular warbler species for my area. Shorebirds to me appeared to be about average. Because of all of the water I think they had a lot of areas to choose from. Working my way from Fargo to Pierre on the 14th I saw plenty of shorebirds in a lot of different places. Brown County had plenty of shorebirds scattered over all of the wet areas. Just east of Ipswich in Edmunds County I found a wet area full of Hudsonian godwits, dowitchers, and peeps. I saw a couple large flocks of American golden plovers just south of Ipswich. When I got back to North Dakota on the 20th I found shorebirds scattered all over the place with some pretty good concentrations in flooded fields in Ransom County. The only shorebird I found to be in numbers less than I expected was red-necked phalarope. I didn’t see any of these in the southeast, but I did get a few earlier in May out in Kidder County. I talked to Keith Corliss who said he had a bunch out in Dickinson in late May. Mark Otnes Fargo ND 701-241-4194 markotnes AT cableone.net ---- Msg sent via CableONE.net MyMail - http://www.cableone.net Subject: the spring migration From: Douglas Prisbe <przybysz AT wildblue.net> Date: Fri, 5 Jun 2009 11:03:54 -0600 Following up on Ricky Olson's recent post regarding warblers in the Pierre area, here is a review of my spring migration experience - east river and here in the Black Hills. Obviously, this has been an odd spring, with late winter /early spring storms, cool temperatures and generally unfavorable winds. I did two lengthy east river trips, in hope of shorebirds and warblers. In both cases I was disappointed. Variety was limited and density very sparse. I chalked this up to the late migration and my particular timing/luck. When i would come upon a good mudflat, for example, there would be three or four species, but oddly only one or two or a very few of each. Here at Hanna (elevation 5750') in the northern Black Hills, we have experienced the poorest migration in the 12 years that we have been here. Overall, the migrant numbers were way down, and many species did not show up at all, such as White-crowned Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Lark Bunting, Lark Sparrow, Horned Lark, Wilson's Warbler, Tennessee Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Red-eyed Vireo, Solitary Sandpiper - these and other species have been consistent in spring, until this year. There was a one day "fallout" of Clay-colored and Lincoln's Sparrows. Normally, they would be ubiquitous for at least two weeks. We usually get a few interesting stragglers moving through in spring, such as Spotted Towhee, Yellow-breasted Chat, Eastern Kingbird, Gray Catbird, etc, but with the exception of the Cinnamon Teal that i reported earlier, there have been no surprises. Even a Mourning Dove - once fairly common up here - would have been nice. As for our non-resident breeders, again numbers are low. Dusky Flycatchers are few and far between, as is the case for Song Sparrow, MacGillivray's Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, and Audubon Warblers. Swainson/ Thrush, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and Black-headed Grosbeak are back in what appear to be normal (whatever that is) numbers. It is too soon for me to make a call about Warblng Vireo, Chipping Sparrow, Violet-green Swallow and Red-naped Sapsucker. They are here in the immediate area, but I have not found as many as usual, yet. I know that VG Swallows are easily found at lower elevations in Spearfish Canyon but there have few at Hanna, with no White-throated Swifts and no nighthawks. It could be that our record heavy snow and cold temps made many species decide to take up residence further down the canyon. American Redstart and Ovenbird numbers seem as strong as usual at the lower end of the canyon. Our resident breeders all seem to be holding their own - especially the Pine Siskins. Anyone traveling out here is encouraged to take a bushel basket of these little pigs with them. I fill (though that may have stop) my feeders (5) every morning and by noon they are nearly empty. The siskins (often 100 or more at a time) pick through the black sunflower seeds, dropping them one by one, looking for hulled morsels. Black-capped Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Dark-eyed Junco, and Gray Jay numbers seem stable. American Dippers have not been hard to find, but I still believe their numbers are down (Doug, please prove me wrong). The most interesting local breeder issue is the American Three-toed Woodpecker. Each spring I look forward to their drumming near our home. This year, there has been nothing but silence. We observed a three-toed four or five days ago. Prior to that, we have to go back to March 17!!!! That is very very odd. Yesterday, three birders from Illinois found a pair of them in Ward Draw, about a mile from our house. There is no apparent reason for these birds to have left this area, but where are they? I have spent considerable time birding the Alkali Creek area at Ft. Meade Recreation Area near Sturgis. There have been very few warblers - yellow, orange-crowned, redstart, black and white, blackpoll, yellow-rumped, waterthrush (1), yellowthroat, but again, not in large numbers. Towhee and Ovenbird numbers seem good, as do Warbling and Red-eyed Vireo. Though i have found them, i am still wondering where all the Indigo and Lazuli Buntings are. Generally, the woods have been less active than in past years. So, what is the conclusion we are to draw from all this? Is this just an oddball year? Are we seeing the beginning of the end of bird diversity and density, as we have come to expect it to be? Is the loss of breeding and wintering habitat finally taking a measurable toll? Are other threats (such as bird blenders and destroyment) making it impossible for birds to sustain their population? Will this mean that no one will ever threaten Todd Jensen's year record of 332 species? I would like to hear from other locales across the state - especially from some of our more esteemed birders who rarely post to this group. What is going on where you live? (Note: Let us all strive to be judicious in our use of PED's - performance enhancing devices. Though some may argue that playing recordings does not negatively affect breeding birds, common sense leads me to believe that it does and can unduly stress our feathered friends. Sometimes, to get that "perfect" look or shot, we can get a little over zealous.) George Prisbe - Przybysz Hanna, Lawrence County South Dakota [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Northern Hills Bird Club field trip June 13. From: "Gene " <gene AT neopaleo.net> Date: Thu, 4 Jun 2009 10:27:48 -0600 NHBC Field Trip - Saturday, March 14 The Northern Hills Bird Club will conduct a field trip out of Sundance, WY on Saturday, June 13. Birders of all levels and non-members of NHBC are welcome to participate. There is no charge for the trip. Participants will meet at the Conoco Station West exit in Sundance (Exit 185) at 7:30 a.m. for an 8:00 a.m. departure. The trip will last into the afternoon so pack a lunch. Wild flowers should be blooming and Ospreys should be at Cook Lake. If anyone would like to see Sharp-tailed Grouse on their lek please let Jean Adams know. We will need to meet at the Conoco at 5 a.m. We can then come back and have breakfast in Sundance before meeting the rest of the group at the Conoco Station at 7:30. Please contact Jean Adams at 307-283-2467 or jgwindsong AT rangeweb.net for more information. Gene K. Hess Rapid City, SD Subject: Atlasing Summer 09 From: waterfowlerlover AT yahoo.com Date: Wed, 3 Jun 2009 14:50:46 -0700 (PDT) Hello Birders! I want to encourage you to get yourself an atlas block to contribute to the SD Breeding Bird Atlas #2.  This is my second summer as a technician atlasing and am having the most amazing time!  Aside from giving a deeper meaning to birding, I have seen the most wonderful parts of the state! While confirming breeding, I again get excited about common birds carrying nest material or food as well as finding rare species! The best part is the education received while studying a large number of species in their habitat at the height of the breeding season...the sights and sounds can be overwhelming! When you volunteer for a block, it is alright that you "don't have the time"... you have a few years to work at it! Check out the Breeding Bird Atlas #2 link in the SDOU website, sdou.org for a map of blocks and other info! Nancy Drilling will get you all you need! nancy.drilling AT rmbo.org If you find yourself in the NW corner of SD and want to go out in the field, let me know! ~Jen Fowler Pactola Lake, SD Subject: FT Pierre From: "Ricky D. Olson" <tatanka40 AT pie.midco.net> Date: Wed, 3 Jun 2009 13:45:21 -0500 The warbler migration was one of the worst ever here for me with only 12 species and half of them were single individuals. Is any Pelican colony missing birds, I am seeing White Pelicans everywhere?? Still many shorebirds at the one wetland, but diversity way down with most being Semi-palmated Sandpipers and White-rumped Sandpipers. I did see a late male Common Merganser in the tailrace today. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Blue-winged warbler at Newton Hills? From: John Clem <johndavidclem AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 3 Jun 2009 10:38:27 -0700 (PDT) Hello,   Just wondering if anyone has seen the blue-winged warbler lately at Newton Hills SP.  I was thinking of looking for it this weekend.  Thanks.   John Clem Freeman   [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Sunday From: "mick" <zerrm AT sio.midco.net> Date: Tue, 2 Jun 2009 23:02:02 -0500 Folks, Back to the "business" of birding:, Doug Chapman and I did the wetlands south and west of Sioux Falls, and found a few things, but discovered the water is rapidly drying up. Saw the FOY Swamp Sparrow . Shorebirds included Spotted, Semi-palmated, White-rumped Sandpipers, Dunlin, W. Phalarope. Most were seen at the famous shorebird spot just one mile east of Humboldt, SD a block north of Highway 38. See aerial at http://www.leifericson.org/sfbc/id17.html A few miles directly east of this neat little lake is Scott Lake, where Great Egret and Black-crowned Night Heron gave as a great view. http://s169.photobucket.com/albums/u210/zerrmick/?action=view¤t=079fea0c.pbw The heron on video- http://www.leifericson.org/sfbc/id32.html Mick SFBC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Mary Todd and Mr. Lincoln From: cbstafford <turkeyfeathrs AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 2 Jun 2009 18:48:43 -0700 (PDT) Last year my 9th graders at Lincoln Academy were fascinated with the "Rastafarian birds" that we had in our courtyard (w. tanagers). Today, we discovered a robin building her nest on a downspout from the roof gutters on our building, in full view of the math classroom. If anyone remembers those last days of school before summer vacation, you can imagine how much more interesting that was than Algebra 1 ! Given that we are in the Lincoln building, she has been dubbed Mary Todd,  Mr. Lincoln watched the proceedings from a favorite elm branch, offering his tuneful "encouragement". The girls thought he was a typical male, letting the female do all the housework, the boys objected loudly to that charge. Mary Todd has selected the usual robinesque building materials, with the addition of a dryer fabric softener sheet and a lovely foot long piece of plastic netting she found somewhere. We decided to try an experiment, and offered her some bits of string to see if she would use them as well. Kids picked out red and white which we cut into short, robin safe lengths and hung them on the 8' chain link fence that protects that corner of the building. My budding naturalists were astonished and delighted to watch her pick the string off the fence and add it to her framework within minutes of offering it to her. You never know what might turn kids, who have never noticed a bird in their lives, into birders or careful stewards of the environment. I am glad I'm not the Algebra teacher this week! Kids can be so cool sometimes when you least expect it. You may be sure they will be keeping track of her progress till June 9, when vacation officially starts. Caroline Stafford (Rapid City) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Birders or ? From: "retromod13" <retromod13 AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 03 Jun 2009 01:07:51 -0000 Hello I am not very active on Sd-birds, but I do read all the emails that are sent out. I use to go to almost every birding activity that I could in South Dakota. When I think back, I learned so much and really enjoyed the company of everyone I met. I would have never thought that birders in South Dakota would wast so much time on petty things, such as all of these recent emails. I would think that they would rather be out birding! Anyway, not everyone get along, but mature people handle it with discretion,courtesy, and don't bring it into the public domain where it doesn't belong. Sent with respect, Justin Enger Harrisburg --- In sd-birds AT yahoogroups.com, "danielstreifel" wrote: > > Wow, when the whole truth is not known things sometimes get out of hand. > > Todd is a very enthusiastic birder, I will give him that. > > The problem I have is that Gary Olson or Myself had Identified everyone of the birds he had posted for help on the list serve. So either he did not believe Gary or myself or he has no retention and just forgot everything that we tried to teach him. Either way it starts to wear on a person that your teaching is for nothing. > > Dan Tallman and Ricky D Olson have ID more birds for me then I would ever what to admit. When they told me it was an Orange-crowned Warbler and why I labeled it a Orange-crowned Warbler and tried to remember why. I did not then post it on the List Server to get 100 peoples opinion on the same bird that I just asked about. The reason for that is because I would not have asked these people if I did not respect them as very knowledgeable birds and I think that it would have been a slap in the face to do such a thing. Also if someone tells me that I mislabeled something like a Tree Swallow as a Field Swallow I would change it just for the fact that they took the time to look at the picture and were trying to help me not make fun of me for making a mistake. > > So I standby my last e-mail that I sent to Todd and I for one will not Identify any birds that he puts up on the List Server. > > Daniel Streifel > Aberdeen, SD > ---------- > > > No virus found in this outgoing message. > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com > Version: 8.5.339 / Virus Database: 270.12.50/2150 - Release Date: 06/02/09 06:47:00 > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >