Birdingonthe.Net Recent Postings from South Dakota Birds > Home > Mail > Alerts Updated on Thursday, October 9 at 07:03 PM ET The most recently received Mail is at the top.	Bufflehead,©David Sibley

9 Oct NHBC Keyhole Postponed ["Vic/Donna Fondy" ] 9 Oct SDOU KUDOS ["Ricky D. Olson" ] 8 Oct wed birds ["mick" ] 8 Oct Sandhills from Skyline Drive, Rapid City [cbstafford ] 8 Oct Sand Lake NWR Weekly Waterfowl Estimate - 10/8/2008 [] 8 Oct crane migration over the hills ["Douglas Prisbe" ] 7 Oct cranes ["m. melius" ] 08 Oct Thousands of sandhill cranes overhead!! ["kazmac19" ] 7 Oct PENNINGTON CTY.: SANDHILL CRANES ["Jocelyn Baker" ] 7 Oct Sandhill Cranes (Meade County) ["Addison Ball" ] 6 Oct Atkins Slough gull update ["brdfsd AT sio.midco.net" ] 6 Oct NHBC Field Trip ["Vic/Donna Fondy" ] 5 Oct Atkins Slough ["brdfsd AT sio.midco.net" ] 5 Oct big bend dam ["Todd Jensen" ] 5 Oct Black Hills hawk watch...absolutely! [cbstafford ] 05 Oct Sat Oct 4th Sioux Falls Bird Club field trip report ["Mark Schmidtbauer" ] 5 Oct Black Hills Hawk Watch--Today! ["m. melius" ] 4 Oct Turkey Vulture migration ["m. melius" ] 3 Oct Caracara not ["Ricky D. Olson" ] 2 Oct Sparrows [douglas chapman ] 2 Oct Fall warbler migration ["Ricky D. Olson" ] 1 Oct RE: [SF-BC] Le Conte's at Atkins ["Terry Sohl" ] 1 Oct Le Conte's at Atkins [douglas chapman ] 1 Oct Native Prairie ["mick" ] 1 Oct Caracara [] 1 Oct Sand Lake NWR Weekly Waterfowl Estimate - 10/1/2008 [] 1 Oct RE: Le Conte's Sparrows ["Terry Sohl" ] 30 Sep Re: Le Conte's Sparrows [douglas chapman ] 30 Sep Le Conte's Sparrows ["Terry Sohl" ] 30 Sep Bird Notes mailing information [douglas chapman ] 30 Sep Whitewood Report ["Vic/Donna Fondy" ] 29 Sep September Bird Notes [cbstafford ] 28 Sep Message Error ["Vic/Donna Fondy" ] 28 Sep Ahleen Osloond ["Vic/Donna Fondy" ] 28 Sep NHBC Meeting Announcement ["Vic/Donna Fondy" ] 28 Sep Sprague's Pipits ["Doug Backlund" ] 27 Sep Atkins trip yields Sharp-tailed Sparrows [douglas chapman ] 27 Sep NHBC Field Trip Sightings ["Vic/Donna Fondy" ] 27 Sep Big Bend - Little Gull ["Ricky D. Olson" ] 26 Sep feeder cam ["mick" ] 26 Sep More Sand Lake Photos [dan&erika ] 25 Sep Turkey 'vultures redone [cbstafford ] 25 Sep turkey vultures Pennington Co [cbstafford ] 25 Sep short-eared owl photos [dan&erika ] 25 Sep Black-billed Magpies near Oacoma [] 23 Sep Fall Meeting and Paper Session ["Palmer, Jeff" ] 23 Sep Vireos in Bon Homme County ["markotnes AT cableone.net" ] 22 Sep PENNINGTON CTY.: CLARK'S NUTCRACKER, PYGMY NUTHATCH ["Jocelyn Baker" ] 22 Sep Catron Blvd pond check 9/22 (Pennington Co) [cbstafford ] 22 Sep ft Pierre, big bend etc ["Ricky D. Olson" ] 22 Sep Re: Registration for Fall Meeting in Pierre [douglas chapman ] 21 Sep NHBC Field Trip 9-27 ["Vic/Donna Fondy" ] Subject: NHBC Keyhole Postponed From: "Vic/Donna Fondy" <treasurecreek AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2008 18:01:26 -0600 The forecast for Northeast Wyoming is for 6-12 inches of snow on Friday and Saturday. Part of the trip to Keyhole is over gravel roads and some of the viewing around Keyhole is on totally unimproved roads. Based on the foregoing, the NHBC field trip for Saturday October 11 is postponed and will be conducted at the same time and routing on October 18. Vic Fondy-NHBC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: SDOU KUDOS From: "Ricky D. Olson" <tatanka40 AT pie.midco.net> Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2008 14:16:14 -0500 With the SDOU Fall Meeting this weekend. I would just like to share this thought. When you talk to these people at the meeting. I think it would be a great time to tell all the people who make SDOU the sucess it is a big THANK You. That you appreciate all their volunteered hours and efforts. I know personally I am quick to point out errors, gripe about things I don't agree with, and voice my opinons about what I think needs changed. But I fail to convey how much I really appreciate peoples efforts and how greatly they contribute to a succesful SDOU. To the SDOU Officers& Board Members,the database & web master, meeting hosts, contributors to the seasonal database and listserve, Seasonal complier, Bird Notes Editor and contributors, Rare Records Commitee - THANK YOU! I DO APPRECIATE YOUR TIME AND EFFORTS. Sharing is half the fun of birding RICKY D. OLSON FORT PIERRE SD [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: wed birds From: "mick" <zerrm AT sio.midco.net> Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2008 22:57:50 -0500 A visit to the Outdoor Campus in Sioux Falls Wednesday PM gave Mallards, RT hawk, Blue Jay, Downy WP, Harris' and Chipping Sparrows, Orange Crowned Warbler, Chickadees, Cedar Waxwings, RB Gull, Robins, Grackles, Nighthawk, Crows, and House Finch. There more birds in the deep brush out of Bino range. All birds were on the west trail next to the Native Prairie. The only bird at the SF feeders other than house sparrows, Goldfinches and chickadees was a White Throated Sparrow. Mick SFBC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Sandhills from Skyline Drive, Rapid City From: cbstafford <turkeyfeathrs AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2008 15:28:08 -0700 (PDT) After reading the sightings of sandhills moving south from everyone, I headed up on Skyline Drive after school today. Headed for the spot I had such good luck looking for hawks on Sunday.  Within 10 minutes I had 3 large flocks of sandhills come overhead along the east side of the ridge. Guesstimate is about 100 birds in each group. They seemed to be following the same route, probably a mile or so between flocks. 2 moved straight south and the 3rd group did a regroup maneuver directly overhead, sorted themselves out into they typical jagged line pattern and moved on. Very vocal and beautiful against clear blue sky. Thanks all for the reminder to keep looking up. Caroline Stafford [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Sand Lake NWR Weekly Waterfowl Estimate - 10/8/2008 From: William_Schultze AT fws.gov Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2008 11:29:42 -0500 Waterfowl Estimates for Sand Lake NWR - 10/8/2008 Canada Geese - 2700 Snow Geese - 0 Ducks - 28,000 Swans - 20 The majority of ducks have shifted from Mud Lake to Sand Lake this week. The increase in duck numbers this week is made up mostly of shovelers, with a small increase in mallards. Shovelers and green-winged teal still make up the majority of ducks on the refuge. Several buffleheads were observed on the refuge today. All of the tundra swans are currently in Mud Lake. Soybean harvest in the refuge area has been stalled due to rains last weekend. Waterfowl Estimates for Sand Lake NWR - 10/1/2008 Canada Geese - 3000 Snow Geese - 0 Ducks - 21,000 Swans - 10 Most of the ducks on the refuge are using Mud Lake, which is the northern pool. Shovelers and green-winged teal make up the majority of ducks, with some mallards, pintails, gadwalls, and a few divers. The first tundra swans were observed on the refuge on September 29. Soybean harvest has begun in the refuge area. Wetland conditions in Brown County are good and should provide some good hunting opportunities. Bill Schultze Wildlife Biologist Sand Lake NWR 39650 Sand Lake Dr. Columbia, SD 57433 (605)885-6320 Subject: crane migration over the hills From: "Douglas Prisbe" <przybysz AT wildblue.net> Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2008 09:09:05 -0600 well, i will add my two cents to the sandhill crane posts of yesterday. i observed six flocks yesterday. all were from 300 to 600 birds, each. michael melius' question about east river sightings brings up an interesting point. these birds seem to have different routes for spring and fall migration. here at hanna, in the northern black hills, we rarely - i mean rarely - spot cranes in the spring. yet, the fall sky is always full of them. george prisbe hanna - 5700' lawrence county south dakota [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: cranes From: "m. melius" <mmelius AT earthlink.net> Date: Tue, 7 Oct 2008 21:42:23 -0600 (GMT-06:00) I also had my first cranes of the fall, here in NE Custer Co. Just a couple small flocks, around noon and 5 pm. I wonder if observers in the eastern part of the state have seen any yet? Michael Melius Subject: Thousands of sandhill cranes overhead!! From: "kazmac19" <kazmac19 AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 08 Oct 2008 01:00:06 -0000 I stepped outside after dinner about 6 pm and heard the cranes before seeing them. It's now 7 pm and they have been coming over in large groups in a steady stream for an hour, and now seem to be done as it gets dark. I lost count very early (500) on as they were coming so fast and can only say that there were thousands. They were all headed in the general direction of Angostora Reservoir, which is only a few miles away to the south. Maybe they will overnight there?? Some groups were so low and loud that my dogs starting barking at them. What a truly wonderful experience!! Peggy McNamara Hot Springs area Subject: PENNINGTON CTY.: SANDHILL CRANES From: "Jocelyn Baker" <osprey AT hills.net> Date: Tue, 7 Oct 2008 17:32:32 -0600 Sandhill Cranes were observed over the Canyon Lake/Chapel Valley area of western Rapid City at approximately 4:15 p.m this afternoon. I only observed/heard one flock which could have been one of the flocks that Addison Ball observed. Jocelyn Lee Baker, Rapid City ----- Original Message ----- From: Addison Ball To: sd-birds ; NHBC Sent: Tuesday, October 07, 2008 4:14 PM Subject: [sd-birds] Sandhill Cranes (Meade County) At about 4:00 PM today (Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2008), several relatively small flocks of Sandhill Cranes were heard and seen flying roughly south, high, east of Piedmont, Meade County. Total number of birds: several hundred. -- Addison [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Sandhill Cranes (Meade County) From: "Addison Ball" <AddisonB AT enetis.net> Date: Tue, 7 Oct 2008 16:14:50 -0600 At about 4:00 PM today (Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2008), several relatively small flocks of Sandhill Cranes were heard and seen flying roughly south, high, east of Piedmont, Meade County. Total number of birds: several hundred. -- Addison Subject: Atkins Slough gull update From: "brdfsd AT sio.midco.net" <brdfsd@sio.midco.net> Date: Mon, 6 Oct 2008 21:20:52 -0500 Ed Rodriquez at Lake Andes National Wildlife Refuge contacted me this morning about the gull shot Sunday at Atkins Slough. It is of course illegal and Atkins Slough is under the jurisdiction of the Lake Andes Wetland District of US Fish and Wildlife Service. Ed had several good suggestions if any birder is ever witness to illegal shooting activity at public wetlands in the future. Call the local county sheriff on your cell phone, or you could call Ed if the infraction is happening at Atkins Slough (email me for his cell phone number if you are a regular visitor to Atkins.) Take pictures from a distance. They don't have to be good or close up. Get the auto info (license, make and model.) Get a description of the shooter if possible from a distance. All of this helps convince the perpetrator to confess. Gun users behaving illegally at public wetlands will be cited. Thanks, Ed. Rosemary Draeger Sioux Falls brdfsd AT sio.midco.net Subject: NHBC Field Trip From: "Vic/Donna Fondy" <treasurecreek AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 6 Oct 2008 08:08:16 -0600 The Northern Hills Bird Club (NHBC) will conduct a field trip out of Sundance, Wyoming to Keyhole Dam on Saturday October, 11, 2008. Interested participants will meet in Sundance at 7:30 AM at the convenience store off of I-90 Exit 185 and the trip will depart at 8 AM. The group will travel to Keyhole via backroads then spend the day birding at the dam. Lunch will be at a restaurant in Pine Haven. Visiting birders and birders of all levels are welcome and there is no charge for the trip. Target birds for the trip include large numbers of migrating Sandhill Cranes and other migrants. Registration will be required for this field trip. The current forecast indicates snow and much colder temperatures for Saturday. If you plan to participate, please send a reply to treasurecreek AT gmail.com . The forecast will be reviewed Thursday night and if there are any changes registered participants will be notified. As of now, this is a "2-wheel drive" trip and carpooling is suggested. Vic Fondy-NHBC 605-269-2553 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Atkins Slough From: "brdfsd AT sio.midco.net" <brdfsd@sio.midco.net> Date: Sun, 5 Oct 2008 21:38:36 -0500 Bill and I walked a bit at Atkins Slough looking for Le Conte Sparrows. No sparrows, it was pretty breezy. Then drove the road checking the wetlands. Sora, Mallard, N. Shoveler, Coot, Wood Duck, Green Heron, cormorant, Canada Goose. One unhappy note was that a hunter at Atkins took down a gull. Sigh. It is duck hunting season, but the hunters are quite far away from the sparrow trail. Rosemary brdfsd AT sio.midco.net Subject: big bend dam From: "Todd Jensen" <gyrfalcon AT redwoodwireless.com> Date: Sun, 5 Oct 2008 20:25:37 -0600 Birded big bend dam this afternoon for an hour. Nothing really unusual. There was however, a single one of both American golden and black-bellied plovers on mud fla below the Dam. Todd Jensen [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Black Hills hawk watch...absolutely! From: cbstafford <turkeyfeathrs AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 5 Oct 2008 15:34:26 -0700 (PDT) Michael Melius was dead on about hawks moving today. I spent a little more than a half hour on Dinosaur Hill between 2 and 3 pm scanning overhead. I pulled over into the  gravel turn-out past the first Skyline Wilderness sign (coming from the north), just below of the first radio towers. You can see well to the east, west and north from that vantage point. In about 40 minutes I counted 31 birds, all flying high and fast, north to south along the east side of the ridge. Every single one was gliding on the air currents, I saw no wing work at all. Most were very high, unable to see field marks, however, a few were close enough to identify. Several red-tails, Swainson's, rough-leg and ferruginous I could id. Among those I saw was a group of 6 turkey vultures traveling together. Most of the hawks were singles, although I saw 2 groups of 3 birds and 2 pairs close enough to be flying together. Fun to see so many, even if most were only identifiable as "hawks". Same area had chickadees, rb and wb nuthatches, blue jays, goldfinches, house finches and turkeys on the ground. Thanks, Michael for the suggestion to get out there and look up.  :o} Caroline Stafford [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Sat Oct 4th Sioux Falls Bird Club field trip report From: "Mark Schmidtbauer" <mschmidtbauer AT netscape.net> Date: Sun, 05 Oct 2008 20:53:44 -0000 Birders, Saturday morning the Bird Club had a field trip to look for fall Migrants. The first place we went to was a wetland a couple of miles southeast of EROS Data Center where we saw a Marsh wren and a few quick glimpses of Le Count's sparrow. The next stop was Beaver Creek Nature area and it had a sparse amount of birds so we continued to the "Schmidtbauer Ranch" (my land near Brandon) where we found a small migrant sparrow invasion along with a few warblers. Migrants found there were, Harris's sparrow,(one) white-throated sparrow (many) , fox sparrow,(two) ruby-crowned kinglet, orange-crowned warbler and yellow-rumped warbler. Below is a full list of Birds found. Mark Schmidtbauer SFBC Canada Goose Turkey Vulture Coopers Hawk Red-tailed Hawk American Kestrel Franklins Gull Eurasian Collared Dove Mourning Dove Red-bellied Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker Blue Jay American Crow Black-capped Chickadee White-breasted Nuthatch House Wren Marsh Wren Ruby-crowned Kinglet American Robin Cedar Waxwing Orange-crowned Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Le Counte's Sparrow Chipping Sparrow Fox Sparrow White-throated Sparrow Harris's Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco Red-winged Blackbird American Goldfinch House Sparrow House finch Western Meadowlark Subject: Black Hills Hawk Watch--Today! From: "m. melius" <mmelius AT earthlink.net> Date: Sun, 5 Oct 2008 10:43:22 -0600 (GMT-06:00) With low clouds and a front coming through, today (Oct. 5) and tomorrow look promising for finding hawks, and I would urge birders around the Hills to be looking up for them, esp. along the east edge. Cranes should be coming along soon, also. For those who might be occupied during the day, I can say that in past years I've seen some good hawk numbers from the gap, at Rapid Creek, up until 6 pm. I'll be searching at least from my place in NE Custer Co. This morning there are more Horned Larks and other tinkly birds moving around than in days previous. Michael Melius Hermosa 255-4766 Subject: Turkey Vulture migration From: "m. melius" <mmelius AT earthlink.net> Date: Sat, 4 Oct 2008 12:25:28 -0600 (GMT-06:00) Today may have been the day the Turkey Vultures left Rapid City. I was southeast of town, along Old Folsom Road, when a long line of them flew over me at about 9:40 am. They continued on to the southeast until they were out of sight. The most I was able to count was 54. Just over two weeks ago, in the morning of Sept. 18, I counted 59 Turkey Vultures sunning themselves at the west edge of Canyon Lake in Rapid City. I wonder if those were the same birds I saw flying south this morning. Michael Melius Hermosa Subject: Caracara not From: "Ricky D. Olson" <tatanka40 AT pie.midco.net> Date: Fri, 3 Oct 2008 19:10:07 -0500 I checked near Miranda today for the Caracara. Just a cow carcass at the spot. Many Red-tailed Hawks and Northern Harriers in the area. Sharing is half the fun of birding RICKY D. OLSON FORT PIERRE SD [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Sparrows From: douglas chapman <foodrev AT sio.midco.net> Date: Thu, 2 Oct 2008 17:36:54 -0500 Today Caity Reiland-Smith and I went out to find the sparrows again, this time with a new friend from Augustana. Le Conte's found again at Atkins (where we met a hunter toting a shotgun) and at Terry Sohl's posted spot SE of EROS. Also at the EROS spot there were Swamp Sparrows. We went to see the Burrowing Owls for her friend, too. One was visible. We looked for the eagles along the river without luck. Only migrant waterfowl--2 Redheads at the lake N of Makoca Washte. At Makoce we found lots of botanicals--includimg Downy Gentian. Caity managed to get a picture of a young Green Heron in the act of spearing a frog. Maybe we can get her to send it to Mick to post. But like many teens and twenty-somethings now, they rarely (if ever) use e-mail. The whole world is Facebook, now. When I got home there were 2 RC Kinglet in my shrubs. Doug Chapman Sioux Falls , SD Subject: Fall warbler migration From: "Ricky D. Olson" <tatanka40 AT pie.midco.net> Date: Thu, 2 Oct 2008 07:31:01 -0500 The warbler migration has been very bleek in the Ft Pierre area this fall. The only uncommon migrant warbler species to this area I have seen is 2 Nashville Warblers. Orange-crowned & Wilson's Warblers numbers have been good. But the only other warbler species I have seen in the last 6 weeks have been very low: American Redstart,Yellow-breasted Chat, Black and white,Yellows, Common Yellowthroat,Ovenbird, and Yellow-rumped. Thrushes, Flycatchers and Vireos migration numbers have been very low also. Sharing is half the fun of birding RICKY D. OLSON FORT PIERRE SD [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: RE: [SF-BC] Le Conte's at Atkins From: "Terry Sohl" <tlsohl AT alliancecom.net> Date: Wed, 1 Oct 2008 21:13:55 -0500 Hi, Didn't see the Le Conte's at the one spot northeast of Corson today, but this morning on the way in, there were several at the spot just SE of EROS. There's a cemetery two miles east of EROS. There's a large wet pasture, and a small wetland with some cattails 1 mile south of the cemetery. That's where the Le Conte's are. As well as about 8 billion Savannah Sparrows. Terry From: SF-BC AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:SF-BC AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of douglas chapman Sent: Wednesday, October 01, 2008 8:52 PM To: sd-birds AT yahoogroups.com; SF-BC AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [SF-BC] Le Conte's at Atkins I took Caity Reiland-Smith to see the Le Conte's Sparrows at Atkins Slough near Tea this afternoon. She and I saw at least 5 of them. It was a life bird for her and I'm glad she got to see them well. We also went out to see the Burrowing Owls and saw them -- well, one was visible. Earlier I went out to the areas near EROS where Terry Sohl had said he saw other Le COnte's Sparrows. I could not relocate them there. Doug Chapman Sioux Falls , SD [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Le Conte's at Atkins From: douglas chapman <foodrev AT sio.midco.net> Date: Wed, 1 Oct 2008 20:52:28 -0500 I took Caity Reiland-Smith to see the Le Conte's Sparrows at Atkins Slough near Tea this afternoon. She and I saw at least 5 of them. It was a life bird for her and I'm glad she got to see them well. We also went out to see the Burrowing Owls and saw them -- well, one was visible. Earlier I went out to the areas near EROS where Terry Sohl had said he saw other Le COnte's Sparrows. I could not relocate them there. Doug Chapman Sioux Falls , SD Subject: Native Prairie From: "mick" <zerrm AT sio.midco.net> Date: Wed, 1 Oct 2008 20:19:19 -0500 At the Sioux Falls feeders the last two days. Yellow Rump and Nashville Warblers. The first migrant sparrow showed up today. A Lincoln's Sparrow. Saturday, checking Makoce Washte native prairie just north of Dewey Gevik, the rare Downy Gentian wildflower is in bloom, and some Prairie Asters. Flower photos below. If you have never seen a Downy Gentian, it is a very beautiful flower, and not very common. Mick SFBC http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u210/zerrmick/downygentian19-26-08sm.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u210/zerrmick/unknownaster9-26-08mw.jpg [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Caracara From: William_Schultze AT fws.gov Date: Wed, 1 Oct 2008 15:35:05 -0500 Refuge personnel saw a caracara just east of the town of Miranda, in Faulk County this afternoon. It was in a pasture, just south of the road east of Miranda. Bill Schultze Wildlife Biologist Sand Lake NWR 39650 Sand Lake Dr. Columbia, SD 57433 (605)885-6320 Subject: Sand Lake NWR Weekly Waterfowl Estimate - 10/1/2008 From: William_Schultze AT fws.gov Date: Wed, 1 Oct 2008 11:36:52 -0500 Waterfowl Estimates for Sand Lake NWR - 10/1/2008 Canada Geese - 3000 Snow Geese - 0 Ducks - 21,000 Swans - 10 Most of the ducks on the refuge are using Mud Lake, which is the northern pool. Shovelers and green-winged teal make up the majority of ducks, with some mallards, pintails, gadwalls, and a few divers. The first tundra swans were observed on the refuge on September 29. Soybean harvest has begun in the refuge area. Wetland conditions in Brown County are good and should provide some good hunting opportunities. Bill Schultze Wildlife Biologist Sand Lake NWR 39650 Sand Lake Dr. Columbia, SD 57433 (605)885-6320 Subject: RE: Le Conte's Sparrows From: "Terry Sohl" <tlsohl AT alliancecom.net> Date: Wed, 1 Oct 2008 00:03:11 -0500 Yesterday is when I found them on the way to work. There were many at a wetland 3 miles SE of EROS, and more NE of Corson a couple of miles. I can never find Sharp-tailed. I have yet to see one. From: douglas chapman [mailto:foodrev AT sio.midco.net] Sent: Tuesday, September 30, 2008 11:53 PM To: Terry Sohl Cc: sd-birds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [sd-birds] Le Conte's Sparrows The Le Conte's are new. Mick I and looked high and low for Le Conte's on 3-4 days last week. Finally, we found the small group of Sharp-tailed one day, but no LeConte's, so I'm glad to see they have arrived for '08. Doug Chapman Sioux Falls, SD On Sep 30, 2008, at 11:46 PM, Terry Sohl wrote: I went in search of Sharp-tailed Sparrows today, starting out at Atkin's Slough by Tea. No luck with them, but there were certainly a bunch of Le Conte's Sparrows around. Took about a zillion photos. I was hoping I missed it and at least one in there was a Nelson's, but no such luck. Le Conte's seem awfully common around here at this time of year. Even on the way to work, if I take gravel roads, there are a couple of wetlands I pass with some weedy areas around them, and I've found Le Conte's at both of those areas too this week. I also went to Newton Hills. Lots of mixed groups of foraging sparrows and warblers in the sumac by the horse camp. Nothing too unusual. 90% of the warblers were Yellow-rumped, with some Orange-crowned, and a few Nashville. For sparrows, there were the usual field sparrows in the sumac, as well as Clay-colored, Harris', Chipping, and a white-crowned. Also.Juncos were scattered around in these mixed groups. Ugh. Not that I don't like Juncos, but I know what's coming when the Juncos start arriving. Some Le Conte's photos from today. The last 7 photos at the bottom (photos #9 through 15) are all from today. http://sdakotabirds.com/species/lecontes_sparrow_info.htm Terry Sohl [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Le Conte's Sparrows From: douglas chapman <foodrev AT sio.midco.net> Date: Tue, 30 Sep 2008 23:53:06 -0500 The Le Conte's are new. Mick I and looked high and low for Le Conte's on 3-4 days last week. Finally, we found the small group of Sharp- tailed one day, but no LeConte's, so I'm glad to see they have arrived for '08. Doug Chapman Sioux Falls, SD On Sep 30, 2008, at 11:46 PM, Terry Sohl wrote: > I went in search of Sharp-tailed Sparrows today, starting out at > Atkin's > Slough by Tea. No luck with them, but there were certainly a bunch > of Le > Conte's Sparrows around. Took about a zillion photos. I was hoping I > missed it and at least one in there was a Nelson's, but no such luck. > > Le Conte's seem awfully common around here at this time of year. > Even on > the way to work, if I take gravel roads, there are a couple of > wetlands I > pass with some weedy areas around them, and I've found Le Conte's at > both of > those areas too this week. > > I also went to Newton Hills. Lots of mixed groups of foraging > sparrows and > warblers in the sumac by the horse camp. Nothing too unusual. 90% of > the > warblers were Yellow-rumped, with some Orange-crowned, and a few > Nashville. > For sparrows, there were the usual field sparrows in the sumac, as > well as > Clay-colored, Harris', Chipping, and a white-crowned. > > Also.Juncos were scattered around in these mixed groups. Ugh. Not > that I > don't like Juncos, but I know what's coming when the Juncos start > arriving. > > Some Le Conte's photos from today. The last 7 photos at the bottom > (photos > #9 through 15) are all from today. > > http://sdakotabirds.com/species/lecontes_sparrow_info.htm > > Terry Sohl > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Le Conte's Sparrows From: "Terry Sohl" <tlsohl AT alliancecom.net> Date: Tue, 30 Sep 2008 23:46:54 -0500 I went in search of Sharp-tailed Sparrows today, starting out at Atkin's Slough by Tea. No luck with them, but there were certainly a bunch of Le Conte's Sparrows around. Took about a zillion photos. I was hoping I missed it and at least one in there was a Nelson's, but no such luck. Le Conte's seem awfully common around here at this time of year. Even on the way to work, if I take gravel roads, there are a couple of wetlands I pass with some weedy areas around them, and I've found Le Conte's at both of those areas too this week. I also went to Newton Hills. Lots of mixed groups of foraging sparrows and warblers in the sumac by the horse camp. Nothing too unusual. 90% of the warblers were Yellow-rumped, with some Orange-crowned, and a few Nashville. For sparrows, there were the usual field sparrows in the sumac, as well as Clay-colored, Harris', Chipping, and a white-crowned. Also.Juncos were scattered around in these mixed groups. Ugh. Not that I don't like Juncos, but I know what's coming when the Juncos start arriving. Some Le Conte's photos from today. The last 7 photos at the bottom (photos #9 through 15) are all from today. http://sdakotabirds.com/species/lecontes_sparrow_info.htm Terry Sohl [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Bird Notes mailing information From: douglas chapman <foodrev AT sio.midco.net> Date: Tue, 30 Sep 2008 19:49:40 -0500 To All SDOU members, I got 3 cards for Change of Address today. While they forward the BN on to the new address they charge .50 per piece for the return postcard they send to me. That's $1.50 that we could have avoided if we knew in advance. Please try to let Nelda Holden or myself know if your addess will be changing. Esp. now that I have to sign my life away to avoid a "Move mail" sorting fee of $50 per issue with the new rules. If you are aware of any member not on our list serve, could you kindly remind them when you see them? It would be appreciated by all of us. Doug Chapman Sioux Falls, SD Subject: Whitewood Report From: "Vic/Donna Fondy" <treasurecreek AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 30 Sep 2008 08:08:43 -0600 The migrants continue to pass thru our home feeders South of Whitewood. Last week we had Orange-crowned, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Harris' Sparrow, Chipping and a few Clay-colored Sparrows, Field Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Song Sparrow, and Western Tanager. Red-naped Sapsucker(s) were seen almost daily which is unusual for our habitat. Resident birds continue to build with more Juncos, House Finch, American Goldfinch, Northern Flicker, and Brown Creeper making appearances. The Evening Grosbeaks are becoming more reliable and have been here the past three days. On our walk to Whitewood yesterday we had 9 Killdeer in a field, scores of Chipping Sparrows, a few Vesper Sparrows, Wild Turkey with young, and Mountain Bluebirds. Yesterday we had two White-throated Sparrows at our feeders, the first for the Fall season, and another Yellow-rumped Warbler. Vic/Donna Fondy 605-269-2553 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: September Bird Notes From: cbstafford <turkeyfeathrs AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 29 Sep 2008 19:21:09 -0700 (PDT) I read this edition with interest, especially the nice article about the Tallmans by Doug Chapman. The artwork in the piece by Dr. John P. O"Neill caught my eye, both the paintings are beautifully done. How cool is that to have the honor of having a creature named for you and to be able to honor a friend. Birdwatcher's Digest has a number of signed, limited edition bird prints by various artists available on their website. Under the songbirds category there is one titled "Mogollon Mountains:Western Tanagers" by John P. O'Neill among the matted or matted and framed prints available. Neat opportunity to own one, just thought I mention it. Caroline Stafford [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Message Error From: "Vic/Donna Fondy" <treasurecreek AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 28 Sep 2008 17:01:17 -0600 I maintain group addresses for several organizations. For some unknown reason the SD-birds Yahoo address got into the group addresses for the Belle Fourche Cowboy Band. My apologies to users of SD-birds. The error has been corrected. Vic Fondy 605-269-2553 Subject: Ahleen Osloond From: "Vic/Donna Fondy" <treasurecreek AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 28 Sep 2008 15:57:02 -0600 Ahleen (Thurston) Osloond died of cancer at her home in Idaho Falls, ID on September 23, 2008. Services will be held in Idaho Falls on October 3 and burial will be in the National Cemetery near Sturgis, SD on Monday, October 6. The burial time is not known as of today, but will be published as soon as it is known along with other information. Ahleen first played with the Cowboy Band in 1937 and played in the reorganized band through 2007. She has been one of our most loyal supporters and we will all miss her. Vic Fondy-BFCB Committee Subject: NHBC Meeting Announcement From: "Vic/Donna Fondy" <treasurecreek AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 28 Sep 2008 15:39:35 -0600 The Northern Hills Bird Club (NHBC) will hold their first meeting of Fall 2008 at 7 PM October 2 at the Meade County Extension Service office located at 1029 Fifth Street, Sturgis-just beyond the courthouse at the West end of Sherman Street. The program will be "The Kirtland's Warbler", a bird of the Jack Pine ecosystem found mainly in Northeast Michigan. Other topics for the meeting will include a review of summer activities and field trips, selection of dates for the upcoming annual Christmas Bird Counts, agenda for the Fall meeting of the South Dakota Ornithological Union (SDOU) in October at Pierre, and planning for NHBC October field trips. The program portion of the meeting will begin around 8 PM. Refreshments will be served and everyone is welcome. Vic Fondy-NHBC 605-269-2553 Subject: Sprague's Pipits From: "Doug Backlund" <dougback AT pie.midco.net> Date: Sun, 28 Sep 2008 12:00:00 -0500 This morning I saw at least three Sprague's Pipits on the prairie dog colony southwest of Richland Dam, Fort Pierre National Grassland. The pipits were all seen at the beginning of the prairie dog colony, on the north side of the two-track road (Forest Service road 224). Lots of sparrows and longspurs, too, all the usual species. I put some photos of the pipits here: http://www.wildphotosphotography.com/spragues_pipit5.htm Doug Backlund Pierre, S.D. Subject: Atkins trip yields Sharp-tailed Sparrows From: douglas chapman <foodrev AT sio.midco.net> Date: Sat, 27 Sep 2008 22:05:43 -0500 On a trip around west and south of Sioux Falls this afternoon, Mick Zerr and I saw only a few birds. The best were 3-4 Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Atkins Slough west of Tea and a Cooper's Hawk on a fence post near a farm yard. Doug Chapman Sioux Falls, SD Subject: NHBC Field Trip Sightings From: "Vic/Donna Fondy" <treasurecreek AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 27 Sep 2008 20:16:44 -0600 Fifteen members/guests, including three from Wyoming, of the Northern Hills Bird Club (NHBC) birded out of Hermosa to Buffalo Gap, Oral, and the West side of Angostura Dam. The trip was led by Mike Michaels and forty-six species were recorded on a nice and sunny Saturday. Raptors included Sharp-shinned Hawk, several Northern Harriers, 10+ Red-tailed Hawks, 2 Golden Eagles, and scores of American Kestrels. A Red-naped Sapsucker was seen in Buffalo Gap plus lots of E.C. Doves. An Eastern Screech Owl was found in the SDGFP shelterbelt East of Oral along with several Townsend's Solitaires and Cedar Waxwings. Warbler sightings included Orange-crowned, Yellow-rumped, and Wilson's. A Western Tanager was seen SE of Buffalo Gap. Sparrow sightings included Vesper, Chipping, White-crowned, and Song. Angostura Dam yielded DC Cormorant, American White Pelican, Canada Goose, Great Blue Heron, and some duck species. The NHBC will commence Fall meetings on October 2 at 7 PM in Sturgis and the next field trip will be October 11 to Keyhole Dam in Wyoming. Vic Fondy-NHBC Subject: Big Bend - Little Gull From: "Ricky D. Olson" <tatanka40 AT pie.midco.net> Date: Sat, 27 Sep 2008 18:57:55 -0500 There was a Little Gull at Big Bend Dam today. Gull numbers were way down, just a few hundred Franklin's Gulls. Sharing is half the fun of birding RICKY D. OLSON FORT PIERRE SD [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: feeder cam From: "mick" <zerrm AT sio.midco.net> Date: Fri, 26 Sep 2008 20:05:48 -0500 I just realized the feeder cam was knocked off the air by a power failure last week. It should be back on now. http://www.leifericson.org/sfbc/id24.html The Sioux Falls feeders have really been slow the last few days. The only visitors: RB Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Mourning Doves, House Finches, Chickadees, and a group of 15 House Sparrows, Plus one RT Hummer. A flock of Chipping Sparrows on the abandoned RR grade along Yeager Road plus a few Nighthawks, and a RT Hawk at Leif Ericson. No sign of the Warblers from last week. Temp has been in the 80's the past few days. Warm for Sept. Mick SFBC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: More Sand Lake Photos From: dan&erika <danerika AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 26 Sep 2008 13:33:38 -0500 Hi All-- Four more photos from my Tuesday Sand Lake trip. I observed a Swainson's Hawk kill a salamander. I can find no reference to salamanders being on Swainson's Hawk menus (though there is a reference to their taking frogs). http://picasaweb.google.com/danerika/Hawks#5250388783940284034 http://picasaweb.google.com/danerika/Hawks#5250388783803698930 I have never thought of Double-crested Cormorants as being particularly beautiful. But check this one out from Sand Lake. Most of my previous photos of this species are young birds that lack the remarkably colored eye of this bird. http://picasaweb.google.com/danerika/Cormorants#5250387982023166194 http://picasaweb.google.com/danerika/Cormorants#5250387982329234322 Good birding to you all. dan -- Dan or Erika Tallman Northfield, Minnesota http://danerika.googlepages.com/home http://picasaweb.google.com/danerika danerika AT gmail.com ".... the best shod travel with wet feet" "Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes ...."--Thoreau [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Turkey 'vultures redone From: cbstafford <turkeyfeathrs AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 25 Sep 2008 20:28:37 -0700 (PDT) Sorry, Yahoo seems to have dropped part of message...   Kettling turkey vultures observed over Eagle Canyon (west of Reptile Gardens) about 6 pm this evening. I counted at least 21 individuals. Noted same behavior 9/25/06 along Skyline Drive, and 9/26/07 above Canyon Lake in Rapid City. That was the last time I saw them here either of those years. My theory is that this is the "gathering of the clan", ready to head south. It was 93 in RC this afternoon, so there should have been some pretty good thermals rising. Caroline Stafford   [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: turkey vultures Pennington Co From: cbstafford <turkeyfeathrs AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 25 Sep 2008 20:17:47 -0700 (PDT) Hadn't seen them for nearly a week, however, this evening I counted 21 kettling on the rising hot air and stiff south wind. They were right along the edge of the canyon known locally as Eagle Canyon which is west of Reptile Gardens and south of Moon Meadows Rd. Last year I watched them doing same thing along the western [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: short-eared owl photos From: dan&erika <danerika AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 25 Sep 2008 12:24:29 -0500 Hi All--Erika and I sneaked in to South Dakota on Tuesday and, while Erika worked, I birded at Sand Lake (some things never change), I was delighted to find a Short-eared Owl along the Mud Lake Dam at Sand Lake NWR and took the following photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/danerika/Owls#5250001090481884130 http://picasaweb.google.com/danerika/Owls#5250001092424798162 http://picasaweb.google.com/danerika/Owls#5250009536554403154 dan -- Dan or Erika Tallman Northfield, Minnesota http://danerika.googlepages.com/home http://picasaweb.google.com/danerika danerika AT gmail.com ".... the best shod travel with wet feet" "Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes ...."--Thoreau [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Black-billed Magpies near Oacoma From: brdfsd AT sio.midco.net Date: Thu, 25 Sep 2008 11:19:10 -0500 At Gammon Bottoms GPA, Lyman County, about 11:30 am yesterday, Bill and I found four Black-billed Magpies. To get to Gammon Bottoms (overlooking the White River), the roads MUST be dry and you need high clearance but not necessarily 4-wheel drive. Take Exit 251 off I -90 going south on Highway 47. About one mile south of the intersection with Highway 49 take a gravel road to the east marked by a small GFP sign to Gammon Bottoms and Lindley GPAs. About 2 miles east (approx), turn north, following the GFP sign. After about a mile (or more) north, at the Y, take the lefthand track and drive to the far north end parking area, past the walk-in parking area (five miles approx from Highway 47 turnoff). The magpies were hanging around right at the parking area and flew up the brushy draw to the west. Rosemary Draeger Sioux Falls brdfsd AT sio.midco.net Subject: Fall Meeting and Paper Session From: "Palmer, Jeff" <Jeff.Palmer AT dsu.edu> Date: Tue, 23 Sep 2008 16:43:07 -0500 Meeting information and registration forms for the upcoming SDOU Fall Meeting and Paper Session can now be found on the SDOU web site under the Upcoming Meetings link :-) Jeffrey S. Palmer College of Arts & Sciences Dakota State University Madison, SD 57042 (605) 256-5190 jeff.palmer AT dsu.edu http://www.homepages.dsu.edu/palmerj/ sola fide, sola gratia, sola scriptura [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Vireos in Bon Homme County From: "markotnes AT cableone.net" <markotnes@cableone.net> Date: Tue, 23 Sep 2008 05:30:42 -0700 I received my Bird Notes last night and I saw that I had reported 3 white-eyed vireos in Bon Homme County on May 16th of 2008. I must have entered the sighting wrong into the database. I meant to report 3 Bell's Vireos. They were at the Tabor Recreation Area. Sorry for the mistake. Mark Otnes Fargo ND 701-241-4194 markotnes AT cableone.net ---- Msg sent via CableONE.net MyMail - http://www.cableone.net Subject: PENNINGTON CTY.: CLARK'S NUTCRACKER, PYGMY NUTHATCH From: "Jocelyn Baker" <osprey AT hills.net> Date: Mon, 22 Sep 2008 22:41:36 -0600 Rosemary Draeger and I birded in the Deerfield Lake area, near Hill City in Pennington County this morning (September 22). We watched two Pygmy Nuthatches excavating a small hole (possibly for winter roosting) with two Red-breasted Nuthatches nearby, waiting for the Pygmies to leave so that they could enter and investigate the hole. A White-breasted Nuthatch was also observed on the same snag, so that we were observing all three nuthatches at the same time. We also saw 6 Clark's Nutcrackers in the same area which was located 6.5 miles south of the intersection of the Deerfield Road and Williams Draw Rd. Other birds observed included: Osprey, adult Bald Eagle, Gray Jay, Orange-crowned and Wilson's Warbler, Lincoln's and White-crowned Sparrow and Red Crossbills. Jocelyn Lee Baker, Rapid City Subject: Catron Blvd pond check 9/22 (Pennington Co) From: cbstafford <turkeyfeathrs AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 22 Sep 2008 19:00:48 -0700 (PDT) My pond check on Catron Blvd today turned up mixed flock of blackbirds bathing, blue-winged teal family still foraging in weeds and 18 killdeer resting and preening. Also 1 song sparrow bathing, then perched on fence post to preen. Pond does not appear to have the appeal to fall migrants as it does to spring travelers. The great blue heron and kingfisher who are regulars were not there this afternoon but were on Friday. Killdeer nested in the area, I saw downy young ones earlier in the season, but I don't think there were this many residents, they may be gathering as a flock from vicinity. Caroline Stafford [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: ft Pierre, big bend etc From: "Ricky D. Olson" <tatanka40 AT pie.midco.net> Date: Mon, 22 Sep 2008 12:29:28 -0500 Doug, I received my Bird Notes today also. Ft Pierre area- There has been several hundred to over a thousand Franklin's Gulls in the area every day I have checked for over 6 weeks. Normally I never see that many every day, just a few days in migration. Either the food is great here or this a big influx and out going everyday. Big Bend Dam had several thousand gulls this weekend, mainly Franklins. Most of them stayed on the Island 1/2 mile south of the tailrace. But if you sit near the tailrace long enough ( 2-3 HOURS) as gulls flew in and out you could spot something different. Interesting enough I only saw 2 Bonaparte's Gulls each day, 1 Herring and no California Gulls. The flock was 90% franklins and about 10 % Ring-billed. As I reported I did see 2 Little Gulls, 1 Laughing and 1 Sabine's. Sharing is half the fun of birding RICKY D. OLSON FORT PIERRE SD [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Registration for Fall Meeting in Pierre From: douglas chapman <foodrev AT sio.midco.net> Date: Mon, 22 Sep 2008 10:01:51 -0500 Hi again, I received my Bird Notes today. Hopefully all will get it today or tomorrow. OIf you have not received it by tomorrow evening e-mail me please. Doug On Sep 21, 2008, at 3:00 PM, douglas chapman wrote: > Hello, > > The registration forms for the 10-12 October meeting in Pierre are in > the Sep. 08 Bird Notes presently over a week at the Post Office. > > As many of us have not received the Sep 08 Bird Notes as of today > (Sunday the 21st), please e-mail Ricky Olson for registration info attatanka40 AT pie.midco.net > or call at 605-280-6063. > > I sure hope they arrive soon, but....if they don't... > > Maybe we could have a .pdf for registration on the website. > > If that's feasible Jeff, let me know and I can format it for you . > > Doug Chapman > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: NHBC Field Trip 9-27 From: "Vic/Donna Fondy" <treasurecreek AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 21 Sep 2008 18:51:27 -0600 The Northern Hills Bird Club (NHBC) will conduct a field trip on Saturday September 27 to the Southern Black Hills. Interested participants will meet at 7:30 AM at the Heartland Convenience Store located at the junction of SD Highways 79/36 one mile South of Hermosa. The trip will depart at 8 AM and last into the afternoon so participants should bring a lunch. Visiting birders and birders of all levels are welcome and there is no charge for the field trip. Vic Fondy-NHBC 605-269-2553