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8 Feb Pine Grosbeaks-Lake Hiddenwood SP ["Doug Backlund" ] 8 Feb Franklin's Gull ["Ricky D. Olson" ] 7 Feb feeder birds [Cheryl Wormstadt ] 7 Feb Bohemian Waxwings at Oakwood ["Jensen, Kent" ] 7 Feb Iceland ["Ricky D. Olson" ] 7 Feb Feeder birds and merlin ["Jensen, Kent" ] 7 Feb first robin [Michael O'Hara ] 6 Feb PENNINGTON CTY.: WEEKLY CANYON LAKE SURVEY ["Jocelyn Baker" ] 6 Feb Harding county birding this weekend [Nancy Drilling ] 6 Feb Blackbirds etc ["Ricky D. Olson" ] 06 Feb snowy owl search.. ["janebirdsmom" ] 5 Feb WW Crossbill photos ["Terry Sohl" ] 05 Feb Butte Co. [Scott Weins ] 5 Feb Short-eared Owl, Custer Co. [] 4 Feb MEADE CTY.: GRAY-CROWNED ROSY-FINCH ["Jocelyn Baker" ] 3 Feb Saw-whet Owls [] 3 Feb N Hills Bird Club Field Trip Sat Feb 11th [DON BALYEAT ] 03 Feb Snowy Owls ["rookie.birder" ] 3 Feb Dakota Life segment on Snowy Owls ["Jensen, Kent" ] 2 Feb If you have caught the Snowy fever.... ["Nancy Drilling" ] 1 Feb Slim Buttes Owls [Cemiller ] 1 Feb Pygmy Nuthatch, Owl on nest, Pennington Co. [] 1 Feb Environmental Literacy Plan Listening Session ["Anne Lewis" ] 31 Jan out and about on Sunday... ["janebirdsmom" ] 31 Jan pollution report ["Mick Zerr" ] 30 Jan Field Trip Report Sat Jan 28th [DON BALYEAT ] 30 Jan Re: Trip around Sioux Falls, 1/28 [linda ] 29 Jan LANWR and Ft. Randall Dam ["rookie.birder" ] 29 Jan Trip around Sioux Falls, 1/28 [douglas chapman ] 29 Jan Bear Butte (Meade County) [Richard Latuchie ] 28 Jan Snowy owl trip to Lake Andes ["bioprofsd" ] 27 Jan Yankton area ["Roger Dietrich" ] 27 Jan Varied Thrush, Pine Grosbeak, Great-tailed Grackles [Jim McLaird ] 26 Jan Black Hills area birding [] 26 Jan N Hills Bird Club Meeting [DON BALYEAT ] 26 Jan Swarovski 80mm Scope ["speargoose" ] 26 Jan Re: Eagles [Mary Gertsema ] 25 Jan East river birding trip [] 24 Jan Sharp-tailed grouse [Jgwindsong ] 24 Jan Harris sparrows ["Jeff Hansen" ] 24 Jan yard birds ["Chris Anderson" ] 24 Jan Early Meadowlarks ["rapwewela" ] 24 Jan Eagles?? [Kim Kuper ] 23 Jan PENNINGTON CTY.: CANYON LAKE WEEKLY SURVEY ["Jocelyn Baker" ] 23 Jan Pickstown Birds ["R&M Mabie" ] 23 Jan New York Times Snowy owl article mentions South Dakota! ["Nancy Drilling" ] 22 Jan Re: [SF-BC] saturday's outing ["Mick Zerr" ] 22 Jan Ft Randall, Huron etc. ["Ricky D. Olson" ] 22 Jan membership reminder and survey ["lindabirdsd7" ] 22 Jan Re: [SF-BC] saturday's outing [] 22 Jan WW Crossbills [douglas chapman ] 22 Jan Crossbills et al. ["Jensen, Kent" ] 22 Jan Re: [SF-BC] saturday's outing [douglas chapman ] 22 Jan Ft. Randall and LANWR ["rookie.birder" ] 22 Jan Re: [SF-BC] saturday's outing ["Mick Zerr" ] 21 Jan Re: [SF-BC] saturday's outing [douglas chapman ] 21 Jan White-winged Crossbills today - Mt. Pleasant Cemetery - Sioux Falls [Cindy Taylor ] 21 Jan N Hills Bird Club Field Trip Sat Jan 28 [DON BALYEAT ] 21 Jan Friday birds [Glenn Wika ] 20 Jan Black Hills birding [] 19 Jan Pierre ["Ricky D. Olson" ] 19 Jan Barrow's Goldeneye ["R&M Mabie" ] 18 Jan Crossbills ["Mick Zerr" ] 18 Jan Re: Paddlewheel Point Eagles [Mary Gertsema ] 18 Jan Barrows Goldeneye ["R&M Mabie" ] 17 Jan feeder watch day ["Mick Zerr" ] 17 Jan White-winged Crossbills [Jim McLaird ] 17 Jan crossbills ["Mick Zerr" ] 17 Jan Redpolls & Crossbills [Nancy Dunn ] 17 Jan Snowy Owl - Pennington [] 17 Jan meadowlark ["Peter" ] 16 Jan Chamberlain, SD geese etc. [Lynn Barber ] 16 Jan Albino Hummingbird Pix from east coast last summer [douglas chapman ] 16 Jan Feb 7 program on bird photography [uuglypher ] 15 Jan FW: Rare Albino Hummingbird MM-12 [Nelda Holden ] 15 Jan Pierre Weekend [MARK OTNES ] Subject: Pine Grosbeaks-Lake Hiddenwood SP From: "Doug Backlund" <dougback AT wildphotosphotography.com> Date: Wed, 8 Feb 2012 20:34:04 -0600 The two Pine Grosbeaks are still at Lake Hiddenwood, they were in the campground area this afternoon. I couldn't find them in the morning. A flock of 22 Purple Finches were feeding in the area too. Otherwise, pretty quiet. Both the grosbeaks and finches were sort of cooperative (the Pine Grosbeaks stayed high in the trees) so I took some photos, at the link, if anyone wants to take a look: http://www.wildphotosphotography.com/LHSP/b.htm Doug Backlund Pierre, SD www.wildphotosphotography.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Franklin's Gull From: "Ricky D. Olson" <tatanka40 AT pie.midco.net> Date: Wed, 8 Feb 2012 11:11:01 -0600 An adult Franklin's Gull was in the tailrace today. I wonder why there are Franklin's Gulls wintering in the Great Plains this year?? Sharing is half the fun of birding. Ricky D. Olson Fort Pierre, SD [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: feeder birds From: Cheryl Wormstadt <cmlgworm AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 7 Feb 2012 13:40:08 -0800 (PST) Hello,  I have had a number of birds at my feeder the past few days:  House Finches, BC Chickadees, Juncos, 1 pink side, 1 Oregon, numberous slate, PineSiskins, American Goldfinchs, R & WB Nuthatches, 1 Downy on the suet, Blue Jays, House Sparrow, and one Sharp Shin who attempted to have lunch at the feeders, with no luck.  Also saw a flock of Cedar Waxwings in the neighbors tree.  A Bald Eagle was flying over the Spearfish City Park.   Cheryl, Spearfish [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Bohemian Waxwings at Oakwood From: "Jensen, Kent" <kent.jensen AT sdstate.edu> Date: Tue, 7 Feb 2012 21:31:29 +0000 I just heard from one of our students that there are quite a few Bohemian Waxwings at Oakwood Lakes State Park. She was birding in the new campground area to the south of the boat ramp. K. C. Jensen, Ph.D. Department of Natural Resource Management 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: Iceland From: "Ricky D. Olson" <tatanka40 AT pie.midco.net> Date: Tue, 7 Feb 2012 12:46:22 -0600 Today on Discovery Island was an immature Iceland Gull. An immature Glaucous Gull and the the other gulls mentioned earlier this week were also present. Sharing is half the fun of birding. Ricky D. Olson Fort Pierre, SD [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Feeder birds and merlin From: "Jensen, Kent" <kent.jensen AT sdstate.edu> Date: Tue, 7 Feb 2012 16:16:16 +0000 After a week or more of slow activity at my feeders (maybe about 15 - 20 regular customer goldfinches) today there was an influx of birds with 80 - 100 goldfinches, 10 - 12 Am. Tree Sparrows, and the first juncos I have seen at the feeder in over a month. I also saw a Merlin zip across Hwy 14 in front of me this morning on my way to work (about 3 mi E of Volga). Happy Birding all! kc K. C. Jensen, Ph.D. Department of Natural Resource Management 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: first robin From: Michael O'Hara <oharamasonry AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 7 Feb 2012 08:15:12 -0800 (PST) Saw FOY robin in a group of about 175 rusty blackbirds north of SF on Sunday [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: PENNINGTON CTY.: WEEKLY CANYON LAKE SURVEY From: "Jocelyn Baker" <osprey AT midco.net> Date: Mon, 6 Feb 2012 18:59:18 -0700 This morning 30 species and 899 individuals were observed by Jocelyn Baker, Lynn Barber and Gene Hess on the weekly bird survey at Canyon Lake. The Harlequin Duck, first observed on Dec. 15, remains at the lake as well as other waterfowl: Cackling Goose (2), Northern Shoveler (5), Canvasback (3), Redhead (11), Bufflehead (14) Common Goldeneye (47), Hooded Merganser (2) and Common Merganser (1). A flock of 45 Sharp-tailed Grouse were observed in flight over the lake. Jocelyn Lee Baker Rapid City, South Dakota [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Harding county birding this weekend From: Nancy Drilling <nancy.drilling AT rmbo.org> Date: Mon, 6 Feb 2012 12:38:27 -0700 Went to Harding county this weekend. On the way, saw my FOY Short-eared Owl along Harding Rd. just inside Harding County. Charlie M and I went out to N. Slim Buttes to listen for owls on Friday night. It was extremely foggy and all the branches and twigs were covered with a layer of ice crystals. N. Saw-whet Owls were there but hard to get to vocalize. Didn't hear any Long-eared Owls, the other target owl. Saturday we went to East Short Pines - Charlie flushed a gray-phase E. screech-owl that was roosting in one of his nestboxes. While driving around, we saw ~30 Rough-legged Hawks, a few No. Harriers, 4 Red-tailed Hawks (one at a cliff nest site), 4 Bald Eagles, several Golden Eagles, about 40 Sharp-tailed Grouse, a handful of magpies, 2 'slate-colored' juncos, flocks of red-breasted nuthatches and chickadees, and one Horned Lark. After dark, on a beautiful clear moon-lit night, we had a couple of Great Horned Owls calling at North Cave Hills and enticed at least four saw-whet owls to 'whine' at us. Later at N. Slim Buttes, at least 4 more saw-whets and a couple of Great Horned Owls. Notable misses: no Long-eared Owls and no crossbills. Saturday morning, a man at the local cafe in Buffalo showed me a photo he took of a dead Snowy Owl that was stuck in the 'spoiler' rod on the back end of his car. Apparently the owl was struck by a car on Hwy 85 in the fog on Friday evening, about '15 minutes' south of town. Sunday on the way home I stopped in at McNenny Fish Hatchery and crawled around in the nearby cedar/pine plantings to look for more owls. Filled up two plastic ziplock bags with owl pellets for schoolkids to dissect in science class. But no live owls. Nancy Drilling Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Blackbirds etc From: "Ricky D. Olson" <tatanka40 AT pie.midco.net> Date: Mon, 6 Feb 2012 13:33:59 -0600 Its been fairly slow around here. Still many raptors and a few Snowy owls in the area. Gulls- usually 3 Ring-billed, 1 California and up to 19 Herring Gulls. Once in awhile a Thayer's. Near Sheriff Dam in Jones County has been a flock or flocks of "blackbirds this winter". At first study this winter appeared to be all Red-winged Blackbirds & European Starlings. But after further study Scott & I noticed at least 50 Brown-headed Cowbirds and 4 Rusty Blackbirds. Sharing is half the fun of birding. Ricky D. Olson Fort Pierre, SD [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: snowy owl search.. From: "janebirdsmom" <hdoerges AT rushmore.com> Date: Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:22:23 -0000 Thanks for all the tips and info. We really appreciate the feedback!! We went out again this weekend this time we went north of Bear Butte and into Newell..still no luck. This time we saw a golden eagle, some quail or partridge and 2 more hawks. Also, this weekend we got up close and personal with a bald eagle. We were literally right under the bird and he had an eye on us and our dog:). That was very cool! Keeping on.. janebirdsmom Heather ------------------------------------ Subject: WW Crossbill photos From: "Terry Sohl" <tlsohl AT alliancecom.net> Date: Sun, 5 Feb 2012 22:13:36 -0600 I spent a couple of hours at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Sioux Falls to try and get photos of the Crossbills. They were certainly easy enough to find and follow around as they skipped from tree to tree, but man I wish they'd come down lower in the trees to forage. After a while I did manage some decent photos of the White-winged Crossbills, but all fairly long range because they were at the tops of the trees. There was a also a pretty large group of Red Crossbills, but I didn't spend much time trying to photograph them. Already had them, I'd never seen WW Crossbills before! Here's some (fairly long distance) photos. http://sdakotabirds.com/species_photos/finches/white_winged_crossbill.htm Terry Sohl Brandon [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Butte Co. From: Scott Weins <sweins AT rushmore.com> Date: Sun, 05 Feb 2012 18:13:38 -0700 We had a good day birding north of Belle Fourche today. There was a large flock of Common Redpolls on Hwy. 85 just a couple miles north of Belle Fourche. We observed a Prairie Falcon, a couple Golden Eagles and numerous Rough-legged Hawks on Old Hwy 85 and good numbers of Lapland Longspur's near Battle Creek Dam. There were a couple of Bald Eagles and other raptors seen on the trip home. Only one lone Horned Lark on the entire trip. Scott Weins Spearfish, SD [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Short-eared Owl, Custer Co. From: <mmelius AT hcinet.net> Date: Sun, 5 Feb 2012 11:53:30 -0500 (EST) I saw a Short-eared Owl over the Folsom School Section after sunset yesterday, a month to the day since I'd seen one there. It's in NE Custer Co. It's possibly the same bird, which would mean it must be finding prey. It's a site where I've seen courtship flights in past years, so I'll be looking for that again this April. Michael Melius ------------------------------------ Subject: MEADE CTY.: GRAY-CROWNED ROSY-FINCH From: "Jocelyn Baker" <osprey AT midco.net> Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2012 15:19:01 -0700 This morning I observed a small flock of Gray-Crowned Rosy-Finches on the Bear Butte hiking trail, near the 2nd saddle where a bench faces north. Jocie Baker Jocelyn Lee Baker Rapid City, South Dakota [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Saw-whet Owls From: littlebend AT q.com Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 23:54:15 -0500 (EST) After what had been a very slow winter for owls at Little Bend,  to day I had three Saw-whets there. Kenny Miller Pierre  [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: N Hills Bird Club Field Trip Sat Feb 11th From: DON BALYEAT <balyhi3 AT msn.com> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 16:14:47 -0700 The Northern Hills Bird Club will be conducting a field trip in the Pierre area on Saturday, February 11th. Participants will meet in the lobby/breakfast area of the Super 8 Motel, 320 West Sioux Avenue, at 7:30 for an 8:00 departure. This will be a half day trip. For more information contact Lauren Balyeat 605-347-2830. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Snowy Owls From: "rookie.birder" <Kelly.Preheim AT k12.sd.us> Date: Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:23:21 -0000 I went on a quick trip to Lake Andes Wildlife Refuge this afternoon and I saw 5 Snowy Owls. It is snowing here, so it was kind of neat to see them with the falling snow. ~Kelly Armour,SD ------------------------------------ Subject: Dakota Life segment on Snowy Owls From: "Jensen, Kent" <kent.jensen AT sdstate.edu> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 21:53:57 +0000 Last night on SDPB the program Dakota Life aired a segment on the snowy owl eruption this winter. They included some wonderful photos of Terry Sohl's and too much of me jabbering.. :) http://www.sdpb.org/newsite/shows.aspx?MediaID=60417&Parmtype=TV&ParmAccessLevel=sdpb-all K. C. Jensen, Ph.D. Department of Natural Resource Management 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: If you have caught the Snowy fever.... From: "Nancy Drilling" <nancy.drilling AT rmbo.org> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 09:38:09 -0700 This article puts the Snowy Owl 'invasion' in continental and historical perspective: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/news/the-winter-of-the-snowy-owl Nancy Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory Rapid City, SD [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Slim Buttes Owls From: Cemiller <cemiller AT sdplains.com> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 22:13:03 -0700 Tried calling owls tonight in the north Slim Buttes. Conditions were excellent, clear and calm in the low 30's with good moonlight. The Great Horned Owls were actively calling also heard several Long-eared. As for Saw-whets I had at least six answer the call maybe more. The coyotes were so vocal at times it was had to hear much else when they were singing. Charlie Miller Buffalo, S.D. ------------------------------------ Subject: Pygmy Nuthatch, Owl on nest, Pennington Co. From: <mmelius AT hcinet.net> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 23:43:16 -0500 (EST) I found a single Pygmy Nuthatch today at the end of Schroeder Road, near the cattle guard gate at the forest service land. It's a site the species has been found several times in past years. Also, a Great Horned Owl on a nest south of Mall Road, which is a new road east of LaCrosse Street in NE Rapid City. Michael Melius ------------------------------------ Subject: Environmental Literacy Plan Listening Session From: "Anne Lewis" <annelewis AT sd-discovery.com> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 12:02:58 -0600 Hello, An environmental literacy plan listening session will be held tomorrow (Feb. 2) at 9AM at Huron Public Library. The purpose of a listening session is to capture ideas, comments and suggestions on how to develop the environmental literacy of South Dakota's youth and students. We are seeking input from a wide range of people with a vested interest in an environmentally literate citizenry including outdoor enthusiasts. If you have about an hour and a half tomorrow, we would love to get the perspective of birders. You can read more about environmental literacy and the plan to develop it here: http://www.sd-discovery.com/EECSD/SDELP.htm Regards, Anne Lewis ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Anne Lewis SD Discovery Center Special Projects Director 805 W Sioux Ave. Pierre, SD 57501 605-224-8295 www.sd-discovery.com www.hopsd.org For the ultimate in HD entertainment. go outside. No Teacher Left Inside: Building the Capacity of Teachers to Teach In and About the Natural World Grassland Biomes Workshop: A Slideshow [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: out and about on Sunday... From: "janebirdsmom" <hdoerges AT rushmore.com> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:17:57 -0000 Hello..we are new to the group! I have a whole family of bird lovers..but mostly my 8yo daughter. I decided to join due to the fact she sees sooo much! We want to share all we see and get some tips on good places to spot our favorite birds!! We heard that some Snowy Owls had been seen up in Harding County. SOOO..we went up there RE: Steve Fairbairn's suggested locations..and darn..we didn't see any owls. However we did see 11 Bald Eagles and over 40 red tailed hawks!! They were in plentiful supply..almost every power line played host to one of these lovely creatures!!! My kids were happy just seeing the eagles and hawks but our "goal in life" right now is to see their #1 favorite bird..the snowy owl. Any ideas on where we may be able to spot a few would be welcome. I realize people are seeing them by Lake Andes NWR however that is over 5 hrs from us (we are in Spearfish). Anything closer?? Thanks!!! -Heather janebirdsmom ------------------------------------ Subject: pollution report From: "Mick Zerr" <zerrm AT sio.midco.net> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:08:40 -0600 For those who have not seen the new SD water quality survey results, find them at: http://denr.sd.gov/dfta/wp/tmdlpage.aspx Mick SFBC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Field Trip Report Sat Jan 28th From: DON BALYEAT <balyhi3 AT msn.com> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 08:40:39 -0700 Five members participated in a morning field trip in the Belle Fourche area on Saturday, January 28th. Areas covered included Hiway 85 and portions of Kiplinger, Camp Crook, Valley and Snoma Roads. Numerous raptors were sighted including Bald Eagles, Golden Eagles, Rough-legged Hawk, Redtailed Hawk, and a Falcon too far in the distance to be identified. Also observed were Horned Larks, Starlings, Rock Pigeons, Mallards, Canada Geese, Golden Eye, Chickadee, Lapland Longspurs and Eurasian Collared Doves. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Trip around Sioux Falls, 1/28 From: linda <JhnsnLn AT aol.com> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:06:35 -0500 (EST) Hi everyone, A friend from school saw an immature snowy owl east and south of Brandon yesterday. She and her husband were burning a wood pile at their tree farm and the owl was in the plowed snowy field. Location is 265th and 483rd. I wonder if that is the owl that was released. Linda -----Original Message----- From: douglas chapman To: SF Birders ; sd-birds2 Yahoo Sent: Sun, Jan 29, 2012 4:02 pm Subject: [sd-birds] Trip around Sioux Falls, 1/28 Chris Anderson, Todd Jensen, Mick Zerr and I went out yesterday PM. Our first stop was Mt. Pleasant where we met Rosemary and Linda. We were all looking for the flock of White-winged Crossbills. Our vehicle went one way and Rosemary's went the other. After 20-30 minutes, Rosemary called Mick to say they had found them. The flock was resting and not foraging madly for a change. not all in one tree, but leisurely moving around (well, leisurely for a finch!). We then went to Big Sioux Rec Area to see if the released Snowy Owl was to be found. Did not see it, but did see several other good birds on our travels in eastern Minnehaha Cty. Canada Goose - 600 Mallard - 50 Ring-necked Pheasant - 5 Wild Turkley - 37 (all perched in one large tree overhanging Beaver Creek. The last birds seen, settling in to roost.) Bald Eagle - 3 (the "old" pair was near the nest on Redwood Bld.) Cooper's Hawk - 1 Red-tailed Hawk - 7 Rough-legged Hawk - 1 (dark morph) Merlin - 1 (this seems to be the winter of the Merlin around here) Downy Woodpecker - 8 Hairy Woodpecker - 2 Blue Jay - 2 A Crow - 7 BC Chickadee - 12 Red-breasted Nuthatch - 1 White-breasted Nuthatch - 4 Brown Creeper - 1 E Starling - 100s A Tree Sparrow - 3 Dark-eyed Junco - 4 House Finch - 2 WW Crossbill - 20-25 House Sparrow - 4 Douglas Chapman Sioux Falls, SD <") ( \ / |`` [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: LANWR and Ft. Randall Dam From: "rookie.birder" <Kelly.Preheim AT k12.sd.us> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 20:21:06 -0000 I was asked to check out how many Snowy Owls were around at LANWR, so I searched all of the usual spots and only found 3 Snowy Owls all within 3 miles of each other. There weren't many ducks, but quite a few geese. It was much different than last weekend when waterfowl was in abundance. There were many raptors though. Lake Andes National Wildlife Refuge: Snowy Owl-3 Great Horned Owl-2 Northern Harrier-4 Red-tailed Hawk-17 Bald Eagle-6 Golden Eagle-1 Canada Goose Cackling Goose Pheasant American Crow American Robin European Starling Mourning Dove Rock Dove Red-wing Blackbird-300 Dark-eyed Juncos American Tree Sparrow-lots Ft. Randall Dam: Bald Eagle Red-tailed Hawk Northern Harrier Common Merganser Common Goldeneye Mallard *There were probably other different ducks, but too far to tell what they were w/o a spotting scope. ~ Kelly Armour, SD ------------------------------------ Subject: Trip around Sioux Falls, 1/28 From: douglas chapman <foodrev AT sio.midco.net> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 11:28:56 -0600 Chris Anderson, Todd Jensen, Mick Zerr and I went out yesterday PM. Our first stop was Mt. Pleasant where we met Rosemary and Linda. We were all looking for the flock of White-winged Crossbills. Our vehicle went one way and Rosemary's went the other. After 20-30 minutes, Rosemary called Mick to say they had found them. The flock was resting and not foraging madly for a change. not all in one tree, but leisurely moving around (well, leisurely for a finch!). We then went to Big Sioux Rec Area to see if the released Snowy Owl was to be found. Did not see it, but did see several other good birds on our travels in eastern Minnehaha Cty. Canada Goose - 600 Mallard - 50 Ring-necked Pheasant - 5 Wild Turkley - 37 (all perched in one large tree overhanging Beaver Creek. The last birds seen, settling in to roost.) Bald Eagle - 3 (the "old" pair was near the nest on Redwood Bld.) Cooper's Hawk - 1 Red-tailed Hawk - 7 Rough-legged Hawk - 1 (dark morph) Merlin - 1 (this seems to be the winter of the Merlin around here) Downy Woodpecker - 8 Hairy Woodpecker - 2 Blue Jay - 2 A Crow - 7 BC Chickadee - 12 Red-breasted Nuthatch - 1 White-breasted Nuthatch - 4 Brown Creeper - 1 E Starling - 100s A Tree Sparrow - 3 Dark-eyed Junco - 4 House Finch - 2 WW Crossbill - 20-25 House Sparrow - 4 Douglas Chapman Sioux Falls, SD <") ( \ / |`` [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Bear Butte (Meade County) From: Richard Latuchie <rlatuchie AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 07:43:23 -0700 I spent about an hour and a half hiking the Bear Butte trail yesterday. Got as far as the first major lookout to the North. Saw no Finches, but did have a Lewis's Woodpecker. Later, hoping to get Pinyon Jays, I had a couple of Brown Creepers. I'm ready for February. Dick Latuchie Rapid City [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Snowy owl trip to Lake Andes From: "bioprofsd" <timullic AT dwu.edu> Date: Sat, 28 Jan 2012 20:33:03 -0000 I made a trip this morning to Lake Andes to see if there were still any Snowy Owls there. I only spotted one about 1/2 mile north of Hiway 50 just south of the refuge headquarters. It was sitting in a snow bank along a section line about 100 m W of the road. ------------------------------------ Subject: Yankton area From: "Roger Dietrich" <rogerd AT iw.net> Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 22:40:15 -0600 I went looking for Snowy Owls northwest of Yankton today but did not locate any. Really did not find many birds today. Best birds of the day were Rusty Blackbirds near Kaylor. Lake Yankton is frozen over except for a small area in the northwest corner and another area south of Cottonwood Campground. Lewis & Clark Lake is frozen (including the marina area) except right by the intakes. No gulls near the dam and only a couple of Eagles when I was there this morning. Otherwise just a few Mallards & Common Mergansers. I spent some time in California & Arizona earlier this month. Best bird I saw there was a Rufous-capped Warbler. Images can be seen at the link below for anyone interested. http://www.flickr.com/photos/yanktonbirds/page3/ Roger Dietrich Yankton, SD Email rogerd AT iw.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Varied Thrush, Pine Grosbeak, Great-tailed Grackles From: Jim McLaird <jimmclaird AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 06:04:04 -0800 (PST) Yesterday (Thursday) drove to Huron with Bob Rogers to see the Varied Thrush--successfully. A beautiful bird. Then to the Huron cemetery where, thanks to help from Scott, we saw four Pine Grosbeaks. And, finally, on the way back between Virgil and Alpena, spotted a flock of thirty-five Great-tailed Grackles keeping company with several hundred Red-winged Blackbirds. Also saw a Northern Shrike, Short-eared Owl, Horned Larks, and Red-tailed Hawk. A really great day of birding. Jim McLaird Mitchell, SD [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Black Hills area birding From: dalybar AT aol.com Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 20:41:50 -0500 (EST) Jocie Baker and I birded the Spearfish area today (January 26), where we found Evening Grosbeaks, as well as Common Redpolls, Pine Siskins, and the usual feeder birds. Then we went up Spearfish Canyon where we added the American Dipper for the year. After wandering a bit more in the mountains and north and west of Spearfish, we went to Piedmont, where we had a very surprise Chipping Sparrow under a feeder (spotted first by Jocie), and a very welcome flock of Pinyon Jays! An excellent birding day. I had spent over 6 hours sitting at a feeder (2 days) watching and waiting for Pinyon Jays earlier this month, and had visited known sites for Evening Grosbeaks quite a few times with nothing, so today was astoundingly welcome! A few pictures of some of these birds are at: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3093216220387.2148390.1563497987&type=3&l=d76417314b and as usual, the ongoing account of the year's birds is at www.lynnbarber.com (SD pages at bottom of list on left side of pages). Lynn Barber Rapid City [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: N Hills Bird Club Meeting From: DON BALYEAT <balyhi3 AT msn.com> Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:54:39 -0700 The Northern Hills Bird Club will be holding its monthly meeting on Thursday, February 2nd at 7:00 PM at the Sturgis City Library (1st floor in the children's section). The Sturgis City Library is located at 1040 2nd Street. The Sherman Street entrance is wheelchair accessible. Lynn Barber of Rapid City will be presenting the second and last part of her program on her Big Year. Refreshments will be served. There is no charge for the program and the meeting is open to all. For more information contact Lauren Balyeat at 605-347-2830. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Swarovski 80mm Scope From: "speargoose" <speargoose AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:15:49 -0000 I apologize to those members who will have no interest in this message and its semi-commericial nature, but I have decided to dispossess myself of an 80mm Swarovski Spotting Scope. Before I do so, if anyone has been contemplating purchasing one, it is in beautiful condition, and I would be quite pleased to see it stay within the South Dakota birding community. (Plus, I would offer a sweet deal to someone who might let me borrow it on the very rare occasion that I might have use for it). Let me know if you're interested. Thanks. - eric davis vermillion, sd email me: eric.davis [at] usd [dot] edu ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Eagles From: Mary Gertsema <jgertsema AT iw.net> Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:47:14 -0600 There were 19 eagles near Paddlewheel Point in Yankton this morning. Ten of those were sitting on the shoreline of Rush Island--just downriver from Yankton. ------------------------------------ Subject: East river birding trip From: dalybar AT aol.com Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 08:18:47 -0500 (EST) The Birding: At noon on Monday (1/23) after the Canyon Lake survey and some client work, I headed east river. My first goal was the Varied Thrush that had been reported in Huron, which I went for Tuesday morning. Success! A beautiful bird. I had tried for White-winged Crossbills a couple of times in the Black Hills where they had been seen before, without luck, and I tried again in Mitchell both late on Monday and early on Tuesday (where I stayed overnight on 1/23) at Hitchcock Park where they had been reported awhile ago - also no luck. So after Huron, I drove to Brookings. On the way I found at least one Snow Bunting in one of the Horned Lark flocks on the way to Brookings, east of De Smet. When I finally found Greenwood Cemetery in Brookings, I parked and walked through the snow toward distant bird sounds. The sounds turned out to be coming from a very busy flock of White-winged Crossbills - about 35 or more! A few pictures can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3078285087118.2148160.1563497987&type=3&l=636d0e8cae (crossbills) and https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3078323128069.2148161.1563497987&type=3&l=f715a6bb08 (Varied Thrush) Note about the travel to find the birds, taken from an email I sent a non-birding friend on 1/23: I had a very scary moment today. This afternoon I was driving on 90 west of Mitchell (heading east) when a semi crossed the median from the other side and came toward me, going very fast and weaving wildly, until it flipped over directly in front of me. I was slamming on my brakes, skidded until I almost hit the turned over truck, and then I deliberately drove into the ditch to avoid hitting the truck. Of course I got stuck in the snow in the ditch right beside the truck, which I was afraid was going to burst into flame or explode any minute! By frantically rocking the car with lots of tire-spinning, I gradually edged back up on to road on the opposite side of the truck. I was shaking madly, but managed to call 911. Thank goodness I got new tires last week, or I would probably still be in the ditch. I am now in Mitchell - I will be birding tomorrow, which will hopefully be a much calmer day. Lynn Barber Now safely, for the moment, in Rapid City [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Sharp-tailed grouse From: Jgwindsong <jgwindsong AT rangeweb.net> Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:41:05 -0700 I have about 24 Sharp-tailed Grouse comming in to feed now. They are displaying, which is fun to watch. Also still have Redpolls at my feeders. Jean Adams, Sundance, Wy. ------------------------------------ Subject: Harris sparrows From: "Jeff Hansen" <hanjd AT cox.net> Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:31:15 -0600 Was visiting the old home place and put out bird seed. Was surprised to see 8 harris sparrows. This is near Mitchell. Is everyone seeing harris sparrows this winter in SD? Jeff [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: yard birds From: "Chris Anderson" <canderson1 AT sio.midco.net> Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:58:02 -0600 The arrival of actual winter conditions in the last week seems to have benefited my yard. The goldfinches, absent for months, have returned. A Mourning Dove has been hanging around in the evenings. And when I got home from work tonight, there were four Harris's Sparrows feeding under my spruce tree with the Cardinals and Tree Sparrows. Chris Anderson Sioux Falls [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Early Meadowlarks From: "rapwewela" <rapwewela AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:37:02 -0000 There were 5 Western Meadowlarks near Wewela today. I can't remember ever seeing meadowlarks here before the end of February. Occasionally somewhere in Tripp County in winter - usually near a feedlot, but not here. Good birding, Richard Peterson ------------------------------------ Subject: Eagles?? From: Kim Kuper <roddyhunt AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2012 04:34:32 -0800 (PST) Can anyone tell me if there are still high numbers of eagles, either down by Yankton or one of the other dams?   Thinking about taking a road trip this weekend....   Thanks, Kim   [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: PENNINGTON CTY.: CANYON LAKE WEEKLY SURVEY From: "Jocelyn Baker" <osprey AT midco.net> Date: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:05:44 -0700 32 species and 1156 individuals were observed this morning at the Canyon Lake Park in Rapid City. The Harlequin Duck is still present along with the following species of note: 1 Cackling Goose, 2 Wood Duck, 3 Canvasback, 1 Lesser Scaup, 3 Hooded Merganser, 1 Rough-legged Hawk, and 110 Cedar Waxwing. Jocie Baker, Lynn Barber, Gene Hess-Surveyors Jocelyn Lee Baker Rapid City, South Dakota [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Pickstown Birds From: "R&M Mabie" <rmmabie AT hcinet.net> Date: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:05:23 -0600 There was a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and a Yellow-rumped Warbler in my backyard earlier this afternoon. Ron Mabie Pickstown, SD [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: New York Times Snowy owl article mentions South Dakota! From: "Nancy Drilling" <nancy.drilling AT rmbo.org> Date: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:28:14 -0700 copy and paste the URL to read: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/23/science/earth/spike-in-snowy-owl-sightings -stirs-speculation-among-bird-watchers.html?_r=1&ref=science Nancy Coordinator, South Dakota Projects Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory 3222 Kirkwood Drive Rapid City, SD 57702 Tel: 605-791-0459 www.rmbo.org/SDBBA2 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: [SF-BC] saturday's outing From: "Mick Zerr" <zerrm AT sio.midco.net> Date: Sun, 22 Jan 2012 21:20:53 -0600 Sorry about the incomplete message with the undescribed link. The photo shows the two hawks that have been visiting my feeders the last two weeks. The Sharpie is killing birds at the rate of one every 15 minutes if he can get them. So far his has taken Juncos. The Cooper's has not had much success. The linked photo shows the two birds, but does not say which is which, so see if you can ID the Coopers and the Sharpie. http://flic.kr/p/bgCYFk Mick SFBC ----- Original Message ----- From: Mick Zerr To: Bob Bork ; douglas chapman Cc: SF Birders ; sd-birds2 Sent: Sunday, January 22, 2012 12:57 AM Subject: Re: [SF-BC] saturday's outing To add to today's adventure with the SF Bird Club, Lynn at the OC said they released a rehabilitated Snowy Owl at Beaver Creek Nature Area on Monday, so if any birders see it Lynn would appreciated if you would let her know its status. Many birders have been "flocking" to Mt. Pleasant Cemetery for the Crossbills. Today John Clem from Freeman stayed around to try to get a good photo of them. A bit difficult since they do not stand still long and they are always at the top of 80 foot Spruce trees. I finally had a Brown Creeper at the SF feeders yesterday, but still no Redpolls. http://flic.kr/p/bgCYFk ----- Original Message ----- From: "douglas chapman" To: "Bob Bork" Cc: "SF Birders" ; "sd-birds2" Sent: Saturday, January 21, 2012 10:30 PM Subject: Re: [SF-BC] saturday's outing The three of us in the second car saw 2 C. Redpoll and 1 C. Goldeneye. At least Chris Anderson and I did. Richard was in our car too. But I think he was in a bad spot for both of those. And, as Bob stated so well, we were hardy souls this morning. After our tropical-like temps so far this winter season, it was COLD today here! Doug Chapman Sioux Falls, SD On Jan 21, 2012, at 10:18 PM, Bob Bork wrote: > Hello Everyone; > > Six hardy souls struck out today and had a very successful day despite the > cold (or maybe because of it). We did find the flock of WW Crossbills at > Mt. Pleasant Cemetery with a little help from a guy named 'John' from > Freeman. Other sightings were as follows: > > Bald Eagle > Red-Tailed Hawk > Merlin > American Kestrel > American Crow > Canada Goose > Mallard > Mourning Dove > Downy Woodpecker > N. Flicker > Blue Jay > BC Chickadee > WB Nuthatch > Brown Creeper > Cedar Waxwing > Amer. Tree Sparrow > DE Junco > N. Cardinal > House Finch > A. Goldfinch > H. Sparrow > E. Starling > Rock Dove > > and both Mick and I had a Red-Bellied Woodpecker at our feeders. > > Doug may have some. > > Thanks, > Bob Bork > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Ft Randall, Huron etc. From: "Ricky D. Olson" <tatanka40 AT pie.midco.net> Date: Sun, 22 Jan 2012 18:32:17 -0600 After driving through freezing rain this am, I was able to see a male Varied Thrush at a person's feeder in Huron. I met up with Nancy drilling at FT Randall and with much effort we were able to relocate the male Barrow's Goldeneye. We saw 3 male & 4 female Red-breasted Merganser's. also an immature Glaucous Gull. I saw a flock of Snow Buntings along I-90 near 244 mile marker in Lyman County. Sharing is half the fun of birding. Ricky D. Olson Fort Pierre, SD [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: membership reminder and survey From: "lindabirdsd7" <JhnsnLn AT aol.com> Date: Sun, 22 Jan 2012 23:18:53 -0000 Hi everyone, SDOU members¡XThis is just a reminder to send SDOU membership dues for 2012. Thanks to those of you who have paidƒº. Dues are due for the calendar year. Your SD Bird Notes mailing label shows the year through which you have paid Not a member? Please consider joining. Our quarterly journal, SD Bird Notes, features articles on some of our great birding! Our SDOU website is http://www.homepages.dsu.edu/palmerj/SDOU/ Dues may be sent to Treasurer Rosemary Draeger at 528 East Lotta St., Sioux Falls, SD 57105 Nonmember and member survey: The SDOU Membership Committee would like your ideas about how we can improve our membership efforts, including how we can reach out to potential members to increase our numbers. This eight -question survey should take all of 2-3 minutes. Please share your ideas! If you have questions, please contact Linda Johnson, Chair at jhnsnln AT aol.com Here¡¦s the link: It says SDOU test http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/33ZQPY9 Great birding, Linda Johnson AT jhnsnln AT aol.com. Membership Chair ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: [SF-BC] saturday's outing From: <mmelius AT hcinet.net> Date: Sun, 22 Jan 2012 16:24:20 -0500 (EST) Great video. I don't think it renders language obsolete, however. Here's how Wikipedia describes the crossbills' feeding: "This is achieved by inserting the bill between the conifer cone scales and twisting the lower mandible towards the side to which it crosses, enabling the bird to extract the seed at the bottom of the scale with its tongue." This appears to be the method shown. In one of the slow-motion sequences, the lower mandible is seen to move to the side, widening the crossed-bill effect. There does seem to be some prying action provided by head motion, too. If the head can pry apart a scale, why have crossed bills? If the lower mandible can move to the side and provide the prying action, why does it need to be crossed? Couldn't an "ordinary" beak do that? Why is the upper mandible longer? Michael Melius Hermosa >Video will rule soon--paper can never compete with the complete "picture" video can give. > >http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NvU8WG9bg0 > > >Doug > > >Douglas Chapman >Sioux Falls, SD > ><") > ( \ > / |`` > > > > >On Jan 22, 2012, at 12:57 AM, Mick Zerr wrote: > >> To add to today's adventure with the SF Bird Club, Lynn at the OC said they >> released a rehabilitated Snowy Owl at Beaver Creek Nature Area on Monday, so >> if any birders see it Lynn would appreciated if you would let her know its >> status. Many birders have been "flocking" to Mt. Pleasant Cemetery for the >> Crossbills. Today John Clem from Freeman stayed around to try to get a good >> photo of them. A bit difficult since they do not stand still long and they >> are always at the top of 80 foot Spruce trees. I finally had a Brown Creeper >> at the SF feeders yesterday, but still no Redpolls. >> >> http://flic.kr/p/bgCYFk >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "douglas chapman" >> To: "Bob Bork" >> Cc: "SF Birders" ; "sd-birds2" >> >> Sent: Saturday, January 21, 2012 10:30 PM >> Subject: Re: [SF-BC] saturday's outing >> >> The three of us in the second car saw 2 C. Redpoll and 1 C. Goldeneye. At >> least Chris Anderson and I did. Richard was in our car too. But I think he >> was in a bad spot for both of those. >> >> And, as Bob stated so well, we were hardy souls this morning. After our >> tropical-like temps so far this winter season, it was COLD today here! >> >> Doug Chapman >> Sioux Falls, SD >> >> On Jan 21, 2012, at 10:18 PM, Bob Bork wrote: >> >> > Hello Everyone; >> > >> > Six hardy souls struck out today and had a very successful day despite the >> > cold (or maybe because of it). We did find the flock of WW Crossbills at >> > Mt. Pleasant Cemetery with a little help from a guy named 'John' from >> > Freeman. Other sightings were as follows: >> > >> > Bald Eagle >> > Red-Tailed Hawk >> > Merlin >> > American Kestrel >> > American Crow >> > Canada Goose >> > Mallard >> > Mourning Dove >> > Downy Woodpecker >> > N. Flicker >> > Blue Jay >> > BC Chickadee >> > WB Nuthatch >> > Brown Creeper >> > Cedar Waxwing >> > Amer. Tree Sparrow >> > DE Junco >> > N. Cardinal >> > House Finch >> > A. Goldfinch >> > H. Sparrow >> > E. Starling >> > Rock Dove >> > >> > and both Mick and I had a Red-Bellied Woodpecker at our feeders. >> > >> > Doug may have some. >> > >> > Thanks, >> > Bob Bork >> > >> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >> > >> > >> >> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >> >> ------------------------------------ >> >> Subject: WW Crossbills From: douglas chapman <foodrev AT sio.midco.net> Date: Sun, 22 Jan 2012 14:49:52 -0600 The WW Crossbills were still busy feeding, closer to the south central part of the cemetery at 2 PM today. Did not see the redpoll or any Red Crossbills. BE CAREFUL! Driving in the cemetery today has drifting snow hazards. Nearly got stuck in my CR/V twice. They should plow again tomorrow I'd think. I always swing by Woodlawn cemetery on my way back if I have time. Just as the last week has been--there were 2-3 chickadees and 4 crows. Doug Chapman Sioux Falls, SD ------------------------------------ Subject: Crossbills et al. From: "Jensen, Kent" <kent.jensen AT sdstate.edu> Date: Sun, 22 Jan 2012 18:33:48 +0000 The WW Crossbills and occasional red crossbills are still active in the Brookings cemetery. There are also redpolls. Purple finches. And at times up to 100 pins siskins working the evergreens in Evergreen Cemetery. Sent from my iPhone ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: [SF-BC] saturday's outing From: douglas chapman <foodrev AT sio.midco.net> Date: Sun, 22 Jan 2012 10:57:12 -0600 For any who have often wondered about the crossbills unique bills, here is a video of WW Crossbills feeding. Great lesson. We always knew it was about feeding, but now we can see HOW it relates. Video will rule soon--paper can never compete with the complete "picture" video can give. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NvU8WG9bg0 Doug Douglas Chapman Sioux Falls, SD <") ( \ / |`` On Jan 22, 2012, at 12:57 AM, Mick Zerr wrote: > To add to today's adventure with the SF Bird Club, Lynn at the OC said they > released a rehabilitated Snowy Owl at Beaver Creek Nature Area on Monday, so > if any birders see it Lynn would appreciated if you would let her know its > status. Many birders have been "flocking" to Mt. Pleasant Cemetery for the > Crossbills. Today John Clem from Freeman stayed around to try to get a good > photo of them. A bit difficult since they do not stand still long and they > are always at the top of 80 foot Spruce trees. I finally had a Brown Creeper > at the SF feeders yesterday, but still no Redpolls. > > http://flic.kr/p/bgCYFk > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "douglas chapman" > To: "Bob Bork" > Cc: "SF Birders" ; "sd-birds2" > > Sent: Saturday, January 21, 2012 10:30 PM > Subject: Re: [SF-BC] saturday's outing > > The three of us in the second car saw 2 C. Redpoll and 1 C. Goldeneye. At > least Chris Anderson and I did. Richard was in our car too. But I think he > was in a bad spot for both of those. > > And, as Bob stated so well, we were hardy souls this morning. After our > tropical-like temps so far this winter season, it was COLD today here! > > Doug Chapman > Sioux Falls, SD > > On Jan 21, 2012, at 10:18 PM, Bob Bork wrote: > > > Hello Everyone; > > > > Six hardy souls struck out today and had a very successful day despite the > > cold (or maybe because of it). We did find the flock of WW Crossbills at > > Mt. Pleasant Cemetery with a little help from a guy named 'John' from > > Freeman. Other sightings were as follows: > > > > Bald Eagle > > Red-Tailed Hawk > > Merlin > > American Kestrel > > American Crow > > Canada Goose > > Mallard > > Mourning Dove > > Downy Woodpecker > > N. Flicker > > Blue Jay > > BC Chickadee > > WB Nuthatch > > Brown Creeper > > Cedar Waxwing > > Amer. Tree Sparrow > > DE Junco > > N. Cardinal > > House Finch > > A. Goldfinch > > H. Sparrow > > E. Starling > > Rock Dove > > > > and both Mick and I had a Red-Bellied Woodpecker at our feeders. > > > > Doug may have some. > > > > Thanks, > > Bob Bork > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > ------------------------------------ > > Subject: Ft. Randall and LANWR From: "rookie.birder" <Kelly.Preheim AT k12.sd.us> Date: Sun, 22 Jan 2012 15:14:12 -0000 Scott Stolz and I checked out the Ft. Randall Dam and LANWR area yesterday. The boats have cleared out below the dam and there are hundreds of ducks. In the LANWR, there were ducks as far as you could see in the sky and in the fields. I've never seen anything like it. Here is what we saw: Ft. Randall Dam: Barrow's Goldeneye Common Goldeneye Red-breasted Merganser Common Merganser Hooded Merganser Mallards Gadwall Bufflehead Scaup Herring Gull Bald Eagle LANWR area: Canada Goose Cackling Goose Mallards Northern Pintail Snowy Owl Bald Eagle Golden Eagle Northern Harrier Red-tailed Hawk Pheasant American Crow American Tree Sparrows European Starlings Horned Lark Lapland Longspur Dark-eyed Junco ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: [SF-BC] saturday's outing From: "Mick Zerr" <zerrm AT sio.midco.net> Date: Sun, 22 Jan 2012 00:57:41 -0600 To add to today's adventure with the SF Bird Club, Lynn at the OC said they released a rehabilitated Snowy Owl at Beaver Creek Nature Area on Monday, so if any birders see it Lynn would appreciated if you would let her know its status. Many birders have been "flocking" to Mt. Pleasant Cemetery for the Crossbills. Today John Clem from Freeman stayed around to try to get a good photo of them. A bit difficult since they do not stand still long and they are always at the top of 80 foot Spruce trees. I finally had a Brown Creeper at the SF feeders yesterday, but still no Redpolls. http://flic.kr/p/bgCYFk ----- Original Message ----- From: "douglas chapman" To: "Bob Bork" Cc: "SF Birders" ; "sd-birds2" Sent: Saturday, January 21, 2012 10:30 PM Subject: Re: [SF-BC] saturday's outing The three of us in the second car saw 2 C. Redpoll and 1 C. Goldeneye. At least Chris Anderson and I did. Richard was in our car too. But I think he was in a bad spot for both of those. And, as Bob stated so well, we were hardy souls this morning. After our tropical-like temps so far this winter season, it was COLD today here! Doug Chapman Sioux Falls, SD On Jan 21, 2012, at 10:18 PM, Bob Bork wrote: > Hello Everyone; > > Six hardy souls struck out today and had a very successful day despite the > cold (or maybe because of it). We did find the flock of WW Crossbills at > Mt. Pleasant Cemetery with a little help from a guy named 'John' from > Freeman. Other sightings were as follows: > > Bald Eagle > Red-Tailed Hawk > Merlin > American Kestrel > American Crow > Canada Goose > Mallard > Mourning Dove > Downy Woodpecker > N. Flicker > Blue Jay > BC Chickadee > WB Nuthatch > Brown Creeper > Cedar Waxwing > Amer. Tree Sparrow > DE Junco > N. Cardinal > House Finch > A. Goldfinch > H. Sparrow > E. Starling > Rock Dove > > and both Mick and I had a Red-Bellied Woodpecker at our feeders. > > Doug may have some. > > Thanks, > Bob Bork > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: [SF-BC] saturday's outing From: douglas chapman <foodrev AT sio.midco.net> Date: Sat, 21 Jan 2012 22:30:40 -0600 The three of us in the second car saw 2 C. Redpoll and 1 C. Goldeneye. At least Chris Anderson and I did. Richard was in our car too. But I think he was in a bad spot for both of those. And, as Bob stated so well, we were hardy souls this morning. After our tropical-like temps so far this winter season, it was COLD today here! Doug Chapman Sioux Falls, SD On Jan 21, 2012, at 10:18 PM, Bob Bork wrote: > Hello Everyone; > > Six hardy souls struck out today and had a very successful day despite the cold (or maybe because of it). We did find the flock of WW Crossbills at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery with a little help from a guy named ‘John’ from Freeman. Other sightings were as follows: > > Bald Eagle > Red-Tailed Hawk > Merlin > American Kestrel > American Crow > Canada Goose > Mallard > Mourning Dove > Downy Woodpecker > N. Flicker > Blue Jay > BC Chickadee > WB Nuthatch > Brown Creeper > Cedar Waxwing > Amer. Tree Sparrow > DE Junco > N. Cardinal > House Finch > A. Goldfinch > H. Sparrow > E. Starling > Rock Dove > > and both Mick and I had a Red-Bellied Woodpecker at our feeders. > > Doug may have some. > > Thanks, > Bob Bork > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: White-winged Crossbills today - Mt. Pleasant Cemetery - Sioux Falls From: Cindy Taylor <flagwithhank10 AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 21 Jan 2012 21:22:52 -0600 Located the flock of White-winged Crossbills at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery mid-morning today around the southwest corner, picking at high cones. About 40 birds flew in one vocal flock several times around that general area of the grounds while I was there. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: N Hills Bird Club Field Trip Sat Jan 28 From: DON BALYEAT <balyhi3 AT msn.com> Date: Sat, 21 Jan 2012 12:54:19 -0700 The Northern Hills Bird Club will be conducting a field trip out of Belle Fource on Saturday, January 28th. Participants will meet at Jumpin' Jack's Restaurant at the Mid America Travel Plaza, 16 N 5th Avenue at 7:30 for an 8:00 departure. This trip will last into the afternoon and a lunch break in Belle Fourche is planned. There is no charge and the trip is open to all. For more information contact Lauren Balyeat, 605-347-2830. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Friday birds From: Glenn Wika <glenn_wika AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 21 Jan 2012 08:16:06 -0800 (PST) At our home, SW of Sioux Falls, birds observed.   one red winged blackbird one mourning dove cardinals red breasted nuthatch chickadees house finches gold finches English sparrows downy woodpecker hairy woodpecker blue jays flickers juncos one very large bird in a tree, possibly a juvenile bald eagle [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Black Hills birding From: dalybar AT aol.com Date: Fri, 20 Jan 2012 20:30:06 -0500 (EST) I found crossbills today at Custer State Park, but Red Crossbills (2 males), not White-winged Crossbills as others had seen. Also had my first-of-year Gray Jays in and near the park. A couple of pictures of these are at the bottom of the page below other pictures taken earlier this year: http://www.lynnbarber.com/id88.html. Lynn Barber Rapid City [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Pierre From: "Ricky D. Olson" <tatanka40 AT pie.midco.net> Date: Thu, 19 Jan 2012 13:20:02 -0600 The cold has brought in a few big gulls: 1- immature Glaucous, 1 adult Thayer's, 1 - adult California Gull and about 8 adult and 2 immature Herring Gulls. There had been 19 Ring-billed Gulls here but today only 1. They leave if it gets very cold. There are still several Snowy Owls around and thousands of Lapland Longspurs. Sharing is half the fun of birding. Ricky D. Olson Fort Pierre, SD [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Barrow's Goldeneye From: "R&M Mabie" <rmmabie AT hcinet.net> Date: Thu, 19 Jan 2012 13:03:30 -0600 The Barrow's Goldeneye was seen again this morning at the Ft Randall Dam Tailrace. Also seen was a Red-breasted Merganser. Ron Mabie Pickstown, SD [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Crossbills From: "Mick Zerr" <zerrm AT sio.midco.net> Date: Wed, 18 Jan 2012 22:39:28 -0600 Rich Ryrholm and I watched the WW Crossbills at Mt. Pleasant in SF today. They are eating so much I think they will be too fat to leave before the 8AM SFBC outing on Saturday, so we probably all will get to see them. Hope we don't get too much snow on Friday. Speaking of snow, If you have not seen the Crow riding the jar cover, it is worth your minute. Proof positive that birds sometimes just have fun. See it at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/17/crow-snowboards-russia_n_1211498.html or it is also at: http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/crow-rides-snow-on-russian-roof-15388416?tab=9482931§ion=1206839&playlist=2737498 Mick sfbc [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Paddlewheel Point Eagles From: Mary Gertsema <jgertsema AT iw.net> Date: Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:38:16 -0600 Today at 3:30 there were 41 Bald Eagles visible from Paddlewheel Point. Paddlewheel point is just downstream from Yankton's Riverside Park. There were 11 sitting in the trees--8 sitting at the shoreline at Paddlewheel Point--7 on Rush Island--9 soaring over the river, and 6 in the trees on the Nebraska side of the river. I also saw one Kingfisher. ------------------------------------ Subject: Barrows Goldeneye From: "R&M Mabie" <rmmabie AT hcinet.net> Date: Wed, 18 Jan 2012 10:55:06 -0600 Observed a Barrow's Goldeneye and a pair of Hooded Mergansers in the Ft Randall Dam Tailrace this morning. Ron Mabie Pickstown, SD [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: feeder watch day From: "Mick Zerr" <zerrm AT sio.midco.net> Date: Tue, 17 Jan 2012 22:01:04 -0600 As part of Cornell's project FeederWatch, feeders are checked two days a week. Today, with the first real snow in a long while, I expected a lot of action to report, with hope of the Redpolls finding their way the two miles from Mt. Pleasant, where they were seen yesterday. Of course that was too much to ask, but anyway, the feeders were busy, so I decided to see if I could get a photo of every species that visited. Starting at 9:00 had no birds at all. So much for a big feeder day. Same till 10:30, when things erupted. For the first time this year, a good number of House Finches, all with clear eyes, showed up. Lots of Goldfinch, Juncos and House Sparrows in and out till suddenly at noon, everything stopped as a large Cooper's Hawk came in, but, considering all the birds, he left quickly with nothing. I swear a couple of the Goldfinches were pointing their wings toward the Starling, hoping the hawk would take him, but the hawk left. The usual group of four crows did send a warning just before the Cooper's arrived. See the photo of the warning. When all was said and done, the total species count for the day was 15, with the individual numbers at 101, no record, but a good day for this season, which has been pretty slow. On the photos, as usual, I did not get all the birds. The hawk was just a blur, and the BlueJay was only here for a few seconds. 13 out of 15 is not too bad. The best photo was probably the RBNU all puffed into a little ball of feathers. See photos at: http://www.flickr.com//photos/siouxfalls/sets/72157628919899027/show/ Missing so far this winter are two regulars, the Pine Siskins and Brown Creepers. Mick SFBC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: White-winged Crossbills From: Jim McLaird <jimmclaird AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:16:39 -0800 (PST) Today, I saw several White-winged Crossbills at Hitchcock Park in Mitchell, SD; there were at least four, including one colorful adult male. There have also been several at the Mitchell cemetery occasionally during the past few days, possibly the same group. Jim McLaird Mitchell, SD [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: crossbills From: "Mick Zerr" <zerrm AT sio.midco.net> Date: Tue, 17 Jan 2012 09:36:52 -0600 Had to run an errand that took me by Mt. Pleasant Cemetery yesterday, so I decided to run through and check for the Crossbills. I ran into other birders doing the same, including Pat Dunn and Jan Grebin and others. As Pat posted, the WW Crossbills were very active. Some folks saw the Redpolls, GH Owls, RT Hawk and Bald Eagle. We could not find the Red Crossbills. The WW Crossbills were feeding so furiously that if you stood under a spruce or pine tree, you would get showered with seeds falling. See a few photos at: http://www.flickr.com//photos/siouxfalls/sets/72157628906548963/show/ As you can see in the photos, the number of cones with seeds is endless, so the birds will probably hang around for quite a while. The cemetery staff is tickled to have birders around. Mick SFBC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Redpolls & Crossbills From: Nancy Dunn <dunn3 AT svtv.com> Date: Tue, 17 Jan 2012 06:57:33 -0600 I saw some common Redpolls intermixed with white-winged crossbills in the spruce trees of Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Sioux Falls. Did not see any red crossbills but multiple flocks of white-winged crossbills. Pat Dunn ------------------------------------ Subject: Snowy Owl - Pennington From: dalybar AT aol.com Date: Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:45:28 -0500 (EST) I had a couple of hours today between the Canyon Lake survey this morning and when I was getting new tires early this afternoon, so I wandered out east of Rapid City on Old Folsom Rd. and Antelope Creek Rd., among others. In addition to a few Rough-legged Hawks and Horned Larks, two Bald Eagles, and a Great Horned Owl, I found a Snowy Owl (my first for Pennington Co.) perched on a stack of hay bales a few miles east of the junction of Old Folsom Rd. and Antelope Creek Rd. Lynn Barber Rapid City [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: meadowlark From: "Peter" <petermhill AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:28:43 -0000 Saw a very cold-looking meadowlark hunkered down on a roadside fencepost in snowy 12-degree weather. Of all of the days to see a meadowlark this "winter", today seems by far one of the least likely! Peter Hill Pine Ridge Shannon Co. ------------------------------------ Subject: Chamberlain, SD geese etc. From: Lynn Barber <dalybar AT aol.com> Date: Mon, 16 Jan 2012 15:00:44 -0700 A belated report for January 14: After seeing the Snowy Owls and gulls mentioned by Ron Mabie on January 13 (Pickstown), Jocie B. and I drove up to Pierre on Saturday. At a pond/city park area along the highway in Chamberlain were hundreds of Canada geese plus some Cackling and one Ross's Goose. While we were there 2 Greater White-fronted and one Snow Goose arrived. Also many Mallards and a Northern Pintail. A very productive pond. At the Fort Pierre grasslands we had 2 Short-eared Owls, about 20 G. Prairie-Chickens and the usual winter hawks. Lynn Barber Rapid City ------------------------------------ Subject: Albino Hummingbird Pix from east coast last summer From: douglas chapman <foodrev AT sio.midco.net> Date: Mon, 16 Jan 2012 10:43:48 -0600 Found in the Wessington Springs paper! http://truedakotan.com/photos/a-rare-treat-an-albino-hummingbird/ Must have made everyone catch their breath. Wow. douglas chapman foodrev AT sio.midco.net <") ( \ / |`` [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Feb 7 program on bird photography From: uuglypher <uuglypher AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 16 Jan 2012 10:29:31 -0600 On Tuesday, Feb. 7, at 7PM Keith Anderson will present "Bird Photography: a Nuts-and-Bolts How-Too Primer" to the Sioux Falls Camera Club. Place: Oak View Branch Library, 3700 E. 3rd St (One block N. Of E. 6th St. On Bahnson at intersection with E. 3rd on the NE corner. Attendance by the public is welcomed. Dave Graham, Program Coordinator ------------------------------------ Subject: FW: Rare Albino Hummingbird MM-12 From: Nelda Holden <neldaholden AT hotmail.com> Date: Sun, 15 Jan 2012 23:10:14 -0600 From: neldaholden AT hotmail.com To: fernegaarder AT yahoo.com Subject: RE: Rare Albino Hummingbird MM-12 Date: Sun, 15 Jan 2012 23:09:22 -0600 Fern, Thank you for the pictures of the albino hummingbird. Nelda Date: Thu, 12 Jan 2012 12:44:26 -0800 From: fernegaarder AT yahoo.com Subject: Fw: Rare Albino Hummingbird MM-12 To: allanmork AT yahoo.com A Rare treat... an albino hummingbird. Something that is seldom seen and almost NEVER photographed. Albino hummingbird Fifteen-year-old photographer Marlin Shank was fortunate enough to capture several images of a rare albino ruby-throated hummingbird while in a park in Staunton , Va Very high quality photographs for such a fleeting subject... Pass this on so others may enjoy this rare and beautiful sight! [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Pierre Weekend From: MARK OTNES <markotnes AT cableone.net> Date: Sun, 15 Jan 2012 19:29:07 -0600 I took a long weekend to bird Pierre. Thanks again to Ricky Olson for giving me tips and going out with me in the mornings on Thursday and Friday. On that cold windy Thursday I actually saw 55 species of birds. I went to Hiddenwood on Saturday and after about 3 hours I got the two Pine Grosbeaks. After much searching I also got to see a Bohemian Waxwing in with the many hundreds of Cedar Waxwings. I also had a heard only White-winged Crossbill that was flying and calling for 3 to 4 minutes just before sunrise around the picnic area. On the way back home I went through Brown County and checked out Richmond Lake and Sand Lake. At Richmond Lake it was pretty quiet except for one good flock of Cedar Waxwings, Purple FInches, and American Goldfinches. Also present were one Red-breasted Nuthatch and two Townsends Solitaires. At Sand Lake where Highway 10 cuts through the lake there was one Snowy Owl sitting on the ice south of the highway. Just east of Houghton there was a flock of 9 Brewer's Blackbirds. At the intersection of highways 10 and 37 there were two male Yellow-headed Blackbirds foraging along the shoulder of the highway. Mark Otnes Fargo ND 701-241-4194 markotnes AT cableone.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------