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14 May What a view! [Kim Kuper ] 13 May PENNINGTON CTY.: Warblers ["Jocelyn Baker" ] 13 May Migration [Caity Reiland-Smith ] 13 May TUESDAY UPDATE ["mick" ] 13 May Rapid City chimney swifts [cbstafford ] 13 May Feeders and yard today [Nancy Dunn ] 13 May Fallout [] 13 May Re: OC [Paul Roisen ] 13 May OC ["Todd Jensen" ] 13 May amazing ["mick" ] 13 May Western Sandpiper [Ricky D Olson ] 13 May (unknown) [Cheryl Wormstadt ] 12 May Rapid City West River Bird Count ["Gene K. Hess" ] 12 May PENNINGTON CTY.: Caspian Tern ["Jocelyn Baker" ] 12 May nashvilles ["mick" ] 13 May MacGillivray's Warbler and others ["Peter Hill" ] 12 May Mother's Day phoebes ["Peter Hill" ] 12 May Omigosh! tanagers for dinner [cbstafford ] 12 May Grassland bird tour link-revisited [] 12 May PENNINGTON CTY.: Rose-breasted Grosbeak ["Jocelyn Baker" ] 12 May PENNINGTON CTY.: Red-necked Grebe, Cinnamon Teal ["Jocelyn Baker" ] 11 May West Butte County Report ["Vic/Donna Fondy" ] 11 May A lost soul.......... [Kim Kuper ] 11 May Area Birds [Ricky D Olson ] 11 May Warblers and more ["mick" ] 11 May Place to hit on the way to Pickstown ["Mark Otnes" ] 11 May Great-tailed Grackles and other treats ["Peter Hill" ] 10 May Yankton birding ["Roger Dietrich" ] 10 May New orioles ["mick" ] 11 May Well, that was a first... ["Peter Hill" ] 10 May WRMC and Whitewood Report ["Vic/Donna Fondy" ] 10 May Re: Sioux Falls Bird Club trip report [douglas chapman ] 10 May Sioux Falls Bird Club trip report ["Mark Schmidtbauer" ] 10 May Vermillion area birds ["Gary and Jan Small" ] 10 May FOY [Kim Kuper ] 10 May Ovenbird Sioux Falls [Mike Keppen ] 10 May White-eyed Vireo ["Doug Backlund" ] 10 May Hello from Vale ["geetoe6570" ] 8 May Rapid creek warblers galore [cbstafford ] 8 May feeder cams ["mick" ] 8 May feeder update ["mick" ] 8 May Hummingbird [Nancy Dunn ] 8 May Prothonotary Warbler at Cotton Park in Vermillion ["Swanson, David" ] 8 May Grassland bird tour, Bristol, SD [] 7 May Rapid City /yellow rumped warblers [cbstafford ] 7 May Wednesday Diversity ["mick" ] 7 May Prairie Warbler [Jim McLaird ] 7 May BUTTE CTY.: Lark Bunting, Eastern Kingbird ["Jocelyn Baker" ] 7 May Lark Bunting early dates ["m. melius" ] 7 May Snowmelt! ["m. melius" ] 7 May Western tanager Meade county ["Anna K. Ball" ] 6 May Pennington Co./ arrivals [cbstafford ] Subject: What a view! From: Kim Kuper <roddyhunt AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 14 May 2008 06:00:43 -0700 (PDT) I got home from work at 6:45am and within one hour these were the birds on my deck or within 20feet. BC chick. mourning doves blue jays WB nuthatch grackle starling 8 orioles (all on my 15' by 6' deck at once) ruby throated hummer rose breasted grosbeak least flycatcher black and white warbler robins harris sparrow house sparrow chipping sparrow house finch goldfinch house wren (heard canada geese, do they count?) NO woodpeckers, they've been here year round and none today (hairy and downy) And lastly, 4 squirrels   This is in White (Brookings county) and it makes it very hard for me to go to sleep this morning, I want to keep watching!!!   Kim [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: PENNINGTON CTY.: Warblers From: "Jocelyn Baker" <osprey AT hills.net> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 23:21:13 -0600 A Northern Waterthrush and a Blackpoll Warbler were observed this morning, May 13, behind the Water Treatment Plant at Sioux Park in Rapid City. Jocelyn Lee Baker, Rapid City Subject: Migration From: Caity Reiland-Smith <birdcrazy_rs AT hotmail.com> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 23:13:55 -0500 Today when I came home for lunch, four orchard orioles (three males one female) greeted me right outside my front door. In the backyard there has been an abundance of activity for the past two or three weeks, with everything loving our good-sized siberian elm. Birds seen in and around this tree include (no particular order): Baltimore Oriole Orchard Oriole Yellow Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Tennessee Warb Orange-crowned warb Wilson's warb Least Flycatcher Eastern wood-peewee Swainson's thrush Gray Catbird Harris's sparrow Lincoln's sparrow White-throated sparrow White-crowned sparrow Chipping Sparrow Mourning dove AM Robin Common Grackle Am Goldfinch House finch BC chickadee Sharp-shinned hawk The list goes on, but this is what I've been seeing lately in the big rush to prepare for the end of the year, and graduation. Caity Reiland-Smith Sioux Falls, SD _________________________________________________________________ Windows Live SkyDrive lets you share files with faraway friends. http://www.windowslive.com/skydrive/overview.html?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_Refresh_skydrive_052008 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: TUESDAY UPDATE From: "mick" <zerrm AT sio.midco.net> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 22:43:26 -0500 Based on all the neat postings, this may be the biggest fallout in years. Here are the additions to the SF feeder list for today: Yellow Warbler, Hairy Woodpecker, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Tennessee Warbler, Chipping Sparrow, Harris' Sparrows, Swainson's Thrush, Yellow-rumped Warbler. This sets a new feeders record of 30 species in one day (actually one hour). See some photos at : http://www.leifericson.org/sfbc/id20.html I will post videos later. Mick SFBC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Rapid City chimney swifts From: cbstafford <turkeyfeathrs AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 20:24:49 -0700 (PDT) Chimney swifts flying over downtown RC this afternoon between Main St and Omaha. Not sure of roost, there was a group inhabiting the tall chimney on the Alex Johnson Hotel and one in the chimney at MG Oil on the corner of Main and West Main St. last summer. Caroline Stafford Subject: Feeders and yard today From: Nancy Dunn <dunn3 AT svtv.com> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 21:28:47 -0500 Hairy Woodpecker' Downy " Red-Headed " Ruby throated hummingbirds (2 female) Baltimore Orioles (11) Orchard " (2) Hermit thrush Grey-cheeked thrush Ruby-crowned Kinglet Pheasant House wren Rock dove Barn swallows Crows Brown Thrasher Rose-breasted Grosbeak White-breasted nuthatch Mourning doves robins grackles (1 1-legged grackle!) Harris' sparrow chipping sparrow song sparrow house sparrow goldfinch house finch rural Dell Rapids Pat Dunn Subject: Fallout From: lynnmwil AT sio.midco.net Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 21:04:36 -0500 Hi; I too have experienced some sort of bird fall out the last 2 days. I went out to Outdoor Campus (OC) at 7:00 am and went North of the pond. I could not believe the warblers all over - getting their morning drink. I was not getting "warbler neck" as they were all below me. There were swallows everywhere, and all different kinds of sparrows. I only had about an hour before work and was bummed when I had to leave. It was great. Today, at the feeder behind my work - all of a sudden there were birds everywhere. There were 30 - 40 harris sparrows, 15 - 20 white crowned sparrows, gold finches, yellow warblers, there was a thrush right up by the feeder (not sure which one) and the highlight for me was 5 Male Rose Breasted Grosbeaks and 3 females. They stayed around all day and I was able to get pictures. I have a few posted at: http://www.pbase.com/lynne_williams/birds_2008 It took awhile for them to get here - but, boy, are they here now! Lynne Williams Subject: Re: OC From: Paul Roisen <roisenp1950 AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 18:49:46 -0700 (PDT) Todd, Where is OC? God Bless, Paul Roisen Sioux City, IA Woodbury County 712-276-0371(H) 712-301-2817(C) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: OC From: "Todd Jensen" <gyrfalcon AT redwoodwireless.com> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 19:47:13 -0600 Birded OC today for 20 minutes. I observed a little blue heron briefly. Flew in landed on a tall cottonwood briefly then flew on never to be seen again. Todd Jensen [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: amazing From: "mick" <zerrm AT sio.midco.net> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 17:49:41 -0500 Sioux Falls feeder update!!! I usually wait till the photos are ready to post, but I have to do this while it is going on. I am looking at White Crowned Sparrows and Orioles five feet from me as I type. Got home at 5PM and found the most amazing fallout in the 20 year history of the feeders. Here is the amazing list. (chick the feeder cam to see it in action http://www.leifericson.org/sfbc/id24.html 15! Baltimore Orioles AT THE SAME TIME on the feeders. Catbirds, WT and WC Sparrows, Lincoln Sparrows, House and Lincoln's Sparrows, Downy and Red-bellied Woodpecker, Nashville Warbler, Pine Siskin, House Finch, Goldfinch, Grackle and Starling, Cardinal, Chickadee, Brown Thrasher, Robin, Mourning Dove (these are all AT THE SAME TIME at the feeders.) Orchard Oriole, and the most amazing of all a WOOD THRUSH. I probably missed some and will double check when I post the photos and videos. Mick SFBC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Western Sandpiper From: Ricky D Olson <tatanka40 AT pie.midco.net> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 17:10:42 -0500 Today there was still a Western Sandpiper at the Onida Mudflat, that without rain may only last 1 more day. Sharing is half the fun of birding. Ricky D. Olson Fort Pierre, SD Subject: (unknown) From: Cheryl Wormstadt <cmlgworm AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 07:22:34 -0700 (PDT) Yesterday and this morning we have in our yard and/or at our feeders: 2 Mourning Doves, white-crowned sparrows, chipping sparrows, yellow rumped warbler, 2 Townsend Soilitares, 3 Pygmy Nuthatches, Pinesiskins, Red Crossbills, Goldfinches, Juncos, Chickadees, 1 Downy, 1 Hairy, R & WB Nuthatches, Turkeys, Mt Bluebirds, Robins, Crows & Brewers Blackbirds. On French Creek in front of our house we have: Great Blue Herons, Mallards, & Belted Kingfishers. Leonard & Cheryl 2 miles east of Custer [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Rapid City West River Bird Count From: "Gene K. Hess" <gene AT neopaleo.net> Date: Mon, 12 May 2008 21:11:45 -0600 Hi, Here are some of the highlights from the West River Bird Count in Rapid City, along Rapid Creek. The areas covered were Canyon Lake to the Cleghorn fish hatchery on the 11th; Omaha St. from Mountain View to 5th St. The Say's Phoebe was at home. Dates are followed by numbers of birds. Total species = 65 for the two days. Spotted Sandpiper, 11th (2), 12th (1) Chimney Swift 12th (1) Least Flycatcher, 11th (1), 12th (8) Eastern Phoebe, 11th (2) Say's Phoebe, 10th (1) Gray Catbird, 12th (1) Gray-cheeked Thrush, 11th (1) Northern Waterthrush, 12th (1) Western Tanager, 12th (6) Gene K. Hess Rapid City Subject: PENNINGTON CTY.: Caspian Tern From: "Jocelyn Baker" <osprey AT hills.net> Date: Mon, 12 May 2008 20:58:56 -0600 A Caspian Tern was observed this morning, May 12, at a small pond, located on the north side of I90, between Ellsworth Air Force Base and New Underwood. Jocelyn Lee Baker, Rapid City Subject: nashvilles From: "mick" <zerrm AT sio.midco.net> Date: Mon, 12 May 2008 21:05:38 -0500 Sioux Falls feeders update: New arrivals at the feeders today. A male and a female Nashville Warbler. See them below: Other folks are reporting Orioles for the first time ever at their feeders. It is indeed an Oriole fallout. http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u210/zerrmick/nashvillewarblerfemale5-12-08s.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u210/zerrmick/nashvillewarblermale5-12-08s.jpg Mick SFBC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: MacGillivray's Warbler and others From: "Peter Hill" <petermhill AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 01:47:19 -0000 Walked over to the lagoons by Oglala Dam after dinner to see what was in town. Mostly the same birds as yesterday morning, with a few misses (GT Grackle being one) and the following additions: Black-crowned Night-Heron - 1 Lesser Scaup - 1 Spotted Sandpiper - 3 Bank Swallow - several Barn Swallow - 2 Quite a few WF Ibis around as well. Also, the impoundments were SWARMING with phalaropes, which - I noticed - have now "gotten over it" and are no longer segregated, with Wilson's and RN Phals feeding together in mixed flocks. Then checked some nearby thickets for passerines. It was chilly and windy, but I "dug in" and spished up some dicky birds, including: Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 1 Tennessee Warbler - 1 MacGillivray's Warbler - 1 Orchard Oriole - pair Bullock's Oriole - pair Good birding everyone! Peter Hill Oglala Shannon Co. Subject: Mother's Day phoebes From: "Peter Hill" <petermhill AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 12 May 2008 23:48:13 -0000 Took a hike into the Badlands near Cedar Butte (west of Rockyford) yesterday. Encountered two Say's Phoebes nests, both with loud-chirping young whenever mom would fly in. A Mother's Day treat! Also, lots of singing Rock Wrens, swooping White-throated Swifts and a dozen or so Pinyon Jays. I think PJs are very creepy, what with their eerie murmuring calls. Always sounds like they're having some kind of ominous dialogue with one another, always while keeping one eye on you... Peter Hill Oglala Shannon Co. Subject: Omigosh! tanagers for dinner From: cbstafford <turkeyfeathrs AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 12 May 2008 16:31:16 -0700 (PDT) Looked out kitchen window a few minutes ago while fixing dinner, in the birdbath were 3 western tanagers, 2 males and 1 female. No camera to grab quickly but the picture of the three of them on the edge of the birdbath with blooming daffodils around it was a visual treasure! Too bad they waited till today, they would have made a dandy addition to my WRMC list yesterday. Caroline Stafford 5/12 sw Rapid City ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ Subject: Grassland bird tour link-revisited From: <Silka.Kempema AT state.sd.us> Date: Mon, 12 May 2008 14:22:26 -0500 All, Some folks are having difficulty getting to the bird tour brochure via the link I sent out earlier. My apologies. The complete link is http://sdgrass.org/Bird%20Tour/2008%20Bird%20Tour%20Brochure%20(FINAL).p df. You can navigate to information about the tour which is being held June 6 and 7 by going to http://sdgrass.org/ then clicking on "New Bird Tour Page". Thanks! Silka L. F. Kempema Terrestrial Wildlife Biologist SD Dept.of Game, Fish and Parks Wildlife Diversity/Environmental Review Programs 523 East Capital Ave P: 605-773-2742 Pierre, SD 57501 F: 605-773-6245 http://www.sdgfp.info/Wildlife/Diversity/index.htm -------------------------------------------------- The 2008, SD Grassland Coalition sponsored grassland bird tour will be held at the Darwin Peckham ranch in Day County. For more information on the tour and registration see http://sdgrass.org/Bird%20Tour/2008%20Bird%20Tour%20Brochure%20(FINAL).p df. More information on the Coalition and last year's tour near Rapid City see http://sdgrass.org/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: PENNINGTON CTY.: Rose-breasted Grosbeak From: "Jocelyn Baker" <osprey AT hills.net> Date: Mon, 12 May 2008 06:35:44 -0600 A Rose-breasted Grosbeak has been present at Jen Fowler's feeders for the past four days. Jocie Baker, Rapid City Subject: PENNINGTON CTY.: Red-necked Grebe, Cinnamon Teal From: "Jocelyn Baker" <osprey AT hills.net> Date: Mon, 12 May 2008 06:26:52 -0600 Yesterday, March 11, we observed a Red-necked Grebe at New Wall Lake located SW of Wall and a Cinnamon Teal in a field of sheet water east of the Rapid City Regional Airport on Highway #44. Jocie Baker, Jen Fowler Rapid City Subject: West Butte County Report From: "Vic/Donna Fondy" <treasurecreek AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 21:51:26 -0600 We birded West Butte County on a near perfect day as part of the WRMC. Near perfect is defined as sunshine, good visibility, warm temperatures, light winds, water everywhere, and lots of birds. We had 89 species for the day. Highlights were lots of Canada Geese and goslings, 13 species of ducks, 3 species of grebes, Gray Partridges, 2 Black-necked Stilts (Snoma Pond), Black-bellied and Semi-palmated Plover, Greater/Lesser Yellowlegs, Solitary-Spotted-Upland-Least-Baird's Sandpipers, Long-billed Curlew, Long-billed Dowitcher, Willet, Western and Eastern Kingbirds, 2 adult and 3 young Great-horned Owls, 5 species of Swallows including Bank, Brown Thrasher, Rock Wren, Yellow-Yellow rumped-Orange Crowned Warblers, Chipping-Clay Colored-Brewer's-Lark-White throated-White crowned-Vesper Sparrows, tons of various blackbirds, Bullock's Oriole (Massey's), and Chestnut-collared Longspurs. The new State Park at the Belle Fourche reservoir is a real boone for birding with paved access roads, good gravel interior roads, and lots of observation areas. BF Reservoir (Orman Dam) is about 70 percent full and had great birding. Most of the shore/water birds came from Orman Dam. Vic/Donna Fondy 605-269-2553 Subject: A lost soul.......... From: Kim Kuper <roddyhunt AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 20:26:50 -0700 (PDT) This was near White, SD. We were out looking for ditch asparagus, when we saw a patch of white ahead of us.  We obviously first thought of an egreat, but to our suprise (and dismay) found a snow goose out wandering around with some herefords.   It looks like he (or she) may have an injured wing, not totally positive, but maybe?!?!?  He looks like he's in great shape, health wise, but a little out of season.  We'll keep an eye out for him in the coming weeks and see if he sticks around. Kim P.S.  no asparagus yet ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Area Birds From: Ricky D Olson <tatanka40 AT pie.midco.net> Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 20:30:23 -0500 Warblers seen this weekend: Northern Parula Black & White Palm Blackpoll Tennessee Common Yellowthroat Yellow Yellow-rumped Northern Waterthrush Wilson's Scoot Stolz and I saw 2 male Snowy Plovers at Stone lake. We also saw a Western Sandpiper at Onida wetland. Sharing is half the fun of birding. Ricky D. Olson Fort Pierre, SD Subject: Warblers and more From: "mick" <zerrm AT sio.midco.net> Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 20:29:27 -0500 A few of us SFBC folks did a trek starting at the Outdoor Campus to Weisensee Slough and back to Elmwood park. We found over 86 species including many FOY and a lifebird for all (Bay-breasted Warbler at Elmwood). Indeed a Mother's day present for Mary and Nancy. FOY : Green Heron and Bobolink at Dewey Gevik, Magnolia and Palm Warblers and Redstart at OC, Grasshopper Sparrow, Rusty Blackbird (at the usual place near Weisensee) Both Eastern and Western Kingbirds. A Sora was heard and not seen at Dewey. Other highlights: Osprey at OC, Common Tern at Weisensee, Eared Grebe at Weisensee, a record number of Yellow-rumped and Yellow Warblers everywhere, Arriving home, at the feeders were: Baltimore and Orchard Orioles, Ovenbird, WT, Chipping and Lincolns Sparrows, Yellow Warbler, Black and White Warbler, RW blackbird, two pair of evil Cowbirds, M. Doves, Robins, Goldfinch, Grackles, Starlings ,House Sparrows. and Finches, Downys and Hairys, Cardinals and Chickadees. That might tie the one day record for the feeders. See a photo journal of our trip at: http://www.leifericson.org/sfbc/ Mick SFBC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Place to hit on the way to Pickstown From: "Mark Otnes" <markotnes AT cableone.net> Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 12:27:27 -0500 Hi. I'm looking for some suggested places to hit on my way down to Pickstown next Friday. I especially need warblers for the state especially the southeastern specialties. I'll probably hit Newton Hills and then maybe Union Grove that morning. I'm looking at the map and I see what appear to be wetlands and woods southwest of Springfield to the Running Water area. Would that be a good area to check? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks, Mark Otnes Fargo ND 701-241-4194 markotnes AT cableone.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Great-tailed Grackles and other treats From: "Peter Hill" <petermhill AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 15:48:14 -0000 Today dawned gorgeous here in Oglala after some January-style weather yesterday. The drained dam is all mudflats and has great potential, but there just wasn't much around today. Instead, I decided to check out the two wastewater impoundments near the spillway. So THAT'S where all of the waterfowl has been hanging out all of this time. The two ponds were just swarming with ducks, coots, phalaropes, and the like. Dicky birding in the thickets along the nearby creek yielded some finds too. Highlights included: White-faced Ibis - 2 (FOY) Ruddy Duck - numerous Semipalmated Plover - 1 Red-necked Phalarope - 13 Black Tern - 1 (FOY) Warbling Vireo - 2 (FOY) Black-headed Grosbeak - 1 (FOY) Great-tailed Grackle - 2 Those were first state GTGs for me - what a bizarre bird! One interesting thing I noticed observed was that the phalaropes were species-segregated by lake. The first impoundment had a feeding flock of about 100 Wilson's Phalaropes. No Wilson's at all in the second impoundment, but instead a baker's dozen R-n Phals poking merrily along in a tight group. And one thing I never realized until today has to do with Wood Ducks and their range. Sibley shows them as essentially absent from western SD, but they are quite common out here. Do other West River folks see them pretty often? Off to Kyle today - I'll be sure to check out the dam. Hopefully it's as hopping as it was last weekend! Peter Hill Oglala Shannon County Subject: Yankton birding From: "Roger Dietrich" <rogerd AT iw.net> Date: Sat, 10 May 2008 23:55:10 -0500 Yankton birding Saturday 5/10/08 I got out for a couple of hours this morning. Lake Yankton: Blue-winged Teal, Mallard, Wood Duck, Northern Shoveler, American Coot, Common Loon x 3(1 alt plumage), Ruddy Duck, Horned Grebe, Red-breasted Merganser x 1 female, Franklin's Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Belted Kingfisher, Yellow-rumped Warbler x 50+, Yellow Warbler x 20+, Louisiana Waterthrush x 3 (first time I have seen them in lake area), Common Yellowthroat x 1 female, Chipping Sparrow, Harrris's Sparrow, Brown-headed Cowbird, Red-winged Blackbird, Barn Swallow, Tree Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Cliff Swallow, Northern Flicker, Killdeer, Semipalmated Sandpiper Marina Dike: Only four birds: Franklin's Gull, American Coot, Caspian Tern, Forster's Tern and the Terns posed nicely for pictures side-by-side so you could see how big the Caspian is. Gavins Point: Harris's Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, American Robin, Brown-headed Cowbird, Red-winged Blackbird, Blue-winged Teal, Black and White Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, Red-bellied Woodpecker Roger Dietrich Yankton, South Dakota Email rogerd AT iw.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: New orioles From: "mick" <zerrm AT sio.midco.net> Date: Sat, 10 May 2008 23:32:39 -0500 A few hours of pre-rain birding at the Outdoor Campus, with the great company of SFBC folks, gave some of us a life bird, a Black-throated Green Warbler and FOY Red-headed Woodpecker. Upon arriving home after a few hours of dodging raindrops at Leif Ericson Camp, the feeders had three new arrivals to join the four Baltimore Orioles in downing oranges and grape jelly. Two FOY Orchard Orioles, one mature male and a first year male, and a Swainson's Thrush. The Swainson's was foraging with the Ovenbird, while the Orioles were chasing each other away from the goodies. White-throated and Lincoln's Sparrows are still around. Oriole photos: http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u210/zerrmick/Orchardoriolefirstyear2.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u210/zerrmick/Orchardoriole1-1.jpg Mick SFBC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Well, that was a first... From: "Peter Hill" <petermhill AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 03:17:04 -0000 Standing in a down jacket, wearing gloves and a hat, shivering in horizontally-blowing snow, and looking at my FOY Orchard Oriole... Sort of like watching a flock of Snow Buntings while wearing sunscreen and flip-flops... Peter Hill Oglala Subject: WRMC and Whitewood Report From: "Vic/Donna Fondy" <treasurecreek AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 10 May 2008 20:10:37 -0600 We birded the Eastern half of Butte County on Friday 5/9 as part of the West River Migration Count. Weather pretty good and 72 species for the day. Highlights included 6 Western and 1 Clark's Grebes, 5 Burrowing Owls, Greater Yellowlegs-American Avocets-Upland Sandpiper-LB Curlew-SemiPalmated Sandpiper-Long billed Dowitchers, Common Terns, and 1 Least Flycatcher. Newell Lake was flowing over the spillway for the first time in many years and area ponds were full. Quite a good day. We had planned on birding Western Butte County today, but woke up to 3 inches of new snow and poor visibility, so we stayed at our home South of Whitewood and counted feeder birds for Lawrence County. Storms always bring in the birds and at one time we had 45 Juncos and 25 American Goldfinches plus all of the other assorted birds at the feeders. For the day we had 25 species at the feeders including FOY Field Sparrow and Clay-colored Sparrow, and our second Lazuli Bunting. Weather cleared in the PM and on our walk to town we had a FOY pair of Eastern Bluebirds. Vic/Donna Fondy 605-269-2553 Subject: Re: Sioux Falls Bird Club trip report From: douglas chapman <foodrev AT sio.midco.net> Date: Sat, 10 May 2008 17:49:00 -0500 Three of us decided to continue on. Rain? What rain? We headed to Vermillion to try for the Prothonotary Warbler that Dave Swanson reported. We had no better luck than the Smalls reported earlier. In fact, Cotton Park was pretty quiet, but we has 2 close Broad winged Hawk in Union Grove SP (also otherwise quiet) and a Gray Partridge running in a ditch. A few shorebirds and coot. But a nice ride in the rain (and a walk in the rain at Coon Park) never hurt anyone and is good for cementing friendships. Doug Chapman Sioux Falls, SD On May 10, 2008, at 4:22 PM, Mark Schmidtbauer wrote: > Birders, > > The Sioux Falls Bird Club met this morning for a Field trip to look > for warblers and other woodland birds. We decided not to go to > Newton Hills State Park this morning and instead birded the Outdoor > Campus to take advantage of the hour or so of rain free weather. We > had good luck finding some warblers with eleven species seen, > including a Black-Throated Green Warbler. Below is the list of > Species seen. > > Mark Schmidtbauer > Sioux Falls Bird Club > > Great Egret > Canada Goose > Mallard > Mourning Dove > Red-Headed Woodpecker > Northern Flicker > Eastern Wood-Pewee > Eastern Phoebe > Blue-Headed Vireo > American Crow > Tree Swallow > White-Breasted Nuthatch > House Wren > Ruby-Crowned Kinglet > Swainsons Thrush > American Robin > Gray Catbird > Tennessee Warbler > Orange-crowned Warbler > Nashville Warbler > Yellow Warbler > Yellow-Rumped Warbler > Black-Throated Green Warbler > Blackpoll Warbler > Black-and-White Warbler > Northern Waterthrush > Common Yellowthroat > Wilson's Warbler > Chipping Sparrow > Lincoln's Sparrow > White-Crowned Sparrow > Harris's Sparrow > Red-Winged Blackbird > Brown-Headed Cowbird > American Goldfinch > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Sioux Falls Bird Club trip report From: "Mark Schmidtbauer" <mschmidtbauer AT netscape.net> Date: Sat, 10 May 2008 21:22:18 -0000 Birders, The Sioux Falls Bird Club met this morning for a Field trip to look for warblers and other woodland birds. We decided not to go to Newton Hills State Park this morning and instead birded the Outdoor Campus to take advantage of the hour or so of rain free weather. We had good luck finding some warblers with eleven species seen, including a Black-Throated Green Warbler. Below is the list of Species seen. Mark Schmidtbauer Sioux Falls Bird Club Great Egret Canada Goose Mallard Mourning Dove Red-Headed Woodpecker Northern Flicker Eastern Wood-Pewee Eastern Phoebe Blue-Headed Vireo American Crow Tree Swallow White-Breasted Nuthatch House Wren Ruby-Crowned Kinglet Swainsons Thrush American Robin Gray Catbird Tennessee Warbler Orange-crowned Warbler Nashville Warbler Yellow Warbler Yellow-Rumped Warbler Black-Throated Green Warbler Blackpoll Warbler Black-and-White Warbler Northern Waterthrush Common Yellowthroat Wilson's Warbler Chipping Sparrow Lincoln's Sparrow White-Crowned Sparrow Harris's Sparrow Red-Winged Blackbird Brown-Headed Cowbird American Goldfinch Subject: Vermillion area birds From: "Gary and Jan Small" <gjsmall AT cedarwb.net> Date: Sat, 10 May 2008 14:28:29 -0500 We spent the day yesterday (May 9th) birding around the Vermillion area with Keith Miskimins. We saw 98 total species but had trouble finding shorebirds. Some of the highlights were: Union Grove State Park: blackburnian warbler, black-throated green warbler, many black-and-white warblers, bluegray gnatcatcher Cotton Park: magnolia warbler, blue-headed vireo, swamp sparrow, ovenbird. We looked for Dave Swanson's prothonotary warbler but were unable to find it. Greenfield Road pond: northern waterthrush, blackpoll warbler, red-breasted merganser (female), palm warbler Gary and Jan Small Vermillion [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: FOY From: Kim Kuper <roddyhunt AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 10 May 2008 11:33:44 -0700 (PDT) Good Soggy Morning!! The rose breasted grosbeaks showed up at my feeders on friday (9th) and the Ruby throated hummingbirds arrived today.  Finally after months and months of waiting, they show up on a cool and rainy day.  Poor birds, they all looked cold and wet!! Feeders located in White, SD Kim ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Ovenbird Sioux Falls From: Mike Keppen <mkeppen AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 10 May 2008 10:38:21 -0700 (PDT) First ovenbird as yard bird: Noon, 5/10 Mike Keppen ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ Subject: White-eyed Vireo From: "Doug Backlund" <dougback AT pie.midco.net> Date: Sat, 10 May 2008 11:47:28 -0500 We had a White-eyed Vireo on the Echo Point road this morning. It was seen from the road, just before the first parking area in the big cottonwoods. For those not familiar with Echo Point, go out of Fort Pierre on Hwy. 1806 north (about two miles) to the Missouri River Fisheries Center and take the gravel road to the right. Go down that road until you come to the big cottonwoods by the river. Doug Backlund Pierre, S.D. Subject: Hello from Vale From: "geetoe6570" <geetoe65 AT agristar.net> Date: Sat, 10 May 2008 01:50:53 -0000 Hi I just thought I'd share some of the birds at our feeder this past week or so: Lazuli Bunting, White Crowned sparrows (lots) Rose Breasted grosbeak, Spotted Tohees, Redwinged Blackbirds, Grackles, House sparrows, some sparrow-like birds I can't identify, and in the pond, a flock of Double Crested Cormorants and a pair of Great Blue Herons, and the usual Canada Geese and Mallards. Chris Subject: Rapid creek warblers galore From: cbstafford <turkeyfeathrs AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 18:53:49 -0700 (PDT) Walked along the bank of Rapid Creek this afternoon from bridge on Canyon Lake Drive (by sundial and herb garden)upstream about 100 yards...it was windy and trying to rain and I was in shirtsleeves. The streamside bushes and trees were loaded with yellow rumped, orange-crowned warblers, 6 common yellowthroats, 1 northern waterthrush, flock of 20+ white crowned sparrows, similar sized group of lark sparrows, 3 robins, several chipping sparrows, 1 song sparrow, pair of chickadees, 2 rs flickers, house finches, Lincoln's sparrow and several others too far to pick up field marks. All the yellow-rumps that I saw were myrtle variety, as they were yesterday farther upstream. There was one flycatcher, it looked like a least, but was making a buzzier sound than the usual "Che-bek" I recognize. Its song was more like the recordings I can find of a willow flycatcher, and eye ring was not as distinct. Opinions anyone? Maybe just list it as one of the empids. Had it not been windy and spitting rain, I would have searched farther. Not bad for about 20 minutes. Caroline Stafford ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ Subject: feeder cams From: "mick" <zerrm AT sio.midco.net> Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 20:26:49 -0500 If you are new to the listserve, the live cams are at the feeder complex two blocks west of Leif Ericson camp in Sioux Falls, at National Wildlife Federation Backyard Wildlife Habitat #20922. Two cameras run live from 6:30 to dark on most days, and capture images every 5 minutes to the gallery, so one can check if anything was around during the whole day. Cameras can be accessed at: http://96.2.100.137:8080/ or http://www.leifericson.org/sfbc/id24.html Mick SFBC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: feeder update From: "mick" <zerrm AT sio.midco.net> Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 20:08:31 -0500 After 5 PM feeder report: Rain today, but The Oriole count at the feeders is now four. Two adult males, two first year males, and a female. One of the young males ate so much orange that he took a 15 minute catnap (whoops!) a birdnap right on the spot. A bit dangerous in Hawk country. See him at: http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u210/zerrmick/sleepingbeauty.jpg The Harris' Sparrow is still around, as well as the female RB Nuthatch. Woodpeckers include Downy, Hairy, and an female Red-bellied. The Cattle egrets (I only saw one on the way home) are still on the clover-leaf wet grass near Cliff Ave. Nursery and Leif Ericson (the east side of I229). That makes almost a week in that location or across the road to the west in the Yeager road ditch. As I write this, one of the Oriole males is eating three feet from me. He has been eating suet and orange,but prefers the grape jelly. I am setting camera #1 to shoot at that feeder until the Orioles move on. A quick video at: http://s169.photobucket.com/albums/u210/zerrmick/?action=view¤t=MOV01593.flv Mick SFBC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Hummingbird From: Nancy Dunn <dunn3 AT svtv.com> Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 20:02:10 -0500 Moody County, 10 miles east of Dell Rapids Ruby-throated hummingbird, male spotted at the feeder tonight. Subject: Prothonotary Warbler at Cotton Park in Vermillion From: "Swanson, David" <David.Swanson AT usd.edu> Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 17:08:30 -0500 This afternoon from about 4-4:30 pm I found a male Prothonotary Warbler at Cotton Park in Vermillion. For those of you not familiar with Cotton Park, to get there take Dakota Street south, down the hill, and Cotton Park will be on your right shortly after the railroad tracks. The Prothonotary was pretty far down the cement walking path, near where the path curves north away from the river toward the residential area. I saw the warbler in the areabetween the last bench and this curve (about 30 yards total distance). It was singing very irregularly. Dave David Swanson Department of Biology University of South Dakota Vermillion, SD 57069 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Grassland bird tour, Bristol, SD From: <Silka.Kempema AT state.sd.us> Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 10:24:26 -0500 The 2008, SD Grassland Coalition sponsored grassland bird tour will be held at the Darwin Peckham ranch in Day County. For more information on the tour and registration see http://sdgrass.org/Bird%20Tour/2008%20Bird%20Tour%20Brochure%20(FINAL).p df. More information on the Coalition and last year's tour near Rapid City see http://sdgrass.org/ Silka L. F. Kempema Terrestrial Wildlife Biologist SD Dept.of Game, Fish and Parks Wildlife Diversity/Environmental Review Programs 523 East Capital Ave P: 605-773-2742 Pierre, SD 57501 F: 605-773-6245 http://www.sdgfp.info/Wildlife/Diversity/index.htm [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Rapid City /yellow rumped warblers From: cbstafford <turkeyfeathrs AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 20:01:47 -0700 (PDT) Still many yellow-rumped warblers in the Canyon Lake area below the dam in the riparian habitat. All the ones I got binoculars on today were myrtle variety. I couldn't find the northern parula, it was raining lightly at that time. Also several of same yr with a couple of orange-crowned and a chickadee pair foraging in flowering crabapple north side at Lincoln Academy, base of Dinosaur Hill. Caroline Stafford ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ Subject: Wednesday Diversity From: "mick" <zerrm AT sio.midco.net> Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 21:28:37 -0500 Sioux Falls on Wednesday afternoon: Four days in a row the pair of Cattle Egrets have been in the grass areas by Yeager Road and the 229 26th street ramps. Arriving home today at 5:00, the yard was filled with feathered beauties. FOY - three male (1 first year) Baltimore Orioles FOY- (for the feeders) Harris' Sparrow Chipping and House Sparrows, Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers, Goldfinch, Housefinch, Starlings, Grackles, RC Kinglet, Robins. M. Doves, Pair of Blue Jays feeding each other, Y Rumped Warbler, Warbler species with yellow breast, 4 Mallards, Rose Breasted Grosbeak, Cardinals, and Chickadees. Photos: http://www.rockyou.com/show_my_gallery.php?source=ppsl&instanceid=112181913 Video of RB Grosbeak http://s169.photobucket.com/albums/u210/zerrmick/?action=view¤t=MOV01489.flv Video of Orioles: http://s169.photobucket.com/albums/u210/zerrmick/?action=view¤t=MOV01474.flv Mick SFBC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Prairie Warbler From: Jim McLaird <jimmclaird AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 19:23:57 -0700 (PDT) About 6:00 this evening (Sept. 7), I saw a Prairie Warbler along Sergeant Creek just down from Horse Trail Camp in Newton Hills State Park. As I was not among those who saw it last year, it was a new lifer for me. Once again, I had to scramble for my field guide. I know there was some speculation (perhaps hope is a better word) that it might return this year. In fact, it has! Jim McLaird Mitchell, S.D. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ Subject: BUTTE CTY.: Lark Bunting, Eastern Kingbird From: "Jocelyn Baker" <osprey AT hills.net> Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 16:19:01 -0600 Lark Bunting and Eastern Kingbird were observed this morning (May 7) at Belle Fourche Reservoir. I looked for the Eurasian Wigeon observed by the Fondy's at the St. Onge Pond yesterday but was unable to find it. Jocelyn Lee Baker, Rapid City. Subject: Lark Bunting early dates From: "m. melius" <mmelius AT earthlink.net> Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 12:28:57 -0600 (GMT-06:00) I'd just come inside, was checking phone msgs and staring somewhat blankly out the window at a spot in my garden when the first Lark Bunting flew into that spot. Should I feel charmed? They are garden birds in the summer here. Some recent first dates from my place in NE Custer County: 5/7/98 5/5/00 5/8/03 5/5/04 5/7/05 5/7/06 5/10/07 5/7/08 And I distinctly remember May 7, 1982, my first year here. The spring had been quite dry. A mellow thunderstorm gave us a nice shower and a lavender sunrise, during which the first Lark Bunting called from the fenceline. Then it didn't stop raining until October, 33 inches later. Michael Melius Subject: Snowmelt! From: "m. melius" <mmelius AT earthlink.net> Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 07:50:56 -0600 (GMT-06:00) The prairies in western SD are blue again, with flowing & standing water from the snowmelt. At least they are here SE of Rapid City, which was not the hardest hit area. There should be even more run-off in areas north of here, and still time to pull in some migrating shorebirds. I was away during the storm, but it looks like the upland prairie soils didn't gain much moisture. Apparently there wasn't much rain, then when the snow came it was sideways, and with the prairies in long drought, there wasn't much vegetation to catch snow. This was a storm for the streams and stock dams. Michael Melius NE Custer Co. Subject: Western tanager Meade county From: "Anna K. Ball" <magpie AT rap.midco.net> Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 05:51:58 -0600 Lovely male western tanager yesterday in the water-FILLED Little Elk Creek Canyon near Piedmont. --anna [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Pennington Co./ arrivals From: cbstafford <turkeyfeathrs AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 6 May 2008 21:10:23 -0700 (PDT) House wren arrived this morning, same day as last year and 2005. Also had male yellow warbler foraging in chokecherry bushes in back yard early as well. Oddly marked male hairy woodpecker at birdbath. He was around last year, back of the head red blaze is not a solid strip of red in the white. There is a solid vertical black line that the divides the red into a small red patch on either side of it. Resembles a division sign turned 90 degrees. Caroline Stafford ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ