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Purpose: The Sioux Falls Bird Club is an organization founded to promote the enjoyment, study, and conservation of wild birds in The Sioux Falls region.

To see a Power-point of Sioux Falls area birding, click below the photo.
It is a large file, so it will take a minute to load.

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Click here for Sioux Falls Area Birding Power-Point

General area covered by the
 Sioux Falls Bird Club

Click on map to enlarge
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Below is a short video of the SFBC members' trip to the Black Hills on 10-24-08

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher at Brookings
10-19-08





July 20 trip to Native Prairies north of Sioux Falls found 77 species of birds and 8 species of butterflies. Best look ever at a Sora.



Spring 2008 SDOU meeting and field trips
Pickstown SD



May 11 field trip to Outdoor Campus and west

April 19 Field Trip West of Sioux Falls


Photos from 4-5-08 Field Trip
N and W of Sioux Falls


April 5, 2008 Unscheduled outing North and West of Sioux Falls
 

Species List 4-5-08 North and West of Sioux Falls

Goose, Greater White Front- 30
Goose, Canada -
Goose, Snow- Hundreds
Duck, Wood-9
Duck, Mallard
Duck, N. Pintail-4
Duck, Blue-winged Teal- 20
Duck, N. Shoveler- hundreds
Duck, Gadwall-50
Duck, Canvasback- 8
Duck, Redhead- 100
Duck, Lesser Scaup- hundreds
Duck, Common Goldeneye- 6
Duck, Bufflehead- 50
Duck, C. Merganser- 20
Duck, Ruddy- 30
Duck, Ring-necked- Hundreds
Turkey Vulture
N. Harrier
N. Goshawk
Red-tailed Hawk- 25
A. Kestrel- 15
RN-Pheasant-30
Wild Turkey -4
A. Coot-30
Killdeer-30
Greater Yellowlegs
Franklin's Gull- 6
Bonaparte's Gull-12
Ring-billed Gull-Hundreds
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Belted Kingfisher-1
Downy Woodpecker
N. Flicker
E. Phoebe
A. Crow
BC Chickadee
E. Bluebird
A. Robin
E. Starling
A. Tree Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow-1
Harris' Sparrow
DE Junco
RW Blackbird
W. Meadowlark
Yellow-headed Blackbird-3
C Grackle
Purple Finch
House Finch
A. Goldfinch
H. Sparrow
A.White Pelican-20
DC Cormorant-4

March 22 unscheduled outing to Wetlands west of Sioux Falls
Species list:
Great Blue Heron
Greater White-fronted Goose
Snow Goose
Ross's Goose
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Northern Pintail
Canvasack
Redhead
Ring-Necked Duck
Lesser Scaup
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Hooded Merganser
Ruddy Duck
~10 Red-tailed Hawk
~10 American Kestrel
American Coot
Killdeer
Franklin's Gull
Ring-Billed Gull
Belted Kingfisher
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Shrike
Blue Jay
American Crow
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
American Tree Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-Wing Blackbird
Western Meadowlark

March 15, 2008 Field Trip from Hurley to Yankton.
One of the best species counts for our club. A total of 58. Highlights include:
  • 40+ Bald Eagles )14 in the SF area
  • Great -tailed Grackle at Hurley
  • Kestrel eating (see slide show
  • Greater Scaup at Yankton fish hatchery
  • First E. Bluebirds and YH blackbird of year
  • Early Loggerhead Shrike
  • Hundreds of thousands of geese
 


Counter for March 15 trip slides

November 10 Field Trip to search for Long-eared Owls

click here to play short owl video

For super quality photos of the owls, go toTerry Sohl's bird site at http://sdakotabirds.com/species_photos/long_eared_owl_4.htm

Species List for  Nov.10 2007 Trip
Ring-necked Pheasant
Great Horned Owl
Long-eared Owl
Belted Kingfisher(heard)
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Blue Jay
Black-capped Chickadee
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Golden Crowned Kinglet
American Robin(heard)
Cedar Waxwing
Northern Cardinal
American Tree Sparrow
Harris Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Purple Finch
American Goldfinch
Canada Goose
Mallard
Northern Schoveler
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk

October 13 Scheduled Field Trip
49 species-- Bird of the day - Merlin

Sept. 15 field trip: The search for the rare Swallow-tailed Kite

Swallow-tailed kite hunting

Swallow-tailed Kite resting.

Dewey Gevik and Grass Lake 8-25-07

Field Trip, August 18, 2007. Cloudy and raining.

Hit counter restarted 8-18-07
For a total of all dates go to the bottom of the home page.
 

Birding run to west Minnehaha marshes
on 7-21-07

Sioux Falls Bird Club July 14 field trip
to Newton Hills State Park and
Makoce Washte Native Prairie

June 16th trip to the "Schmidtbauer Preserve"

June 9th scheduled field trip. This trip had a target bird of the rare Prairie Warbler at Newton Hills. Along with the beautiful warbler, we visually observed the following 57 species.
  1. TURKEY VULTURE
  2. CANADA GOOSE
  3. WOOD DUCK WITH DUCKLINGS
  4. BLUE-WINGED TEAL
  5. MALLARD
  6. COOPER'S HAWK
  7. RED-TAILED HAWK
  8. RN PHEASANT
  9. WILD TURKEY
  10. KILLDEER
  11. ROCK PIGEON
  12. MOURNING DOVE
  13. EC DOVE
  14. GH OWL
  15. C SWIFT
  16. RT HUMMING BIRD MALES AND FEMALE
  17. RED HEADED WOODPECKER
  18. N FLICKER
  19. RED BELLIED WOODPECKER
  20. YB SAPSUCKER
  21. E WOOD PEEWEE
  22. E PHOEBE
  23. GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER
  24. EASTERN KINGBIRD
  25. RED-EYED VIREO
  26. BLUE JAY
  27. CROW
  28. HORNED LARK
  29. TREE SWALLOW
  30. BARN SWALLOW
  31. BC CHICKADEE
  32. SEDGE WREN
  33. HOUSE WREN
  34. BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER
  35. EASTERN BLUEBIRD
  36. A. ROBIN
  37. GRAY CATBIRD
  38. E.STARLING
  39. CEDAR WAXWING
  40. PRAIRIE WARBLER
  41. YELLOW WARBLER
  42. BLUE WINGED WARBLER (SEEN LATER IN THE DAY)
  43. KENTUCKY WARBLER (SEEN LATER IN THE DAY)
  44. A. REDSTART
  45. EASTERN TOWEE
  46. FIELD SPARROW
  47. CHIPPING SPARROW
  48. HOUSE SPARROW
  49. RB GROSBEAK
  50. INDIGO BUNTING
  51. BOBOLINK
  52. RW BLACKBIRD
  53. W. MEADOWLARK
  54. C. GRACKLE.
  55. COWBIRD
  56. BALTIMORE ORIOLE
  57. A. GOLDFINCH

 

 

May 12 field trip to Newton Hills State Park and Worthing wetlands with 12 birders, found over 70 species. Trip photos are above.

Species include:    Wood Duck, Broad-winged Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Coot, Mallard, Canada Goose, BW Teal, Sora, Greater Yellowlegs, White-rumped, Baird's and Semipalmated Sandpiper, at least 5 Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Red-headed, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Least Flycatcher, Great Crested Flycatcher, Philadelphia Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Marsh Wren, Eastern Bluebird, Swainson's Thrush, Wood Thrush, a flock of Cedar Waxwing, Tennessee  Nashville Yellow, Yellow rumped, Mourning; A Redstart, Ovenbird, Northern Waterthrush, C Yellowthroat, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, M. Dove, Scarlet Tanager, E Towhee; Field, Vesper, Song, and Swamp Sparrow; Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Bobolink, RW, and Yellow-  headed Blackbird and Baltimore Oriole.

April 14 field trip to wetlands North and West of Sioux Falls. Members present 12.
Species List:
  1. Pied-biled Grebe
  2. Double Crested Cormorant
  3. Great Blue Heron
  4. Snow and Blue Goose
  5. Canada Goose
  6. Wood Duck
  7. Gadwall
  8. Mallard
  9. Blue-winged Teal
  10. Northern Shoveler
  11. Canvasback
  12. Redhead
  13. Ring-necked Duck
  14. Lesser Scaup
  15. Bufflehead
  16. Common Goldeneye
  17. Red-breasted Merganser
  18. Ruddy Duck
  19. Northern Harrier
  20. Red-tailed Hawk
  21. American Kestrel
  22. Ring-necked Pheasant
  23. American Coot
  24. Killdeer
  25. Greater Yellowlegs
  26. Lesser Yellowlegs
  27. Franklin's Gull
  28. Ring-billed Gull
  29. Rock Pigeon
  30. Mourning Dove
  31. Great Horned Owl (adult and fledge)
  32. Downy Woodpcker
  33. Hairy Woodpecker
  34. Yellow-shafted Flicker
  35. Blue Jay
  36. American Crow
  37. Horned Lark
  38. Tree Swallow
  39. American Robin (plus an albino)
  40. European Starling
  41. American Pipit
  42. American Tree Sparow
  43. Song Sparrow
  44. Dark-eyed Junco
  45. Red-winged Blackbird
  46. Weastern Meadowlark
  47. Common Grackle
  48. Brown-headed Cowbird
  49. House Sparrow

On the way home

A. Goldfinch, House Finch, BC Chickadee

 

Christmas Bird Count 2006

Sioux Falls area birders had a very enjoyable day surveying birds for the 58th Sioux Falls Christmas Bird Count. Mild temperatures and low wind made for almost perfect weather. Everyone was eager to walk, and the count logged more miles walking than any count in memory. Many noteworthy observations were made. Both a Sioux Falls Count record for species and individuals were recorded at (52) and (14,703) respectively. A first for the count: Bufflehead (1). Record high numbers for Snow Goose (12), Canada Goose (7035), Ring-necked Duck (15), American Kestrel (16) and Red-bellied Woodpecker (22) were recorded. A Pied-billed Grebe was observed for only the second time and Ring-necked Duck and Carolina Wren were recorded for only the 3rd time. Of note also would be the absence of Horned Lark. Many thanks to all who helped make this count a success.



Robb S. 2006 CBC Compiler

FIELD TRIP SUMMARY FOR OCTOBER 7, 2006



SFBC members made a scheduled field trip to Beaver Creek Nature Area, where 35+ species were found, plus beautiful Fall scenery (see photos below). Species List:



Turkey Vulture, American Kestrel, Red-tailed Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, probable Cooper's hawk, Canada Goose, Mallard, Wood Duck, Mourning Dove, Red-bellied Woodpecker, N. YS Flicker, Downy Woodpecker, E. Phoebe, Blue Jay, Crow, BC Chickadee, possible winter Wren, RC Kinglet (many), E. Bluebirds, A. Robin (many), Yellow-rumped Warbler, possible Ovenbird, Field Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow,House Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, DE Junco, N. Cardinal, RW Blackbird, Starling, W. Meadowlark, House Finch, A. Goldfinch, and RN Pheasant.



Photos below from the trip can be clicked on for larger size.





On a very sad note, SFBC member and friend Jim McKenzie passed away on Thursday. Oct. 5. Jim was a dedicated birder and made many of our field trips more interesting and productive with his good eye and experience. We will miss Jim.



Mick

Field Trip Summary for September 16, 2006

58 species were seen: highlights were a very close out in the open 
Wilson's Snipe,several peep at the one mud flat we managed to find 
intact; many Vesper Sparrow; huge numbers of flocking blackbirds; 
good numbers of egrets and herons, including a Black-crowned Night-
heron; an adult Bald Eagle few immature Red-headed Woodpecker (no 
adults strangely); Franklin's Gulls in several stages of winter/
summer plumage and Sedge and Marsh Wrens.
Reported by President Doug Chapman
 

FIELD TRIP SUMMARY FOR AUGUST 18, Five membersof the Sioux Falls Bird Club went west and north of Sioux Falls 
today looking for shorebirds and whatever else might be found.
 
We found 69 species: few of which were shorebirds and with very small 
numbers of any single species except Killdeer. Best bird was at the site near 
Humboldt (Hwy. 38 and 258th St.): a single Buff-breasted Sandpiper among many 
Killdeer. It was a life bird for 3 and we had good long scope views of it.
 
Also seen: Dunlin (1), Killdeer (75), Baird's Sandpiper (1); Spotted & nbsp;
Sandpiper (1); Solitary Sandpiper (1); 2 or 3 Semipalmated Sandpiper and 2 or 3 
Pectoral Sandpiper.
 
Other highlights:  2 circling Swainson's Hawks in migration; several 
kingfisher at 3-4 locations; a raft of White Pelican (40) at Grass Lake; many  Great
Blue Heron and 2 Green Heron, plus 2 Black-crowned Night Heron.
 
There was also a mystery bird at Grass Lake. When it first flew over we 
thought it was a light colored Great Blue Heron. Goose-bellied and very large 
with rowing wingbeats. As we walked to the shore and saw it again, it was not so 
surely a heron.  It was pure white--Great Egret white--and had an orange 
(but not yellow or even yellow/orange) bill. It was most like a Great White 
Heron from The Florida keys--odd. Way too large for a normal Great Egret and 
shape and flight much different. We all concluded it was a mystery.
 
American Redstart, Grasshopper Sparrow; Purple Martin; and several 
Red-headed Woodpecker (4 ad.--5 juv.); Franklin's Gull.
 
We saw an early flock of c. 6 Pintail at Grass Lake and a very early 1st 
year Forster's Tern at Scott
Lake.

Searching Newton Hills
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Click for large photo

 
The Eurasian Collared Dove sighting from the birds' point of view.

Peopleing on 2-19-06

Dear fellow peoplers, it was cold today, but there was plenty of grain at the Corson feed lot. We were hoping for some birders to add to our life lists, since peopleing has been rather slow due to the weather, and of course, the constant danger from the Red-tailed ones who could care less about us Peoplers. 

We flew near every people’s car that came by, but none seemed interested in us. That is a slam, since we feel that we are a rare and unique group of flyers, at least in South Dakota.  I can’t wait till spring when many People Birders (PB’s) will be out, even though the competition with the non-residents, especially those fair weather peoplers, the Warblers, will be intense. 

We were about ready to give up when a silver car filled with people came by very slowly. We quickly checked our field guides, and discovered it was a Honda CRV, a common car for PB’s. If we would be lucky enough to have PB’s in it, it could be a life-PB for most of us, especially if it contained more than one PB.

One of our newer members asked how we could tell a PB from a human who has stopped for another reason, and we quickly opened our field guide and showed him the telltale trait. The Binoculars! But we reminded him that not all PB’s have the same behaviors, for some have Cameras (p. 32 in the guide), and people who stop and have GUNS, mean fast flying away for us.

Anyway, we were flying all around the silver car and finally it stopped, and lo and behold, PB’s stepped out. We were so thrilled we Cooed at them, and let them get a good look at us before flying away to tell others about our sighting.  (boy are those Rock Pigeons going to be jealous),

Our new member exclaimed, “I’m hooked, peopleing is fun, and a lot less dangerous than teasing hunters for thrills!”  I was really happy for him because it is really difficult to get younger birds interested in Peopleing.

 

From your Friendly Eurasian Collared Dove Peopleing Club

Missouri River Lookout at Adams Nature Preserve
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Common Merganser were seen in this part of the River

Male Red-breasted Nuthatch 12-30
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The 2005 Sioux Falls area Christmas Bird Count was held Saturday, 17 Dec. in 5 degree weather.

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Nasty anti-? sign.

www.flickr.com
This is a Flickr badge showing public photos from Sioux Falls. Make your own badge here.

click on the thumbnail for full size photo
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Snowing out 3-19

Thursday, Feb. 24 at the Outdoor Campus a Rehabilitated Golden Eagle was released. SFBC members witnessed the event.
We wish the majestic bird well.

Photo taken during the GBBC 2-21-05
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Discussing the mortality of Mankind.

Saturday, the eleventh, the SFBC went to Newton Hills looking for late Summer migrants. . The total list of species includes 46.

If you also appreciate butterflies, the field trip had around a dozen species seen, including the Great Spangled Fritillary. Some photos are below the bird photos.

 

Click here for a map.
Map of Newton Hills State Park 


Newton Hills offers many of nature's beautiful creatures.

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Oak Ridge GPA looking NE 5-22-04

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Pelican Island on Grass Lake

____________________________________________
 
Click on the seagull to go to the Big Sioux River site with photos of birds, animals, and scenes on the Big Sioux.

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Happy Birding!

For information on this website, contact webmaster at zerrmick@yahoo.com
Website Copyright 2005 Sioux Falls Bird Club

Background scene is Arrowhead Park looking SW

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