State of South Dakota

• Hell Canyon

  WebpageSatellite View
  Another site worth birding near Roby Canyon is Hell Canyon, accessed via a trail head at the western edge of Jewel Cave National Monument, about 16 miles west of Custer. Jewel Cave National Monument itself is pine forest and is generally unremarkable for birding, although the characteristic species of the pine forests in the Black Hills may be found here. The cave is interesting and beautiful, and the Visitor’s Center has a small bookstore with books about natural history of the area. One spot at Jewel Cave National Monument worth a quick stop (or a picnic lunch) is the picnic area at the western edge of the monument, just before you drop down the hill to the Hell Canyon trail head parking area. This spot has some nice living ponderosa pine interspersed within a burned area from the huge Jasper fire in 2000. The picnic area is a fairly reliable spot for Cassin’s Finch, which can be tough to find in the Black Hills. Lewis’s Woodpecker is also fairly regular here.Hell Canyon itself is a beautiful spot, certainly not living up to its moniker! It is lined by riparian vegetation along the canyon bottom along a small stream. There are also numerous exposed cliff faces looming over the canyon and adding to the scenic beauty of the canyon. The Jasper fire burned much of the pine forest around Hell Canyon, including the initial portion of the Hell Canyon Trail, but much of the deciduous forest in the canyon bottom escaped the fire, although the stream, which usually provided at least some running water, is now sometimes dry. The Hell Canyon Trail is a 5.5-mile loop that includes both canyon rim and bottom. Stick to the canyon bottom for the best birding, as the forest along the rim burned during the Jasper fire. A hike up this canyon is likely to produce birds of both pine forest and riparian habitats of the Black Hills, as well as species such as Canyon Wren and White-throated Swift that are associated with exposed cliff faces. Regular nesting species include Sharp-shinned and Cooper’s hawks, Red-naped Sapsucker, Western Wood-Pewee, Dusky and Cordilleran flycatchers, Plumbeous, Warbling, and Red-eyed vireos, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Violet-green Swallow, Townsend’s Solitaire, American Redstart, Ovenbird, Audubon’s and MacGillivray’s warblers, Western Tanager, White-winged Junco, and Red Crossbill. Clark’s Nutcracker, a difficult species in South Dakota, also occurs along the canyon with some regularity and Pygmy Nuthatches are also regular visitors. Hell Canyon can also be a good area for migrants. Broad-tailed Hummingbirds, which were formerly only a casual migrant in the Black Hills, are now regular summer residents. This canyon is an excellent spot to look for vagrants during migration, and such rarities as Hammond’s Flycatcher, Carolina Wren, and Blue-winged and Townsend’s warblers have been observed here. Watch out for Wood Ticks, which can be abundant in late spring-early summer. The ticks and the locally abundant poison ivy represent the only features of Hell Canyon that I know of worthy of its name.

• Newton Hills State Park

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  This state park is about 25 miles southeast of Sioux Falls, South Dakota’s largest city (population 150,000), so it is a heavily used park. It lies 6 miles south of Canton (population 3,000) and is bordered by the Big Sioux River on the east. The park consists of 1,064 acres of mostly eastern deciduous forest, although some open shrubby woodlands and small grassland areas also occur, and Lake Lakota, a small reservoir on Pattee Creek, provides some open water habitat. There are over 7 miles of hiking trails in the park and it is also a popular location for horseback riding, with a number of trails maintained as multi-use trails for horseback riding, mountain biking and hiking and a horse camp located in the park. Other park activities include cross-country skiing in the winter and a regionally famous bluegrass/folk music festival during the first weekend in August. The park is located at the southern end of the Coteau des Prairies upland thrust and is typified by rugged hills extended westward from the Big Sioux River at the eastern border of the park. These rugged hills formed as glacial moraines and are covered by eastern deciduous forest, one of the few outcrops of this habitat type in southeastern South Dakota. Because the park and adjacent public areas contain both upland and riparian habitat elements, this may be the most diverse area of eastern deciduous forest in this part of the state. Riparian vegetation along the Big Sioux River is dominated by cottonwood, elms, green ash, maple, and box elder. Upland vegetation includes basswood, ironwood, bur oak, black walnut, hackberry, buckeye, birch, elms, chokecherry, northern catalpa, and green ash. Some open woodland with grassy areas and sumac also occurs in the park, particularly along Sargeant Creek. In addition, many of the hilltops and ridges are crowned by tallgrass prairie, although trees are encroaching on some of these sites.Because expansive deciduous forest habitats like this are rare in eastern South Dakota, this park is very good for woodland birds in general. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher is a rare nesting species in the southeastern part of the state, but they regularly nest here. Cerulean Warbler also formerly nested here, the only documented nesting location in the state, but they have not nested since the late 1990s, consistent with a range-wide population decline. Overall, there are four regularly nesting species of warblers: Yellow Warbler, American Redstart, Ovenbird, and Common Yellowthroat. There are also a number of species with breeding ranges in the state restricted primarily to southeastern or eastern South Dakota that can be found nesting within the park. Southeastern species include Whip-poor-will, Wood Thrush, and Northern Cardinal. Eastern species include American Woodcock, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Yellow-throated Vireo, Scarlet Tanager, and Eastern Towhee. Both Yellow-billed and Black-billed cuckoos also nest within the park. In addition to the unique combination of breeding woodland species, Newton Hills is one of the best spots in the state for migrating woodland birds. On a good day during spring migration, upwards of 20 species of warblers are possible, in addition to several species of flycatchers, vireos, thrushes, and sparrows. Migrating woodland hawks, such as Broad-winged, Sharp-shinned, and Cooper’s (also nests) are also regular. Red-shouldered Hawks have been recorded here during migration on more than one occasion. Barred Owls are occasionally, and in some years regularly, observed within the park. Several casual or accidental woodland songbirds have also been documented within the park during migratory periods.

• Oahe Dam

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  A few miles upstream from Pierre (pronounce peer), the state capital (population 15,000), on the Missouri River is Oahe dam. This dam serves flood control and power production purposes and backs up huge Lake Oahe. Bordering either side of Lake Oahe, although not always particularly close to the lake, are Highways 1804 on the east and 1806 on the west. These highways form part of the current Lewis and Clark highway trail and are named according to the dates of the upstream journey in 1804 and downstream return journey in 1806. Numerous access points to the lake can be reached from these two highways. Downstream from Oahe dam are a couple of wooded islands that are vegetated by the deciduous gallery forest that occupied much of the Missouri River floodplain before the dams. LaFramboise Island Natural Area is within the city limits of Pierre and Farm Island Recreation Area is just downstream. Both areas provide nice walking trails through the wooded areas and access sites to the river. Oahe dam was completed in 1958 and forms Lake Oahe, which extends 372 miles upstream, all the way into North Dakota. This is also a deep lake and is famous for its excellent walleye fishing. The Missouri Breaks border the river and are especially pronounced on the western side. These hills form a rugged topography, with steep draws and ravines cut by streams running downward toward the river, and their crests extend to heights of more than 500 ft. above the Missouri river. They are generally vegetated with mixed-grass prairie, with prickly pear and yucca being rather common and indicating the general aridity of the area. The draws and ravines usually contain woody vegetation including plum, chokecherry, green ash, bur oak, and juniper (Eastern red cedar). Beyond the crests of the breaks, the land is a rather gently rolling mixed-grass prairie that has often been converted to pasture or farm rowcrops such as sunflower or wheat. The rowcrops are far more prevalent on the east side of the river than on the west. The deciduous gallery forest found on LaFromboise and Farm Islands is dominated by large cottonwoods, with other species such as green ash, dogwood, and cedar also present.Probably the major attraction of the Pierre area for birders is the area around Oahe dam, especially the tailrace area, and the sandbars in the Missouri River off of LaFramboise Island. These waters remain ice-free all winter and consequently harbor wintering waterfowl, gulls, and Bald Eagles. The stunned fish passing through the turbines are attractive to many birds, including loons, mergansers, Bald Eagles, Osprey, gulls, and terns. At least 16 species of gulls and 6 species of terns have been recorded here during winter or spring and fall migrations, including many rarities. The common species include Ring-billed (nests), Franklin’s, Bonaparte’s, California (nests rarely), and Herring (nests rarely) gulls and Forster’s, Common, and Black terns. Fall (September-December) is probably the best time for migrating gulls and terns, but winter and spring (April-May) can also be productive. Least Terns and Piping Plovers nest on islands and sandy shores in a number of places along the vast shoreline of Lake Oahe. The best strategy for seeing some of these birds is to ask local Game, Fish, and Parks personnel because nesting areas vary depending on water levels in the lake. Canada Geese are common on the lake and surrounding areas, especially some of the grain fields, and Pierre hosts many goose hunters in the fall. Snow Geese and Greater White-fronted Geese are also common, and Ross’s Geese are sometimes mixed in with these flocks. The areas surrounding the river are also a good place to look for migrating Sandhill Cranes in April and October. Raptors are also attracted to the Missouri Breaks and hills and regular species include American Kestrel (summer), Prairie Falcon, Ferruginous Hawk, and Rough-legged Hawk (winter). Other interesting species inhabiting the prairies of the Missouri Breaks and hills are Sharp-tailed Grouse and Common Poorwill. In winter, Horned Larks (also a breeding species), Lapland Longspurs, Snow Buntings, and Common Redpolls (mostly near town) can be very common, especially along roadsides when there is snow cover. In some winters, a Hoary Redpoll or two may be mixed in with the Commons. Sprague’s Pipit may also show up during migration along roadside edges. In draws and ravines with extensive cedar Long-eared Owls nest and Northern Saw-whet Owls occur during migration, and the saw-whets sometimes overwinter. Black-billed Magpies are also regularly seen in these areas. Finally, the deciduous gallery forests of LaFramboise and Farm Islands are good for Neotropical woodland migrants during migration and support an interesting mix of eastern and western species during the breeding season. Included among nesting species of the gallery forest are Bell’s and Red-eyed vireos, Yellow-breasted Chat, Black-headed Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, and Baltimore and Orchard orioles.Barn Owls also nest in cavities in the cliffs along Lake Oahe. This is one of the few predictable locations in the state where this species can be found. Away from the dam area in the Missouri Breaks and hills are a number of marshy areas that can be good for migrating wading birds and Whooping Cranes have been observed in April and October on several occasions in the Pierre area. Gyrfalcon is rare but regular in winter (beginning about Thanksgiving) along the breaks, where it feeds on waterfowl until ice-up and Sharp-tailed Grouse thereafter. Driving along highways 1804 and 1806 bordering Lake Oahe is the best strategy for seeing winter Gyrfalcons. The gallery forests of LaFramboise and Farm Islands are often good for migrant and wintering songbirds and also host Northern Saw-whet Owls in winter.

• Roby Canyon

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  PDF

• Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge

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  This 21,500-acre refuge is located about 25 miles northeast of Aberdeen (population 25,000) and encompasses wetlands formed by two dams along the James River. The James River has the flattest gradient of any river in North America, so the river is a slow meandering stream. In the area of Sand Lake NWR, the river occupies the basin of glacial Lake Dakota, which was formed by a glacial moraine that dammed melt-water during the last glacial retreat about 10,000 years ago. At its maximum size, Lake Dakota was about 100 miles long by 30 miles wide. Since this area was part of the lake bottom, it tends to be very flat, which results in a lot of flooding and formation of natural wetlands, especially in spring. The dams on the refuge create two large lakes, Sand Lake to the south and Mud Lake to the north that comprise the bulk of the refuge. Sand Lake NWR has been classified as a wetland of international importance, and is a great place for waterfowl and other water birds, wading birds, and shorebirds, in addition to providing some opportunities for woodland and grassland birds. At appropriate water levels, the refuge is also home to the world’s largest breeding colony of Franklin’s Gulls. Hundreds of thousands of geese use the refuge as a migratory stopover site. The lakes provide considerable open water, but are lined by cattails, and in many areas cattails and open water are interspersed. At appropriate water levels, there are extensive mudflats, particularly on southern Sand Lake, and these can be absolutely fabulous for migrating shorebirds. Sand Lake is at its best during migration periods in March through May and September through November, but it also provides very productive birding throughout the breeding season, and sometimes attracts interesting winter birds as well.The dams creating the refuge were completed in 1939 and the lakes formed by these dams are about 16 miles long, but only about 3 miles wide. Just over half of the refuge is composed of wetlands formed by the dams and the wetlands provide and nice mix of cattail marsh, mudflat and open water, with some areas of dead flooded trees that serve periodically as rookeries for herons, egrets and ibis. About a third of the total refuge acreage is composed of grasslands, including some small patches of native prairie. Cropland and small, scattered woodlands make up the remainder of the refuge lands. Because of the shallow gradient of the James River, changes in precipitation can dramatically influence the size and extent of the wetlands, even with some control of water levels provided by the dams. Consequently, certain areas of the refuge can provide fantastic birding in some years, but are completely dry and less attractive to birds in other years. Similarly, breeding rookeries for wading birds move around with the changing water levels.Sand Lake is justifiably famous for its migratory concentrations of Snow Geese, with flocks of 250,000 or more birds in fall (October and early November) and upwards of 1 million birds in spring (late March to mid-April). Other waterfowl also use the refuge extensively during migration and breeding, including such rarities as Brant, Cinnamon Teal, American Black Duck, Long-tailed Duck, and scoters. In the mid-1990s the refuge hosted over 150,000 nesting pairs of Franklin’s Gulls, but the size and even the presence of colonies on the refuge is dependent on water levels; appropriate water levels provide the flooded marsh that these birds prefer for nesting. Sand Lake is also the best place in the state to observe Glossy Ibis, a recent and still rare addition to the state’s avifauna. Breeding colonies of other wading birds also occur on the refuge, including Great Blue Heron, Black-crowned Night-heron, Cattle, Snowy and Great egrets, and White-faced Ibis. Little Blue Heron is probably more common here than any other place in the state, and the rarer Tricolored Heron has bred on or near the refuge on several occasions. Sand Lake is also a great spot for finding breeding water birds in the state, including such species as Eared, Western and Clark’s grebes, Forster’s and Black terns, and the typical breeding pothole ducks. Bald Eagles nest on the refuge in small numbers, but are much more common when the waterfowl are migrating, sometimes occurring by the hundreds. Extensive cattail marshes host breeding American and Least bitterns, Marsh Wren, and Yellow-headed Blackbirds, and Common Gallinule has also nested on the refuge.Grassland areas host breeding Sedge Wrens and Clay-colored Sparrows, and migrating sparrows, including Le Conte’s, are sometimes fairly common. Woodlots on the refuge can attract numerous songbird migrants. Winter can be bleak at Sand Lake, but such winter attractions as Snowy Owl and Gyrfalcon sometimes occur in the area, and snowy roadsides often harbor Horned Lark, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur and Common Redpoll.

• Spearfish Canyon

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  State Highway 14A traverses Spearfish Canyon in the Black Hills for almost 20 miles, from just outside of the town of Spearfish (population about 9,000) to Cheyenne Crossing. This scenic highway passes through the winding limestone canyon cut by Spearfish Creek and has been designated a National Scenic Byway. The canyon itself is beautiful, with sheer cliffs, rimrock, waterfalls, and a sparkling stream with a nice riparian zone. The highway is heavily traveled, particularly in the summer months, so traffic noise can obscure some bird vocalizations, but the traffic doesn’t seem to bother the birds much. Spearfish Creek is a clear, fast, bubbling stream, and runs along the bottom of the canyon for most of the length of the Scenic Byway. At its lower end, for about 4 miles upstream from the town of Spearfish, the stream is diverted to provide water for the town and the streambed is usually dry. Spearfish Creek is bordered by a lush riparian deciduous growth that becomes mixed with white spruce above Savoy. The slopes of the canyon walls are cloaked with ponderosa pine and in the upper canyon, north facing slopes have significant patches of white spruce. Exposed limestone cliffs are prominent throughout the canyon, towering well over 100 feet above the canyon floor in many places. The side canyon of Little Spearfish Creek, branching off the main canyon at Savoy is also productive for birding and scenic, and was the site of the winter scenes from the film Dances with Wolves. Summer is the best time to bird Spearfish Canyon, but winter can also be productive for several winter species, such as Evening and Pine grosbeaks and Bohemian Waxwings that are either absent or difficult to find in South Dakota at other times of the year.Spearfish Creek is the best spot in South Dakota to find American Dipper, and several pairs nest at various locations along the creek. The Department of Game, Fish and Parks has erected nest boxes for dippers under many of the bridges crossing the creek and these nest boxes are readily used by the birds. They also nest behind Roughlock Falls on Little Spearfish Creek, and this particular spot has probably accounted for many state-first dippers for birders. The riparian vegetation along the creek is also attractive to numerous birds, including breeding Belted Kingfisher, Dusky and Cordilleran flycatchers, Red-eyed and Warbling vireos, Gray Catbird, Swainson’s Thrush, Veery, American Redstart, MacGillivray’s Warbler, Western Tanager, Spotted Towhee, Indigo and Lazuli buntings, and Black-headed Grosbeak. The riparian woodlands in the lower canyon can also be good for migrants, including warblers, during May. Incredibly, the riparian forest at the junction of Iron Creek with Spearfish Creek hosted an Orange-billed Nightingale Thrush in the summer of 2010, only the third record of this species for North America.The exposed cliffs attract cliff-nesting species and White-throated Swift, Cliff and Violet-green swallows, and Canyon Wrens are regular here. Turkey Vultures can usually be found soaring over the canyon in summer. Golden Eagle and Prairie Falcons occasionally can be found in the canyon as well. The pine covered slopes of the canyon harbor Western Wood-Pewee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Mountain Bluebird, Yellow-rumped (Audubon’s) Warbler, Dark-eyed (White-winged) Junco, Pine Siskin and Red Crossbill. In winter, Bohemian Waxwing and Evening and Pine (rare) grosbeaks wander widely and occur occasionally within the canyon. In the upper canyon, where white spruce occurs, birds associated with spruce, such as American Three-toed Woodpecker, Brown Creeper, Ruby and Golden-crowned kinglets, and Townsend’s Solitaire can be found, in addition to many of the pine forest species.

• David L Swanson

  University of South Dakota | david.swanson@usd.edu

• Number of bird species: 440

  (As at October 2024)

  State Bird: Ring-necked Pheasant Phasianus colchicus

• South Dakota Birds: A Folding Pocket Guide to Familiar Species

  | By James R Kavanagh & Raymond Leung | Waterford Press | 2003 | Unbound | 12 pages, colour illustrations | ISBN: 9781583552247 Buy this book from NHBS.com

• The Birds of South Dakota

  | By Dan Allen Tallman | South Dakota Ornithologists' Union | 3rd edition | 2002 | Hardcover | Out of Print | ISBN: 9780962865008 Buy this book from NHBS.com

• The South Dakota Breeding bird atlas.

  | By Richard A Peterson | South Dakota Ornithologists Union | 1995 | Spiralboubnd | 276 pages, Maps, tables | Out of Print | ISBN: 9781883120047 Buy this book from NHBS.com

• Wetland Birds of the Central Plains

  | South Dakota, Nebraska and Kansas | By Paul A Johnsgard | Zea Books | 2012 | Paperback | 278 pages, colour photos, maps | ISBN: 9781609620189 Buy this book from NHBS.com

• Farm Island & Fisherman Point

  Banding StationSatellite View
  GFP started a banding project in 1992 to document bird use of a representative site (Farm Island

• Goebel Ranch

  Banding StationSatellite View
  For nine years Ducks Unlimited has been banding ducks at the Goebel Ranch in South Dakota, and for 14 years at sites throughout North Dakota.

• Dakota State University

  Website
  Couldn't get enough of science classes in high school? A degree in Biology with an Integrative Biology specialization will give you the ability to explore a range of scientific disciplines from microbiology and bioinformatics to chemistry, ecology, genetics, and molecular biology.

• Northern State University

  Website
  The NSU environmental science bachelor's degree program meets the growing need for competent, well-trained scientists who are prepared for the multitude of environmental issues facing our world.

• South Dakota State University

  Website
  South Dakota State University, Brookings.

• University of South Dakota

  Website
  Biology is a natural science studying life and living things, from microscopic cells to complex life forms and expansive ecosystems. The study of biology is extensive in scope – playing a role in disciplines like medicine, archaeology and chemistry – and provides an avenue for scientists and researchers to study, nurture and explore life.

• W.H. Over State Museum

  Museum
  The Museum's mission: To collect, preserve, document, exhibit, research, study and interpret objects relating to natural and cultural history, primarily of South Dakota; and to provide interpretive exhibitions, educational programs, publications and other appropriate means of conveying an understanding and appreciation of this region. Today, the museum's collection include: rocks, minerals, botanical and biological (natural) specimens, fossils, photographs, works of art, archaeological artifacts, and items representative of the natural history, inhabitants, and the various ethnic groups who call South Dakota home.

• Audubon Society in South Dakota

  Information
  Offices & Chapters; Centers & Sanctuaries; Upcoming Events

• Bird Conservancy of the Rockies

  Website
  Our mission at Bird Conservancy of the Rockies is the conservation of birds and their habitats through an integrated approach of science, education and land stewardship. We envision a future where birds are forever abundant, contributing to healthy landscapes and inspiring human curiosity and love of nature. Our work radiates from the Rockies to the Great Plains, Mexico and beyond.

• Black Hills Bird Watchers

  Facebook Group

• Nature Conservancy in the Dakotas

  Website
  The mission of The Nature Conservancy is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. For more than half a century, we’ve been working in South Dakota to do just that. TNC owns and manages more than 13,000 acres in the state including 11 preserves that are open to the public.

• Prairie Hills Audubon Society of Western South Dakota

  Website
  The Prairie-Hills Audubon (PHAS) is a chapter of the National Audubon Society. PHAS works to conserve the rich natural resources and wildlife heritage of the prairies and hills of western South Dakota and the surrounding region. PHAS is a volunteer grassroot organization. Assistance, support, and donations are greatly appreciated.

• Sioux Falls Bird Club

  Website
  The Sioux Falls Bird Club, founded in 1922, is a community organization that promotes the love and appreciation for birds in the Sioux Falls, South Dakota area.

• South Dakota Grasslands Coalition

  Website
  The South Dakota Grasslands Coalition works year round on its goal to conserve healthy grasslands. If you would like to contribute, please click the link below. We appreciate all contributions!

• South Dakota Ornithologists Union

  Website
  South Dakota is blessed with many varied habitats from the western edge of the tallgrass prairie to the more westerly shortgrass prairie and on into the small mountainous region known as the Black Hills. A trip across the state can provide the birder with a list that ranges from Blue-winged Warbler, Cerulean Warbler, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Scarlet Tanager, Henslow's Sparrow, Wood Thrush and Rose-breasted Grosbeak to Burrowing Owl, Violet-green Swallow, White-throated Swift, Mountain Bluebird, Western Tanager, Black-backed Woodpecker, Virginia's Warbler, Black-headed Grosbeak and American Dipper. See why we love birding South Dakota!

Abbreviations Key

• *Protected areas of South Dakota

  InformationSatellite View
  Arboreta, Parks, Forests etc.

• IBA Bitter Lake

  WebpageSatellite View
  Bitter Lake is a large permanent-water pothole lake with no inflow or outflow. With above average moisture in the recent past, the lake is rapidly increasing in size, starting to flood out the town of Waubay on the north end, and swallowing numerous sloughs and farms on the south/southwest end; In some years, there are small pockets of reedbeds that host breeding white-faced ibis, Franklin’s gull, Forester’s and black terns, and several grebe species. Flooded dead timber, especially on newly-formed islands, host large populations of six tree-nesting colonial waterbird species.  Several islands host a huge population of nesting American white pelicans, as well as up to five species of ground-nesting gull and tern species.

• NR Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve

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  The Adams Nature Area is a recent donation to the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks. The area is open to visitors but there remains a lot of work in progress…

• NWR Sand Lake

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  The area surrounding Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge was once a vast, rolling grassland interrupted only by the slow moving James River. Settlers arrived in 1887 and brought sweeping changes to the landscape. Farming and grazing depleted essential wildlife habitat causing waterfowl to dwindle to alarmingly low numbers by the 1930s.

• SP Newton Hills State Park

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  Over 200 species of birds visit the area each year. White-tailed deer, wild turkeys, marmots, rabbits, red and gray fox and squirrels are also found within the park. Between October 1 and April 30 each year, bow hunting is allowed in the park. Hunters will not be using the high traffic areas located near the hiking trails.

• ABA Birding News South Dakota

  Listings
  ABA's Birding News >> South Dakota

• BirdCast

  Migration Movements
  8,772,700 8772700 Birds crossed South Dakota last night (est.)

• eBird - South Dakota Rare Bird Alert

  Sightings
  The report below shows observations of rare birds in South Dakota.

• Field Guides

  Tour Operator
  A new tour focusing on grassland specialties, western geology, and American landmarks in two of our northern prairie states.

• Naturalist Journeys

  Tour Operator
  The Black Hills and Badlands of South Dakota are unspoiled regions of the north-central United States where the combination of wildlife, geology, and Native American and early American history blend to create the perfect route for a birding and nature tour.

• NatureTrek

  Tour Operator
  A unique 15-day tour to some of the most remote wildlife refuges in the United States to enjoy exceptional bird and mammal-viewing.

• Red Hill Birding

  Tour Operator
  Western South Dakota is a classic summer vacation destination. The abundance of public lands, dotted with famous tourist attractions, provides a fantastic cross section of landscapes, birds, and Americana.

• Seven Ponds Nature Center

  Local Tour Operator
  South Dakota’s incredible geology and scenic landscape will provide a fantastic backdrop to our week of birding the Black Hills and Badlands (and beyond!). A wide diversity of habitats awaits, from the deep canyon rivers and forested rolling topography of the Black Hills to the windswept shortgrass prairie of northwestern South Dakota; from the stark rocky landscape of the Badlands to the impressive butte called Devils Tower. These varied habitats will give us a chance to see a large variety of birds during our tour of this scenic region.

• South Dakota Grasslands Coalition

  Local Tour Operator
  The 2024 Bird Tour to be held at Cheyenne River Ranch, home of South Dakota conservationist Dan O’Brien. Dan is the celebrated author of ‘Buffalo for the Broken Heart’ and other books about life on the Northern Plains. He is also the founder of Wild Idea Buffalo Company and an advocate for ranching in concert with nature.

• 2016 [07 July] - Jan Vercammen - California, South Dakota & Wyoming

  PDF Report
  This was primarily a family holiday. I tried to go birdwatching as much as I could. This was not my first visit to the United States. So I could do some easy birding and try to find some lifers...

• 2022 [06 June] - Ian Merrill

  PDF Report
  Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, South Dakota and Wyoming

• Spearfish Canyon Lodge

  Accommodation
  Bird watching is a classic pastime in Spearfish Canyon. A quote that appeared in National Geographic Magazine stated, “One of the most popular birding routes in the region is the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway which runs south from Spearfish 20 miles to Cheyenne Crossing.”

• Triangle Ranch B&B

  Accommodation
  Also offered is hiking, stockdam fishing, premiere birdwatching, campfire entertainment, vehicle tours and a basecamp for area hunters. Artists and photographers are welcome.

• Birding Trails

  Webpage
  Grab your binoculars and hit the trail for maximum birding enjoyment

• Birding in South Dakota

  Webpage
  From rolling hills and prairie marshes & lakes to sky-piercing granite peaks and lush mountain meadows, South Dakota's diverse terrain is home to a variety of habitats and nearly 400 species of birds. Trails across the state wind through public & protected habitats, including oak-basswood forests, native prairies, wetlands, glacial lakes, and the reservoirs & tail waters of the Missouri River.

• South Dakota Birding Hotspots

  Webpage
  The map above depicts some of my favorite birding locations within the state of South Dakota.

• South Dakota Birds & Birding

  Website
  Devoted to birds and birding in the State of South Dakota. These pages are created an maintained by Terry Sohl. I live in Brandon South Dakota (right outside of Sioux Falls); and have worked at the U.S. Geological Survey`s EROS Data Center since 1993. The EROS Data Center deals with the collection, analysis, archiving, and distribution of spatial data sets, including satellite imagery, aerial photography, and elevation data.

• South Dakota Wildlife Viewing

  Website
  Spy on abundant populations of waterfowl and songbirds. Spot endangered species like the bald eagle, peregrine falcon, and whooping crane. Encounter burrowing owls in their natural habitat. With diverse terrain that’s home to nearly 400 species of birds, South Dakota is truly a birder’s paradise.

• Olaf Danielson

  BLOG
  World Record Nude Birder, Author, and Adventurer. He may be the most interesting man in the world!

• Photographer

  Gallery
  Some terrific bird photos from South Dakota and elsewhere

• Photographer - Terry Sohl

  Gallery
  Some terrific bird photos