Date: 8/19/26 5:28 pm From: Cheryl Vellenga via groups.io <killdeer54...> Subject: [sd-birds] Aberrant House Finch
The House Finch party at my place today was mundane as usual until it was unexpectedly crashed by a somewhat raucous visitor; a House Finch of a different color, you might say. What he/she lacked in melanin however, was made up for in attitude. The bird is not leucistic but rather has a genetic condition called Iso (Isonin) Mutation according to my online reading. This genetic condition is indicated by a lack of melanin in the legs and bill causing them to be pinkish, and even the skin surrounding the eye is pink and the eye itself is paler. With Leucism, only certain feathers would be affected and would be more of a stark white instead of the muted creamy and buffy shades seen on this bird. Â
The party crasher was very aggressive toward the other finches. It is suggested that could be caused by poor vision due to the melanin deficiency and possibly an overly active "defense system" due to the target on its back from being so white.
I hope you find interesting birds!
Cheryl Vellenga
Sisseton, SD
Date: 8/15/26 8:00 am From: jociebaker115 via groups.io <jociebaker115...> Subject: Re: [sd-birds] Weekly Survey Outdoor Campus West 8-14-2026
Looks like the wind really got strong. Good numbers tho. Jocie
From: <djstrom...> <djstrom...>
Sent: Saturday, August 15, 2026 7:41 AM
To: Judy Hengen <judyhengen...>; <rbenton18...>; Laural Bidwell <thewildburro...>; Julie Brazell <julie.brazell...>; <gene...>; <hkbielstein...>; Jocie Baker <jociebaker115...>; <loraynebaker...>; <djstrom...>; <sd-birds...>; <victoriaobert98...>; <anya.hartpence...>
Subject: Weekly Survey Outdoor Campus West 8-14-2026
The weekly survey at the Outdoor Campus West was conducted on August 14, 2026 by Judy Hengen, Rachel Benton, Laural Bidwell, Anya Hartpence and Jackie Stucky-Strom. 37 birds were identified with a total of 259 individuals.
Date: 8/15/26 7:37 am From: Michael M. Melius via groups.io <pingothenbingo...> Subject: [sd-birds] Nighthawks moving
On the afternoon of the 13th I was driving east of Hermosa and looked up to see nighthawks swirling over the Battle Creek valley. There were over 40, most fairly high up. It was a cloudy, calm day, and as I drove over the divide into Spring Creek valley, I found more flocks. I even went back up Spring Creek road to get closer to a flock of about 80 CONI in an area where I've seen flocks in past years. (Evans Ranch--but maybe I see them there just because it's an area where the road comes close to the creek?)
I decided to spend a little time trying to track the flocks to see if there was any direction to their movement. I'm pretty confident I re-located a flock of about 60 birds that had continued east down the valley about 3 miles. Last I saw they were headed more northeast, out of the valley. I continued east all the way to the Cheyenne River, but found only a few CONI beyond Folsom. I counted over 200 in total. A swirling flock is impossible to count, but then suddenly they'll all head in one direction for a while and they're easy to count.
This has become an annual August event, nighthawks gathering over Spring Creek valley. I wonder if this can be observed in other river valleys in the state.
Small flocks of Lark Buntings were also encountered. At ground level, of course.
Date: 8/15/26 6:41 am From: David Strom via groups.io <djstrom...> Subject: [sd-birds] Weekly Survey Outdoor Campus West 8-14-2026
The weekly survey at the Outdoor Campus West was conducted on August 14, 2026 by Judy Hengen, Rachel Benton, Laural Bidwell, Anya Hartpence and Jackie Stucky-Strom. 37 birds were identified with a total of 259 individuals.
Mallard-17
Rock Pigeon-17
Eurasian Collared Dove-18
Mourning Dove-3
Killdeer-1
Spotted Sandpiper-2
Solitary Sandpiper-1
Great Blue Heron-1
Turkey Vulture-4
Cooper's Hawk-1
Osprey-1
Belted Kingfisher-2
Downy Woodpecker-3
Red-headed Woodpecker-1
Northern Flicker-10
Western Wood-pewee-4
Eastern Kingbird-1
Blue Jay-8
American Crow-1
Black Capped Chickadee-9
Tree Swallow-1
Cedar Waxwing-19
Red Breasted Nuthatch-2
Pygmy Nuthatck-2
Northern House Wren-1
Gray Catbird-13
European Starling-32
American Robin-18
House Sparrow-1
House Finch-5
American Goldfinch-9
Red Crossbill-12
Spotted Towhee-1
Brown Headed Cowbird-1
Common Grackle-29
Northern Yellow Warbler-6
Northern Cardinal-2
Start Time: 6:15 AM, 65 degrees, Sky-50% cloud covered, Wind-0
End Time: 9:30 AM. 70 degrees, Sky-20% cloud covered, Wind-4
Date: 8/13/26 4:59 pm From: Ricky Olson via groups.io <olsonr088...> Subject: [sd-birds] Ed Brogie passing
I just wanted to pass along that Ed Brogie Wayne NE passed away. Ed and his brother Mark were major forces in birding in Nebraska for decades, greatly contributing to the avian knowledge of NE. Mainy SD birders knew Ed and had birded with him, including me. He will be missed!!
Date: 8/12/26 4:01 pm From: Ricky Olson via groups.io <olsonr088...> Subject: Re: [sd-birds] Bear Butte Lake
Nancy. I found in western sd where there is habitat - few- there are very
few to none shorebirds. Drought this spring and not return in fall ??
On Tue, Aug 11, 2026 at 12:33 PM N Drilling via groups.io <dril0008=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> Sunday I stopped by Bear Butte Lake near Sturgis. With the continuing
> drought, I figured there may be extensive mud flats and this lake can bring
> in a lot of shorebirds (and other waterbirds). I found that the lake is
> only about 1/3 covered with water and there is indeed a lot of exposed
> shoreline, wet and dried. However, the only birds in or near the water was
> one duck and two Mourning Doves. The water is very stagnant and nearby mud
> is an unnatural bright aqua color. The area seems quite dead, maybe even
> toxic. Strangely, there were no dead fish or clam carcasses strewn around,
> like I'm seeing around other receding ponds and waterways in the state. It
> seems that it may be awhile before this lake is bird habitat again.
>
> Nancy Drilling
> Rapid City
>
>
>
Date: 8/11/26 10:33 am From: N Drilling via groups.io <dril0008...> Subject: [sd-birds] Bear Butte Lake
Sunday I stopped by Bear Butte Lake near Sturgis. With the continuing drought, I figured there may be extensive mud flats and this lake can bring in a lot of shorebirds (and other waterbirds). I found that the lake is only about 1/3 covered with water and there is indeed a lot of exposed shoreline, wet and dried. However, the only birds in or near the water was one duck and two Mourning Doves. The water is very stagnant and nearby mud is an unnatural bright aqua color. The area seems quite dead, maybe even toxic. Strangely, there were no dead fish or clam carcasses strewn around, like I'm seeing around other receding ponds and waterways in the state. It seems that it may be awhile before this lake is bird habitat again.
Date: 8/10/26 1:34 pm From: Judy Hengen via groups.io <judyhengen...> Subject: [sd-birds] Canyon Lake Park Survey, RC, Pennington Co. August 10, 2026
Canyon Lake Park Survey, Rapid City, Pennington County
August 10, 2026 6:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Surveyors: Rachel Benton, Laural Bidwell, Judy Hengen, Jackie Stucky-Strom
Conditions: Temp: Start: 67 End: 76 Wind (Beaufort Scale): 0
Cloud Cover: 100% cloudy to 70% at end Weather: low, dark light; fog;
humid. Brief sun
SPECIES: 37 INDIVIDUALS: 642
Canada Goose 109
Wood Duck 16
Mallard 57
Hooded Merganser 2
Common Merganser 13
Rock Pigeon 9
Eurasian Collared-Dove 9
Mourning Dove 7
Chimney Swift 7
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Great Blue Heron 5
Turkey Vulture 136
Osprey 5 - includes 3 fledglings
Belted Kingfisher 3
Northern Flicker 3
Western-wood Pewee 1
Western Flycatcher 1
Least Flycatcher 1
Red-eyed Vireo 2
Blue Jay 4
Black-capped Chickadee 6
Tree Swallow 1
Violet-green Swallow 1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 12
Barn Swallow 12 - 1 ON
Cliff Swallow 1
House Wren 1
European Starling 16
Gray Catbird 3
American Robin 5
Cedar Waxwing 92
House Sparrow 71
House Finch 3
American Goldfinch 3
Red-winged blackbird 9
Common Grackle 10
Northern Yellow Warbler 5
Date: 8/7/26 2:22 pm From: David Strom via groups.io <djstrom...> Subject: [sd-birds] Outdoor Campus West Survey 8-7-2026
The weekly survey at the Outdoor Campus West was conducted on Friday, August 7, 2026, by Judy Hengen, Rachel Benton, Laural Bidwell and Jackie Stucky-Strom. 42 species were identified with a total of 344 individuals.
Mallard-23
Wood Duck-1
Rock Pigeon-16
Eurasian Collared Dove-21
Mourning Dove-2
Killdeer-1
Spotted Sandpiper-3
Great Blue Heron-2
Turkey Vulture-1
Osprey-2
Belted Kingfisher-2
Downy Woodpecker-1
Northern Flicker-10
American Kestrel-2
Western Wood Pewee-6
Eastern Phoebe-4
Blue Jay-7
American Crow-1
Black Capped Chickadee-2
Cedar Waxwing-8
Red Breasted Nuthatch-4
Pygmy Nuthatch-6
Northern House Wren-4
Gray Catbird-15
Brown Thrasher-1
European Starling-17
Swainson's Thrush-1
American Robin-46
House Sparrow-4
House Finch-8
American Goldfinch-17
Red Crossbill-16
Lark Sparrow-1
Spotted Towhee-7
Red Winged Blackbird-13
Brown Headed Cowbird-1
Common Grackle-60
Northern Yellow Warbler-1
Common Yellowthroat-1
American Redstart-3
Northern Cardinal-1
Black Headed Grosbeak-2
Start Time: 6:00 AM, 60 degrees, Sky-100% haze/smoke covered, Wind-0
End Time: 9:45 AM, 72 degrees, Sky-100% haze/smoke covered, Wind-2/3
Like Vic I hadn't been seeing much. Migrating Killdeer, bunched doves, red-winged Blackbirds etc.
But today I had a Calliope Himmingbird in my yard in Ft Pierre. My mom has had Rufous this week in Winner SD. So because of smoke or what vagrant uncommon hummingbirds can be see clean and hang your feeders.
Date: 8/6/26 6:53 pm From: Jim Williams via groups.io <woodduck38...> Subject: Re: [sd-birds] Juvenile red headed woodpecker
Jeff,
I was an active birder in Minnesota for decades, but now, at age 88, my
travels involve a wheelchair. Moths, though, could be a new interest. Could
you share detail about your traps, use and source? I would be very
appreciative.
Jim Williams, Plymouth Minn.
On Thu, Aug 6, 2026 at 8:27 PM Jeff Hansen via groups.io <jeff.hansen.sd=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> I was baiting my moth traps tonight and find a juvenile red headed
> woodpecker in one. I know they love moths and found a feather in another a
> while back. Wonder if parents teach them about the easy meal or is it
> learned behavior. I unzip trap and he or she flies away. I do catch some
> butterflies too. Interestingly the birds eat all the bait during the day.
>
> FYI. Some moths and butterflies do not nectar. They like rotting fruit. My
> bait is dark beer. Brown sugar, and banana or watermelon.
>
> I've not seen any other woodpeckers at the traps... Just red headed. Very
> interesting I think.
>
> Oh. This is sanborn county. Union township if you want something more
> exact.
>
> Jeff Hansen
> https://www.youtube.com/BackyardBirdsUS >
>
>
Date: 8/6/26 6:27 pm From: Jeff Hansen via groups.io <jeff.hansen.sd...> Subject: [sd-birds] Juvenile red headed woodpecker
I was baiting my moth traps tonight and find a juvenile red headed woodpecker in one. I know they love moths and found a feather in another a while back. Wonder if parents teach them about the easy meal or is it learned behavior. I unzip trap and he or she flies away. I do catch some butterflies too. Interestingly the birds eat all the bait during the day.
FYI. Some moths and butterflies do not nectar. They like rotting fruit. My bait is dark beer. Brown sugar, and banana or watermelon.
I've not seen any other woodpeckers at the traps... Just red headed. Very interesting I think.
Oh. This is sanborn county. Union township if you want something more exact.
Date: 8/6/26 10:29 am From: Vic Fondy via groups.io <treasurecreek...> Subject: [sd-birds] Whitewood Report
Not much area birding due summer high temps and other activities. At our home 1.5 miles south of Whitewood we continue to have most of the same resident/migrant birds including lots of Black-headed Grosbeaks and many other species including Indigo Bunting, but the Western Tanagers have departed. We had our first late hummingbird on 8/5/26 with a female Rufous Hummingbird which is still around today.
Date: 8/5/26 6:14 am From: Palmer, Jeff via groups.io <Jeff.Palmer...> Subject: [sd-birds] Summer Season Reports
Dear SD Birders,
Once again the Summer Season, 01 Jun - 31 Jul, has come and gone, hence, if you have not already done so it is now time to enter your sightings for the season into the online database located at
https://research.dsu.edu/sdousbor/default.aspx
On or about 24 August I will download the data for use in the upcoming Summer Season Report to be published in the December issue of South Dakota Bird Notes. As I am no longer compiling that report, it is extremely important that you enter your data by the deadline so that I can get the necessary information to the new compiler.
If you cannot recall your Observer ID and/or Password you can click on “Forgot Password” on the Login screen. Additionally, new observers are always welcome - simply go to the above site, click on Login / Register and select the "Register here:" link.
As always, any and all sightings are most welcome. The more, the better. At a minimum I would like for each species to have your
· First sighting during the first half (01 Jun - 30 Jun) of the season
· Last sighting during the first half (01 Jun - 30 Jun) of the season
· First sighting during the second half (01 Jul - 31 Jul) of the season
· Last sighting during the second half (01 Jul - 31 Jul) of the season
Thanks and have a great time birding this fall,
Date: 8/3/26 2:10 pm From: Judy Hengen via groups.io <judyhengen...> Subject: [sd-birds] Canyon Lake Park Survey, RC, Pennington Co. Aug. 3, 2026
Canyon Lake Park Survey, Rapid City, Pennington County
August 3, 2026 6:00 AM – 8:55 AM
Surveyors: Rachel Benton, Laural Bidwell, Anya Hartpence, Judy Hengen,
Jackie Stucky-Strom
Conditions: Temp: Start: 67 End: 74 Wind (Beaufort Scale): 0 to
3 at end
Cloud Cover: 50% cloudy to 0% Weather: hazy sky, smoke
SPECIES: 36 INDIVIDUALS: 528
Canada Goose 58
Wood Duck 15
American Wigeon 1
Mallard 125 (includes 4 ducklings)
Hooded Merganser 2
Common Merganser 7
Rock Pigeon 8
Eurasian Collared-Dove 5
Mourning Dove 9
Spotted Sandpiper 3
Great Blue Heron 5
Turkey Vulture 70
Osprey 5 (includes 3 young, 2 fledglings)
Belted Kingfisher 3
Hairy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 4
Western-wood Pewee 2
Red-eyed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 4
Black-capped Chickadee 1
Violet-green Swallow 1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2
Barn Swallow 17 (includes 1 ON)
Cliff Swallow 3
European Starling 39
Gray Catbird 1
American Robin 3
Cedar Waxwing 32
House Sparrow 45
House Finch 5
Red Crossbill 2
American Goldfinch 4
Red-winged Blackbird 1
Common Grackle 34
Common Yellowthroat 2
Northern Yellow Warbler 7
Date: 8/1/26 3:07 pm From: jociebaker115 via groups.io <jociebaker115...> Subject: Re: [sd-birds] Outdoor Campus West Survey 7-31-2026
Excellent list – maybe the pruning and cutting hasn’t affected the birds as much as you thought. Jocie
From: <djstrom...> <djstrom...>
Sent: Friday, July 31, 2026 7:28 PM
To: Judy Hengen <judyhengen...>; <rbenton18...>; Laural Bidwell <thewildburro...>; Julie Brazell <julie.brazell...>; <gene...>; <hkbielstein...>; Jocie Baker <jociebaker115...>; <loraynebaker...>; <djstrom...>; <sd-birds...>; <victoriaobert98...>; Muriel Anderson <murmama60...>
Subject: Outdoor Campus West Survey 7-31-2026
The weekly survey at the Outdoor Campus West was conducted on July 31, 2026, by Judy Hengen, Rachel Benton, Laural Bidwell and Jackie Stucky-Strom. 42 species were identified with a total of 321 individuals.
Date: 7/31/26 6:28 pm From: David Strom via groups.io <djstrom...> Subject: [sd-birds] Outdoor Campus West Survey 7-31-2026
The weekly survey at the Outdoor Campus West was conducted on July 31, 2026, by Judy Hengen, Rachel Benton, Laural Bidwell and Jackie Stucky-Strom. 42 species were identified with a total of 321 individuals.
Mallard-35
Wild Turkey-4 (2 were fledglings)
Rock Pigeon-7
Eurasian Collared Dove-17
Mourning Dove-3
Killdeer-1
Spotted Sandpiper-3
Great Blue Heron-2
Osprey-1
Belted Kingfisher-2
Downy Woodpecker-4
Northern Flicker-10
American Kestrel-1
Western Woodpewee-4
Least Flycatcher-1
Eastern Kingbird-1
Blue Jay-6
American Crow-3
Black Capped Chickadee-14
Barn Swallow-2
Tree Swallow-1
Cedar Waxwing-9
Red Breasted Nuthatch-8
White Breasted Nuthatch-2
Pygmy Nuthatch-7
Northern House Wren-2
Gray Catbird-12
Brown Thrasher-1
European Starling-10
American Robin-23
House Sparrow13
House Finch-10
Red Crossbill-29
American Goldfinch-9
Spotted Towhee-4
Lark Bunting-1
Song Sparrow-2
Chipping Sparrrow-1
Red Wing Blackbird-24
Common Grackle-26
Black Headed Grosbeak-5
Northern Cardinal-1
Start Time-6:00 AM, 60 degrees, Sky-clear, Wind-0
Date: 7/27/26 8:56 am From: Judy Hengen via groups.io <judyhengen...> Subject: [sd-birds] Canyon Lake Park Survey, Rapid City, Pennington Co. July 27, 2026
Canyon Lake Park Survey, Rapid City, Pennington County
July 27, 2026 5:45 AM – 8:10 AM
Surveyors: Rachel Benton, Laural Bidwell, Judy Hengen, Jackie Stucky-Strom
Conditions: Temp: Start: 81 End: 83 Wind (Beaufort Scale): 1
Cloud Cover: 60% cloudy Weather: partly cloudy, humid
SPECIES: 32 INDIVIDUALS: 716
Canada Goose 97
Wood Duck 15
Mallard 95 (includes 4 ducklings)
Hooded Merganser 1
Common Merganser 5
Rock Pigeon 32
Eurasian Collared-Dove 4
Mourning Dove 2
Spotted Sandpiper 5
Great Blue Heron 9
Turkey Vulture 105
Osprey 5 (includes 3 young)
Belted Kingfisher 4
Downy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 4
Western-wood Pewee 2
Blue Jay 3
Black-capped Chickadee 2
Northern rough-winged Swallow 7
Barn Swallow 11 (includes 1 ON)
Cliff Swallow 24
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
European Starling 90
Gray Catbird 3
American Robin 6
Cedar Waxwing 22
House Sparrow 71
House Finch 12
Red Crossbill 6
Red-winged Blackbird 26
Common Grackle 42
Northern Yellow Warbler 3
Date: 7/25/26 5:37 am From: David Strom via groups.io <djstrom...> Subject: [sd-birds] Outdoor Campus West Survey 7-24-2026 2nd attempt
This is a second attempt at sending the Outdoor Campus Survey results.
The weekly survey at the Outdoor Campus West was conducted on July 24, 2026 By Judy Hengen, Rachel Benton, Laural Bidwell and Jackie Stucky-Strom. 38 species were identified with a total of 277 individuals. Start time: 5:45 AM, 65 degrees, Sky- clear, Wind-0. End time: 8:30 AM, 78 degrees, Sky- clear, Wind-0.
Mallard-26
Wood Duck-1
Rock Pigeon-18
Eurasian Collared Dove-19
Mourning Dove-2
Killdeer-1
Solitary Sandpiper-2
Great Blue Heron-1
Turkey Vulture-1
Osprey-2
Belted Kingfisher-2
Downy Woodpecker-1
Northern Flicker-4
Western Wood Pewee-1
Blue Jay-7
American Crow-1
Black Capped Chickadee-12
Barn Swallow-1
Cliff Swallow-2
Violet Green Swallow-10
Cedar Waxwing-7
Red Breasted Nuthatch-4
White Breasted Nuthatch-3
Pygmy Nuthatch-5
Northern House Wren-4
Gray Catbird-18
European Starling-32
American Robin-19
House Sparrow-6
House Finch-4
Red Crossbill-7
American Goldfinch-9
Spotted Towhee-4
Northern Yellow Warbler-2
Red Wing Blackbird-6
Common Grackle-29
Black Headed Grosbeak-3
Northern Cardinal-1
Date: 7/24/26 2:31 pm From: David Strom via groups.io <djstrom...> Subject: [sd-birds] Outdoor Campus Survey 7-24-2026
The weekly survey at the Outdoor Campus West was conducted on July 24, 2026 By Judy Hengen, Rachel Benton, Laural Bidwell and Jackie Stucky-Strom. 38 species were identified with a total of 277 individuals. Start time: 5:45 AM, 65 degrees, Sky- clear, Wind-0. End time: 8:30 AM, 78 degrees, Sky- clear, Wind-0.
Date: 7/24/26 5:06 am From: Jim Williams via groups.io <woodduck38...> Subject: Re: [sd-birds] Feather
In SD I’ve watched red- heads. take moths on the wing. Good photo op. I’ll
send one.
On Fri, Jul 24, 2026 at 6:54 AM Jeff Hansen via groups.io <jeff.hansen.sd=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> Yesterday there were no moths in my moth trap. I figured something got in
> and ate them. Today I found this feather. I really think it's a red-headed
> woodpecker feather. I've seen them at the trap. I was just curious about
> other people's opinion. The following link has a couple pictures of the
> feather. The moth trap is a kind of like a fish trap with a funnel at one
> end and I think the birds go up in the funnel, take the moths and then exit.
>
> https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/384522372 >
> Jeff Hansen
> https://www.youtube.com/BackyardBirdsUS >
>
>
Date: 7/24/26 4:54 am From: Jeff Hansen via groups.io <jeff.hansen.sd...> Subject: [sd-birds] Feather
Yesterday there were no moths in my moth trap. I figured something got in and ate them. Today I found this feather. I really think it's a red-headed woodpecker feather. I've seen them at the trap. I was just curious about other people's opinion. The following link has a couple pictures of the feather. The moth trap is a kind of like a fish trap with a funnel at one end and I think the birds go up in the funnel, take the moths and then exit.
