Home on the Range Birding!

Year 13

Yesterday appeared as if it would be a horrible day of birding. I had moved on from the National Grasslands near Pierre, South Dakota to Badlands National Park. My research had indicated Mountain Bluebirds AND Blue Grosbeaks were both being seen regularly at the Cliffs Trail. I saw crows, and only crows!

Unfortunately I now had over four hours to kill before I could check into my cabin. The lack of water in the Badlands (and all the people) really made this seem like a horrible birding choice/location for me. Thus, on the spot I decided to leave the park and drive a random dirt road which was only two miles distant. At first this appeared to be another bad choice, but then I struck paydirt … a prairie dog town with a large number of Burrowing Owls and Western Meadowlarks. Better yet, with extra effort on my part I could get birds in front of the Badlands Mountains. Please note in my three hours of this dirt road I say nary another person, or vehicle. The crowds in the park were intent on staying in the park, and only using park roads. Here are some of the images that resulted.

Birds of the Buffalo Gap National Grasslands

High Noon …

Golden Hour Before Sunset …

The Badlands Mountain

Western Meadowlarks

An Antelope Which FINALLY Decided to ignore me!

SD National Grasslands: War Creek Road

Year 13

Last Summer I visited the South Dakota National Grasslands (Fort Pierre Grasslands) a touch over a week later than this year. I think the later visit was a better timeframe. While I am seeing lots of birds, the extra week last year meant all bug eating birds were back from their southern locations, and really in courting up a storm. I am seeing the same bird species, but I have to work harder for those sightings. Dickcissels and Upland Sandpipers seem to not be fully back on the breeding grounds.

This post stresses War Creek Road. While my trip is not “all about burrowing owls”, this is the road to many birders visit in the Grasslands area for the sole purpose of seeing all these small owls. While I will not reveal exact owl locations, just drive the road slowly. Starting about 5 miles in from US #83 watch for prairie dog towns/mounds. You will see the small owls at the same locations.

My Grassland Birds!

The star of War Creek Road … Burrowing Owl

Driving the Grasslands (me, myself and I) … no other people around. Per the sign next to the Burrowing Owl photo, driving this road is specifically allowed prior to June 15th! (video link for blog email subscribers)

The Other Birds from Yesterday!

Western Meadowlark

Western Kingbird

Dickcissel

The true “king of the grasslands” … Ring-Necked Pheasant

Upland Sandpiper

and finally … a Lark Bunting

But not just birds … Home of the Range …

“Where the Deer and the Antelope Play!”

In closing I want to call out the super place I stay every visit to the National Grasslands. The Eagle’s View Bed and Breakfast, run and owned by Linda is a great spot. Her home is on a bluff in the town of “Fort Pierre” right across the Missouri River from Pierre. Linda is understanding of birders. I go out early in the morning and them come back for a great breakfast around 9:30 am. The rooms are spacious and very reasonably priced. Here are some pics via AirBnB, but reserve directly with Linda … not through AirBnB. The phone number is: 605-224-4053. Here is the Google Maps Location. You will be only 8 miles from the Grasslands and War Creek Road. I can not stress how much better Eagles View is than the roadside motels.

SD National Grasslands Birding: Onida Marsh

Year 13

It may seem strange to lead off my SD National Grasslands trip with a post about the Onida Marsh (located at the crossroads of the town with the same name), but this marsh has amazing shorebirds and waterfowl, and at this time of year (June 1st) the reeds have not yet grown up to obscure the birds. In addition most of the birds have either not nested, or have just nested … thus the males are still singing out. Finally, the town of Onida is only 30 miles from Pierre which serves as my headquarters for exploring the grasslands.

Most Minnesota birders come to the grasslands to see the Burrowing Owls, and thus tend to visit in later July when the owlets have hatched. However, my goal is to enjoy all the grassland birds which means June 1st is an excellent time to visit. Onida is a great first stop if a person is working their way west from Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin or Illinois.

Regardless, yesterday morning’s first birding stop of this trip was great fun, and very successful. However, I do tend to bird the marsh from Onida Road / 185th Street due to all the farm semi truck traffic.

Onida Marsh American Avocet

American Avocet & Black-Necked Stilt

Black-Necked Stilt

Yellow-Headed Blackbird (courting and gritting)