Date: 11/2/24 3:41 pm From: Vic Fondy via groups.io <treasurecreek...> Subject: [sd-birds] WW and areas North
We birded today from Whitewood to Bear Butte Lake area then on to Belle Fourche Reservoir and return via Crooked Oaks road. The larger water areas such as Bear Butte Lake, Sturgis Lagoon, and Belle Fourche reservoir had very few birds. Bear Butte Lake was limited to 2 Bald Eagles, a few Ring-billed Gulls, and 3 small unidentified waterbirds out in the middle. BF reservoir was about the same except for one large flock of DC Cormorant, Sharp-tailed Grouse in the RV area, and a few Ring-billed Gulls. The Nisland slough West of Nisland has been renamed Duer Wildlife Management Area and now has a designated parking area on the East end. There was no waterfowl on the slough when we were there. We did have several duck species on some smaller ponds today including Mallard, Gadwall, Northern Shoveler, Green-winged Teal, and both Hooded and Common Mergansers. Raptor sightings included 1 Rough-legged Hawk, 9 Red-tailed Hawks, 1 unidentified hawk, 1 American Kestrel, 2 Bald Eagles, and 2 Golden Eagles. There were again today some huge flocks of 100's of European Starlings. The only sparrows were Vesper and House.
Last week I had an error on my report concerning the Longspur. Thanks to all of you that correctly identified the bird as a female Black-headed Grosbeak which is still around as of today. The roadkill deer across the creek has up to10 or more Black-billed Magpies sometimes feeding and also 4 Crows, but no mountain lions or more Bald Eagles yet. The Spotted Towhees are still around and we had one Pine Siskin pass thru last week.
