Date: 4/25/26 4:38 pm From: Vic Fondy via groups.io <treasurecreek...> Subject: [sd-birds] WW-Bear Butte-Orman and Return
We birded backroads to Fort Meade Dam and the Bear Butte Lake ponds, then to Nisland Slough and Orman and return via Crooked Oak Roads. Good weather with light winds and lots of birds. The area we birded lacks moisture. Bear Butte Lake continues to shrink and most of the roadside ponds in the area are empty/dry. Lots of birds today with several area FOS including DC Cormorants, Blue-winged Teal, Greater Yellowlegs, Belted Kingfisher, Tree Swallows, Yellow-headed Blackbirds, and White-crowned Sparrows. Large numbers today of Red-wined Blackbirds, Common Grackles, and European Starlings. Raptors today included American and Golden Eagle, 1 RT and 1 Rough-legged Hawk, and lots of American Kestrels. Other birds of interest include Lewis's Woodpecker (Eden Road) Vesper Sparrows, and Mountain Bluebird. Lots of duck species (11).
We had some new spring arrivals since last report at our feeders 1.5 miles south of Whitewood including Yellow Rump Warbler 4.18, Spotted Towhee 4.19, Mourning Dove 4.24 and a Great Blue Heron on Whitewood Creek daily since 4.23.
