Date: 5/9/26 12:47 pm From: Chris Anderson via groups.io <canderson1...> Subject: [sd-birds] SFBC field trip results
Today a whopping 33 people joined the monthly field trip of the Sioux Falls Bird Club - what an awesome turnout! We enjoyed a nice morning walk at Good Earth State Park full of birdsong. Eastern Bluebirds were hanging out near the nest box by the parking lot. The whole park was busy with singing Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Baltimore Orioles, Field and White-throated Sparrows, and more. Yellow-rumped Warblers were still by far the dominant warbler species, but we did find a few Orange-crowned, one Tennessee, Black-and-white, Black-throated Green, and a couple Ovenbirds and Northern Yellow Warblers. We also observed a flock of Black Terns and a number of flocks of shorebirds migrating overhead, mostly American Golden-Plovers, a couple Hudsonian Godwits, and a number that went unidentified. Down along the river, there were four Semipalmated Plovers, a few Yellowlegs, and some peeps as well.
After Good Earth, part of the group stopped by Lake Alvin Rec Area. The lake was drained for most of the last two years as they rebuilt the spillway, and now the west end is an interesting area with intermittent reeds. Among other things, we observed three Soras and a White-faced Ibis, but surprisingly no other waders.
On my way home, I swung through the slough at Harmodon Park. Where the City is dredging the wetland on the west side of the road, there were several shorebird species: Least, Semipalmated, Pectoral, and White-rumped Sandpipers, and some Long-billed Dowitchers.
Thanks to everyone who came out today! And thanks to Angie for bringing donuts! I didn't get to talk to everyone, but I hope you enjoyed the morning as much as I did. Our next club field trip will be Saturday, June 6 to Newton Hills State Park.
Chris Anderson
Sioux Falls, SD
Trip report from today:
https://ebird.org/tripreport/515758 (https://ebird.org/tripreport/515758)
