[veagle]

Went out to the Big Horn Sheep Preserve south of Rapid City this morning to go for a walk, but realized there were hunters out. We did get to see some Gray Jays, and Mountain Bluebirds. Then drove out to Sevey's Lake, where it was extremely windy but found a foy Blue-winged Teal (in SD), and a solitary Long-billed Curlew.

April 11 - Pennington County, SD

164. Gray Jay

April 11 - Sevey's Lake, SD

165. Long-billed Curlew

[veagle]

Went out to Sevey's Lake before work yesterday, as American Avocet had been seen there recently. Didn't find them, and didn't have my scope with me, but did get a couple of looks at Vesper Sparrows, which although common here, are a little early.

After several days discussion with various people, I am adding Peregrine Falcon to the list. My first instinct was Peregrine, but I wasn't sure if they had been seen in this area, so I discussed it with a couple of friends, one of whom saw what was likely the same bird a few miles away a day or two later.

April 13 - Meade County, SD

166. Peregrine Falcon

April 13 - Sevey's Lake, SD

167. Vesper Sparrow

[veagle]

Returned to Sevey's Lake this morning, this time with a scope for a quick scan. Still no Avocets, but a good group of waterfowl, including Double-crested Cormorants, Ruddy Ducks, Green- and Blue-winged Teal,and all the usuals. Also saw some Tree Swallows here for the first time this year, as well as:

April 15 - Sevey's Lake, SD

168. Franklin's Gulls

[veagle]

I got a call today from a friend who had seen Cinnamon Teal at Sevey's Lake, so I couldn't resist another drive out there. Sure enough, a pair of these relatively rare birds was minding their own business along the northern shore. Too far for a photo, but got good scope views. And another FOY bird as well, a brilliant Horned Grebe. I first id this as a more common Eared Grebe, but our friends on the ID section quickly confirmed it as Horned.

April 16 - Sevey's Lake, SD

169. Horned Grebe (picture below)
170. Cinnamon Teal

[veagle]

Took a drive yesterday out to a few locations in Pennington County. On Hammerquist Rd., I heard and saw a group of Wilson's Snipe, and then further east found a single Chestnut-collared Longspur. One other highlight was a Great-blue Heron rookery with 19 Herons on nests. And there was one as-yet unidentified Flycatcher, that I'm still working on.

April 17 - Pennington County, SD

171. Wilson's Snipe
172. Chestnut-collared Longspur

[veagle]

Yesterday morning I returned to Hammerquist Rd., to try to relocate a flycatcher that I saw on Saturday, but could not identify. Unsuccessful on that front, I did get good looks at a pair of Eastern Phoebes, and at another location, after getting into a stare-down with an antelope, I did find another Chestnut-collared Longspur.

Next week I will travel to NJ to visit family, AND to spend a full day in and around Cape May. Should be good!

April 18 - Pennington County, SD

173. Eastern Phoebe

[veagle]

A grey overcast morning, I decided to swing by Sevey's Lake before work, as on sunny days the light is not very good early. A fairly nice selection of waterfowl, includding quite a few Ruddy Ducks, and Blue-Winged Teal. A few Tree Swallows flying about, and a nice pair of Marbled Godwits. Also had a couple of FOYs. Almost ran into a Sharp-tailed grouse on my way out.

April 20 - Sevey's Lake, SD

174. American Avocet
175. Brewer's Blackbird

[veagle]

Getting my newspaper this morning, I heard something different, and quickly located our first Spotted Towhee of the season. I've been feeling guilty about using as much gasoline to get around in my birding, so it was nice to see a FOY without going anywhere.

April 21 - Rapid City, SD

176. Spotted Towhee

[veagle]

Another quick trip to Sevey's Lake this morning. Relocated the Horned Grebe from last week, and saw the first Eared Grebes of the year, along with Ring-billed, and Franklin's Gulls, and a good variety of waterfowl.

April 22 - Sevey's Lake, SD

177. Eared Grebe

[veagle]

Cleaning up my list, I noticed that I had Herring Gull counted twice, and neglected to add Muscovy Duck from my trip last month to Florida. So I'll add it here without adding a number, so it should be good.

March 21 - Largo, Florida

177. Muscovy Duck

[veagle]

I'm in New Jersey for a few days, to visit my parents, and then go birding in Cape May with fellow BF member Stephennj. Today was quite rainy. I went out briefly to a local pond, and spotted a Green Heron perched in a tree. What a surprise. Later I took my 90 yr. old dad out to see just what all this fuss was about birdwatching. Got him a good close up look at a Red-Tailed Hawk, then had some good looks at three different swallows.

The weather for tomorrow looks questionable, but Stephennj and I are psyched for Cape May!

April 25 - Oak Tree Pond Park, Edison, NJ

178. Green Heron

April 25 - East Brunswick, NJ

179. Barn Swallow
180. Northern Rough-winged Swallow
181. Chipping Sparrow

[veagle]

The next several entries will be from a daylong visit to Cape May and E.B. Forsythe NWR (Brigantine Unit) with Stephenj from BF, and his dad.

We began the day in Belleplaine State Park in Cape May County, at Sunset Bridge, looking for warblers. The weather was overcast and the lighting therefore was difficult, but we did manage to get a number of nice warblers, including Ovenbird, Yellow-throated, Black-and-White, Pine, and Yellow-rumped. Then we birded toward the Headquarters buiding where we picked up Eastern Phoebe. At Lake Numi, we found Spotted Sandpiper, and my first Ruby-throated Hummingbird. And finally, along Narrows Rd., we got excellent views of a single male Prothonotary Warbler.

April 26 - Belleplaine St. Park, NJ

182. Ovenbird
183. Brown-headed Cowbird
184. Ruby-throated Hummingbird
185. Spotted Sandpiper
186. Prothonotary Warbler

[veagle]

From Belleplaine, we drove down the Cape and arrived at Higbee Beach. Apparently there had been a fallout there earlier in the morning, but by the time we arrived, things were pretty quiet. Nevertheless, our highlights included Blue-headed Vireo, a half dozen Hermit Thrush, a Common Yellowthroat, and at the beach itself, some Northern Gannets doing their dives, and three types of Gulls trailing the Ferry on its way to Lewes, DE. I will have to return to this place someday, hopefully in the fall.

April 26 - Higbee Beach, Cape May, NJ

187. Blue-Headed Vireo
188. Hermit Thrush
189. Ruby-crowned Kinglet
190. Great Black-backed Gull
191. Gray Catbird

[veagle]

Our next stop was Cape May Point State Park. Not much activity on the beach, although we did see a Common Loon out on the water and a small group of Palm Warblers at the edge of the parking lot near the beach. Other highlights included great views of Blue-Headed Vireos, a number of Mute Swans, and three Purple Martin "apartments", with lots of occupants. Pictures to follow.

April 26 - Cape May Point State Park, NJ

192. Mute Swan
193. Purple Martin

[veagle]

Just up the road from Cape May Point State Park is the Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge, known as the Meadows. It was about 3 pm when we arrived and we still had an hour's drive to Forsyth NWR ahead of us, so we did'nt wast much time - out and back to the Beach, about a third of a mile each way. Great habitat- and the area was quite birdy. Our highlights included a group of Forster's Terns, a variety of waterfowl, including Mute Swans, Blue- and Green-Winged Teal, and several Chimney Swifts darting around above. At the beach we got a quick look at a Piping Plover, which breed here, as well as a group of American Oystercatchers, and spotted several Northern Gannet out over the Bay. As we left the area there was a large Black Vulture perched on a house directly accross the road from the parking lot, and a Glossy Ibis was seen along the road.

April 26 - Cape May Meadows, NJ

194. Piping Plover
195. Chimney Swift

[veagle]

After a picking up sandwiches, we headed up to E.B. Forsythe NWR, just outside of Atlantic City. I had heard a lot about this place from Steve, and it definately lived up, and exceeded expectations. There is an 8 mile wildlife loop, principally on dikes between ponds and the bay, so there was a constant variety of waterfowl, shorebirds, etc. We didn't get started until about 5:15, and it was getting colder and windy, and the light diminishing over the next 2- 1/2 hours, but it was quite a show. Highlights included large numbers of Osprey, Swallows, Forster's Terns, a flock of perhaps 150 Whimbrel, large numbers of Dunlin, several Black-bellied and American Golden Plover, and my first Seaside Sparrow. Will have to come back here again in better conditions, and spend more time.

All in all, we had almost 90 total species for the day, 5 lifers, and I added 30 birds to my state list. Thanks to Stephennj for his companionship and research. We really lucked out with the weather, and although I'm sure we would have had a lot more species had we done the trip 2 weeks later, we happy and tired at the end of the day.

Note: pictures from previous entry are for this location; I will modify later

April 26 - E.B Forsythe NWR, Brigantine, NJ

196. Solitary Sandpiper (attached picture)
197. American Black Duck
198. Whimbrel
199. Brant
200. Seaside Sparrow (attached picture)

[veagle]

Spring is definately returning to western South Dakota, although the trees haven't opened yet. The birds are returning. Yesterday morning, I drove out to Sevey's Lake, where there were about 30 Wilson's Phalaropes madly spinning about. Three types of Swallows, although not in large numbers, several Eared Grebes, and a Loggerhead Shrike and a Swainson's Hawk.

Later in the day, I drove out Antelope Creek, where I saw several different sparrows, and a handful of Upland Sandpipers. Then this morning, I walked along the Rapid Creek, and was able to see quite a few Orange-Crowned and Yellow-Rumped Warblers.

April 30 - Sevey's Lake, SD

201. Wilson's Phalarope
202. Swainson's Hawk

April 30 - Antelope Creek, Pennington County, SD

203. Upland Sandpiper

May 1 - Jackson Park, Rapid City, SD

204. Orange-Crowned Warbler

[veagle]

May is starting out great, although the weather has not been cooperating. It was in the 40s (F) for most of the weekend. I went for a drive this morning, seeing Yellow-headed Blackbird, three species of Sparrows, Marbled Godwit, Greater Yellowlegs, and Burrowing Owl.

At the home feeders, we got great looks at a FOY Lincoln's Sparrow, as well as a yellow variant House Finch. Then later my wife and I took a drive to Sevey's Lake, and Veith Dam. At the dam, we had Willet, and FOY Bonaparte's Gull, and then the real highlight of the day was the sighting of a single very unusual Whimbrel.

May 2 - Catron Pond, SD

205. Yellow-headed Blackbird

May 2 - Custer County, SD

206. Burrowing Owl

May 2 - Rapid City, SD

207. Lincoln's Sparrow (picture below)

May 2 - Veith's Dam, Meade County, SD

208. Bonaparte's Gull

[veagle]

This morning, it was great to see the first White-Crowned Sparrows, which have become regular visitors in my yard during migration. In fact, I got them on the same day last year. Also had a Mountain Bluebird this morning, along with Chipping Sparrows, and the usual finches, chickadees, red-winged blackbirds, and Eurasian Collared-Dove. I'll add pictures tonight.

May 5 - Rapid City, SD

209. White-crowned Sparrow

[veagle]

Yesterday afternoon, I walked around a small park nearby, where there was a nice group of migrants and nesters - saw an Eastern Phoebe, a number of warblers, and two firsts for the year - Least Flycatcher, and House Wren.

Early this morning I made a quick trip to Sevey's Lake to see if I could locate a Piping Plover that had been seen there. No luck, but there must have been 400 Wilson's Phalaropes, as well as a few assorted shorebirds - Willets, Marbled Godwit, and Long-billed Dowitchers.

Then I walked along Rapid Creek in Jackson Park, here in Rapid City. Lots of Yellow-rumped and Orange-Crowned Warblers, a number of Cedar Waxwing, and first of year Yellow Warbler, and a good number of Swainson's Thrushes.

Lastly, I've had a great variety of Sparrows in my yard lately - House, Chipping, White-Crowned, Lincoln's, and today a couple of Clay-colored joined the gang.

May 7 - Hall Park, Rapid City, SD

210. Least Flycatcher
211. House Wren

May 8 - Sevey's Lake, SD

212. Long-billed Dowitcher

May 8 - Jackson Park, Rapid City, SD

213. Swainson's Thrush
214. Yellow Warbler

May 8 - in the yard

215. Clay-colored Sparrow

[veagle]

We have been having miserable weather recently, rainy and cold, in the 40's F. But migration is here. No better evidence than today when I got home from work, I took a look out at the feeders, and there is this beautiful little Lazuli Bunting, along with 3 Spotted Towhees and a bunch of Chipping Sparrows. It was especially nice as I have only seen Lazuli once before.

May 10 - Rapid City, SD

216. Lazuli Bunting

[veagle]

I have been out of town for a few days, and drove out to Sevey's Lake this afternoon. Some cormorants hanging out, and lots of swallows, Barn, Tree, Northern Rough-wing, and Cliff. And nearby some old favorites, making their first appearance of the year.

May 15 - Sevey's Lake, SD

217. Cliff Swallow
218. Eastern Kingbird
219. Lark Bunting

[veagle]

I spent about an hour at Hammerquest Rd., east of Rapid City. Saw a few new birds. Highlights included three Brown Thrashers, a couple of Eastern Bluebirds, Western and Eastern Kingbirds, some extremely Yellow Warblers, and then a number of Least Flycatchers, and a Black-headed Grosbeak in Jackson Park.

May 16 - Pennington County, SD

220. Western Kingbird
221. Brown Thrasher
222. Lark Sparrow
223. Black-headed Grosbeak

[veagle]

On my way home from work, I swung over north of the Rushmore Mall, looking for Bobolink where I had seen them last year. Took a little while, but right on cue:

May 17 - Pennington County, SD

224. Bobolink

[veagle]

I'm in Sioux Falls, SD for the weekend for the spring meeting of the South Dakota Ornithological Union. The other side of the state, with many different birds. To break the monotony of the 5 hour drive, I stopped briefly at Red Lake in Central South Dakota, where I found many Western Grebes, and five White-faced Ibis. Then at the end of the day in Sioux Falls, spotted a Common Nighthawk. Looking forward to the Newton Hills tomorrow, although the weather may make things difficult.

May 21 - Red Lake, SD

225. Western Grebe
226. White-faced Ibis

May 21 - Sioux Falls, SD

227. Common Nighthawk