Black Hills Birding

Greetings from Spearfish, SD

Over the past couple weeks I have been able to do lots of birding throughout the Black Hills of South Dakota. I have also been lucky enough to have a few interesting birds pause for a picture-sometimes when I have my camera and also when I don't. I have seen a few birds that I haven't seen in the Black Hills before including Cassin's Finch and White-winged Crossbill. I have also seen some great mountain birds including Clark's Nutcracker, Gray Jay, and American Dipper. One of the biggest highlights though was finding a Black-backed Woodpecker nest hole, with the young yet to have fledged and an adult female in the next tree over.

Juvi Townsend's Solitaire-although not all range maps show Townsend's Solitaires as a breeding species, I think this shot shows that is wrong.

Pine Siskin- a common bird in The Hills (slang for the Black Hills)

Lewis's Woodpecker-One of my favorite woodpeckers.

Iron Creek-This creek/canyon runs into Spearfish Canyon. This area is one of the only areas to see American Dippers in the Hills.

American Dipper-One of the most interesting birds in my opinion. This bird actually dives under the rapids of creeks and catches aquatic insects. It usually builds its nest on a rock next to a rushing creek or waterfall.

-Eric