Page 29 - 2022 Digital Visitor Guide
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> >  Birding

                 Every season brings new opportunities
                 for bird watching in the Pierre area, with
                 diverse native species occupying local
                 woods, prairies and wetlands. The area
                 is also an important corridor for many
                 varieties of migratory birds.

                 The best area for birding is in the Oahe
                 Downstream Recreation Area and around
                 the Oahe Dam. Watch for black-legged
                 kittiwake, jaegers and yellow-billed loons,
                 as well as a pair of barn owls living in the
                 tower at the top of the dam. In the winter,
                 grouse, gyrfalcons, hawks and golden
                 eagles are found in nearby hills.
                 The park is the only known South Dakota
                 breeding location of Chuck-Will’s Window,
                 a species of nightjar. Oahe Downstream
                 is also one of the best state parks for
                 viewing bald eagles, which nest in the
                 area from November to February. Observe
                 the birds’ roosting sites from the road
                 only; bald eagles are sensitive to human
                 interference and may abandon a roost
                 if disturbed.

                 The Exploration Nature Trail at Farm       > >  Fort Pierre National Grassland
                 Island Recreation Area offers good
                 viewing opportunities in the spring and        Of the 20 national grasslands administered
                 summer. Be on the lookout for vireos,          by the US Forest Service, the Fort Pierre
                 thrushes, warblers, sparrows, yellow-          National Grassland is one of three located
                 and black-billed cuckoos, least and great      in South Dakota. It is seven miles south
                 crested flycatchers, Bell’s vireo, black-      of Fort Pierre and is open year-round
                 headed and blue grosbeaks, spotted             for visitors who are interested in hunting,
                 towhee, yellow-breasted chat, indigo           fishing, dispersed camping, hiking, birding
                 bunting and green heron.                       and wildlife watching. For more information,
                                                                contact the Fort Pierre Ranger District
                 Held on weekends throughout the year,          at 605.224.5517. Or stop by the office
                 the Walk in the Park series of guided,         at 1020 N Deadwood Street, Fort Pierre.
                 educational hikes takes participants
                 through our state parks to learn about
                 local birds and other wildlife. The walks
                 aare led by park staff and volunteers.


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