2019-12-20 05:16:33
Tips for Birding in Central South Dakota FINDING BIRDS Timing is important in birding. Check your birding field guide and other references before embarking on a search for a specific species listed in the South Dakota Missouri River Tourism Birding Guide. ROADS Slow down when driving on gravel roads. Some gravel roads may be impassable when muddy or snow-covered. Check with local contacts if in doubt. Less-traveled gravel roads provide great birding. Watch for good places to pull over and bird as you drive between trail hot spots. PARKS All state parks and recreation areas require a park entrance license. All state parks offer parking and toilets. Most offer camping as well. VEHICLE TRAILS Many of the birding trail’s state game production areas and federal waterfowl production areas have rough roads. It is recommended you walk rather than attempt to drive on these dirt roads. There are no fees required to visit these areas. WEATHER Air temperature and precipitation can change quickly in South Dakota. Be prepared with outerwear suitable to the season. Plan to include insect repellent for summer birding. BIRDING ETHICS The best birding is the least intrusive to birds and their habitat. Disturbing a bird — making it flush from cover, call in alarm or focus on your presence — stresses it and may expose it to predators. Use binoculars, stay back, avoid damaging habitat and enjoy. The Great Lakes Tourism birding trail includes opportunities to view species with special protection from disturbance, such as the Least Tern, Piping Plover, Bald Eagle and Whooping Crane. Adhere to any signs indicating the presence of nesting terns and plovers or wintering bald eagles. Violating federal or state laws protecting these species can result in serious penalties in addition to the potential harm done to the nesting, migrating or wintering birds. (See American Birding Association’s Code of Birding Ethics.)
©South-Dakota. View All Articles.