Counting Birds in Pine Ridge

The distant Black Hills, Paha Sapa, as seen from Pine Ridge

Dark-eyed Junco

On January 2nd I journeyed out to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation to participate in the inaugural Pine Ridge Christmas Bird Count. I had an absolutely wonderful time! The weather was as good as one could hope to have in South Dakota in the winter. The day started off at 9 degrees, but climbed into the 40s by mid-afternoon. However, the warm sunshine and lack of wind made even the early morning hours quite bearable. Four of us spent 10 hours counting birds, but also checking out the area in preparation for the first official Christmas Bird Count next year. 



Townsend's Solitaire



The Pine Ridge Reservation in southwestern South Dakota is named for one of its dominant geographic features. A series of Ponderosa Pine-covered ridges rises above the valley of the White River that passes through the reservation from south to north. These forested ridges form a sort of transition from the treeless grasslands to the east and the Black Hills that rise about sixty miles west of Pine Ridge. Our 15 mile diameter count circle contained a good portion of Pine Ridge habitat, but also river valleys, wetlands and prairie.

We counted a total of 30 species of birds including Red Crossbill, Common Redpoll, Song Sparrow, Northern Shrike, Townsend's Solitaire, American Coot, Sharp-tailed Grouse, Wild Turkey, and Black-billed Magpie. The most commonly seen bird of the day, surprisingly, was American Goldfinch. We are excited about the possibilities that Pine Ridge offers for winter birding, and for increased participation in the Christmas Bird Count next year. Come on out in 12 months and join us!



Black-billed Magpie