It may seem strange to lead off my SD National Grasslands trip with a post about the Onida Marsh (located at the crossroads of the town with the same name), but this marsh has amazing shorebirds and waterfowl, and at this time of year (June 1st) the reeds have not yet grown up to obscure the birds. In addition most of the birds have either not nested, or have just nested … thus the males are still singing out. Finally, the town of Onida is only 30 miles from Pierre which serves as my headquarters for exploring the grasslands.

Most Minnesota birders come to the grasslands to see the Burrowing Owls, and thus tend to visit in later July when the owlets have hatched. However, my goal is to enjoy all the grassland birds which means June 1st is an excellent time to visit. Onida is a great first stop if a person is working their way west from Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin or Illinois.

Regardless, yesterday morning’s first birding stop of this trip was great fun, and very successful. However, I do tend to bird the marsh from Onida Road / 185th Street due to all the farm semi truck traffic.

Onida Marsh American Avocet

American Avocet & Black-Necked Stilt

Black-Necked Stilt

Yellow-Headed Blackbird (courting and gritting)