A Birder’s Guide to the George S. Mickelson Trail George S. Mickelson Trail A Birder’s Guide to the George S. Mickelson Trail The purpose of this guide is to enhance the Mickelson Trail experience. Primarily, it is intended for use by the casual or novice birder, although the advanced birder may also find it useful. Newcomers to the Black Hills will be surprised at the diversity and density of birds along the trail. Hopefully, this guide will be educational and serve to increase avian awareness. The ultimate goal, of course, is to spark interest and curiosity about birds where little or none previously existed. Please take up the challenge and have fun “checking off” the species you spot as you take in the beauty of the Mickelson Trail. Western Tanager Doug Backlund Trailheads 1. Deadwood Trailhead MP 108.8 2. Kirk Trailhead MP 105.3 2A. Lead Trailhead MP 103.7 3. Sugarloaf Trailhead MP 103.3 4. Englewood Trailhead MP 98.5 5. Dumont Trailhead MP 92.6 6. Rochford Trailhead MP 82.6 7. Mystic Trailhead MP 74.7 8. Burlington Northern Hill City Trailhead MP 60.1 9. The Mountain Trailhead MP 49.6 10. Harbach Park Trailhead in Custer MP 44.5 11. White Elephant Trailhead MP 35.7 12. Pringle Trailhead MP 32.1 13. Minnekahta Trailhead MP 16.2 14. Edgemont Trailhead MP 0 Cover photos: Inset photos–(Doug Backlund) Great Horned Owl, Chipping Sparrow, Red-naped Sapsucker, Red Crossbill (Dave Menke/USFWS), Ovenbird. Photo image–Western Tanager, GSM Trailhead (Doug Backlund, Emilie Miller) www.MickelsonTrail.com 1 (605) 584-3896 How to use this guide Just as birds can be found out of habitat, the user This is not an identification guide, but rather an aid to should also note that birds are not necessarily obedient inform the user of bird species which might be present to calendars. The issue of seasons becomes even more along the Mickelson Trail. Use of a proper field guide arbitrary when two seasons converge and as weather to bird identification in conjunction with this guide is patterns fluctuate. It should be noted that some common essential. See page 5 for suggested field guides. species–particularly those found throughout the entire length of the Mickelson Trail–are not always listed. This guide reduces the 14 trailheads into nine sections by combining some of the shorter routes. Each section has Birding Tips facing pages with the left page devoted to a map and notes Habitat is everything to a bird. It is important for the about habitat along or fledgling birder to develop and cultivate some basic Red near the trail. The page knowledge of birds’ preferred habitats and how to Crossbill on the right lists some of identify them. Habitat preference is related to basic the birds–both expected instincts and needs–food, shelter, survival, and carrying and probable–for that on the species. Knowing what birds eat and where section of the trail, they nest are key to understanding where to find them. along with brief notes Awareness of bird distribution–the range in which they on where and how normally are found–and migration routes is also helpful. to find them. It is important for the Listening is often as important as seeing when it comes beginning bird watcher to detecting and identifying birds. Birds are often heard to understand the before they are seen. This is especially true in spring Dave Menke/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service serendipity of birding. and early summer. Listening to recordings and acquiring Birds common to an area one day may not be found the even a modest familiarity with bird vocalizations– next. Conversely, luck may have it that a rare species is calls, songs or notes–greatly improves the chance operating on the same schedule as the birder. of making an identification. Habitat awareness is important in anticipating which Mental notes should be made before consulting a field species might be encountered. Many birds are habitat guide when trying to identify a bird. Birds do not always specific. Others may have a preference but may be cooperate in their identification and they can disappear found in a variety of habitats. Some species are habitat quickly. Begin by noting the relative size of the bird in non-specific and may turn up anywhere. It is always relation to familiar species–sparrows, robins, pigeons, and important to remember that birds have wings, which crows. Size comparisons are most accurate when a familiar means that anything is possible. species is present. Next, note the bill–its shape, color and its size in relation to the head. Field marks such as The checklist on pages 26 to 29 lists species in taxonomic overall color, wing bars, spotting or streaking, and order–the known or assumed relationship between species. especially patterns about It is a good idea for the beginning birder to get accustomed the head are important. A to this method, as it facilitates locating birds in field birds’ general shape and Doug Backlund guides. Like anything else, with regular use, familiarity profile is often a good with taxonomic order becomes second nature. Two clue as to its family–such columns precede the species listing. The first column is as sparrow, wren or for “checking off” a sighting. The second column notes woodpecker. Don’t stop the habitat(s) where a species is most likely to occur. observing when the There are four columns following the species list. These bird flies. Look for Violet Green Swallow columns note the probability of encountering the species markings on the tail and wings, and note the manner of (either visually or audibly) in a given season. flight–direct, flitting, undulating. Habitat and behavior are good clues–where was the bird and what was it doing? 2 3 ’s When to look for birds is Townsend Optics somewhat species-specific. Solitaire Binoculars, even the most modest and inexpensive, Generally speaking, the are virtually a must for proper bird identification and best time to go birding enjoyment. Try out several models before choosing one. is early in the morning, Test how they fit the eyes and hands, ease of focus, clarity or later in the day toward and brightness. The beginning birder is wise to start with evening. This is when birds the most durable, expensive pair of binoculars affordable– are the most conspicuous within reason. The trials and tribulations of being a beginner in song and behavior. Bird usually result in that first pair becoming damaged. behavior is directly linked to seasonal changes. Spring Field Guides is a time for migration, The field guide of choice has become the National courtship and nest building. Audubon Society’s Sibley Guide to Birds. It is easy to Summer is for the rearing Doug Backlund use and includes all the birds of North America. Another of young. Fall is a time to build fat reserves for migration. widely used book is the National Geographic Society’s Winter is a time of survival. These factors affect bird Field Guide to the Birds of North America. It is smaller activity and the times of day in which they are likely and more easily slipped into a pocket than the Sibley guide, to be active. but not as extensively illustrated. When choosing field guides, remember that illustrations are far superior to Light and atmospheric conditions can greatly influence photographs when it comes to bird identification. Artistic the perception of color. The intensity of light and weather illustrations, in essence, simplify and accentuate field conditions such as fog or rain can make it easy for gray marks, making correct identification easier. A slight to appear as blue, or for red to be mistaken for black. exception to this is the Kaufman Focus Guide, Birds of Back lighting is the scourge of all birders–making the North America. This book uses the wonders of technology brightest of colors appear black and erasing all field to alter and enhance digital photographs–a hybrid of marks. The best approach when bird identification is photography and painting. This guide and the Sibley uncertain is to relegate the sighting to “unidentified,” book, both use the “Peterson system” of arrows to instead of making a potentially incorrect “guess.” point out distinguishing field marks. Migration means more than birds leaving. It also signals the arrival of new species. Not all birds migrate. Some Etiquette are local residents year-round. It should be noted that most Care must be taken to not be too aggressive when birds have what are called basic and alternate (breeding) attempting to observe or identify a bird. Over zealous plumage. Field guides pursuit or harassment can severely stress a bird and should be closely cause breeding, nest, or young abandonment. It is also consulted in terms of important to remember that many sections of the trail the species and season. border private property. Please do not trespass in an attempt to identify a bird. US Fish and Wildlife Service Be quiet. Birds are very aware of sound Weather and easily scared off. Weather conditions can change very quickly in the The quiet birder will not Black Hills and with little advanced warning. Spring only benefit by seeing and summer showers can seemingly materialize out of more birds, but also by nowhere and be gone in minutes. Temperatures can hearing them. fluctuate greatly. Be prepared. Travel with rain gear and dress in layers of clothing. American Redstart 4 5 Trailheads 1-4 Ruffed Grouse American Dipper Doug Backlund Doug Backlund Habitat Birds and Notes The distance between the Deadwood (1) and Englewood Great Blue Heron .