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Birders hope to spot common and rare feathered birds at Oak Lake

May 17th, 2011

(PhysOrg.com) -- Amateur ornithologists had a keen eye for feathered friends in 2010, identifying a record number of birds. They hope to have even sharper focus with binoculars this year.

The 16th annual Oak Lake Bird Walk starts at 8 a.m. Saturday, May 21, at the Oak Lake Field Station south of Astoria on the east central border of South Dakota. Those who keep this event on their calendar will realize it is a week later than usual. The delay is because the South Dakota Ornithologists’ Union meeting is May 13-15 in Lemmon on the northwest end of the state.

“With the later onset of spring this year, the delay may be to our advantage as we attempt to break the amazing 2010 record of 74 species versus the previous record of 57 species,” according to organizer Gary Larson, a professor in the South Dakota State University Department of Biology and Microbiology.

Participants should bring binoculars and bird field guides, and don seasonal clothing and footwear.

The walk starts at the Heege Administration Building at Oak Lake Field. Directions to the field station can be found online at oaklakefs.com/Access/OAKMAP.HTM .

Ornithologists Nelda Holden and K. C. Jensen will serve as guides. Anyone with an interest in birding is welcome. A donation of $5 per adult and $2 per child age 12 and younger is requested to help fund research and educational programs at Oak Lake Field Station.

The walk will last about three hours. Refreshments will be served at trail’s end.

The Oak Lake Field Station is a 570-acre facility located in the heart of the Northern Plains on the Coteau Des Prairie. The field station hosts university research focused on biofuels development, biodiversity of prairie communities, fire ecology, prairie pothole and stream ecology. While it is owned by the University, the field station is open throughout the year to the general public.

For further information or in the event of questionable weather, Larson can be contacted at 605-690-3435.

Provided by South Dakota State University

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