Before European settlement, the prairie stretched across one fifth of the North American Continent. As man settled on the plains, crops of wheat and corn replaced prairie grasses, and hungry settlers caused the disappearance of many species of wildlife. Now only scattered remnants remain of our native grasslands and wildlife that once lived here.
Millions of ducks and geese and other wildlife owe their existence to the refuge operated by United States Fish & Wildlife Service. The location of many of these refuge's are in South Dakota's prairie, where eastern and western species of American birds converge. South Dakota is home to six wild life refuges, three state nature areas and the Nature Conservancy maintains land with in the state.
Bird Watchers can mark hundreds of sightings on their list by visiting refuges like these. Bird watching in the Waubay National Wildlife Refuge, in the heart of South Dakota's prairie pothole country, provides the opportunity to view nearly 250 species of birds. The Sioux Indian word "Waubay" translates to "a nesting place for birds." The refuge includes about 4600 acres of wetland and upland habitat that provide nesting habitat for about 100 species of birds. You will find mammals, reptiles and amphibians here also.
The Samuel H. Ordway, Jr. Memorial Prairie in the northern section of South Dakota is 7800 acres of endless grasses and wild flowers. During the breeding season thousands of water fowl nest near the preserves 400 pot holes. Look for mallard, gadwell, pintail and Baird's sparrow. The Ordway Prairie's self guided tours allows people to observe sweeping panoramas as you meander along inspecting each detail closely. Bird watchers may observe various shore birds and the ground nesting ferriginous hawk.
Congress established the 21, 400 acre Sand Lake Wildlife Refuge in 1935 and is the home of thousands of ducks. geese and other migratory birds. The refuge's mixture of pot holes and prairie attracts many different birds like the ring necked pheasant, shore birds and songbirds.
The Lake Andes National Wildlife Refuge Complex manages three units:Karl E. Mundt National Wild life refuge helps to assure the perpetuation of the bald eagle. The cottonwoods and abundance of fish make ideal habitat for nesting and wintering bald eagles. The majority of eagles move onto the refuge in the fall, with peak populations in December and January. Also a person may observe many songbirds at Karl Mundt.
Lake Andes Wetland Management District a 18,400 acre wetland provides nesting habitat for wild ducks.
Go To Page: 1 2
