Family-Outdoors

PIERRE, S.D. – With the recommendation to social distance, many people are looking for activities they can do on their own. South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) invites you to try birding. “Starting or renewing your interest in birds and birding is a perfect way to substitute a fun and healthy hobby for your Netflix addiction,” said Eileen Dowd Stukel, Wildlife Diversity Coordinator. “A birding buddy or group is great, but it’s a perfect time to take a quiet solo walk to find new birds or simply station yourself near your bird feeders. It’s exciting to learn new species, but now is also a great time to watch adult birds care for young that have just left nests to face the world.” To get started, buy or borrow a pair of binoculars and try to view and identify the birds you see or hear. GFP’s booklet “The Fledgling Birder” can help you learn the right clues to lead you to a bird’s ‘family’ (sparrow, thrush, woodpecker) as you hone your skills. Don’t be frustrated if you can’t identify...

You’ve probably heard of the American robin, and may have seen one tugging at worms in your yard. These birds – harbingers of spring, joyful songsters, jolly, round bundles of grey and rust – are a common sight in Michigan. In fact, the robin is so identifiable and well-loved that it was named our state bird in 1931. There was a time, however, when robins were not as common as they are today. In the post-World War II years, DDT and other pesticides were widely used. Farmers sprayed DDT on their fields to reduce crop pests, cities applied it to elm trees to kill the beetles that spread Dutch elm disease, and homeowners used it to control household insects.  Luckily, scientists began to recognize that widespread use of pesticides, including DDT, was causing problems for birds like the American robin. An ornithologist from Michigan State University named George Wallace and his graduate students collected birds from MSU and surrounding suburbs from the mid-1950s into the 1960s....

Refuge Manager Jason Lewis shows Regional Chief of Refuges Charlie Blair and Deputy Regional Director Charlie Wooley some choice birding at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge. Photo by Eddy Pausch/USFWS. International Migratory Bird Day is coming up this Saturday and Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge is one of the best places to watch spring migration. Known as the warbler capital of the world, northwest Ohio is a destination for birders from around the world. Staff at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge look forward to this time of year and are always excited to join with local conservation partners in welcoming birders from beginner to expert. A full schedule of birding events is currently in progress. Call our visitor center (419-898-0014) or visit us online for details:  http://www.fws.gov/refuge/ottawa/ Yellow-rumped warbler. Photo by Alex Galt/USFWS. Our educators and biologists across the Midwest have been big supporters of International Migratory Bird Day for yea...