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Project Results

Several new breeding species were documented during the atlas period (1988-1993) and some former breeders returned to breed in the state. A total of 212 species were Confirmed breeding and 7 others were reported with Probable breeding evidence. The distribution maps of these 219 species are included.

BREEDING SPECIES HIGHLIGHTS

Species not previously confirmed:

Note: Some 1994 and 1995 records are included here to update status. These records are described in recent issues of South Dakota Bird Notes, a quarterly publication of the South Dakota Ornithologists' Union. Species designated with an (*) asterisk are not included among the 219 distribution maps.

Bufflehead (first nests- NE).
Common Moorhen (first nest- NY in 1995).*
Black-necked Stilt (first nest- NE in 1994).*
Whip-poor-will (first nest- NE in 1994) plus PR during project.
Pileated Woodpecker (first nest- NY in 1994).*
Cassin's Kingbird (first nests- NE, ON).
Sedge Wren (first nest- NE in 1994) plus PR during project.
Sage Thrasher (first nest in 1994- NE) plus CO during project.
Sharp-tailed Sparrow (first confirmation, no nest).
Eastern Meadowlark (first nests- NE).
House Finch (first nests-NE, NY).

Species with no recent confirmations:

Osprey (first nest- NY in over 100 years).
Bald Eagle (first nests- NE, NY in over 100 years).
Chimney Swift (first nests- NE, NY reported since 1891).
Scarlet Tanager (first nest- NY reported since 1924).
Western Tanager (first nest reported- ON since 1925).
Swamp Sparrow (first nests reported- NE, NY since 1921).

Other notable confirmations:

Horned Grebe (NE reported in 1994).*
Little Blue Heron (nest reported in 1994 and 1995).*
Tri-colored Heron (nest reported in 1995).*
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (2nd and 3rd nests- ON).
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (first successful nest- NY).
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (FY - highest ever confirmation).
Black-and-White Warbler (first nest- ON).
Evening Grosbeak (first nest- NY).

Most frequently reported species from 124 random blocks:

                  Species          Number  of Random Block
                                           Records

                Mourning Dove               121
                Western Meadowlark          121
                Brown-headed Cowbird        120
                Killdeer                    119
                Red-winged Blackbird        118
                Eastern Kingbird            118
                Barn Swallow                117
                Common Grackle              112
                American Robin              111
                Mallard                     111
                Orchard Oriole              110
                Western Kingbird            109
                Brown Thrasher              109
                Horned Lark                 109
                Grasshopper Sparrow         105
                Northern Flicker            103
                House Sparrow               100

The 17 species in this group were reported, but evidence was not convincing enough at the time to warrant including them with the 219 breeding species.

Potential Breeding Species:

Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus)
Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea)
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron (Nyctanassa violacea)
American Black Duck (Anas rubripes)
Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)
Chukar (Alectoris chukar)
King Rail (Rallus elegans)
Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus)
Caspian Tern (Sterna caspia)
Broad-tailed Hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus)
Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus)
Olive-sided Flycatcher (Contopus borealis)
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus)
Winter Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes)
Cerulean Warbler (Dendroica cerulea)
McCown's Longspur (Calcarius mccownii)
White-winged Crossbill (Loxia leucoptera)