Spearfish Bird Checklist
Grab your binoculars and camera, because here in the Black Hills, it’s a bird watchers dream. In the Northern Hills alone there are over 220 species of birds. In the fall, watch the geese in the formation migrate down south or a gaggle of turkeys wandering around. When the snow begins to fall, see if you can spot an eagle in its nest amongst the pines. Springtime brings robins, sparrows and turkey vultures. In the summer you’ll see hawks flying around and maybe even an American dipper too. Regardless of the season and species, Spearfish is the place for bird watching.
A Birdwatcher Checklist
Whether you’re a dedicated bird watcher or just getting into it, here’s a birdwatcher’s checklist to make sure you have the ultimate time:
- Northern Hills Checklist (found in our Visitor Spearfish visitor center)
- Pen/pencil
- Binoculars
- Sunscreen
- Water
- Camera
Places for Sightseeing
With its limestone cliffs, pine and spruce trees, and plenty of hiking trails, Spearfish Canyon is the perfect first stop to start your Black Hills birdwatching. An American Dipper might be found near the falls, or you might just see a hawk flying near the cliffs.
Wanna go on a hike and try to spot some woodpeckers, sparrows or other birds that like to stay close to the trees? Head up the Crow Peak Mountain trailhead where you will have plenty of opportunities to check some birds off your list as you climb up the mountain. Hear a woodpecker hard at work as you climb to reach the 5,760 ft elevation point.
Lookout Mountain Trailhead is another great hiking trail where you can spot some different birds as you walk through the trees.
Want a spot where you’ll a variety of birds including different ducks? Head to the D.C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery in order to check off plenty of birds off your list. Capture a photo of the wood ducks and mallard ducks swimming around in the water. Swallows, towhee, finches and more can all be spotted at the Hatchery.
Birds to Look out for
Now the Black Hills are home to hundreds of bird species, and while some are more common to spot than others, there’s a chance you might spot some of those harder to spot birds.
In the wintertime, sitting atop in the trees, you can spot a Bald Eagle in the Spearfish Canyon. Another bird species that might be hard to spot, but can be found in this area are three different types of owls. The Great Horned Owl, Northern Saw–Whet Owl, and the Eastern Screech Owl, while not easily spot, are incredible birds if found. (Definitely great to get a photo of!)
Another bird you want to keep an eye open for (and can be found in the Spearfish Canyon) is the American Dipper. Roughlock Falls is where you might just have the best luck to check these aquatic songbirds off your list.
There’s plenty more bird species to find in the beautiful surrounding area of Spearfish. Be sure to grab your own Northern Birds Checklist at our visitor center!
