Birding at Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge, South Dakota

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Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge is located in the northeastern part of South Dakota. Home to more than 266 species of birds, 40 mammal species, and a variety of fish, reptiles, and amphibians the refuge is a mosaic of wildlife and the wild places they need. Famed for its spectacular concentrations of wildlife, Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge has received many awards and special designations. It was named one of the top 15 birding sites in North America by WildBird magazine, it is a Globally Important Bird Area and in 1998 was designated a Wetland of International Importance by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. The refuge is considered one of the finest migratory and non-migratory bird watching areas in the U.S. As recently as 1994, an estimated 150,000 nesting pairs of Franklin's gulls were recorded on the refuge, making this the largest known congregation of this species anywhere. The fall temperatures have cooled, bringing countless numbers of migrating waterfowl. Savor one of nature’s "Greatest Shows on Earth" as snow geese, Canada geese, mallards, redheads, and northern shovelers, to name a few cast members, silhouette the open prairie sky in a brilliantly choreographed performance to reach their southern bounds. Don't hesitate too long, this unpredictable traveling troupe pencils their own schedule. They may stay for a week or two, or they may swoop in and out in one day. The refuge is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

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