The Birding Hub
The Birding Hub

Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge

South Dakota · Midwest

ModerateOfficial Site
Habitat
WetlandGrasslandMarsh
Best Seasons
SpringSummer
Difficulty

Moderate

Best Months

April-July

Entrance Fee

Free

Hours

Dawn to dusk daily

About This Location

Lacreek NWR in south-central South Dakota has been a Trumpeter Swan restoration success story, supporting a growing flock since the 1960s. The refuge's managed wetlands, sandhills prairie, and lake habitats provide critical breeding grounds for a diverse community of grassland and wetland birds.

Sharp-tailed Grouse perform their courtship dances on traditional leks each spring, Burrowing Owls nest in the surrounding grasslands, and the wetlands host breeding Wilson's Phalaropes, American Avocets, and numerous duck species.

Location

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Notable Species

Trumpeter SwanSharp-tailed GrouseBurrowing OwlWilson's PhalaropeUpland Sandpiper

Live Bird Data

Powered by eBird / Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Notable Sightings

White-breasted Nuthatch (Interior West)

Sitta carolinensis

3/4/2026Hell Canyon5 observed

Common Raven

Corvus corax

3/4/2026Hell Canyon2 observed

White-breasted Nuthatch (Interior West)

Sitta carolinensis

3/3/2026Deerfield Trail--Silver City2 observed

Long-tailed Duck

Clangula hyemalis

3/3/2026US-SD-Yankton - 42.8520x-97.46801 observed

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Sphyrapicus varius

3/2/2026Archery Range/Core Road/Billy Goat1 observed

Spotted Towhee

Pipilo maculatus

3/2/2026Archery Range/Core Road/Billy Goat1 observed

Trumpeter Swan

Cygnus buccinator

3/1/20261301 W Mickelson Rd, Hartford US-SD (43.6120,-96.9691)1 observed

Trumpeter Swan

Cygnus buccinator

3/1/20261301 W Mickelson Rd, Hartford US-SD (43.6104,-96.9687)1 observed

Trumpeter Swan

Cygnus buccinator

3/1/20261301 W Mickelson Rd, Hartford US-SD (43.6104,-96.9687)1 observed

Belted Kingfisher

Megaceryle alcyon

2/28/2026Bait Farm Pond1 observed

Black Scoter

Melanitta americana

2/28/2026Oahe Downstream Rec. Area2 observed

Short-billed Gull

Larus brachyrhynchus

2/28/2026LaFramboise Island1 observed

Black Scoter

Melanitta americana

2/28/2026Oahe Downstream Rec. Area2 observed

Iceland Gull (kumlieni)

Larus glaucoides

2/28/2026Oahe Downstream Rec. Area1 observed

Red-headed Woodpecker

Melanerpes erythrocephalus

2/28/2026Peter’s 5479 Canyon Trail, Piedmont US-SD 44.21842, -103.304001 observed

Pinyon Jay

Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus

2/27/2026Whitney Preserve25 observed

Harris's Sparrow

Zonotrichia querula

2/26/2026Home, Brookings, South Dakota, US (44.309, -96.788)1 observed

Red-headed Woodpecker

Melanerpes erythrocephalus

2/26/2026Peter’s 5479 Canyon Trail, Piedmont US-SD 44.21842, -103.304001 observed

Peregrine Falcon

Falco peregrinus

2/25/2026291st Ave, Fort Pierre US-SD 44.20271, -100.325721 observed

Short-billed Gull

Larus brachyrhynchus

2/25/2026LaFramboise Island Area1 observed

Recent Observations

Common Merganser

2700 North Main Street, Mitchell, South Dakota, US (43.737, -98.026)

3/4/2026

2 birds

Mallard

2700 North Main Street, Mitchell, South Dakota, US (43.737, -98.026)

3/4/2026

3 birds

Canada Goose

2700 North Main Street, Mitchell, South Dakota, US (43.737, -98.026)

3/4/2026

3 birds

Redhead

2700 North Main Street, Mitchell, South Dakota, US (43.737, -98.026)

3/4/2026

300 birds

Lesser Scaup

2700 North Main Street, Mitchell, South Dakota, US (43.737, -98.026)

3/4/2026

4 birds

Ring-necked Duck

2700 North Main Street, Mitchell, South Dakota, US (43.737, -98.026)

3/4/2026

8 birds

Common Goldeneye

2700 North Main Street, Mitchell, South Dakota, US (43.737, -98.026)

3/4/2026

20 birds

Hairy Woodpecker

8616 Blucksberg Court, Sturgis, South Dakota, US (44.361, -103.456)

3/4/2026

1 birds

Black-capped Chickadee

8616 Blucksberg Court, Sturgis, South Dakota, US (44.361, -103.456)

3/4/2026

1 birds

Blue Jay

8616 Blucksberg Court, Sturgis, South Dakota, US (44.361, -103.456)

3/4/2026

1 birds

Dark-eyed Junco

8616 Blucksberg Court, Sturgis, South Dakota, US (44.361, -103.456)

3/4/2026

3 birds

European Starling

8616 Blucksberg Court, Sturgis, South Dakota, US (44.361, -103.456)

3/4/2026

7 birds

Red-breasted Nuthatch

8616 Blucksberg Court, Sturgis, South Dakota, US (44.361, -103.456)

3/4/2026

2 birds

House Finch

Greenwood and Calvary Cemeteries

3/4/2026

1 birds

Downy Woodpecker

Dakota Nature Park

3/4/2026

1 birds

Cedar Waxwing

Dakota Nature Park

3/4/2026

21 birds

American Crow

Dakota Nature Park

3/4/2026

1 birds

Bald Eagle

471st Avenue, Brookings, South Dakota, US (44.115, -96.789)

3/4/2026

1 birds

House Sparrow

South Dakota State University, Brookings US-SD 44.32454, -96.78516

3/4/2026

Cackling Goose

South Dakota State University, Brookings US-SD 44.32454, -96.78516

3/4/2026

12 birds

Birding Tips

  1. 1

    Ask the refuge office about active Sharp-tailed Grouse lek locations for spring viewing

  2. 2

    The auto tour route passes close to Trumpeter Swan nesting areas — bring a spotting scope

Amenities

Parking
Restrooms
Trails

Nearby Attractions

  • Valentine National Wildlife Refuge
  • Pine Ridge area

Birding Guides

Understanding Bird Migration: When, Where, and Why Birds Migrate

12 min read

Top Spring Migration Hotspots Across America

10 min read

Fall Migration Guide: Hawks, Sparrows, and More

10 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge for birding?▼
The best months to visit Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge for birding are April-July. The best seasons are Spring and Summer.
What birds can I see at Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge?▼
Notable species at Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge include Trumpeter Swan, Sharp-tailed Grouse, Burrowing Owl, Wilson's Phalarope, Upland Sandpiper. The area supports wetland, grassland, marsh habitats.
How difficult is birding at Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge?▼
Birding at Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge is rated as Moderate. Some trails may require moderate fitness and basic hiking ability.
Is there an entrance fee at Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge?▼
There is no entrance fee at Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge. Hours: Dawn to dusk daily.
What amenities are available at Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge?▼
Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge offers the following amenities: Parking, Restrooms, Trails.