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June 3-4, 2026 | Veblen, SD
Join us for a unique South Dakota bird watching tour on working prairie ranchland. Participants will explore native grasslands while observing grassland birds, wildlife, and livestock in their natural habitat. This hands-on birding experience combines bird identification, habitat education, and grazing management insights from local experts.
Free to current SDGC members and students; $35 per person for non-members (which includes a 1 year SDGC membership). Meals are included.
Join the South Dakota Grassland Coalition for a unique bird watching tour in the native grasslands of northeastern South Dakota, hosted this year at the Bien Ranch near Veblen, SD. This two-day prairie birding experience offers participants the opportunity to explore working ranchland while observing the diverse bird species that depend on healthy grassland ecosystems.
Guided by experienced birders and land managers, attendees will travel across the ranch to observe and identify grassland birds, raptors, and migratory species commonly found in the Northern Great Plains. Participants will learn how grazing management, native prairie, wetlands, and shelterbelts create important habitat for birds and wildlife across South Dakota’s working landscapes.
Throughout the tour, guests will have opportunities to watch, photograph, and record bird species in their natural environment, while gaining a deeper understanding of the relationship between ranching, grassland conservation, and wildlife habitat. The event also provides a chance to connect with fellow bird enthusiasts, ranchers, conservationists, and anyone interested in the future of South Dakota’s grasslands.
Whether you are an experienced birder, a photographer, a rancher, or simply someone who enjoys spending time outdoors, the South Dakota Bird Watching Tour offers a memorable opportunity to experience the beauty and ecological importance of prairie bird habitat.
Event Name: Birds. At Home on the Range Bird Watching Tour
Date: June 3-4, 2026
Location: Bien Ranch | Veblen, SD
Contact: Judge, 605-280-0127
judge.jessop@sdconservation.net
*FREE to current members ($35 for non-members)
You can get a downloadable brochure by clicking HERE.
Join us for the annual bird watching tour: Birds. At Home, on the Range. You will be glad you did!
Click HEREÂ for driving directions.
Wed, June 3
3:25 – 4 pm ~ Gather at Bien Ranch
4:00 – 4:15 ~ Welcome and Introduction to the SD Grassland Coalition
4:15 – 5:00 ~ History of Bien Ranch
5:00 – 5:45 ~ Bird IdentificationÂ
5:45 – 6:45 ~ Supper and Refreshments
6:45 – 7:30 ~ Rainfall Simulator
7:30Â ~Â Birding
Thurs, June 4
5:30 am ~ Gather at Bien Ranch
5:30 – 5:55 ~  Sunrise Coffee and Rolls
6:00 – 8:35 ~ Bird Watch/Record Species
8:35 – 10:45Â ~ Groups rotate to different stations: (40 minutes per station)
10:45 – 11:05 ~ Break/Discuss Group HighlightsÂ
11:05 – 11:35 ~ Habitat Presentation: Grassland Birds
11:35 – 12:35 ~ Lunch and Slideshow
12:40 – 1:30 ~ Grass Manager’s ViewÂ
12:40 – 1:30 ~ Kids’ ActivitiesÂ
2:00Â ~Â Closing Comments
Make your Bird Tour experience go even further. K-12 teachers of any subject area have the option to earn 1 graduate credit by attending the bird tour.
Graduate credit cost: $40
Contact:Â For additional information on the graduate credit contact Kristel Bakker, Dakota State University, Kristel.bakker@dsu.edu.
Directions From Rapid City SD – Approximately 55 minutes:
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1)Â Â Â Head east out of Rapid City, toward the airport on hwy. 44. From the airport turnoff, continue on hwy. 44 for 13 miles. Â
2)Â Â Â Make a right onto 160th Ave. (Country Corner Store is on the left), and continue to the end of road 9.6 miles.Â
3)Â Â Â Make a left at the Y (end of the road) onto Lower Spring Creek Road and continue about 6 miles until you come to River Road on the right.
4)   Make a right onto River Road and continue about 1.5 miles. Make a left turn at the blue house marker #25152. Proceed slowly down driveway, to navigate the bumps in the road, and also to be alert of young dogs, old dogs, smart dogs, and not-so-smart dogs. You have arrived!
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Directions From Hermosa SD – Approximately 45 minutes:
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1)Â Â Â Head east through Hermosa on Hwy 40 and continue about 8 miles.
2)Â Â Â Make a left onto Lower Spring Creak Cut Off. *This turn is easy to miss, so look for an Orange Iron Works sign on the right, a bit before the turn.
3)Â Â Â After about 7.4 miles make a slight right onto Spring Creek Road. Continue on Spring Creek Road for about 11 miles to River Road. *If you are questioning the turns, just always stay to the right.
4)   Make a right onto River Road and continue about 1.5 miles. Make a left turn at the blue house marker #25152. Proceed slowly down driveway, to navigate the bumps in the road, and also to be alert of young dogs, old dogs, smart dogs, and not-so-smart dogs. You have arrived!
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Directions from Scenic SD – Approximately 45 minutes:
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1)Â Â Â From the edge of the town Scenic, on hwy. 44, continue west on hwy. 44 for 11 miles to Creston Road. *This is also marked by a Pete Lien & Sons Quarry sign on the left.
2)Â Â Â Make a left onto Creston Road, and continue about 12.5 miles to River Road. *Note: Creston Road changes to Spring Creek Road at last major curve.Â
3)   Make a left onto River Road and continue about 1.5 miles. Make a left turn at the blue house marker #25152. Proceed slowly down driveway, to navigate the bumps in the road, and also to be alert of young dogs, old dogs, smart dogs, and not-so-smart dogs. You have arrived!
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