Sparrow, American Tree
Description: This tundra nester only visits the Garden in late fall through early spring. Look for it foraging for seeds on the surface of the snow in the Dixon Prairie.
Sora
Description: The sora may be visible during spring and fall migration on Marsh Island and in shoreline vegetation.
Snipe, Common
Description: The snipe is a common, medium-sized shorebird, most often seen on Marsh Island in the Dixon Prairie or along sedge covered shorelines.
Siskin, Pine***
Description: Most winters, thanks to volunteer Peter Dogiakos, who fills homemade bird feeders with thistle in the Enabling Garden, Garden visitors can get close views of a northern bird species called the pine siskin. Gregarious little birds, pine siskins give rising, buzzy, “zreeee” calls as they sit in trees or fly to spruce cones and feeders to dine.
Pine siskins often hang out with American goldfinches, which are similar in shape and size. The siskins, however, have thinner bills and streaked bodies. They often sport yellow on their wing bars and tails.
Shrike, Northern
Description: When these predatory songbirds make a rare trip down from the north, they will most often be seen in the tip of an oak tree in the Dixon Prairie while looking for meadow voles in the snow.
Shoveler, Northern
Description: This colorful duck is usually seen in small flocks on the lakes. It uses its wide, serrated bill to sift food out of the water. It is not a diving duck.
Scoter, White-winged
Description: This is an unusual sight on the lakes or flying overhead.
Scaup, Lesser
Description: Spot this black and white diving duck on any of the lakes.
Scaup, Greater
Description: This black and white duck may been seen diving on the lakes.
Sapsucker, Yellow-bellied
Description: This migrant species may be spotted in trees. Look for rectangular groupings of small holes in the bark of trees to see where they have been drilling their sap wells.