WHAT'S NEW
AT SECOND CHANCE FLIGHT
From field rescues to release day, this page highlights the
latest work, milestones, and progress from the Prairie Pothole Region.
Governor Rhoden signing HB 1265 into law
HB 1265 SIGNED INTO LAW
After months of hard work, travel, testifying, and building support,
HB 1265 was signed into law. This legislation allows the rescue
of upland gamebird eggs, including pheasants, grouse, turkeys,
and other state managed species.
It took a lot of time and dedication to get here, but it passed
with overwhelming support and is now in effect.
This is a huge step forward for conservation in South Dakota, and
opens the door for Second Chance Flight to expand our mission
and give a second chance to even more birds that would have
otherwise been lost.
Thank you to everyone who supported this bill and
believed in this mission.
OUR FIRST RESCUES
These are our very first rescued eggs,
two batches of Mallard eggs from
nests destroyed during agricultural
operations.
These will be the first of many!
IN THE INCUBATOR
Back at the facility, each egg is
carefully incubated under controlled
conditions to give them the best possible chance.
FIRST HATCHES
New rescued ducklings hatching
healthy and strong.
SAVED FROM THE FIELD
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We work closely with farmers, usually meeting
them right in the fields.
This diligent farmer rescued over 70
duck eggs from hit nests.
REARING PENS
More space was quickly needed, so we
built these pens to house the ducklings
before release.
MORE RESCUED DUCKLINGS
These are Wood duck and Mallard ducklings,
the Wood ducks were abandoned and the Mallards were from a hit nest in a hayfield.
JUST IN TIME
I received a call for this nest of 11 newly hatched Gadwall ducklings,
seconds away from being hit by the mower. The farmer was able to get stopped just in time, and fended off the gulls until I got there.
GROWING STRONG
A variety of rescued newly hatched
ducklings, being transferred to a
larger brooder.
A SPECIAL RESCUE
This brand new little Trumpeter Swan cygnet
was the sole survivor of a terrible accident, both parents and all siblings were hit on railroad tracks. He was found and rescued quickly,
luckily for him!
THE UGLY DUCKLING
Little swan is growing fast, and found friends with some rescued Mallard ducklings!
ALMOST READY
All of the ducklings are growing fast, and
almost ready to be released!
FIRST RELEASES
The first rescued ducklings to be released!
Such a full circle moment to watch them get their second chance at life in the wild.
GROWING RETURNS TO THE WILD
More releases on a tour at the Adam Grimm Federal Duck Stamp Hometown celebration.
HB 1265 SIGNED INTO LAW
After months of hard work, travel, testifying, and building support,
HB 1265 was signed into law. This legislation allows the rescue
of upland gamebird eggs, including pheasants, grouse, turkeys,
and other state managed species.
It took a lot of time and dedication to get here, but it passed
with overwhelming support and is now in effect.
This is a huge step forward for conservation in South Dakota, and
opens the door for Second Chance Flight to expand our mission
and give a second chance to even more birds that would have
otherwise been lost.
Thank you to everyone who supported this bill and
believed in this mission.
DOCUMENTARY ON SECOND CHANCE FLIGHT
Huge thank you to Joseph Glass of The Dirty Birder for putting this together! He traveled, filmed, and produced the entire documentary on his own because he believes in the mission of Second Chance Flight. If you haven't seen the full documentary, please give it a watch! I'm so grateful for the support, and for everyone who's believed in this mission from the start!
SD WILDLIFE FEDERATION YOUTH CONSERVATIONIST OF THE YEAR AWARD
I was truly honored to receive the Youth Conservationist of the Year award at the South Dakota Wildlife Federation's annual convention! I'm so grateful for everything this organization does for conservation, and was so excited to get to be a part of it.
FIRST RESCUES OF 2026
2026 looks like it's going to be a great nesting year for the local birds. There are a lot of breeding pairs of ducks here, as well as lots of pheasants. Unfortunately that means we'll probably be very busy this season, especially once haying starts. We've already taken in 138 rescued duck, pheasant, and turkey eggs from nests that were destroyed or about to be.
FIRST RESCUES OF 2026
Destroyed turkey nest, all nine eggs were able to be salvaged. And some rescued Mallard ducklings, the first hatches of the year.
