![[Return to Physics Department]](/images/Top.jpg){kind=small}
1. Re: Sighting of Pileated Woodpecker
jkovanda@juno.com (James Kovanda)
Sat, 16 Jan 1999 20:05:10 EST
2. Re: Sighting of Pileated Woodpecker
Sheri Danielson <sdaniels@ops.org>
Sat, 16 Jan 1999 19:36:01 -0600 (CST)
3. Re:List Serve Procedures
jkovanda@juno.com (James Kovanda)
Sat, 16 Jan 1999 22:00:58 EST
4. Re: Lincoln CBC, December 19,1998
"Linda R. Brown" <lb14735@navix.net>
Sat, 16 Jan 1999 23:29:09 +0000
5. RE: Lincoln CBC, December 19,1998
Mark Orsag <MOrsag@doane.edu>
Sun, 17 Jan 1999 18:18:33 -0600
6. Winter Chippies
"Chuck & Jaye Otte" <otte@jc.net>
Sun, 17 Jan 1999 20:23:08 -600
7. NeBirds Glaucous Gull Gosper Co.
marshwren@nctc.net (Randolph and Harding)
Sun, 17 Jan 1999 21:05:14 -0600
8. Birding sites
Paul Johnsgard <pjohnsga@unlinfo.unl.edu>
Mon, 18 Jan 1999 09:23:05 -0600 (CST)
9. Re:List Serve Procedures
marshwren@nctc.net (Randolph and Harding)
Mon, 18 Jan 1999 12:14:44 -0600
10.
Laurel Badura <lteten@ngpc.state.ne.us>
Mon, 18 Jan 1999 13:30:09 -0600
11. Birding areas of Nebraska
Paul Johnsgard <pjohnsga@unlinfo.unl.edu>
Mon, 18 Jan 1999 15:15:35 -0600 (CST)
12. Re: Sandhill Cranes
HARRYNE@aol.com
Mon, 18 Jan 1999 21:35:55 EST
13. Re: Sandhill Cranes
"Ross Silcock" <silcock@sidney.heartland.net>
Mon, 18 Jan 1999 21:45:22 -0600
14. Re: Birding sites
rluehrs@kearney.net (Richard Luehrs)
Mon, 18 Jan 1999 22:12:51 -0600
15. Re: Cranes
"Thomas E. Labedz" <tlabedz@unlinfo.unl.edu>
Tue, 19 Jan 1999 07:55:55 -0600
16. Re: Birding sites
Paul Johnsgard <pjohnsga@unlinfo.unl.edu>
Tue, 19 Jan 1999 08:27:51 -0600 (CST)
17. Re: Birding sites
Paul Johnsgard <pjohnsga@unlinfo.unl.edu>
Tue, 19 Jan 1999 09:04:28 -0600 (CST)
18. NeBirds addendum Glaucous Gull Gosper Co.
LANNY RANDOLPH <RANDOLPHL@platte.unk.edu>
Tue, 19 Jan 1999 13:00:34 -0600
19. Re: Sandhill Cranes
cnk@scholars.bellevue.edu
Tue, 19 Jan 1999 14:56:05 CDT
20. Re: Sandhill Cranes
Paul Johnsgard <pjohnsga@unlinfo.unl.edu>
Tue, 19 Jan 1999 15:37:11 -0600 (CST)
21. Re:
Sheri Danielson <sdaniels@ops.org>
Tue, 19 Jan 1999 15:43:04 -0600 (CST)
22. January "Big Day"
Mark Orsag <MOrsag@doane.edu>
Tue, 19 Jan 1999 16:59:08 -0600
23. Re: Sandhill Cranes
rluehrs@kearney.net (Richard Luehrs)
Tue, 19 Jan 1999 18:41:33 -0600
Subject: Re: Sighting of Pileated Woodpecker From: jkovanda@juno.com (James Kovanda) Date: Sat, 16 Jan 1999 20:05:10 EST Hi NeBirders Today, Saturday 16, my wife, Sandy, and I saw a pileated woodpecker in Fontenelle Forest. We were south of Gifford Road on the railroad tracks at the eastern-most part of the trail into Mormon Hollow. We heard its loud call which drew our attention to the bird. We saw it west of the tracks up the hill, to the north of the trail. It flew between two or three trees before departing southwest, up the hollow. The sighting was at 11:15 a.m. It was not found later in afternoon. But tomorrow, Sunday, may be a good day to give it aother try. Jim Kovanda ___________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com/getjuno.html or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]
Date: Sat, 16 Jan 1999 19:36:01 -0600 (CST) From: Sheri Danielson <sdaniels@ops.org> Subject: Re: Sighting of Pileated Woodpecker Please tell me what address I can use to unsubscribe from the listserve that you sent this to. Thanks Sheri ****************************************************************************** Yesterday is history; tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift - that's why we call it "the present". author unknown One generation passes away, and another generation comes; But the earth abides forever. (Ecc 1:4) Sheri Danielson Omaha Public Schools Boyd Elementary School 8314 Boyd Street Omaha, Nebraska 68134 sdaniels@ops.org
Subject: Re:List Serve Procedures From: jkovanda@juno.com (James Kovanda) Date: Sat, 16 Jan 1999 22:00:58 EST Shari, This message probably goes to all subscribers on this listserve. To unsubscribe I think you need only write UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message. No subject is needed. Send your message to DataShare@rip.physics.unk.edu If this is not a correct procedure, will others on this listserve please help Shari? Jim Kovanda On Sat, 16 Jan 1999 19:36:01 -0600 (CST) Sheri Danielson <sdaniels@ops.org> writes: >Please tell me what address I can use to unsubscribe from the >listserve that you sent this to. Thanks ****************************************************************************** >Sheri Danielson >Omaha Public Schools >Boyd Elementary School >8314 Boyd Street >Omaha, Nebraska 68134 >sdaniels@ops.org ___________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com/getjuno.html or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]
Date: Sat, 16 Jan 1999 23:29:09 +0000 From: "Linda R. Brown" <lb14735@navix.net> Subject: Re: Lincoln CBC, December 19,1998 Hi all, especially Thomas Labedz for his repeated interest and other Lincoln birders on this line. Good job! At long last I have the Lincoln CBC counted. Sorry to delay so long. We saw 77 species and 11,263 individual birds, December 19th in the Lincoln count circle (the circle we have been counting since 1972).The temperature was 18-21 degrees F. Wind was 23 mph out of the north. Too bad we couldn't have counted on the previous Thursday, the last good day of our outstandingly warm fall. BIRDS IN CAPITAL LETTERS ARE NOT USUALLY SEEN IN OUR COUNT CIRCLE. In the 1997 count held January 3,1998 we saw 58 species and 7024 individuals. I have not turned this info into Audubon yet so Lincoln folk let me know if you see something amiss. (Paul Kaufman-take special note! I always appreciate your keen eye!) Linda R. Brown, compiler. lb14735@navix.net 1 WESTERN GREBE 6 Double-crested Cormorant 1 Greater White-fronted Goose 1831 Canada Goose 213 Snow Goose 75 Snow Goose (blue morph) 37 GREEN-WINGED TEAL 227 Mallard 9 NORTHERN SHOVELER 35 Gadwall 7 AMERICAN WIGEON 2 REDHEAD 9 RING-NECKED DUCK 53 LESSER SCAUP 66 Common Goldeneye 2 BUFFLEHEAD 96 Common Merganser 5 Hooded Merganser 2 Bald Eagle 12 Northern Harrier 2 Sharp-shinned Hawk 3 Cooper's Hawk 1 accipter (sp) 61 Red-tailed Hawk 2 Rough-legged Hawk 4 hawk (sp) 13 American Kestrel 2 Merlin 8 Ring-necked Pheasant 13 Northern Bobwhite 1 American Coot 3 Killdeer 551 Ring-billed Gull 22 Herring Gull 235 Rock Dove 25 Mourning Dove 2 Eastern Screech-owl 3 Great-horned Owl 3 Barred Owl 1 owl (sp) 4 Belted Kingfisher 23 Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 Yellow-bellied Salpsucker 137 Downy Woodpecker 13 Hairy Woodpecker 39 Northern Flicker 4 Yellow-shafted Race 1 Red-shafted Race 30 Horned Lark 146 Blue Jay 343 American Crow 2 Black-billed Magpie 316 Black-capped Chicadee 6 Red-breasted Nuthatch 65 White-breasted Nuthatch 23 Brown Creeper 4 Caroline Wren 67 Golden-crowned Kinglet 32 American Robin 41 Cedar Waxwing 1 Northern Shrike 1060 European Starling 169 Northern Cardinal 1 Eastern Towhee 9 Spotted Towhee 656 American Tree Sparrow 10 CHIPPING SPARROW 9 Song Sparrow 6 Fox Sparrow 19 White-throated Sparrow 12 White-crowned Sparrow 144 Harris' Sparrow 881 Dark-eyed Junco 372 Slate-colored Race 13 Oregon Race 50 Smith's Longspur 2087 Red-winged Blackbird 56 meadowlark (sp) 12 GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE 60 blackbird (sp) 66 House Finch 41 Pine Siskin 161 American Goldfinch 437 House Sparrow
From: Mark Orsag <MOrsag@doane.edu> Subject: RE: Lincoln CBC, December 19,1998 Date: Sun, 17 Jan 1999 18:18:33 -0600 Linda, I think that the 10 Chipping Sparrows thing are somewhat problematic. I have seen numerous Am. Tree Sparrows (particularly yesterday)with worn plumage and no or a hard-to-see central spot. Of course, I didn't see the birds in question... Mark Orsag -----Original Message----- From: Linda R. Brown [mailto:lb14735@navix.net] Sent: Saturday, January 16, 1999 5:29 PM To: NeBirds@rip.physics.unk.edu Cc: Blessing, Jody; Gabig, Joe & Kathryn; Kren,Josef; mf93731@navix.net; Norby, Chuck; Scharf, Bill; therrick@unlinfo.unl.edu; Thomas E. Labedz nlstring@inetnebr.com Subject: Re: Lincoln CBC, December 19,1998 Hi all, especially Thomas Labedz for his repeated interest and other Lincoln birders on this line. Good job! At long last I have the Lincoln CBC counted. Sorry to delay so long. We saw 77 species and 11,263 individual birds, December 19th in the Lincoln count circle (the circle we have been counting since 1972).The temperature was 18-21 degrees F. Wind was 23 mph out of the north. Too bad we couldn't have counted on the previous Thursday, the last good day of our outstandingly warm fall. BIRDS IN CAPITAL LETTERS ARE NOT USUALLY SEEN IN OUR COUNT CIRCLE. In the 1997 count held January 3,1998 we saw 58 species and 7024 individuals. I have not turned this info into Audubon yet so Lincoln folk let me know if you see something amiss. (Paul Kaufman-take special note! I always appreciate your keen eye!) Linda R. Brown, compiler. lb14735@navix.net 1 WESTERN GREBE 6 Double-crested Cormorant 1 Greater White-fronted Goose 1831 Canada Goose 213 Snow Goose 75 Snow Goose (blue morph) 37 GREEN-WINGED TEAL 227 Mallard 9 NORTHERN SHOVELER 35 Gadwall 7 AMERICAN WIGEON 2 REDHEAD 9 RING-NECKED DUCK 53 LESSER SCAUP 66 Common Goldeneye 2 BUFFLEHEAD 96 Common Merganser 5 Hooded Merganser 2 Bald Eagle 12 Northern Harrier 2 Sharp-shinned Hawk 3 Cooper's Hawk 1 accipter (sp) 61 Red-tailed Hawk 2 Rough-legged Hawk 4 hawk (sp) 13 American Kestrel 2 Merlin 8 Ring-necked Pheasant 13 Northern Bobwhite 1 American Coot 3 Killdeer 551 Ring-billed Gull 22 Herring Gull 235 Rock Dove 25 Mourning Dove 2 Eastern Screech-owl 3 Great-horned Owl 3 Barred Owl 1 owl (sp) 4 Belted Kingfisher 23 Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 Yellow-bellied Salpsucker 137 Downy Woodpecker 13 Hairy Woodpecker 39 Northern Flicker 4 Yellow-shafted Race 1 Red-shafted Race 30 Horned Lark 146 Blue Jay 343 American Crow 2 Black-billed Magpie 316 Black-capped Chicadee 6 Red-breasted Nuthatch 65 White-breasted Nuthatch 23 Brown Creeper 4 Caroline Wren 67 Golden-crowned Kinglet 32 American Robin 41 Cedar Waxwing 1 Northern Shrike 1060 European Starling 169 Northern Cardinal 1 Eastern Towhee 9 Spotted Towhee 656 American Tree Sparrow 10 CHIPPING SPARROW 9 Song Sparrow 6 Fox Sparrow 19 White-throated Sparrow 12 White-crowned Sparrow 144 Harris' Sparrow 881 Dark-eyed Junco 372 Slate-colored Race 13 Oregon Race 50 Smith's Longspur 2087 Red-winged Blackbird 56 meadowlark (sp) 12 GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE 60 blackbird (sp) 66 House Finch 41 Pine Siskin 161 American Goldfinch 437 House Sparrow
From: "Chuck & Jaye Otte" <otte@jc.net> Date: Sun, 17 Jan 1999 20:23:08 -600 Subject: Winter Chippies from Chuck Otte, Junction City Kansas otte@jc.net Greetings my old home state! I agree with Mark that winter records of Chipping Sparrows are always a problem. They aren't impossible, we had a winter Chippie at Manhattan KS last winter, documented with outstanding photos. And with the delayed arrival of winter, or even late fall weather, until so late into December this would sure be the year to have them. I compile to Christmas Bird Counts and one of the party's reported 8 Chipping Sparrows. I asked a few questions and converted them to Tree Sparrows. They can be very confusing at times. Ask lot's of questions! I guess I'd be less skeptical if there was only 1 Chipping Sparrow.... Chuck +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Chuck & Jaye Otte mailto:otte@jc.net 613 Tamerisk Junction City Kansas USA 66441 785-238-8800 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
From: marshwren@nctc.net (Randolph and Harding) Subject: NeBirds Glaucous Gull Gosper Co. Date: Sun, 17 Jan 1999 21:05:14 -0600 Hi Nebraska birders, Sunday, January 17, in Buffalo County about 3 1/2 miles southeast of Gibbon we saw two Pine Siskins. Three miles south of Gibbon we saw a Merlin. In Gosper County at Johnson's Lake we saw five Greater White-fronted Geese, 71 Common Mergansers, a Sharp-shinned Hawk, twenty Ring-billed Gulls, 130 Herring Gulls, a first winter Glaucous Gull, seven Red-breasted Nuthatches, five Golden-crowned Kinglets, a Yellow-rumped Warbler and three more Pine Siskins. It seemed unusual to see more Herring Gulls than Ring-billed Gulls. And the Glaucous Gull kept getting closer and closer until it was right in front of us, as if to make sure we studied it. It was close and in good light, but not necessarily beautiful. Some of the goldeneye eventually got just as close and in just as good of light but they were glowingly magnificent. good birding and good bye, Lanny Lanny Randolph southcentral Nebraska 50370 24th rd Gibbon, Ne. 68840 308-468-5057 Marshwren@nctc.net (home) RandolphL@platte.UNK.edu (work)
Date: Mon, 18 Jan 1999 09:23:05 -0600 (CST) From: Paul Johnsgard <pjohnsga@unlinfo.unl.edu> Subject: Birding sites Greetings; There has been some discussion lately about providing a listing of birding sites in the state. I could provide the text for my "Bird-finding Guide to Nebraska" that lists about 400 such sites that might be added to the website. This wouldn't include the county maps, but at least for the larger areas it shouldn't be hard to find them. The complete 100-page booklets, with county maps and tabular information giving species lists for ten major birding locations are available from me (when I periodically reprint them). Paul Johnsgard
From: marshwren@nctc.net (Randolph and Harding) Subject: Re:List Serve Procedures Date: Mon, 18 Jan 1999 12:14:44 -0600 Shari, This message goes to all subscribers on this listserve. To unsubscribe look at your message headers. On my computer, instructions for unsubscribing are in the headers of every message I get from NeBirds. If you can't find it there, then look at your welcome to NeBirds message. If you can't find it there, then send a message to autoshare@rip.physics.unk.edu and write the word help in the body of the message (no subject is needed). The help message is full of very useful information about the listserv. If you have any more trouble, send me a message at marshwren@nctc.net. I am sorry that you wish to leave this list, if you have suggestions for how we can make it better, please send me a message. If you know anyone else who would be interested in NeBirds, please tell them about us. >On Sat, 16 Jan 1999 Sheri Danielson ><sdaniels@ops.org> writes: >>Please tell me what address I can use to unsubscribe from the >>listserve that you sent this to. Thanks >****************************************************** >>Sheri Danielson >>Omaha Public Schools >>Boyd Elementary School >>8314 Boyd Street >>Omaha, Nebraska 68134 >>sdaniels@ops.org
Date: Mon, 18 Jan 1999 13:30:09 -0600 From: Laurel Badura <lteten@ngpc.state.ne.us> Subject: The Sandhill Cranes have been spotted heading North by Paul at Rowe Sanctuary (Kearney) and by a friend of mine from Lincoln who was camping at Sandy Channels in Central Nebraska this past weekend! Laurel Badura
Date: Mon, 18 Jan 1999 15:15:35 -0600 (CST)
From: Paul Johnsgard <pjohnsga@unlinfo.unl.edu>
Subject: Birding areas of Nebraska
> BIRDING AREAS IN NEBRASKA
> The following guide to bird-finding locations in the state
>represents an effort to identify and describe nearly all of the
>public-access sites in the state of Nebraska of special interest to
>birders and other naturalists. It includes all of the state's national
>wildlife refuges, federal waterfowl production areas and national
>monuments. It also includes all the state parks, most state historical
>parks and state recreation areas, and all of the larger wildlife
>management areas. Municipal and county parks are usually not included
>unless they are of particular biological interest. For most efficient use
>the guide should be used in conjunction with an annotated checklist of
>Nebraska birds, such as my privately printed booklet "The Birds of Nebraska"
>(see NOU website for an on-line version). Rare bird sightings should
>be reported to the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union, whose official journal
>is the Nebraska Bird Review (editor William Clemente, Dept. of English,
>Peru State College, Peru, NE 58421 (clemente@bobcat.peru.edu). Rare bird
>records are considered by a committee chaired by Mark Brogie, Box 316,
>Cheighton, NE 68729-3016. The "supplemental" checklist of bird species
reported from major bird areas referred to in the text is NOT included in
this on-line version of my "Bird-finding Guide to Nebraska", nor are any
maps.
> The guide is organized into four general regions (Far Western,
>West-central, East-central, and Eastern, and within each of these four
>regions individual counties are sequentially discussed in a generally
>west-to-east and north-to-south sequence, as indicated on the accompanying
>map of Nebraska counties (NOT included). For each Nebraska county, federal
>and state-owned public-access locations are initially described, followed
>by
>any additional sites under other kinds of ownership or control, such as by
>municipalities, private landowners, the National Audubon Society and the
>Nature Conservancy. Most federally-owned areas in Nebraska consist of
>national historic sites, national wildlife refuges and national monuments.
>Federally owned areas also include waterfowl production areas (WPAs).
>State owned sites include state parks, state recreation areas (SRAs), and
>wildlife management areas (WMAs). Typically no permit is needed to enter
>WPAs or WMAs, but annual (or daily) state park entry permits are needed
>for SRAs and all state parks and state historical parks. At least one
>national wildlife refuge (DeSoto) also charges a daily entry fee. All
>state wildlife management areas offer unrestricted birding or other nature
>study opportunities. They usually provide only primitive camping
>facilities, and most are open to seasonal hunting and fishing. State
>recreation areas usually have more highly developed recreational
>facilities for water sports and modern camping. Annual park entry permits
>can be obtained from the Parks Division, Game and Parks Commission , PO
>Box 30370, Lincoln, NE 68503). Rivers are publicly owned, but the
>adjoining shorelines are usually in private ownership. Birding from a
>canoe is possible on several rivers (Niobrara, Dismal, Calamus, Missouri,
>Platte, Republican), but access points are often limited and fences often
>cross some of the smaller streams.. Some refuge lakes such as Watts, Duck,
>West Long, Hackberry, Dewey and Clear lakes at Valentine National Wildlife
>Refuge offer wonderful birding opportunities as well. However, harassing
>wildlife from a boat or canoe is illegal, as is disturbing them at their
>nests.
> The primary purpose of this booklet is to describe and help locate
>those sites in every county that are most desirable and potentially
>rewarding to birders and naturalists, including more than 400 public
>access sites scattered throughout the state. Maps showing specific
>locations (and approximate geographic limits in most cases) for major
>birding sites in 43 counties of the state are cited but NOT provided in
>this on-line guide, but are included in my booklet. The remaining 50
>Nebraska counties are ones with few or no public access sites of special
>interest to naturalists, and the sites mentioned are accompanied with
>location descriptions that should suffice for finding them with the use of
>a good state highway map. Sets of individual county road maps (available
>from the Nebraska Roads Department, 1500 Highway N-2, Lincoln 68509;
>402/471-4567) and also extremely useful when exploring back-country areas.
>Topographic maps of the entire state (scale 1:200,000) are available for
>$16.95 in the Nebraska Atlas and Gazetteer, published by DeLorme, PO Box
>298, Freeport, ME 04032 (027/865-4171). This atlas also shows state parks
>and recreation areas, national lands, campgrounds, wildlife viewing areas,
>and other attractions. A similar book showing individual counties, with
>descriptions of hunting, fishing, camping and related outdoor attractions
>is the Nebraska Sportsman's Atlas, available for $18.75 from Sportsman's
>Atlas Company, PO Box 132, Lytton, Iowa 5056 (800/568-8334).
>
>
>I. THE FAR WESTERN REGION: PINE-RIDGE COUNTRY
>
> This beautiful part of Nebraska, its geographic "Panhandle," is
>largely a ridge-and-canyon region, interspersed with High Plains
>topography and steppe vegetation. It is the land that Crazy Horse died
>trying to protect for his people, the Oglala Sioux or Lakotas, and one
>laced with the bitter history of these people and Cheyennes as they
>fruitlessly fought to maintain their sacred lands. The pine-covered hills
>and escarpments remind one of the Black Hills, and several pine-dependent
>species that are common in the Black Hills occur only in the northwestern
>corner of Nebraska, such as Lewis' woodpecker, pinyon jay, dark-eyed
>junco, sage thrasher, western tanager, yellow-rumped warbler, Swainson's
>thrush, solitary vireo, pygmy nuthatch, red crossbill, and the
>canyon-adapted cordilleran (previously called "western") flycatcher. It
>also supports a few quite localized short-grass plains species such as
>McCown's and chestnut-collared longspurs and mountain plovers. It is also
>a land rich in the fossil remains of early Cenozoic mammals, as well as an
>eight-million-year-old fossil bird bone that appears to be identical to
>that of a modern sandhill crane. This would make the sandhill crane the
>most archaic of all known extant birds, and provides another reason for
>considering it a very special if not sacred bird. Sandhill cranes by the
>tens of thousands still pass through this region each spring and fall, but
>their major migratory pathway lies to the east, in the central Platte
>Valley.
> The major birding attractions in this part of the state include the
>topographical diverse and highly scenic Pine Ridge area (a bird checklist
>representing "northwest Nebraska," based on observations of Richard
>Rosche, is in the supplement (NOT INCLUDED HERE). The area around Lake
>McConaughy is the most bird-rich location in the state, and a mecca for
>birders from all over the country. Not far from there is Crescent Lake
>National Wildlife Refuge, a wilderness jewel in the western Sandhills,
>with the second-largest bird list for the state (also summarized in the
>supplement--NOT in on-line version). To the north of Crescent Lake, in
>northern Garden County and southern Sheridan County, are hundreds of
>relatively saline Sandhills marshes that abound with waterfowl and
>marshland birds..
>
>1. SIOUX COUNTY (Map 1)
> Sioux County is in the heart of the Pine Ridge region, an area of
>ridge-and-canyon topography that is a southern outlier of the Black Hills
>region of South Dakota, and is a north-facing escarpment largely covered
>by ponderosa pine forest and streamside deciduous forests. As such, it
>has several species that occur rarely if at all elsewhere in Nebraska,
>such as the cordilleran flycatcher (in Sowbelly Canyon). There also
>extensive areas of short-grass plains, much of which is included in the
>Oglala National Grasslands, and which support a typical high plains
>avifauna (Boyle & Bauer, 1994) .
>
>A. Federal Areas
> 1. Oglala National Grasslands (Map locations 1,3). Area 93,344 ac.
> The area around Sugarloaf Butte offers Brewer's sparrows,
> sage thrashers, long-billed curlews, Swainson's and ferruginous
> hawks, and chestnut-collared longspurs (Map location 3). Otherwise,
> horned larks, western meadowlarks and lark buntings are common
> breeders in this vast region, which extends into Dawes County. Hawks
> are common here (red-tailed, Swainson's and ferruginous), and
> golden eagles are also frequent. For information contact the Forest
> Service office at HC 75, Box 13A9, Chadron NE 69337(308/432-4475).
> 2. Soldier Creek Wilderness (Map location 7). Area 9,600 ac. This is a
> large roadless area that has an extensive hiking trail network, as well
> as bridle trails. Water must be carried in, and facilities are lacking.
> Much of the area was burned in a 1989 fire. An 8-mile loop trail over
> ridges and canyons has its trailhead at the picnic area. For information
> contact the Forest Service office mentioned above.
> 3. Agate Fossil Beds National Monument. Not shown; see a state
> highway map for location. Includes nearly 2,000 acres of shortgrass
> plains. No official bird checklist is yet available, but 156 species have
> been reported for the site, including ferruginous hawk, mountain
> plover, burrowing owl, saw-whet owl, white-throated swift, Cassin's
> kingbird, pinyon jay, Townsend's warbler, western tanager, black-
> headed grosbeak, lazuli bunting, and three species of longspurs
> including both McCown's and chestnut-collared. For information
> call the National Park office at 308/668-2211.
> 4. Toadstool Geologic Park (Map location 2). This area of badlands
> (ca. 300 acres) supports rock wrens, Say's phoebes, golden eagles
> and prairie falcons, and sometimes also rosy finches during winter.
> A one-mile loop trail through part of the park that begins at the picnic
> area should turn up rock wrens and other topography-dependent birds.
> Water is at a premium here, and a canteen should be carried in hot
> weather. A small campground is present (call 308/432-4475).
> 5. Nebraska National Forest, McKelvie District (Map location 10). Area
> comprises about 5l,000 acres, including holdings in Dawes County.
> This area is much like the Pine Ridge Unit, and most or all of the
> same birding opportunities should exist (see Dawes County).
> B. State Areas
>1. Fort Robinson State Park (Map location 9). Area 22,000 ac. Although
> still proving good pine habitat, a forest fire in 1989 destroyed much
> of the best sections of the park, which does offer lodging and eating
> facilities (Rosche, 1990). A nesting area for white-throated swifts
> occurs six miles west of headquarters (Pettingill, 1981). For information
> call 308/665-2900.
>2. Gilbert-Baker WMA (Map location 4), Area 2,457 ac. This is an area of
> ridges covered with ponderosa pines, with scattered areas of grassland
> at the forest fringes. Monroe Creek traverses the area and is a trout
> stream. Located three miles north of Harrison, via an oil-surfaced road.
> While in the area, a gravel road going south along the Wyoming border
> (turn 8 miles west of Harrison) crosses the Niobrara River and passes
> into ridge-and-valley topography that supports McCown's longspurs,
> Say's phoebes and rock wrens, as well as Brewer's sparrows,
> ferruginous hawks and long-billed curlews, plus chestnut-collared
> longspurs farther south. At about 8 miles south of the turning a road
> goes east and back to state highway 29 (Rosche, 1990). Hiking trails
> penetrate the area; for information call 308/668-2211.
>3. Peterson WMA (Map location 6). Area 2,460 ac. This are consists of
> habitats alternating between mature ponderosa pine forests and
> grasslands in typical ridge-and canyon topography. Two streams bisect
> the area, There are no camping facilities.
>4. James Ranch SRA (Map location 8).
>C. Other Areas
>1. Sowbelly Canyon (Map location 5). Although privately owned, a county
> road northeast from Harrison passes through a creekbottom area where
> on-foot birding can be done, about five miles from town . Many
> distinctly western species occur here, including not only the very local
> cordilleran flycatcher, but also white-throated swift, violet-green
> swallow, common poorwill, Say's phoebe, rock wren, western tanager,
> Bullock's oriole, prairie falcon, and other western and eastern species
> (Rosche, 1990).
>
>2. DAWES COUNTY (Map 2)
>
>A. Federal Areas
>1. Pine Ridge National Recreation Area and Nebraska National Forest,
> Pine Ridge Unit (Map location 2). Recreation Area 50,803
> ac., mostly of ponderosa pine forest and intervening grasslands.
> The topography of this area is often rugged, and the roads may not be
> in good condition, so it is well to check with the ranger office on
> US highway 385 before venturing far from the main road. Cattle
> grazing is permitted here, so attention to gates is needed. There is a
> 4-mile fairly difficult trail starting at the Iron Horse Road meadow,
> and a less difficult 3-mile hiking trail with its trailhead at East Ash
> road. A fairly difficult 8-mile trail leading to Chadron State Park
> begins at a gravel road off US highway 85. For more information
> contact the Forest Supervisor at 270 Pine St., Chadron (308/432-4475).
>2. Oglala National Grasslands (Map location 1. Note that fine lines enclose
> actual holdings; broad lines show maximum limits of grassland district.)
> Area 94,394 ac. See Sioux County account.
>B. State Areas
>1. Fort Robinson State Park (Map locations 5, 8). Area 20,000 ac.
> See also Sioux County account.. State park entry permit required;
> call 308/665-2900 for information.
>2. Chadron State Park (Map location 7). Area 80l ac. This is the best place
> in the region to see Lewis' woodpecker, and it also supports pygmy
> nuthatches, western tanagers and common poorwills (Rosche, 1990).
> On the way to the Black Hills lookout watch for Lewis' woodpeckers
> perched on the tops of snags. At the lookout one should see pinyon jays,
> yellow-rumped warblers, western tanagers and mountain bluebirds, as
> well as raptors (Boyle & Bauer, 1994). Pettingill (1981) has described
> birding opportunities in this park, and provides a list of nesting
>species.
> The Spotted Tail hiking trail extends for 8 miles from the park
> boundary through the Nebraska National Forest, and the Black Hills
> Overlook trail extends for 4 miles from the park campground. State
> park entry permit required; call 308/432-6167 for information.
>3. Ponderosa WMA (Map location 6). Area 3,659 ac. Located southeast of
> Crawford, this area is largely covered by ponderosa pine forests, with
> grasslands on level areas and also some deciduous trees lining Squaw
> Creek. There is a hiking trail starting at parking area 5 that provides an
> excellent panorama, and may offer views of such raptors as prairie
> falcons. National Forest land adjoins the area to the south and southwest.
> About ten miles south of Crawford along state highway 2 are ridgetop
> pine woodlands where Cassin's kingbirds are rather easily seen,
> especially during September (Rosche, 1990).
>4. Box Butte SRA (Map location 3). Area 612 ac. Includes a 20-ac.
> reservoir. This is an outstanding birding area in the Panhandle; Richard
> Rosche (personal communication) has observed over 200 species in a 20-
> year span. Rock wrens, Say's phoebes and ferruginous hawks are among
> the more interesting western species, and probable eastern breeders
> include eastern bluebird, eastern wood-pewee, and wood thrush. Small
> passerines such as warblers and vireos are abundant during migration.
>5. Whitney Lake WMA. Area 900 ac. Located 2 miles northwest of
> Whitney.
>
>3. BOX BUTTE COUNTY
>A. Federal Areas: None
>B. State Areas: None
>C. Other Areas
> 1. Kilpatrick Lake. Located about 20 miles west of Alliance (west on
> 10th St. for 15 mi. then south 1 mi., west for 5 more mi.) A trail
> at a sign indicating the Snake Creek Ranch goes left and leads to the
> dam. This small reservoir is a major stopover point for snow geese
> and a few Ross' geese in spring. The meadows to the south of the dam
> around Snake Creek support willets, long-billed curlews, common
> snipes, eastern meadowlarks and savannah sparrows, and the drier
> areas should be scanned for Cassin's sparrows (rare in Nebraska).
> These birds inhabit sandsage grassland, and their vocalizations help
> locate them (Rosche, 1994).
>
>4. SHERIDAN COUNTY (Map 3)
>A. Federal Areas. None.
>B. State Areas
> 1. Metcalf WMA. Area 3068 ac. Located about ten miles north of Hay
> Springs. It has typical Pine Ridge habitat, which is most pine-covered,
> but with some open grasslands present. There are no camping facilities.
> 2. Smith Lake WMA. Area 640 ac. Located 20 miles south of Rushville.
> The area has a 222 acre lake, surrounding marshy and grasslands, and
> some woodlands. There are primitive camping facilities and toilets.
> Fishing is permitted. Between Lakeside and Rushville, 50 miles
> apart, excellent birding opportunities exist, and nesting records
> for the long-eared owl, black-necked stilt, piping plover and
> even the northern parula have been obtained (Rosche, l990).
> 3.Walgren Lake WMA. Area 130 ac. Located near Hay Springs; see
> state highway map for exact location. There are primitive camping
> facilities. A great variety of migrant species are attracted to this lake
> including such rarities as Sabine's and black-headed gulls, and
> Townsend's warbler. Just a mile south of Walgren Lake is a prairie dog
> town with nesting burrowing owls and occasional chestnut-collared
> longspurs. The latter are more common along the first road going east
> to the north of the colony (Rosche, 1990).
>C. Other Areas
> 1. Sandhills marshes near Lakeside. (Map location 2). This area, extending
> west and east from Lakeside on US highway 2, and north on state
> highway 250, provides views of many highly alkaline marshes that
> attract waterfowl such as trumpeter swans and many shorebirds such
> as breeding black-necked stilts, American avocets, willets, Wilson's
> phalaropes, and others. Taking the gravel road south from Lakeside
> takes one (28 miles, no gas or facilities) through Sandhills country
> to Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge (see Map 3, and Garden
> County account ), and past many wet meadows and highly saline
> marshes (those wetlands north of the dashed line on Map 3) that are
> highly attractive to shorebirds and waterfowl. Sandhills roads are
> narrow, hilly and sometimes slippery; careful driving is mandatory.
> The road (state route 250) north from Lakeside is just as attractive;
> after about 20 miles an unimproved road going east connects with state
> route 27 and returns one to US highway 2 at Ellsworth. However, it
> might be better to backtrack from Smith Lake to Lakeside and make
> a similar two-way run north from Ellsworth for about 15 miles, where
> the marshy wetlands gradually peter out..
>
>5. SCOTTS BLUFF COUNTY (Map 4)
>A . Federal Areas
> 1. North Platte National Wildlife Refuge, including Lake Minatare
> State Recreation Area (Map location. 2). Area 5047 ac. The best
> part of this refuge is the 500-acre Winters Creek Lake Unit northwest
> of Lake Minatare, where a marshy lake attracts a large number
> of migratory and breeding water birds, including western grebes.
> There is a bird list for the entire refuge (a major basis for the
> list of North Platte Valley birds in the supplemental checklist--NOT
>INCLUDED).
> The checklist includes 181 species, with 32 known nesters and
> 20 additional possible breeders. For information contact the local
> Fish and Wildlife Service office at 308/635-7851.
> 2. Scotts Bluff National Monument (Map location 1). Area 3,000 ac.
> This famous bluff along the Oregon Trail is capped by ponderosa pine
> woodland, and has steep sides that are used as nesting sites by white-
> throated swifts. At least 100 species have been reported for the area,
> including prairie falcons, burrowing owl, common poorwill, pinyon
> jay, both cuckoos, rock wren, yellow-rumped warbler, Baltimore and
> Bullock's orioles, blue and black-headed grosbeaks, green-tailed and
> spotted towhees, three races of dark-eyed juncos, and lazuli buntings
> (unpublished staff records). There is a 3-mile nature trail leading from
> the summit parking lot to the visitor center. For information contact the
> superintendent at Box 427, Gering NE 6934l (308/436-4340).
>B. State Areas
> 1. Nine Mile Creek Special Use Area (Map location 3). Area 178
> ac. Located north and east of Minatare, and consisting of grasslands
> plus a trout stream.
> 2. Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area and Buffalo Creek WMA (Map
> location 4). Area 3935 ac. Buffalo Creek WMA consists of typical
> Wildcat Hills ridge-and-canyon habitats, covered by pines and junipers
> It is nearly all wooded, but has a seven-acre pond. Primitive camping
> facilities are present. Pygmy nuthatches evidently nest here, and violet-
> green swallows are fairly common. Several raptors, such as golden
> eagles, prairie falcons and several buteos are good possibilities.
> Pettingill (1981) listed 11 species that should potentially be seen here,
> including common poorwill and white-throated swift. A new
> nature center is present at the SRA, with a two-mile nature trail, bird-
> viewing windows, and many ecological exhibits. Winter birds attracted
> to feeders include mountain chickadee, Cassin's finch, evening grosbeak,
> red crossbill, pygmy nuthatch, and pinyon jay. There is a rather
> challenging 3.5-mile trail starting at the Buffalo Creek parking lot.
> For information call 308/436-3777.
>
>6. BANNER COUNTY
>A . Federal Areas : None
>B. State Areas
> 1. Buffalo Creek WMA. See Scotts Bluff County.
> 2. Wildcat Hills SRA. See Scotts Bluff County
>
>7. KIMBALL COUNTY (Map 5)
>A. Federal Areas: None
>B. State Areas
> 1. Oliver Reservoir SRA (Map location 1). Area 1,187 ac. This reservoir
> is an excellent birding location, attracting many migrant passerines
> during spring and fall, especially warblers. Common snipe have been
> reported to nest here (west end marshes), and a population of song
> sparrows is the only one known for western Nebraska (Rosche, 1994).
>C. Other Areas
> 1. Tri-state corner (Map location 2, highest point in Nebraska,). This
> remote area can be reached by driving south from Bushnell (south
> 12.5 mi., west 4.2 mi., south 1 mi., west 2 mi., south 2 mi. to
> nearly the Kansas line. Just past the H. Constable home there is a right
> turn with a cattle guard, and a sign reading "Panorama Point, Highest
> Point in Nebraska." After a mile there is another cattle guard, and
> another right turn (going north). It is then 0.3 mi. to the high point.
> In this area there are lark buntings, horned larks and McCown's
> longspurs, plus occasional mountain plovers (Rosche, 1994).
> 2. Lodgepole Creek (Map location 3). This creek should attract warblers
> and other passerine migrants.
>
>8. MORRILL COUNTY (Map 6)
>A. Federal Areas
> l. Chimney Rock National Historic Site.(Map location 1). Area 83 ac.
> Chimney Rock is located near Bayard, and is worth investigating
> for nesting golden eagles (either on the column itself or on the eroding
> escarpment to the north). An old cemetery lies to the northwest of
> Chimney Rock (see map), and burrowing owls are often found in a
> nearby prairie dog colony. Lazuli buntings are common in brushy
> areas too.
>B. State Areas
> 1. Bridgeport SRA. Area 128 ac. In. Bridgeport.
> 2. Facus Springs WMA (Map location 2). This recently established
> WMA preserves one of the best saline marshes in the North Platte
> Valley. It is a major stopover point for migrant shorebirds, and also
> attract ducks during migration. Some shorebirds such as American
> avocets and Wilson's phalaropes also nest, and the cinnamon teal,
> rare in Nebraska, has also nested here (Rosche, 1994)..
> 3. Bridgeport SRA (Map location 4). Area 126 ac.
>C. Other Areas
> 1. Saline marsh near Bridgeport (Map location 3). Like Facus Springs,
> this saline marsh near Bridgeport attracts great numbers of shorebirds
> during migration. In wet years other marshes may occur here too.
> 2. Courthouse Rock and Jail Rock (Map location 6). These famous Oregon
> Trail landmarks often have nesting golden eagles (on Jail Rock), and
> breeding rock wrens are common. By driving west on state route 88 to
> Redington one can take the Redington gap road to Facus Springs and
> Bridgeport, or go south from Redington (see below).
> 3. Redington Gap road (Map location 5) and road south of Redington
> (Map location 7). By driving south past Facus Springs one passes over
> a long, eroded line of hills (Redington Gap), and many western species
> typical of the high plains may be seen. Within a mile of turning south
> off US routes 26/92 one passes a meadow that supports a good
> population of savannah sparrows (rare in Nebraska). By continuing to
> Redington and going south from there (4.5 mi. S, then take a left fork,
> and go more 3 mi. S.) until pines appear on a north-facing slope.
> This area supports a good population of Cassin's kingbirds, plus the
> easternmost known pinyon jay population, and such western birds as
> western wood-pewees and common poorwills (Rosche, l994).
>
>9. CHEYENNE COUNTY
>A .Federal Areas: None.
>B. State Areas: None
>
>10. GARDEN COUNTY (Maps 3, 7)
>A .Federal Areas
> l. Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge. (Map 3, location 1). 40,900
> ac. This is one of the great wilderness refuges in America, and it
> supports a greater bird diversity than any other Nebraska site except
> the Lake McConaughy area (See checklist in supplement-NOT INCLUDED). It
> is about 30 miles from the nearest source of gas, food, or lodging, and
> one must plan accordingly, taking a tow rope if possible, and never
> parking on bare sand. Rather, park or turn around on level, grassy
> meadows if possible. Water and a toilet are available at the refuge
> headquarters. Goose Lake near the headquarters is excellent for eared
> grebes, and both Crescent Lake and Smith Lake have good populations
> of western grebes (plus some Clark's grebes). Rush Lake (not within the
> refuge) has breeding ruddy ducks, canvasbacks, redheads and black-
> crowned night herons. The area near Border Lake is best for avocets,
> black-necked stilts, cinnamon teal, Wilson's phalaropes and other
> shorebirds attracted to saline water conditions; Border Lake marks the
> boundary of such hypersaline conditions. On most visits no other people
> will be seen, but the birding will be spectacular, and well worth the long
> ride over sand roads. Rosche (1994) and Pettingill (1981) provide good
> descriptions. For maps, a bird checklist or other information call the
> refuge office at 308/635-785l or 308/762-4893.
>B. State Areas
> 1. Ash Hollow State Historical Park (Map 7, locations 1 & 3). This
> historically interesting park has a wide variety of habitats, from
> exposed rocky bluffs that are used by great horned owls, American
> kestrels, and sometimes prairie falcons, through grassy wet meadows
> where bobolinks and eastern meadowlarks are present, to riparian
> woodland used by warbling vireos and other woodland songbirds.
> There is also upland grassland, with blue grosbeaks and spotted towhees
> in shrubby areas, and scattered yuccas where field and grasshopper
> sparrows sometimes perch. An air-conditioned interpretive center
> provides welcome relief from oppressive summer temperatures. The
> nearby bridge across the North Platte provides views of many
> marshland species, including least bitterns on rare occasions. A 1-mile
> trail leads from the parking lot off US highway 26 to Windlass Hill.
> 2. Clear Creek Waterfowl Management Area (Map 7, location 2). See
> Keith County.
>C. Other Areas
> 1. Oshkosh Sewage Lagoons (Map location 7). These lagoons are
> reached by driving south on Route 27 for 0.5 mi. from Oshkosh,
> turning east, and driving until the lagoons appear on the south side of
> the road. Three lagoons are accessible by walking. They attract a
> surprising array of waterfowl, including breeding wood ducks and
> ruddy ducks (Rosche, l994).
>
>11. DEUEL COUNTY (Map 7)
>A .Federal Areas: None
>B. State Areas
> 1. Bittersweet WMA. (Map location 6). Area 76 ac. Consists of river
> frontage along the South Platte River.
> 2. Goldeneye WMA. (Map location 5). Area 25 ac. Includes ll ac. of
> wetland.
> 3. Goldenrod WMA. (Map location 4). Area 97 ac., all upland habitat.
>
>
>
>II. THE WEST-CENTRAL REGION: SANDHILLS COUNTRY
>
> This portion of the state includes two of the very best bird-finding
>localities in the state, namely Valentine and Fort Niobrara National
>Wildlife Refuges. These two locations have bird lists that are among the
>largest in the state (see supplement checklists-NOT INCLUDED). It includes
>those portions of the Niobrara and Platte Valleys that lie in the middle
>of the transition zone between the Rocky Mountain coniferous forest and
>eastern deciduous forest biogeographic regions. These transition or
>"suture zones" include areas of hybridization between several species or
>nascent species pairs of birds that are now in secondary contact, after
>having been isolated geographically for much or all of the Pleistocene
>geologic period. This transition zone is very wide in the Platte Valley,
>but is compressed to a distance of less than 100 miles in the Niobrara
>Valley, most of which is now included within the boundaries of the Fort
>Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge and the Nature Conservancy's wonderful
>Niobrara Valley Preserve.
> Beyond these regions, and lying directly between them, the region
>mostly consists of the Nebraska Sandhills. This region represents the
>largest natural ecosystem in the state, covering nearly 19,000 square
>miles, or almost a quarter of the state. It is also the largest remaining
>grassland ecosystem in the country that is still virtually intact both
>faunistically and floristically. It is a land with far fewer people than
>cattle, where the roads are few and where tourist facilities and
>accommodations are almost non-existent. Those roads that do exist are
>little-traveled and often consist of only slightly improved sandy trails.
>But the region is filled with breathtaking vistas, spectacular bird
>populations in the hundreds of lakes and marshes, and a pioneer spirit
>that requires everyone to help his neighbor, or indeed any stranger who
>happens to fall afoul of trouble while on the road. It is a land designed
>for naturalists who would like to study virtually unaltered prairie
>ecosystems, and who are prepared to deal with nature on its own terms. A
>summary of the natural history of the Nebraska Sandhills, along with an
>annotated bird checklist and lists of its fishes, amphibians, reptiles,
>and mammals, as well as nearly all of its vascular plants, is found in
>This Fragile Land: A Natural History of the Nebraska Sandhills, by P. A.
>Johnsgard (see references for complete citation).
>
>1. CHERRY COUNTY (Map 8)
>A. Federal Areas
> 1. Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge (Map location 1). Area
> 19,122 ac. This refuge, originally established to protect bison and other
> large game animals, lies on the western edge of the east-west ecological
> transition zone between forest types, and thus has a fine mixture of
> eastern and western avifauna. Western-eastern species pairs that occur
> and may hybridize include such forms as western and eastern
> wood-pewees, black-headed and rose-breasted grosbeaks, eastern and
> spotted towhees, and Bullock's and Baltimore orioles. A checklist of
> the refuge's bird species (excepting accidentals) may be found in the
> supplement (NOT INCLUDED). Over 200 species (76 breeders) have been
>reported
> here. About two-thirds of the refuge consists of Sandhills prairie, and
> the rest is mostly of mixed riparian hardwoods. There is a good
> population of sharp-tailed grouse, and wild turkey viewing blinds are
> available. There are also breeding burrowing owls, yellow-breasted
> chats, American redstarts, grasshopper and savannah sparrows, and
> both meadowlarks. The refuge manager's address is Hidden Timber
> Star Rte., Valentine, NE., 6920l (402/376-3789).
> 2. Valentine National Wildlife Refuge (Map location 7). Area 71,516 ac.
> This is Nebraska's largest national wildlife refuge, and one that rivals
> Crescent Lake in its bird diversity, with 221 species (93 breeders)
> reported. A checklist (excluding accidentals) is in the supplement
>(NOT INCLUDED). Most of the refuge consists of Sandhills prairie, with
> dunes from 40 to 200 feet high, and intervening interdune depressions
> that often contain shallow, marshy lakes. Driving on the sandy trails
> requires care; a supply of water and a tow rope are recommended.
> Several prairie-chicken and sharp-tailed grouse leks are present in the
> refuge, and the numerous marshes and shallow lakes offer breeding
> habitat for eared, western and pied-billed grebes, a dozen species of
> waterfowl, and shorebirds such as soras, common snipes, and
> American avocets. The higher grasslands offer views of long-billed
> curlews, upland sandpipers, and Swainson's hawks. The refuge
> manager's address is the same as that of the Fort Niobrara refuge
> (402/376-3789).
> 3. Samuel R. McKelvie District, Nebraska National Forest (Map location
> 2). Area 115,703 ac. This section of forest is similar to that of the
> Bessey District, but is not so rich in migrants. The adjoining Merritt
> reservoir might also be visited. There is a sharp-tailed grouse blind
> available in spring that accommodates four people on a first-come basis.
> For information phone 308/533-2257.
>B. State Areas
> 1. Schlegel Creek WMA. (Map location 3). Area 600 ac. Consists of
> Sandhills grassland including two miles of Schlegel Creek. No
> facilities for camping are present.
> 2. Big Alkali WMA.(Map location 5). Area 842 ac. Consists of
> 47 lakeside acres plus a 842-acre Sandhills lake. Campground present.
> 3. Ballard's Marsh WMA. (Map location 6). Area 1,561 ac. Includes
> a large marsh and adjoining Sandhills grasslands. Campground present.
> 4. Smith Falls State Park. Location: 3 mi. west and 4 mi. south of Sparks.
> Area 244 ac.
> 5. Merritt Reservoir WMA(Map location 4).Located 26 miles southwest
> of Valentine. Area, 2,906 ac. reservoir, 350 ac. upland Sandhills. This
> area abuts National Forest land to the north. The reservoir attracts
> migrant waterfowl, pelicans, western grebes, and other species.
> 6. Rat & Beaver Lake WMA. Located 29 miles south of Valentine on US
> 20, 6 miles west on Sandhills trail. Consists of 240 acres of Sandhills
> grassland and parts of two marshy lakes.
> 7. Willow Lake WMA. Located 22 miles south of Valentine and 2 miles
> west on Sandhills trail. Includes 440 ac., with 240 acres of marsh,
> bordered by Valentine NWR.
> 8. Shell Lake WMA. Located 14 miles northeast of Gordon. Consists of
> 640 acres of Sandhills grassland and a 162-acre lake.
> 9. Bowman Bridge WMA. Located l.5 miles southeast of Valentine.
> Consists of 159 ac. of bottomland along the Niobrara River in
> transition east-west forest.
>l0. Anderson Bridge WMA. Located 10.5 miles south, 2 miles east of
> Kilgore. Consists of 137 acres of river valley bottomland forest and a
> mile of river frontage.
>11. Cottonwood Lake SRA. Area 180 land ac., 60-ac. lake. Located 1
> mile southeast of Merriman. Camping facilities present. Canada geese
> breed here. Five miles east of Merriman is a marsh where trumpeter
> swans have nested, off the north side of US highway 20.
>12. Bowring Ranch State Historical Park. Located 1 miles north of
> Merriman. Trumpeter swans forage on a marsh just north of this
> park, which is a working cattle ranch. Park entry permit required.
>
>2. KEYA PAHA COUNTY (Map 9)
>
>A. Federal Areas: None.
>B. State Areas
> 1. Cub Creek Recreation Area. (Map location 2). Area 300 ac.
> 2. Thomas Creek WMA. (Map location 3). Area 692 ac. Steep
> topography around Thomas Creek, with grassland on the hills and
> wooded creek-bottom vegetation.
>C. Other Areas
> 1. Niobrara Valley Preserve. See Holt County.
>
>3. BROWN COUNTY (Map 10)
>A. Federal Areas: None
>B. State Areas
> 1. Bobcat WMA (Map location 3). Area 893 ac. Nearly 90 percent of
> this area consists of steep pine- and cedar-covered canyons. Plum
> Creek passes through. The remainder is Sandhills grassland.
> 2. School Land WPA & Keller Park SRA (Map location 4). Area
> 836 ac (WMA 640 ac., SRA 196 ac.). These areas consist of native
> prairie, wooded canyons, Bone Creek, and five small fishing
> ponds stocked with trout and other game fish. The ponds attract
> ducks, eagles, and other water birds, the prairies support grassland
> sparrows, and the mixed woodlands have a variety of both coniferous
> and deciduous forest birds including wild turkeys, scarlet tanagers and
> American redstarts.
> 3. Pine Glen WMA (Map location 5). Located 7 miles west and 6.5 miles
> north of Bassett. It consists of 960 acres of canyons, a trout stream,
> and mixed grasslands and woodlands. No facilities.
> 4. Long Pine WMA. (Map location 6). Area 160 ac. Consists of about 85
> percent pine and red cedar woodlands, and the rest is native Sandhills
> grassland. Long Pine Creek bisects it . The terrain is steep and
> camping facilities are primitive. Located just off Highway 20 near
> the town of Long Pine.
> 5. South Twin Lake WMA. (Map location 7). Area 160 ac. Consists
> a 60-acre lake and Sandhills grassland. This and the next three
> WMAs are similar, and should offer birders some excellent views
> of Sandhills wildlife.
> 6. American Game Marsh WMA (Map location 8). Area 160 ac. Consists
> of a large Sandhills marsh and surrounding grassland. No facilities.
> 7. Long Lake WMA (Map location 9). Area 30 ac. upland, 50 ac.
> Sandhills lake.
> 8. Willow Lake WMA (Map location 10). Area 511 ac. A Sandhills
> lake and surrounding grassland.
>C. Other Areas
> 1. Niobrara Valley Preserve (Map location 1; headquarters at location
> 2). Area ca. 55,000 ac. including about 70 miles of the Niobrara
> River, in the heart of the transition zone between western coniferous
> and eastern deciduous forest types. There is no complete bird checklist,
> but a list of 105 possibly breeding species has been published (Brogie &
> Mossman, l983). Among the breeding birds of special interest are the
> eastern and western forms that hybridize here, such as the Baltimore
> and Bullock's orioles, the lazuli and indigo buntings, and the rose-
> breasted and black-headed grosbeaks. The eastern and western wood-
> pewees may also hybridize here. Two trails radiate out from the
> headquarters that pass through several forest types and the Sandhills
> prairie vegetation on the uplands. Each trail has a short loop and a long
> loop; the northern one is somewhat longer (3-miles) and steeper. For
> information phone 402/722-4440. The preserve lies within the Niobrara
> National Scenic River District, which extends for 76 miles and is a
> popular canoeing attraction (call 402/376-324l for information.).
>
>4. ROCK COUNTY
>A. Federal Areas: None
>B. State Areas
> 1. Twin Lakes WMA. Located 18 miles south an 2 miles east of Bassett.
> It includes 113 acres of surface water (two lakes) and 30 acres
> of grassland.
>
>
>5. GRANT COUNTY
>A. Federal Areas: None
>B. State Areas: None
>
>6. HOOKER COUNTY
>A. Federal Areas: None.
>B. State Areas: None
>
>
>7. THOMAS COUNTY (Map 11)
>A. Federal Areas
> l. Bessey Division, Nebraska National Forest (Map location 1; locations 2
> and 3 indicate traditional lek locations, with blinds usually present
> at arrowhead points marked 2. Area 90,445 ac. Grasslands around and
> in this planted "forest" support greater prairie-chickens, sharp-tailed
> grouse, upland sandpipers, horned larks, and western meadowlarks.
> The conifers provide habitat for great horned owls, black-capped
> chickadees, and sometimes red crossbills. Brushy and riparian thicket
> areas attract several woodpeckers, brown thrashers, towhees, chipping
> sparrows and Baltimore orioles. At least six warbler species nest here,
> including yellow, black-and-white, American redstart, ovenbird,
> common yellowthroat, and yellow-breasted chat. Three vireos (Bell's,
> warbling and red-eyed) also nest here. There is a field checklist of 95
> summer bird species (36 breeders) available at the headquarters, where
> information on the grouse blinds is also available (Boyle & Bauer,
> 1994). Pettingill (1981) lists 29 species that breed here. A fire in the
> 1960s burned much of the forest, but 20,000 out of 25,000 acres
> still survive. There is a 6-mile hiking trail that begins at the
>parking lot
> off state highway 2. For information contact the Forest Service office at
> PO Box 38, Halsey, NE 691142 (308/533-2257).
>B. State Areas: None
>
>8. BLAINE COUNTY (Map 11)
>A. Federal Areas: None
>B. State Areas
> 1. Bessey Division, Nebraska National Forest (Map location 1). See also
> Thomas County.
> 2. Calamus Reservoir SRA/WMA. Area l0,312 ac. total, including 5,124
> ac. reservoir. Developed for fishing, with no hiking trails.
> 3. Milburn Dam WMA. Located 14 miles southeast of Brewster. Consists
> of 672 ac. of Middle Loup River Valley, with extensive mud flats
> present around the reservoir.
>
>9. LOUP COUNTY
>A. Federal Areas: None
>B. State Areas
> 1. Calamus Reservoir SRA/WMA. Area 10, 312 ac. total; reservoir
> 5,124 ac. Located near Garfield County boundary area; see Blaine
> County.
>
>10. ARTHUR COUNTY (Map 12)
>A. Federal Areas: None
>B. State Areas: None
>C. Other Areas
> 1. Marshes near McPherson County border (Locations of better
> marshes shown by arrowheads). These Sandhills marshes are often
> used by trumpeter swans during summer.
>
>11. MCPHERSON COUNTY
>A. Federal Areas: None
>B. State Areas: None
>C. Other Areas
> 1. Marshes near Arthur County border. See Arthur County.
>
>12. LOGAN COUNTY
>A. Federal Areas: None
>B. State Areas: None
>
>13. CUSTER COUNTY
>A. Federal Areas: None
>B. State Areas
> 1. Victoria Springs SRA. Area 60 ac.
> 2. Pressey WMA. Area 1,640 ac. Located 5 miles north of Oconto.
> Consists of South Loup Valley lands, hills and steep canyons
> mostly covered by grasslands. Toilets and a campground are present,
> as are hiking trails. There are sharp-tailed grouse on the area, as well
> a great blue heron rookery.
> 3. Arcadia Diversion Dam SRA. Area 925 ac. This area consists of
> Middle Loup River Valley, mostly of grasslands and tree plantings,
> but with deciduous woodlands lining the river. There are some
> campgrounds on both sides of the river. Located 8.5 miles northwest
> of Arcadia.
>
> 14. KEITH COUNTY (Map 13)
>A. Federal Areas: None
>B. State Areas
> l. Clear Creek WMA. (Map location 1). Area 5,709 ac. Partly developed
> as Clear Creek Refuge (2,500-acres, west half), and also as a controlled
> hunting area. The latter includes the west end of Lake McConaughy
> and the Platte River inflow area. The low meadows support nesting
> bobolinks and probably breeding common snipes, and the tall tree
> groves hold many breeding passerines. White pelicans are common,
> and least bitterns have been sighted. One of the state's best birding
> areas, but mosquitoes can be a problem during summer. Barn-owl nest
> cavities usually can be seen in the cutbanks at the turnoff from the main
> highway; nests in this part of the state are usually in such excavated
> sites rather than in old buildings. Rosche (l994) has described this area
> and its birds very well, which is the state's only known nesting area for
> Clark's grebe.
> 2. Lake McConaughy SRA (Map location 2). Area 6,492 ac. Occupies
> much of the north side of this reservoir, the largest body of water in
> Nebraska. A small area on the south side is also included (Map location
> 6). This area has the largest bird list of any location in the state,
> including 305 species, with 104 known breeders, 17 additional possible
> breeders, and 184 transients (Brown et al., 1996). The large water area
> attracts vast numbers of migrant waterfowl, grebes (especially western
> grebes), gulls (including many rarities) and shorebirds (Rosche, 1994).
> A good spotting scope is needed to cover this vast reservoir, and
> many of the waterfowl congregate near the spillway during winter, or
> (in the summer) toward the western end of the lake (see Clear Creek
> WMA account). Large numbers of bald eagles also build up in
> winter, attracted by dead fish and the wintering duck and goose
> populations. The checklist for the North Platte Valley in the
> supplement (NOT INCLUDED) is largely based on the Lake McConaughy
>checklists by Rosche (1994) and Brown et al. (1996). Well over
>100 miles of
> shoreline are present along the lake, with the southern shoreline rocky
> and steep, and the northern shore sandy, and supporting nesting piping
> plovers and least terns.
> 3. Kingsley Dam and Lake Ogallala SRA (Map location 3). Area 339 ac.
> Kingsley Dam offers a good vantage point for birds both on the deeper
> end of Lake McConaughy and on the shallower and much smaller Lake
> Ogallala located at the base of the dam. Lake Ogallala (and its eastern
> end, often called Lake Keystone) receives the spillway water from
> Lake McConaughy, and its level fluctuates greatly. However, it is very
> attractive to migrant ducks, ospreys, Caspian terns, cliff swallows,
> American white pelicans, double-crested cormorants and other
> summering species, and is used by Canada geese and by numerous bald
> eagles in winter. An eagle-watching blind is available during peak
> periods, when 200-300 eagles are sometimes present. Camping is
> possible along the western and northern shorelines of Lake Ogallala,
> where the deciduous woodland offers a rich array of nesting
> passerines, but lake fluctuations limit nesting for aquatic species.
> 4. Cedar Point Biological Station (Map location 4). Although an extension
> of the University of Nebraska and a summer field station, and thus
> not open to the public, ornithological research here has made its
> avifauna the best-known of any area in the state. Ornithology courses
> have been taught here on a regular basis since 1977, and studies on
> species such as the cliff swallow and orchard oriole have been of
> national significance.
> 5. Ogallala Strip WMA (Map location 5). Area 453 ac., includes 2.5 miles
> of river frontage. This stretch of riparian woodland supports many of
> the same species found around Lake Ogallala, such as house wren,
> yellow warbler, common yellowthroat, eastern and western kingbirds,
> killdeer, and others. Mississippi kites now breed in nearby Ogallala.
> 6. Lakeview SRA. Area (Map location 6).The road leading down the
> canyon to Lakeview, and a similar road leading Eagle Canyon some 6
> miles farther west, may offer views of rock wrens, rough-winged
> swallows and, with luck, occasional prairie falcons or ferruginous
> hawks. Turkey vultures nest along the south side of the reservoir,
> usually in eroded crevices or recesses well out of view. These roads
> are often in poor condition, and caution must be exercised when
> considering driving over them.
>
>15. PERKINS COUNTY
>A. Federal Areas: None
>B. State Areas: None
>
>16. LINCOLN COUNTY (Map 14)
>A. Federal Areas: None
>B. State Areas
> 1. Sutherland Reservoir SRA. (Map location 1). Area 3,020 ac. reservoir,
> 37 ac. upland. Rosche (1994) refers to this site as "the gull capitol of
> western Nebraska," with ten species having been observed. These
> include such rarities as Thayer's, glaucous, great and lesser black-
> backed, and even Ross' gull. There are often large flocks of wintering
> grebes, diving ducks, double-crested cormorants, and American white
> pelicans during mild winters. During spring large flocks of snow,
> greater white-fronted and occasional Ross' geese stop here.
> 2. Malony Reservoir SRA (Map location 2). Area 1,600 ac. reservoir,
> 1,732 ac. upland. This lake is used during spring by American white
> pelicans and double-crested cormorants, and many shorebirds when
> the water levels subside (Pettingill, 1981).
> 3. Jeffrey Canyon WMA and Reservoir. (Map location 3). Area 900 ac.
> reservoir, 35 ac. upland. This area consists of canyon-and-upland
> topography, with grasses and scattered deciduous trees and cedars.
> 4. North River Wildlife WMA (Map location 4). Area 68l ac., 2 mi. river
> frontage. There are woods along the river, and grassland beyond that is
> used by sandhill cranes. This is one of the westernmost crane roosting
> sites; the birds use the southeastern part of the area, in
>less-than-ideal
> roosting habitat.
> 5. Muskrat Run WMA. (Map location 5), Area 224 ac. Mostly riparian
> woodland and marshy areas.
> 6. East Sutherland WMA (Map location 6). Area 27 ac. upland, 8 ac.
> lake.
> 7. Hershey WMA (Map location 7). Area 53 ac. upland, 80 ac.
> lake.
> 8. East Hershey WMA (Map location 8). Area 20 ac. upland, 20 ac.
> lake.
> 9. Birdwood Lake WMA. (Map location 9). Area 20 ac. upland, 13 ac.
> lake.
>10. Fremont Slough WMA.(Map location 10). Area 30 ac. upland, 11 ac.
> lake.
>11. Platte WMA (Map location 11). Area 242 ac upland, 0.5 mi. river
> frontage. Mostly riparian woodland.
>12. Ft. McPherson WMA (Map location 12). Area 30 ac., with pond.
>13. West Brady WMA (Map location 13). Area 10 ac upland, 6 ac.
> lake.
>14. Chester Island WMA (Map location 14). Area 69 ac., ponds. Includes
> 0.3 mile of river frontage.
>15. Box Elder Canyon WMA. Not shown, located 3 miles south and
> 2.5 miles west of Maxwell. This 20-ac. site consists of native
> grasslands and deciduous woodlands along the Tri-County Supply
> Canal.
>16. Cottonwood Canyon WMA. Not shown, this small (15.4-ac) site is
> much like the previous nearby WMA, and is 4.5 miles south of
> Maxwell.
>17. Wellfleet WMA. Not shown, this area is just west of the village of
> Wellfleet. or 20 miles south of North Platte. Comprising only 65 acres
> along Medicine Creek, it provides a diversity of habitats that usually
> attract a wide variety of small passerines and water birds (Rosche,
> 1994).
>C. Other Areas
> 1. North Platte vicinity. Sewage lagoons (Map location 15) are reached
> by leaving I-80 at exit 179, and going north on spur road L56G. Cross
> the South Platte River and turn east on a dead-end gravel road that will
> take you to the lagoons. These lagoons attract many water birds during
> migration. Pettingill (1981) described several wetlands to the north of
> North Platte (Whitehorse Marsh, Jackson Lake, and Ambler Lake)
> that support typical Sandhills marsh birds and waterfowl.
>
>17. DAWSON COUNTY (Map 15)
>A. Federal Areas: None
>B. State Areas
> 1. Willow Island WMA (Map location 1). Area 45 ac. upland, 35 ac.
> lake. Mostly riparian woodland.
> 2. East Willow Island WMA (Map location 2). Area 16 ac. upland, 2l ac.
> wetland. Includes 0.3 mile river frontage; mostly riparian woodland.
> 3. West Cozad WMA (Map location 3). Area 19 ac. upland, 29 ac.
> lake.
> 4. Cozad WMA (Map location 4). Area 182 ac. upland, 16 ac. wetland.
> Includes 0.5 mile of river frontage.
> 5. East Cozad WMA (Map location 5). Area 18 ac.; all upland.
> 6. Darr Strip WMA (Map location 6). Area 976 ac.; 767 ac. land, 2.5
> miles of river frontage.
> 7. Dogwood WMA (Map location 7). Area 402 a., 10 ac. lake, 1.5 miles
> of river frontage.
> 8. Midway Lake WMA (Map location 8). A reservoir near the Tri-
> County Canal; at its upper (southern) end is Midway Canyon, an
> eroded area of loess hills.
> 9. Gallagher Canyon SRA (Map location 9). Area 400 ac. reservoir, 424
> ac. upland. Another canyon in the loess hills and associated reservoir.
> Park entry permit required.
> 10. Plum Creek WMA (Map location 10). Area 152 ac., 320 ac. reservoir.
> 11. Johnson Lake SRA (Map location 11) . Area 2,06l ac. reservoir, 81
> ac. upland. This lake is rather highly developed, which might reduce
> its attractiveness to birds somewhat, but it should hold bald eagles
> during winter. Elwood Reservoir (1,330 acres) is nearby
> 12. Bittern's Call WMA. Located about 10 miles north of Lexington
> on highway 2l. Consists of 80 ac. of mixed upland and wetland habitat.
>
>18. CHASE COUNTY (Map 16)
>A. Federal Areas: None
>B. State Areas
> 1. Enders Reservoir SRA (Map location 1). Area 3,643 ac. upland,
> reservoir 2,146 ac. Nearly all open grassland, with rolling to rugged
> topography. Developed facilities. This large reservoir attracts large
> numbers of mallards and Canada goose; most of the western half
> of the reservoir and surrounding land is a wildlife refuge.
> 2. Enders Reservoir WMA (Map location 2). Area 3,643 ac. This
> area to the west of the reservoir refuge area is managed for big game
> and upland game hunting.
> 3. Wannamaker WMA (Map location 3). This area of 160 acres,
> located about one mile west of Imperial, is mostly comprised
> of planted grasslands and shelterbelts.
> 4. Champion Lake SRA (Map location 4). Area 13 ac. Park entry permit
> required.
>
>19. HAYES COUNTY
>A. Federal Areas: None
>B. State Areas
> 1. Hayes Center WMA. Area 78 ac. Located 12 miles northeast of Hayes
> Center. It consists of native high plains grasslands, scattered
>woodlands,
> and a 40-acre reservoir. There is a campground, well and toilets. This
> area is a migration trap for waterfowl, and wood ducks are notably
> common in spite of its western location. The shrubby riparian
> vegetation attracts many passerines, and some eastern species such as
> eastern phoebes, red-bellied woodpeckers and northern bobwhites breed
> here. To the north, along state highway 25, western birds such as Say's
> phoebe, rock wren and ferruginous hawk may at times be seen.
>
>20. FRONTIER COUNTY (Map 17)
>A. Federal Areas: None
>B. State Areas
> 1. Red Willow Reservoir SRA/WMA (Map location 1). Area 1,628 ac.
> reservoir, 4320 ac. upland. Modern camping facilities are present.
> This reservoir in a water-poor region attracts good numbers of
> migratory water birds, including many geese and ducks. Burrowing
> owls should be searched for in the prairie dog town near Spring
> Creek. Park entry permit required for the SRA. See also Red Willow
> County.
> 2. Medicine Creek Reservoir & Medicine Creek SRA/WMA
> (Map location 2). Area of WMA 6,726 ac., SRA area 1,768 ac.
> reservoir & 1,200 ac. upland. There are 17 hiking trails present and
> both primitive and modern camping facilities. Wood ducks are
> surprisingly common here, and barn-owls breed on the area.
> About 5,000 ac. are managed for upland habitat, and over 50,000
> trees and shrubs have been planted. Park entry permit required for
> the SRA.
>
>21. GOSPER COUNTY (Map 18)
>A. Federal Areas
> 1. Victor Lake Federal Waterfowl Area (Map location 2). Area 174 ac.
> wetland, 64 ac. upland.
> 2. Elley Lagoon Federal Waterfowl Area (Map location 6). Area 33 ac.
> wetland, 29 ac. upland.
> 3. Peterson Basin Federal Waterfowl Area (Map location 7). Area 527
> ac. wetland, 627 ac. upland.
>B. State Areas
> 1. Johnson Lake SRA (Map location 1, main lake not shown). Area 2,06l
> ac lake, 8l ac. upland. See also Dawson County.
> 2. Elwood Reservoir WMA. Located 2 miles north of Elwood. Consists
> of a l,330-acre reservoir and 900 adjacent ac. of grassland and some
> wooded sites. No camping facilities.
>
>22. PHELPS COUNTY (Map 18)
>A. Federal Areas
> 1. Cottonwood Basin WPA (Map location 3). Area 79 ac. wetland, 16l
> ac. upland.
> 2. Linder WPA (Map location 4). Area 2 ac. wetland, 79 ac. upland.
> 3. Johnson Lagoon WPA (Map location 5), Area 252 ac. wetland, 326 ac.
> upland.
> 4. Funk Lagoon WPA (Map location 8). Area 1,163 ac. wetland, 826 ac.
> upland. This is the largest of the lagoons in the western Rainwater
> basin, and perhaps the best. During spring it supports amazing numbers
> of geese (especially greater white-fronted), and some 20 species of
> ducks. Breeding birds include great-tailed grackles, yellow-headed
> blackbirds, and both eared and pied-billed grebes. The main parking
> area has an information kiosk and a nearby observation blind looking
> out over the marsh. A variety of herons, egrets, and white-faced ibis
> visit the area in spring and fall.
> 5. Atlanta Marsh WPA (Map location 9). Area 453 ac. wetland, 659 ac.
> upland.
> 6. Jones Marsh WPA (Map location 10). Area 90 ac. wetland, 76 ac.
> upland.
>B. State Areas
> 1. West Sacramento WMA (Map location 11). Area 200 ac. wetland, 188
> ac. upland.
> 2. Sacramento-Wilcox WMA (Map location 12). Area 1,050 ac. wetland,
> 1263 ac. upland.
>
>23. DUNDY COUNTY
>A. Federal Areas: None
>B. State Areas
> 1. Rock Creek Lake SRA. Area 165 ac. Located 10 miles west and 4 miles
> north of Benkelman, l mile south of fish hatchery. According to
> Rosche (personal communication), this may be the best birding area in
> southwestern Nebraska. There is a 54-ac. reservoir that is one of the
> few locations in the region where migrating water birds can settle, thus
> it attracts ducks, shorebirds and other water-adapted birds during spring
> and fall. It also attracts many passerine migrants, especially in autumn.
> The nearby fish hatchery often attracts ospreys. Park entry permit
> required.
>
>24. HITCHCOCK COUNTY (Map l9)
>A. Federal Areas: None
>B. State Areas
> 1. Swanson Reservoir WMA (Map location 1), Area 1,157 ac. upland,
> 4,973 ac. reservoir. Primitive and modern camping facilities are
> present, and there are 13 hiking trails. Swanson Reservoir attracts many
> migrant water birds, some of which might overwinter. The wet
> meadows south of Stratton also attract many water birds during
> migration, including sandhill cranes and white-faced ibis (Rosche,
> 1994). About 3,000 acres are open to hunting and other public use;
> this is the largest of the areas reservoirs and has a large fish
> population, which should attract eagles and other fish-eating birds.
>
>25. RED WILLOW COUNTY
>A. Federal Areas: None
>B. State Areas
> 1. Red Willow SRA. Area includes 5,948 acres, including a 1,628 ac.
> reservoir. Located 12 miles north and 2 miles west of McCook on US
> Highway 83. It consists mostly of high plains grasslands. Complete
> camping facilities are present. The associated reservoir ("Hugh Butler
> Lake") extends into Frontier County (see further information there).
> Park entry permit required.
>
>26. FURNAS COUNTY
>A. Federal Areas: None
>B. State Areas
> l. Cambridge Diversion Dam. Located 2 miles east of Cambridge.
> Includes 2l ac. of grassland bordering the Republican River and
> brushy bottomland.
> 2. Bartly Diversion WMA. One mile south and l.5 miles east of
> Indianola. A small area of grasslands, rolling hills and scattered
>trees,
> around a campground.
>
>27. HARLAN COUNTY (Map 20)
>A. Federal Area
> 1. Harlan County Dam (Map location 1). Upland area 17, 278 ac.,
> reservoir 3,338 ac. This large reservoir in south-central Nebraska
> attracts bald eagles, geese (especially Canada geese), some sandhill
> cranes during fall, and has a population of greater prairie-chickens
> (on the south side of the reservoir) as well. At the south end of the dam
> an eagle roost is located
>B. State Areas
> 1. South Sacramento Wildlife Area (Map location 2). Area 77 wetland
> ac., 90 upland ac.
> 2. Southeast Sacramento Wildlife Area (Map location 3). Area 140 ac.
> wetland, 45 ac. upland.
>
>
>III. THE EAST-CENTRAL REGION: SANDHILL CRANE COUNTRY
>
> Introduction to the Platte River Valley and Birding Opportunities
>in the Rainwater Basin Wetland Management District.
>
> The central Platte Valley and nearby Rainwater Basin provides some
>of the best spring birding opportunities in all of North America; for most
>of March about seven million waterfowl and nearly half a million sandhill
>cranes pour into the region, remaining until late March in the case of the
>waterfowl and about the second week of April in the case of the sandhill
>cranes. As the last sandhill cranes are leaving, whooping cranes begin to
>arrive, as do the earlier shorebirds, continuing the amazing spring
>spectacle until about the end of April. Early May represents the actual
>peak of spring migration in terms of species diversity, for by then the
>warblers and other songbirds are appearing.
> Birding in the central Platte Valley during March is a chancy
>affair in terms of weather; late winter snowstorms may blanket the entire
>area in a foot of snow, which when melting leaves country roads slippery
>at best, and thus driving requires a good deal of care. This is especially
>true in the Rainwater Basin, an area of clay soils that prevent water from
>percolating down, and thus is rich in temporary wetlands (locally called
>"lagoons") just at the peak of spring waterfowl populations. This is only
>true during years when winter snowfalls or spring rains allow the basins
>to fill; in drier years only the deepest lagoons or those that are kept
>wet by pumping (Harvard, Massie's, Smith, etc.) can accommodate the hordes
>of ducks and geese passing through. During such years the stresses caused
>by bad weather and overcrowding can set off outbreaks of fowl cholera, and
>kill tens of thousands of birds in only a short time. Some of these birds
>are consumed by wintering bald eagles, hundreds of which occur along
>ice-free areas of the Platte from late fall until early spring. A good
>viewing area for these birds is at the J-2 Hydro Plant near Lexington.
>This area is open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 2
>p.m. with weekday reservations possible for groups ( call 308/995-860l for
>information). To reach it drive south from Lexington, and soon after
>crossing the Platte the road will swing west. Take the gravel road that
>continues south near this turn,, and follow signs to the plant.
> The best way to watch cranes during the day is observing them
>field-feeding from a parked car, with observers remaining quiet and
>inside the car. Opening a door and leaving the car will guarantee a rapid
>departure of the birds. Gravel roads on the south side of the Platte River
>are usually better than those on the north side of Interstate 80. The
>way to watch cranes is from riverside blinds near roosting locations (see
>Figure 2). Such blinds are maintained by the Whooping Crane Trust on
>Mormon Island (reservations required; cost $15 per person, contact Crane
>Meadows Nature Center (308/382-1820), at the Audubon Society's Lillian
>Rowe Sanctuary near Gibbon (cost $15 per person, for reservations phone
>303/468-5282), and Fort Kearney State Historical Park near Kearney (no
>charge, but reservations required, 308/865-5305). If it is not possible to
>arrange a blind viewing, several bridges such as the hike-bike trail
>bridge near Fort Kearney or the bridge over the middle Platte channel
>south of Alda (see maps 26 & 27) provide a less thrilling but still
>exciting view, both at sunset and sunrise. Information on crane viewing
>and accommodations can be obtained from the Kearney Visitors Center
>(308/652-9435 in state; 800/227-8340 out-of-state), the Grand Island
>Visitors Bureau (800/658-3178 or 308/382-4400), or the Adams County
>Visitors Bureau in Hastings (800/967-2189 or 402/461-2370). The Hastings
>Museum (14th St. & Burlington Highway, 402/46l-4629) and the Stuhr Museum
>at the southern edge of Grand Island along US Route 34 (308/385-5316) both
>provide tourist information and sell informative books or pamphlets on
>local tourist attractions.
> An excellent source of both general and specific information on
>birding in the Platte Valley is available in Gary Lingle's book Birding
>Crane River : Nebraska's Platte, which is locally available for $11.95 in
>many stores and the just-mentioned museums. It also includes complete
>county maps and detailed bird-finding advice for seven Platte Valley
>counties. Other ecological and historical information on the river and
>its natural history exists in the University of Nebraska Press book The
>Platte: Channels in Time by P. A. Johnsgard. Also of possible interest is
>the Smithsonian Institution Press book Crane Music: The Natural History of
>American Cranes , and the more popular Those of the Gray Wind: The
>Sandhill Cranes, University of Nebraska Press reprint, by P.A. Johnsgard.
>The Nebraska Game & Parks Commission (308/865-5308 in Kearney,
>402/471-0641 in Lincoln, or PO Box 30370, Lincoln 68503) can provide free
>informative materials, including an excellent 8-page "Spring Migration
>Guide" that centers on Platte Valley birding. A map (Figure 3) showing
>wildlife viewing areas and information centers in the Platte Valley is
>based on that guide and is reproduced by permission. The Game and Parks
>Commission has also recently (1997) published a 96-page booklet by Joseph
>Krue, titled "Nebraskaland Magazine Wildlife Viewing Guide, which includes
>descriptions of 68 sites in the state. It should be available soon from
>bookstores or the Game and Parks Commission in Lincoln (see address above)
>for $8.95. As mentioned earlier, sets of county maps of varied scale are
>also available from the Nebraska Dept. of Roads in Lincoln (402/471-4567),
>and bound sets of maps covering the entire state can be found in the
>Nebraska Sportsman's Atlas and the Nebraska Atlas and Gazetteer. Both
>describe and list local tourist attractions, offer camping information,
>and provide other similar information; the latter book being of contour
>maps and the former emphasizing hunting and fishing sites.
> The Rainwater Basin area is just as attractive as the Platte
>Valley during early spring, when an estimated 7-9 million ducks and 2-3
>million geese pass through. These flocks include 90 percent of the
>mid-continental greater white-fronted goose population, 50 percent of the
>mid-continental mallard population, and 30 percent of the entire
>continent's northern pintail population. Areas such as Funk, Harvard,
>Massie's and Smith's Lagoons, and Mallard Haven, are of special value to
>these birds. Increasing numbers of snow geese also use the more easterly
>parts of the area each spring, the numbers recently exceeding a million
>birds, and some of the wetlands (such as Sandpiper WPA) are of great
>importance to migrant shorebirds. A suggested loop tour (ca. 135 miles) is
>shown by arrows
>on Maps 28 and 29, starting from I-80 exits at either York or Aurora, and
>returning to the opposite exit. This route over generally improved roads
>includes the most important wetlands of the eastern Rainwater Basin.
> Visitors to the Platte Valley are urged to dress warmly, drive
>carefully over the narrow and sometimes slippery roads, and be prepared
>for rain, snow, and possibly even tornadoes, In recent years tornadoes
>have struck as early as mid-March, and in one case killed an estimated
>80,000 snow geese near York. Sick or dead birds found in the field should
>never be handled, as they possibly have become infected with diseases
>such as fowl cholera or botulism. This is especially true in the Rainwater
>Basin, where these diseases sometimes constitute a special problem.
>Further information on the Rainwater Basin management district, which
>comprises about 84 wetlands occupying 28,600 acres (including 2l,742 acres
>federally owned, 6,900 acres state-owned, and about 2,000 acres owned by
>the Nature Conservancy), can be obtained from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
>Service, Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, Federal Bldg., Fort
>Schnelling, Twin Cities, Minnesota 55ll, or Federal Bldg., PO Box 250,
>Pierre, So. Dak. 5750l. The regional U.S.F.W.S. office at PO Box 25486,
>Denver Federal Center, Denver, CO 80225 (303/236-7905) might also be
>contacted. Contacting Nebraska's local Fish & Wildlife Service office
>(308/236-50l5) or the Rainwater Basin Joint Venture office (308/385-6465)
>may also be helpful. The annual Audubon Spring River Conference, held in
>Kearney during mid-March of every year, has many expert speakers and field
>trips, and is also a highly educational event (call for information at
>308/468-5282). A similar but less formally structured event is the Wings
>over the Platte celebration, held in the Holiday Inn near Grand Island the
>third weekend in March (call 800/658-3178 or 308/385-5316 for
>information).
>
>1. BOYD COUNTY
>A. Federal Areas: None
>B. State Areas
> 1. Parshall Bridge WMA. Area 230 ac. Located 5 miles south of Butte.
> Riparian woodlands along the Niobrara River.
> 2. Hull Lake WMA. Area 36 ac. Located three miles south and one
> mile west of Butte. Hilly uplands, with oaks, conifers and grasslands
> around 3-ac. lake.
>
>2. HOLT COUNTY
>A. Federal Areas: None
>B. State Areas
> l. Atkinson Lake SRA. Area 54 ac. Located at northwest edge of
> Atkinson. Includes a 14-acre reservoir of the Elkhorn River.
> State park entry permit required.
> 2. Goose Lake WMA. Area 349 ac. Located 4 miles west of highway
> 28l and two miles north of Wheeler Co. boundary (23 miles south
> and four miles east of O'Neill). Mostly lake; also grassy and woodland
> uplands.
> 3. Redbird WMA. Area 433 ac. Located one mile south of highway
> 28l bridge over Niobrara. Most bur oak and cedar; bisected by
> Louse Creek, with steep wooded slopes and rolling grasslands.
> 4. Spencer Dam WMA. Located 23 miles north of O'Neill on US 83.
> Includes 9 miles of Niobrara River Valley.
>
>3. KNOX COUNTY (Map 21)
>A. Federal Areas: None
>B. State Areas
> 1. Gavin's Point Dam, Lewis & Clark Lake SRA (Map location 1). Area
> 32,000 ac. reservoir & 1,227 ac. SRA. See Cedar County account.
> 2. Bazille Creek WMA (Map location 2). Area 4,500 ac. Bordered for 9
> miles by the Missouri River and Lewis & Clark Lake; mixed woods,
> grasslands and marshy areas. This area is extensively marshy, as it
> includes the area where the Missouri River is impounded to form the
> upper end of Lewis and Clark Lake, so many wetland birds are present.
> In recent years flooding has made access limited.
> 3. Niobrara State Park (Map location 3). Area 1,632 ac. This state park
> is located at the confluence of the Niobrara River and the backwaters
> of the Missouri River. It is mostly grassland, but also has riparian
> woodlands. There are more than 12 miles of hiking trails, and a new
> two-mile hike-bike trail extends along the park's northern boundary.
> Woodland birds include whip-poor-wills, and both bald eagles and
> ospreys are seasonally present There is also an interpretive center,
> and both modern cabins and primitive camping facilities are present.
> State park entry permit required; phone 402/857-3373 for further
> information..
> 4. Bohemia Prairie WMA (Map location 4). Area 680 ac. Mainly
> grasslands, with some woods and two ponds.
> 5. Greenville WMA. Located 10 miles west and 3 miles south of
> Verdigre. Area 200 ac., mostly wooded, and bisected by Middle
> Verdigre Creek.
>
>
>4. ANTELOPE COUNTY (Map 22)
>A. Federal Areas: None
>B. State Areas
> 1. Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park. (Map location 1). Area 360
> ac. This extremely important paleontological site preserves the fossils
> of horses, rhinos, camels. and other animals (including crowned cranes)
> killed and interred under a thick layer of volcanic dust that settled
> here about nine million years ago. The center is open from Memorial
> Day through Labor Day, 9-5 on weekdays and 11-5 on Sundays. There
> are shorter hours during May and September. The area is mostly
> rugged range country, with grassland species most common. However,
> rock wrens often can be seen near the excavation site. Admission fee.
> 2. Grove Lake WMA (Map location 2). Area 1,746 ac., 35 ac. reservoir.
> Mainly mixed hardwoods and grasslands along Verdigre Creek. This
> is rolling grassland, with scattered trees along East Verdigre
> Creek. There is also a small reservoir and a trout-rearing facility.
> Most of the birds are grassland forms, but ospreys and belted
> kingfishers are also possible. Phone 402/370-32374 for information..
> 3. Hackberry Creek Public Use Area (Map location 3). Area 180 ac.
> Includes a mile of Elkhorn River frontage, several marshy oxbows,
> and mixed woods and grassland.
> 4. Redwing WMA (Map location 4). Area 320 ac. Includes l.5 miles of
> Elkhorn River frontage. Mostly riparian woodlands, some grasslands
> and marshes.
>
>
>5. PIERCE COUNTY (Map 23)
>A. Federal Areas: None
>B. State Areas
> 1. Willow Creek SRA. (Map location 1). Area 1,600 ac., with a
> 700-acre reservoir. A fishing and camping area. State park entry
> permit required.
>
>6. GARFIELD COUNTY
>A. Federal Areas: None
>B. State Areas
> l. Calamus Reservoir SRA (10,312 ac., including 5,123 ac. reservoir).
> Includes several modern camping facilities, boating and related
> facilities, plus a fish hatchery. No good information on the birds
> is available. See state highway map for location; see also Loup
> County. State park entry permit required.
>
>7. WHEELER COUNTY
>A. Federal Areas: None
>B. State Areas
> 1. Pibel Lake SRA. Area 42 ac, plus a 45 ac. lake. Located 7 miles east
> and two miles south of Ericson; see state highway map. This is a
> beautiful Sandhills lake with a variety of water birds present during
> spring and summer. State park entry permit required.
>
>8. VALLEY COUNTY
>A. Federal Areas: None
>B. State Areas
> 1. Fort Hartsuff State Historical Park. Located about 3 miles north
> and one mile west of Elyria. See state highway map for exact location.
> Mainly of interest for historical reasons, but passerines should be
> present seasonally. Open from April through October (308/346-4715).
> State park entry permit required.
> 2. Davis Creek WMA and SRA. Located about three miles south of
> North Loup. Mostly grassy areas surrounding a 1,145-acre reservoir.
> The WMA includes about 2,000 acres exclusive of the recreation area.
> 3. Scotia Canal WMA. Located 4.5 miles north of North Loup. Near
> North Loup River, and mostly covered by grassy uplands and mixed
> woodlands.
>
>9. GREELEY COUNTY
>A. Federal Areas: None
>B. State Areas
> 1. Davis Creek SRA. Area 2,000 ac., plus a 1,145 ac. reservoir.
> See Valley County description.
>
>10. BOONE COUNTY
>A. Federal Areas: None
>B. State Areas
> 1. Beaver Bend WMA. Area 27 ac. Located one mile northwest
> of St. Edward. See state highway map. An area located
> along Beaver Creek, with riparian woodland habitat.
>
>11. MADISON COUNTY (Map 23)
>A. Federal Areas: None.
>B. State Areas
> 1. Yellowbanks WMA (Map location 2). Area 680 ac. Includes 1.5 mile
> frontage of the Elkhorn River. Includes steep riverine bluffs
> supporting mature hardwood forest, some grassy uplands.
> 2. Oak Valley WMA (Map location 3). Area 640 ac. Includes a hardwood
> bottomland forest, bisected by Battle Creek; otherwise grassy uplands.
>
>12. PLATTE COUNTY (Map 25)
>A. Federal Areas: None
>B. State Areas
> 1. George Syas WMA (Map location 4). Area 917 ac. Includes 1.5 miles of
> Loup River frontage. About half wooded, the rest grasses, crops and
> planted shrubs.
>C. Other Areas
> 1. Lake Babcock Waterfowl Refuge and Lake Babcock (Map location 6).
> Area 600 ac. A reservoir on Shell Canal, just outside of Columbus.
> 2. Lake North (Map location 7). Area 200 ac. A city lake developed for
> fishing and swimming; probably of limited birding potential.
> 3. Looking Glass Creek WMA. Located l1 mile south of Monroe.
> About half wooded, the rest grassland, with two small lakes.
>
>13. SHERMAN COUNTY (Map 24)
>A. Federal Areas: None
>B. State Areas
> 1. Sherman Reservoir SRA/WMA (Map location 1). Area 3,382 ac., plus
> 2,845 ac. reservoir. Mostly rolling prairie grasslands, with woody
> growth along creeks. Includes 10 hiking trails. State park entry
> permit required.
> 2. Bowman Lake SRA (Map location 2). Area 23 ac. A small SRA
> just outside Loup City. State park entry permit required.
>
>
>14. HOWARD COUNTY
>A. Federal Areas: None
>B. State Areas
> 1. Harold W. Anderson WMA. Area 272 ac. Located 4 miles south
> and two miles west of St. Paul. Consists of about 12 miles of Loup
> River frontage, with bottomland timber and a marshy oxbow.
> 2. Loup Junction WMA. Area 328 ac. Located three miles north
> and two miles east of St. Paul. Bordered on the north by the
> North Loup and on the south by the Middle Loup; mostly riparian
> woodland, with marshes and grassy areas.
>
>15. NANCE COUNTY (Map 25)
>A. Federal Areas: None
>B. State Areas
> 1. Loup Lands WMA (Map locations 1, 2). Area 485 ac.
> 2. Prairie Wolf WMA (Map location 3). Area 3l4 ac. Mainly bottomlands
> along the Loup River, with some open grasslands and marshes.
> 3. Sunny Hollow WMA (Map location 5) .Area 160 ac. Mostly grassy
> uplands, with two marshes and a "dugout" wetland.
>
>16. POLK COUNTY
>A. Federal Areas: None.
>B. State Areas: None
>
>17. BUFFALO COUNTY (Map 26)
>A. Federal Areas: None
>B. State Areas
> 1. Ravenna Lake SRA (Map location 1). Area 53 ac. Situated along
> the South Loup River, with a small reservoir. State park entry permit
> required.
> 2. Blue Hole WMA (Map location 2). Area 530 ac., plus 30 ac. pond and
> two miles of river frontage. Mostly riparian woodland
> 3. Sandy Channel SRA (Map location 3). Area 133 ac, ll small lakes and
> ponds, totaling 47 ac. State park entry permit required.
> 4. Union Pacific SRA (Map location 4). Area 26 ac., plus l5 ac. pond.
> State park entry permit required.
> 5. East Odessa SRA (Map location 5). Area 7l ac., plus 7 ac. pond.
> State park entry permit required.
> 6. Cottonmill Lake Public Use Area.(Map location 6). A hike-bike trail
> extends six miles from this area to the outskirts of Kearney.
> 7. Bassway Strip WMA (Map location 10). 636 ac., 4 ponds and 7 miles
> of river frontage. Includes 90 ac. of lakes and sandpits; mostly
> wooded. In spite of the river frontage, this area is not used by
> sandhill cranes to any great extent.
> 8. War Axe SRA (Map location 8). Area 9 ac. plus 12 ac. pond. State
> park entry permit required.
> 9. Windmill SRA (Map location 9). Area 168 ac., 5 ponds. State park
> entry permit required.
>C. Other Areas
> 1. Lillian Annette Rowe Sanctuary (Map location 7). Area 2,200 ac. This
> area, the largest Audubon refuge in the region, protects prime sandhill
> and whooping crane habitats near Kearney, and includes nearly six
> miles of river frontage, plus about 260 acres of native prairie. Several
> riverside blinds are located on the property, and spring sunrise or
> sunset excursions to the blinds can be arranged between March 10 and
> April 6.($15.00 per person, reservations are needed). There is
> also a self-guided hiking/birding trail. The sanctuary headquarters
> provides information and sells books and other bird-related materials.
> Summer breeding birds include dickcissel, upland sandpiper and
> bobolink, as well as riparian woodland species such as rose-breasted
> grosbeak and willow flycatcher. Least terns and piping plovers often
> nest on barren sandbars that are also used by roosting cranes (Lingle,
> 1994). A birding trail begins at the office; no checklists are available
> but the list shown for the Platte Valley in the supplement (NOT
>INCLUDED) should
> suffice. The sanctuary's address is Rte 2, Box 146, Gibbon, NE.
> 68840 (308/468-5282). Office hours are 9-5 from Monday through
> Friday. No admission charge, but permission is needed.
> 2. Grandpa's Steakhouse. This is located at the south end of Kearney, just
> north of the Platte River bridge, on the east side of the road. It
>is at
> the edge of a sandpit lake that attracts tens of thousands of Canada
> geese from late fall through early spring.
>
>18. HALL COUNTY (Map 27)
>A. Federal Areas
>B. State Areas
> 1. Cornhusker WMA (Map location 2). Area 840 ac. All upland habitats
> with various planted cover types. The birds include such brush-loving
> species as Harris' sparrows and American tree sparrows.
> 2. Mormon Island SRA (Map location 10). Area 152 ac., 6l ac. lake. This
> area is a popular fishing spot just off I-80, and rarely attracts many
> waterfowl because of the high disturbance level.
> 3. Martin's Reach WMA. Located l mile south and 3 miles west of
> Wood River Exchange. Includes 89 acres, with about 0.7 mile of river
> frontage of the middle channel of the Platte River.
>C. Other Areas
> 1. Taylor Ranch road (Map location 1). The road along the perimeter of
> this ranch provides a chance to watch displaying greater prairie-
> chickens from a parked car. By driving this area before sunrise and
> stopping ever hundred yards to so to listen it should be possible to
> locate a lekking ground. The arrowhead on the map shows one such
> location where a lek usually is located. Farther north in the Sandhills
> sharp-tailed grouse outnumber the greater prairie-chickens.
> 2. Mormon Island Whooping Crane Meadows Preserve (Map location 3).
> This preserve of about 2,500 acres was the first Platte Valley crane
> sanctuary to be established, and along with the Rowe Sanctuary farther
> west is the most important. More than 70,000 cranes have been seen
> on its pristine wet meadows, and nearly 80,000 birds roost along its
> river shorelines. Nearly 220 bird species have been reported here; the
> Platte Valley bird list in the supplement (NOT INCLUDED) is largely
>based on these
> records. A large crane-observation blind is operated from March 5 to
> April , and admission ($15.00 per person, reservations usually needed)
> is obtained by calling or visiting the Crane Meadows Nature Center
> (see below). Parking along the narrow road is possible, but requires
> care because of traffic Leaving the road without permission is not
> allowed. For information call 308/384-4633.
> 3. Shoemaker Island road. (Map location 4). This gravel road traverses
> the length of Shoemaker Island, where many wet meadows attract
> foraging flocks of cranes. The entire area is privately owned, so
> birding away from the road requires landowner permission.
> 4. Crane Meadows Nature Center (Map location 5). This small nature
> center is located between the Alda interstate exit and the "Alda Road
> Bridge" (see below), and is the place where reservations to visit the
> crane blind on Mormon Island must be made. There are about 240
> acres of meadows and woodlands, bird feeders, and nearly five miles
> of hiking trails. The trails are open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The
> Center's address is 9775 South Alda Road, Wood River, NE. 68883
> (308/382-1820). Admission charge.
> 5. Alda Road Bridge (Map location 6). This bridge over the middle
> Platte channel provides a place where people can watch the sunrise
> and sunset roosting flights of cranes. It is very near a sandpit
>lake that
> may attract up to 40,000 geese, but this lake is on private
>property and
> can only be viewed from the highway.
> 6. Platte River Road. (Map location 7) . This paved road going west
> from Doniphan is a good route for observing field-feeding cranes
> during the daytime. It continues west to the Kearney area, but the
> density of crane use varies with location and disturbance. Generally
> the cranes are best seen from the road nearest the south shore of the
> Platte River, especially in early morning and late afternoon, among
> cornfields or the occasional wet meadows that still exist.
> 7. Amick Acres road. (Map location 8). This small subdivision has several
> sandpit lakes that attract large flocks of Canada geese in early March.
> Do not stray from the road, as the area is entirely private property.
> 8. Nine-mile Bridge. (Map location 9). This narrow bridge north of
> Doniphan provides views of a small crane flock on the downstream
> side. However, no parking is allowed near the bridge, and so some
> walking is necessary.
> 9. Hall County Park & Stuhr Museum (Map location 11). This county
> park allows free entry, and offers wooded trails for birding. It is just
> south of the Stuhr Museum, whose gift shop sells books of interest to
> naturalists, and has a good exhibit of pioneer artifacts. The
>surrounding
> moat sometimes attracts wild ducks. The museum has an admission
> charge, but there is free access to the museum shop. For information
> call 308/385-5316.
>
>l9. MERRICK COUNTY (MAP 25)
>A. Federal Areas: None
>B. State Areas: None
>C. Other Areas
> 1. Bader Memorial Park Natural Area. Located three miles south of
> Chapman. Area 80 ac. A stretch of Platte River woodlands and
> adjacent native prairie, with trails through all of the local habitat
> types. American woodcocks occur here, and sandhill cranes sometimes
> visit during spring. Ducks, geese, marsh birds and shorebirds are
> abundant during migration.
>
>20. HAMILTON COUNTY (Map 28)
>A. Federal Areas:
> 1. Springer WPA.( Map location 3). Area 266 wetland ac., 134 ac.
> upland.
> 2. Troesler Basin WPA (Map location 4 right). Area 123 wetland ac.,
> 37 upland ac.
> 3. Nelson WPA (Map location 5).Area 143 wetland ac., 17 ac. upland.
>B. State Areas
> 1. Pintail WMA (Map location 4 left). Area 190 wetland ac., 94 upland
> ac. Includes a shallow seasonal pond and mixed upland and lowland
> habitats. In wet springs this shallow marsh may attract up to 100,000
> snow geese, and large numbers of mallards, pintails and other dabbling
> ducks. In the morning the east side provides best viewing; during
> afternoon the west side is better and the road is closer to the marsh.
> 2. Gadwall WMA (Map location 1). Area 90 ac., with 70 ac. wetlands
> (two "dugout" wetlands and narrow slough).
> 3. Deep Well WMA (Map location 2). Area 78 ac., with 35 ac. of
> semi-permanent wetlands and 25 ac. of permanent wetlands.
>
>21. YORK COUNTY (Map 29)
>A. Federal Areas
> 1. County Line Marsh WPA (Map location 8). Area 232 ac. wetland, 176
> ac. upland. The county road leads to this marsh, which usually floods
> the road in spring. Usually large flocks of dabbling ducks gather here
> in early March.
> 2. Waco Basin WPA (Map location 3). Area 159 ac. Adjoins Spikerush
> WMA, and has a 15-acre lake stocked with fish.
> 3. Sinninger Lagoon WPA (Map location 7). Area 37 wetland ac., 123
> upland ac.
>B. State Areas
> 1. Spikerush WMA (Map location 4). Area 194 ac. Consists of mixed
> marsh and upland habitats.
> 2. Kirkpatrick Basin WMAs. (Map location 5 & 6). Area 615 ac. Contains
> 70 ac. of semi-permanent wetlands, l75 ac. of seasonal wetlands, and
> the rest upland grasses in the north area, and the southern WMA
> consists of a shallow wetland of 305 ac. This is an excellent area in
> spring for seeing migrating ducks and geese, especially snow geese,
> and slightly later it attracts a host of shorebirds, including American
> avocets and long-billed dowitchers. The north area is visible from
> I-80.
> 3. Hidden Marsh WMA (Not identified on map, located 2 mi. east
> of Spikerush WMA). Area 120 ac.
> 4. Renquist Basin WMA. Area 107 ac. Consists of mixed upland and
> marshland.
>C. Other Areas
> 1. Recharge Lake NRD Recreation Area. Area 120 ac., with 50-ac.
> reservoir. Developed for fishing, there are also hiking trails.
>
>22. KEARNEY COUNTY (Map 30)
>A. Federal Areas (all the following sites are temporary wetlands
> of fairly small size, but might be attractive to migrant water
> birds during wet springs).
> 1. Bluestem Basin WPA (Map location 4). Area 44 wetland ac.,
> 32 upland ac.
> 2. Gleason Lagoon WPA (Map location 5). Area 197 wetland ac.,
> 372 upland ac.
> 3. Prairie Dog Marsh WPA (Map location 6). Area 430 ac. wetland,
> 382 ac. upland.
> 4. Lindau Lagoon WPA (Map location 7). Area 105 ac. wetland,
> 47 ac. upland.
> 5. Clark Lagoon WPA (Map location 12). Area 227 wetland ac.,
> 222 ac. upland.
> 6. Youngson Lagoon WPA (Map location 8). Area 113 ac. wetland,
> 70 ac. upland.
> 7. Frerichs Lagoon WPA (Map location 10). Area 33 ac. wetland,
> 10 ac. upland.
> 8. Killdeer Basin WPA (Map location 11). Area 36 ac. wetland, 2 ac.
> upland.
> 9. Jensen Lagoon WPA (Map location 9). Area 187 ac. wetland,
> 278 ac. upland.
>B. State Areas
> 1. Hike-Bike bridge (Map location 1). This is a very good area for
> watching sandhill cranes at sunset and sunrise. Sometimes American
> woodcocks can be seen displaying near the north end of the bridge at
> sunset. Stop at the Fort Kearney State Historical Park for information
> and a park permit. The 4-mile trail leads to Bassway Strip WMA
> along the two northernmost channels of the Platte (see Buffalo County).
> 2. Fort Kearney SRA. (Map location 2). Area 163 ac. This area has
> primitive camping facilities and provides nearby parking for the hike-
> bike bridge.
> 3. Fort Kearney State Historical Park. This park has a restored version
> of Fort Kearney, and is also a place from which one can watch field-
> feeding sandhill cranes. Arrangements for blind visits can be made here
> (see introduction to region). Park entry permit required. Phone
> 308/865-5305 for information.
> 4. Northeast Sacramento WMA (Map location 7). Area 30 wetland ac.,
> 10 ac. upland.
>
>23. ADAMS COUNTY (Map 31)
>A. Federal Areas: None
>B. State Areas
> 1. Prairie Lake Public Use Area (Map location 3). Area 125 ac.,
> 30 ac. lake. Mainly a fishing lake, with limited attractiveness
> to birds.
> 2. Crystal Lake SRA (Map location 4). Area 33 ac. Mostly
> developed for fishing; state park entry permit required.
> 3. DLD SRA (Map location 6). Area 7 ac. Primitive camping
> facilities; state park entry permit required.
>C. Other Areas (see also Lingle, 1994)
> 1. Kenesaw Lagoon (Map location 1). A private wetland that attracts
> many water birds during spring. It is best observed from the
> south or west side along county roads.
> 2. Little Blue River (Map location 2). The wooded riparian zone
> of this river should be searched for passerines during migration
> periods.
> 3. Hastings Museum and Lake Hastings (Map location 7). The
> Hastings Museum has a notable exhibit area for a small-town
> museum, including a diorama with ten whooping cranes.
> It sells materials of interest to naturalists, has an IMEX theater
> and planetarium, and provides advice on local attractions. Phone
> 402/461-4629 for information. Lake Hastings is a city-owned
> lake that might seasonally attract some birds, and is a short distance
> north of the Museum on routes 281 and 34. The Adams County
> Visitors Bureau (402/461-2370) might also be of assistance.
> 4. Air Lake (Map location 5). This is a privately owned seasonal wetland
> that sometimes attracts good numbers of migrating water birds.
>
>24. CLAY COUNTY (Map 28)
>A. Federal Areas (All of these are Waterfowl Production Areas that
> vary greatly in size and in relative wetland permanence).
> 1. Sandpiper WPA (Map location 6). Area 226 ac. wetland, 214
> ac. upland. One of the best sites for seeing migrating shorebirds
> in the region, especially during late March and April.
> 2. Hultine WPA (Map location 7). Area 164 ac. wetland, 74 ac.
> upland.
> 3. Harvard Marsh WPA (Map location 8). Area 760 ac. wetland, 724
> ac. upland. A deep, permanent marsh that attracts tens of thousands of
> snow, Canada and greater white-fronted geese each March. Access
> from the east is via a narrow, often slippery road, but is better from
> the south, at least to the railroad tracks. Driving beyond is not
> recommended. There is also a parking area on the north side,
> but it is located quite far from the nearest water or marshy areas.
> Later on in spring this area is used by many shorebirds, including
> several sandpipers and piping plovers, and breeders include northern
> harriers and short-eared owls. Occasional flocks of sandhill cranes
> stop, and eagles are regular in early spring. Altogether one of the
> best birding wetlands in the entire region; up to 500,000 waterfowl
> have been seen here at the peak of spring migration.
> 4. Lange Lagoon WPA (Map location 10). Area 56 ac. wetland, 104
> ac. upland.
>. 5. Theesen Lagoon WPA. (Map location 11). Area 46 ac. wetland,
> 34 ac. upland.
> 6. Massie's Lagoon WPA. (Map location 12). Area 494 ac. wetland,
> 359 ac. upland. One of the best of the Clay County lagoons for
> waterfowl and shorebirds. An observation blind is located close
> to the parking lot on the south side of the lagoon; this access point
> is recommended over the others. Water levels in spring are
> maintained by pumping.
> 7. Glenvil Basin WPA. (Map location 13). Area 83 ac. wetland, 37
> ac. upland.
> 8. Kissinger Basin WPA. (Map location 14). Area 342 ac.
> 9. Meadowlark WPA. (Map location 15). Area 45 wetland ac., 35
> upland ac.
>10. Harms WPA. (Map location 16).Area 34 wetland ac., 25 upland ac.
>11. Moger WPA. (Map location 17). Area 72 wetland ac., 125 upland ac.
>12. Shuck WPA. (Map location 18). Area 56 ac. wetland, 24 upland ac.
>13. Green Acres WPA. (Map location 19). Area 24 ac. wetland, 9
> ac. upland.
>14. Eckhart Lagoon WPA. (Map location 20). Area 66 ac. wetland,
> 108 ac. upland.
>15. Smith Lagoon WPA. (Map location 21). Area 226 ac. wetland,
> 224 ac. upland. Another excellent waterfowl site during spring
> migration.
>16.Greenhead WPA. (Map location 22). Area 60 ac. Includes a
> dugout pond and mainly marshy habitats. .
>17. Hansen Lagoon WPA. (Map location 23). Area 205 wetland ac.,
> 115 upland ac.
>18. Greenwing WPA. (Map location 24). Area 80 ac. Includes marsh,
> uplands, and scattered thickets.
>B. State Areas
> 1. McMurtry Refuge (Map location 9). Area 1,07l ac. No public
> access, and closed to hunting.
> 2. Bluewing WMA. Located 4 miles west, 0.5 mile south of Edgar.
> Includes 160 acres of lowland and seasonal wetland habitat.
> 3. Bullrush WMA. Located 3 miles west of Edgar. Includes
> 160 acres of upland and marshy habitats.
>
>25. FILMORE COUNTY (Map 29)
>A. Federal Areas
> 1. County Line Marsh WPA (Map location 8). Area 408 ac.
> 2. Real WPA (Map location 9). Area 121 wetland ac., 39 upland ac.
> 3. Bluebill WPA (Map location 10 right) & Marsh Hawk WPA
> (Map location 10 left). Areas 60 ac. and 173 ac. Bluebill includes
> two marshes separated by higher ground. Marsh Hawk is mostly
> comprised of seasonal wetlands, with some trees and shrubs.
> 4. Wilkins Lagoon WPA (Map location 11). Area 370 ac. wetland,
> 160 ac. upland.
> 5. Murphy Lagoon WPA (Map location 12). Area 76 wetland ac.,
> 12 upland ac.
> 6. Rolland Lagoon WPA (Map location 13). Area 53 wetland ac.,
> 76 upland ac.
> 7. Rauscher Lagoon WPA (Map location 15). Area 140 ac. wetland,
> 111 ac. upland.
> 8. Sandpiper WPA (Map location 16). Area 160 ac. Includes 56 ac. of
> marsh, with plum, willow, cottonwood and osage orange also
> present.
> 9. Weiss Lagoon WPA (Map location 18). Area 40 upland ac.,120
> wetland ac.
>10. Krause Lagoon WPA.(Map location 17). Area 303 wetland ac.,
> 224 upland ac.
>11. Mallard Haven WPA (Map location 18). Area 626 ac. wetland,
> 411 ac. upland. One of the best marshes for waterfowl during spring
> and many wetland birds remain to breed, including northern harriers,
> great-tailed grackles, and yellow-headed blackbirds. There are several
> parking lots at access points, and an information kiosk at the south-
> eastern corner parking area.
>B. State Areas: None
>
>
>26. FRANKLIN COUNTY (Map 30)
>A. Federal Areas
> 1. Ritterbush Marsh WPA (Map location 13). Area 49 ac. wetland,
> 32 ac. upland.
> 2. Quadhammer Marsh WPA (Map location 14). Area 308 wetland
> ac., 286 ac. upland.
> 3. Macon Lakes WPA (Map location 15). Area 498 ac. wetland,
> 466 ac. upland.
>B. State Areas
> 1. Ash Grove WMA. Area 74 ac. Includes rolling hills with
> grasses, rock outcrops, and a spring-fed stream.
> 2. Limestone Bluffs WMA. Area 479 ac. Includes rolling hills
> with grasses, rock outcrops, and wooded ravines with a spring-
> fed stream.
>
>27.. WEBSTER COUNTY
>A. Federal Areas: None
>B. State Areas
> 1. Elm Creek WMA. Area 120 ac. Located three miles south of Cowles.
> Mostly wooded, with a creek and slough at one end.
> 2. Indian Creek WMA. Area 114 ac. Located one mile south of
> Red Cloud, containing riparian woods along the Republican River.
> Wood ducks, ospreys and eagles might be seen, plus woodland
> woodpeckers and passerines.
>
>28. NUCKOLLS COUNTY
>A. Federal Areas: None.
>B. State Areas
> 1. Smartweed Marsh WMA. Area 74 ac. wetland, 6 ac. upland.
>. Located two miles south and two miles west of Edgar. Mostly
> grassy lowlands, but with some marshy areas.
> 2. Smartweed Marsh West WMA. Area 38 ac. Located one mile
> south and three miles west of Edgar. Mostly grassy lowlands, but
> with some upland habitats.
>
>29. THAYER COUNTY
>A. Federal Areas: None
>B. State Areas
> 1. Little Blue WMA. Area 303 ac. Located three miles east of Hebron.
> Mostly flat, wooded bottomland of the Little Blue River, with some
> grasslands and croplands,
> 2. Prairie Marsh WMA. Area 160 ac. Located two miles west of
> Bruning. Consists of seasonal wetlands and adjoining uplands.
>
>
>IV. THE EASTERN REGION: LOWER PLATTE AND MISSOURI RIVER VALLEYS
>
> This region is a land that once was ruthlessly scraped-over by
>glaciers, and which later was mantled by tall-grass prairies and riparian
>deciduous forests with eastern biogeographic affinities. It is bounded to
>the east by the Missouri River, which is now mostly channeled and much
>degraded as far as wildlife habitat is concerned. However, some stretches,
>such as around Ponca Park, provide a faint idea of what the river once was
>like. The Missouri Valley is still a migratory pathway not only for
>arctic-breeding waterfowl such as snow geese, which alone now number about
>a million birds using this narrow flyway, but also myriad's of
>forest-adapted Neotropic migrants, especially warblers and vireos. Remnant
>stands of mature deciduous forest still exist at Rulo Bluffs Preserve and
>Indian Cave State Park in Richardson County, Fontenelle Forest and Neale
>Woods in the Omaha area, DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge near Blair, and
>Ponca State Park in Dixon County. These are among the best places that can
>be visited in early May to see such wonderful birds as they journey north
>to breeding grounds in the Upper Midwest and southern Canada.
> The area is the most heavily populated part of the state, and thus
>has the fewest areas of native prairie vegetation persisting, but in such
>areas grassland species such as greater prairie-chickens still gather at
>sunrise every spring, on traditional display grounds made sacred by
>decades if not centuries of use. Similarly, other prairie species such as
>long-billed curlews and upland sandpiper rarely occur here any more, but
>grassland sparrows still announce their territories from fenceposts, and
>house wrens, gray catbirds and brown thrashers sing from plum thickets
>along roadside ditches. Many other eastern or southeastern species occur
>and presumably breed here, including Henslow's sparrow, Kentucky, parula,
>and prothonotary warblers, as well as red-shouldered and broad-winged
>hawks. Furthermore, chuck-will's-widows certainly must nest in the
>woodlands bordering the southeastern corner of the state (although no
>nests of this species have been found), and pileated woodpeckers are
>sometimes also seen here, making it an area of special interest to birders.
>
>1. CEDAR COUNTY
>A. Federal Areas.
> 1. Gavin's Point Dam. See state highway map for location. Birding from
> the dam should offer views of gulls, waterfowl, and other birds
> including numerous bald eagles during migration periods. A nature
> trail is present, as well as an aquarium, in the associated Lewis and
> Clark Recreation Area.
> 2. Lake Yankton. Located just below Gavin's Point Dam; partly in
> South Dakota. A relatively small reservoir below the spillway at
> Gavin's Point Dam that offers good birding along its wooded
> shoreline.
>B. State Areas
> 1. Chalkrock WMA. Area 130 ac. Located four miles south of Missouri
> River bridge on Highway 8l and l.5 miles west of highway. Consists of
> 90 upland ac. and a 45-ac, reservoir.
> 2. Wiseman WMA. Area 365 ac. Located one mile north and 5 miles
> east of Wynot. Just south of the Missouri River, this area includes
> steep wooded bluffs, and grassy ridges. The woods are mostly bur
> oak, cedar, hackberry and ash.
>
>2. DIXON COUNTY (Map 32)
>A. Federal Areas: None
>B. State Areas
> 1. Ponca State Park. (Map location 1). Area 830 ac. This park is mostly
> forested with stands of bur oak, walnut, hackberry and elms; one of
> the oaks is more than 300 years old. There are 17 miles of hiking trails
> and modern cabins are available, as is an undeveloped campground.
> Whip-poor-wills are common in summer, and bald eagles are present
> during winter months. Snow geese migrate past the area in spring and
> fall, and the nearby Missouri River is still unchanneled here, thus
> resembles its original state. State park entry permit required.
> 2. Buckskin Hills WMA. Located 2 miles west and 2 miles south of
> Newcastle. Consists of 340 acres of grasslands and woods around a
> 75-acre reservoir.
>
>3. DAKOTA COUNTY (Map 32)
>A. Federal Areas: None.
>B. State Areas
> 1. Basswood Ridge WMA (Map location 2). Area 360 ac. Consists of
> very rugged and heavily wooded uplands, with some Indian
> petroglyphs near the north end.
> 2. Omadi Bend WMA (Map location 3). Area 33 ac. Consists of
> bottomland forest along an oxbow lake.
>
>
>4. WAYNE COUNTY
>A. Federal Areas: None
>B. State Areas
> 1. Sioux Strip WMA. Area 25 ac. Located at western edge of Scholes.
> Consists of upland grasses along an old railroad bed.
>.
>5. THURSTON COUNTY
>A. Federal Areas
> 1. Missouri River Federal Access Areas. Numerous access points for
> boats, as posted.
>B. State Areas: None
>
>6. STANTON COUNTY
>A. Federal Areas: None.
>B. State Areas
> 1. Red Fox WMA. Area 363 ac. Located one mile south of Pilger.
> Includes a wooded remnant oxbow, a 25-ac. sandpit lake, 0.6 mile of
> Elkhorn River frontage, and 163 ac. of grassland.
> 2. Wood Duck WMA. Area 668 ac. Located about two miles south and
> four miles west of Stanton. Consists of riparian woodlands bordering
> the Elkhorn River, with several oxbow lakes and a stream. Many
> eastern songbirds nest here, and the marshy lakes are used by large
> numbers of geese, ducks, pelicans, cormorants and occasional swans.
> The perimeter roads are often wet and sometimes even flooded during
> wet springs, so caution is needed when driving.
>
>7. CUMING COUNTY
>A. Federal Areas: None
>B. State Areas
> 1. Black Island WMA. Area 240 ac. Located one mile north and
> four miles west of Wisner .This area is a mixture of woods and
> grassland along 0.75 mile of the Elkhorn River.
>C. Other Areas
> 1. Elkhorn River. This river is bounded by deciduous riverine forest
> along most of its length, and should provide for good birding
> opportunities.
>
>8. BURT COUNTY
>A. Federal Areas: None
>B. State Areas
> 1. Decatur Bend WMA. Area 133 Ac. Located three miles east of
> Decatur. Accessible only by river.
> 2. Pelican Point SRA. Area 36 ac. Located along Missouri River, three
> miles north and six miles east of Tekama. Consists of riverine
> woodlands. Accessible only by river. State park entry permit required.
> 3. Summit Reservoir SRA. Area 535 ac. Located three miles west and
> one mile south of Tekama. The 190-acre reservoir is developed for
> fishing. State park entry permit required.
>
>
>9. COLFAX COUNTY
>A. Federal Areas: None
>B. State Areas
> 1. Whitetail WMA. Area 216 ac. Located two miles south and one
> mile west of Schuler. Consists of 93 ac. of Platte River bottomland
> forest and 123 ac. of islands and river.
>
>10. DODGE COUNTY (Map 33)
>A. Federal Areas: None
>B. State Areas
> 1. Dead Timber SRA (Map location 1, right). Area 150 ac., 50 ac. lake.
> A recreational facility developed for fishing. State park entry permit
> required.
> 2. Powder Horn WMA (Map location 1, left). Area 289 ac. Consists of
> riparian woodlands bounding the Elkhorn River, plus adjoining
> grasslands, marshes and croplands.
> 3. Fremont Lakes SRA (Map location 2). Area 670 ac. Includes 20
> small sandpit lakes totaling 280 acres, with many recreational
> facilities. State park entry permit required.
>
>
>11. WASHINGTON COUNTY (Map 34)
>A. Federal Areas
> 1. DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge. (Map location 1). Total area
> 7,823 ac. This important national wildlife refuge is located around
> an old oxbow of the Missouri River, and consists mostly of riverine
> deciduous forest, an 8-mile oxbow lake, and croplands. It supports an
> enormous fall population of snow geese (and some Ross' geese), which
> may reach peak numbers of about 800,000 birds in late October
> or early November. There is a superb interpretive center, whose large
> windows face a 788-acre lake, allowing wonderful views of the geese,
> other waterfowl, and numerous bald eagles in late fall and early spring.
> There are also outdoor viewing platforms for close viewing. There is a
> bird checklist of 240 species, including 8l breeders. Peak populations of
> ducks, mostly mallards, may reach 125,000. There is a twelve-mile
> drive around the refuge, and four hiking trails. A summary checklist of
> the refuge's birds is NOT included here The mailing address
> for the refuge is Rte.1, Box 114, Missouri Valley, Iowa 51555 (712/
> 642-4121). The interior refuge roads are closed during some periods;
> inquire at the interpretive center (9 A.M. to 4 p.m. daily) for schedule.
> Daily admission fee charged.
> 2. Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuge (Map location 3). Located
> along the Missouri River, this brand new refuge of about 2,000 acres
> is a cooperative project involving the U.S. Corps of Engineers and
> several state agencies. There are currently several access points, with
> two miles of roads and about five miles of trails, including a mile of
> paved trail. The area is being managed from DeSoto National Wildlife
> Refuge, which should be contacted for information.
>B. State Areas
> 1. Fort Atkinson State Historic Park. (Map location 2). Probably mainly
> of interest for historical reasons, but no doubt migrating passerines
> use the area to some degree. State park entry permit required.
>
>12. BUTLER COUNTY
>A. Federal Areas: None
>B. State Areas
> 1. Redtail WMA. Area 320 ac., 17 ac. reservoir. Located one mile east
> of Dwight. Includes grassland, wooded draws, and a pond.
> 2. Timber Point Public Use Area. Area 160 ac. Located one mile
> south and two miles east of Brainard. A 28-acre lake is present.
>
>13. SAUNDERS COUNTY (Map 35)
>A. Federal Areas: None
>B. State Areas
> 1. Jack Sinn WMA (Map location 7). See Lancaster County.
> 2. Red Cedar Public Use Area (Map location 2). Area 175 ac.,
> with a 50-acre lake.
> 3. Larkspur WMA (Map location 3). Area 160 ac. Includes 37 ac.
> of bur oak woodland, plus areas of native prairie and seeded
> grassland.
>C. Other Areas
> 1. Pahuk Natural Area. (Map location 1). A privately owned
> area of riparian woodland considered sacred by the Pawnee.
> There is a trail through the woods and adjoining grasslands.
> Permission to visit is needed from the local landowners.
>
>14. DOUGLAS COUNTY (Map 36)
>A. Federal Areas: None
>B. State Areas
> 1. Two Rivers SRA (Map location 1). SRA area 643 ac., WMA
> 312 ac. The SRA is developed for recreational purposes. Located
> just south of the SRA, the WMA consists of timbered riverbottom
> forest, marshes, and croplands. State park entry permit required for
> the SRA.
>C. Other Areas
> 1. Neale Woods Nature Center (Map location 7). Area 554 ac.
> This privately owned nature center includes nine miles of trails
> through hardwood forests, prairie uplands, and riverine woodlands.
> Open weekdays 8-5, and on Sunday afternoons. A checklist of 190
> species either seen or expected in the area is available. There are 57
> likely breeders, including barred owl, whip-poor-wills, ruby-throated
> hummingbird, eastern wood-pewee, American redstart, scarlet
> tanager, rose-breasted grosbeak, and indigo bunting. The address is
> 14323 Edith Marie Ave., Omaha 68112 (402/453-5615). Admission fee.
> 2. Standing Bear Lake (Map location 5). Reservoir area 135 ac. A flood-
> control lake that attracts migrant shorebirds and waterfowl seasonally.
> 3. Glenn Cunningham Lake (Map location 6). Reservoir area 390 ac.
> A flood-control reservoir that is the largest in the Omaha
> area, and as such is important for migrating waterfowl and shorebirds.
> 4. Papio D-4 Lake. Located just east of Glenn Cunningham Lake.
> A 30-ac. reservoir, which sometimes attracts migrant gulls and
> waterfowl.
> 5. Zorinsky Lake (Map location 9). A flood-control reservoir of about
> 250 acres on a branch of Papillion Creek. Native prairie present.
> 6. N.P. Dodge Park. Located at 1200 N, River Road. Lowland forest,
> hiking trail to Missouri River. Good for migratory passerines.
> 7. Hummel Park. North of N.P.Dodge Park. Hilly, with mature forest.
> Hiking trail at north edge of park, good for migrant passerines.
>
>15. SARPY COUNTY (Map 36)
>A. Federal Areas: None
>B. State Areas
> 1. Chalco Hills Recreation Area (Map location 2). Area 1200 ac;
> Wehrspan Reservoir 245 ac. This developed area has boating, an
> arboretum, a nature trail and natural resource center, a wildlife
> observation blind, and a hike-bike trail.
> 2. Schramm Park Recreation Area (Map location 3). Area 340 ac
> This area includes the Ak-Sar-Ben aquarium, and some excellent
> woodlands that teem with warblers during spring migration.
> There are five miles of trails, and an educational center at the
> aquarium. Whip-poor-wills can be heard here, and Kentucky
> warblers may breed. There is 3-mile loop trail leading from the
> parking area. State park entry permit required. Phone 402/332-390l
> for information.
>C. Other Areas
> 1. Fontenelle Forest Preserve (Map location 4). Area 1300 ac. This
> large area of mature riverine hardwood forest includes 17 miles of
> footpaths, as well as a mile-long boardwalk and a small combined
> nature center and museum. There is a bird checklist of 246 species that
> have been reported in the past decade, and more than 100 of these
> are summering species that potentially breed. The "Omaha" checklist
> in the supplement section (NOT INCLUDED) is mostly based on
>checklists for Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods. Summer species
>of special interest include
> American woodcock, broad-winged and red-shouldered hawks,
> whip-poor-wills, Acadian flycatcher, Carolina wren, yellow-throated
> vireo, wood thrush, American redstart, cerulean, prothonotary and
> Kentucky warblers, brown creeper, and the scarlet and summer
> tanagers. The yellow-throated warbler has been reported to perhaps
> nest here too, a location well to the north of its known breeding
> range. An observation blind overlooks a marsh, and there are
> organized bird or nature hikes, plus many other programs. The
> center is open 8-5 daily; admission fee. The address is 1111 N
> Bellevue Blvd., Omaha 68005. Call 402/73l-3140 for information.
> 2 .Gifford Point (Map location 8). A l,300-ac. area of riverbottom forest,
> and a 400-ac, farm (advance reservations needed for farm). Dedicated
> to environmental education, and located just east of Fontenelle Forest.
> Call 402/292-4l00 for information.
> 3. Neale Woods Nature Center. See Douglas County.
>
>16. SEWARD COUNTY (Maps 29, 37)
>A. Federal Areas: None
>B. State Areas
> 1. Meadowlark NRD Recreation Area. (Map 37, location 1). Area 55 ac
> 2. Oak Glen WMA (Map 37, location 2). Area 632 ac. Consists of 260 ac.
> of mature oak woodland, with some grassland including native prairie.
> 3. Branched Oak SRA (Map 37, location 3). See Lancaster County.
> 4. Bur Oak WMA (Map 37, location 4). Area 143 ac. Located along
> US 84, and comprised of mature bur oak woodland, with some green
> ash and native grassland.
> 5. Twin Lakes WMA. (Map 37, location 5). Area l,300 ac. Includes 255-
> and 50-acre reservoirs, plus marshes, wooded bottomlands, upland
> prairie, grasslands, and small ponds. Although part of the prairie
> has been re-seeded, other portions are of native prairie. Dickcissels,
> eastern and western meadowlarks, sedge wrens, eastern bluebirds,
> and other prairie or forest edge species occur here. The two lakes do
> not allow fishing with motors other than electric ones, and no
> waterfowl hunting is permitted, so undisturbed birding is possible.
> The area is closed to public access from October 15 to the end of the
> hunting season for "dark" geese.
> 6. North Lake Basin WMA (Map 29, location 2). Located 1 mile north
> of Utica. Contains 364 ac. of marsh and adjoining uplands. Usually
> this area attracts large numbers of waterfowl during spring migration.
> 7. Freeman Lakes WMA Map 29, location 1) Located northwest of
> Utica. Includes 42 upland ac. and 146 ac. of wetland. Similar to
> North Lake Basin.
>
>
>17. LANCASTER COUNTY (Map 35, 38)
>A. Federal Areas: None
>B. State Areas (Most of the following are flood-control reservoirs built
> in the 1960s to control flooding in the Salt Creek Valley. Silting-in
> has affected all of these reservoirs, producing marsh-like habitats
> at the places where creeks feed into the reservoirs, and such areas
> usually provide the best birding sites. Flooded trees are also usually
> present, providing perching sites for eagles and cormorants.)
> 1. Pawnee Lake SRA (Map 38, location 4). Area 1906 ac., reservoir 740
> ac. This fairly small reservoir attracts good numbers of migrant
> waterfowl during spring, and also has many nesting prairie species.
> 2. Conastoga Lake SRA (Map 38, location 8). Area 486 ac., reservoir
> 230 ac. Similar to Pawnee Lake in its bird life, this lake is also
> surrounded by grasslands and some woodlands.
> 3. Yankee Hill Lake SRA (Map 38, location 9). Area 728 ac. Includes a
> 210-acre reservoir surrounded with rolling grassland and wooded
> bottomland.
> 4. Killdeer WMA (Map 38, location 10). Area 69 ac. Contains a 20-acre
> reservoir, with surrounding marsh. wooded draws, and uplands.
> 5. Bluestem Lake SRA (Map 38, location 11),.Area 483 ac., reservoir
> 325 ac. The silted-in upper (northern) end of this reservoir is
> quite marsh-like, and is good for finding marsh birds.
> 6. Olive Creek SRA (Map 38, location 12). Area 438 ac., reservoir 145
> ac. For some unknown reason this small lake seems to attract rare
> waterfowl, especially scoters, which turn up there almost every year.
> 7. Teal WMA (Map 38, location 13). Area 66 ac. Contains a 27-ac.
> reservoir, with surrounding wooded bottomland and rolling upland.
> 8. Stagecoach Lake SRA (Map 38, location 15). Area 412 ac., reservoir
> 120 ac.
> 9. Cottontail Public Use Area (Map 38, location 14). Area 148 ac.
> Includes a 28-acre reservoir.
>10. Wagontrain Lake SRA (Map 38, location 17). Area 750 ac., reservoir
> 315 ac.
>1l. Hedgefield Lake WMA (Map 38, location 18). Area 114 ac. Contains a
> 44-acre reservoir with surrounding rolling upland with some wooded
> vegetation.
>12. Branched Oak Lake SRA (Map 35, location 5). Area 4,406 ac.,
> reservoir 1,800 ac. This is the biggest of the reservoirs in the county,
> and one that seem to attract many rare birds (gulls, waterfowl, loons)
> during fall, winter and early spring. Vast flocks of snow geese visit
> it in early March, as well as Canada and greater white-fronted geese.
> Eagles are common during the spring when the ice is breaking up,
> and ospreys may also be seen on migration. Many species of ducks
> and white pelicans are common during migration. The shorebirds are
> best during fall, and flooded timber at the northern end of the lake
> attracts cormorants too. Snowy owls and black-billed magpies often
> turn up here, and the brushy vegetation supports wintering American
> tree sparrows and Harris' sparrows among many others. State park
> entry permits are needed for some parts of the area.
>13. Wildwood Lake WMA (Map 35, location 4). Area 49l ac. Includes a
> 107-acre reservoir surrounded by native woodland, hilly grassland and
> crops. This is a little-visited lake, and an unusually beautiful one.
>14. Jack Sinn WMA (Map 35, location 6 & 7). Area 632 ac. Consists of
> mostly seasonally wet lowlands that occur along a creek drainage, and
> include some beaver ponds up to six feet deep approximately. Some of
> the best rail and marsh bird habitat in the county occurs here; some
> of the best saline wetlands in eastern Nebraska are found here. There is
> an old railroad bed that provides dry walking opportunities in this
> usually wet environment.
>C. Other Areas
> 1. Arbor Lake (Map 38, location 1). Area 63 ac. Consists of a 63-ac.
> saline and semi-permanent wetland that seasonally supports great-tailed
> grackles, migrant ducks and shorebirds, and prairie passerines.
> 2. Lagoon Park (undeveloped; Map 38, location 2). This little-visited
> part of Lincoln can only be reached by following 48th Street north
> to the city landfill, and stopping there for permission to go on to the
> marshes (Roper's Lake) andwoodlands a short distance beyond. It is
> worth the effort; this area is perhaps the best place in Lincoln for
> seeing large numbers of species. Red-tailed hawks and great horned
> owls nest here, coyotes and deer are regularly seen, and the marshy
> areas attract rails, ducks, geese, cormorants, yellow-headed
> blackbirds, black-crowned night herons, and many other species.
>Care must be
> taken in walking through the area, which is partly landfill, and
> sometimes has ground irregularities that one can easily fall into or
> trip over. Ospreys and shorebirds are sometimes seen along Salt Creek,
> which borders the area on the north and west.
> 3. Nine Mile Prairie (Map 38, location 3). One of the few remaining
> native tall-grass prairies in the county, and a classic site of early
> ecological research by university personnel such as John Weaver.
> Only a small amount of water exists on the prairie, so the species
> are mostly upland passerines, such as grasshopper sparrows and
> dickcissels. The area occupies 240 ac., and is open year-around.
> 4. Oak Lake Park (Map 38, location 5). Area 47 ac. A small park
> around two lakes that attract gulls, cormorants, geese, ducks, and
> other waterbirds during migration.
> 5. Capital Beach (Map 38, location 6). The remains of a once-saline
> lake, the undeveloped east side still supports a good marsh habitat that
> is now being preserved, and has provided records of king rails and
> other uncommon to rare water-dependent birds.
> 6. Pioneer's Park (Map 38, location 7). Area 606 ac. This is the oldest of
> Lincoln's city parks, and one of the largest. It has a few small ponds,
> and some native prairie, but is mostly planted to pines and other
> conifers. These woodlands support great horned owls (year-around)
> and long-eared owls (in winter), red-tailed and sharp-shinned hawks,
> and many passerines. A nature trail extends out into prairie and
> brushland, and through riparian woodland along a branch of Salt
> Creek, where wood ducks are common. A nature center offers views of
> wintering songbirds (such as Harris' sparrows) that gather near feeders,
> and looks out over a pond that attracts waterfowl. A checklist for the
> park lists 237 bird species and 49 mammal species.
> 7. Holmes Lake (Map 38, location 7). Area 555 ac. A city park around
> a small reservoir that has a resident flock of Canada geese. In some
> winters ducks such as goldeneyes, scaup and sometimes hooded
> mergansers can be seen among the geese.
> 8. Wilderness Park (Map 38, location 14). Area 1455 ac. This long and
> narrow park follows the Salt Creek for about seven miles, and has
> about 20 miles of hiking and horseback trails. There are good stands
> of mature bur oak and riparian forest, and several species of owls are
> common (barred, eastern screech-owl and great horned owl), as well
> as several woodpeckers including red-bellied. It is probably the best
> Lincoln location for migrant warblers, and breeding songbirds include
> common house wren, rose-breasted grosbeak, brown thrasher, indigo
> bunting, field sparrow, tufted titmouse (near its western limits),
> eastern bluebird, orchard and Baltimore oriole, Carolina wren (also
>near its
> northwestern limits) and many others.
> 9. Wyuka Cemetery. Not shown; entrance at 37th & O St., Lincoln.
> Another excellent location for migrant songbirds such as vireos and
> warblers.
>10. Spring Creek (O'Brien) Ranch (not shown). Acquired in 1998 by the
> Audubon Society . Three miles south of Denton (1/2 mi. west). This
>600+ ac.
> and still-undeveloped nature sanctuary is the largest area of unbroken
> prairie in Lancaster County. It includes some small wetlands including
> a spring, riparian woodlands, and hilly prairie uplands. No bird list
> yet exists.
>
>
>18. CASS COUNTY (Map 39)
>A. Federal Areas: None
>B. State Areas
> 1. Eugene T. Mahoney State Park (Map location 1) Area 574 ac. This is
> a highly developed park, with lodging, cabins, eating facilities, and
> other popular attractions. It has an excellent population of eastern
> bluebirds, and borders the Platte River, where riparian deciduous
> forest is well developed. There is a very tall observation toward built
> among a stand of bur oaks, and a 6-mile network of trails. State park
> entry permit required. Phone 402/944-2523 for information.
> 2. Platte River State Park (Map location 2). Another popular park, this
> area is quite similar to the last-named park, and also to Louisville
> Lakes State Park. Migrant warblers are abundant, and Kentucky
> warblers may breed here, as do scarlet and summer tanagers. There
> are two observation towers. Cabins are available; no camping is
> allowed. State park entry permit required. Phone 402/234-2217
> 3. Louisville Lakes State Park (Map location 3). Area 142 ac. Much like
> the two previous parks, with both primitive and modern camping and
> various concessions. The nearby Schramm Park is less crowded and
> probably offers better birding Requires state park entry permit..
> 4. Randall W. Schilling WMA. A 1,500-ac. managed waterfowl area,
> with 25 acres of water and nearby cropland, mainly designed to attract
> snow geese. Open to the public from April 1 to September 30, and
> used for controlled-access goose hunting during the fall season.
> Shorebirds are often excellent here in spring and fall..
> 5. Rakes Creek WMA. Located 8 miles east and 1 mile south of Murray.
> Consists of 316 ac. of mixed upland habitats.
>
>19. OTOE COUNTY
>A. Federal Areas: None
>B. State Areas
> 1. Triple Creek WMA. Area 80 ac. Located 3 miles south and 1 mile
> west of Palmyra. Contains 2 intermittent streams and 16 acres of
> woodlands.
> 2. Walnut Creek WMA. Area 41 ac. Located one mile south and 3
> miles east of Otoe. Includes a 14-ac. reservoir and surrounding grasses
> and shrubs.
> 3. Arbor Lodge State Historical Park. Located just west of Nebraska
> City. There are hundred of planted but mature trees in the arboretum,
> and a 0.5-mile "tree trail." with identification tags. Worth visiting
> for historical reasons as well as for learning tree identification.
> State park entry permit required.
>
>20. SALINE COUNTY
>A. Federal Areas: None
>B. State Areas
> 1. Swan Creek WMA. Area 160 ac. Located 9 miles south and one
> mile east of Friend. Consists of a 27-acre lake, marshland, native
> prairie, woodland and cropland.
> 2. Walnut Creek Public Use Area. 64 ac. Located three miles north
> and two miles east of Crete. Various upland habitats are present.
>
>21. JEFFERSON COUNTY
>A. Federal Areas: None
>B. State Areas
> 1. Alexandria Lakes SRA /WMA. Area 778 ac. Located nine miles
> west and six miles north of Fairbury, or 4 miles east of Alexandria.
> Consists of a 43-ac. lake, marshes, streams, ponds and woodlands.
> 2. Rock Creek Station State Historical Park. Area 393 ac. Located
> about two miles north and three miles east of Endicott; see
> state highway map for location. State park entry permit required.
> 3. Rock Glen WMA. Located 7 miles east and 2 miles south of
> Fairbury. Includes 706 ac. of rolling native upland and tree-lined
> drainages.
> 4. Jefferson WMA. Located 3 miles east and 1 mile south of Diller.
> Consists of 306 acres of woodlands and grassy uplands surrounding a
> 77-acre reservoir.
>
>
>22. GAGE COUNTY (Map 40)
>A. Federal Areas
> 1. Homestead National Monument of America (Map location 2).
> This monument celebrates the Homestead Act. It includes a 2.5 mile
> trail passing through riparian woodlands and restored prairie. There
> is a bird checklist of more than 150 species, a plant list, and an
> interesting educational exhibit that features pioneer history and
> related artifacts. Phone 402/223-3514 for information.
>B. State Areas
> 1. Claytonia Public Use Area (Map location 1). Area 115 ac., with
> a 40 ac. reservoir.
> 2. Iron Horse Trail (Map location 3). Several units, varied areas. There
> are more than 20 such sites in Gage and Pawnee counties, ranging
> from 1-19 acres.
> 3. Rockford Lake SRA (Map location 4). Area 436 ac., with a 150-ac.
> reservoir. State park entry permit required.
> 4. Wolf Wildcat Public Use Area (Map location 5). Area 160 ac.,
> with a 42-ac. reservoir.
> 5. Arrowhead WMA (Map location 6). Area 320 ac. Upland habitats.
> 6. Diamond Lake WMA (Map location 7). Area 320 ac., including
> lakes. Diamond Lake consists of open grasslands and hardwood stands
> around a 33-acre reservoir. The adjoining Donald Whitney Memorial
> WMA is much smaller, and also includes a reservoir.
> 7. Big Indian Public Use Area. (Map location 8). Area 77 ac.,
> including a 77-acre lake.
>
>23. JOHNSON COUNTY (Map 41)
>A. Federal Areas: None
>B. State Areas
> 1. Osage WMA (Map locations 1-3). Area 778 ac. Mostly comprised of
> woodland and intervening grassland habitats, plus tree plantings and
> crops.
> 2. Hickory Ridge WMA (Map location 4). Area 250 ac. Includes 60 ac.
> of timber, a small pond, and fairly steep grassland and creek-bottom
> habitat.
> 3. Twin Oaks WMA. (Map locations 5-7). Area 795 ac. Mostly
> woodlands, with some grassland and food plots.
>
>24. NEMAHA COUNTY (See Map 43)
>A. Federal Areas: None
>B. State Areas
> 1. Indian Cave State Park (Map location 1). See Richardson County.
> 2. Brownville SRA. Area 220 ac. Located at southeastern edge of
> Brownville, and provides boating access to the Missouri River.
> State park entry permit required..
>
>25. PAWNEE COUNTY (Map 42)
>A. Federal Areas: None
>B. State Areas
> 1. Iron Horse Trail (Map location 1). Many short sections of railroad
> bed that are being used as a hike-bike trail. See also Gage County.
> 2. Burchard Lake WMA (Map location 2, plus enlarged inset). Area
> 560 ac., with a 150 ac. reservoir, surrounded by native grasslands
> and some hardwoods. There is a resident flock of greater prairie-
> chickens, and two permanent blinds are located on the hilltop that is
> used as a lek by 15-30 males (see inset arrowhead).
> 3. Bowwood WMA (Map location 3). Area 320 ac., and comprised of
> wooded areas, croplands, grasslands and two small ponds.
> 4. Pawnee Prairie WMA (Map location 4). Area l,021 ac. Comprised
> mostly of native prairie, with some woodland and a small amount of
> cropland. Supports a flock of about 20 greater prairie-chickens, which
> have a lek located near the center of the prairie (about 0.75 mile from
> the various parking lots, which are at the east, northwest and southwest
> corners of the area). No permanent blinds are present, but temporary
> blinds are permitted. Driving on the prairie is not allowed.
> 5. Prairie Knoll WMA. (Map location 5). Area 120 ac. Includes a small
> reservoir and a mixture of woodlands, tree plantings, grassland and
> cropland.
> 6. Mayberry WMA. Located 5 miles north of Burchard and 0.5 mile
> east of highway 4. Consists of 195 ac. of grassland, trees and a small
> reservoir.
> 7. Table Rock WMA. Located just east of Table Rock, on the north side
> of US Highway 4. Includes mainly wooded bottomland along the
> Nemaha River, plus grassland and cropland.
>
>
>26. RICHARDSON COUNTY (Map 43)
>A. Federal Areas: None
>B. State Areas
> 1. Indian Cave State Park. (Map location 1). Area 3,052 ac. Like Rulo
> Bluffs (see below), this area has a diverse woodland flora of southern
> affinities, and supports such species as summer tanagers, Acadian
> flycatchers and chuck-will's-widows. The park is 78 percent mature
> forest, and the rest grassland or developed areas, with both modern
> and primitive camping facilities and about 20 miles of hiking trails,
> including a 14-mile "Hardwood Trail" that is moderately difficult.
> Park entry permit required. Phone 402/883-2575 for information.
> 2. Verdon Lake SRA (Map location 2). Area 30 ac., including a
> small reservoir. Sate park entry permit required.
> 3. Kinters Ford WMA (Map location 3). Area 200 ac. Includes
> riverbottom woodland, grassland and cropland.
> 4. Four Mile Creek WMA (Map location 4). Area 160 ac. Mostly
> upland habitats along a creek-bottom.
> 5. Iron Horse Trail (Map location 5). Area 210 ac. Several segments
> follow an old railroad right-of-way. See also Gage and Pawnee
> counties.
> 6. Margrave WMA. Located 3 miles south and 7 miles east of Falls City.
> Consists of 106 ac. along the Nemaha River, including woodland,
> cropland, grasses and marshy areas.
>C. Other Areas
> 1. Rulo Bluffs Preserve (Map location 7). Area 284 ac. This area, owned
> by the Nature Conservancy, is located nearly on the Kansas border,
> and has the most southern floral affinities of any Nebraska forest.
> There is no bird checklist yet available, but there should be some
> southern species in addition to chuck-will's-widow to be found there.
> These might include the northern parula, pileated woodpecker, and
> possibly broad-winged and red-shouldered hawks. Visits require advance
> permission from the Nature Conservancy's Omaha office (402/342-0282).
>
>>
> References
>
>Boyle, W, J., & R. H. Bauer. 1994. Birdfinding in forty National Forests and
> Grasslands. Birding (supplement) 26(2):1-186.
>
>Brogie, M. A., & M. J. Mossman. 1983. Spring and summer birds of the
> of the Niobrara Valley Preserve area, Nebraska. Nebraska Bird Review
> 5l: 44-5l.
>
>Brown, C. R., M. B. Brown. P. A. Johnsgard, J. Kren & W. C. Scharf. 1996.
>Birds
> of the Cedar Point Biological Station area, Keith and Garden
>Counties, Nebraska: Seasonal occurrence and breeding data. Transactions
>of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences 29: 91-108.
>
>Ducey, J.E. 1988. Nebraska Birds: Breeding Status and Distribution. Omaha:
> Simmons-Boardman Books.
>
>Farrar, J. (ed.) 1985. Birds of Nebraska. Nebraskaland 63(1). 146 pp.
>
>Johnsgard, P. A. l979. Birds of the Great Plains: Breeding Species and their
> Distribution. Lincoln: Univ. of Nebraska Press.
>
>_______. l984. The Platte: Channels in Time. Lincoln, Univ. of Nebraska
>Press.
>
>_______. l996. This Fragile Land, A Natural History of the Nebraska
>Sandhills..
> Lincoln: Univ. of Nebraska Press.
>
>_______. 1998. The Birds of Nebraska. 9th printing. Lincoln: Published by
> the author.
>
>Knue, J. 1997. Wildlife Viewing Guide. Nebraskaland (special issue)75(1):1-96.
>
>Lingle, G. R. l994. Birding Crane River: Nebraska's Platte. Grand
>Island: Harrier Publ. Co.
>
>Pettingill, O.S., Jr. 1981. A Guide to Bird-finding West of the
>Mississippi. 2nd. ed. New York: Oxford Univ.
>Press.
>
>Rosche, R. C. l982. Birds of northwestern Nebraska and southwestern South
>Dakota.Chadron, Nebraska: Published by the author. 100 pp.
>
> ______. 1990. Birding pristine Nebraska. Winging It 2(6):1-6.
>
>______. l994a. Birds of the Lake McConaughy area and the North Platte Valley,
> Nebraska. Chadron, Nebraska: Published by the author. 115 pp.
>
>_______. 1994b. Birding in Western Nebraska. Birding, 26: 179-189; 416-423.
>
>________. & P. A. Johnsgard. 1984. Birds of Lake McConaughy and the North
>Platte Valley, Oshkosh to Keystone. Nebraska Bird Review, 52:26-35.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
From: HARRYNE@aol.com Date: Mon, 18 Jan 1999 21:35:55 EST Subject: Re: Sandhill Cranes In a message dated 1/18/1999 13:30:44 Central Standard Time, lteten@ngpc.state.ne.us writes: << The Sandhill Cranes have been spotted heading North by Paul at Rowe Sanctuary (Kearney) and by a friend of mine from Lincoln who was camping at Sandy Channels in Central Nebraska this past weekend! >> Isn't this movement a bit early for the Sandhills Cranes? What does this indicate? Harry Schaeffer Lincoln, Nebraska
From: "Ross Silcock" <silcock@sidney.heartland.net> Subject: Re: Sandhill Cranes Date: Mon, 18 Jan 1999 21:45:22 -0600 NeBirders: Earliest dates for Sandhill Crane "spring" arrival are Jan 24,24,25, (of course they don't appear on those dates EVERY year) and so 16-17 Jan is definitely a bit early! There are a few midwinter reports, though: 5 records for Lincoln Co in the period 7-17 Jan, 11 Jan 1994 in Buffalo Co, and on 15 Jan 1995 there were 90 birds seen in Kearney Co. Ross Ross Silcock Tabor, IA silcock@sidney.heartland.net New Zealand Land and Pelagic Trips. Next: Nov 1999 ---------- > From: HARRYNE@aol.com > To: NeBirds@rip.physics.unk.edu > Subject: Re: Sandhill Cranes > Date: Monday, January 18, 1999 8:35 PM > > In a message dated 1/18/1999 13:30:44 Central Standard Time, > lteten@ngpc.state.ne.us writes: > > << > The Sandhill Cranes have been spotted heading North by Paul at Rowe > Sanctuary (Kearney) and by a friend of mine from Lincoln who was camping at > Sandy Channels in Central Nebraska this past weekend! > >> > > Isn't this movement a bit early for the Sandhills Cranes? What does this > indicate? > > Harry Schaeffer > Lincoln, Nebraska
From: rluehrs@kearney.net (Richard Luehrs)
Subject: Re: Birding sites
Date: Mon, 18 Jan 1999 22:12:51 -0600
At 9:23 AM -0600 1/18/99, Paul Johnsgard wrote:
> There has been some discussion lately about providing a listing of
>birding sites in the state. I could provide the text for my "Bird-finding
>Guide to Nebraska" that lists about 400 such sites that might be added to
>the website. This wouldn't include the county maps, but at least for the
>larger areas it shouldn't be hard to find them. The complete 100-page
>booklets, with county maps and tabular information giving species lists for
>ten major birding locations are available from me (when I periodically
>reprint them).
An excellent start. Paul, do we have permission to "re-arrange" the
information (ie, supplement individual entries with additional information
from others or create maps other than the original maps you produced?
Richard
Date: Tue, 19 Jan 1999 07:55:55 -0600 From: "Thomas E. Labedz" <tlabedz@unlinfo.unl.edu> Subject: Re: Cranes Dear Crane Watchers. From Interstate 80 I noted a small flock (7) of Sandhill Cranes between Alda and Grand Island around noon on the 17th. A small group was seen near Ft. Kearny Rec Area the 16th by goose hunters. I also saw several Eastern Bluebirds near Ft. Kearny on the 17th. Thomas Labedz, Lincoln Laurel Badura wrote: > > The Sandhill Cranes have been spotted heading North by Paul at Rowe > Sanctuary (Kearney) and by a friend of mine from Lincoln who was camping at > Sandy Channels in Central Nebraska this past weekend! > > Laurel Badura >
Date: Tue, 19 Jan 1999 08:27:51 -0600 (CST) From: Paul Johnsgard <pjohnsga@unlinfo.unl.edu> Subject: Re: Birding sites Yes rearrange the text as you please. Either delate the map references or perhaps devise some new set. I used country maps for mine; the "Sportmen's Map" shows most locations.
Date: Tue, 19 Jan 1999 09:04:28 -0600 (CST) From: Paul Johnsgard <pjohnsga@unlinfo.unl.edu> Subject: Re: Birding sites An additional thought. If you add supplemental information from others to my bird-finding guide text the sources (authors) of such supplements should be noted---that gives them credit and also relieves me of responsibility for such info. Also, the Sportsmen's map for Nebr. probably includes over 90% of the sites, including all SRA, WPAs, NWRs, and state parks, so if one has it any additional maps are not really needed.
Date: Tue, 19 Jan 1999 13:00:34 -0600 From: LANNY RANDOLPH <RANDOLPHL@platte.unk.edu> Subject: NeBirds addendum Glaucous Gull Gosper Co. Hi Nebraska birders, I just now read over what I sent about Robin's and my field trip on Sunday January 17. We also saw 417 Common Goldeneye at Johnson's Lake in Gosper County. good birding and goodbye, Lanny
From: cnk@scholars.bellevue.edu Date: Tue, 19 Jan 1999 14:56:05 CDT Subject: Re: Sandhill Cranes > From: HARRYNE@aol.com > Date: Mon, 18 Jan 1999 21:35:55 EST > Reply-to: NeBirds@rip.physics.unk.edu > To: NeBirds@rip.physics.unk.edu > Subject: Re: Sandhill Cranes Harry, It is a little early but not unusual. Last year it was about the same time. Clem Klaphake Bellevue, NE > In a message dated 1/18/1999 13:30:44 Central Standard Time, > lteten@ngpc.state.ne.us writes: > > << > The Sandhill Cranes have been spotted heading North by Paul at Rowe > Sanctuary (Kearney) and by a friend of mine from Lincoln who was camping at > Sandy Channels in Central Nebraska this past weekend! > >> > > Isn't this movement a bit early for the Sandhills Cranes? What does this > indicate? > > Harry Schaeffer > Lincoln, Nebraska >
Date: Tue, 19 Jan 1999 15:37:11 -0600 (CST) From: Paul Johnsgard <pjohnsga@unlinfo.unl.edu> Subject: Re: Sandhill Cranes Sandhill cranes are likely to turn up in Nebraska as soon as the river channels are open and the nearby fields are nearly snow-free. They usually arrive a day or so after a period of strong south or southwest winds. Jan. 8 is about the earliest published record I know of. P. Johnsgard
Date: Tue, 19 Jan 1999 15:43:04 -0600 (CST) From: Sheri Danielson <sdaniels@ops.org> Subject: Re: I have sent messages to both of the addresses - NEBirds and Autoshare and keep getting mixed messages and a mailbox full of stuff that I do not want. How can I remedy this? Please help me. I have sent many messages to you and to AutoShare with no results Sheri ****************************************************************************** Yesterday is history; tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift - that's why we call it "the present". author unknown One generation passes away, and another generation comes; But the earth abides forever. (Ecc 1:4) Sheri Danielson Omaha Public Schools Boyd Elementary School 8314 Boyd Street Omaha, Nebraska 68134 sdaniels@ops.org
From: Mark Orsag <MOrsag@doane.edu> Subject: January "Big Day" Date: Tue, 19 Jan 1999 16:59:08 -0600 Hi all, It is a sort of perverse tradition among some Michigan birders to try for a big day in mid-January when conditions are at their worst and when birds are the fewest! As a recent transplant to Nebraska from Michigan, I thought that I'd try out this tradition here. Despite the somewhat un-wintery conditions, I thought that the only open water that I was likely to find was the Missouri River. Both by car and by foot I birded the following locations on January 16. 1.Hitchcock Nature Area ( incomplete boardwalk trail from the Overlook 1 hawkwatch) 2.I-29 South from Crescent, Iowa to 34 West to Plattsmouth, Nebraska 3.Schilling SWMA/Plattsmouth (Canoe Access Area-- Schilling itself is closed) 4. Route 75 south from Plattsmouth to Nebraska City 5. Town of Beaver Lake, Nebraska and vicinity 6. Rakes Creek SWMA (south of Beaver Lake) 7. Riverview Marina SRA in Nebraska City 8. 34 West to Eagle, Nebraska Results: Ring-billed Gull 12 Canada Goose 202 Mallard 110 ( 1 Domestic [white] Mallard) Feral Domestic Goose 3 Common Goldeneye 4 Common Merganser 8 RED-BREASTED MERGANSER 1 Coot 11 Killdeer 1 (heard only) Great Horned Owl 1 (heard only) Barred Owl 2 Red-tailed Hawk 41 (2 Harlan's) ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 NORTHERN HARRIER 2 American Kestrel 18 Wild Turkey 2 (heard only) Ring-necked Pheasant 1 (heard only) Northern Bobwhite 2 Mourning Dove 1 Rock Dove 63 Northern Flicker 14 (1 Red-shafted) Downy Woodpecker 20 Hairy Woodpecker 2 (heard only) Red-bellied Woodpecker 11 White-breasted Nuthatch 32 BROWN CREEPER 1 (heard only) NORTHERN SHRIKE 1 American Crow 57 Blue Jay 4 (heard only) Common Grackle 7 European Starling 404 Red-winged Blackbird 2 RUSTY BLACKBIRD 3 BREWER'S BLACKBIRD 1 American Robin 68 Eastern Bluebird 3 Horned Lark 127 YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER 1 Black-capped Chickadee 83 Tufted Titmouse 1 Cardinal 17 American Goldfinch 23 House Finch 2 LAPLAND LONGSPUR 21 Dark-eyed Junco 52 Harris's Sparrow 3 WHITE-THROATED SPARROW 1 American Tree Sparrow 280 Song Sparrow 9 Swamp Sparrow 2 Savannah Sparrow 2 House Sparrow 9 53 species total-- a pleasant surprise. My favorite place of the day was Rakes Creek SWMA. It is a very pretty and isolated (requires 4wd) place of upland fields and meadows. Lots of little rustling sounds as I walked about. There seemed to be a ton of mice and voles there. This concentration of rodents had in turn drawn in quite a few wintering raptors of half-a-dozen species. I saw a Red-tail with what looked like a Deer Mouse in its beak, and I saw an American Kestrel with what looked to be a vole (meadow, prairie?) in its talons. Awesome looks at a female Northern Harrier (flushed from the ground) and an immature Rough-legged Hawk. I heard both Great Horned and Barred Owls, and I saw a Barred Owl at dusk while watching unsuccessfully for Short-eared Owls. A couple of more interesting incidents there as well. I heard crows respond to distant hawks up soaring. Crows are smart; they seemed to be able to tell a Red-tailed Hawk from a Rough-legged Hawk at quite a distance. They responded with much more hostility to the former. I also caught the tail end of a red-tail pirating a vole from a kestrel. The little falcon didn't take the loss well. It turned around and dive-bombed the perched buteo as mercilessly as any kingbird. The big hawk was finally forced to shift its perch, but it held on to the vole until the kestrel left. Rakes Creek really impressed me, and I intend to return soon with a camera... Best wishes and good birding Mark
From: rluehrs@kearney.net (Richard Luehrs) Subject: Re: Sandhill Cranes Date: Tue, 19 Jan 1999 18:41:33 -0600 At 9:45 PM -0600 1/18/99, Ross Silcock wrote: >NeBirders: >Earliest dates for Sandhill Crane "spring" arrival are Jan 24,24,25, (of >course they don't appear on those dates EVERY year) and so 16-17 Jan is >definitely a bit early! There are a few midwinter reports, though: 5 >records for Lincoln Co in the period 7-17 Jan, 11 Jan 1994 in Buffalo Co, >and on 15 Jan 1995 there were 90 birds seen in Kearney Co. A few years ago (don't quote me, but I think it may have been 1996), several of us were working one warm January Saturday afternoon on a new blind (the second big "L"-shaped one, for those cognoscienti), actually relaxing on the roof at the end of a successful day covering up our earlier work, when a couple hundred (my estimate, but the others didn't demur) sandhill cranes hoved into view from the east doing their usual late afternoon song and dance. It couldn't have been any later than around the 20th of January. It certainly made us feel better about our work...until we noticed that, despite our presence on the roof of the blind, the cranes ignored us completely... _____________________________________________________________________ / I imagine it's hard for a middle-aged | Richard Luehrs \ / man to get to the top in the business | Big Bend A.S. \ / world when his name is Fat Baby Moxford. | Friends Of Rowe Sanctuary \ | --------------- Kearney, Nebraska | \ Mr. I-Know-Where-They-Are | rluehrs@kearney.net / \ aka Bob & Ray | "The School of Cosa Beakstra" / \___________________________|_________________________________________/
This web site courtesy of the Department![[UNK Home]](/images/unk_icon.gif){kind=icon}
University of Nebraska at Kearney