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1.
"Wanda Hoge" <jacana@swnebr.net>
Sat, 23 Oct 1999 19:35:22 -0000
2. eastern Rainwater Basin
"Joel Jorgensen" <zrtac@genesisnet.net>
Sun, 24 Oct 1999 17:21:08 -0500
3. Alma
"Wanda Hoge" <jacana@swnebr.net>
Sun, 24 Oct 1999 19:24:20 -0000
4. [NeBirds] south central, Johnson Lake
marshwren@nctc.net (Harding and Randolph)
Sun, 24 Oct 1999 20:11:43 -0500
5. spring creek stuff
"Kevin POAGUE"<kpoague@audubon.org>
Mon, 25 Oct 99 11:45:00 -0400
6. Nebraska Birdline for 10/26/99
"Loren J. Padelford" <lpdlfrd@juno.com>
Tue, 26 Oct 1999 11:25:10 -0500
7. FW: 10/11-10/18 at HNA
Mark Orsag <MOrsag@doane.edu>
Tue, 26 Oct 1999 13:29:57 -0500
8. Hitchcock Nature Area Hawkwatch-- a quick visitors guide
Mark Orsag <MOrsag@doane.edu>
Tue, 26 Oct 1999 13:57:23 -0500
9.
"Wanda Hoge" <jacana@swnebr.net>
Tue, 26 Oct 1999 20:11:02 -0000
10. GOEA
"Joel Jorgensen" <zrtac@genesisnet.net>
Wed, 27 Oct 1999 06:49:47 -0500
11. Email address
"Ross Silcock" <silcock@sidney.heartland.net>
Wed, 27 Oct 1999 18:20:21 -0500
12. [NeBirds] misidentified woodpecker
marshwren@nctc.net (Harding and Randolph)
Wed, 27 Oct 1999 22:05:24 -0500
13. Re: [NeBirds] misidentified woodpecker
Laurel Badura <lteten@ngpc.state.ne.us>
Thu, 28 Oct 1999 08:11:31 -0500
14. ABA Birder's Exchange
Carolyn Hall <cjhall@huntel.net>
Thu, 28 Oct 1999 09:48:43 -0500
15. Seward County birds
"Gubanyi,Joe" <jgubanyi@seward.cune.edu>
Fri, 29 Oct 1999 19:38:01 -0500
16. Chalco Hills
"John W. Hall" <jwhall2@juno.com>
Sat, 30 Oct 1999 14:30:40 -0500
17. [NeBirds] shopping trip II
marshwren@nctc.net (Harding and Randolph)
Sat, 30 Oct 1999 23:13:50 -0500
18. No subject given
"Kevin POAGUE"<kpoague@audubon.org>
Sun, 31 Oct 99 09:29:00 -0400
19. Nebraska Birdline for 10/30/99
"Loren J. Padelford" <lpdlfrd@juno.com>
Sun, 31 Oct 1999 10:13:22 -0600
20. Virginia Rail
"Alice Kenitz" <akenitz@prairieweb.com>
Sun, 31 Oct 1999 19:56:18 -0700
21. FW: 10/26-10/31 at HNA
Mark Orsag <MOrsag@doane.edu>
Mon, 1 Nov 1999 17:59:52 -0600
22. Re: Virginia Rail
cnk@scholars.bellevue.edu
Mon, 1 Nov 1999 19:40:20 CDT
23. FW: 11/1 at HNA
Mark Orsag <MOrsag@doane.edu>
Tue, 2 Nov 1999 17:56:01 -0600
24. WWDO
John C Sulllivan <johnsllvn@juno.com>
Tue, 2 Nov 1999 19:35:55 -0600
25. Red-bellied Woodpecker
"Alice Kenitz" <akenitz@prairieweb.com>
Tue, 2 Nov 1999 21:32:26 -0700
26. Re: Red-bellied Woodpecker
cnk@scholars.bellevue.edu
Wed, 3 Nov 1999 09:00:38 CDT
27. Shrike Project
"Thomas E. Labedz" <tlabedz@unlserve.unl.edu>
Wed, 03 Nov 1999 09:31:13 -0600
28.
"Wanda Hoge" <jacana@swnebr.net>
Wed, 3 Nov 1999 19:33:18 -0000
29. [NeBirds] Fwd. Re: Common Crane
marshwren@nctc.net (Harding and Randolph)
Wed, 3 Nov 1999 20:41:14 -0600
30. Birds - November 3
NRATZLAFF@aol.com
Wed, 3 Nov 1999 22:08:29 EST
31. Birding in the Sandhills
Carolyn Hall <cjhall@huntel.net>
Sat, 06 Nov 1999 14:14:33 -0600
32. Nebraska Birdline for 10/6/99
"Loren J. Padelford" <lpdlfrd@juno.com>
Sat, 6 Nov 1999 19:46:10 -0600
33. Re: Birding in the Sandhills
marshwren@nctc.net (Harding and Randolph)
Sat, 6 Nov 1999 20:30:41 -0600
34. Panhandle birding.
Steve_Dinsmore@usgs.gov (Steve Dinsmore)
Sat, 6 Nov 1999 21:04:43 -0700
35. Birds in the Sandhills
Carolyn Hall <cjhall@huntel.net>
Sun, 07 Nov 1999 14:52:37 -0600
36. eastern Rainwater Basin
"Joel Jorgensen" <zrtac@genesisnet.net>
Sun, 7 Nov 1999 18:27:32 -0600
37. FW: 11/1 at HNA
Mark Orsag <MOrsag@doane.edu>
Sun, 7 Nov 1999 22:15:51 -0600
38. [NeBirds] Harlan County Reservoir
marshwren@nctc.net (Harding and Randolph)
Sun, 7 Nov 1999 23:13:34 -0600
39. FW: 11/8 at HNA
Mark Orsag <MOrsag@doane.edu>
Tue, 9 Nov 1999 08:24:16 -0600
40. Nebraska Birdline for 11/9/99
"Loren J. Padelford" <lpdlfrd@juno.com>
Tue, 9 Nov 1999 09:05:29 -0600
41. Seward Co Baltimore Oriole 11-9
pkaufman@sccm.cc.ne.us
Tue, 9 Nov 1999 12:09:29 -0600
From: "Wanda Hoge" <jacana@swnebr.net> Subject: Date: Sat, 23 Oct 1999 19:35:22 -0000 They are hunting on the Lake so don't see much now. Only good news is from Ocean Shores Washington where there is a Dotterel it has been there every day since Wed. 40+ birders saw it today. Good birding Wanda and Glen Alma
From: "Joel Jorgensen" <zrtac@genesisnet.net> Subject: eastern Rainwater Basin Date: Sun, 24 Oct 1999 17:21:08 -0500 Hello all, I had some timber issues to deal with in the eastern Rainwater Basin so I hit the few basins that have water looking for leftover shorebirds. Things are VERY VERY VERY dry, there are no basins in Clay and Fillmore counties (and very few (perhaps 6) in the entire region) that have water due to natural runoff, the ones that do are being pumped. Nonetheless, below is what I found. Joel Jorgensen ______________ eRWB 24 Oct ---------------- 2 Black-bellied Plovers 1 American Golden-plovers 294 Killdeer (241 at Sinninger alone, which will be dry by about the weekend) 14 Greater Yellowlegs 1 Lesser Yellowlegs (injured bird) 3 Least Sandpipers 5 Pectoral Sandpipers 10 Calidris spp. 1 Stilt Sandpiper 25 Long-billed Dowitchers 1 Merlin
From: "Wanda Hoge" <jacana@swnebr.net>
Subject: Alma
Date: Sun, 24 Oct 1999 19:24:20 -0000
In a 5 min. period we counted 450 D.C Cormorants coming in to Roost we
still have 2,500 + Cormorants also saw an immature Bald Eagle 11
Bonaparte's Gulls a good number of Ring-billed and Franklin's Gulls and a
few Herring Gulls. There were a few Ducks on the sewage ponds.
We still have Duck hunters on the lake so the duck numbers are down Good
birding
Wanda and Glen Alma
Date: Sun, 24 Oct 1999 20:11:43 -0500 From: marshwren@nctc.net (Harding and Randolph) Subject: [NeBirds] south central, Johnson Lake NeBirders, On Sunday, October 24, at our home near Gibbon, we saw some Black- billed Magpies, a couple Golden-crowned Kinglets, a White-throated Sparrow and a Yellow-headed Blackbird. In Dawson County, along I-80, we saw a Herring Gull. In Gosper County, at Johnson Lake, we saw a Common Loon, two immature Pacific Loons, four Pied-billed Grebes, six Eared Grebes, five Western Grebes, about 500 Double-crested Cormorants, a Canvasback, about 500 Redheads, at least 20 Lesser Scaups, about 500 Ruddy Ducks, some Franklin's Gulls, about 150 Ring-billed Gulls, four late Barn Swallows, five Brown Creepers, about ten Cedar Waxwings, and eight Yellow-rumped Warblers. The Pacific Loons are a life bird for us although we think we saw one at the same lake a couple years ago at the same time of year, however, the weather and viewing conditions were much worse then so we were not sure. I do appreciate a good view of a life bird. In Phelps County, three miles southeast of the Overton Platte River bridge, we saw ten American Tree Sparrows, a Field Sparrow, three Savannah Sparrows, a Song Sparrow, a Lincoln's Sparrow, about twenty Harris's Sparrows and seven White-crowned Sparrows. What have you been seeing? Robin Harding marshwren@nctc.net
Date: Mon, 25 Oct 99 11:45:00 -0400 From: "Kevin POAGUE"<kpoague@audubon.org> Subject: spring creek stuff Had a great walk at Spring Creek Sunday morning (10/24). Saw about a dozen bluebirds by the ponds, and a late brown-headed cowbird. And only about several hundred starlings, but this is ranch country. Here's a list. eastern bluebird red-winged blackbird Northern harrier Red-tailed hawk Common grackle American robin yellow-rumped warbler Song sparrow Harris's sparrow Brown creeper (first one of the fall) Killdeer Red-bellied woodpecker As a reminder, Spring Creek is open seven days a week through November 7 for your dining and dancing pleasure. After that date, we will revert to our regular schedule of 9-5, Monday through Friday. Kevin Poague Audubon Nebraska PO Box 117 Denton NE 68339 kpoague@audubon.org 402/797-2301
Date: Tue, 26 Oct 1999 11:25:10 -0500 Subject: Nebraska Birdline for 10/26/99 From: "Loren J. Padelford" <lpdlfrd@juno.com> - RBA * Nebraska * Statewide * October 26, 1999 * NEST9910.26 - Birds Mentioned Pacific Loon Common Loon Eared Grebe Western Grebe Double-crested Cormorant Canvasback Redhead Lesser Scaup Ruddy Duck Barn Swallow Brown Creeper Yellow-rumped Warbler American Tree Sparrow Field Sparrow Savannah Sparrow Song Sparrow Lincoln's Sparrow Harris's Sparrow White-crowned Sparrow Bald Eagle Bonaparte's Gull Franklin's Gull Ring-billed Gull Common Nighthawk Merlin Black-bellied Plover American Golden-Plover Killdeer Greater Yellowlegs Lesser Yellowlegs Least Sandpiper Pectoral Sandpiper Stilt Sandpiper Long-billed Dowitcher Varied Thrush (not seen) Cattle Egret Ferruginous Hawk American Woodcock Winter Wren American White Pelican - Transcript Tape Number: 402-292-5325 Compilers: Babs & Loren Padelford Transcriber: Babs Padelford (lpdlfrd@juno.com) Welcome to an update of the Nebraska Birdline, sponsored by the Audubon Society of Omaha, for Tuesday, October 26th. In central Nebraska in Gosper County on the 24th at Johnson Lake, 2 immature PACIFIC LOONS, a COMMON LOON, 6 EARED GREBES, 5 WESTERN GREBES, 500 DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS, a CANVASBACK, 500 REDHEADS, 20 LESSER SCAUPS, 500 RUDDY DUCKS, 4 BARN SWALLOWS, 5 BROWN CREEPERS & 8 YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS were found. In Phelps County on the 24th, 10 AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS, a FIELD SPARROW, 3 SAVANNAH SPARROWS, a SONG SPARROW , a LINCOLN'S SPARROW, 20 HARRIS'S SPARROWS & 7 WHITE- CROWNED SPARROWS were found 3 miles southeast of the Overton Platte River bridge. In Harlan County on the 24th, 2,500 DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS, an immature BALD EAGLE, 11 BONAPARTE'S GULLS & good numbers of FRANKLIN'S & RING-BILLED GULLS were seen at Harlan Reservoir. On the 20th, a COMMON NIGHTHAWK was seen in Alma. In the mostly dry eastern Rainwater Basin area on the 24th the following species were found: a MERLIN, 2 BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS, an AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER, 294 KILLDEER, 14 GREATER YELLOWLEGS, a LESSER YELLOWLEGS, 3 LEAST SANDPIPERS, 5 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS, a STILT SANDPIPER & 25 LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS. In eastern Nebraska in Madison County, the last report of the VARIED THRUSH in Norfolk was on the 20th. In Lancaster County on the 25th, a BROWN CREEPER, a YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER & a HARRIS'S SPARROW were found at Spring Creek Prairie south of Denton. In Cass County on the 20th, 19 CATTLE EGRETS, a FERRUGINOUS HAWK & 10 BONAPARTE'S GULLS were reported near Plattsmouth along the Missouri River. In Douglas County on the 19th at Neale Woods north of Omaha, an AMERICAN WOODCOCK & a WINTER WREN were seen on the Missouri River Ecology Trail. In Sarpy County on the 23rd west of Papillion, 12 AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS, 23 KILLDEER & a LESSER YELLOWLEGS were found at Chalco Hills Recreation Area. For more information on this week's sightings, you may call 402-292-5556. To report your sightings, please leave your name, your phone number and your report after the tone at the end of this message. Be sure to include the date of the sighting. Thank you and good birding! - End transcript
From: Mark Orsag <MOrsag@doane.edu>
Subject: FW: 10/11-10/18 at HNA
Date: Tue, 26 Oct 1999 13:29:57 -0500
Greetings,
The Hitchcock Nature Area (HNA) is located in the Loess Hills on the
Iowa side of the Iowa-Nebraska border overlooking the Missouri River Valley
to the west. The watch is easily accessible from the intersection of
Interstate Highways 680 and 29; take Iowa 988 into the town of
Crescent,Iowa. From Crescent, take Route 183 north to HNA. Some counting has
been
done at HNA since 1992. This year, counting of raptors, vultures and other
migrants is being done on a part-time basis during the September 1-December
15 period. There are three watchpoints at HNA; most counting, however, has
been done from the deck of the park's lodge. HNA will remain an undercounted
site until staffing improves or a higher vantage point is created.
Summary
Interesting week with five well-covered days. Raptor numbers were a bit on
the disappointing side, but the variety was pretty stunning. Non-raptors
tended to be mixed as well with continued strong movements of American Crows
and increasing numbers of ducks but very poor American Robin numbers. Saw
our first Snow Geese on 10/23.
Raptor highlights included a solid early push by Bald Eagles, steady (if
unspectacular) movement of Red-tailed Hawks, a very late Broad-winged Hawk,
an immature Golden Eagle, an immature Red-shouldered Hawk, and two Prairie
Falcons. Sharp-shinned Hawks topped twenty on Monday for the first time in a
LONG while-- a sad but telling comment on this year's sharpie flight at HNA.
Northern Harriers are also a bit on the slow side this year.
We took a lot of photos this week, but the two Prairie Falcons were moving
too low and too fast to even think about trying to photograph them. I am
willing to pass on field notes to any interested parties. This species has
been annual here the last few years, but two in a season, much less in two
days, is a bit surprising.
TOTAL HOURS (YTD)= 237.6#
Species 10/21 10/22 10/23 10/24 10/25 YTD
Turkey Vulture 0 0 0 0 0 1262#
Mississippi Kite 0 0 0 0 0 0
Osprey 0 0 0 0 0 58#
Northern Harrier 6 3 2 1 6 78
Bald Eagle 0 0 0 8 8 24?
Sharp-sh. Hawk 6 7 8 11 22 470
Cooper's Hawk 0 0 3 1 0 106#
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 0 0 1
Red-should. Hawk 0 0 0 1 0 4#
Swainson's Hawk 0 0 0 0 0 266*
Broad-wing.Hawk 0 0 0 1 0 215
Red-tailed Hawk 40 71 105 58 92 1424#*
Rough-leg. Hawk 0 0 0 1 1 4
Golden Eagle 0 0 0 1 0 3?
Amer. Kestrel 0 5 0 1 2 103#
Merlin 0 0 0 0 0 9
Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0 0 0 6
Prairie Falcon 0 0 1 1 0 2#
unid. raptor 2 1 3 1 0 99#
Totals 3/54 4/87 5/122 11/87 6/131 17/4161#
?= 7 adult BE, 17 immature BE; 0 adult GE, 3 immature GE.
# Indicates new seasonal record.
* Unusual Buteo Morphs and subspecies through 10/25:
1 Dark Morph Rough-legged Hawk (adult)
1 Dark Morph Swainson's Hawk
2 Rufous Morph Swainson's Hawk (both adults)
14 Harlan's Red-tailed Hawk (10 ad, 4 imm)
6 Krider's Red-tailed Hawk (4 ad, 2 imm.)
3 Western Rufous Morph Red-tailed Hawk (2 ad, 1 imm.)
7 Western Dark Morph Red-tailed Hawk (6 ad., 1 imm.)
3 (identifiable) Western Light Morph Red-tailed Hawk (adults)
7 Red-tailed Hawk Dark Morph (indeterminate between Harlan's/Western)
Best wishes,
Mark Orsag
morsag@doane.edu
From: Mark Orsag <MOrsag@doane.edu> Subject: Hitchcock Nature Area Hawkwatch-- a quick visitors guide Date: Tue, 26 Oct 1999 13:57:23 -0500 Hi all, We've had a lot more hawkwatchers at Hitchcock this year; this includes many people who are a bit more "balanced" about their birding than the Hitchcock regulars. Thus, I'd thought that I would throw out a few hints to make future visits enjoyable: Points 1. Dress warmly. Overdress in fact. Hitchcock is your classic eastern windy ridge transplanted to the Great Plains. Elevation and wind chill make mornings and evenings in particular much colder than you might expect. Bring layers of clothes. If things warm up, you can always take an extra jacket or sweater back to your car. 2. Patience will (usually) be rewarded. Every day has its lulls. Sometimes days are just plain bad in general. While it is distinguished by a number of aspects (such as unusual diversity and mix of species and sub-species and opportunities to see raptors at close ranges) Hitchcock is not a first-tier hawkwatch in terms of overall numbers. Hazel Bazemore in Texas can record 900,000+ birds in a season, Hawk Ridge can get over 100,000 raptors and vultures a year; Hawk Mountain can log 25,000-30,000. Even if Hitchcock were fully staffed every day, we MIGHT get 10,000-12,000. Nevertheless, even casual visitors can see some very cool stuff during a short visit. Timing is often the key... Come prepared to hike the great trails or bring a book along for the slow times. 3. Come on days with north winds and approaching cold fronts. It will be colder, but there also will be more birds. Peak flights usually occur in late morning and late afternoon, but this is very variable. Generally though, a visit at such a time ( and some patience) will produce some memorable sightings. Early September and December are also not peak times to visit. I'm happy to offer e-advice to all about the watch. Mark Orsag morsag@doane.edu
From: "Wanda Hoge" <jacana@swnebr.net> Subject: Date: Tue, 26 Oct 1999 20:11:02 -0000 Oct. 25 Orleans Sewage pond we saw 107 Bonaparte's Gulls Oct 26 Johnson Lake we saw 7 Western Grebe 1 Horned Grebe 3 Bonaparte's Gulls 15 American Pipits But no Loons we did have 7 species of Ducks 1 Lincoln Sparrow 1 W.B. Nuthatch 1 R B Woodpecker 1 R C Kinglet 1 G C Kinglet Good birding Wanda and Glen Alma
From: "Joel Jorgensen" <zrtac@genesisnet.net> Subject: GOEA Date: Wed, 27 Oct 1999 06:49:47 -0500 Hello all, Yesterday (10/26), while eating lunch from my office in southern Washington Co., I observed a immature Golden Eagle, my first for the county. that's it. Joel Jorgensen
From: "Ross Silcock" <silcock@sidney.heartland.net> Subject: Email address Date: Wed, 27 Oct 1999 18:20:21 -0500 Hi folks: I'll be away the next 3 weeks so, somewhat egotistically, I am supplying my email address for that period: <rosssilcock@hotmail.com> Ross Ross Silcock Tabor, IA silcock@sidney.heartland.net New Zealand Land and Pelagic Trips. Next: Nov 1999
Date: Wed, 27 Oct 1999 22:05:24 -0500 From: marshwren@nctc.net (Harding and Randolph) Subject: [NeBirds] misidentified woodpecker NeBirders, In the November 1999 issue of NebraskaLand magazine, there is a good article titled "Seven Days in a Tree Stand" by Michael Forsberg. Along with the article are several great photos including one of a woodpecker. The caption under the photo identifies the woodpecker as a Hairy Woodpecker. It must have been just an oversight or a silly mistake. The bird looks like a Downy Woodpecker to me. The length of its bill compared to its head is much too short for a Hairy. A Hairy Woodpecker's bill is almost as long as its head. Robin Harding marshwren@nctc.net
Date: Thu, 28 Oct 1999 08:11:31 -0500 From: Laurel Badura <lteten@ngpc.state.ne.us> Subject: Re: [NeBirds] misidentified woodpecker <html> Robin,<br> That was my first thought after seeing the photo. The length of the bill was too short to be a hairy.<br> <br> Laurel<br> <br> <br> At 10:05 PM 10/27/99 -0500, you wrote:<br> >NeBirders,<br> ><br> >In the November 1999 issue of NebraskaLand magazine, there is a<br> >good article titled "Seven Days in a Tree Stand" by Michael Forsberg.<br> >Along with the article are several great photos including one of a<br> >woodpecker.=A0 The caption under the photo identifies the woodpecker<br> >as a Hairy Woodpecker.=A0 It must have been just an oversight or a<br> >silly mistake.=A0 The bird looks like a Downy Woodpecker to me.=A0 The<br> >length of its bill compared to its head is much too short for a<br> >Hairy.=A0 A Hairy Woodpecker's bill is almost as long as its head.<br> ><br> >Robin Harding<br> >marshwren@nctc.net<br> ><br> <br> <br> <b>_________________________________________________________________________= _<br> <br> Laurel A. Badura<br> Wildlife Biologist<br> Habitat Partners Section<br> Nebraska Game and Parks Commission<br> __________________________________________________________________________</= b> <BR> </html>
Date: Thu, 28 Oct 1999 09:48:43 -0500
From: Carolyn Hall <cjhall@huntel.net>
Subject: ABA Birder's Exchange
I received this and thought it was a good idea.
Subject: ABA Birders' Exchange
Date: Thu, 28 Oct 1999 05:36:07 PDT
From: "dean sheldon" <dsheldonjr@hotmail.com>
To: BLUEBIRD-L@cornell.edu, PFW-L@cornell.edu
TO THE FAITHFUL: The Birders' Exchange is a collaborative program by the
Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences [in MA] and the American
Birding
Association [in CO] which collects/distributes birding
equipment[binoculars,scopes,tripods,camera equipment,tape recorders,
field
guides,bird books,camping equipment] in Latin American and Carribean
countries. The work is being done in support of ornithological research
and
conservation work being done by schools, universities and governmental
agencies in those countries. The Birders' Exchange is a clearing house
for
these donated materials. It has already helped more than 100 groups in
26
countries. New or USED equipment [in GOOD WORKING CONDITION] is welcomed
as
are financial contributions in support of the program. A good pair of
used
binoculars or an old field guide is a priceless tool for a researcher
with
nothing but an inquiring mind and an eye for birds. The Birders'
Exchange is
partnered with 25 or more outstanding conservation groups and companies
in
support of this important research work. Further information can be
obtained, electrically, by contacting: Lina DiGregorio, Program
Director, at
<edcon@aba.org> or by phoning her at 719.578.9703 [Mountain Time]. Take
a
look your attic, basement or "bird room" and see how you can be of help.
Thanks for listening. Dean
Date: Fri, 29 Oct 1999 19:38:01 -0500 From: "Gubanyi,Joe" <jgubanyi@seward.cune.edu> Subject: Seward County birds On Friday morning 3 students spent 2 hours walking through Oak Glen WMA 1.5 miles north of Garland in Seward County. Nothing spectacular but the following birds were worth noting: red-headed woodpeckers - 4 (2 adults and 2 juveniles); red-headed woodpeckers are seldom seen here after migration brown creeper - 6 winter wren - 1 eastern bluebird - 10+ ruby-crowned kinglets - 5 golden-crowned kinglet -1 yellow-rumped warbler - 10+ tree sparows - 10 white-throated sparrow - 2 purple finch - 1 (first of the season) Joseph Gubanyi Concordia University 800 North Columbia Seward, NE 68434 (402) 643-7316 jgubanyi@seward.cune.edu
Date: Sat, 30 Oct 1999 14:30:40 -0500 Subject: Chalco Hills From: "John W. Hall" <jwhall2@juno.com> Amongst the more common residents the following species were observed Sat 10/30/99: Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 Fox Sparrow 8 Harris Sparrow 4 Golden-crown Kinglet 1 Winter Wren 1 Sharp-shin Hawk 2 Lincoln Sparrow 1 John W. Hall Omaha, Nebraska jwhall2@juno.com ___________________________________________________________________ Get the Internet just the way you want it. Free software, free e-mail, and free Internet access for a month! Try Juno Web: http://dl.www.juno.com/dynoget/tagj.
Date: Sat, 30 Oct 1999 23:13:50 -0500 From: marshwren@nctc.net (Harding and Randolph) Subject: [NeBirds] shopping trip II Hi Nebraska Birders, Saturday, October 30, in Buffalo County Robin and I saw a Sharp-shinned Hawk in our yard three and a half miles southeast of Gibbon. Robin asked me to go to the store to buy a loaf of bread and while I was there, could I please buy these things too. So..., about a mile southwest of our home I saw seven American Pipits in the same place that I saw 75 to 100 of them last Saturday, in an alfalfa field and across the road in a harvested soybean field and flying between the two. In Adams County, almost a mile southwest of Kenesaw I saw a Northern Shrike. I saw another Northern Shrike in Kearney County about a mile and a half south of Heartwell. While I was gone Robin saw a Ruby-crowned Kinglet in our yard. Gosh, its rough having to go on shopping trips. good birding and goodbye, Lanny Lanny Randolph southcentral Nebraska 50370 24th rd Gibbon, Ne. 68840 308-468-5057 Marshwren@nctc.net (home) RandolphL@UNK.edu (work)
Date: Sun, 31 Oct 99 09:29:00 -0400 From: "Kevin POAGUE"<kpoague@audubon.org> Subject: No subject given Lots of tree sparrows around. Looks like winter might actually make it this year. Also, yesterday (10/30) did see 2 fox sparrows and an eastern towhee on a small 10 acre prairie parcel NW of Lincoln. Kevin Poague Audubon Nebraska PO Box 117 Denton NE 68339 kpoague@audubon.org 402/797-2301
Date: Sun, 31 Oct 1999 10:13:22 -0600 Subject: Nebraska Birdline for 10/30/99 From: "Loren J. Padelford" <lpdlfrd@juno.com> - RBA * Nebraska * Statewide * October 31, 1999 * NEST9910.31 - Birds Mentioned Horned Grebe Western Grebe Bonaparte's Gull American Pipit Northern Shrike Common Snipe Red-breasted Nuthatch Ruby-crowned Kinglet Golden-crowned Kinglet Field Sparrow Harris's Sparrow Rusty Blackbird Winter Wren Lincoln's Sparrow Fox Sparrow Yellow-rumped Warbler Purple Finch Golden Eagle Red-headed Woodpecker Brown Creeper American Tree Sparrow White-crowned Sparrow Surf Scoter (Iowa) - Transcript Tape Number: 402-292-5325 Compilers: Babs & Loren Padelford Transcriber: Babs Padelford (lpdlfrd@juno.com) Welcome to an update of the Nebraska Birdline, sponsored by the Audubon Society of Omaha, for Saturday, October 30th. In central Nebraska in Gosper County on the 26th at Johnson Lake, a HORNED GREBE, 7 WESTERN GREBES, 3 BONAPARTE'S GULLS & 15 AMERICAN PIPITS were seen. In Buffalo County on the 30th, 7 AMERICAN PIPITS were found in fields 3 miles south of Gibbon. In Adams County on the 30th, a NORTHERN SHRIKE was seen a mile southwest of Kenesaw. In Kearney County on the 30th, a NORTHERN SHRIKE was found 1.5 miles south of Heartwell. In eastern Nebraska in Douglas County on the 30th, 2 COMMON SNIPES, 4 BONAPARTE'S GULLS, 2 RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES, 2 RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS, 2 GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS, a FIELD SPARROW, 20 HARRIS'S SPARROWS & 15 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS were seen at Cunningham Lake north of Omaha. In Sarpy County on the 30th, a RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, a WINTER WREN, a LINCOLN'S SPARROW & 8 FOX SPARROWS were found at Chalco Hills Recreation Area west of Papillion. On the 28th in Bellevue, 20 YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, 2 FOX SPARROWS, 10 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS & 10 PURPLE FINCHES were seen in Fontenelle Forest. In southern Washington County on the 26th, an immature GOLDEN EAGLE was seen. In Seward County on the 29th, 4 RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS, 6 BROWN CREEPERS, a WINTER WREN, 5 RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS, 10 YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, 10 AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS & a PURPLE FINCH were found at Oak Glen WMA 1.5 miles north of Garland. In Dixon County on the 26th, a RED-HEADED WOODPECKER, 11 HARRIS'S SPARROWS, a FOX SPARROW & a WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW were found 7.5 miles northwest of Wakefield. In Iowa south of Council Bluffs on the 29th, 2 immature SURF SCOTERS were seen at Lake Manawa. For more information on this week's sightings, you may call 402-292-5556. To report your sightings, please leave your name, your phone number and your report after the tone at the end of this message. Be sure to include the date of the sighting. Thank you and good birding! - End transcript
From: "Alice Kenitz" <akenitz@prairieweb.com> Subject: Virginia Rail Date: Sun, 31 Oct 1999 19:56:18 -0700 NeBirders, Yesterday morning one of my friends who lives between Scottsbluff & Mitchell had a Virginia Rail in her yard. The unusual thing was that she found it hanging upside down in a fruit tree--one leg tangled in the small branches!!! She thought it would surely be dead, but she climbed on a ladder and got it down. Then she put it in a dog carrier for awhile. It soon looked very alert and seemed able to walk around quite well. So she took it to a little stream and let it go. She said it ran off into the water and vegetation. She does have a nice little water feature in her yard--could it have been trying to get to the water?? Alice Kenitz
From: Mark Orsag <MOrsag@doane.edu>
Subject: FW: 10/26-10/31 at HNA
Date: Mon, 1 Nov 1999 17:59:52 -0600
Greetings,
The Hitchcock Nature Area (HNA) is located in the Loess Hills on the
Iowa side of the Iowa-Nebraska border overlooking the Missouri River Valley
to the west. The watch is easily accessible from the intersection of
Interstate Highways 680 and 29; take Iowa 988 into the town of
Crescent,Iowa. From Crescent, take Route 183 north to HNA. Some counting has
been
done at HNA since 1992. This year, counting of raptors, vultures and other
migrants is being done on a part-time basis during the September 1-December
15 period. There are three watchpoints at HNA; most counting, however, has
been done from the deck of the park's lodge. HNA will remain an undercounted
site until staffing improves or a higher vantage point is created.
Summary
Slightly disappointing overall numbers, but an enjoyable week just the same.
The mid-month Red-tail tide is definitely ebbing; unless we get some "real"
late fall/early winter weather, I think that it will continue to do so. Our
Bald Eagle migration, on the other hand, is off to quite a solid start with
much more to come. We had the first sizable Snow Goose flocks on Sunday, so
here come the BEs!
Our coverage during the week was spotty (hour here hour there), even on the
usually fairly well-covered Friday. I have lumped these results together
below. The weak front that came through late on Friday night didn't produce
the kind of Saturday we hoped for. We gave the one-day Northern Harrier
record a run, but we fell just short.
Sunday's flight was a bit of a pleasant surprise for light SW winds at this
time of year. The birds passed the site on an unusually broad front-- some
right overhead, many far out over the Missouri River Valley. The small
"forest" of spotting scopes and tripod-mounted binoculars sure came in
handy... A sub-adult GE, on the other hand, passed very close by as I was
coming out of the Ranger shop at the end of the day!
TOTAL HOURS (YTD)= 263.1#
Species week. 10/30 10/31 YTD
Turkey Vulture 0 0 0 1262#
Mississippi Kite 0 0 0 0
Osprey 0 0 0 58#
Northern Harrier 1 16 0 95#
Bald Eagle 2 6 10 42?
Sharp-sh. Hawk 5 9 10 494
Cooper's Hawk 1 2 4 113#
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 1
Red-should. Hawk 0 0 0 4#
Swainson's Hawk 0 0 0 266*
Broad-wing.Hawk 0 0 0 215
Red-tailed Hawk 34 86 78 1622#*
Rough-leg. Hawk 1 0 0 5
Golden Eagle 0 0 1 4?
Amer. Kestrel 3 0 1 107#
Merlin 2 0 0 11
Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0 6
Prairie Falcon 0 0 0 2#
unid. raptor 4 1 4 108#
Totals 8/53 5/120 6/108 17/4442#
?= 12 adult BE, 20 immature BE; 0 adult GE, 1 sub-adult GE 3 immature GE.
# Indicates new seasonal record.
* Unusual Buteo Morphs and subspecies through 10/25:
1 Dark Morph Rough-legged Hawk (adult)
1 Dark Morph Swainson's Hawk
2 Rufous Morph Swainson's Hawk (both adults)
19 Harlan's Red-tailed Hawk (11 ad, 5 imm)
6 Krider's Red-tailed Hawk (4 ad, 2 imm.)
3 Western Rufous Morph Red-tailed Hawk (2 ad, 1 imm.)
8 Western Dark Morph Red-tailed Hawk (7 ad., 1 imm.)
3 (identifiable) Western Light Morph Red-tailed Hawk (adults)
8 Red-tailed Hawk Dark Morph (indeterminate between Harlan's/Western)
Best wishes,
Mark Orsag
morsag@doane.edu
From: cnk@scholars.bellevue.edu Date: Mon, 1 Nov 1999 19:40:20 CDT Subject: Re: Virginia Rail From: "Alice Kenitz" <akenitz@prairieweb.com> To: "Nebraska Birds" <NeBirds@rip.physics.unk.edu> Subject: Virginia Rail Date sent: Sun, 31 Oct 1999 19:56:18 -0700 Send reply to: NeBirds@rip.physics.unk.edu Alice, Did your friend take a picture of the Virginia Rail? Clem Klaphake > NeBirders, > Yesterday morning one of my friends who lives between Scottsbluff & Mitchell > had a Virginia Rail in her yard. The unusual thing was that she found it > hanging upside down in a fruit tree--one leg tangled in the small > branches!!! She thought it would surely be dead, but she climbed on a > ladder and got it down. Then she put it in a dog carrier for awhile. It > soon looked very alert and seemed able to walk around quite well. So she > took it to a little stream and let it go. She said it ran off into the > water and vegetation. She does have a nice little water feature in her > yard--could it have been trying to get to the water?? > Alice Kenitz >
From: Mark Orsag <MOrsag@doane.edu>
Subject: FW: 11/1 at HNA
Date: Tue, 2 Nov 1999 17:56:01 -0600
Greetings,
The Hitchcock Nature Area (HNA) is located in the Loess Hills on the
Iowa side of the Iowa-Nebraska border overlooking the Missouri River Valley
to the west. The watch is easily accessible from the intersection of
Interstate Highways 680 and 29; take Iowa 988 into the town of
Crescent,Iowa. From Crescent, take Route 183 north to HNA. Some counting has
been
done at HNA since 1992. This year, counting of raptors, vultures and other
migrants is being done on a part-time basis during the September 1-December
15 period. There are three watchpoints at HNA; most counting, however, has
been done from the deck of the park's lodge. HNA will remain an undercounted
site until staffing improves or a higher vantage point is created.
Summary
6 Hours coverage from Clem Klaphake and Jerry Toll. November started off
with a bang. Very windy conditions made the watch a real test of
perseverance for both migrants and watchers. A great look at a Golden Eagle
just above the lodge deck and the 3RD PRAIRIE FALCON of the count were the
payoffs for the counters!
TOTAL HOURS (YTD)= 269.1#
Species 11/1 YTD
Turkey Vulture 0 1262#
Mississippi Kite 0 0
Osprey 0 58#
Northern Harrier 0 95#
Bald Eagle 1 43?
Sharp-sh. Hawk 1 495
Cooper's Hawk 0 113#
Northern Goshawk 0 1
Red-should. Hawk 0 4#
Swainson's Hawk 0 266*
Broad-wing.Hawk 0 215
Red-tailed Hawk 26 1648#*
Rough-leg. Hawk 0 5
Golden Eagle 1 5?
Amer. Kestrel 0 107#
Merlin 0 11
Peregrine Falcon 0 6
Prairie Falcon 1 3#
unid. raptor 0 108#
Totals 5/31 17/4473#
?= 13 adult BE, 20 immature BE; 0 adult GE, 1 sub-adult GE 4 immature GE.
# Indicates new seasonal record.
* Unusual Buteo Morphs and subspecies through 10/25:
1 Dark Morph Rough-legged Hawk
1 Dark Morph Swainson's Hawk
2 Rufous Morph Swainson's Hawk
19 Harlan's Red-tailed Hawk
6 Krider's Red-tailed Hawk
3 Western Rufous Morph Red-tailed Hawk
8 Western Dark Morph Red-tailed Hawk
3 (identifiable) Western Light Morph Red-tailed Hawk
8 Red-tailed Hawk Dark Morph (indeterminate between Harlan's/Western)
Best wishes,
Mark Orsag
morsag@doane.edu
Date: Tue, 2 Nov 1999 19:35:55 -0600 Subject: WWDO From: John C Sulllivan <johnsllvn@juno.com> Hello All, I received a couple of good photos last week from Derald Kohles of Lincoln, of a White-winged Dove that came to his feeder in Southeast Lincoln Oct. 7 - 10, but hasn't been back since. Derald thinks the same bird may have been there this Spring too. I wonder if this bird could be hanging out somewhere in Lincoln? John Sullivan Lincoln, NE ___________________________________________________________________ Get the Internet just the way you want it. Free software, free e-mail, and free Internet access for a month! Try Juno Web: http://dl.www.juno.com/dynoget/tagj.
From: "Alice Kenitz" <akenitz@prairieweb.com> Subject: Red-bellied Woodpecker Date: Tue, 2 Nov 1999 21:32:26 -0700 NeBirders, My friend with the Virginia Rail story had a goody in her yard this week--a Red-bellied Woodpecker. I've asked her to write up something about it. It is a great yard for birds with lots of feeders, the water, and lots of cover. Alice
From: cnk@scholars.bellevue.edu Date: Wed, 3 Nov 1999 09:00:38 CDT Subject: Re: Red-bellied Woodpecker From: "Alice Kenitz" <akenitz@prairieweb.com> To: "Nebraska Birds" <NeBirds@rip.physics.unk.edu> Subject: Red-bellied Woodpecker Date sent: Tue, 2 Nov 1999 21:32:26 -0700 Send reply to: NeBirds@rip.physics.unk.edu Alice, Great reports. Could you or your firend write a short note about the Virginia Rail and the Red-bellied Woodpecker and send it to me? I'll try and put it in the next NOU Newsletter. Clem > NeBirders, > My friend with the Virginia Rail story had a goody in her yard this week--a > Red-bellied Woodpecker. I've asked her to write up something about it. It > is a great yard for birds with lots of feeders, the water, and lots of > cover. > Alice >
Date: Wed, 03 Nov 1999 09:31:13 -0600
From: "Thomas E. Labedz" <tlabedz@unlserve.unl.edu>
Subject: Shrike Project
Nebraska Birders:
While it is unlikely that we should encounter any Lanius
ludovicianus migrans in our area we still might keep an eye out for
these, and other, banded or collared birds during our upcoming Christmas
Bird Counts.
Thomas Labedz, Lincoln
MOST OF THE POPULATION OF ENDANGERED "MIGRANS" LOGGERHEAD SHRIKES
(Lanius
ludovicianus migrans) was color banded in Ontario, Canada in summer
1999.
Reports of any banded shrikes on this critically endangered subspecies'
as-yet-unknown wintering grounds are highly desirable. This would make a
great add-on project for CBC participants in the eastern U.S., from
Pennsylvania south to the the Gulf coast and potentially west to New
Mexico
and Arizona. Each bird has a standard metal band (adults received
stainless
steel bands, while nestlings received standard aluminum alloy bands)
plus
one to two plastic color bands (sealed with acetone). Please note
position
(upper or lower, left or right leg) and color (red, orange, yellow,
light
green, light blue, dark blue, mauve, white, dark pink) of bands. Please
send information (date, location, type of habitat) directly to JON
MCCRACKEN, Bird Studies Canada, P.O. Box 160, Port Rowan, ON N0E 1M0
(PH:
519-586-3531; FX: 519- 586-3532; EM: jmccracken@bsc-eoc.org).
Jul
Jul Wojnowski
Landbird Programs Coordinator
Bird Studies Canada
P.O. Box 160
Port Rowan, ON N0E 1M0
Phone: 519-586-3531
Fax: 519-586-3532
E-mail: lpbo@bsc-eoc.org
Web Page: <http://www.bsc-eoc.org>
From: "Wanda Hoge" <jacana@swnebr.net> Subject: Date: Wed, 3 Nov 1999 19:33:18 -0000 Birding from Alma today we had 250 Bonaparte's Gulls at sewage ponds in Orleans Alma we saw 500+ D C Cormorants and in a 8 mile of road we saw 5 Red-tailed Hawks 2 were the very dark phase. 1 Northern Harriers . We had lots of Tree and Harris Sparrows In our yard enjoying 2 Red-breasted Nuthatchs coming to feeder with 3 White-breasted Nuthatchs Good Birding Wanda and Glen
Date: Wed, 3 Nov 1999 20:41:14 -0600 From: marshwren@nctc.net (Harding and Randolph) Subject: [NeBirds] Fwd. Re: Common Crane Nebraska birders, RIP forwarded the following tidbit to me: >It's a rather critical time for us on the IN-BIRD list--since we have a >first state record Common Crane in the state now! > >Thanks! > >-- >Phil Kelly >Listowner, IN-BIRD, The mailing list for Indiana Birding >in-bird-request@list.audubon.org >Archives at http://www.audubon.org/listserv/in-bird.html Interesting. Robin marshwren@nctc.net
From: NRATZLAFF@aol.com
Date: Wed, 3 Nov 1999 22:08:29 EST
Subject: Birds - November 3
Walked Standing Bear Lake (NW Omaha). Nice November day = more fishermen
than birds. Only 3 Double-crested Cormorants on lake.
Did see:
1 Red-breasted Nuthatch there and another in my yard. Seem to be
everywhere.
Lots of Dark-eyed Juncos and a dozen or more Harris' Sparrows, a Tree
Sparrow and a Song Sparrow or two.
When I returned home to my feeders spotted a single Pine Siskin in
the flock of 15 American Goldfinches.
Neal Ratzlaff
Date: Sat, 06 Nov 1999 14:14:33 -0600 From: Carolyn Hall <cjhall@huntel.net> Subject: Birding in the Sandhills I have been carrying the mail in the north part of Rock County since last Tuesday. On Thursday I was 7 kestrels and 2 red-tailed hawks. Yesterday it was 7 red-tails and today 3 red-tails and 2 northern harriers. Is this rather late for them to still be here? Also, there was one white pelican swimming on the river above the Carns bridge. Carolyn Hall, Bassett, NE
Date: Sat, 6 Nov 1999 19:46:10 -0600 Subject: Nebraska Birdline for 10/6/99 From: "Loren J. Padelford" <lpdlfrd@juno.com> - RBA * Nebraska * Statewide * November 6, 1999 * NEST9910.06 - Birds Mentioned Common Redpoll Red-breasted Nuthatch Pine Siskin Purple Finch Winter Wren Yellow-rumped Warbler Eastern Towhee Fox Sparrow Double-crested Cormorant American Tree Sparrow Harris's Sparrow Short-eared Owl Red-shouldered Hawk Northern Shoveler Bufflehead Canvasback Killdeer White-throated Sparrow Bonaparte's Gull Golden Eagle Prairie Falcon - Transcript Tape Number: 402-292-5325 Compilers: Babs & Loren Padelford Transcriber: Loren Padelford (lpdlfrd@juno.com) Welcome to an update of the Nebraska Birdline, sponsored by the Audubon Society of Omaha, for Saturday, November 6th. In eastern Nebraska in Douglas County on the 6th, 3 COMMON REDPOLLS were seen in the garden at Neale Woods Nature Center. On the 4th at Neale Woods, RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES, PINE SISKINS & PURPLE FINCHES were coming to the feeders, & a WINTER WREN, a YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, an EASTERN TOWHEE & a FOX SPARROW were seen on the Missouri River Ecology Trail. On the 3rd, 3 DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS, a RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, an AMERICAN TREE SPARROW & a dozen HARRIS'S SPARROWS were seen at Standing Bear Lake northwest of Omaha. Also on the 3rd, a PINE SISKIN was seen at a feeder southwest of Methodist Hospital in Omaha. In Washington County on the 6th, a SHORT-EARED OWL was seen hunting in corn fields between Fort Atkinson & Boyer Chute at the intersection of County Roads 34 & 49. In Sarpy County on the 5th in Bellevue, a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK & a WINTER WREN were found in Fontenelle Forest in Mormon Hollow. On the 3rd, 6 NORTHERN SHOVELERS, 2 BUFFLEHEADS, 3 CANVASBACKS & a KILLDEER were seen at Walnut Creek Recreation Area west of Papillion. In Cass County on the 5th, 4 PINE SISKINS were seen at a feeder in Elmwood. In Otoe County on the 4th in Nebraska City, 4 RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES & 10 WHITE- THROATED SPARROWS were found at Arbor Lodge State Park. In central Nebraska in Harlan County on the 3rd, 500 DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS were seen at Harlan Reservoir & 250 BONAPARTE'S GULLS were seen at the Orleans sewage ponds. In Iowa north of Crescent on the 1st, an immature GOLDEN EAGLE & a PRAIRIE FALCON were seen at Hitchcock Nature Area. For more information on this week's sightings, you may call 402-292-5556. To report your sightings, please leave your name, your phone number and your report after the tone at the end of this message. Be sure to include the date of the sighting. Thank you and good birding! - End transcript
Date: Sat, 6 Nov 1999 20:30:41 -0600 From: marshwren@nctc.net (Harding and Randolph) Subject: Re: Birding in the Sandhills Carolyn and NeBirders, Here in south central Nebraska we see Northern Harriers all year. I agree with Johnsgard in 'The Birds of Nebraska and Adjacent Plains States' when he writes that Harriers are permanent residents except during very cold winters. Do Harriers behave differently up in northern Nebraska? Robin Harding marshwren@nctc.net In a message from Nov. 06, Carolyn wrote: >Yesterday it was 7 red-tails and today 3 red-tails and 2 northern >harriers. Is this rather late for them to still be here? >Carolyn Hall, Bassett, NE
Date: Sat, 6 Nov 1999 21:04:43 -0700
From: Steve_Dinsmore@usgs.gov (Steve Dinsmore)
Subject: Panhandle birding.
> NEBirders-
Joe Fontaine and I spent the day birding the Panhandle
and a few points farther east. We talled about 84 species.
One highlight was seeing all six species of grebes that
occur in Nebraska. Here are the other highlights:
Sutherland Reservoir
1 fourth-basic Thayer's Gull
1 Northern Shrike
1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
14 Harris's Sparrow
Lake Ogallala
**1 immature Red-necked Grebe
3 Ruby-crowned Kinglets
1 American Pipit
Crescent Lake NWR
**1 American Woodcock (at Headquarters)
2 Trumpeter Swans
2 Long-eared Owls
1 Merlin
Lake Minatare
2 first-basic Pacific Loons
133 Horned Grebes
Lake Alice
112 Hooded Mergansers
Stephen J. Dinsmore
Fort Collins, CO
steve_dinsmore@usgs.gov
Date: Sun, 07 Nov 1999 14:52:37 -0600 From: Carolyn Hall <cjhall@huntel.net> Subject: Birds in the Sandhills 82 degrees, WOW! I can take this weather all winter but we could surely use some moisture. What a georgous morning, 42 degrees. I was house/horse/dog/cat sitting south of Long Pine. The birds down along the barn and creek sounded just like spring-robins, cardinals goldfinches, chickadees, juncos, a flicker and even a couple of black birds of some kind. Crows were off to the east mobbing something probably the great horned owl that I heard hooting last evening. As I was leaving their place about noon, there was an Eastern bluebird that flew across the dirve just as I walked around the back of my pick-up. Don't know who was more surprised-the bird or me! Then on the drive out there were two bluebirds about 100 yards from where there are two bluebird boxes. Carolyn Hall, Sandhills Bluebird Lady, Bassett, NE
From: "Joel Jorgensen" <zrtac@genesisnet.net> Subject: eastern Rainwater Basin Date: Sun, 7 Nov 1999 18:27:32 -0600 Hello, I was out in the eastern RWB on sunday, 7 Nov, and it was a very interesting day. First, I did not expect to be slopping around in the mud in a t-shirt, with frogs hopping in front of me, chasing around shorebirds while being knee-deep in November. Second, the dry spell, or drought, is now turning the few remaining, larger basins, that were so proud and full of water a few months ago, into wet mud with a few token puddles that will no doubt be cracked plates of dried dirt before too long. A few others were pumped earlier and still have a bit of water. I know I'm hoping for a VERY snowy winter. Nonetheless and Regardless, I was suprised to tally 11 species of Shorebirds in November in Nebraska. Below is what I found. 7 Nov, eRWB ------------------- no geese other than the few that have been at Harvard since Summer 1 Blue-winged Teal 3 Black-bellied Plovers 3 American Golden-plovers 161 Killdeer 1 American Avocet 9 Greater Yellowlegs 1 Least Sandpiper 2 Baird's Sandpiper (1 an expected juv, the other an injured ad.) 7 Pectoral Sandpipers 6 Dunlin (finally!, first for the Fall) 2 Long-billed Dowitchers 2 Common Snipes 2 Bonaparte's Gulls 1 Long-eared Owl (in a plum thicket at Big Daddy's Ornithological Gardens) 2 Northern Shrikes *16 Sharp-tailed Sparrows (Sandpiper WPA) 4 Savannah Sparrows thousands of Lapland Longspurs
From: Mark Orsag <MOrsag@doane.edu>
Subject: FW: 11/1 at HNA
Date: Sun, 7 Nov 1999 22:15:51 -0600
Greetings,
The Hitchcock Nature Area (HNA) is located in the Loess Hills on the
Iowa side of the Iowa-Nebraska border overlooking the Missouri River Valley
to the west. The watch is easily accessible from the intersection of
Interstate Highways 680 and 29; take Iowa 988 into the town of
Crescent,Iowa. From Crescent, take Route 183 north to HNA. Some counting has
been
done at HNA since 1992. This year, counting of raptors, vultures and other
migrants is being done on a part-time basis during the September 1-December
15 period. There are three watchpoints at HNA; most counting, however, has
been done from the deck of the park's lodge. HNA will remain an undercounted
site until staffing improves or a higher vantage point is created.
Summary
Global warming is killing our overall numbers of both raptors and waterfowl.
Less than 1,000 Snow Geese for the season so far-- that is truly insane. The
Red-tailed and Rough-legged Hawk numbers this week are nothing short of an
embarrassment. The only bright spots in our doom and gloom scenario are the
Bald Eagle count, which is clearly going to be a record in a major way, and
the surprising strong showings of two of the less common raptors here-- the
Golden Eagle and the Prairie Falcon. If the Snow Geese ever move out of
Canada, we really should get some major BE numbers...
TOTAL HOURS (YTD)= 286.1#
Species 11/5 11/6 11/7 YTD
Turkey Vulture 0 0 0 1262#
Mississippi Kite 0 0 0 0
Osprey 0 0 0 58#
Northern Harrier 0 2 7 104#
Bald Eagle 0 6 14 63#?
Sharp-sh. Hawk 1 10 4 510
Cooper's Hawk 0 0 1 114#
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 1
Red-should. Hawk 0 0 0 4#
Swainson's Hawk 0 0 0 266*
Broad-wing.Hawk 0 0 0 215
Red-tailed Hawk 2 45 41 1736#*
Rough-leg. Hawk 0 0 0 5
Golden Eagle 0 1 0 6?
Amer. Kestrel 0 0 0 107#
Merlin 0 0 0 11
Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0 6
Prairie Falcon 0 0 1 4#
unid. raptor 0 0 2 110#
Totals 2/3 5/64 6/70 17/4607#
?= 23 adult BE, 40 immature BE; 0 adult GE, 1 sub-adult GE 5 immature GE.
# Indicates new seasonal record.
* Unusual Buteo Morphs and subspecies through 10/25:
1 Dark Morph Rough-legged Hawk
1 Dark Morph Swainson's Hawk
2 Rufous Morph Swainson's Hawk
21 Harlan's Red-tailed Hawk
6 Krider's Red-tailed Hawk
3 Western Rufous Morph Red-tailed Hawk
9 Western Dark Morph Red-tailed Hawk
6 (identifiable) Western Light Morph Red-tailed Hawk
9 Red-tailed Hawk Dark Morph (indeterminate between Harlan's/Western)
Best wishes,
Mark Orsag
morsag@doane.edu
Date: Sun, 7 Nov 1999 23:13:34 -0600 From: marshwren@nctc.net (Harding and Randolph) Subject: [NeBirds] Harlan County Reservoir Hi Nebraska Birders, Sunday, November 7, Robin and I visited Glen and Wanda Hoge in Alma. Since the edge of Alma is on the shoreline of Harlan County Reservoir, even the birds that we saw in Alma I will report as seen at Harlan County Reservoir. At Harlan County Reservoir we identified about 2000 Double-crested Cormorants, about seven Green-winged Teal, about forty Canvasbacks, about ten Ring-necked Ducks, Lesser Scaup, about eight Bufflehead, about 350 Ruddy Ducks, a female and an immature Northern Harrier, a Cooper's Hawk, at least four Bonaparte's Gulls, two Herring Gulls, Red-breasted Nuthatches, Brown Creepers, at least three Carolina Wrens, two Marsh Wrens, at least one Golden-crowned Kinglet, at least one Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Pipits, at least two Savannah Sparrows and at least one Harris's Sparrow. We had to leave, we could not wait until all of the Double-crested Cormorants had gone to roost. The cormorants were still coming in, in fact, most of the two thousand that we estimated were still in the water on the far side of the emergent tree branches that they would eventually climb into for the night. The Hoges told us that they saw another Cooper's Hawk at a different place around the outside of Harlan County Reservoir than the place that Robin saw the one that I reported above. Niether Robin nor I saw a kinglet, but in one place we were almost surrounded by kinglet calls. We had no way of counting how many kinglets that we heard. But we did hear at least one Golden-crowned Kinglet and at least one Ruby-crowned Kinglet. And Glen told us that he saw one Golden-crowned Kinglet. I heard the American Pipits while we were visiting sewage lagoons. The sounds were probably coming from the grasses mowed short surrounding the sewage lagoons. good birding and goodbye
From: Mark Orsag <MOrsag@doane.edu>
Subject: FW: 11/8 at HNA
Date: Tue, 9 Nov 1999 08:24:16 -0600
Greetings,
The Hitchcock Nature Area (HNA) is located in the Loess Hills on the
Iowa side of the Iowa-Nebraska border overlooking the Missouri River Valley
to the west. The watch is easily accessible from the intersection of
Interstate Highways 680 and 29; take Iowa 988 into the town of
Crescent,Iowa. From Crescent, take Route 183 north to HNA. Some counting has
been
done at HNA since 1992. This year, counting of raptors, vultures and other
migrants is being done on a part-time basis during the September 1-December
15 period. There are three watchpoints at HNA; most counting, however, has
been done from the deck of the park's lodge. HNA will remain an undercounted
site until staffing improves or a higher vantage point is created.
Summary
Nada, zippo, nothing... Temps in the 80s again. November has been an
unmitigated disaster. First "skunking" in HNA history.
TOTAL HOURS (YTD)= 289.1#
Species 11/8 YTD
Turkey Vulture 0 1262#
Mississippi Kite 0 0
Osprey 0 58#
Northern Harrier 0 104#
Bald Eagle 0 63#?
Sharp-sh. Hawk 0 510
Cooper's Hawk 0 114#
Northern Goshawk 0 1
Red-should. Hawk 0 4#
Swainson's Hawk 0 266*
Broad-wing.Hawk 0 215
Red-tailed Hawk 0 1736#*
Rough-leg. Hawk 0 5
Golden Eagle 0 6?
Amer. Kestrel 0 107#
Merlin 0 11
Peregrine Falcon 0 6
Prairie Falcon 0 4#
unid. raptor 0 110#
Totals 0/0 17/4607#
?= 23 adult BE, 40 immature BE; 0 adult GE, 1 sub-adult GE 5 immature GE.
# Indicates new seasonal record.
* Unusual Buteo Morphs and subspecies through 10/25:
1 Dark Morph Rough-legged Hawk
1 Dark Morph Swainson's Hawk
2 Rufous Morph Swainson's Hawk
21 Harlan's Red-tailed Hawk
6 Krider's Red-tailed Hawk
3 Western Rufous Morph Red-tailed Hawk
9 Western Dark Morph Red-tailed Hawk
6 (identifiable) Western Light Morph Red-tailed Hawk
9 Red-tailed Hawk Dark Morph (indeterminate between Harlan's/Western)
Best wishes,
Mark Orsag
morsag@doane.edu
Date: Tue, 9 Nov 1999 09:05:29 -0600 Subject: Nebraska Birdline for 11/9/99 From: "Loren J. Padelford" <lpdlfrd@juno.com> - RBA * Nebraska * Statewide * November 9, 1999 * NEST9911.09 - Birds Mentioned Red-necked Grebe Thayer's Gull Northern Shrike American Woodcock Trumpeter Swan Merlin Long-eared Owl Pacific Loon Horned Grebe Hooded Merganser Sharp-tailed Sparrow Black-bellied Plover American Golden-Plover Killdeer American Avocet Greater Yellowlegs Least Sandpiper Baird's Sandpiper Pectoral Sandpiper Dunlin Long-billed Dowitcher Common Snipe Bonaparte's Gull Lapland Longspur Double-crested Cormorant Canvasback Ring-necked Duck Lesser Scaup Bufflehead Cooper's Hawk Carolina Wren Marsh Wren American Pipit Common Redpoll Short-eared Owl Cedar Waxwing Pine Siskin Red-breasted Nuthatch Eastern Towhee Black-billed Magpie Harris's Sparrow White-throated Sparrow Song Sparrow Red-headed Woodpecker Golden-crowned Kinglet - Transcript Tape Number: 402-292-5325 Compilers: Babs & Loren Padelford Transcriber: Loren Padelford (lpdlfrd@juno.com) Welcome to an update of the Nebraska Birdline, sponsored by the Audubon Society of Omaha, for Monday, November 8th. In western Nebraska in Keith County on the 6th, an immature RED-NECKED GREBE was seen on Lake Ogallala. In Lincoln County on the 6th, a fourth-basic THAYER'S GULL & a NORTHERN SHRIKE were found at Sutherland Reservoir. In Garden County on the 6th an AMERICAN WOODCOCK was seen at the Headquarters at Crescent Lake NWR. Also seen at Crescent Lake on the 6th were 2 TRUMPETER SWANS, a MERLIN & 2 LONG- EARED OWLS. In Kimball County on the 6th, 2 first-basic PACIFIC LOONS & 133 HORNED GREBES were seen at Lake Minatare, & 112 HOODED MERGANSERS were seen at Lake Alice. In central Nebraska on the 7th in Clay County, 16 SHARP-TAILED SPARROWS were found at Sandpiper WPA 5 miles west of Sutton. Other birds seen in the eastern Rainwater Basin on the 7th were: 3 BLACK- BELLIED PLOVERS, 3 AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS, 161 KILLDEER, an AMERICAN AVOCET, 9 GREATER YELLOWLEGS, a LEAST SANDPIPER, 2 BAIRD'S SANDPIPER, 7 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS, 6 DUNLINS, 2 LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS, 2 COMMON SNIPES, 2 BONAPARTE'S GULLS, a LONG-EARED OWL, 2 NORTHERN SHRIKES & thousands of LAPLAND LONGSPURS. In Harlan County on the 7th, 2,000 DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS, 40 CANVASBACKS, 10 RING- NECKED DUCKS, LESSER SCAUP, 8 BUFFLEHEAD, a COOPER'S HAWK, 4 BONAPARTE'S GULLS, 3 CAROLINA WRENS, 2 MARSH WRENS & AMERICAN PIPITS were seen at Harlan Reservoir. In eastern Nebraska in Douglas County on the 7th, 3 COMMON REDPOLLS were seen again in the garden at Neale Woods Nature Center. In Washington County on the 6th, a SHORT-EARED OWL was seen hunting in corn fields between Fort Atkinson & Boyer Chute at the intersection of County Roads 34 & 49. In Sarpy County on the 6th in Bellevue, 12 CEDAR WAXWINGS & 6 PINE SISKINS were seen at a feeder across from Wake Robin School. In Douglas County on the 2nd, 2 RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES, & an EASTERN TOWHEE were seen in a yard in the University-Dundee area of Omaha. In Lancaster County on the 7th, 2 BLACK-BILLED MAGPIES were seen 5 miles east of Branched Oak Lake on the winery road. In Otoe County on the 7th in Nebraska City, a flock of HARRIS'S, WHITE-THROATED & SONG SPARROWS were found at Arbor Lodge State Park. In Iowa east of Nebraska City on the 7th, 2 RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS & GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS were found at Waubonsie State Park. For more information on this week's sightings, you may call 402-292-5556. To report your sightings, please leave your name, your phone number and your report after the tone at the end of this message. Be sure to include the date of the sighting. Thank you and good birding! - End transcript
From: pkaufman@sccm.cc.ne.us Date: Tue, 9 Nov 1999 12:09:29 -0600 Subject: Seward Co Baltimore Oriole 11-9 In Milford this morning I saw an male Baltimore Oriole. I don't ever remember seeing one this late in the year! Paul
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