Nebraska's Southwest Counties

Chase County (72)

Enders Reservoir features a variety of habitats for birds and birders. The reservoir

itself is good for migratory waterbirds including grebes, ducks, geese, pelicans and others.

Depending upon lake levels, the upper end of the lake ranges from a weedy area to a large

marsh. On May 29, 2003 White-faced Ibis, American Avocets and Virginia Rails were found

in the marsh. The riparian woodlands around the reservoir are good for migrating and

breeding passerines (several Yellow-breasted Chats were found on May 29, 2003). Beyond

the lake edge are areas of sandsage prairie, rock outcrops and prairie dog towns. Camping

facilities are available ranging from primitive to modern.

 

Reservoir Pond (known locally as the "Light Dam"):

From Imperial, take Spur 15A south out of town. The road will curve west. Take the first

left and go just over 4 miles, then turn right, go 1 mile and turn right again. Follow that

road into the area.

The Imperial Light Dam is owned and maintained by the City of Imperial. This area includes

sandsage and shortgrass prairie, Frenchman Creek riparian woodlands, lowland grasslands with

some marsh, and a small reservoir with a marshy upper end. This is a good place to see

migrating and breeding passerines, waterfowl, some shorebirds and other waterbirds, as well

as grassland songbird species. This may not be a go-out-of-your-way type area, but it is a

nice side trip if visiting Enders Reservoir.

 

Champion Lake State Recreation Area - on the west edge of the small town of Champion.

Another nice side trip from Enders Reservoir. Includes a small reservoir, large cottonwoods

and other woody habitats. Also includes an historical Mill that is open to the public for

tours.

 

For a good chance at seeing/hearing Cassin's Sparrows and other sandsage prairie birds, head

west to Lamar. On a good map, you will see a county road (sand and gravel) heading south out

of Chase County. This road goes through some excellent sandsage prairie. Stop along the road

in a few spots with taller sagebrush and you should find the Cassin's Sparrows.

You can turn around and head back, or continue on down the road, which will get you to the

town of Haigler (Dundy County) which is quite a ways down the road. On this drive during

the spring of 2003, Cassin's Sparrows, Lark Buntings, Northern Mockingbirds, Bullock's,

Orchard, and Baltimore Orioles, Loggerhead Shrikes, Blue Grosbeaks, Burrowing Owls,

Ferruginous and Swainson's Hawks and many other species (including Ornate Box Turtles)

were observed.

(Information courtesy of T. J. Walker)

Dundy County (76)

Rock Creek State Recreation Area:

Located northwest of Parks, this SRA consists of a small reservoir, some deciduous woodland,

shrubby and wetland habitats and is surrounded by sandsage and shortgrass prairie. A good site

for a variety of migratory and breeding bird species including waterfowl, shorebirds, herons,

raptors, and passerines. As a little oasis in the middle of a fairly dry prairie area, this is

probably a good spot to find warblers as well as eastern and western migrants of many kinds.

Burrowing Owls and Northern Mockingbirds were seen here on June 26, 1999.

 

Rock Creek State Fish Hatchery:

Just a few miles up the road from the SRA is the Fish Hatchery. The hatchery has visiting hours

when the gates are open. There are large cottonwoods and other trees, and of course the hatchery

ponds. A good side trip from the SRA.

(Information courtesy of T. J. Walker)

Frontier County (60)

Medicine Creek Reservoir State Recreation Area

 

Red Willow Reservoir State Recreation Area

Hayes County (79)

The northeast portion of the county has some good birding, especially Hayes Center WMA.

It is a little forested/shrubby/grassland area with a small reservoir on it and has a

good wetland at the upper end of the lake.

June sightings include:

Green Heron

Virginia Rail

Yellow-breasted Chat

Black-headed Grosbeak

Gray Catbird

Warbling and Bell's Vireos

American White Pelican

Wood Ducks

Gadwall

Other species in the area

Rock Wrens (west of Hayes Center WMA)

Blue Grosbeaks everywhere

Burrowing Owls (NE Hayes County)

Indigo Bunting (just south of Hayes Center WMA)

Information courtesy of T. J. Walker of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission in North Platte.

Hitchcock County (67)

Swanson Reservoir State Recreation Area

Keith County (68)

Lake McConaughy/Kingsley Dam: At nearly 36,000 acres, this is the largest water body in Nebraska, and it was formed by damming the North Platte River. The lake is nestled along the southern edge of the Sandhills, and much of the lake is buffered by a narrow fringe of cottonwoods and mid-grass prairie. Lake levels fluctuate annually, and during drier periods the west end of the lake may contain vast mudflats and the shoreline of the entire lake is rimmed by sandy beaches. Because of its size, the lake often remains ice-free during all but the coldest winters. The diversity of birds seen in this relatively small area is amazing - nearly 340 species! Birding is good year-round, although February (gulls and waterfowl), May (shorebirds, migrant passerines), and August-December (migrant waterbirds) are probably the best times to visit. Waterfowl may be seen anywhere on the lake in season, although they tend to concentrate at the west end during migration and off the dam in winter. All of Nebraska's regularly occurring waterfowl may be seen here, including Trumpeter Swan (winter) and Cinnamon Teal (spring). The east end of the lake, especially near the dam, is excellent for migrant loons (all 4 species have been seen, and Pacific Loon is annual in fall), grebes (Clark's from spring through fall, Red-necked in fall and sometimes winter), and gulls. In Sep-Oct scan the lake for jaegers, Sabine's Gull, and Common Tern, all of which probably occur annually. Shorebirds may be found anywhere there is suitable habitat, especially at the west end of the lake in low water years. Piping Plover and Least Tern nest on the sandy beaches, and a few pairs of Snowy Plovers have nested in recent years.  Sanderlings are regular on the lake's beaches, especially in May and early June. Osprey and Peregrine Falcon are regular spring and fall migrants. In addition to the typical breeding birds, this area is good for east-west species pairs like the wood-pewees (Eastern and Western) and the grosbeaks (Rose-breasted and Black-headed).

     Stephen J. Dinsmore
 

Lake Ogallala:  This small 320 acre lake is situated directly below Kingsley dam and feeds directly into the North Platte River. The lake seldom freezes as water from Lake McConaughy feeds the lake daily through a turbine at the west end. Public access is available on all but the south shore, and an Eagle Viewing building near the turbine is open seasonally during winter (Dec-Feb). The lake is an excellent spot to view waterfowl during migration and in winter, especially Trumpeter Swan, Greater Scaup, all 3 scoters, Long-tailed Duck, and Barrow's Goldeneye, all of which occur annually. The lake is perhaps best known for the late winter concentrations of gulls that sometimes occur in Feb-Mar. If conditions are right, expect to see thousands of gulls in the tailrace often including Mew, Thayer's, Glaucous, and Lesser Black-backed and possibly something even rarer. Clark's Grebe is regular from May through October, and a wide range of other waterbirds including American Bittern, White-faced Ibis, American White Pelican, Virginia Rail, numerous shorebirds, and several species of terns also occur here regularly. The trees surrounding the lake are excellent for migrant passerines, a offer a rare chance to see eastern and western species in close proximity, e.g., Lazuli and Indigo buntings. Passerine diversity is low during winter, although Brown Creeper, Winter Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, and Yellow-rumped Warbler are regular.
Stephen J. Dinsmore
 
 

Boot Hill Cemetary in Ogallala has had Mississippi Kites in recent summers.

 

Ogallala Chamber of Commerce, (308)283-4066

Lincoln County (15)

Sutherland Reservoir: Located just a couple miles south of the town of Sutherland.

It is a large lake made to serve a coal-burning power plant.  The main lake rarely freezes,

even in the harshest winters.  The cooling pond, on the southeast side of the main lake,

freezes even less often, as warm water from the power plant goes directly into it.  Large

numbers of ducks and geese along with some gulls and Bald Eagles usually spend the winter.

There are a few public parks with mature wooded areas, some marshy areas and access to the

lake.

 

Birdwood Creek: Head north out of Sutherland (road on the east side of town, heading

north off of highway 30). Cross the North Platte River (a few miles north) and turn right on a

gravel road. Follow this road, which will wind and bend a bit until you cross a stream running

down from the sandhills (this is the Birdwood Creek). After you cross the creek, take the next

road going north for up to 6 or 7 miles, keeping an eye on the creek and the marshy areas

along its side. You might get the treat of seeing a fair number of Trumpeter Swans and their

should be a fair number of other waterfowl, probably mostly mallards. There are a couple of

east-west roads that will get you back to the Birdwood Creek, but they all dead end. Fleecs

road goes to a neat spot. Keep your eyes open for prairie-chickens in that area as well.  Stay

on the county roads as the land is all privately owned.

 

Maloney Reservoir: Located a few miles south of North Platte.

 

Cottonwood, Snell and Box Elder Canyons: Cottonwood Canyon is located south of Maxwell, Snell

Canyon is a few miles east and Box Elder is a couple miles west of Cottonwood. In contrast to

the nearby Platte River valley, these canyons are relatively steep with different species of

trees and grasses. Mountain Bluebirds, Eastern Bluebirds, Townsend's Solitaires and Cedar

Waxwings often spend winters in these canyons. There are small, man-made lakes near the mouth

of each canyon.  The lake at the mouth of Snell Canyon is good for migrating shorebirds.  It

is privately owned, but a county road runs along the entire east edge of the lake.  All 3

canyons are home to Black-headed Grosbeaks, Say's Phoebes and Rock Wrens (which nest in some

of the steep cut dirt banks) in summer, along with many other species.  With the exception of

Box Elder WMA (at the mouth of this canyon) all land is privately owned.  Take care on winding

canyon roads, with blind curves and cattle crossings (may even be cows on roads) and do not

venture into the canyons after rain or snow melt, as the roads get pretty "greasy" for a couple

of days.

 

Jeffrey Lake State Wildlife Management Area: Located about five miles south and one mile west

of Brady. The lake is man-made, part of the Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation

District's canal system. The lake is relatively small and in a steep canyon area. There are

many trees, both deciduous and evergreen, around the lake.

 

Wellfleet State Wildlife Management Area: Located just off highway 23 about 25 miles

south of North Platte. A great little lake with a primitive campground surrounded by

prairies and small canyons. There is a large marshy area at the west end of the lake.

Wellfleet is a good place for migratory songbirds, especially sparrows.  Yellow-breasted

Chats, Bell's Vireos and other species present in summer.  Common Loon seen on the lake

during fall of 2003.  This area is owned by the village of Wellfleet and maintained on a

limited budget, please consider a small donation at the drop box located at the entrance

to the park.  The upper end of the lake is managed as a Wildlife Management Area by the

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

Most of this information courtesy of T. J. Walker of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

in North Platte.

 

Perkins County (74)

If you have a favorite birding area in this county, please contact Robin Harding

at the address given below.

Red Willow County (48)

    Barnett Park:  Located on the south edge of McCook, on the west side of highway 83 and on the
    north side of the Republican River.  The park includes a few small lakes with an assortment of
    domestic and wild waterfowl.  There is also a nature trail through the trees along the river
    which is a great place to look for woodland birds.

In cooperation with the University of Nebraska at Kearney