Proposed Field Trips for Saturday and Sunday
 

FIELD TRIP 1:  NW LINCOLN COUNTY AND MCPHERSON COUNTY
Field Trip Leader:  Wayne Mollhoff (BBA Coordinator)

COUNTIES INCLUDED:  Lincoln and McPherson

Narrative:  Minutes from North Platte you will enter hay meadows that species such as Eastern Meadowlarks, Bobolinks, Upland Sandpipers and Wilson’s Snipe call home for the summer.  Watch adjacent cattail marsh habitat for Virginia Rails, Sora, Marsh Wrens and Swamp Sparrows where small shrubs and trees are present nearby.  From there, head north along the Whitehorse Creek watching for Canada Geese, puddle ducks and even divers and other waterbirds on the small reservoirs along highway 97.  If it is a calm morning, listen for Greater Prairie-chickens along highway 97, you may even find a Sharp-tailed Grouse or two along this highway.  Once you pass through Tryon (which is worth a stop for urban/urban woodland associated species) head west on Highway 92 towards Schick and Diamond Bar Lakes.  Don’t be surprised to find Trumpeter Swans on nests, and other Sandhill wetland breeders hanging around these lakes.  Once you have had your fill of Diamond Bar Lake, head south back towards Sutherland where the group will have to make a choice between more North Platte River birding (and associated deciduous woodlands where species like Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Eastern Wood-Pewees and other “eastern birds” are likely present) or more open water birding at Sutherland Reservoir which is well known for Western Grebes, various gulls and terns, many other waterbirds and various shorebirds as well.  Either way, you will end by heading east back into North Platte.

Detailed Route Instructions:

From North Platte, go north on Dewey (Highway 83 through town) to North River Road

Turn left, go 1/2 mile to Washboard Road and turn right (1 mile up road, you enter BBA block L212)  between 1 and 1.5 miles N, stop a couple times to look for birds in meadows, wet areas, cattail marsh, and isolated trees/shrubs.

Go north to T intersection, turn left, go 1.5 miles west

Turn Right, follow this road to Highway 97 (in block L212 until road angles to NW at which time you will actually enter block L213)

Turn Left on Highway 97, find opportunistic safe stopping locations (farm lanes) to observe the small reservoir(s) along highway 97

Follow Highway 97 to Tryon if it is still early enough (< 1 hour after sunrise or so) be listening for prairie-chickens and watching hill tops for GPCH or STGR leks

NOTE:  At the Highway 97/Highway 92 Intersection you are at the SW corner of BBA block M203 time allowing, you may want to do some survey work there note however that south to north road shown through eastern third of block no longer goes through and is not passable nor public

Stop in Tryon to get EC Doves and other “urban” species and probably find a spot for a Pit Stop (might be a good idea to get “brunch” or a snack at the gas station).

Follow highway 92 west from Tryon approximately 15 miles to the west you will find Schick Lake on the North side of the Highway worth a stop to look for waterfowl and other waterbirds

Go 3 more miles west, then turn south on “blacktop” and go 3 miles to Diamond Bar Lake (at 2 miles South of Highway 92 you will enter BBA Block M202)  if you have 4 wheel drive vehicles, there is a gate towards the SE end of the lake where the property can be entered (we have public fishing access agreement on this privately owned Sandhills Lake).  Watch far NW corner of lake and wetland beyond for Trumpeter Swans  nested there in 2006.  Good lake for Sandhills waterbirds.

Follow “gravel” (sand) road south to T, turn left, then right, then left.  Go 5 miles to T and turn right on blacktop.  1 mile down blacktop you will re-enter Lincoln County (at curve in road).  Stop at bridge on West Birdwood Creek.

Continue south  about 2 miles down the road, stop at the prairie dog town (only dog town on this road so if my distance is off, just stop when you see a prairie dog town)

Continue south and southeast, watch for nesting Swainson’s Hawks and Shrikes

Just before the North Platte River bridge, turn left (east) and follow this road between the dunes and cottonwood forest for a mile.  Stop in here in a couple of spots good place to find “lost” eastern deciduous songbirds like Eastern Wood-pewees, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and Indigo Buntings (others???) head back west.

Continue south to North Platte River bridge stop here.

Continue south into Sutherland turn right at Highway 30 (Chance for another Pit Stop, and a late lunch break.  The store right by the new overpass usually has a decent lunch special.)

Go west to new overpass and head towards I-80 and Sutherland Reservoir.

Follow highway 25 S to Sutherland Reservoir (after going under interstate, and curving west, where the road curves back to south you will enter BBA Block L207) the inlet area, turn into inlet area (park stickers required) dense young forest, old pines and other trees along this road worth a look.  Follow road to boat ramp check water head back to highway.

Head south 1 mile, turn left about 2/3 to 3/4 of a mile, at crest of hill, straight south of powerplant stop and take a look at the borrow pit pond/wetland across road to south.

Continue east just over 2 more miles and turn left, go 1 mile north and turn left into Cooling pond area variety of vegetation, plus water, work way to boat ramp area (will drive between cooling pond and reservoir itself look for waterbirds return to county road.  Note that restrooms are available around the campground areas.

Head North 1 mile to Antelope Road, turn right (east) follow road until you see prairie dog town on N side of road if NO burrowing owls at previous dog town, stop.

Continue east If NO burrowing owls yet, take next right go 1 mile to intersection and turn left (prairie dog SE of intersection and east of farm woodlot to east) follow Walker Road to North Platte.

IF you have burrowing owls already, but no Bobolinks stay on Antelope Road and watch hay meadows for them, then continue E and S to Walker Road, turn left, return to North Platte.  

If time allows, could then work some of block L208 by going south to State Farm Road, turning left and heading east.  BBA block L208 begins at the east edge of the south hatchery ponds right side of road, includes Walmart Distribution Center property.  Go past Newberry 1/2 mile east and head north on Hidden Lakes Road neat spots to stop along this one.  Follow north to South Platte River, west to Newberry, north to Sewage Ponds.  

If time allows could then head east on Highway 30, North from airport across tracks to Hall School Road, west to highway 83 working BBA Block L210.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

FIELD TRIP 2:  Loess Canyons, Welfleet Lake, Southern Sandhills and SW Playas.
Field Trip Leader:  Tim Hermansen, Fish and Wildlife Biologist II, Nebraska Game and
Parks Commission, North Platte

COUNTIES INCLUDED:  Lincoln, Frontier and Hayes

Narrative:  Get a taste of the Loess Canyons, Southern Sandhills, Southwest Playa Wetlands and small reservoirs that exist South of North Platte.  The Loess Canyons are an area where “east meets west” and “forest meets the grasslands” where each stop can produce a totally different suite of birds.  Not only that, they are also very scenic and are anything but “flat” like Nebraska.  Along with good chances of finding things like Say’s Phoebe, Rock Wren and Black-headed Grosbeaks, you may also see a mixture of eastern deciduous forest songbirds.  Of course there will be a good mixture of prairie species present in locations as well, and those associated with shrubs will also be accounted for.  You might also be fortunate enough to see some Mule Deer and possibly even an elk or two.  From the Canyons, you will head west to a portion of the Southwest Playas in NE Hayes County and Hayes Center Lake, where a former reservoir is currently a nice mix of wetland, weeds and shrubbery surrounded by deciduous trees and grassland.  Rails and Green Herons among other wetland birds are not unheard of in the cattail marshes along the Red Willow Creek here.  Next you will head back past more playa wetlands up to Wellfleet Lake which is usually a pretty good migrant trap and has a good mixture of woodland, shrubland and wetland.  Finally, you will get a brief trip through the “southern Sandhills” SW of North Platte, ending up at Lake Maloney where hopefully there will be a few waterbirds hanging around.  If time allows and birds are present, a brief walk at the Hatchery Ponds might be a good “last minute” addition before returning to the hotel.
 

Detailed Route Instructions:

From North Platte, Head east on I-80 to Maxwell Interchange.

Exit and head south about 1/3 mile south, at intersection, you will enter BBA Block L205.  Stop at bridges of south portions of South Channel.

Turn West on Blacktop, stop by cattails/slough continue west.

Take next county road to N, then NW then W.  Watch meadows and ditches, etc.

At blacktop, turn to south.  Go S and then follow blacktop curve to SE then E. (Back into BBA Block L205.

Go 1 mile, turn S, go 1/2 mile then E.  Maybe stop at Fort McPherson National Cemetary but keep it brief there.

Follow blacktop road S, E, S, E and S.  Go into Snell Canyon.  Stop along private reservoir in Snell Canyon Road to look for waterbirds/shorebirds.

Follow Snell Canyon Road “South” and then Curtis Creek Canyon Road South also until you enter BBA Block L201 (you will come out of a valley hit flat land as the road curves and then heads straight east).  Feel free to stop at areas of mixed deciduous trees, shrubs and grassland along the Snell and Curtis Creek Canyon Roads.  Watch for Rock Wrens near cut dirt banks.

Head South 1 mile, then east 1.5 miles, then S and SE to S County Line Road, then west on Minimum Maintenance road (if conditions allow) 2.5 miles.

Turn South into Frontier County (out of block L201 and into block F305) and go 1 mile.

Turn west and go 2.5 miles, find place to turn around and go back to get on Highway 23 and head S then W into Curtis.  (Pit Stop and Chance to Grab Lunch at Gas Station or at other local eatery Curtis Cattle Company is pretty good.)

Head west from 83/23 Intersection towards Hayes County.

If conditions are favorable (dry), turn onto Brushy Creek Road and follow into Hayes County.

Work way S and W and N to Hayes Center Lake (in BBA Block H404) and if possible, lead group up E side of lake.

If conditions are favorable, lead group NW on minimum maintenance road, north, then east (another minimum maintenance road be VERY sure on this one bottom can be VERY bad) and then east and north to Welfleet Lake.

Lead Group up east side of Welfleet Lake and then back out (There are PRIMITIVE restroom facilities at this site).  There is a small restaurant in Wellfleet if anyone needs anything before proceeding.

Head NW on County Road that angles up to Highway 23 W of 83.

Cross highway and go N, E, N, E then N 4 miles (where you will enter BBA block L202).  Work that block for an hour or so, where roads/road conditions/vehicles will allow (maybe split up 4X4 take the “trail” road and others stay on county road).

Head N 2 miles past BBA Block L202, then E to Highway 83. Head North on Highway 83 2 miles (at 1 mile N, you will enter BBA Block L204).

Turn left (W) on S lake road, follow around Maloney Reservoir, stopping at all public access points, including the inlet/Jack Harkreader pond (which are technically outside of BBA Block, and then around to Campground/beach/boatdock/outlet area).

Head back to 83 and take “Dodge Hill Road” and maybe stop at the “Lovers’ Lane” overlook of town.  If time allows, could briefly walk around the Hatchery Ponds if any waterfowl or shorebirds worth noting are in the area before calling it a day.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

FIELD TRIP 3:  PAWNEE CREEK, SANDHILLS & GARFIELD TABLE PLAYAS
Field Trip Leader:  T. J. Walker, District Manager ? Partners Section, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, North Platte

COUNTIES INCLUDED:  Lincoln, Custer and Logan

Narrative:  Experience a combination of Sandhills, Platte River valley and meadows, Playa Wetlands and the South Loup River in this trip.  After heading east from North Platte, we will sample some wetland sites along Pawnee Creek where a variety of shorebirds and meadow loving birds will be located.  Then we will head north out of Brady, where hopefully we will get to hear the booming of Greater Prairie-chickens along with the other morning sounds of the Sandhills.  After passing through some Sandhills, we will go into an area known as the “Garfield Table” where the playa wetlands have been VERY full this spring due to abundant rainfall and should be holding a variety of shorebirds and waterfowl.  After a brief stop at Arnold State Recreation Area (a small lake surrounded by large cottonwoods and other trees) we will venture back into playa country and then along the South Loup River in Logan County, where some spring fed wetlands should hold a variety of birds as well.  Then we will work our way through a mixed landscape of Sandhills, cropland and scattered shelterbelts and other trees on our way back to North Platte.  If time allows, we may also visit the White Horse Creek and “Airport Meadows” before returning to the hotel.

Detailed Route Instructions:

From North Platte, head E on I-80, exit at Maxwell.

Stop for a brief look at the Maxwell interchange I-80 lake to look for any odd waterbirds on the surface (this is in the SW corner of BBA Block L206).

Head North to Maxwell, possibly stopping at the Platte River bridge.

Turn right on Highway 30, and then left onto “Slant Road”.

Follow Slant Road 2.5 miles, stopping every 1/2-mile or so, then head south 1 mile back to highway 30 (with a couple of stops) to document birds in the BBA block.

Head east toward Brady, go 2 miles and turn north on W Pawnee Road.  Go about 1 mile North and then head east and south back to Highway 30.  Stop at bridges and wetlands along the way.

Take Highway 30 east to Brady and chalk up collared doves and other “urban species”, possibly visiting T. J. Walker’s feeders.  Chance for a Pit Stop and snack break at the Brady Get-N-Go.

Head up North Brady Road into Sandhills, stopping occasionally to listen for prairie-chickens.

Follow N Brady Road North and East (possibly including Wildlife Road) and go past Purcel’s CRP MAP site, then east toward Weinman’s, stopping at playa wetlands as we go from here on.  

Follow County Roads E and S to Highway 40/47 interchange and visit Prairie Dog town to see Burrowing Owls.

Follow Highway 40 to Callaway (Pit Stop?) and then take the Blacktop Road NW out of Callaway towards Arnold.  Stop in BBA block C906 to document breeding birds there.

Continue down blacktop west toward Arnold, cutting across at the “correction line road” to highway 40, then head north to Arnold, with a brief stop at Arnold State Rec Area.

Head West on Highway 92 into Logan County.

Follow highway 92 4.5 miles into Logan County and turn left.  Wind way through S Logan and NE Lincoln County looking at more playa wetlands on route to BBA block L301.  Maybe divide and conquer to document breeding bird activity in this block and then head north up highway 92 to Stapleton.  Chance for a Pit Stop and to grab a bite to eat at highway gas station or other facility?.

Go north along highway 83 (entering into BBA Block L302) checking the wetlands along the highway, and then back into Stapleton, checking the sewage ponds on the way into town.  Check Stapleton for EC Doves and other “urban” breeders.

Head West on Highway 92 about 1.5 miles, then start working over block L304 and its associated wetlands, meadows and woodlots.

Work way south back to Lincoln County, then S and W to block L214.  Work it over (divide and conquer) and then get back on Highway 83 and head south towards North Platte.

If time allows go through White Horse Creek meadows, “Airport Meadows” and maybe even to the sewage ponds before returning to the hotel.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Proposed Field Trips for Sunday May 20th
 

Greater Prairie-chicken lek viewing depart from North Platte at 6:00 AM (possibly earlier if group wants to get “full effect”).  Participants will be able to join up with 2 or 3 below, or survey other BBA blocks in area.

More Loess Canyons Birding More in-depth Breeding Bird Atlas surveys on Wildlife Management Areas SE of North Platte including Wapiti WMA and Cedar Valley WMA depart at 7:00 AM.
 

More North Platte River Birding More in-depth Breeding Bird Atlas surveys on Wildlife Management Areas west of North Platte including North River WMA and Muskrat Run WMA depart at 7:00 AM, waterproof footwear is a good idea.
 
 
 
 

Are there any adventurous souls that would like to assist with nighttime surveys?
 

If anyone is interested, we have a need to survey BBA blocks and Biologically Unique Landscapes (such as the Loess Canyons) for night active species potentially including Great Horned Owls, Eastern Screech Owls, Long-eared Owls, Short-eared Owls, Barn Owls, Common Poorwills, Virginia Rail, Sora, etc.

If anyone is interested, please contact T. J. Walker (308)535-8025 or (308)530-5115