Life Sciences Commons^™

Eskimo Curlew Sighted

Nebraska Bird Review

When Craig Faanes, Grand Island, went to the Mormon Island Crane Meadows 16 April 1987 to watch Sandhill Cranes at night he saw a bird that he first took for a Whimbrel. He was familiar with Whimbrels on both coasts, but the more he studied the bird the more he was convinced that the bird was an Eskimo Curlew. After he had gone to the natural history museum at UNL and studied a stuffed Eskimo Curlew be was convinced that that was what he had seen. After the date of this sighting Eskimo Curlews were reported from "the Sabine and …

First Report Of The Nou Records Committee, Wayne J. Mollhoff

Nebraska Bird Review

Since this is the first report of the NOU Records Committee, perhaps a few words of background explanation are in order. I was named to establish a records committee at the annual meeting of the NOU in May 1985. At the fall field day in October 1985 I met with those people who had indicated a willingness to serve and was named chairman. I presented a draft set of by-laws, which we discussed, amended, and adopted. The committee membership and by-laws were approved by the NOU Board of Directors and ultimately published (NBR 54:72-74, ]986). Two of the main …

Index To Volume 55

Nebraska Bird Review

Index to Volume 55 (A-Z)

Accipiter sp. 4

Albino 7, 81, 88, 89

Alexander, George 7 Irene 7

Alfalfa 36

Alfred, Norris 15, 33(2), 59, 79 Wberry, Dwight 43

Allen, Betty 3

Andelt, Frank E. 33

Anderson, James 8

Anhinga 50

Ani, Groove-billed 82

Aphids 37

Avocet, American 14, 30, 35, 54, 59

...........

Yellowlegs, Greater 14, 54, 78
Lesser 14, 35, 43, 55
sp. 14, 55

Yellowthroat, Common 23, 34, 36, 48, 53, 63, 78

Zlonke, Jack 13, 57

Notes- Nebraska Bird Review (December 1987), Charles Lesick Sr., Graham Chisholm, Bill Garthright, John Row, R. G. Cortelyou

Nebraska Bird Review

YELLOW RAILS. On 21 September 1986, while conducting a waterfowl survey on the Jack Senn WMA, near Ceresco, Lancaster Co., I flushed a small rail-like bird, which flew a short distance before landing in heavy grass. Although its flight was very similar to the Virginia Rail and the Sora, which I was accustomed to seeing, the light color and white wing patches were very distinctive. Later I checked a field guide and found that the description most closely matching this bird was that of the very secretive Yellow Rail.

I had planned to do some rail and snipe hunting the …

The Nebraska Bird Review (December 1987)- Whole Issue

Nebraska Bird Review

Table of Contents

Eskimo Curlew Sighted..............78

1987 Fall Field Day..............78

First Report of the NOU Records Committee..............79

Book Reviews..............85

Early Fall Migration of Sedge Wrens..............86

Notes..............88

Index to Volume 55..............89

1987 Fall Field Day

Nebraska Bird Review

The weather was bright and clear for the 75 people who attended some part of the 1987 Fall Field Day at the 4-H Camp at Halsey National Forest 3 and 4 October. It was nice to have Mrs. Gross, who broke her leg at the Valentine meeting, among those attending. Her leg was progressing according to schedule, although she still used a crutch, There was the usual slide show Saturday night, the rest of the time was for birding, including banding. The Executive Board decided to have the terms of members of the Records Committee start and expire with the …

Book Review- Nebraska Bird Review (December 1987)

Nebraska Bird Review

A Field Guide to Hawks of North America, William S. Clark. Illustrations by Brian K. Wheeler. 1987. Number 35 in The Peterson Field Guide Series. edited by Roger Tory Peterson. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston. xii + 198 pp., 24 color plates. 2 black-and-white plates, 241 photographs. 6 figures. 32 maps. ISB N 0- 395-36001 - 3 (hardcover) $19.95, ISBN 0-395-44112-9 (softcover) $13.95.

The softcover is a mere 4.5 x 7.25 inches, and less than 0.75 inches thick, but the wealth of information concerning the field identification of diurnal raptors is enormous. William S. Clark, from Arlington, VA, (not William H. …

Early Fall Migration Of Sedge Wrens, Paul A. Bedell

Nebraska Bird Review

Johnsgard (1980) lists the Sedge Wren (Cistothorus platensis) as an uncommon spring and fall migrant in eastern Nebraska, and a rare summer resident in eastern Nebraska, mostly east of a line from Knox to Gage counties. Half of the initial spring records occur between 1 and 12 May, with the latest 3 June. Half of the final fal1 records occur between 11 Sept. and 9 Oct., with the earliest 29 July. This paper presents observations of Sedge Wrens during 1987 in southcentral Nebraska, west of the line.

I found Sedge Wrens to be local1y common in grassy or …

Nebraska Bird Review (September 1987) 55(3), Whole Issue

Nebraska Bird Review

1987 (Sixty-second) Spring Occurrence·Report … 50

Red Knot and Red Phalarope photographs … 64

Book Reviews … 65

A Nebraska Specimen Record of Clark’s Grebe, Aechmophorus clarkii (Lawrence) … 68

Notes … 72

“Notes” From Nebraska Bird Review (September 1987) 55(3)

Nebraska Bird Review

FUNK LAGOON. We were at the Funk Lagoon 2 July 1987, toward dusk. We saw two Yellow-crowned Night-Herons, five American Bitterns, two Great Egrets, thirty Great Blue Herons, five Double-crested Cormorants, numerous Coots, Blue-winged Teal, Yellow-headed and Red-winged Blackbirds, Killdeer, a flock of Short-billed Dowitchers, and several unidentified shore birds.—George W. Brown, Kearney

WOOD DUCK CARRYING EGG. On 24 April 1987, Gail Roebuck was hiking along the north Stream Trail in Fontenelle Forest and heard Wood Duck calls. She looked up to see the female carrying something in her bill. The Duck dropped the object along the edge of the …

A Nebraska Specimen Record Of Clark’S Grebe, Aechmophorus Clarkii (Lawrence), Thomas E. Labedz

Nebraska Bird Review

Clark’s Grebe, formerly known as light-phase Western Grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis clarkii), was elevated to full species status (A. clarkii) in 1985 (American Ornithologists’ Union (AOU) 1983, 1985). This paper presents the first recorded occurrence in Nebraska of Clark’s Grebe and is documented with a specimen. Identification of Clark’s Grebe in the field is discussed, and a comparison is made of the Nebraska specimen with specimen s reported in recent literature.

“Book Reviews” From Nebraska Bird Review (September 1987) 55(3)

Nebraska Bird Review

Life Histories of North American Diving Birds. A. C. Bent. xiv + 240 + 55 pp. ot photographs. 5.375 x 8.5, Dover Publications, Inc. New York, paper, $6.95. Life Histories of North American Gulls and Terns. A. C. Bent. x + 338 + 93 pages of photographs, 5.375 x 8.5, Dover Publications, Inc. New York, paper $8.95. Dover has reprinted their original reprints of these books in the Bent series with no changes.

Wild Animals I Have Known. Ernest Thompson Seaton. xxvi + 356, 5 x 7.75, Penguin Books, New York, paper, $7.95. If this sounds familiar, …

1987 (Sixty-Second) Spring Occurrence Report

Nebraska Bird Review

Two hundred and eighty-eight species are listed in this report, from 19 locations, compared to 304 from 22 locations in 1986, 296 from 22 in 1985, and 293 from 13 in 1984.

Masthead From Nebraska Bird Review (September 1987) 55(3)

Nebraska Bird Review

Published quarterly in March, June, September, and December, by the Nebraska Ornithologists’ Union, Inc., as its official journal and sent to all members who are not in arrears for dues. Subscriptions (on a calendar year basis only) are $10.00 per year in the United States, $12.00 per year in Canada and Mexico, and $12.50 per year in all other countries, payable in advance. Single copies are $3.00 each, postpaid, in the United States; $3.50 elsewhere.

Memberships (on a calendar year basis only): Students, $3.00; Active $7.00; Sustaining $15.00; Family Active $10.00; Family Sustaining $20.00; Life $100.00.

All dues and subscriptions …

1986 Nebraska Nesting Survey, Esther V. Bennett

Nebraska Bird Review

Data on the 1986 nesting season in Nebraska were received from 20 observers and one organization, reporting on 67 species from 49 counties. Counties on the tabulation are listed in a west to east order, with the northernmost of the approximately equal locations given first. Numbers represent Nest Record Cards, A (for aliment) represents carrying food; B represents building nest; C represents copulating; E represents eggs; F represents feeding; M represents carrying nesting material; N represents nests observed for which no Nest Record Card was submitted; P represents brood patch; and Y represents young observed. Underlined numbers represent nests reported …

A Red-Naped Sapsucker In Sioux County, Nebraska, Mark A. Brogie, Ellen L. Brogie

Nebraska Bird Review

The Red-naped Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus nuchalis) has recently been recognized as a valid species (American Ornithologists' Union, 1985). Its inclusion in the avifauna of Nebraska is based on three birds, all taken in September in the northwestern corner of the state during the years 1919 and 1920 (Bray et al. 1986). Bray et al. (1985) give detailed accounts of these specimens and present an over-view of the species in Nebraska. The following, along with being the first spring record of the species in Nebraska, represents the first verified occurrence of this species in the state since 1920.

On the …

Black Rail In Knox County, Nebraska, Mark A. Brogie, Ellen L. Brogie

Nebraska Bird Review

BLACK RAIL IN KNOX COUNTY. NEBRASKA

The Black Rail (Laterallus jamaicensis) is apparently an extremely rare spring and fall migrant in Nebraska (Johnsgard, 1980). No breeding evidence for this species exists for the state. although several field guides show Nebraska at the northern edge of this rail's breeding range. A description of a Black Rail seen 22 April 1980 in Lancaster Co. (NBR 48: 88 is the only accepted record (Class III) of this species in the state (Bray et al., 1986). Whitney et al., 1978) makes no mention of this species for South Dakota. although Iowa …

Insects In Some Nebraska Crops As Food For Pheasant Chicks, R. W. Whitmore, K. P. Pruess, R.E. Gold

Nebraska Bird Review

Insect biomass was estimated for crops grown on an organic, a dryland, and an irrigated farm from 1 June to 15 July, the time period assumed important for Ring-necked Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) nesting and chick dependence on insect food. Differences due to farming system were not detected. Total insect biomass production during the season was 2,555, 2,173, and 338 mg per square m for oats-sweetclover, oats, and sweetclover, respectively. Leafhoppers were the most abundant insects in oats and oats-sweetclover, with plant bugs the most abundant in sweetclover. Mean standing crop biomass (mg per square m) of only those …

Macgillivray's Warbler In Cedar County, Nebraska, Mark A. Brogie, David A. Stage

Nebraska Bird Review

MacGillivray's Warbler (Oporornis tolmiei) is considered by Johnsgard (1980) to be a rare spring and fall migrant in western Nebraska. with most records from the Panhandle. but reported from as far east as Platte Co. Bray et al (1986) consider it regular and cite a specimen taken in Boone Co.. Whatever the status. this warbler is infrequently encountered in Nebraska. and separating this species from Mourning Warbler (Oporornis philadelphia) can often be difficult. Some authorities believe the two to be conspecific, although Hall (1979) found very few hybrid specimens and Salt (1973) found that they did …

Notes- Nebraska Bird Review June 1987

Nebraska Bird Review

PELICAN WITH SANDHILLS CRANES. On 17 October 1986, about 1:30 PM, I took a call from Mrs. Darrol Sukraw from Stapleton, who reported a flock of Sandhill Cranes (approximately 100 birds) that contained a single Whooping Crane. After questioning her about the description of the white bird, I felt her observation might be valid and asked her which direction the birds were traveling.

She informed me that the flock had just passed over Stapleton and was flying directly South down highway 83, toward North Platte. This is a distance of about 30 miles. Hoping that I could verify the Whooping …

Nebraska Bird Review June 1987 Volume 55 Number 2

Nebraska Bird Review

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1986 Nebraska Nesting Survey
The Eighty-sixth (1987) Annual Meeting
Insects in Some Nebraska Crops as Food for Pheasant Chicks
A Red-naped Sapsucker in Sioux County, Nebraska
Black Rail in Knox County. Nebraska
MacGillilvray's Warbler in Cedar County, Nebraska
Notes

The Eighty-Sixth (1987) Annual Meeting

Nebraska Bird Review

The eighty-sixth Annual Meeting was held in Valentine 15, 16, and 17 May, 1987, in conjunction with the South Dakota Ornithologists' Union. A previous joint meeting was held in Yankton, S. D. in 1959. Total attendance at some part of this meeting was 116; 6 who were members of both societies, 57 members of NOU only, 39 members of SDOU only, and 14 nonmembers. Friday night George Vandel, of the SD Game, Fish, and Parks Commission, spoke on the program, sponsored by the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, for the identification and preservation of shorebird habitat. At the …

1986 Christmas Count

Nebraska Bird Review

One hundred nine species are reported in this year's Christmas Count, eight more than last year. One species was reported present during the count week but not reported on any count, compared to two last year. Calmus-Loup made its first report this year, bringing to eleven the number of localities reporting. Fourteen species were reported on all counts; the comparable figure for. last year was also fourteen. The total individual count this year was 279,291, compared to 124,642 last year and 345,092 the year before. The Snow Goose count at DeSoto NWR and Red-winged Blackbirds and Starlings at Omaha account …

1986 (Twenty-Ninth) Fall Occurrence Report

Nebraska Bird Review

Two hundred ninety-three species (plus the possibility that the Loon sp. was not one listed) were reported from 13 "full-time" locations and 4 "spot check" locations in this report; the comparable figures for 1985 are 283 a!ld the possibility that the Empidonax species was not one listed, from 11 "full-time" and 8 "spot check" locations, 278 from 12 locations in 1984, and 262 from 10 locations in 1983.

The information is presented in a rough west (left) to east (right) order, with two locations of about the same longitude listed with the northernmost first. Two dates indicate the first and …

Book Reviews- Nebraska Bird Review March 1987

Nebraska Bird Review

Wildlife 2000 Modeling Habitat Relationships of Terestrial Vertebrates, edited by Jared Verner, Michael L. Morrison, and C. John Ralph, 496 pp., 9 x 11 1/2, The University of Wisconsin Press, Madison, Wis., bibliography, indexed, cloth, $17.50.

This book is based on the proceedings of a symposium at Stanford Sierra Camp, California, in 1984. Not all papers presented there are included; those that are were revised to reflect reactions to the presentations, and some additional papers were added to round out the presentation. The sixty papers are presented in several sections: Development, Testing, and Application of Wildlife-Habitat Models; Biometric Approaches to …

Correction To 1986 Spring Occurrence Report

Nebraska Bird Review

The text for Column 8 (Saunders Co.) gives (NBR 54:51) m = My 31 and m = Je 14. The second entry should read u = Je 14.

Notes- Nebraska Bird Review March 1987

Nebraska Bird Review

ROCK COUNTY, A pair of Cinnamon Teal, two Great Egrets, and a newly hatched clutch of Canada Geese were seen near Bassett on 26 April 1986.

--- Eldon Marsh, Box 365, Brunswick, Neb. 68720

On 19 and 20 May 1986 Mrs. Ratzlaff and I saw three White-faced Ibis on the Niobrara River, north of Bassett. They were feeding in a marsh.

--- Neal Ratzlaff, 536 Brentwood Road, Omaha, Neb. 68114

SHORT-EARED OWLS IN LANCASTER CO. Five to seven Short-eared Owls were observed on 10 January 1986, during a controlled burn on the Jack Sinn Memorial WMA, Lancaster Co. Two to …

Nebraska Bird Review- Whole Issue March 1987 Volume 55 Number 1

Nebraska Bird Review

Table of Contents

1986 Treasurer's Report................... 2

1986 Christmas Count.....................3

1936 (Twenty-ninth) Fall Occurrence Report..................8

Notes...........................22

Book Reviews.............................26

Correction to 1986 Spring Occurrence Report......................28

1986 Treasurer's Report

Nebraska Bird Review

Nebraska Bird Review

1986 TREASURERS REPORT