Life Sciences Commons^™

Sighting Of A Canyon Wren In Knox County, Nebraska, Mark A. Brogie

Nebraska Bird Review

The Canyon Wren (Catherpes mexicanus) is found in all states west of the Rocky Mountains; however, east of the Rockies it resides only in western Oklahoma, and in western and central Texas, with a separate population in the Black Hills of Wyoming and South Dakota. It has never been recorded in North Dakota or Kansas, or in any state whose entire boundaries lie east of the 100^th meridian (DeSante and Pyle 1986). This species is almost entirely resident over its range, although a few most northerly populations depart in winter, and there are some altitudinal migrations to …

Index To Volume 60, R. G. Cortelyou

Nebraska Bird Review

INDEX TO VOLUME 60

Compiled by R. G. Cortelyou, 5109 Underwood Avenue, omaha, Nebraska 68132

Accipiter sp. 41

Albino 69, 70

Alewife 54

Alexander, Irene 41

Alfred, Norris 35, 148

Allison, Mary 41

Amiotte, Sue 41

An Additional Nebraska Record of Common Eider? 149

Anderson, C. L. 65(2)

Anschutz, Steven 152

Ault, Jim 149, 167

Avocet, American 3, 10, 11, 30, 66, 94, 95, 138, 142, 145

....

Wingfield, Gregg 60, 65 Wolf 156, 157

Wood, Donald 35, 149, Gertrude 35, 41, 149

Wood-Pewee, Eastern 3, 16, 17, 108, 109, 141, 142, 145(2), 146, 167

Western 16, 17, 78, 106, …

International Migratory Bird Day, May 8, 1993

Nebraska Bird Review

The Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center, in cooperation with the Information and Education Working Group of Partners in Flight, is coordinating this first annual event. Individuals and organizations throughout the Western Hemisphere will focus on the conservation of birds that migrate across the Americas. Citizens will participate in bird counts, develop educational displays and other activities, and band together to restore and protect fragile habitats.

Masthead From Nebraska Bird Review (December 1992)

Nebraska Bird Review

Published quarterly in March, June, September, and December by the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union, Inc. as its official Journal, and sent to members not in arrears for dues. Annual subscription rates (on a calendar year basis only) are $12.50 in the United States, $15.00 in Canada and Mexico, and $17.50 for all other countries, payable in advance. Single copies are $4.00 each, postpaid, in the United States; $5.00 elsewhere. Send orders for back issues of the NBR to Thomas E. Labedz, NOU Librarian, W-436 Nebraska Hall, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68588-0514.

Memberships in NOU (on a calendar year basis only): …

Corrections In Vol. 60, No. 3, P.78, 1992, Rosalind Morris

Nebraska Bird Review

Richard C. Rosche detected two errors in the bird list for the fall field trips in Dawes and Sioux counties. The Chuck-will's widow reported for Sioux County was not seen and should be deleted from the list. The Yellow-bellied Woodpecker reported in Dawes and Sioux counties should be Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. Please inform me about any questionable items, and the corrections will be published in the following issue of the NBR.

Nebraska Ornithologists' Union Annual Meeting, May 14-16, 1993

Nebraska Bird Review

The NOU Annual Meeting will be held at the Marina Inn, South Sioux city, NE, with field trips scheduled for nearby areas. For further information, contact George Brown, President, 2018, 12th Ave., Kearney, NE (308/237-3864), or Scott Purdy, Vice Pres., 2222 Bellwood Drive, Apt. 104, Grand Island, NE 68801 (308/384-8903).

"Notes On Bird Sightings," From Nebraska Bird Review (December 1992)

Nebraska Bird Review

Notes from contributions to "A Bird’s Eye View" (Audubon Society of Omaha) by Ruth C. Green, 506 W. 31 Ave .. Bellevue, NE 68005

AMERICAN WHITE unusually early Lake in western Offut Base Lake PELICAN. Flocks of this species were seen in 1992 fall migration by Julie Schroeder on Curtis Douglas County on July 22, and by Ruth Green at in Bellevue, Sarpy County on July 29.

CATTLE EGRET. In mid-July, 1992, Ruth identified a male Cattle Egret in full breeding plumage as it was chasing insects in the yard of Bob and Elaine Sabin, Bellevue.

RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD. On August …

Book Review Of Gladys Black's "Iowa Birdlife" From Nebraska Bird Review December 1992, Hazel Scheiber

Nebraska Bird Review

This book is a compilation of 100 of the articles that were published in the Des Moines Register from 1982 to 1992. The profits from the sale of the book will support Conservancy projects to protect and preserve the Iowa bird habitats described in the book.

The author's locale is Pleasantville, a small town southeast of Des Moines in the area around Lake Red Rock, which is between Pella and Knoxville. She has made bird observations every day for 35 years. Through her articles, talks, and field trips, she has done more than anyone else in Iowa to bring the …

Nebraska Bird Review (December 1992) 60(4), Whole Issue

Nebraska Bird Review

Table of Contents

Corrections in Vol. 60 No.3, P. 78 1992…………………….152

Whooping Crane Sightings in Nebraska, Fall 1992…………………….152

International Migratory Bird Day, May 8, 1993 …………………….153

Nebraska Ornithologists' Union Annual Meeting, May 14-16, 1993…………………….153

Bird Items and Their Use in Some Omaha Indian Artifacts …………………….154

Sighting of a Canyon Wren in Knox County, Nebraska …………………….163

Notes on Bird Sightings…………………….166

Book Review…………………….168

Index to Volume 60 …………………….170

Whooping Crane Sightings In Nebraska, Fall 1992, Steven Anschutz

Nebraska Bird Review

Steven Anschutz, Nebraska state Supervisor at the Nebraska/Kansas Field Office of the Fish and Wildlife Service, U. S. Dept. of Interior, Grand Island, NE, has supplied Whooping Crane migration data for the fall season, 1992. Some general aspects of the migration will be given, but specific sightings will be limited to Nebraska. Further information can be obtained from Mr. Wally Jobman at the office given above, 203 West Second Street, Grand Island, NE 68801.

Based on the breeding-ground surveys during the summer of 1992, about 148 birds were expected to arrive at Aransas wildlife Refuge during the fall. A total …

Nebraska Ornithologists' Union Business Meetings, 1992, From Minutes By Todd Jensen, Secretary, Todd Jensen

Nebraska Bird Review

Executive board meeting held in Kearney, Nebraska, February 29, 1992. Seven (7) members present.

Tom Labedz, Librarian, said that a new slide projector had been purchased and is owned by the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union (NOU).

Moving of the NOU library, including archives, from its current location in Nebraska Hall, UNL was discussed. Moved by Gary Lingle, seconded by Alice Kenitz, and passed unanimously that we investigate the possibility of depositing the archives in the Nebraska state Historical Society, which is willing to accept them.

Records Committee

Alan Grenon moved out of Nebraska and resigned as Chairman.

Moved by Gary Lingle, …

Masthead From Nebraska Bird Review (September 1992)

Nebraska Bird Review

Published quarterly in March, June, September, and December by the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union, Inc. as its official Journal, and sent to members not in arrears for dues. Annual subscription rates (on a calendar year basis only) are $12.50 in the United States, $15.00 in Canada and Mexico, and $17.50 for all other countries, payable in advance. Single copies are $4.00 each, postpaid, in the United States; $5.00 elsewhere. Send orders for back issues of the NBR to Thomas E. Labedz, NOU Librarian, W-436 Nebraska Hall, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68588-0514.

Memberships in NOU (on a calendar year basis only): …

102 Species Seen During Fall Field Trip, September 18-20, 1992, Scott Purdy

Nebraska Bird Review

102 Species Seen During Fall Field Trip, September 18-20, 1992

D=Dawes County, S= Sioux County

Horned Grebe (S), Western Grebe (D, S), American White Pelican (D), Double-crested Cormorant (D), Great Blue Heron (D, S), Wood Duck (S), Mallard (S), Blue-winged Teal (D, S), Gadwall (S), American Wigeon (D, S), Redhead (D), Ruddy Duck (D, S), Turkey Vulture (D, S), Northern Harrier (D, S), Sharp-shinned Hawk (S), Cooper's Hawk (S), Swainson's Hawk (S), Red-tailed Hawk (D, S), Ferruginous Hawk (D), Rough-legged Hawk (S), Golden Eagle (S), American Kestrel (D, S), Prairie Falcon (D, S), Ring-necked Pheasant (D), Sharp-tailed Grouse (S), Wild …

125 Species Seen During Annual Spring Meeting, May 15-17, 1992, Scott Purdy

Nebraska Bird Review

Total: 125 species. County abbreviations: C=Chase, D=Dundy, F=Frontier, H=Hayes, HI=Hitchcock, R=Red willow, AII=seen in all 5 counties.

Common Loon (HI), Eared Grebe (F), Western Grebe (HI), American White Pelican (F, R), Double-crested Cormorant (F, H, HI, R), Great Blue Heron (F, H, HI, R), Green-backed Heron (D, H, R), Black-crowned Night-Heron (F, R), White-faced Ibis (H, R), Canada Goose (F, R), Wood Duck (F, H, R), Green-winged Teal (F), Mallard (D, F, HI, R), Blue-winged Teal (D, F, HI, R), Gadwall (HI), Redhead (F), Hooded Merganser (HI), Ruddy Duck (F), Turkey Vulture (All), Northern Harrier (F, HI, R), Cooper's Hawk …

An Additional Nebraska Record Of Common Eider?, W. Ross Silcock

Nebraska Bird Review

An "Iowa" record of Common Eider to date has apparently not been considered as a Nebraska record (Johnsgard 1980, Bray et al. 1986). A note was published by Philip Dumont in 1934 (Wilson Bulletin 46: 203), describing a bird that was shot by a hunter on the Missouri River below Sioux City, Iowa on November 1, 1901--Dumont cited measurements that established the specimen as an example of Somateria mollissima v. nigra, the western race of Common Eider. Dumont wrote that "this record might be claimed as Nebraskan as well as Iowan", a statement noted by Tate (1969) on …

Spring 1992 Occurrence Report

Nebraska Bird Review

During the reporting period from January 1 through June 30, 1992, 305 species were observed in Nebraska. The reports came from 56 counties, and ranged from one-date observations to the six-month range. For comparison, there were 301 species recorded in 1991 with reports from 34 counties. The number of counties was increased significantly in 1992, particularly in the western part of Nebraska.

Records covering the six-month period, or several dates over a shorter span of time, are presented in Table 1. The same species are listed on facing pages (except for page 136) for two groups of counties, which are …

Nebraska Bird Review Whole Issue (September 1992)

Nebraska Bird Review

Table of Contents

Nebraska Ornithologists' Union Business Meetings, 1992 ... 76

List of Bird Species Seen during 1992 Annual Spring Meeting ... 77

List of Bird Species Seen during 1992 Fall Field Trip ... 78

Spring 1992 Occurrence Report ... 79

Table for Spring 1992 Occurrence Report ... 80

Sighting Documentation for Spring 1992 Occurrence Report ... 137

Additional County Observations, Spring 1992 ... 141

Reporters and Observers for Spring 1992 Occurrence Report ... 146

An Additional Nebraska Record of Common Eider? ... 149

Notes On Bird Sightings

Nebraska Bird Review

Brown Pelican in Nebraska. A BROWN PELICAN arrived at DeSoto Wildlife Refuge sometime during the last week of April 1992 and was still there on May 8 with a flock of WHITE PELICANS.

Longspurs, Black Scoters, and Cormorants. Just after the snowstorm on April 20-21, 1992, I saw LAPLAND LONGSPURS south of Bellevue, feeding on a windswept patch of ground. In their midst were two CHESTNUT-COLLARED LONGSPURS, which rarely migrate through eastern Nebraska. On April 28, 1992, I saw two BLACK SCOTERS swimming on the Missouri River by Child's Hollow in Fontenelle Forest. I also saw DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS swimming on …

Masthead From Nebraska Bird Review (June 1992)

Nebraska Bird Review

Published quarterly in March, June, September, and December by the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union, Inc., as its official Journal, and sent to members not in arrears for dues. Annual subscription rates (on a calendar year basis only) are $12.50 in the United States, $15.00 in Canada and Mexico, and $17.50 for all other countries, payable in advance. Single copies are $4.00 each, postpaid, in the United States; $5.00 elsewhere. Send orders for back issues of the NBR to Thomas E. Labedz, NOU Librarian, W-436 Nebraska Hall, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68588-0514. Memberships in NOU (on a calendar year basis only): …

Nebraska Bird Review Whole Issue (June 1992) 60(2)

Nebraska Bird Review

Table of Contents

Bald and Golden Eagle Sightings in Nebraska … 52

Bald Eagles Hatched in Nebraska … 59

Fall 1991 and Spring 1992 Whooping Crane Reports … 61

1990 Nebraska Nesting Reports … 64

Notes on Bird Sightings … 69

Reaction of Starlings to a Dark-phase Red-tailed Hawk … 70

Peregrine Falcon Nesting Success in Omaha, Nebraska … 71

NOU Winter Meeting, Kearney, Nebraska … 71

Book Review … 72

Book Announcements … 73

Bald And Golden Eagle Sightings In Nebraska

Nebraska Bird Review

Big Bend Audubon Society and others, Kearney: Bald Eagles

Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District: Bald Eagles

National Wildlife Federation: Bald and Golden Eagles

Bald Eagles Hatched in Nebraska

Fall 1991 And Spring 1992 Whooping Crane Reports

Nebraska Bird Review

Information on whooping crane sightings along the migration routes was summarized and distributed by the Fish and wildlife Service Nebraska/Kansas Field Office in Grand Island. Many organizations and individuals participated in this important project. A few general comments will be made before giving details of the Nebraska sightings.

The first dates for confirmed sightings of whooping cranes on the fall 1991 migration were August 12 in Canada (Saskatchewan) and October 8 in the United States (Nebraska); the last date was November 19 in Oklahoma. A total of 132 whooping cranes (82 adults, 42 subadults, and 8 juveniles) spent the winter …

Book Announcements, Rosalind Morris

Nebraska Bird Review

Paul R. Ehrlich, David S. Dobkin, and Darryl Wheye. 1992. Birds in Jeopardy. Stanford University Press, Stanford, CA 94305. 272 pages; $17.95 paper, $45 cloth.

This book provides an overview of the extent of declines, as well as current conditions, of each bird that is federally protected, or is recognized by the National Audubon Society to be undergoing cyclic declines, in Canada and the United States, including Hawaii and Puerto Rico. The text for each bird includes topics such as requirements for successful nesting and feeding, worldwide and North American breeding ranges, and current status of imperilment. According to …

1990 Nebraska Nesting Reports, Norma Johnson-Mueller, Rosalind Morris

Nebraska Bird Review

The number of counties covered and the number of observers decreased in 1990 when compared with the previous three years. In 1990, only least tern and piping plover nests were recorded in 9 of the 36 counties by 4 of the 23 observers. The information on these two species is presented in Table 1. Observers included Mark Brohman, John Dinan, and Greg Wingfield ( Nebraska Game and Parks commission), John Sidle (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service), Eileen Kirsch, and Jeanine Lackey.

Nesting records of other species are given in Table 2 (pages 66-69).

Peregrine Falcon Nesting Success In Omaha, Nebraska, Rosalind Morris

Nebraska Bird Review

During May and June 1992, there were several articles in the Omaha World-Herald on a pair of Peregrine Falcons, which chose the top of the 28-story Woodmen Tower for a nest site. The male was one of a group of chicks brought from the University of Minnesota and raised on the top of Woodmen Tower. He was released from the Tower in 1989 and has returned each year since then. In 1992 he came with a mate, who had been released from a building in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1991.

Three eggs were laid in the hack box on consecutive …

Nebraska Ornithologists' Union Winter Meeting, Kearney, Nebraska, Scott Purdy

Nebraska Bird Review

About 30 people attended the meeting at the Ramada Inn on February 28-29 and March 1, 1992. On Friday evening, hors d'oeuvres were enjoyed while watching videos on the snowy owl, golden eagle, and identification of waterfowl.

The weather was unusually mild through the weekend, with temperatures in the 70-to-80-degree range. An early morning field trip to Rowe Sanctuary provided a fantastic show of Sandhill Cranes, geese, ducks, and Bald Eagles. Field trips were made to other birding spots on Saturday and Sunday mornings. A total of 63 species was seen in eight counties. The list of species is given …

Review Of 'My Way To Ornithology' By Olin Pettingill, Jr., Paul A, Johnsgard

Nebraska Bird Review

Most Nebraskans who recognize this author's name probably will remember him as a cinematographer and lecturer in the Audubon Screen Tour series. The series was a regular part of live entertainment in Lincoln and Omaha until the early 1960s.

Other bird-oriented people will know that Pettingill wrote two of the first and still best regional bird-finding books (detailed guidebooks to bird-finding localities in the states east and west of the Mississippi, respectively). Perhaps still others will remember him as a one-time teacher of ornithology at Carleton College and the University of Michigan Biological Station, or as a director of the …

Reaction Of Starlings To A Dark-Phase Red-Tailed Hawk, Barbara L. Wilson

Nebraska Bird Review

The role of polymorphism in bird plumage has been debated. One theory is that prey species become familiar with the common plumages of raptors and avoid them, but are unlikely to recognize unusual plumages as indicating dangerous birds (Clarke 1969). In other words, the rare plumage acts as a sort of disguise. This theory assumes that prey learn the appearance of their predators, but since prey that encounter hawks often end up dead, the opportunity for learning may be limited (Arnason 1978). An incident at Bellevue, Nebraska supports the hypothesis that an unusual color phase can act as a disguise.

Survey Of Mollusks Of The Platte River: Final Report, Patricia W. Freeman, Keith Perkins

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

A survey of the mollusks of the Platte River was carried out during the summers of 1990 and 1991. With the exception of the Big Bend Reach of the River in Dawson, Buffalo and Hall counties, no unionids (mussels) were found in the main channel of the river. We found 11 species of mussels along the river and 16 species of snails at 49 different sites from east to west across the state. We found the Asiatic clam, a known, non-native, pest species, for the first time in the state placing it several hundred miles west of the present eastern …

1991 Nebraska Christmas Bird Count

Nebraska Bird Review

1991 NEBRASKA CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT

The 1991 count yielded a total of 109 identified species (Table 2), and seven not identified to species (Table 1). The number of individual birds totaled 109,335 (Tables 1 and 2). In comparison with the previous two years, there was an increase in the number of identified species in 1991, but a decrease in the number of individual birds, which follows the trend of recent years. The number of reporting locations was 10 in 1991 compared to 6 in 1990 and 14 in 1989. The data and conditions on the dates chosen for the counts …