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Whooping Crane Sightings, August-December 1996, Steven Anschutz

Nebraska Bird Review

Based on observations of the breeding grounds during the summer of 1996, about 170 Whooping Cranes were expected to arrive at the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in Texas during the fall. The first arrival (two birds) was confirmed on 23 October. A total of 158 birds (143 adults/subadults and 15 young) were wintering at Aransas 1996-97. As of 16 January 1997, six adults and eight subadults, of the number anticipated, had not arrived at the refuge.

The first recorded dates for confirmed observations of migrating Whooping Cranes were 2 August in Canada and 22 September in the United States. The …

1995 (Seventh) Report Of The Nou Records Committee, Joseph A. Gubanyi

Nebraska Bird Review

The functions and methods of the NOU Records Committee are described in its bylaws (NOU Records Committee 1986). The committee's purpose is to provide a procedure for documenting unusual bird sightings and to establish a list of all documented birds for Nebraska. The official list of birds was last published in 1988 (NOU Records Committee 1988), and has been appended five times (Mollhoff 1989, Grenon 1990, 1991, Gubanyi 1996a, 1996b).

This report includes accounts submitted during the calendar year 1995 and covering records with accession numbers 396-450, 480-490. All records mentioned here will be available to interested persons at the …

Index From Nebraska Bird Review (December 1996)

Nebraska Bird Review

INDEX TO VOLUME 64

Alexander, George 25. 33. 34 Irene 25, 33, 34

Alfred, Norris 34 Allen, Betty 25, 82 Reid 25

Another Common Crane in Nebraska
with a Summary of North
American Records 80

....

Yellowlegs, Greater 50, 85, 94, 113
Lesser 50, 85, 94, 113

Yellowthroat, Common 63, 88, 101, 123

Zwink, Duane 24

Masthead And Table Of Contents From Nebraska Bird Review (December 1996) 64(4)

Nebraska Bird Review

Table of Contents

Fall Field Report, August-November 1996 ... 106

Observers for Fall Field Report ... 129

Whooping Crane Sightings, August-December 1996 ... 129

Notes on Bird Sightings in Nebraska ... 130

1995 (Seventh) Report of the NOU Records Committee ... 132

Book Review ... 138

Index to Volume 64 (compiled by R. G. Cortelyou) ... 139

"Book Review," From Nebraska Bird Review (December 1996) 64(4), Hazel Scheiber

Nebraska Bird Review

This book contains 18 essays based on observations Miss Sherman made on a farm in northeastern Iowa six miles west of the Mississippi River, near McGregor. The essays were given at meetings of scientific societies (she belonged to 15) or were published in their journals, and included such titles as "Feeding Winter Birds" and "Experiments in Feeding Hummingbirds During Seven Summers." She was recognized for her knowledge of birds, and her forceful and pungent wit.

Miss Sherman was born on the Iowa farm in 1853 and died there in 1943. She was an artist and teacher for the first 20 …

Fall Field Report, August-November 1996, W. Ross Silcock, Joel G. Jorgensen

Nebraska Bird Review

This fall we received numerous excellent reports from which to compile this summary. Most parts of the state are covered, except the southwest and north central, although many observers at least pass through those areas. A note about details on unusual observations. The new NOU Field Card, which can be ordered by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to the NOU Librarian, Univ of Nebraska State Museum, Lincoln, NE 68588-0514, indicates species that need complete documentations, mostly casual and accidental species. However, we realize that information about early and late migration dates, and rarity in the west or east is not …

Nebraska Bird Review (December 1996) 64(4), Whole Issue

Nebraska Bird Review

Fall Field Report, August–November 1996 … 106

Observers for Fall Field Report … 129

Whooping Crane Sightings, August–December 1996 … 129

Notes on Bird Sightings in Nebraska … 130

1995 (Seventh) Report of the NOU Records Committee … 132

Book Review … 138

Index to Volume 64 (compiled by R. G. Cortelyou) … 139

"Notes On Bird Sightings In Nebraska," From Nebraska Bird Review (December 1996)

Nebraska Bird Review

House Finches. This species has been appearing at my backyard feeders, 10 to 30 feet from our window, for several years, increasing in number each year. They came nearly every day in 1996 except during a period that I associate with post-breeding molt. Numbers varied from one to a maximum of 17 at one time, with 11 counted for the 1996 Christmas Bird Count. We commonly use 7-8 power binoculars to look for a rare Purple Finch. House Finches are noticeably smaller than House Sparrows and slightly larger than American Goldfinches, and feed with both species.

Males have varied in …

Nebraska Bird Review (September 1996) 64(3), Whole Issue

Nebraska Bird Review

A Review of the Status of Limnodromus griseus, the Short-billed Dowitcher, in Nebraska ... 74

A Late Baird’s Sandpiper in Keith County ... 79

Another Common Crane in Nebraska with a Summary of North American Records … 80

Nebraska Ornithologists’ Union Annual Meeting 18 May 1996 ... 82

NOU and NAMC Spring Bird Counts May 1996 ... 83

Table of Bird Species Observed during NOU Annual Meeting 17–19 May 1996, and NAMC 11 May 1996 in Two Counties ... 84

Summer Field Report June–July 1996 ... 90

Observers for Summer Field Report … 103

A Late Baird's Sandpiper In Keith County, Stephen J. Dinsmore

Nebraska Bird Review

On 23 December 1994, Gordon Brown and I were walking the North Platte River below Keystone Dam as part of the Lake McConaughy Christmas Bird Count (CBC). At approximately 8:30 a.m. MST, about 0.5 mi below the dam, we observed a group of 8 Killdeer and a smaller shorebird, which we immediately recognized as a "peep." We studied the bird for about 30 minutes at distances as close as 40 feet and then returned in the afternoon to photograph it. The size and black legs immediately eliminated Least Sandpiper, and the dark rump eliminated White-rumped Sandpiper. The remaining possibilities were …

Nebraska Ornithologists' Union Annual Meeting 18 May 1996, Robin Harding

Nebraska Bird Review

The 1997 Annual Meeting will be held jointly with the South Dakota and Iowa Ornithologists' Unions in South Sioux City, NE 16-18 May.

Neal Ratzlaff, President, reported on several items. Funds are being sought to publish the Breeding Bird Atlas for Nebraska. The new NOU Field Cards of Nebraska Birds are ready for distribution. The Wildlife Diversity Funding Initiative is on hold because some companies are afraid of increasing their prices. NOU members were encouraged to urge Cabela's to support the Initiative. [See NBR 63 (3) 1995, p. 91 for details.]

A request was received from Fermata, Inc., which has …

Another Common Crane In Nebraska With A Summary Of North American Records, Gary Lingle

Nebraska Bird Review

On 30 March 1996 around 1000 h CST, Bob Janssen and Jim Williams of Minnetonka, Minnesota, discovered a Common Crane (Grus grus) feeding in corn stubble with a flock of Sandhill Cranes (Grus canadensis) in Section 34 T9R10 Hall County, Nebraska. The Commom Crane associated with the Sandhill Cranes, which were at peak numbers in the Platte River valley. Later that day, several observers, including myself, witnessed the bird in section 32 about 500 yards away, where it mingled with a few hundred Sandhill Cranes. The difficulty in seeing this bird was illustrated by the fact …

Masthead And Table Of Contents Nebraska Bird Review 64(3) September 1996

Nebraska Bird Review

Table of Contents

A Review of the Status of Limnodromus griseus, the Short-billed Dowitcher, in Nebraska ……………..74

A Late Baird’s Sandpiper in Keith County ……………..79

Another Common Crane in Nebraska with a Summary of North American Records…………….. 80

Nebraska Ornithologists’ Union Annual Meeting 18 May 1996…………….. 82

NOU and NAMC Spring Bird Counts May 1996…………….. 83

Table of Bird Species Observed during NOU Annual Meeting 17-19 May 1996, and NAMC 11 May 1996 in Two Counties…………….. 84

Summer Field Report June-July 1996 ……………..90

Observers for Summer Field Report ……………..103

Nou And Namc Spring Bird Count, May 1996

Nebraska Bird Review

Bird species seen in a Nebraska five-county area during the Annual Meeting of the Nebraska ornithologists' Union 17-19 May, are presented in Table 1 on pages 84-90. The total count was 161 species.

The table also includes data for the North American Migration count on 11 May in two Nebraska counties, Boone (compiler: Wayne Mollhoff, Ashland), and Sarpy (compiler: Betty Grenon, Bellevue). Observations in Boone Co. were made between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. with two observers for 6 hours and one observer for 3 hours. They covered 3 miles on foot for 6 hours and 40 miles by car …

A Review Of The Status Of Limnodromus Griseus, The Short-Billed Dowitcher, In Nebraska, Joel Jorgensen

Nebraska Bird Review

The two North American dowitchers are notoriously difficult to distinguish from each other. This is not only true of field observations, but there are several instances where a specimen identified as one species was found to be the other upon review. Limnodromus scolopaceus, the Long-billed Dowitcher, has always been considered the common dowitcher in Nebraska, while Limnodromus griseus, the Short-billed Dowitcher, is less common. Confusion about identification and the lack of consistent, well-documented records have caused the status of L. griseus in Nebraska to be a matter of speculation.

Taxonomy of dowitchers was for some time confused. Studies …

Summer Field Report, June-July 1996, W. Ross Silcock, Joel G. Jorgensen

Nebraska Bird Review

Starting with this report, Joel Jorgensen will write the reports for sub-passerines. Hopefully this will help with timeliness, especially in getting reports to the Regional Editor for Audubon Field Notes. It is a long process writing up especially the Spring and Fall reports, given the excellent number received.

Highlights in this report are rare loons at Lake McConaughy, three reports of Clark's Grebe, King Rail in Seward Co, Sandhill Cranes in Clay Co, Mountain Plovers in Kimball Co, easterly reports of Black-necked Stilt, first breeding record for Wilson's Phalarope in the Rainwater Basin, Brown Creeper in Sarpy Co, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher …

Whooping Crane Sightings During March-May 1996 Migration, Steven Anschutz

Nebraska Bird Review

A peak population of 158 whooping cranes (130 adult/subadult and 28 juvenile) was reported at the Aransas National wildlife Refuge in Texas during the winter of 1995-96. One juvenile was believed to have died between March 17 and 20, so 157 cranes began the spring migration, an increase of 24 birds over 133 in spring, 1995. By April 4, about 82 cranes had begun to migrate, and by April 25, only 9 cranes remained at Aransas. All but 2 of these had migrated by May 3. One of the two cranes migrated sometime after May 22, but the other bird …

Wanted: Information On Cliff Swallow Mortality, Charles R. Brown

Nebraska Bird Review

Cold and rainy weather during late May 1996 caused widespread mortality among Cliff Swallows (Hirundo pyrrhonota) in southwestern Nebraska. Thousands of birds died, and some local populations were reduced by at least half. I am trying to determine the geographic scope of the mortality event. I am also interested in determining how often kills like this occur. If you are aware of mortality among any hirundinids during spring 1996 in the central U.S. or ~ave recollections or records of other major Cliff Swallow die-offs ln any past years, please send details to me at the above address. Phone: …

1994 (Sixth) Report Of The Nou Records Committee, Joseph A. Gubanyi

Nebraska Bird Review

The functions and methods of the NOU Records Committee are described in its bylaws (NOU Records Committee 1986). The committee's purpose is to provide a procedure for documenting unusual bird sightings and to establish a list of all documented birds for Nebraska. The official list of birds was last published in 1988 (NOU Records Committee 1988) and has been appended three times (Mollhoff 1989, Grenon 1990 and Grenon 1991, Gubanyi 1996).

This report includes accounts submitted during the calendar year of 1994 covering records with accession numbers 359-395, 411, and 412. All records mentioned here will be available to interested …

Masthead From Nebraska Bird Review (June 1996) 64(2)

Nebraska Bird Review

The Nebraska Bird Review is published quarterly in March, June, September, and December by the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union, Inc., as its official journal, and is sent to members not in arrears for dues. Annual subscription rates (on a calendar-year basis only): $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, and $5.00 elsewhere. Send orders for back issues to Mary H. Pritchard, NOU Librarian, University of Nebraska State Museum, Lincoln, NE 68588-0514.

Nebraska Bird Review (June 1996) 64(2), Whole Issue

Nebraska Bird Review

Table of Contents

1994 (Sixth) Report of the NOU Records Committee ... 38

Spring Field Report, March-May 1996 ... 42

Whooping Crane Sightings during March-May 1996 Migration ... 68

Snowy Plovers in the Rainwater Basin ... 71

Wanted: Information on Cliff Swallow Mortality ... 71

Snowy Plovers In The Rainwater Basin, Stephen J. Dinsmore

Nebraska Bird Review

While conducting shorebird surveys in the Rainwater Basin of southcentral Nebraska in spring, 1995, I observed two Snowy Plovers (Charadrius alexandrinus). Both sightings were on 6 May, one at the Kissinger Basin Wildlife Management Area in Clay County, and the other at Ayr Lake in Adams County.

When I arrived at Kissinger Basin WMA, the weather was poor with steady rain and strong, northeast winds. At 8:15 a.m. I noticed a pale plover feeding on the far side of the wetland. I noted the black bill and legs, dark auricular patch, and slender appearance, and I identified the bird as …

Spring Field Report, March-May 1996, W. Ross Silcock

Nebraska Bird Review

This was an interesting spring season, with something for everyone. Interesting data in terms of numbers are being produced by the North American Migration Count (NAMC), especially this spring in Sarpy County; examples are 499 Swainson's Thrushes, 76 Gray-cheeked Thrushes, and 118 Black-and-white Warblers, and others. Some species appeared in large numbers such as 5,000 Western Grebes, 16 Clark's Grebes, 10,000 Wilson's Phalaropes, 300 each of Black-bellied Plover and Sanderling, 54 Whimbrels, and two flocks of over 100 Great-tailed Grackles.

Some interesting early and late dates are included in the species accounts, but several observers noted unexpected species such as …

1996 Survey Of Bald And Golden Eagles In Nebraska, John Dinan

Nebraska Bird Review

John Dinan, Nongame Bird Program Manager, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, 2200 N. 33rd st., Lincoln, NE 68503-0370 (phone: 402/471-0641; Fax: 402/471-5528), supplied the results of the 1990 (January 3-15) Bald and Golden Eagle surveys. Nine organizations and twenty-one individuals participated in the survey.

Conditions for 1996 survey: Temperatures 10 to 50 0 F. The Niobrara River had 70 to 100% ice cover, while the unchannelized portion of the Missouri River was mostly open. The channelized portion of the Missouri was open but had floating ice. The Platte River had 50 to 90 % ice cover; the South Platte, 30 …

1992, 1993 (Fifth) Report Of The Nou Records Committee, Joseph A. Gubanyi

Nebraska Bird Review

The functions and methods of the NOU Records committee are described in its bylaws (NOU Records Committee 1986). The committee's purpose is to provide a procedure for documenting unusual bird sightings and to establish a list of all documented birds for Nebraska. The official list of birds was last published in 1988 (NOU Records Committee 1988) and has been appended three times (Mollhoff 1989, Grenon 1990, and Grenon 1991).

This report includes accounts submitted in late 1991 as well as all records submitted during the calendar years of 1992 and 1993, covering records with accession numbers 295-358. All records mentioned …

Nebraska Christmas Bird Count For 1995

Nebraska Bird Review

The official count period for the 96th Audubon National Society I s Christmas Bird Count was 16 December 1995 through 2 January 1996. One location (North Platte) conducted counts outside the official period.

The numerical data are presented in Table 1 (pages 18-23) in a west (left) to east (right) order for 10 locations in Nebraska except for the inclusion of one Iowa location in the Omaha count. Unusual species that were underlined in the individual reports are marked by an asterisk (*) before the number in a particular column and unusual numbers underlined in the reports are shown in …

Notes On Bird Sightings In Nebraska

Nebraska Bird Review

Ross' Goose. A single bird came to Heartwell Lake (in the Hastings area) in mid-December 1995 and has been here up to now (4 April 1996). It is not injured and flies well, but it has chosen to stay because Hastings uses a device to keep the water open. I threw food out especially to the little goose because the larger domestic ducks chase it away. It is so used to me by now that it will come to within 12-15 feet of me. I walk to the lake nearly every day, and the wild Mallards, Lesser Scaups, Ringnecked …

Winter Field Report, December-February 1995-96, W. Ross Silcock

Nebraska Bird Review

As far as the birds are concerned, this was an uneventful winter, with only a few rarities. Highlights include the second pile-up of rare gulls at L. McConaughy, and a Common Redpoll influx. Best of the rarities (all subject to Records committee scrutiny and pending its acceptance) were a 5th record Red-necked Grebe at L. McConaughy; a first-record Mew Gull at L. McConaughy; Iceland, Lesser Black-backed, and Great Black-backed Gulls at L. McConaughy; a Cassin’s Finch at Crawford; White-winged Crossbills at Norfolk and North Platte; and a Hoary Redpoll at Wakefield. Out-of-season reports were record-early Blue-winged Teal in Dixon Co, …

Nebraska Bird Review (March 1996) 64(1), Whole Issue

Nebraska Bird Review

Table of Contents

NOU Treasurer's Annual Report ... 2

First Record of Glaucous-winged Gull for Nebraska ... 3

Winter Field Report, December-February 1995-96 ... 5

Nebraska Christmas Bird Count for 1995 ... 17

1996 Survey of Bald and Golden Eagles in Nebraska ... 26

1992, 1993 (Fifth) Report of the NOU Records Committee ... 30

Notes on Bird Sightings in Nebraska ... 35

The Nebraska Ornithologists' Union, Inc., Treasurer’S Annual Report, 12/31/95, Elizabeth Grenon

Nebraska Bird Review

Balance 1/1/95 on cash basis per bank account: Cash $1,593.16 Investments $13,500.00 Total $15,093.16

Total Receipts: Cash $9,466.13 Investments $11,354.40 Total $20,820.53

Total Disbursements: Cash $8,777.48 Investments $10,551.66 Total $19,329.14

Balance 12/31/95: Cash $2,281.81 Investments $14,302.74 Total $16,584.55