Ornithology Commons^™

Fall Field Report, August-November 1997, W. Ross Silcock, Joel G. Jorgensen

Nebraska Bird Review

Notable this Fall was very heavy coverage of the Panhandle during Sep-Oct, which yielded several outstanding records (all, of course, pending NOURC approval). Incredible were first Panhandle records of Golden-winged, Chestnut-sided, Bay-breasted, and Prothonotary Warblers, 3rd record of Northern Waterthrush, and 4th record of Blackburnian Warbler. Philadelphia Vireo was found in the Panhandle for the 3rd time. Important also were 3 records of Hammond's Flycatcher, the 3rd-6th for the state, and likely a regular migrant, and 5 of Cassin's vireo, previously known only by 2 specimens. Finally, from the Panhandle, 4 reports of Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher may be changing the status …

Notes On The Nesting Biology Of Pygmy Nuthatches In Nebraska, Wayne Mollhoff

Nebraska Bird Review

Introduction

Pygmy Nuthatches (Sitta pygmaea) were considered to be no more than casual or rare winter visitors to the northwest part of Nebraska by previous investigators (Bruner et al. 1904; Swenk 1918; Haecker et al. 1945; Rapp et al. 1958, 1971). I. S. Trostler's earlier comment that the species was "a rare resident, breeds in Omaha" (Bruner 1896) was later felt to be in error, as evidenced by Bruner's later comment that it was, "A fall and winter visitor . . . not breeding in the state" (Bruner et al. 1904).

The first evidence of breeding was the …

Nebraska Bird Review (December 1997) 65 (4), Whole Issue

Nebraska Bird Review

Whooping Crane Sightings, August 1997-January 1998 … 146

A Probable Nesting of Clark's Nutcracker (Nucifraga columbiana) in Nebraska … 147

Notes on the Nesting Biology of Pygmy Nuthatches in Nebraska … 150

Fall Field Report, August-November 1997 … 159

Observers for Fall Field Report … 178

Black-throated Sparrow Banded in Omaha, Nebraska … 179

Editor's Comments … 179

Index to Volume 65 (compiled by R. G. Cortelyou) … 180

Nebraska Bird Review (September 1997) 65(3), Whole Issue

Nebraska Bird Review

Summer Field Report, June-July 1997 … 102

1996 (Eighth) Report of the NOU Records Committee … 115

Notes on Bird Sightings in Nebraska … 126

International Shorebird Survey Report for southeastern Nebraska - Spring 1997 … 127

Mountain Plover Nest in Kimball County … 131

Whooping Crane Sightings during March-May 1997 Migration … 132

Shorebird Migration in the Eastern Rainwater Basin - Spring 1997 … 133

Two Hybrid Diving Ducks at Cunningham Lake, Douglas County … 135

Spring 1997 Bird Counts during Tristate Meeting, and for North Platte - Lincoln County … 137

Remembering Doris Gates, a Great Teacher … …

1996 (Eighth) Report Of The Nou Records Committee, Mark A. Brogie

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 THE BIRDS OF NEBRASKA was first published in 1988 (NOU Records Committee 1988) and has been appended six times (Mollhoff 1989, Grenon 1990, 1991, Gubanyi l996a, 1996b, 1996c). An update of THE OFFICIAL LIST OF THE BIRDS OF NEBRASKA was last published in 1997 (NOU Records Committee 1997) and includes the additions and changes …

Notes On Bird Sightings In Nebraska, L. Iola Pennington

Nebraska Bird Review

1997 Report for Wauneta area, Chase County. I have seen 49 species, including 20 Turkey Vultures, many Wild Turkeys, a covey of Northern Bobwhite near my house, a Ruby-throated Hummingbird in my garden flowers such as Gilia, and a Black-headed Grosbeak—a first for my acreage. On 6 September, a male Northern Cardinal brought two young to one of the seven water pans I keep for birds and animals. Other species listed in the area: Great Blue Heron, Gadwall, American Kestrel, Ring-necked Pheasant, Killdeer, Rock Dove, Mourning Dove, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Common Nighthawk, Chimney Swift, Belted Kingfisher, Red-headed Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, …

Mountain Plover Nest In Kimball County, Stephen J. Dinsmore

Nebraska Bird Review

On 18 May 1995 I observed two adult Mountain Plovers 5 mi west and 1.25 mi north of Bushnell in southwest Kimball county. The birds were in an area of short-grass prairie interspersed with clumps of prickly pear and bare ground. I observed both birds almost continuously from 1-2 p.m. MDT. The first bird was along the road south of the fenceline, just after the road climbs on top of the plateau. The second bird was about 0.1 mi to the north on the west side of the road. Both birds were medium-sized, plain shorebirds, similar in shape and posture …

Whooping Crane Sightings During March-May 1997 Migration, Steven Anschutz

Nebraska Bird Review

During the 1996-97 winter, 158 (143 adult/subadult and 15 juvenile) Whooping Cranes stayed at the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in Texas. Two early migrants in Nebraska were an adult-plumaged bird first observed on 9 March, and a juvenile confirmed on 19 March. Neither of these birds wintered at Aransas, so the total population was therefore 160 (144 adult/subadult and 16 juvenile). All 158 cranes wintering at Aransas were present 3 April, but by 10 April, about 103 cranes had begun to migrate, and by 24 April, only 13 cranes were still at Aransas. All cranes had migrated by 6 May.

Summer Field Report, June-July 1997, W. Ross Silcock, Joel G. Jorgensen

Nebraska Bird Review

A couple of preliminary notes: in the accounts below we have noted for several species "Reports were routine." This means that these species, mostly common in occurrence, were indeed present and reported, but the reports did not include unusual arrival or departure dates or high counts. For this Summer Report, observers are encouraged to report high counts on their BBS routes, as well as nesting data such as egg and fledging dates. Finally, this report includes a few observations from 1996.

In general, this was a rather routine summer period. The only real rarity was, however, a good one, a …

Shorebird Migration In The Eastern Rainwater Basin—Spring 1997, Joel G. Jorgensen

Nebraska Bird Review

The Rainwater Basin is arguably Nebraska's most productive area for observing migrant shorebirds, especially in spring. After several years of irregular shorebirding in the region, in 1997 I decided to perform regular shorebird censuses in the eastern portion of the RWB (eRWB).

Spring 1997 Bird Counts During Tristate Meeting, And For North Platte-Lincoln County, Nebraska

Nebraska Bird Review

The Ornithologists' Unions of Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota held a Tristate spring meeting at Sioux City, IA on 16-18 May, organized by Bill Huser and committee members from Iowa and South Dakota, and hosted by the Loess Hills Audubon Society from South Sioux City, NE. Field trips were made into nearby areas of all three states. During an indoor session, a paper on "Migrating Hawks along Iowa's Loess Hills" was presented by Loren and Babs Padelford. The banquet speaker was Ken Kaufman, who spoke on "Bird study and natural history in the 21st century." During the weekend, a total …

Remembering Doris Gates, A Great Teacher, Mark M. Peyton

Nebraska Bird Review

Doris Gates (1915-1983) taught Biology at Huntley, NE from 1938-1941, North Platte from 1941-1955, and Chadron State College from 1955-1974. She lived until her death at the foot of "Rush No More Butte" south of Chadron, was a member of the North Platte Tout Bird Club, and served as President of the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union and Editor of The Nebraska Bird Review.

Doris included plants and birds in her lectures on Biology, but she taught much more than that because she understood the beauty of life. She believed that beauty was in what you did rather than what you looked …

Book Announcement [September 1997]

Nebraska Bird Review

A 12-volume work entitled "Handbook of the Birds of the World" is in the making, with nine authors representing six countries (four from the U.S.) and 17 artists. The first three volumes have been published, and the fourth is due in December 1997. Each volume is illustrated with color photographs, color plates, and distribution maps. The publisher is Lynx Edicions, Passeig de Gracia, 12, 08007 Barcelona, Spain. The first four volumes can be purchased for us $580 (special offer until 12/31/97), or monthly payments can be arranged (no extra postage or packaging charges). Further information can be obtained on the …

Masthead From Nebraska Bird Review (September 1997) 65(3)

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.

International Shorebird Survey Report For Southeastern Nebraska—Spring 1997, Kevin Poague, John Dinan

Nebraska Bird Review

In 1974, Manomet Observatory in Massachusetts organized the International Shorebird Survey (ISS) to collect information on shorebirds during migration. The project is intended to monitor shorebird population trends and to identify major migration routes, timing, and locations of staging areas. More than 600 contributors from 38 states of the United States, and countries, territories, and commonwealths throughout the hemisphere have contributed data since the program's inception. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission collected data for the ISS in the eastern Rainwater Basin area (Clay, Fillmore, York, and Seward counties) from 1993-1996.

Nebraska's eastern saline wetlands, located in or near the …

Two Hybrid Diving Ducks At Cunningham Lake, Douglas County, Joel G. Jorgensen

Nebraska Bird Review

During the spring of 1997 I had the opportunity to observe and study two apparent hybrid diving ducks at Glenn Cunningham Lake, Douglas County. Both birds appeared to be mature males in breeding plumage. One bird was a suspected Redhead x Canvasback hybrid and the other was a suspected Common Goldeneye x Hooded Merganser hybrid. Sibley (1994) states that both hybrid combinations occur "occasionally."

Nebraska Bird Review (June 1997) 65(2), Whole Issue

Nebraska Bird Review

A George Miksch Sutton Bibliography … 46

Birds of the Lake Ogallala State Recreation Area … 59

NOU Fall Count 1996; NAMC Count in Two Counties 10 May 1997 … 67

Table for NOU Fall Count and NAMC Spring Count … 68

Notes on Bird Sightings in Nebraska … 73

Spring Field Report, March-May 1997 … 74

Observers for Spring Field Report … 99

Red-necked Grebe at Sutherland Reservoir … 99

The Nebraska Ornithologists' Union Executive Committee Highlights Of Meeting, 28 September 1996, Robin Harding

Nebraska Bird Review

The meeting was held at the Nebraska National Forest near Halsey during Fall Field Days.

Betty Grenon, Treasurer, indicated that Dr. and Mrs. R. G. Cortelyou gave many items to N.O.U. when they moved to Mercer Island, WA. The funds from contributions for these items will be used to establish a scholarship fund to recruit new members. The scholarship recipient will get an all-expenses-paid trip to an N.O.U. meeting. Details will be worked out later.

Neal Ratzlaff, President, said that N.O.U. has 501 C3 status and is recognized by the federal government as a nonprofit organization.

The status of the …

Nebraska Christmas Bird Count For 1996

Nebraska Bird Review

The official count period for the 97th National Audubon Society's Christmas Bird Count was 20 December 1996 through 5 January 1997. One location (Harlan County) conducted counts outside the official period.

The numerical data are presented in Table 1 (pages 28-34) in a west (left) to east (right) order for nine locations in Nebraska. 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 bold. For Bald Eagles, the total number, which is given first, includes any adults …

Notes On Bird Sightings In Nebraska March 1997, Ruth C. Green, Alice Kenitz, Joel G. Jorgensen, Stephen J. Dinsmore

Nebraska Bird Review

Albino Eastern Bluebirds. On 24 July 1996, I banded two totally white Eastern Bluebirds in Sarpy County, Nebraska. These two birds were in a nest with two other normally plumaged siblings. They were not only white-plumaged, their feet and bills were white and the eyes were a pinkish-red. They were just as well developed as the two normal birds and were ready to fledge, which they did the following day.

I believe these birds fit the description of total albinism as defined by John K. Terres in The Audubon Encyclopedia of North American Birds. He defines total albinism …

Nebraska Bird Review (March 1997) 65(1), Whole Issue

Nebraska Bird Review

Table of Contents

Nebraska Ornithologists' Union Treasurer's Annual Report ... 2

The Official List of the Birds of Nebraska ... 3

Winter Field Report, December 1996-February 1997 ... 17

Nebraska Christmas Bird Count for 1996 ... 27

1997 Survey of Bald and Golden Eagles in Nebraska ... 36

Bald Eagle Counts at Two Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District Facilities ... 40

Notes on Bird Sightings in Nebraska ... 41

Nebraska Ornithologists' Union Executive Committee Meeting Highlights, 28 September 1996 ... 43