Ornithology Commons^™

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 …

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.

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 …

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).

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, …

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 …

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 …

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."

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.

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 …

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 … …

Wpa News 54 (1997), World Pheasant Association

Galliformes Specialist Group and Affiliated Societies: Newsletters

WPA News (August 1997), number 54

Published by the World Pheasant Association

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

Wpa News 53 (1997), World Pheasant Association

Galliformes Specialist Group and Affiliated Societies: Newsletters

WPA News (May 1997), number 53

Published by the World Pheasant Association

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

Wpa News 52 (1997), World Pheasant Association

Galliformes Specialist Group and Affiliated Societies: Newsletters

WPA News (February 1997), number 52

Published by the World Pheasant Association

Annual Review Of The World Pheasant Association 1996/1997, World Pheasant Association

Galliformes Specialist Group and Affiliated Societies: Reports and Other Materials

Chairman's report, Richard P. Howard

Annual report of Council 1995/96

Chapter and Affiliate reports

Pheasant Specialist Group, Peter J. Garson

Partridge, Quail and Francolin Specialist Group, John P. Carroll

Grouse Specialist Group, Ilse Storch

Megapode Specialist Group, René Dekker

Cracid Specialist Group, Daniel M. Brooks and Stuart D. Strahl

Captive Breeding Advisory Committee, Han Assink

On the systematic status Crossoptilon harmani, Tso-hsin Cheng

Distribution of western tragopan, Surender S. Katoch, J. S. Jandrotia, and M. K. Seth

The rediscovery of Edwards 's pheasant, Roland Eve

Egg laying and incubation of the Polynesian megapode, Ann Goth and Uwe Vogel

Habitat Use By Migrant Whooping Cranes In Saskatchewan, Brian W. Johns, Eric J. Woodsworth, Ed A. Driver

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

We investigated habitat use by migrating whooping cranes (Grus americana) in Saskatchewan between 1986 and 1990. At foraging and roosting sites and a sample of randomly selected sites we measured various habitat parameters. Palustrine and lacustrine wetlands were the most frequently used wetlands. Temporary and seasonal wetlands were the primary roost habitat during spring migration, and semi-permanent and permanent wetlands were frequently used during the fall. Cranes were attracted to areas of higher than average wetland density. Land use within 2 km of roost sites was intensively modified by man. Cereal crops were the most used feeding areas. …

Availability Of Stopover Habitat For Migrant Whooping Cranes In Nebraska, Dale W. Stahlecker

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Four stratified random samples of 512 National Wetland Inventory (NWI) maps within the central Nebraska portion of the Wood Buffalo-Aransas whooping crane (Grus americana) migration corridor were used to evaluate the availability of wetland roost sites. Wetlands were eliminated as potential roosts if visibility was obscured by vegetation or slope, if certain human activities occurred within 100-800 ro, or if water < 30 em deep was not available. Seasonal emergent wetlands, available as roosts primarily in spring, dominated all samples, particularly in the nortb. Sixty-five percent of all wetlands >0.04 ha passed map review and 52 % passed when ground-truthed. NWI map review was a good predictor of both suitability (63 % correct) and unsuitability (73 % correct). More than one-half of all open and emergent …

Woody Vegetation Expansion And Continuing Declines In Open Channel Habitat On The Platte River In Nebraska, Paul J. Currier

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Aerial videography in 1988 and 1994 of the same selected segments of the Big Bend reach of the Platte River in central Nebraska was compared. During this 6-year period, channel area declined 4 to 41 % (median 26%). In river segments where the channel had already narrowed significantly and at sites where channel habitat is actively managed declines were less (17-18%). These substantial changes occurred during a time that included a relatively low flow period (1990-92). Flows during the summer gertttination and establishment period (mid-May through August) for cottonwood (Populus deltoides) and willow (Salix spp.), the …

Home Range And Habitat Use By Isolation-Reared Sandhill Cranes, Wenrui Duan, Theodore A. Bookhouts, Richard P. Urbanek

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

We isolation-reared, placed radio transmitters on, and released 38 greater sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis tabida) on Seney National Wildlife Refuge (Seney) in 1988-90 to develop procedures for initiating new populations of cranes. Here we report on habitat selection by breeding birds with functional radio transmitters. Home ranges established by 6 cranes in 1992, when they were 2 to 4 years old, averaged 199±50.8 (SE) ha (harmonic mean method, 75 % utilization) and were of 2 types: feeding grounds separated from nesting habitat and feeding grounds adjacent to nesting habitat. Home ranges consisted of 36% emergent palustrine wetlands, 28% …

Recent Advances In Scheduling Strategies And Practical Techniques In Crane Artificial Insemination, Scott R. Swengel, Monica L. Tuite

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

We analyzed fertility patterns of 339 eggs laid 1985-93 at the International Crane Foundation by cranes whose sole means of fertility was artificial insemination (AI). Ten of 15 crane species were studied. Fertility rates increased significantly (P < 0.05) with (I) higher sperm density, (2) greater sperm motility, and (3) 2 vs. 1 vs. 0 inseminations 4-7 days before oviposition. Semen sample size was inversely related to sperm density and had no strong relationship with egg fertility. Inseminations less than 2.5-3.0 days before an egg is laid are probably too late to contribute to fertilizing the egg but may contribute substantially to fertilizing the next egg. We also describe practical knowledge gained during the past 10 years that apply to certain species or situations. Wattled cranes (Bugeranus carunculatus) have a long fertile period post-AI (up to 16 days), but may require more careful methods and special AI scheduling strategies. We also describe techniques for AI just after oviposition that are especially beneficial for Siberian cranes (Grus leucogeranus), and methods for maximizing sample delivery to the female.

Sandhill Crane Hunts In The Rio Grande Valley And Southwest New Mexico, C. Gregory Schmitt, Barry Hale

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Annual limited permit hunting seasons for sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) were initiated in southwestern New Mexico (SWNM) in 1982 and in the middle Rio Grande Valley (MRGV) in 1986. Within the MRGV and SWNM are wintering areas for 3 migratory subspecies, including the lesser sandhill crane (G. c. canadensis) (lessers). Canadian sandhill crane (G. c. rowani) (Canadians), and greater sandhill crane (G. c. tabida) (greaters). We summarized annual season dates, bag limits, requirements for permits, procedures for examination of crane specimens at check stations, number of hunters, estimated harvest, mean harvest per …

Results Of An Experiment To Lead Cranes On Migration Behind Motorized Ground Vehicles, David H. Ellis, Brian Clauss, Tsuyoshi Watanabe, R. Curt Mykut, Matthew Kinloch, Catherine H. Ellis

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Ten greater sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis tabida) , trained to enter and ride in a specially-equipped truck, were transported at ca 80 days of age from their rearing site at Patuxent Wildlife Research Center (patuxent), Maryland, to a reintroduction site located within the species' former breeding range in northern Arizona. After 5 additional weeks of training, these juvenile cranes were led south ca 600 km to a wintering area on the Arizona/Mexico border. Nine of the 10 survived the trek, 495 km of which were flown, although only a few cranes flew every stage of the route. Their …

Corrigendum Crane Migration In Northern New Mexico, Dale W. Stahlecker

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

These tables were not included in the above article. They are published here so that interested readers will have access to them while reading the results and discussion presented in that paper. It is now well documented that sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) from outside the Rocky Mountain Population stage in spring and autumn in the San Luis Valley of southern Colorado (Benning et al. 1997). Therefore, the high autumn counts reported in the 1988 paper and discussed in relation to Table 3 could also have included cranes from other populations.