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Nebraska Bird Review (December 1985) 53(4), Whole Issue

Nebraska Bird Review

1985 Fall Field Day … 70

Supplement to 1985 Spring Occurrence Report … 70

Black-necked Stilts Nesting in Nebraska … 72

A Red Phalarope in Pierce County, Nebraska … 72

The Red-naped Sapsucker in Nebraska … 73

Nesting Observations of the Piping Plover near Sioux City … 74

Notes … 76

“Notes” From Nebraska Bird Review (December 1985) 53(4)

Nebraska Bird Review

FILLMORE COUNTY. On 23 June 1985, while I was atlasing block #IF01 in Fillmore County, just north of Shickley, I saw a Common Moorhen in Weis Lagoon and found a nest with 11 eggs. There was also a very large colony of Black-crowned Night-Herons [and] also a colony of Great-tailed Grackles.—William C. Garthright, Lincoln

RED-NECKED GREBE. On 16 June 1985 1 was wading through some cattails at the edge of a small open area in a pond at the North 27th Street marsh when I came upon a grebe sitting in the open on the water.—William C. Garthright, Lincoln

IBIS …

Nesting Observations Of The Piping Plover Near Sioux City, Randall D. Williams

Nebraska Bird Review

From mid-April to early August 1985 members of the Loess Hills Audubon Society monitored the nesting of Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) on fly-ash settling ponds of the IPS Port Neal Generating Station, on the Missouri River near Salix, Iowa. Declining regional and national populations (Barie, 1985; Kaufman, 1984; and Evans, 1985) make the discovery of nesting individuals quite exciting. Piping Plovers were first found at this site in 1984.

The ash ponds appear to be very good nesting habitat (Evans, 1985). There are large areas of gravel-like substrate with little to no vegetation, minimal human disturbance, and an …

The Red-Naped Sapsucker In Nebraska, Tanya E. Bray, Barbara K. Padelford, W. Ross Silcock

Nebraska Bird Review

The Red-naped Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus nuchalis) was for many years accorded subspecific status within Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyapicus varius), but the American Ornithologists’ Union recently revised this opinion, and now regards nuchalis as a “good” species (Auk 102:680). Red-naped Sapsucker can be added to the Nebraska (species) list on the basis of three specimens in the collection of the University of Nebraska State Museum (UNSM).

The breeding range of Red-naped Sapsucker includes the Rocky Mountains east of the Cascades from southwest Canada south to central Arizona and it winters in much of northern Mexico, north as far …

A Red Phalarope In Pierce County, Nebraska, Mark A. Brogie, Ed M. Brogie

Nebraska Bird Review

The Red Phalarope (Phalaropus fulicaria) is seen yearly in the central portion of the United States, from the Great Lakes to Texas. More than 85% of these sightings are from fall, with 75% of the total from September to November (Dinsmore et al., 1984). This species is, however, considered a very rare or accidental migrant through the Plains States (Johnsgard 1980). A single specimen, taken on 15 October 1921 at Dad’s Lake, near Wood Lake in Cherry County (Conover 1934) represents the only previous record of this species in Nebraska. The following represents the first record for this …

Supplement To 1985 Spring Occurrence Report

Nebraska Bird Review

The following records were overlooked until it was too late to include them in the original report (NBR 53:50). They are either earlier, later, or new records for the localities listed, most recorded by Rick Wright, but also by Glen Kramer and the Werthmans. April is A, May is M. Four species and a hybrid, all marked +, were not in the first report, so that the total for the state is 296 rather than 292. The Douglas-Sarpy count is increased by two; no attempt was made to get similar figures for the other columns since they would affect …

1985 Fall Field Day

Nebraska Bird Review

Pleasant weather greeted the 70 people who attended part or all of the 1985 Fall Field Day, at the 4-H Camp at Halsey National Forest, 5 and 6 October. There was a slide show Friday night and the official tally Sunday noon, but other than the scheduled meals, the rest of the time was free for individual birding. The committee on a records committee completed its work and presented its report to the directors. The report was accepted and Tanya Bray, Ruth Green, and Wayne Mollhoff were appointed to 3-year terms on the committee, Alice Kenitz and Barbara Padelford for …

Masthead From Nebraska Bird Review (December 1985) 53(4)

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 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): Student, $3.00; Active, $7.00; Sustaining, $15.00; Family Active, $10.00; Family Sustaining, $20.00; Life, $100.00.

All dues and subscriptions should …

Black-Necked Stilts Nesting In Nebraska, Mark J. Helsinger

Nebraska Bird Review

On 7 May 1985 I saw two adult Black-necked Stilts on Lower Harrison Lake, Crescent Lake NWR, Garden County. In the middle of June photographers Charlie and Rita Summers saw two on Martin Lake. On 11 July I saw two adults. and four young on Martin Lake. The whitish/gray-colored young had long grayish/green legs (3–4") and a black bill, about 2" long. They appeared to be feeding by probing soft mud. The two adults were exhibiting aggressive behavior. One adult dived and screamed at a Blue-winged Teal hen with eight ducklings until they moved from the area, and also chased …

Index To Volume 53

Nebraska Bird Review

Accipiter sp. 19

Adcock, Cash and Dorothy 63

Albino 41, 54

Alexander, George and Irene 22

Alfred, Norris 6, 17, 46, 60

Ani, Groove-billed 78

Avocet, American 9, 39(2), 46, 48, 55, 71, 72, 77, 78

. . .

Wright, Rick 3, 18, 22, 41, 42, 44, 57, 68, 70, 82

Wyman, Howard and Wilma 70

Wilma 22

Yellowlegs, Greater 9, 55, 70

Lesser 10, 39, 41, 55

sp. 9, 39

Yellowthroat, Common 15, 39, 46, 63

Zendeh, Scheil 41(2), 43, 82

“Notes” From Nebraska Bird Review (September 1985) 53(3)

Nebraska Bird Review

RE SWAN GEESE IN KEITH COUNTY. A recent account (NBR 53:4) of Chinese Geese (domestic forms of the Swan Goose are called Chinese Geese –Ed.) in Keith County seems to suggest that the birds were of natural occurrence. No wild individuals of this species have ever been reported in North America, however, and it may in fact be declining in its native range. It is exceedingly common, though, in zoos and parks as well as on farms, where it is often only nominally a captive; birds are readily available and are not typically afforded the close watch given more valuable …

Nebraska Bird Review (September 1985) 53(3), Whole Issue

Nebraska Bird Review

1984 Nebraska Nesting Survey … 46

1985 (Sixtieth) Spring Occurrence Report … 50

Hybrid Bluebirds in the Pine Ridge … 67

Notes … 67

Book Review … 68

Hybrid Bluebirds In The Pine Ridge, Barbara L. Wilson, Jim Minyard, Hope Minyard, Tanya Bray

Nebraska Bird Review

A hybrid pair of bluebirds is raising young in Dawes County, Nebraska, in the yard of Jim and Hope Minyard, approximately 8 miles south of Crawford. The female of the pair is a Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides). She is basically a dull gray bluebird, with little contrast between upperparts and underparts. There is no rusty or tan on her breast, and no sharp demarcation between the gray breast and the lighter belly. Her rump and the bases of her outer tail feathers are a light, bright blue, while the other tail feathers and the primaries are blackish. When …

1985 (Sixtieth) Spring Occurrence Report

Nebraska Bird Review

Two hundred ninety-two species, plus Clark’s Nutcracker, for which no specific dates were reported, and Lapland Longspur, which was not recorded, are listed in this report, from 22 locations. The comparable figures for 1984 are 293 and one possible, from 13 locations; 1983 288 and 2 possibles from 13; and 1982 287 from 15 locations.

Masthead From Nebraska Bird Review (September 1985) 53(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 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 Sustaining, $20.00; Life, $100.00.

All dues and subscriptions should be remitted to …

“Book Review” From Nebraska Bird Review (September 1985) 53(3)

Nebraska Bird Review

The Bird Identification Calendar, 1986, illustrated in color by John Sill, 11 x 14, Stephen Greene Press in cooperation with The Massachusetts Audubon Society, distributed by Viking Penguin Inc., New York City.

The calendar space is full size; the over 70 illustrations and short paragraphs are on the facing page (back of the previous page). Also, two preliminary pages on bird identification in general.

1984 Nebraska Nesting Survey, Esther V. Bennett

Nebraska Bird Review

Data on the 1984 nesting season in Nebraska were received from 17 observers and organizations, reporting on 72 species from 36 counties or groups of counties. Counties in the tabulations are listed in a west to east order, with the northernmost of the approximately equal locations given first. Numbers represent Nest Record Cards; N represents nests observed for which no Nest Record Card was submitted; F represents feeding; CF represents carrying food; CN represents carrying nesting material; and Y represents young observed. GPC in the following paragraph represents Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Thirty species were reported on 192 North …

Nebraska Bird Review (June 1985) 53(2), Whole Issue

Nebraska Bird Review

The Historic Breeding Distribution of the Least Tern in Nebraska … 26

Possible Addition of the Prairie Skink to the Diet of the Common Grackle … 36

Observations of the Barred Owl in Southeastern Nebraska … 37

The Eighty-fourth Annual Meeting … 38

Notes … 39

“Notes” From Nebraska Bird Review (June 1985) 53(2)

Nebraska Bird Review

DESOTO NWR. Our Independent Science Research class at Laurel-Concord High School, led by Ed Brogie, took a field trip to DeSoto NWR 3 November 1984. We spotted two species listed as “rare” on the NWR checklist: Western Grebe and Lesser Golden-Plover; and one not listed for fall: Water Pipit.—Paul L. Pearson, Wakefield

CLAY COUNTY. Here are some observations Joe Gabig, Ross Lock, and I made 22 September 1984 at Harvard Marsh, just west of the town of Harvard.

NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION MIDWINTER EAGLE SURVEY. The NWF survey was initiated in January 1979 as a means of monitoring the nation’s wintering …

The Eighty-Fourth Annual Meeting

Nebraska Bird Review

About 75 people participated in at least one of the events at the eighty-fourth Annual Meeting, held 18 and 19 May 1985 at the Eastern Nebraska 4-H Camp, adjacent to Schramm State Park, between Louisville and Gretna, in Sarpy County. There was the usual slide show Friday night. Saturday morning was available for birding. In the afternoon the following papers were presented:

Waterfowl Production in the Rainwater Basins—Robin Harding, Department of Biology, Kearney State College

Age and Reproductive Success in Northern Orioles—Thomas Labedz, Nebraska State Museum

A Comparative Analysis of Long-eared Owl Pellets—Russell Benedict and Ray Korpi, presented by Ray …

Observations Of The Barred Owl In Southeastern Nebraska, Steve Shupe

Nebraska Bird Review

The status of the Barred Owl (Strix varia) in Nebraska has been questioned for several years. The concern rests mainly with the continued depletion of deep forest habitat which has threatened the very existence of this magnificent raptor. During a three-year study of the Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) and Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), Barred Owls were encountered at various times. It seemed appropriate to accumulate some data on the birds; however, because of their precarious status only limited ecological information was collected.

In 1983 seven nest sites were located within the study area …

Masthead From Nebraska Bird Review (June 1985) 53(2)

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 should be …

Possible Addition Of The Prairie Skink To The Diet Of The Common Grackle, Louis A. Somma

Nebraska Bird Review

On 8 June 1984, at the intersection of California Street and the Union Pacific railroad tracks, just west of Saddle Creek Road in Omaha, a Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscala) was seen flying approximately 2 m above the observer, with a large adult prairie skink, (Eumeces septentrionalis) (Reptilia; Sauria) in its bill. The Grackle had difficulty flying, since the skink was somewhat heavy and struggling violently, The Grackle dropped to the ground about 7 m away and released the lizard. The skink lay on its back, twitching slightly. The distal half of its tail was missing. The …

"1984 Christmas Count," From Nebraska Bird Review (March 1985) 53(1).

Nebraska Bird Review

Ninety-nine species (seven more than last year) were reported on the 1984 Christmas Count, and two species (compared to three last year) were reported as present during the count period but not recorded on the count day on any count. The same eight localities reported in both years. Eighteen species were reported on all counts this year, compared to thirteen last year. The total individual count this year was 345,052; in 1983 it was 43,652, but in 1982 it was 302,646. Almost 74% of this year's count was due to the concentration of Red-wings in Omaha; in 1982 the high …

"1984 Treasurer's Report," From Nebraska Bird Review (March 1985) 53(1).

Nebraska Bird Review

1984 Nebraska Ornithologists' Union Treasurer's Report.

1984 (Twenty-Seventh) Fall Occurrence Report

Nebraska Bird Review

Two hundred seventy-eight species (plus the possibility that the Empidonax species was not one listed) from twelve locations are listed in this report. Comparable figures for previous years are 262 species from 10 locations in 1983, 269 species from 10 localities in 1982, and 277 species from 14 locations in 1981.

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

Masthead From Nebraska Bird Review (March 1985) 53(1).

Nebraska Bird Review

Published quarterly in March, June, September, and December by the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union, Inc. as its official journal and sent free to all members who are not in arrears for dues. Subscriptions (on calendar year basis only) are $7.00 per year in the United States and $9.00 per year in all other countries payable in advance. Single copies are $2.25 each, postpaid.

"Notes," From Nebraska Bird Review (March 1985) 53(1).

Nebraska Bird Review

Notes

Corrections to 1983 Nebraska Nesting Survey. The "Y" for Great-tailed Grackle in the Scotts Bluff column (NBR 52:50) should be for Common Grackle. This cuts the "No Nest Cards" entry for the county to 3, and the total species to 18. No change in the state figures.

Red Crossbill. On a science club outing to the Niobrara River in Keya Paha Co. we saw a Red Crossbill in the pines, 26 May 1984.

-Mike Erickson

Three Species Of Siberian Geese Seen In Nebraska, Rick Wright, Alan Grenon

Nebraska Bird Review

At about 3:00 PM on 29 December 1984, while participating in the DeSoto NWR Christmas Count, Betty Grenon, David Starr, and the authors, Rick Wright and Alan Grenon, flushed from near the west shore of the DeSoto Cut-off (Washington County, Nebraska) a party of seven Greater White-fronted Geese. With these seven geese was one distinctly larger, which drew our attention as the small flock flew above us for about five minutes. The larger bird displayed obvious damage to or loss of primaries on each wing, making it easier for the four of us to concentrate our observations on it and …

Nebraska Bird Review (March 1985) 53(1), Whole Issue.

Nebraska Bird Review

Table of Contents

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

Three Species of Siberian Geese Seen in Nebraska .................3

1984 (Twenty-seventh) Fall Occurrence Report .................5

1984 Christmas Count .................18

Book Reviews .................23

Notes................. 24