Poultry or Avian Science Commons^™

1988 Fall Field Day

Nebraska Bird Review

Some innovations greeted the 60 registrants at the 1989 Field Day, 6 October, at the 4-H camp at Halsey National Forest: there was a canoe float down the Middle Loup River and a lesson on bird calls Saturday morning, in additl0 to the usual self-guided birding trips and demonstration of bird banding. Blow ups of the field card were posted, so that sightings could be posted currently and locations of special sightings could be written on a chalkboard. Saturday morning was overcast and chilly (otherwise the weather was sunny and mild), but 7 did make the float trip down to …

Index To Volume 57

Nebraska Bird Review

Index to Volume 57

8 pages

A-Z

Have The Northern Cardinal And The Red-Bellied Woodpecker Expanded Their Ranges In Nebraska Recently, 1968-1987?, E.H. Maddux

Nebraska Bird Review

The Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) and the Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) are both common permanent residents of Nebraska (Johnsgard 1980: Bray, Padelford, and Silcock i986). Over at least the last four decades there have been published reports that the two species have been expanding their respective ranges to the west and to the north. In the case of the Northern Cardinal the range expansion has been extensive in distance and has occurred over a long period of time. "Originally a bird of the south, the Kentucky Cardinal, or Virginia Redbird, has pushed its way northward until …

"Notes," From Nebraska Bird Review (December 1989) 57(4)

Nebraska Bird Review

MINK AND OTTER. On a trip to West Point on 2 June 1989 I took N 79 north to Snyder. As I was travelling north near the town of Prague I noticed a large river otter loping through a field in broad daylight, paralleling a a wooded stream. It probably was an itinerant, recently released, and was going about the business of looking for a better home. Later that day, near West Point, I saw a mink quickly cross the road from one stream to another, in the area of a wet prairie surrounding both sides of the road.' I …

Nebraska Bird Review (December 1989) 57(4), Whole Issue

Nebraska Bird Review

Table of Contents

1988 Fall Field Day ..................86

Have the Northern Cardinal and the Red-bellied Woodpecker Expanded Their
Ranges in Nebraska Recently, 1968-19871 ..................87

Recent Sedge Wren Observations in Nebraska..................92

Notes..................93

Index to Volume 57..................95

Recent Sedge Wren Observations In Nebraska, Mary Clausen

Nebraska Bird Review

The Sedge Wren (Cistothorus platensis) in Nebraska was considered by Rapp (1958) an uncommon migrant in the eastern third of the state, and a rare breeder in suitable marshes in the eastern quarter, and by Johnsgard (1986) as an uncommon spring and fall migrant in the east and a rare summer resident in the eastern third of the state, mostly east of a line from Knox to Gage counties. Recent articles have prompted questions concerning the rarity of Sedge Wrens nesting in Nebraska (Bedell 1987, Lingle and Bedell 1989) and the possibility that may be nesting late in …

The Effects Of Site Quality On Breeding-Site Fidelity In Bobolinks, Eric K. Bollinger, Thomas A. Gavin

Eric K. Bollinger

We compared breeding-site fidelity of Bobolinks (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) at two low-quality sites (Bald Hill and Shackelton Point, BH +SP) with that at one high-quality site (Moore Road, MR) in central New York. Yearly density of fledglings at Moore Road was more than six times the density at Bald Hill and Shackelton Point. Furthermore, individual residents fledged 50-70% more young at the high-quality site. At Moore Road, 70% of the males and 49% of the females returned one or more times, compared with 44% of the males and 25% of the females at the low-quality sites. Successful residents (i.e. those fledging …

Audubon's "The Birds Of America": A Sesquicentennial Appreciation, David Frederic Tatham

The Courier

This article details the unique copy of John James Audubon's The Birds of America which now resides in Syracuse University's Special Collections. The author describes the backstory and traces the journey of this extremely rare work. Audubon's work continues to stimulate interest in diverse fields in academia, from art history and science to literature.

Audubon/Au-Du-Bon: Man And Artist, Walter Sutton

The Courier

This article highlights some of the works of the legendary work of John James Audubon, drawn from the collection located in Syracuse University's Special Collections. The author gives special attention to the 1820-21 journal of his voyage down the Ohio and Mississippi (which has been preserved intact), the English and Scottish journal of 1826 (also in its original form), and the descriptive sketches of early pioneer life in the Ornithological Biography. These early journal sources dramatically reveal, at first hand, Audubon's long struggle through many failures and obstacles to win the success and recognition he craved and also enduring status …

The Effects Of Site Quality On Breeding-Site Fidelity In Bobolinks, Eric Bollinger, Thomas Gavin

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

We compared breeding-site fidelity of Bobolinks (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) at two low-quality sites (Bald Hill and Shackelton Point, BH +SP) with that at one high-quality site (Moore Road, MR) in central New York. Yearly density of fledglings at Moore Road was more than six times the density at Bald Hill and Shackelton Point. Furthermore, individual residents fledged 50-70% more young at the high-quality site. At Moore Road, 70% of the males and 49% of the females returned one or more times, compared with 44% of the males and 25% of the females at the low-quality sites. Successful residents (i.e. those fledging …

The Effects Of Site Quality On Breeding-Site Fidelity In Bobolinks, Eric K. Bollinger, Thomas A. Gavin

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

We compared breeding-site fidelity of Bobolinks (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) at two low-quality sites (Bald Hill and Shackelton Point, BH +SP) with that at one high-quality site (Moore Road, MR) in central New York. Yearly density of fledglings at Moore Road was more than six times the density at Bald Hill and Shackelton Point. Furthermore, individual residents fledged 50-70% more young at the high-quality site. At Moore Road, 70% of the males and 49% of the females returned one or more times, compared with 44% of the males and 25% of the females at the low-quality sites. Successful residents (i.e. those fledging …

Cassin’S Sparrow In Dundy And Chase Counties, Nebraska, W. Ross Silcock, Mark A. Brogie

Nebraska Bird Review

On 3 and 4 June 1989 Tanya Bray, Doug Rose, and I [W. Ross Silcock] traveled to Dundy Co. to look for two species: Chihuahuan Raven and Cassin's Sparrow. While we found no Ravens, we did find several Cassin's Sparrows.

All of the Cassin's Sparrows were found in sandy sage prairie habitat. At least six were found, in four different locations. The birds were located most easily by their skylarking behavior, although the song, once heard, is also useful for locating birds. Indeed, Doug Rose found the first Cassin's Sparrow by song. Once located, we were able to study individuals …

Notes [September 1989]

Nebraska Bird Review

“Scissor-tailed Flycatcher Nest in Cass County”: On 2 July 1989 Greg Hertel, Murray, Cass Co., reported an adult Scissor-tailed Flycatcher in his yard. He thought it had left the area, but Betty Allen and Ruth Green went down on 8 July to look for it, and they finally found it (a male) in Young Memorial Park. The next morning Betty took others down to see it and found a female on a nest on a 40-foot light pole used to floodlight the ball field.

“National Wildlife Federation Eagle Survey” (by Greg Wingfield, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission): The 1989 NWF …

Nebraska Bird Review (September 1989) 57(3), Whole Issue

Nebraska Bird Review

Changes in the A.O.U. Check-list ... 58

1989 (Sixty-fourth) Spring Occurrence Report ... 59

Cassin's Sparrow in Dundy and Chase Counties, Nebraska ... 67

1986: A Nebraska Big Year ... 71

Notes [Scissor-tailed Flycatcher Nest in Cass County, National Wildlife Federation Eagle Survey, and Whooping Crane Report] ... 81

Book Reviews ... 83

1989 (Sixty-Fourth) Spring Occurrence Report

Nebraska Bird Review

Two hundred and eighty-nine species (plus the possibility that the Empidonax sp. was one not listed) are listed in this report, from 13 locations, plus 36 counties reported in 7 "spot check" columns or as notes in regular columns. In 1988 there were 306 species from 15 locations plus 13 "spot check" columns involving 34 counties; in 1987 288 species from 13 locations and 6 "spot check" columns involving 9 counties; 1986 304 from 13 locations and 9 "spot check" columns involving 24 counties; and 1985 296 from 13 locations and 9 "spot check" columns (plus additions on NBR 53:70) …

Book Reviews [September 1989]

Nebraska Bird Review

Reviews of several books and calendars: The Collins Field Guide to the Birds of the Galapagos; A Birdsong Tutor for Visually Handicapped Individuals; The Bird Identification Calendar (1990); The Flyfisher's 1990 Calendar; Birds, a 1990 Equinox Nature Calendar; and Eric Hosking's Birds of Prey of the World.

Changes In The A.O.U. Check-List

Nebraska Bird Review

CHANGES IN THE A.O.U. CHECK-LIST

The Thirty-seventh Supplement to the American Ornithologists' Union Check-list of North American Birds (Auk, 106:532-538) made these changes in species which may be found in Nebraska:

Common Barn-Owl (Tyto alba) to Barn Owl; Barn-Owl is no longer used for another species, so the hyphen is no longer needed, nor is a modifier.

Northern Hawk-Owl (Surnia ulula) to Northern Hawk Owl; this species does not belong in the Hawk-Owl group and so the hyphen is removed.

Western Flycatcher (Empidonax diffieilis) is replaced by Pacific-slope Flycatcher (E. diffieilis) …

1986: A Nebraska Big Year, Mark A. Brogie

Nebraska Bird Review

In January of 1986 my brother, Ed M. Brogie, and I were tallying our lists for Nebraska when the question arose: "How many species of birds do you think one could see in Nebraska in one year?" The previous year (1985) had been the first year we had made a serious attempt at seeing western Nebraska species and chasing rarities in the state. Our efforts had yielded such birds as Bean Goose, Green-tailed Towhee, Black-necked Stilt, Red Phalarope, Lewis' Woodpecker, Sprague's Pipit, Cassin's Finch, Cassin's Kingbird, and King Eider. When 1985 ended, my Nebraska life list stood at 290 and …

Notes On Black-Legged Kittiwakes In Cedar County, Nebraska, Mark A. Brogie

Nebraska Bird Review

The Black-legged Kittiwake is listed as accidental for Nebraska by both Johnsgard (1986) and Bray et al. (1986). Only a few documented records exist for this species for the state. Photographs of Black-legged Kittiwakes found in Cedar Co., 1988, are in possession of the author and others have been sent to the Nebraska Records Committee.

On 26 November 1988 Bill Huser found a first-winter plumaged Black-legged Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla) at the tailwaters of Gavin's Point Dam, Cedar Co. Nebraska. On 2 December David Stage visited the area and found a Kittiwake frequenting the same area. He observed it feeding in …

1988 Nebraska Nesting Report, Esther V. Bennett

Nebraska Bird Review

Data on the 1988 Nesting season in Nebraska were received from 25 observers and 2 agencies, reporting on 94 species from 52 counties. Counties on the tabulation are listed in a west to east order, with the northernmost of the approximately equal locations given first. Numbers represent Nest Record Cards; underlined numbers represent nests reported on Colonial Bird Register Forms; C represents carrying food; E represents eggs; F represents feeding; H represents nest building (home); N represents nests observed for which no Nest Record Card was submitted; S represents fecal sacs; V represents feeding Brown-headed Cowbird (visitor); X is used …

An Iceland Gull In Cedar County, Nebraska, Mark A. Brogie, Ed M. Brogie

Nebraska Bird Review

An Iceland Gull in Cedar County, Nebraska

Both Johnsgard (1986) and Bray et al. (1986) list the Iceland gull (Larus glaucoides) as accidental; the only record from Nebraska being a first-year male bird shot from a flock of crows by a boy at Dorchester, Saline Co., on 15 January 1907. The specimen was supposedly preserved, but now cannot be located with certainty. The following provides the second record for this species for Nebraska.

On 4 December 1988 we observed a first winter Iceland Gull at the Gavin's Point tailwaters, Cedar Co., Nebraska. The bird was first seen flying from a …

Book Reviews-Nebraska Bird Review (June 1989), Larry L. Einemann

Nebraska Bird Review

The Complete Birder, A Guide to Better Birding, Jack Connor, illustrated by Margaret LaFarge, xiii + 285 pp., Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, softcover $8.95.

The Complete Birder is divided into twelve chapters that can aid both the serious birder and the beginning birder. Connor opens with a chapter entitled "The Sporting Science". In this chapter he unequivocally states outright that birding is not easy, no matter how experienced one is nor how well equipped. He does say, and I tend to agree, that "birding can be exhilarating, enlightening, evocative, or exasperating -- and often all of these at once He …

Notes-Nebraska Bird Review (June 1989), Mark A. Brogie

Nebraska Bird Review

GLAUCOUS GULL IN CEDAR COUNTY, NEBRASKA. On 4 December 1988, Ed M. Brogie observed and photographed a first-winter plumaged Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus) at the tailwaters of Gavin's Point Dam, Cedar Co., Nebraska. It was seen in the company of several Herring (Larus argentatus) and Ring-billed (Larus delawarensis) Gulls, and was noticeably larger than both these species. Its large, bicolored bill, dark eye, flesh-colored feet, and large flattened head were noted. Its body feathers were whitish in color, intermixed with brown fleckings. The wings appeared long and had the translucent primaries characteristic of the species. …

The Second Report Of The N.O.U. Records Committee, Wayne J. Mollhoff

Nebraska Bird Review

This report contains individual accounts of 56 accepted records of 37 species and 8 non-accepted records of 7 species. The records were contributed by 36 observers. This report covers most of the records n66 - n150. At the NOU Fall Field Day on 3 October 1987, the committee decided to act as repository for all photos published in the Nebraska Bird Review. A decision was also made to simply file for record those records which were not deemed unusual enough to warrant full committee action. Thus, the discrepancy between the number of records logged into the files versus the …

The Eighty-Eighth (1989) Annual Meeting

Nebraska Bird Review

Clear skies and good weather greeted the participants (there were 66 registered) at the 1989 Annual Meeting, held at the 4-H Camp at Halsey Forest 19 to 21 May. There was a Board meeting Friday night; Saturday and Sunday mornings were open for birding; there was a tour of the tree nursery facilities Saturday morning, and a Records Committee meeting; Saturday afternoon Reid Miller, of the Agate Fossil Beds National Monument gave a talk on the Monument, followed by the business meeting. All present officers were re-elected: Thomas Labedz, President; Doug G, Thomas, vice-president; Ruth Green, Secretary; Alice Kenitz, Treasurer; …

Nebraska Bird Review- Whole Issue June 1989

Nebraska Bird Review

Table of Contents

1988 Nebraska Nesting Report ....................34
The Eighty-eighth (1988) Annual Meeting ..............41
Second Report of the N.O.U. Records Committee .....42
Nesting Ecology of Sedge Wrens in Hall County, Nebraska...........47
"Young Purple Finch"; Some Questions ...............49
Nebraska Natural Heritage Program Request for Help.........51
An Iceland Gull in Cedar County, Nebraska....................52
Notes on Black-legged Kittiwakes in Cedar County, Nebraska..................53
Notes ..................54
Book Reviews..................54

Young Purple Finch; Some Questions, Wayne J. Mollhoff

Nebraska Bird Review

A recent note in the Review (Green, 1988) reported on an immature Purple Finch (Carpodacus purpureus) and gave the impression that the bird was hatched in eastern Nebraska. Before a claim is made that would imply a first state breeding record, and it becomes an unquestioned part of the state's literature, I believe the evidence should be closely examined and be as irrefutable as possible. The report cites evidence used to support the claim of recent, nearby fledgling, but, in my opinion, the cited evidence refutes rather than supports that claim. Since the species has never been reported …

Nebraska Natural Heritage Program Request For Help, Mary Kay Clausen

Nebraska Bird Review

The Nebraska Natural Heritage Program is a computer-assisted inventory of rare or uncommon plants, animals, and communities in Nebraska. This information is used to help establish protection priorities, land protection, species review, impact assessment, research, and for education. We are currently operating under a two-year contract between the Nature Conservancy and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Our office is in the Nebraska Game and Parks building in Lincoln. We have a full-time staff consisting of a Botanist, Zoologist, and Community Ecologist,

As the Zoologist for the Program, I would like to solicit the help of NOU members. Currently, I …

Nesting Ecology Of Sedge Wrens In Hall County, Nebraska, Gary R. Lingle, Paul A. Bedell

Nebraska Bird Review

The status of the Sedge Wren (Cistothorus platensis) in Nebraska is not well known. Cink (1973) summarized summer records from 1867 to 1971 and described only a few nest records. One nest discovered on 28 August 1902 at Capitol Beach, Lancaster Co., was assumed empty, apparently because of the late date. Bedell (1987) recorded July and August sightings in south central Nebraska and raised the question of whether these birds were migrants or nesting.

Sedge Wrens are frequently polygynous (Crawford 1977, Burns 1982) and may exhibit two waves of nesting effort in some areas (Burns 1982). Nest initiation …

1988 Christmas Count

Nebraska Bird Review

One hundred ten species were reported on the 1988 Christmas Counts, and two were seen in the count circles during the count week, but not recorded on any count. And there were eight "species" reported, some of which might have added to the count if they could have been identified. Last year the count, from the same locations, was 114 species, and one species seen during the period but not included on any count. The total individual count this year was 505,823; it was 408,096 last year. DeSoto NWR had a total count of 331,124 this year, compared to 77,842 …