Zoology Commons^™

Spring Field Report, March 2011 To May 2011, W. Ross Silcock

Nebraska Bird Review

There was a nice mix of interesting phenomena this spring, notably a big influx of migrant warblers. Species that are normally uncommon were reported in good numbers, 30 or more each: Chestnut-sided, Magnolia, Blackburnian, Palm, and Northern Waterthrush, and species that normally occur in very low numbers approached double digits: Blue-winged, Golden-winged, Cape May, and Baybreasted. Southeastern species continue to expand in se. Nebraska, notably Cerulean and Kentucky Warblers and Summer Tanager. A few rarities showed up, most spectacular an alternate-plumaged female Red Phalarope, the first such record for Nebraska, which was captured on video by Nebraska Non-Game TV. Other …

Nebraska Bird Review (June 2011) 79(2), Whole Issue

Nebraska Bird Review

Spring Field Report, March 2011 to May 2011 ... 46

High Species Count at Annual Sarpy County Spring Bird Count ... 68

Eurasian Wigeon in Sarpy County, Nebraska ... 69

Sarpy County Spring Bird Count, May 14, 2011 ... 69

Annual Meeting at Norfolk ... 71

Subscription and Organization Information ... 79

Eurasian Wigeon In Sarpy County, Nebraska, Mark Brogie

Nebraska Bird Review

On Saturday 14 May 2011 on the Sarpy County Spring Count, Justin Rink, Jim Ducey, Ellen Brogie, and I found a Eurasian Wigeon at LaPlatte Bottoms. When first discovered the bird was in the company of multiple Gadwall and at least one adult male American Wigeon. The bird was a striking adult male bird with a rusty red head and a yellowish forehead. The breast was reddish and contrasted with the gray back and sides. This coloration made the white wing stripe more pronounced than that of the American Wigeon. The bird showed no evidence of hybridization. Multiple observers viewed …

High Species Count At Annual Sarpy County Spring Bird Count, Clem Klaphake

Nebraska Bird Review

On May 14, 2011, participants in the Annual Sarpy County Spring Bird Count tallied 174 species, besting the previous high count of 143 (in 2006 and 2010) by 31 species. There were a few more counters this year than in most previous years, but it was just a good year for many families of birds. There were 28 warbler species seen (previous high was 23 in 2008). Also found were 4 terns, 9 flycatchers, 7 woodpeckers, 12 ducks, 14 shorebirds and 3 grebes. There are often unusual species that show up on the count, as illustrated by a Eurasian Wigeon …

Annual Meeting At Norfolk

Nebraska Bird Review

Sixty-six members and guests were in attendance for the 112th Annual Meeting of the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union, held at the Lifelong Learning Center at Northeast Community College in Norfolk. The meeting was organized by Dave Heidt.

Field trips were led by Mark Brogie, Bill Flack, Dave Heidt, Jan Johnson, Wayne Mollhoff, Don and Janis Paseka, and Duane Wolff. Destinations included the Norfolk cemeteries, Ta-Ha-Zouka Park, Yellowbanks WMA, Olson Nature Preserve, wet meadows along Beaver Creek in Boone Co., Hackberry Creek WMA, Grove Lake WMA, the Plainview sewage lagoon, northern Knox Co., Buckskin Hills WMA, Ponca SP, Elk Point Bend WMA, …

Effects Of Gypsy Moth Outbreaks On North American Woodpeckers, Walter D. Koenig, Eric L. Walters, Andrew M. Liebhold

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

We examined the effects of the introduced gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) on seven species of North American woodpeckers by matching spatially explicit data on gypsy moth outbreaks with data on breeding and wintering populations. In general, we detected modest effects during outbreaks: during the breeding season one species, the Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus), increased over pre-outbreak levels, while during the winter one species, the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius), increased and one, the Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens), decreased from pre-outbreak levels. Responses following outbreaks were similarly variable, and in general we were unsuccessful …

A Late-Season Breeding Record For The Summer Tanager In Nebraska, Eric C. Hopps

Nebraska Bird Review

The breeding range of the Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra) is well documented and expands across the southern U.S. extending northward to New Jersey and west along and south of the Great Lakes to the eastern edge of the Great Plains (Terres 1991; Robinson 1996). In Nebraska the species is generally confined to the Lower Missouri and Platte River Valleys where it occurs locally (Sharpe et al. 2001). Because the species exists in relatively low numbers across southeastern Nebraska, there are few breeding and nesting records for the state. Fewer than 10 breeding records, including one historical account have …

Nebraska Ornithologists’ Union Treasurer’S Report, December 31, 2010

Nebraska Bird Review

One-page spreadsheet constituting the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union treasurer's report at year end (December 31) of 2010. The grand total is $56,740.04.

Book Review [Of Wild Birding Colorado: The Big Year Of 2010], W. Ross Silcock

Nebraska Bird Review

Nebraska birders might remember seeing reports posted to NEBirds a few years back by Cole Wild, a native Coloradan whose mother's family is from Nebraska. Cole took up birding at age 19, spurred by an earlier high school environmental science class that required identification of 100 species of birds. As with many of us, a brightly plumaged bird, in this case a Western Tanager, resulted in "the birdwatching gene" in Cole suddenly being "switched to the ON position." Soon after, Cole went on a "what the heck, I'll try it" field trip to see a Kelp Gull at Loveland Reservoir …

2010–2011 Christmas Bird Counts, Don Paseka

Nebraska Bird Review

Fourteen Christmas Bird Counts were held in Nebraska in the 2010–2011 season. The Branched Oak–Seward count was canceled due to weather, but in comparison to last year, the weather was generally dry, mild, and cooperative. Even though open water was limited, the species associated with water were well represented, resulting in the highest total number of species (149) ever, easily topping the previous high count of 138 in 2001. In all, 17 species set new high counts, 5 tied previous highs, and the amazing Brown-headed Nuthatches stayed in Lincoln and were counted for the first time in Nebraska.

Twelve species …

Winter Field Report, December 2010 To February 2011, W. Ross Silcock

Nebraska Bird Review

This winter was pretty much a rerun of last, although perhaps not as severe; I could have used last winter's Introduction again. If there was an overall theme, it would be the widespread occurrences of species that would not be expected to linger into late December and January. Several species of waterbirds, notably Blue-winged Teal, scoters, Ruddy Duck, Common Loon, and Homed and Red-necked Grebes were in this category. Large numbers of Western Grebes were still at Lake McConaughy in early January, and surprisingly late individuals of Black-crowned Night-Heron and Plegadis ibis were located. Mourning Doves were in good numbers …

Nebraska Bird Review (March 2011) 79(1), Whole Issue

Nebraska Bird Review

Nebraska Ornithologists’ Union Treasurer’s Report, December 31, 2010 ... 2

Color Photo Section ... 3

Winter Field Report, December 2010 to February 2011 ... 7

2010–2011 Christmas Bird Counts ... 20

A Late-Season Breeding Record for the Summer Tanager in Nebraska ... 33

Book Review: Wild Birding Colorado: The Big Year of 2010 ... 37

Book Review: The Stokes Field Guide to the Birds of North America ... 38

Color Photo Section ... 39

Subscription and Organization Information ... 43

Color Photo Section [March 2011, Pp. 3–6]

Nebraska Bird Review

Peregrine Falcon, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Sedge Wren, Spotted Towhee (p. 3); Northern Harrier, Long-eared Owl, Mississippi Kite (p. 4); Loggerhead Shrike, Snow Bunting, Piping Plover, Green Heron (p. 5), Ring-billed Gull with Ross’s Gull, Ross’s Gull, Black-legged Kittiwake, and Lesser Black-backed Gull (p. 6).

Subscription And Organization Information [March 2011]

Nebraska Bird Review

The Nebraska Bird Review is published quarterly by the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union, Inc., as its official journal, and is sent to members not in arrears of dues. Annual subscription rates (on a calendar-year basis only): $15 in the United States, $18 in Canada, and $30 in all other countries, payable in advance. Single copies are $4 each, postpaid, in the United States, $5 in Canada, and $8 elsewhere. Send orders for back issues to Anita Breckbill, NOU Librarian, c/o Music Library, WMB 30, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68588-0101.

Memberships in the NOU (on a calendar-year basis only): Active Household …

Color Photo Section [March 2011, Pp. 39–42]

Nebraska Bird Review

Whimbrel, Red-headed Woodpecker, Northern Cardinal, atypical Ring-necked Pheasants (p. 39); Brown-headed Nuthatch, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Palm Warbler (p. 40); hybrid Black-headed/Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (on nest and on wire) (p. 41), Plegadis sp. Ibis, Cooper’s Hawk, and Black-crowned Night-Heron (p. 42).

Book Review [Of The Stokes Field Guide To The Birds Of North America], Tim Hajda

Nebraska Bird Review

Don and Lillian Stokes are well known for their nature guides that cover a variety of subjects, from hummingbirds and beginner shorebird identification to reptiles and amphibians. Their original pair of Stokes Field Guide to Birds: Eastern Region and Western Region have remained popular among North American birders since their appearance in 1995. They were illustrated with photographs instead of the traditional paintings used in most field guides. The authors' latest book, The Stokes Guide to Birds of North America is essentially an entirely new and much improved version of these two guides. Instead of being split into two books, …

Evidence Of Cowbird Parasitism On Yellow-Throated Warblers At Starved Rock State Park, Illinois, Usa, Joseph Traina

Faculty Publications & Research

An adult yellow-throated warbler (Dendroica dominica) was observed feeding a fledged brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater) on July 1, 2010 at the Beehive Overlook at Starved Rock State Park (LaSalle County, Illinois, USA). Food in the form of captured insects was brought to the young cowbird five times during a period of approximately 15 minutes.

Fall Field Report, August–November 2010, W. Ross Silcock

Nebraska Bird Review

This was a pretty routine fall for the most part, although there were scattered early and late dates and high counts as in most seasons. Decidedly non-routine, though, was the appearance of two rarities, Ross's Gull and Brown-headed Nuthatch, both enjoyed by many. A surprising 15 gull species were reported, this without much help from L McConaughy! Also notable were the sea-ducks, scoters, and Long-tailed Duck, which were in good numbers.

Tom Labedz, collections manager at the University of Nebraska State Museum, is an excellent source; he contributed greatly to discussions herein on Greater Prairie-Chicken and Fox Sparrow.

A clarification: …

By-Laws Of The Nebraska Ornithologists’ Union (Nou) Records Committee, Mark A. Brogie

Nebraska Bird Review

These procedural guidelines, or "by-laws," were revised and approved by the NOURC and the NOU Board of Directors (2010).

Mccook Fall Field Days

Nebraska Bird Review

The 2010 NOU Fall Field Days were held in McCook on September 24–26, and 57 members and friends were in attendance.

Field trip destinations included Medicine Creek Reservoir and points east, led by William Flack; Red Willow State Recreation Area and other Frontier County locations, led by T. J. Walker; and Swanson Reservoir State Recreation Area and the Benkelman sewage lagoons, led by Robin Harding and Lanny Randolph. A final tally of 131 species was recorded.

Gerhard Assenmacher, wildlife photographer and conservationist, spoke on Saturday night about his Medicine Creek Wildlife Refuge. The refuge is composed of more than 550 …

Index To Volume 78

Nebraska Bird Review

Adams,

Cody 125

David 125

Akers, Danny 131

Alexander, Irene 26

Allen, Paul 125

Allison, Scott 26

Amadon, D. 69

American Ornithologists' Union 34, 82

Amos, A. F. 33

Andelt, Frank 125

Anderson-Ray, Janet 40

Andresen, Kari 125

Anhinga 70, 162

Ani, Groove-billed 75, 164

Arp, Duane 125

Assenmacher, Gerhard 150

Audubon, John J. 104, 121

Avocet, American 38, 48, 50, 65, 70, 93, 137

Subscription And Organization Information [December 2010]

Nebraska Bird Review

The Nebraska Bird Review is published quarterly by the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union, Inc., as its official journal, and is sent to members not in arrears of dues. Annual subscription rates (on a calendar-year basis only): $15 in the United States, $18 in Canada, and $30 in all other countries, payable in advance. Single copies are $4 each, postpaid, in the United States, $5 in Canada, and $8 elsewhere. Send orders for back issues to Anita Breckbill, NOU Librarian, c/o Music Library, WMB 30, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68588-0101.

Memberships in the NOU (on a calendar-year basis only): Active Household …

Nebraska Ornithologists’ Union Records Committee: A Review Of The First 25 Years (1985–2009), Mark A. Brogie

Nebraska Bird Review

The year 2009 marked the 25th year of existence of the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union Records Committee (NOURC). Its beginning can be traced to one person—Wayne Mollhoff. Wayne raised the need for a records committee in the spring of 1985 at the NOU Annual Meeting in Gretna, Nebraska. At the general membership meeting, then-president Gary Lingle appointed Wayne to form a committee to establish a Nebraska Ornithologists' Union Records Committee. Using procedures from several other states' records committees, Wayne developed a set of operating guidelines or by-laws specific to Nebraska. Further discussion of a records committee continued at the 1985 NOU …

Nebraska Bird Review (December 2010) 78(4), Whole Issue

Nebraska Bird Review

Fall Field Report, August–November 2010 ... 130

McCook Fall Field Days ... 150

Nebraska Ornithologists' Union Records Committee: A Review of the First 25 Years (1985–2009) ... 155

By-Laws of the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union (NOU) Records Committee ... 167

Index to Volume 78 ... 171

Subscription and Organization Information ... 183

Subscription And Organization Information [September 2010]

Nebraska Bird Review

The Nebraska Bird Review is published quarterly by the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union, Inc., as its official journal, and is sent to members not in arrears of dues. Annual subscription rates (on a calendar-year basis only): $15 in the United States, $18 in Canada, and $30 in all other countries, payable in advance. Single copies are $4 each, postpaid, in the United States, $5 in Canada, and $8 elsewhere. Send orders for back issues to Anita Breckbill, NOU Librarian, c/o Music Library, WMB 30, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68588-0101.

Memberships in the NOU (on a calendar-year basis only): Active Household …

My Life In Biology: Paul A. Johnsgard, Paul A. Johnsgard

Nebraska Bird Review

An autobiographical article by ornithologist Paul A. Johnsgard that spans his early years in North Dakota, undergraduate and graduate studies, his arrival and professional years at the University of Nebraska, his writings and writing influences, artwork, teaching and Cedar Point Biological Station, hunting and photography, conservation, religious beliefs, and numerous writing projects underway.

A Review Of Modern Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus Leucocephalus) Nesting Records And Breeding Status In Nebraska, Joel G. Jorgensen, Stephen K. Wilson, John J. Dinan, Sarah E. Rehme, Sonya E. Steckler, Melissa J. Panella

Nebraska Bird Review

The recovery of the Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) in North America during the 20th century is a conservation success story. Once threatened with extinction, the species now is common throughout much of its range (Buehler 2000). Federal and state laws such as the Endangered Species Act (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531-1544) that were used to protect Bald Eagles and important habitats used by eagles are considered key actions that fostered the species' recovery. In 2007, the Bald Eagle was formally removed from the federal list of threatened and endangered species (50 CFR Part 17). The following year, the Bald …

Summer Field Report, June–July 2010, W. Ross Silcock

Nebraska Bird Review

This summer was marked by continuing high water tables along the Missouri River and good water levels in the eastern Rainwater Basin. As a result, American and Least Bitterns, King Rail, Common Moorhen, and several American Coot nests in Sarpy Co were reported. However, Great and Snowy Egrets were scarce, and Black-necked Stilts were absent from the eastern Rainwater Basin after several good breeding years there.

First breeding records for the state are always exciting; Lesser Goldfinch finally took the plunge this year in Banner Co. Also encouraging were increased reports of Black-billed Cuckoo (9) and both Black-billed Magpie and …

Nebraska Bird Review (September 2010) 78(3), Whole Issue

Nebraska Bird Review

Summer Field Report, June–July 2010 ... 86

My Life in Biology: Paul A. Johnsgard ... 103

A Review of Modern Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) Nesting Records and Breeding Status in Nebraska ... 121

Subscription and Organization Information ... 127

Annual Meeting At Chadron

Nebraska Bird Review

Sixty-seven members and guests were in attendance at the 111th Annual Meeting of the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union held at Camp Norwesca on May 14–16, 2010. The Camp Norwesca campus, located just south of Chadron State Park, proved to be an excellent birding location, providing good views of Evening Grosbeaks and Red Crossbills. Evening Grosbeaks were also found at Chadron State Park and at Beaver Wall in Sheridan Co.

Field trips were led by Wayne Mollhoff, Kathy DeLara, Ann Duey, Alice Kenitz, and Bruce and Donna Walgren. Rain on Saturday morning caused some last-minute changes to the trip itineraries. Among the …