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Masthead And Table Of Contents From Nebraska Bird Review (December 1996) 64(4)

Nebraska Bird Review

Table of Contents

Fall Field Report, August-November 1996 ... 106

Observers for Fall Field Report ... 129

Whooping Crane Sightings, August-December 1996 ... 129

Notes on Bird Sightings in Nebraska ... 130

1995 (Seventh) Report of the NOU Records Committee ... 132

Book Review ... 138

Index to Volume 64 (compiled by R. G. Cortelyou) ... 139

Fall Field Report, August-November 1996, W. Ross Silcock, Joel G. Jorgensen

Nebraska Bird Review

This fall we received numerous excellent reports from which to compile this summary. Most parts of the state are covered, except the southwest and north central, although many observers at least pass through those areas. A note about details on unusual observations. The new NOU Field Card, which can be ordered by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to the NOU Librarian, Univ of Nebraska State Museum, Lincoln, NE 68588-0514, indicates species that need complete documentations, mostly casual and accidental species. However, we realize that information about early and late migration dates, and rarity in the west or east is not …

Nebraska Bird Review (December 1996) 64(4), Whole Issue

Nebraska Bird Review

Fall Field Report, August–November 1996 … 106

Observers for Fall Field Report … 129

Whooping Crane Sightings, August–December 1996 … 129

Notes on Bird Sightings in Nebraska … 130

1995 (Seventh) Report of the NOU Records Committee … 132

Book Review … 138

Index to Volume 64 (compiled by R. G. Cortelyou) … 139

A Late Baird's Sandpiper In Keith County, Stephen J. Dinsmore

Nebraska Bird Review

On 23 December 1994, Gordon Brown and I were walking the North Platte River below Keystone Dam as part of the Lake McConaughy Christmas Bird Count (CBC). At approximately 8:30 a.m. MST, about 0.5 mi below the dam, we observed a group of 8 Killdeer and a smaller shorebird, which we immediately recognized as a "peep." We studied the bird for about 30 minutes at distances as close as 40 feet and then returned in the afternoon to photograph it. The size and black legs immediately eliminated Least Sandpiper, and the dark rump eliminated White-rumped Sandpiper. The remaining possibilities were …

Nebraska Ornithologists' Union Annual Meeting 18 May 1996, Robin Harding

Nebraska Bird Review

The 1997 Annual Meeting will be held jointly with the South Dakota and Iowa Ornithologists' Unions in South Sioux City, NE 16-18 May.

Neal Ratzlaff, President, reported on several items. Funds are being sought to publish the Breeding Bird Atlas for Nebraska. The new NOU Field Cards of Nebraska Birds are ready for distribution. The Wildlife Diversity Funding Initiative is on hold because some companies are afraid of increasing their prices. NOU members were encouraged to urge Cabela's to support the Initiative. [See NBR 63 (3) 1995, p. 91 for details.]

A request was received from Fermata, Inc., which has …

A Review Of The Status Of Limnodromus Griseus, The Short-Billed Dowitcher, In Nebraska, Joel Jorgensen

Nebraska Bird Review

The two North American dowitchers are notoriously difficult to distinguish from each other. This is not only true of field observations, but there are several instances where a specimen identified as one species was found to be the other upon review. Limnodromus scolopaceus, the Long-billed Dowitcher, has always been considered the common dowitcher in Nebraska, while Limnodromus griseus, the Short-billed Dowitcher, is less common. Confusion about identification and the lack of consistent, well-documented records have caused the status of L. griseus in Nebraska to be a matter of speculation.

Taxonomy of dowitchers was for some time confused. Studies …

Another Common Crane In Nebraska With A Summary Of North American Records, Gary Lingle

Nebraska Bird Review

On 30 March 1996 around 1000 h CST, Bob Janssen and Jim Williams of Minnetonka, Minnesota, discovered a Common Crane (Grus grus) feeding in corn stubble with a flock of Sandhill Cranes (Grus canadensis) in Section 34 T9R10 Hall County, Nebraska. The Commom Crane associated with the Sandhill Cranes, which were at peak numbers in the Platte River valley. Later that day, several observers, including myself, witnessed the bird in section 32 about 500 yards away, where it mingled with a few hundred Sandhill Cranes. The difficulty in seeing this bird was illustrated by the fact …

Masthead And Table Of Contents Nebraska Bird Review 64(3) September 1996

Nebraska Bird Review

Table of Contents

A Review of the Status of Limnodromus griseus, the Short-billed Dowitcher, in Nebraska ……………..74

A Late Baird’s Sandpiper in Keith County ……………..79

Another Common Crane in Nebraska with a Summary of North American Records…………….. 80

Nebraska Ornithologists’ Union Annual Meeting 18 May 1996…………….. 82

NOU and NAMC Spring Bird Counts May 1996…………….. 83

Table of Bird Species Observed during NOU Annual Meeting 17-19 May 1996, and NAMC 11 May 1996 in Two Counties…………….. 84

Summer Field Report June-July 1996 ……………..90

Observers for Summer Field Report ……………..103

Summer Field Report, June-July 1996, W. Ross Silcock, Joel G. Jorgensen

Nebraska Bird Review

Starting with this report, Joel Jorgensen will write the reports for sub-passerines. Hopefully this will help with timeliness, especially in getting reports to the Regional Editor for Audubon Field Notes. It is a long process writing up especially the Spring and Fall reports, given the excellent number received.

Highlights in this report are rare loons at Lake McConaughy, three reports of Clark's Grebe, King Rail in Seward Co, Sandhill Cranes in Clay Co, Mountain Plovers in Kimball Co, easterly reports of Black-necked Stilt, first breeding record for Wilson's Phalarope in the Rainwater Basin, Brown Creeper in Sarpy Co, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher …

Nebraska Bird Review (September 1996) 64(3), Whole Issue

Nebraska Bird Review

A Review of the Status of Limnodromus griseus, the Short-billed Dowitcher, in Nebraska ... 74

A Late Baird’s Sandpiper in Keith County ... 79

Another Common Crane in Nebraska with a Summary of North American Records … 80

Nebraska Ornithologists’ Union Annual Meeting 18 May 1996 ... 82

NOU and NAMC Spring Bird Counts May 1996 ... 83

Table of Bird Species Observed during NOU Annual Meeting 17–19 May 1996, and NAMC 11 May 1996 in Two Counties ... 84

Summer Field Report June–July 1996 ... 90

Observers for Summer Field Report … 103

Whooping Crane Sightings During March-May 1996 Migration, Steven Anschutz

Nebraska Bird Review

A peak population of 158 whooping cranes (130 adult/subadult and 28 juvenile) was reported at the Aransas National wildlife Refuge in Texas during the winter of 1995-96. One juvenile was believed to have died between March 17 and 20, so 157 cranes began the spring migration, an increase of 24 birds over 133 in spring, 1995. By April 4, about 82 cranes had begun to migrate, and by April 25, only 9 cranes remained at Aransas. All but 2 of these had migrated by May 3. One of the two cranes migrated sometime after May 22, but the other bird …

Spring Field Report, March-May 1996, W. Ross Silcock

Nebraska Bird Review

This was an interesting spring season, with something for everyone. Interesting data in terms of numbers are being produced by the North American Migration Count (NAMC), especially this spring in Sarpy County; examples are 499 Swainson's Thrushes, 76 Gray-cheeked Thrushes, and 118 Black-and-white Warblers, and others. Some species appeared in large numbers such as 5,000 Western Grebes, 16 Clark's Grebes, 10,000 Wilson's Phalaropes, 300 each of Black-bellied Plover and Sanderling, 54 Whimbrels, and two flocks of over 100 Great-tailed Grackles.

Some interesting early and late dates are included in the species accounts, but several observers noted unexpected species such as …

Masthead From Nebraska Bird Review (June 1996) 64(2)

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.

Nebraska Bird Review (June 1996) 64(2), Whole Issue

Nebraska Bird Review

Table of Contents

1994 (Sixth) Report of the NOU Records Committee ... 38

Spring Field Report, March-May 1996 ... 42

Whooping Crane Sightings during March-May 1996 Migration ... 68

Snowy Plovers in the Rainwater Basin ... 71

Wanted: Information on Cliff Swallow Mortality ... 71

The Nebraska Ornithologists' Union, Inc., Treasurer’S Annual Report, 12/31/95, Elizabeth Grenon

Nebraska Bird Review

Balance 1/1/95 on cash basis per bank account: Cash $1,593.16 Investments $13,500.00 Total $15,093.16

Total Receipts: Cash $9,466.13 Investments $11,354.40 Total $20,820.53

Total Disbursements: Cash $8,777.48 Investments $10,551.66 Total $19,329.14

Balance 12/31/95: Cash $2,281.81 Investments $14,302.74 Total $16,584.55

Nebraska Bird Review (March 1996) 64(1), Whole Issue

Nebraska Bird Review

Table of Contents

NOU Treasurer's Annual Report ... 2

First Record of Glaucous-winged Gull for Nebraska ... 3

Winter Field Report, December-February 1995-96 ... 5

Nebraska Christmas Bird Count for 1995 ... 17

1996 Survey of Bald and Golden Eagles in Nebraska ... 26

1992, 1993 (Fifth) Report of the NOU Records Committee ... 30

Notes on Bird Sightings in Nebraska ... 35

1996 Survey Of Bald And Golden Eagles In Nebraska, John Dinan

Nebraska Bird Review

John Dinan, Nongame Bird Program Manager, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, 2200 N. 33rd st., Lincoln, NE 68503-0370 (phone: 402/471-0641; Fax: 402/471-5528), supplied the results of the 1990 (January 3-15) Bald and Golden Eagle surveys. Nine organizations and twenty-one individuals participated in the survey.

Conditions for 1996 survey: Temperatures 10 to 50 0 F. The Niobrara River had 70 to 100% ice cover, while the unchannelized portion of the Missouri River was mostly open. The channelized portion of the Missouri was open but had floating ice. The Platte River had 50 to 90 % ice cover; the South Platte, 30 …

1992, 1993 (Fifth) Report Of The Nou Records Committee, Joseph A. Gubanyi

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 birds was last published in 1988 (NOU Records Committee 1988) and has been appended three times (Mollhoff 1989, Grenon 1990, and Grenon 1991).

This report includes accounts submitted in late 1991 as well as all records submitted during the calendar years of 1992 and 1993, covering records with accession numbers 295-358. All records mentioned …

Masthead From Nebraska Bird Review (March 1996) 64(1)

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.

Fall Field Report, August-November 1995, W. Ross Silcock

Nebraska Bird Review

Generally this was a "normal" fall, if there is such a thing; a few new early and late dates but no pattern, a few notable species showing or absent, and a few rarities. Grebes and loons were in evidence, including Red-throated and Pacific Loons and Red-necked Grebe, but geese did not arrive (or were not reported) in great numbers by the end of the period. The less common herons were in good numbers, notably Snowy Egret, and also Little Blue Heron and Yellow-crowned Night-Heron. Notable for their absence were the thrushes; few Swainson's were found, and no Gray-cheeked, Veery, or …

Whooping Crane Sightings During July-December 1995 Migration, Steven Anschutz

Nebraska Bird Review

The first dates recorded for confirmed observations of migrating Whooping Cranes were July 13 in Canada and September 2 in the United States, and the last date was November 6 in Nebraska. Sightings were reported in Canada from Alberta (1) and Saskatchewan (34), and in the U.S. from North Dakota (4), South Dakota (1), Nebraska (4), Kansas (10), and Oklahoma (2). The weather during September and October was mild with minor disturbances on Sept. 20 and Oct. 23 causing snow over the Northern Great Plains. The first significant outbreak of cold air occurred during the week of November 5. Based …

Index To Volume 63

Nebraska Bird Review

Index to Volume 63

8 pages

A-Z

Nebraska Ornithologists' Union Fall Field Days, October 6-8, 1995, At The Nebraska National Forest Near Halsey

Nebraska Bird Review

Betty Grenon, Treasurer, reported that NOU has 240 members.

George Brown, Past President, reported on plans for the 1996 Annual Meeting to be held in Kearney, NE on May 17-19. Bill Huser, Vice President, announced that the 1997 Annual Meeting will be held jointly with The Iowa Ornithologists' Union and The South Dakota Ornithologists’ Union in South Sioux City, NE. in May (dates not set). There was some discussion about having a hospitality room to encourage mixing of the three groups. The 1996 Fall Field Days will be held at the Nebraska National Forest near Halsey on the first weekend …

A Possible Breeding Record For Clark's Nutcracker, Diana F. Tomback

Nebraska Bird Review

In the late morning of 17 May, 1987, my husband and I drove into Sowbelly Canyon, which is in the Pine Ridge area in northwestern Nebraska. In the canyon, about 3.3 miles from Harrison, we were in a ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa)–riparian community ecotone, and were startled to hear and see a flock of Clark's Nutcrackers (Nucifraga columbiana). About 30 adults were perched on branches or flying about the tops of the ponderosa pines. From the abundance of cones, it was clear that there had been a good seed crop the previous fall. Some of the …

Nebraska Bird Review (December 1995) 63(4), Whole Issue

Nebraska Bird Review

Table of Contents

Fall Field Report, August-November, 1995 ..............94

Observers for Fall Field Report ..............113

A Possible Breeding Record for Clark's Nutcracker in Northwestern Nebraska in 1987.............. 114

Whooping Crane Sightings, July-December, 1995 Migration ..............116

NOU Fall Field Days, 1995, Nebraska National Forest: Executive Committee Meeting ..............117

Table for NOU Fall Bird Count, October 7-8, 1995 ..............117

Index to Volume 63..............120

Summer Field Report, June-July 1995, W. Ross Silcock

Nebraska Bird Review

This was an interesting summer, with a few rarities, further information on species that are restricted or rare in NE in summer and a couple of additional observations, which involve a little speculation on my part.

Perhaps the best of the rarities was a Neotropic Cormorant at Valentine NWR, while the apparent presence of a Black Rail population at Crescent L NWR is intriguing. Unexpected also were 2 Pacific Loons at L. McConaughy.

Isolated populations or just plain rare summer birds in NE provided interest, with updates on Mississippi Kite at Ogallala, Red-shouldered Hawk at Fontenelle Forest, Acadian Flycatcher at …

Nebraska Bird Review (September 1995) 63(3), Whole Issue

Nebraska Bird Review

Table of Contents

Summer Field Report, June-July 1995 .................... 70

Observers for Summer Report 82 Whooping Crane Sightings During Spring Migration, 1995.................... 82

Notes on Bird sightings in Nebraska .................... 84

Wintering Bald Eagle Survey in Central Nebraska, 1994-95 .................... 84

First Nesting Records for Mississippi Kite in Nebraska .................... 88

Cattle Egrets Nesting in Keith County.................... 89

Nebraska Waterfowl Stamp and Neal R. Anderson .................... 90

Nebraska Ornithologists' Union 1995 Annual Meeting .................... 91

Spring Field Report, March-May 1995, W. Ross Silcock

Nebraska Bird Review

I want to thank the contributors (I think!) for their hard work and supplying me with some 2750 records from which to distill this rather lengthy report. Everything submitted is potentially valuable; my only comment is that brief details on unusual observations such as early or late dates, etc. as well as fuller descriptions of rarities should be provided. It is noteworthy that we have almost as many reporters from the panhandle as from eastern Nebraska.

The highlights of this season were varied. In general, there were few record early dates; indeed, most arrival dates were a little later than …

Whole Issue Nebraska Bird Review (June 1995) 63(2)

Nebraska Bird Review

Table of Contents

1994 Bald Eagle Count, Big Bend Audubon Chapter, Kearney ...................30

Bald Eagle Counts from Two Viewing Facilities, 1994-1995 ...................31

Spring Field Report, March-May, 1995 ...................34

Observers for Spring Field Report ...................60

Notes on Bird Sightings in Nebraska ...................60

Lincoln County, Nebraska May 13, 1995 Bird Count ...................61

NOU Bird Count, May 19-21, 1995, and Sarpy County North American Migration Count, May 13, 1995 ...................62

Laughing Gulls in Western Nebraska ...................66

The Nebraska Ornithologists' Union, Inc., Treasurer's Annual Report, 12/31/94, Elizabeth Grenon

Nebraska Bird Review

The Nebraska Ornithologists' Union, Inc., Treasurer's Annual Report, 12/31/94

Balance 1/1/94 on cash basis per bank account: Cash $1,428.18 Investments $13,636.47 Total $15,064. 65

Total Receipts: Cash $9,107.20 Investments $13,734.48 Total $22,841.68

Total Disbursements: Cash $8,942.22 Investments 13,870.95 Total $22,813.17

Balance 12/31/94: Cash $1,593.16 Investments $13,500.00 Total $15,093.16