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The Nebraska Bird Review (June 2006)- Whole Issue

Nebraska Bird Review

Table of Contents

Spring Field Report, Mar. - May. 2006 by W. Ross Silcock...............38

A Book-collector's Guide to Roger Tory Peterson
by Paul A. Johnsgard...............61

NOU Annual Meeting at Ponca State Park, May 19-21...............64

2005 (17th) Report of the NOU Records Committee
compiled by Mark A. Brogie...............69

Subscription and Organization Information...............75

2005-06 Cbc Site Data

Nebraska Bird Review

2005-06 CBC Site Data

Date, Species, Individuals, Observers, low temp, high temp, sky, rain, snow

Ames
Beaver Valley
Branched Oak/Seward
Calamous/Loup
Crawford
Desoto-Boyer
Grand Island
Harrison-Sioux Co.
Lake McConaughy
Lincoln
Norfolk
Omaha
Ponca S.P.
Scottsbluff

Total

Additional observer numbers at Beaver Valley, Grand Island, Lake McConaughy and Lincoln are feeder watchers.

2005-06 Christmas Bird Counts In Nebraska

Nebraska Bird Review

For the first time this year, two additional counts, Ames and Harrison Sioux Counties, were reported, bringing our total to 14 counts. The all-time high numbers reached for several species this year need to be regarded in light of that fact. We tend now to have more counts, more counters, and more hours spent counting than ever before. While this is a good thing, it is useful to remember that counting more birds does not in this case mean that there are necessarily more birds present. A look at the effort data, such as number of birds per party hour, …

Corrections To 2004-05 Christmas Bird Counts

Nebraska Bird Review

Corrections to 2004-05 Christmas Bird Counts

A Winter Wren was incorrectly shown as having been seen on the 2004 Scottsbluff count. This should have been a Marsh Wren. Additionally, a Purple Finch was seen during count week at Scottsbluff.

Recent Changes In Winter Bird Numbers At Lincoln, Nebraska, Paul A. Johnsgard

Nebraska Bird Review

In 1998 I summarized historic Christmas Bird Count data for Lincoln and Scottsbluff (Johnsgard, 1998), since these two sites provide the longest continuous count records for any Nebraska locations. Eight more years of data have since accumulated, during which there has been an increasing awareness of the perceived effects of global warming (Inkley, 2004) on bird populations. The purpose of this paper is to compare the data for the past eight years (1998-2005) with earlier counts for Lincoln, two of which were first performed in the early 1900's, but which have been conducted in unbroken sequence since 1947. These data, …

Nebraska Ornithologists' Union Treasurer's Report, December 31, 2005

Nebraska Bird Review

Treasurer's Report December 31, 2005

Winter Field Report, December 2005 To February 2006, W. Ross Silcock

Nebraska Bird Review

The traditional mid-summer and midwinter "windows" wherein migrants were rarely detected have closed markedly in the last few years. The midwinter window is closing; where it once was around 20 Dec-20 Feb it is now more like 5 Jan-to Feb. Many waterfowl were found in midwinter this season, and migrants such as Bluewinged Teal and Sandhill Crane appeared very early this spring. Similarly early were Turkey Vulture and Lincoln's Sparrow. In light of waterbirds lingering late in fall, markedly lower numbers of Western Grebes were a surprise.

Exotics were widely-reported; one, Pink-footed Goose, could possibly be a vagrant wild bird, …

The Nebraska Bird Review (March 2006)- Whole Issue

Nebraska Bird Review

Table of Contents

NOU Annual Treasurer's Report for 2005......................2

Winter Field Report, Dec. 2005- Feb. 2006 by W. Ross Silcock......................4

Recent Changes in Winter Bird Numbers at Lincoln, Nebraska
by Paul A. Johnsgard......................16

Corrections to 2004-2005 Christmas Bird Count data......................23

2005-2006 Christmas Bird Counts in Nebraska......................23

Subscription and Organization Information......................35

Index To Volume 73

Nebraska Bird Review

Adams, Chris 32

Alexander,

George 32

Irene 32

Amiotte, Sue 97, 136

Anderson,

Kari 31

Riley 28

Anhinga 46, 51

Armknecht, Henry 4, 32, 96

Audubon Society 22

Aughey, Samuel 125

Avocet, American 46, 54, 87, 102, 140

Fall Field Report, August–November 2005, W. Ross Silcock

Nebraska Bird Review

This fall was notable for its lack of notable events; numbers of migrants reported in all species groups, especially waterfowl, shorebirds, and warblers, were low. Lingering birds were both insectivores and seed-eaters, and, coupled with a rather stable fall weather-wise, it seems that there were no disturbances to concentrate birds or otherwise impede a steady flow of migrants through the state. Without concentrations, migrants are often not noticed or, more accurately here, not reported by observers.

The best Western Grebe count was 2500, very low relative to expected high fall counts of at least 20,000. Mergansers were the only bright …

Fall Field Days At Harlan County Reservoir

Nebraska Bird Review

The annual Fall Field Days were held on September 9–11, 2005, at the 4-H Camp near Alma. Field trip destinations included Harlan County Reservoir and various other points of interest in Furnas, Harlan, Franklin, Phelps, Kearney, and Adams Counties. The total tally was 119 species, including Snowy Egret, Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, Mississippi Kite, Prairie Falcon, and Olive-sided Flycatcher.

Fifty-four members and guests attended. On Friday the group heard from Dr. Josef Kren on the topic of obligate brood parasites, species that have lost the ability to construct nests and incubate eggs and instead lay eggs in the nests of other species, …

Suggested Areas For Study, William F. Rapp Jr.

Nebraska Bird Review

After 100 years of organized ornithology we have a good picture of the bird fauna of Nebraska. Yes, we will still be able to add new species to the state list, but this will become more and more difficult. What problems are left for the amateur ornithologist to solve? Nebraska is a big state with many different ecological areas, few of which have been studied in detail. Only a few areas of the state have been well studied. Not only do we need data on what species occur, but how many. This type of study can be done by amateur …

Snowy Plover Nesting At Lake Mcconaughy In 2004 And 2005, Mark M. Peyton, Gabriel Wilson

Nebraska Bird Review

The Snowy Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus) is a small shore bird that upon casual observation resembles the Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus). The most obvious differences are in the dark beak and legs of the Snowy Plover in contrast to the orange bill with the black tip and orange legs of the Piping Plover. The two also have strikingly different calls (pers. obs.). In Nebraska the Piping Plover can be found along the Missouri, Platte, Niobrara, Loup, and Elkhorn Rivers and the sandpits associated with those rivers (Haig and Plissner 1993). Piping Plovers are also common along the …

Nebraska Bird Review (December 2005) 73(4), Whole Issue

Nebraska Bird Review

Fall Field Report, August–November 2005 ... 134

Fall Field Days at Harlan County Reservoir ... 150

Snowy Plover Nesting at Lake McConaughy in 2004 and 2005 ... 154

Suggested Areas for Study ... 157

Index to Volume 73 ... 160

Subscription and Organization Information ... 171

Subscription And Organization Information [December 2005]

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 Mary Lou Pritchard, NOU Librarian, c/o University of Nebraska State Museum, W-436 Nebraska Hall, Lincoln, NE 68588-0514.

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

Multiple Black-Necked Stilt Nesting Records In The Rainwater Basin, Joel G. Jorgensen, Paul Dunbar

Nebraska Bird Review

Black-necked Stilts (Himantopus mexicanus) have increased throughout much of the mid-continent in recent decades (Will 1999, Brinkley 2003, Brinkley and Baicich 2004). Prior to 1970 there were fewer than ten Nebraska records (Sharpe et al. 2001 ). Reports have increased since 1970 and are now annual. Breeding was first recorded in Nebraska in 1985 at Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge (Heisinger 1985). Breeding has been more or less regular in the western Sandhills since then (Sharpe et al. 2001) and additional breeding records have occurred in Scotts Bluff (Silcock 2002b ), Keith, and Hall Counties (Silcock 2000b ). …

The 2005 Nebraska Nest Report, Wayne J. Mollhoff

Nebraska Bird Review

The drought that gripped much of western Nebraska for the past 5 years loosened its hold this year as rain returned to more normal levels, especially in the northwest Panhandle. Some other areas of the state still remained at below normal rainfall levels.

The following observers submitted records for the nest report: Kathy Delara (KD), Stephen J. Dinsmore (SJD), Mike Fritz (MF), Robin Harding (RH), Derrick Keim (DK), Alice Kenitz (AK), Courtney Kerns (CK), Daniel H. Kim (DHK), Thomas Labedz (TL), Andre Lima (AL), Leonard McDaniel (LM), Wayne Mollhoff (WM), Colleen Noecker (CN), Don Paseka (DP), Janis Paseka (JP), Lanny …

Nebraska Bird Review (September 2005) 73(3), Whole Issue

Nebraska Bird Review

Summer Field Report, June–July 2005 ... 94

In Memory of John J. Dinan, 1954–2005 ... 113

Multiple Black-necked Stilt Nesting Records in the Rainwater Basin ... 115

The 2005 Nebraska Nest Report ... 119

Status of the Cerulean Warbler (Dendroica cerulea) in Nebraska ... 124

Subscription and Organization Information ... 131

In Memory Of John J. Dinan, 1954–2005, Wayne J. Mollhoff

Nebraska Bird Review

It was immediately obvious to anyone who knew John that his work with the birds and other wildlife of Nebraska was more than just a job—it was his life, and he lived it with a passion. Although not always a formal member of the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union, John, as much as anyone, was "dedicated to the study, appreciation, and protection of birds" in Nebraska.

Those privileged enough to spend time afield with John quickly became aware of the presence of not just a professional biologist, but one still fired with that first innocent curiosity at discovering Nebraska's natural environment. That …

Status Of The Cerulean Warbler (Dendroica Cerulea) In Nebraska, W. Ross Silcock, John J. Dinan, Bill Huser, Joel G. Jorgensen

Nebraska Bird Review

The Cerulean Warbler is a species of high conservation concern because of apparent long-term declines throughout its breeding range (Hamel 2000a, Hamel et al. 2004, Sauer et al. 2005) and threats to and reduction of breeding and wintering habitat (Hamel et al. 2004, Rick et al. 2004). Nebraska has traditionally been at the western periphery of the species' breeding range, where it is restricted to mature woodlands in the Missouri River Valley (Sharpe et al. 2001, Mollhoff 2001). The Cerulean Warbler is a Tier I "at-risk" species under the Nebraska Natural Legacy Plan because it is a conservation priority (Schneider …

Summer Field Report, June–July 2005, W. Ross Silcock

Nebraska Bird Review

The highlights of this season revolve around the excellent wetland habitat that existed in the eastern Rainwater Basin as a result of two things: a period of good rains in May and playa wetlands that have undergone restoration. The latter involves removal of accumulated silt and woody vegetation. Silt removal allows for germination of plants of the native soil bank in the original impervious pan, as well as somewhat deeper and more stable water conditions. These conditions resulted in several important breeding records, such as Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Northern Shoveler, and especially Black-necked Stilt. The good water conditions no …

Subscription And Organization Information [September 2005]

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 Mary Lou Pritchard, NOU Librarian. c/o University of Nebraska State Museum, W-436 Nebraska Hall, Lincoln, NE 68588-0514.

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

Nebraska Bird Review (June 2005) 73(2), Whole Issue

Nebraska Bird Review

Spring Field Report, March–May 2005 ... 46

Northern Saw-whet Owls: Rare or Overlooked? An Example from the Central Platte Valley ... 67

Least Tern and Piping Plover Surveys of the Central and Upper Platte River 2001–2004 ... 71

2004 (16th) Report of the NOU Records Committee ... 78

Correction to the 2002 NOURC Report ... 84

Correction to the “Official List of the Birds of Nebraska: 2003” ... 84

In Memory of Loren ‘Bub’ Blake ... 85

Annual Meeting at Calamus Reservoir ... 86

Subscription and Organization Information ... 91

Least Tern And Piping Plover Surveys Of The Central And Upper Platte River 2001–2004, Mark Czaplewski, Jim Jenniges, Mark Peyton

Nebraska Bird Review

Central Platte Natural Resources District (Central Platte NRD), Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD), and Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District (Central) have been involved in monitoring and management of interior Least Tern (Sterna antillarum) and Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) nesting habitat along the Platte River and on the shores of Lake McConaughy in Nebraska since the late 1980s. Since 2001, Central Platte NRD, NPPD, and Central have also helped implement the Least Tern and Piping Plover monitoring protocol developed by the Technical Advisory Committee of the Platte River Endangered Species Partnership (PRESP) (PRESP 2002a, an …

In Memory Of Loren ‘Bub’ Blake, Sept. 17, 1944-Oct. 5, 2004, Neal Ratzlaff

Nebraska Bird Review

Loren Blake, known to all of his friends as 'Bub,' entered many of our lives on a fall evening in the late 1980s. The occasion was the traditional shared nature slide session at the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union Fall Field Days. Rumors circulated about a Sandhills rancher interested in birds and photography who was going to show up with a few slides he had taken “around the ranch.” And show up he did, with a carousel of his best! The room was soon buzzing with Oohs, Aahs, and Wows as Bub dazzled us with his crisp, well-composed photos of everything from …

2004 (16th) Report Of The Nou Records Committee, Mark A. Brogie

Nebraska Bird Review

The functions and methods of the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union 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 updated two times (NOU Records Committee 1997, 2004).

The "Official List" has been appended fourteen times: (Mollhoff 1989, Grenon 1990, 1991, Gubanyi 1996a, 1996b, 1996c, Brogie 1997, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2004, Jorgensen 2001, 2002, 2003). This …

Northern Saw-Whet Owls: Rare Or Overlooked? An Example From The Central Platte Valley, Daniel H. Kim

Nebraska Bird Review

Assessing the population status for species requires accurate measures of local or regional numbers. For many species, standardized protocols exist for estimating local numbers through visual counts (e.g., Breeding Bird Survey routes, Christmas Bird Count circles, and point count protocols used by the US Forest Service). For many raptor species, monitoring populations at migratory bottlenecks such as the Goshute Mountains, NV, Hawk Mountain, PA, and Cape May, NJ, provide yearly indices of population health. Unfortunately, most monitoring protocols overlook a suite of small crepuscular or nocturnal species. Project Owlnet (www.projectowlnet.org) is a volunteer-based network of banding stations focusing on Northern …

Spring Field Report, March-May 2005, W. Ross Silcock

Nebraska Bird Review

As is often the case, the spring season had something for everyone: potential range expansions, an incredible shorebird migration through the eastern Rainwater Basin, a scarcity of migrant warblers, and some genuinely rare birds.

Timely spring rainfall transformed the Rainwater Basin, leaving large areas of sheetwater for migrant shorebirds and improving the attractiveness of wetlands, particularly renovated wetlands, to certain breeding species.

Perhaps the most important bits of information we can record here are changes in breeding ranges or behavior. Of significance here is the second nesting record for Hooded Merganser, the increasing occurrence of Greater Prairie-Chickens at Rainwater Basin …

Subscription And Organization Information [June 2005]

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 Mary Lou Pritchard, NOU Librarian, c/o University of Nebraska State Museum, W-436 Nebraska Hall, Lincoln, NE 68588-0514.

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

Annual Meeting At Calamus Reservoir

Nebraska Bird Review

The 106th Annual Meeting of the NOU was held on May 13–15, 2005, at the Calamus Lodge near Burwell. Sixty-four members and guests were in attendance.

The slate of candidates presented by the nominating committee was accepted by the members present. The officers elected were Dave Heidt, president (replacing Alice Kenitz), Urban Lehner, vice-president (replacing Dave Heidt), Betty Grenon, treasurer, Kevin Poague, secretary (replacing Mitzi Fox), Mary Lou Pritchard, librarian, Loren Padelford, director, and Janis Paseka, editor.

Friday evening's speaker was Scott Taylor, Upland Game Program Manager for Nebraska Game and Parks, who spoke about current upland game bird research …