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Masthead From Nebraska Bird Review (September 1995)

Nebraska Bird Review

The Nebraska Bird Review is published quarterly in March, June, September, and December by the Nebraska Ornithologists I 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.

Memberships in NOU (on a calendar year …

Nebraska Ornithologists' Union (Nou) 1995 Annual Meeting

Nebraska Bird Review

At the NOU annual meeting on May 20, 1995, all the incumbent officers were reelected for 1995-96 and are listed on the back over of The Nebraska Bird Review. Thomas Labedz, Lincoln, was elected to the Board of Directors for a three-year term to eucceed Roger Sharpe, Omaha, who completed his term.

On the Records Committee, the Board approved three-year terms for Robin Harding, Gibbon; Joel Jorgensen, Blair; and Thomas Labedz, Lincoln. They replaced the expired terms of Alan Grenon and Rick Wright, and the resignation of William Scharf, who moved away from Nebraska. The Board approved the reappointment of …

"Notes On Bird Sightings In Nebraska," From Nebraska Bird Review (September 1995), Iola Pennington

Nebraska Bird Review

During the summer of 1995, I saw the following species around my home near Wauneta, where I supplied lots of pans of water, and on a trip to Imperial, both in Chase County: Swainson's Hawk, Rock Dove, Mourning Dove, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Common Nighthawk, Chimney Swift, Red-headed Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Western Kingbird, Eastern Kingbird, Blue Jay, House Wren, American Robin, Brown Thrasher, Bell's Vireo, Northern Cardinal, Black-headed Grosbeak, Lark Sparrow, Common Grackle, Orchard Oriole, Northern Oriole, House Finch, House Sparrow.

-----L. lola Pennington, RR2 Box 119, Wauneta, NE 69045

Nebraska Waterfowl Stamp And Neal R. Anderson

Nebraska Bird Review

In 1991, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission established the Nebraska Waterfowl Stamp and commissioned Neal R. Anderson, a Nebraska native, to create the first stamp print. He also has designed a stamp each year from 1992 to 1995. The 1995 Nebraska Waterfowl Stamp Print depicts a pair of wood ducks in striking detail (see photo). Funds from the sale of the 1995 Stamp will be used to benefit the Nebraska wildlife Habitat Fund.

Neal Anderson has provided illustrations for several wildlife magazines including Nebraska land, and he has designed Sponsor Prints for Ducks Unlimited in Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, and …

Wintering Bald Eagle Survey In Central Nebraska, 1994-1995, Mark M. Peyton

Nebraska Bird Review

The Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District (Central) and Nebraska Public Power District conducted monitoring studies from 1987 to 1991 to evaluate the use by wintering Bald Eagles of the canal and lake systems associated with Federal Energy Regulation Commission (FERC) projects 1417 and 1835. The results of these studies were reported by Plettner (1990 and 1993), Stalmaster (1990), and Stalmaster and Plettner (1991). Central has continued to monitor Bald Eagles along Central's canal and lake system since 1992. Ten locations, which the 198791 studies identified as having the highest number of wintering Bald Eagles, were used for the …

First Nesting Records For Mississippi Kite In Nebraska, Stephen J. Dinsmore, W. Ross Silcock

Nebraska Bird Review

Mississippi Kites are regular visitors to Nebraska. Prior to 1974, there were four reports for the state (NBR 33:49. 1965), but it has occurred almost annually since then. Almost all reports are from the North Platte and Missouri River valleys, with concentrations of sightings at Fontenelle Forest in Sarpy County, near Aurora in Polk County, and, most recently, in Ogallala, Keith County. Of 39 dated reports, 12 were in May and 13 in September, suggesting spring overshoot migrants and fall dispersal. The first summer report was an adult at Shoemaker Island, Hall County on 10 July, 1983 (NBR 51:90). …

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

Bald Eagle Count By Big Bend Audubon Chapter--Kearney, Ne, George W. Brown

Nebraska Bird Review

The counts were made on January 8, 1994 in two locations: the Kearney to Lexington area; and the Harlan Reservoir and Republican River areas. The temperature ranged from 12° - 46° F; wind, southwest at 3 - 15 mph; sky clear; water mostly open. Participants on the Kearney to Lexington area were George and Marian Brown, Evelyn Johnson, Wes Kellogg, Eileen Paine, Bob Talbitzer, Trenton Talbitzer, Dana Thuente, Margaret Triplett, Mark Urwiller, James Urwiller, and Garnsey Weed. participants on the Harlan Reservoir Republican River count were Carla Alexander, Bonnie Bernholtz, Robin Harding, Phoebe Keenen, and Lanny Randolph. Don and Vernell …

Laughing Gulls In Western Nebraska, Stephen J. Dinsmore, W. Ross Silcock

Nebraska Bird Review

In this article, we describe two recent sightings of Laughing Gulls in western Nebraska in 1992 and 1994. The only previous acceptable record for Nebraska is a bird collected on 2 April, 1915 at Inland, Clay Co. (Bray et al. 1986). The birds described here are the second and third accepted records of this species in Nebraska.

On 30 June, 1992, Stephen J. Dinsmore and James J. Dinsmore observed a second-summer Laughing Gull at gate 9 on Lake McConaughy, Keith Co. The bird was resting on a sandy spit with about 100 other gulls, mostly Ring-billed. They observed the bird …

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

Nebraska Bird Review

Nine members of the Tout Bird Club counted 99 species between 7:00 AM and 3:00 PM. The day was sunny with gusts of west wind up to 50 miles per hour, and the temperature ranged from 40-50° F. The participants were Esther and Harold cunningham, Marie Eavens, Greg Hoover, Pat McEvoy, Nancy and Virgil Norton, and Wilma and Howard Wyman. The list of species reported by Wilma is as follows:

pied-billed Grebe, Eared Grebe, American white Pelican, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Cattle Egret, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Canada Goose, Wood Duck, Mallard, Blue-winged Teal, Cinnamon Teal, Northern Shoveler, Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead, …

"Notes On Bird Sightings In Nebraska," From Nebraska Bird Review (June 1995) 63(2)

Nebraska Bird Review

Black-shouldered Kite. On 6 May, 1995, I saw an adult in full plumage hunting over a field of tall, dead grass just inside the Polk County line from York County. I first noticed this large, white bird hovering while hunting, then it would move a short distance and hover again. Since I see these birds every winter in south Texas, I am very familiar with them, and this is the first one I've seen in Nebraska. Its field marks were very plain, especially the black shoulder patches, long, pointed wings, and long tail. After watching it for some time, …

Nou Bird Count, May 19-21, 1995, And Sarpy County North American Migration Count, May 13, 1995

Nebraska Bird Review

The following table includes the 129 species seen in five counties during the spring meeting of the Nebraska ornithologists' Union at Camp Calvin Crest near Fremont, NE. Sarpy County also includes species recorded for the North American Migration Count on May 13, 1995. These are shown as numbers versus check marks for the NOU count.

Data for the Sarpy County North American Migration Count:

The count on 13 May, 1995 lasted from 6:00 AM to 7:30 PM, the temperature ranged from 53° to 77° F, the wind ranged from south at 8 mph to west at 29 mph. There were …

Bald Eagle Counts From Two Viewing Facilities, 1994-95 Season, Mark M. Peyton, Rodger Knaggs

Nebraska Bird Review

The Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District (Central) opened the Johnson No. 2 (J-2) hydroelectric plant, located southeast of Lexington, to the public in 1998 for viewing the Bald Eagles that congregate along the spillway below the plant, and in 1990 provided a second viewing facility at Kingsley Dam below Lake McConaughy near Ogallala. Since the openings, over 30,000 visitors have registered at the two facilities.

Records of the number of Bald Eagles visible from the viewing facilities during the 1994-95 seasons are presented, as well as a brief review of numbers at the two sites since they were …

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

Masthead From Nebraska Bird Review (June 1995) 63(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.

Memberships in NOU (on a calendar year basis …

Christmas Bird Count For 1994

Nebraska Bird Review

The official count period for the 95th Audubon National society's Christmas Bird Count was December 17, 1994 through January 2, 1995. Two of the Nebraska locations conducted counts outside the official period, Grand Island on the 16 Dec. and North Platte on 7 Jan.

The numerical data are presented in Table 1 (pages 4-9) in a west (left) to east (right) and north (top) to south (bottom) order for 12 locations entirely in Nebraska, and 2 locations (DeSoto NWR and Tristate) that are not entirely in Nebraska. Unusual species underlined in the reports are marked * before the number in …

1994 And 1995 Surveys Of Bald And Golden Eagles In Nebraska, John Dinan

Nebraska Bird Review

Conditions for 1994 survey: Temperatures 20 to 50° F Jan.1-5, and from -5 to 45° F Jan. 6-10; light to moderate snow cover in the panhandle, 2-4" of snow in the northeast, and none in the rest of Nebraska. Niobrara River had ice cover up to 80-95% in some reaches; Missouri River was flowing with 50-75% slush; other rivers surveyed by air were mostly ice-free. Larger reservoirs, i. e. Harlan and Lake McConaughy, had some ice cover in protected bays and at the upper ends, but the main areas were open. The rest of the lakes and smaller reservoirs …

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

"Note On Bird Sighting In Nebraska," From Nebraska Bird Review (March 1995), Sandy Lemmon

Nebraska Bird Review

Black-throated Blue Warbler. I saw this bird in our yard (James Ranch, Fort Robinson State Park, Sioux co.) between October 10 and 13, 1993. It had a black face and throat, blue-gray head, back, and tail, with white patches on its wings. I used the Golden Field Guide to Birds of North America, and the Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds to identify it. It did not seem to be disturbed by my presence (5 to 10 feet away), but moved about very rapidly. It was with a bird tentatively identified as an immature Yellow-rumped Warbler, and was …

List Of Birds For Which The Records Committee Seeks Documentation, Joseph A. Gubanyi

Nebraska Bird Review

The NOU Records Committee at its February 25, 1995 meeting revised the list of species for which the committee seeks documentation. This list was last published in 1988 (NBR 56:86-96). The committee seeks documentation on all species with less than regular occurrence in Nebraska, as well as any species occurring out-of-range or out-of-season. Changes in this list since 1988 include the addition of new species documented for the state, and the deletion of species upgraded to regular status. Below are, listed the species of less than regular occurrence based on the official list of state birds (a revised list …

Masthead From Nebraska Bird Review (March 1995)

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.

Memberships in NOU (on a calendar year basis …

Winter Field Report, December-February 1994-95, W. Ross Silcock

Nebraska Bird Review

This was an interesting winter season, with some record late and early dates, rarities, and early arrivals of large numbers of migrants. This information was provided by a dedicated group of observers, who have been patient in understanding the kind of information to report.

First Feb records for Common Loon, first Jan record for Horned Grebe, first wintering record for Western Grebe, record late date for Eared Grebe, first Dec record of Baird's Sandpiper, first Feb record of winter Wren away from the Missouri valley, and 4th Feb record for Yellow-rumped Warbler, were all notable.

Large numbers of geese, ducks, …

Whole Issue Nebraska Bird Review (March 1995) 63(1)

Nebraska Bird Review

Table of Contents

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

Christmas Bird Count for 1994 ...................3

List of species for Which the Records Committee Seeks Documentation ...................12

Winter Field Report, December-February, 1994-1995 ...................14

1994 & 1995 Surveys of Bald and Golden Eagles in Nebraska ...................23

Note on Bird Sighting in Nebraska ...................27

Effect Of Feathers As Nest Insulation On Incubation Behavior And Reproductive Performance Of Tree Swallows (Tachycineta Bicolor), Michael P. Lombardo, Ruth M. Bosman, Christine A. Faro, Stephen G. Houtteman, Timothy S. Kluisza

Peer Reviewed Publications

Many species of birds line their nests with feathers, presumably because of the insulative qualities of feathers and because feathers may act as a barrier between nest parasites and nestlings. In 1993, we experimentally examined the role of feathers as nest insulation on the incubation behavior, nestling growth, and reproductive performance of Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) nesting in boxes in western Michigan. There were no significant differences between the incubation rhythms of females with experimental nests (i.e. no feathers) and females with control nests (i.e. with feathers). Nestlings that were reared in control nests had significantly longer right …

Within-Pair Copulations: Are Female Tree Swallows Feathering Their Own Nests?, Michael P. Lombardo

Peer Reviewed Publications

A variety of hypotheses has been proposed to explain why socially monogamous birds copulate repeatedly with their mates when only a single copulation is necessary to fertilize an entire clutch (Birkhead and Møller 1992, Petrie 1992, Hunter et al. 1993). Petrie (1992) hypothesized that a female should copulate frequently with her mate so as to reduce her mate’s involvement in extrapair copulations. By reducing her mate’s involvement in extrapair copulations, a female may: (1) avoid the transmission of parasites and sexually transmitted diseases (Hamilton 1990); (2) may avoid sperm depletion by her mate; and (3) may monopolize her mate’s paternal …

Whooping Crane Sightings In Nebraska, August 1994-January 1995, Steven Anschutz

Nebraska Bird Review

The first arrival at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in southern Texas was on October 5, 1994, and the last arrivals (a family group) were on January 12, 1995, the latest date that an adult pair had ever arrived at Aransas. A total of 132 (125 adult/subadult and 7 young) Whooping Cranes are wintering at Aransas, including 3 birds that spent the summer at Aransas. A solitary chick sighted with Sandhill Cranes in Oklahoma on January 2, 1995 is the 133rd crane in the flock. Since, under optimum conditions, 148 cranes were expected to reach Aransas during the fall migration, the …

"Index To Volume 62," From Nebraska Bird Review (December 1994), R. G. Cortelyou

Nebraska Bird Review

Index (12 pages)

Albino? 151

Alt, Jim 54, 59(2), 62, 68, 72, 80, 82(2), 83, 88, 107, 113, 115, 143, 144, 149. 151

Amiotte, Sue 50

Anderson, Neal 96

Anschultz, Steven Whooping Crane
Sightings During Spring
Migration, 1994 94

Whooping Crane Sightings, August 1004 - January 1995 149

Avocet, American 20, 21, 73. 98, 107, 133 .

Babcock, Colleen 89

Barn-Owl, Common 24, 25, 77, 110

Barth, Roland 109, 115

Bedows, Elliot 88

Birkman, Marjorie 58, 59, 60, 60, 68, 73, 80, 87, 88

Bittern, American 66, 67, 104, 128 Least 5. 90. 104

Blackbird, Brewer's 46 , 47, 62 …

Excerpts From The Minutes Of The Nebraska Ornithologists' Union Executive Committee Meeting, September 10, 1994, Robin Harding

Nebraska Bird Review

The 1995 annual spring meeting and field trips will be held at Camp Calvin Crest near Fremont, NE May 19-21. Most of the Executive Committee members agreed that presentation of one scientific paper on Saturday afternoon would be a desirable addition. The 1995 annual fall meeting will be at Halsey National Forest 4-H camp, tentatively on October 6-8. The Executive Committee decided against having a winter meeting.

Alice Kenitz discussed the printing of the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union (NOU) Field Card of Nebraska Birds. She reported that there may be some money available from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission to …