Zoology Commons^™

Winter Field Report, December-February 1995-96, W. Ross Silcock

Nebraska Bird Review

As far as the birds are concerned, this was an uneventful winter, with only a few rarities. Highlights include the second pile-up of rare gulls at L. McConaughy, and a Common Redpoll influx. Best of the rarities (all subject to Records committee scrutiny and pending its acceptance) were a 5th record Red-necked Grebe at L. McConaughy; a first-record Mew Gull at L. McConaughy; Iceland, Lesser Black-backed, and Great Black-backed Gulls at L. McConaughy; a Cassin’s Finch at Crawford; White-winged Crossbills at Norfolk and North Platte; and a Hoary Redpoll at Wakefield. Out-of-season reports were record-early Blue-winged Teal in Dixon Co, …

First Record Of Glaucous-Winged Gull For Nebraska, Don Roberson, Rita Carratello

Nebraska Bird Review

During Easter vacation in 1995, we visited the Western Great Plains in search of dancing prairie-chickens and grouse. We started in southeastern Colorado and planned on driving to the Bessey Division, Nebraska National Forest, where we had reservations at photo blinds. But at dawn on 10 April, a huge blizzard began howling and worsened during the drive through Kansas. By the time we reached western Nebraska, our excursion stalled at Ogallala when interstate 80 was closed due to high winds and snow. It was becoming apparent that we would not make it to our planned destination.

A New Species Of The Genus Rhogeessa, With Comments On Geographic Distribution And Speciation In The Genus, Hugh H. Genoways, Robert J. Baker

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

A new species of Rhogeessa is described from southern Suriname. The new species is characterized by a karyotype that possesses a diploid number of 52 and a fundamental number of 52 and by its relatively large overall size compared to other South American Rhogeessa. Tenspecies are now recognized within the genus. Seven of these species, including the one described herein, are members of R. tumida complex. Two of these species--R. io and R. minutilla--also occur in South America and the remaining four species are confined to Mexico and Central America.

Técnicas De Parasitología De Practicas De Campo Para El Uso Durante La Investigación De Mamíferos, Scott Lyell Gardner

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

First paragraph of the introduction:

La obtención de parásitos de mamíferos que son colectados durante las investigaciones o bio-inventarios toma mucho tiempo; y en el pasado, estas colectas ráramente se realizaban. De cualquier forma, los parásitos y otros simbiotas forman un componente importante de las características biologicas y ecologicas de los hospederos y deben ser muestreados. Por ejemplo, trabajos recientes en la diversidad parasitaria y la biogeografía en mamíferos de Bolivia por Gardner y Duszynski (1990), Gardner (1991), y Gardner y Campbell (1992 a,b) no hubiera popdido realizarse sin el trabajo de colección apropiado de la fauna parasitaria/simbiótica de los …

Masthead From Nebraska Bird Review (December 1995) 63(4)

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 b 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, am $5.00 elsewhere. Send orders for back issues to Mary H. Pritchard, NOU Librarian, University of Nebraska State Museum, Lincoln, NI 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

Path To Extinction: Impact Of Vegetational Change On Lizard Populations On Arapaho Prairie In The Nebraska Sandhills, Royce E. Ballinger, Kristin S. Watts

Papers in Herpetology

Since removal of cattle from Arapaho Prairie in 1977, secondary succession has resulted in increased vegetation cover. Studies of resident lizards on a 150 × 150 meter grid revealed: (1) one lizard species (Holbrookia maculata) has essentially been eliminated in 15 years (from a maximum of 74 residents in 1979 to three residents in 1993); (2) a second lizard population (Sceloporus undulatus) has declined from 56 residents in 1979 to fewer than 30 residents in 1993; and (3) preferred microhabitats occupied by lizards have not changed, but their microgeographic distributions have shifted to areas of blowouts, …

Whooping Crane Sightings During Spring Migration, March-May 1995, Steven Anschutz

Nebraska Bird Review

Dates and locations of confirmed and probable sightings in Nebraska are presented in the following table. The first number under "No. of Cranes" refers to adults and the second number to young birds. The legal descriptions of locations by township and rage are omitted, but may be obtained from the NBR Editor or from Wally Jobman at the address under the title. There were six unconfirmed sightings in Nebraska between March 9 and May 10 from Boyd, Buffalo, Hamilton, Hall, and Holt Counties.

Cattle Egrets Nesting In Keith County, Stephen J. Dinsmore, W. Ross Silcock

Nebraska Bird Review

On 6 August, 1994, we observed 31 Cattle Egrets perched in willows at the west end of Lake McConaughy, Keith County (NBR 62: 104, 128. 1994). The habitat and the birds' behavior suggested that they were nesting, which we confirmed the next morning when we waded to the area. Eleven adult egrets were present and we found five nests, three with three eggs each and the other two nests under construction. All of the nests were in live willows and were 4-6 feet above the water surface. The willow thicket used by the egrets was one of several in the …

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