Zoology Commons^™

Breeding Black-Necked Stilts At Funk Waterfowl Production Area, Jeff Drahota

Nebraska Bird Review

On 21 July 2003, I was mapping wetland vegetation on Funk Waterfowl Production Area (WPA), Phelps County, when I encountered two adult Black-necked Stilts and two young on the Teal Unit, NE 1/4 of Section 16, T-6-N, R-17-W. I was using an airboat to map pockets of open water throughout the WPA. When I launched the airboat on the Teal Unit, I immediately noticed an adult Black-necked Stilt flying above the small pool. While driving the perimeter of this pool, I noticed two adult Black-necked Stilts continually flying over a small point of cattails surrounded by shallow water. As I …

Halsey Fall Field Days, Alice Kenitz

Nebraska Bird Review

Forty-one NOU members and friends gathered at the 4-H Camp at Halsey in the Nebraska National Forest on September 26–28, 2003, for the annual Fall Field Days. Fall colors were beautiful and the weather was generally good except for a brisk wind on Friday and Saturday. The ongoing drought was evident in the low level of lakes and ponds, with some of the smaller bodies of water being completely dry.

Index To Volume 71

Nebraska Bird Review

Index to Volume 71

Fall Field Report, August-November 2003, W. Ross Silcock

Nebraska Bird Review

New in this Seasonal Report, direct from the American Ornithologists' Union (along with Wilson's Snipe, Rock Pigeon, etc.), is the modified checklist order, featuring geese, swans, and ducks at the beginning, followed by gallinaceous birds, then resuming the familiar order with loons.

Perhaps the most important use for these reports, in addition to their incorporation into the Southern Great Plains Region summary in North American Birds, is the noting of significant avian events in Nebraska. Some are of obvious importance, but the meaning of others is obscure, perhaps only to be revealed as subsequent reports show a trend, or …

Nebraska Bird Review (December 2003) 71(4), Whole Issue

Nebraska Bird Review

Fall Field Report, August–November 2003 ... 146

Breeding Black-necked Stilts at Funk Waterfowl Production Area ... 166

Another Sandhill Crane Breeding Record in the Eastern Rainwater Basin ... 167

Halsey Fall Field Days ... 169

Index to Volume 71 ... 173

Subscription and Organization Information ... 183

Subscription And Organization Information [September 2003]

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): …

Summer Field Report, June-July 2003, W. Ross Silcock

Nebraska Bird Review

To begin on a sad note, I want to mention the passing of Roger Sharpe, senior author with Joel Jorgensen and me of Birds of Nebraska. Roger was great to work with, enthusiastic, and, of course, extremely knowledgeable in many areas. Joel and I both learned a lot from Roger, in different ways, not just ornithologically. We miss Roger.

This summer was, of course, hot and waterless. Any spot with water was a hotspot. Lake McConaughy, even more than usual, was worth a look, as were Sandhills ponds that generally fared well waterwise. Joel Jorgensen kept us posted on …

2002 (14th) Report Of The Nou Records Committee, Mark A. Brogie

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 the Birds of Nebraska" was first published in 1988 (NOU Records Committee 1988) and an update was published in 1997 (NOU Records Committee 1997).

The "Official List" has been appended twelve times: (Mollhoff 1989, Grenon 1990, 1991, Gubanyi 1996a, 1996b, 1996c, Brogie 1997,1998,1999, Jorgensen 2001, 2002, 2003). This report includes all accounts submitted during …

Nebraska Bird Review (September 2003) 71(3), Whole Issue

Nebraska Bird Review

Summer Field Report, June–July 2003 ... 106

Autumn Roosting Habitat for Chimney Swifts in Eastern Omaha ... 127 [Article not included at the request of the author]

2002 (14th) Report of the NOU Records Committee ... 136

Subscription and Organization Information ... 143

2001 (13th) Report Of The Nou Records Committee, Joel G. Jorgensen

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 THE BIRDS OF NEBRASKA was first published in 1988 (NOU Records Committee 1988) and has been appended eleven times (Moll hoff 1989, Grenon 1990, Grenon 1991, Gubanyi 1996a, Gubanyi 1996b, Gubanyi 1996c, Brogie 1997, Brogie 1998, Brogie 1999, Jorgensen 2001 and Jorgensen 2002).

An update of the OFFICIAL LIST OF THE BIRDS OF NEBRASKA …

Masthead From Nebraska Bird Review June 2003 Volume 71 Number 2

Nebraska Bird Review

The Nebraska Bird Review (http://rip.physics.unk.edu/NOUI) 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): $14.00 in the United States; $18.00 for all foreign 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 Prichard, NOU Librarian, University of Nebraska State Museum, Lincoln, NE 68588-0514.

Memberships in NOU (on a calendar year basis only): Active, $ 15.00; Sustaining, $25.00; Student, $ 10.00; Family Active, $20.00; …

Spring Field Report, March-May 2003, W. Ross Silcock

Nebraska Bird Review

This spring was characterized by a lack of significant ornithological events, although readers will find tidbits of interest under the following species: Greater White-fronted Goose, Mandarin Duck (believe it or not), Common Merganser, Peregrine Falcon, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Great Horned Owl, and Blue-winged Warbler. A significant concentration of warblers and flycatchers was detected at Walnut Grove Park in Omaha in late May; check the species accounts for details. The restoration of prairie grasslands at Boyer Chute NWR seems to be paying off; Henslow's Sparrows were found there this spring for the first time. There were several new high counts, with perhaps …

Nebraska Bird Review Whole Issue June 2003 Volume 71 Number 2

Nebraska Bird Review

Table of Contents

Spring Field Report, March-May 2003
Compiled by W. Ross Silcock ..........................58

Species Accounts ..........................62

2001 (13th) Report of the NOU Records Committee
Compiled by Joel G. Jorgensen..........................97

Masthead From Nebraska Bird Review March 2003

Nebraska Bird Review

The Nebraska Bird Review (http://rip.physics.unk.edu/NOUI) 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): $ 14.00 in the United States; $ 18.00 for all foreign 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 Prichard, NOU Librarian, University of Nebraska State Museum, Lincoln, NE 68588-0514.

Memberships in NOU (on a calendar year basis only): Active, $ 15.00; Sustaining, $25.00; Student, $ 10.00; Family …

2002 Christmas Bird Counts

Nebraska Bird Review

2002 Christmas Bird Counts compiled by Janis Paseka

The 2002 Christmas Bird Count period included 11 counts, down one from the previous year, as no count was held in Harlan County. Ten of these counts took place in Nebraska, and one, which includes the DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge and Boyer Chute, straddles the Nebraska-Iowa border. A total of 237 counters participated in this year's count, 208 in the field and 29 at feeders.

The overall weather this year was balmy, with over half the counts ending their day in the 50's or 60's. The weather had also been mild in …

Winter Field Report, December 2002 To February 2003, W. Ross Silcock

Nebraska Bird Review

Overall, this winter season was pretty quiet. There were no major weather events, no major invasions Gust one minor incursion), and, with one big exception, no real rarities. Indeed, one observer (JJ) said: "I don't think I've ever had such a poor winter with bird sightings." Thus I stoop to the point of mentioning the presence of a kangaroo in Crawford, dutifully recorded on the CBC there on 28 December (BW). It was not identified to species, unfortunately.

On a more serious note, it is important to keep in mind that what we do as birders can make a significant …

Nebraska Bird Review Whole Issue March 2003 Volume 71 Number 1

Nebraska Bird Review

Table of Contents

Fall Field Report, August-November 2002 Compiled
by W. Ross Silcock ............... 2

Species Accounts ...............6

Newspaper Bird History Of Miles Greenleaf,
An Omaha Newsman by James E. Ducey ...............25

2002 CBC, compiled by Janis Paseka...............31

Nebraska's Sandhill Crane Population, Past, Present, And Future, Paul A. Johnsgard

Nebraska Bird Review

Although the spring concentrations of Sandhill Cranes in Nebraska's Platte Valley are now an avian phenomenon known nationwide, a general appreciation and inventory of this unique concentration of birds has only been attempted in the last few decades. I am often asked how long this largest of all crane concentrations has been occurring in the Platte Valley, and why it has developed only there. Here I will try to summarize the little-known history of this marvelous assemblage, but not dwell on the ecological reasons for it. The latter are now generally well understood to revolve around abundant spring food supplies …

Masthead From Nebraska Bird Review

Nebraska Bird Review

The Nebraska Bird Review (http://rip.physics.unk.edu/NOU/) 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): $14.00 in the United States; $18.00 for all foreign 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 Prichard, NOU Librarian, University of Nebraska State Museum, Lincoln, NE 68588-0514.

Memberships in NOU (on a calendar year basis only): Active, $15.00; Sustaining, $25.00; Student, $10.00; Family Active, $20.00; Family Sustaining, …

Nou Fall Field Days

Nebraska Bird Review

Nou Fall Field Pays

The annual NOU Fall Field Pays were held the weekend of September 6-8 at the 4-H Camp at Halsey. The count included Logan, Blain, Brown, Cherry, and Thomas Counties as well as the Nebraska National Forest. The count included 11 9 species.

Fall Field Report, August-November 2002, W. Ross Silcock

Nebraska Bird Review

A few words on documentation of sightings reported is in order. I receive many reports each season of rare or hard-to-identify birds. If they fit a pattern that has developed over the years (see "Birds of Nebraska"), I tend to accept them as correct. However, if they fall outside the range of prior reports, I usually email the observer and ask for some details about the identification and circumstances of the sighting. Everyone has been very nice about this process; observers sometimes take these requests as a questioning of their ability, but I haven't run into this problem with Nebraska …

Nebraska Bird Review- Whole Issue December 2002 Volume 70 Number 4

Nebraska Bird Review

Table of Contents

Fall Field Report, August-November 2002
Compiled by W. Ross Silcock................130

Species Accounts...............134

Nou Fall Field Days......................168

Nebraska's Sandhill Crane Populations, Past, Present,
and Future by Paul A. Johnsgard.......................175

Index for Volume 70.1-4......................178

Hermit Warbler In Knox County: First Accepted Record For Nebraska, Mark A. Brogie

Nebraska Bird Review

The 2002 Nebraska Ornithologists' Union Record Committee has reviewed the following record and accepted it as a Class III. This Knox County sighting constitutes the first confirmed record of Hermit Warbler in Nebraska.

On 15 May, 2002, while birding with Ben Brogie, we stopped at an isolated planting of mixed hardwoods and Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa) on a high hill 5.5 miles north (Road 530) of Creighton. We noticed several birds moving among the branches along the roadside and upon "spishing" for just a few seconds we attracted a female Cape May Warbler (Dendroica tigrina) and …

The Changing Status Of Sandhill Crane Breeding In The Eastern Rainwater Basin, Joel G. Jorgensen

Nebraska Bird Review

Prior to extirpation as a breeder before 1 900, the Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis) formerly bred throughout Nebraska (Bruner et al. 1 904; Ducey 1988; Sharpe et al. 2001). During the 1990s, several summer observations of Sandhill Crane in the Eastern Rainwater Basin region of south-central Nebraska suggested the probability of breeding. In 1999, I discovered direct breeding evidence at Harvard Waterfowl Production Area, Clay County. This breeding record, along with another by different observers in the same county during the same season are the first modern breeding records for Nebraska. In this note, I describe my observations, …

Masthead From Nebraska Bird Review

Nebraska Bird Review

The Nebraska Bird Review (http://rip.physics.unk.edu/NOU/) 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): $14.00 in the United States; $18.00 for all foreign 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 Prichard, NOU Librarian, University of Nebraska State Museum, Lincoln, NE 68588-0514.

Memberships in NOU (on a calendar year basis only): Active, $ 15.00; Sustaining, $25.00; Student, $ 10.00; Family Active, $20.00; …

Summer Field Report Last Page September 2002

Nebraska Bird Review

White-winged Crossbill: The remarkable winter influx persisted into the summer period, with one seen in Omaha- the last at the observer's feeders- on 1 June (NR), and a female identified as late as 20 June at a Bassett feeder where none had showed since 9 June (CH). These sightings signify record late spring dates (although there are a few isolated summer records); both locations had hosted significant wintering flocks.

Pine Siskin: Routine reports

American Goldfinch: Routine reports

House Sparrow: Routine reports

Summer Field Report, June-July 2002, W. Ross Silcock

Nebraska Bird Review

The big news this summer was the drought which affected most of southern and western Nebraska. Conditions were particularly severe in the southern Panhandle and in the southwest. As one observer (DP) wryly noted: "The cool, cloudy weather in the sixties this morning was a welcome contrast to the stinkin' hot dirt blowing blast furnace in the low one hundreds that was in south central Nebraska Sunday afternoon [June 3]." Some comments from western Kansas by birder-rancher Scott Seltman are pertinent: "I think there's no question that because of the ongoing drought most farmers delayed their fieldwork this spring" perhaps …

Nebraska Bird Review September 2002 Volume 70 Number 3

Nebraska Bird Review

Table of Contents

Summer Field Report, June-July 2002
compiled by W. Ross Silcock .................................94

Species Accounts.................................99

Hermit Warbler In Knox County: First Accepted Record
For Nebraska by Mark A. Brogie................................. 119

The Changing Status of the Sandhill Crane in the Eastem
Rainwater Basin by Joel G. Jorgensen.................................122

Nebraska Bird Review Cover And Contents June 2002 Volume 70 Number 2

Nebraska Bird Review

The Nebraska Bird Review

A Magazine of Ornithology of the Nebraska Region

Volume 70 June 2002 Number 2 Published by

Nebraska Ornithologists' Union, Inc.

Founded 1899

SSSN 0028-1816

Table of Contents

2002 (12th) Report Of The Nou Records Committee, Joel G. Jorgensen

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 THE BIRDS OF NEBRASKA was first published in 1988 (NOU Records Committee 1988) and has been appended eleven times (Mollhoff 1989, Grenon 1990, Grenon 1991, Gubanyi 1996a, Gubanyi 1996b, Gubanyi 1996c, Brogie 1997, Brogie 1998, Brogie 1999). An update of the OFFICIAL LIST OF THE BIRDS OF NEBRASKA was first published in 1997 (NOU …