Zoology Commons^™

Black-Bellied Plover In Buffalo County

Nebraska Bird Review

On May 9, 1991, while doing a weekly least tern and piping plover survey, we observed two Black-bellied Plovers (Pluvialis equatarola). The birds were observed foraging along the shoreline of a sandpit near Elm Creek, Nebraska.

1991 Nou Annual Meeting

Nebraska Bird Review

The 90th Annual Meeting of the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union took place in Grand Island, Nebraska, on May 17 to 19, 1991. Activities, hosted by the Grand Island Audubon Society, centered around the Holiday Inn in Grand Island where programs, meetings, and the annual banquet were held.

Friday night of the meeting the usual slide show took place, followed by a showing of the Nebraska PBS program Last of the Rainwater Basins, which featured NOU members Lee Morris and Paul Johnsgard. Saturday's highlight was the banquet speaker Toby Lemburg, who presented a paper on the game bird operations run by …

Book Review- Nebraska Bird Review (June 1991)

Nebraska Bird Review

Dr. Scott Nielsen. A Season with Eagles. Stillwater, MN: Voyageur Press. 96 pp., 70 color photographs, index. $21.95 hardcover.

This is a photographic record, with textual commentary, of a Bald Eagle's nest in Wisconsin, from the arrival of the pair in the spring to the departure of the birds in the fall. Dr. Nielsen gave up dentistry for taxidermy and photography. In pursuit of the latter, he obtained the necessary permissions and built a blind in a tree 220 yards from a known nest, installed a 50-pound telephoto lens, and memorized the climb to the blind (he had to …

Confirmed Whooping Crane Sightings, 1942-1982, Wally Jobman

Nebraska Bird Review

Since 1983, The Nebraska Bird Review has published the USFWS Whooping Crane migration report for both spring and fall. The following is data provided by Wally Jobman of USFWS on confirmed sightings of Whooping Cranes in Nebraska. The period covered is 1942 through 1982. It is hoped that the account of the sightings here will aid crane researchers.

The USFWS definition of a confirmed sighting is noted in NBR 56:79. Researchers interested in other crane data should consult issues of the NBR starting in 1983 for complete data since that period. For further information, interested parties should contact Wally Jobman, …

Fall 1990 Occurrence Report: Update

Nebraska Bird Review

The following provides an update of avian occurrences between July 1 and December 31, 1990. Sources used include additional reports from NOV .members; the "Southern Great Plains Region" report in American Birds, Winter 1990 and Spring 1991 issues; Iowa Bird Life field reports (for those boundaries which the states share; and two NOU Newsletters G/F/M 1991 and August 1990 [which was overlooked in March]).

This compilation of materials, as well as the main body of the occurrence report, is meant as a resource for all who wish to do scientific research on Nebraska avifauna. I invite all those keeping …

Masthead From Nebraska Bird Review (June 1991)

Nebraska Bird Review

Published quarterly in March, June, September, and December by the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union, Inc., as its official journal and sent to all members who are not arrears for dues. Subscriptions (on a calendar year basis only) are $10.00 per year in the United States, $12.00 per year in Canada and Mexico, and $12.50 per year in all other countries, payable in advance. Single copies are $3.00 each, postpaid, in the United States; $3.50 elsewhere. Orders for back issues of the Review and all changes of address should be sent to Thomas E. Labedz, NOV Librarian, W 436 Nebraska Hall, University …

Greater Scaup In Lancaster County, Paul Kaufman

Nebraska Bird Review

On October 20, 1990, Paul and Karla Kaufman spotted a Greater Scaup in Lancaster County. The following is a report from Paul Kaufman regarding this occurrence:

The bird was a male, first spotted off Lieber’s Point at Branched Oak Lake. It was a cloudy day with fair light, light rain, and north winds 15 to 20 mph temperature 52°F. The sighting was in the early afternoon. We observed the Scaup with our 15-60 zoom spotting scope while looking for anything on the lake. After our initial sighting of it, it moved closer in to shore, which we felt was unusual. …

The Amateur: Finding A Niche In Ornithology, Harold F. Mayfield

Nebraska Bird Review

The older branches of science were all pioneered by amateurs, but as they matured they have moved steadily away from the reach of the individual working alone with his own resources. As the need for laboratories, observatories, and support staff have grown, science has become increasingly the province of professionals and institutions.

In ornithology, however, the amateur is still a significant figure. Perhaps no other branch of science owes so much to the amateur, not only in current contributions, but also in continuing to produce the professionals of the future. Can we think of another field where we could make …

Nocturnal Roosting By Interior Least Terns Early In The Nesting Season, Erika C. Wilson, Wayne A. Hubert, Stanley H. Anderson

Nebraska Bird Review

Atwood (1986) described nocturnal communal roosting by the California Least Tern (Sterna antillarum browni). Such behavior has not been described in other Least Tern subspecies (Whitman, 1988).

Nocturnal roosting by Interior Least Terns (Sterna antillarum athalassos) was observed on each of three evenings between 23 and 31 May 1989 and once on 15 May 1990 when we observed a known nesting location. Least Terns congregated immediately before sunset and started flying in pairs or small groups with much vocalization. Occasionally all birds joined into one compact flock exhibiting synchronized flight as observed by Atwood (1986). With …

Notes From Nebraska Bird Review (June 1991)

Nebraska Bird Review

Some Nest Box Observations. The following are some observations on nests of species who use bluebird boxes in the Gering area. Anyone else working on a bluebird project who would like to add their observations in a future NBR is invited to do so.

Bluebirds make a nest that consists primarily of grasses. There are seldom any feathers. Well-used ones are plastered with droppings, although I suppose the droppings could also come if they use the box for roosting in bad weather. As far as I know there is no way to tell the difference between Mountain and Eastern …

"Nou Fall Field Day" Announcement

Nebraska Bird Review

NOU FALL FIELD DAY

SEPTEMBER 13-15, 1991

MAHONEY STATE PARK NEAR ASHLAND, NE

SEE THE NOU NEWSLETTER FOR FURTHER DETAILS!

Nebraska Bird Review Whole Issue (June 1991)

Nebraska Bird Review

Table of Contents

Greater Scaup in Lancaster County ..................38

Black-bellied Plover in Buffalo County ..................38

The Amateur: Finding a Niche in Ornithology ..................39

Nocturnal Roosting by Interior Least Terns Early in the Nesting Season ..................42

Confirmed Whooping Crane Sightings, 1942-1982 ..................43

Fall 1990 Occurrence Report: Update ..................45

1991 NOU Annual Meeting ..................48

Notes ..................49

Book Reviews ..................51

The Ecology Of Franklin's Ground Squirrel In Indiana, Peter M. Benjamin

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A reduction in the distribution of the Franklin's ground squirrel in the eastern portion of its range has led to its classification as a threatened species in Indiana. Information is lacking on this species' habitat requirements and population characteristics in Indiana, which limits management capabilities. The purpose of this study was to identify preferred habitat and population characteristics of the Franklin's ground squirrel in Indiana. Radio telemetry was conducted from April 1987 to September 1988 at 3 sites along a railroad right-of-way (ROW} in Benton County, Indiana. Land use and habitat types were mapped; species composition, density, percent cover, percent …

Phyletic Coevolution Between Subterranean Rodents Of The Genus Ctenomys (Rodentia: Hystricognathi) And Nematodes Of The Genus Paraspidodera (Heterakoidea: Aspidoderidae) In The Neotropics: Temporal And Evolutionary Implications, Scott Lyell Gardner

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

Coevolution was studied in six species of rodents of the genus Ctenomys and their parasitic nematodes of the genus Paraspidodera, collected in Bolivia. Representatives of the families Octodontidae and Caviidae were used as outgroups for the mammals, and nematodes from caviids were used as outgroups of the nematodes from ctenomyids. For the nematodes, quantitative and qualitative morphological characteristics of both males and females and electrophoretic characters of both sexes were used to generate phylogenetic hypotheses of evolutionary relationships of the OTUs occurring in hosts of different species. Concordance estimates of cladograms generated from biochemical-genetic and morphological data of the …

Notes From The Field: Bat Boxes, Patricia W. Freeman

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

Recently, and for good reason, interest in bat houses has increased. But bats and bat houses are fundamentally different from birds and bird houses. Birds are active in the day, and bats are active at night. Unlike bird houses, where it is easy to see the birds and any problems that arise from the placement of the house, bat houses may be more sensitive to environmental conditions, and problems more difficult to diagnose. Probably most important for the success of a bat house is the daily temperature regime. The physical factors that affect temperature are the size of the house, …

1990 Christmas Count Report

Nebraska Bird Review

101 species were reported on Christmas counts during 1990. An additional 2 species were recorded during count weeks but not during a specific count day. Direct comparison with 1990 count data is difficult due to a disparity in the number of counts; 110 species plus 2 in the count week were found in 1990. 14 counts were held during 1989, but only 6 counts are reported in 1990. The DeSoto NWR count was cancelled due to icy roads and bad weather. Wayne Mollhoff's 4 central Nebraska counts were apparently not held because he is a member of the Reserves and …

1990 Treasurer's Report

Nebraska Bird Review

1990 TREASURER'S REPORT

BALANCE: 1 JAN 1990

RECEIPTS

EXPENSES

TOTAL EXPENSES

INVESTMENTS CASHED

PREPAID DUES

PREPAID SUBSCRIPTIONS

SALES TAX DUE

GIFTS

BALANCE: 31 DEC 1990

1991 National Wildlife Federaton Eagle Survey Results

Nebraska Bird Review

1991 National Wildlife Federation Eagle Survey Results

From 3 to 17 January 1991, the National Wildlife Federation sponsored their midwinter survey of Bald and Golden Eagles in Nebraska. This year, the surveyors spotted a total of 642 Bald and 41 Golden Eagles. Of the 642 Bald Eagles, 176 birds were spotted along the Missouri River, and 466 were seen in the remainder of the state (the Missouri area total is kept separately due to state boundaries which occur along the river). Only one of the 41 Golden Eagles was seen along the Missouri.

The 1991 eagle count was about 475 …

Book Review- Nebraska Bird Review (March 1991), R.G. Cortelyou

Nebraska Bird Review

Dan O'Brien. The Rites of Autumn: A Falconer's Journey Across the American West. New York: Anchor Books, Doubleday, 1988. 192 pp. $9.95.

The reintroduction of animals into the wild is difficult and, at times, seemingly futile work. A tiny fraction of those actually released live long enough to reach full adulthood and an even smaller number actually survive to breed. Dan O'Brien has worked since 1965 at the frustrating task of reintroducing young peregrine falcons to the mountains of the western United States. His new book, The Rites of Autumn, is an autobiographical account of his dedication …

Fall 1990 Occurrence Report

Nebraska Bird Review

Fall 1990 Occurrence Report

During the period from 1 July to 31 December 1990, 284 species were recorded in the state. This compares with 291 species in the second half of 1989, 282 species in 1988, 296 in 1987, and 293 in 1986. The map below gives a representation of the frequency of reports within the state.

The report which follows gives information on reporting counties in a rough west to- east order. Counties of similar longitude are dealt with in a north-to-south fashion with some consideration for keeping counties along river valleys together. Those counties whose data is found …

Fall 1990 Whooping Crane Report, Wally Jobman

Nebraska Bird Review

The following is a synopsis of the report from the U.s. Fish and Wildlife Service with regard to Whooping Crane sightings from this fall. The report consists of confirmed, probable, and unconfirmed sightings during the season (these terms are defined in NBR 56:79). The USFWS states that under best conditions 155 cranes, including at least 13 fledged young, should have made the trip to Aransas this fall. As of December 19, 1990, nine of these birds had not arrived. The most spectacular confirmed sighting of the fall was a record group of 13 birds seen together in Saskatchewan on October …

A Second Specimen Record Of Red-Shouldered Hawk (Buteo Lineatus) From Nebraska, Thomas E. Labedz

Nebraska Bird Review

On 9 February 1989, while walking in a wooded area of the Sass Farm (Nebraska: Otoe County; extreme northwest corner of county, T9N, R9E, Section 5), Robert and Hope Sass and Liz Otradovsky discovered a dead hawk they could not identify. Telephone conversations with Liz Otradovsky and instructions on how to legally transport the hawk to the University of Nebraska Museum (UNSM) resulted in delivery of the specimen. The specimen was well preserved and showed little or no sign of deterioration, drying, or scavenging by predators that would result from laying outside for a long period of time. It is …

Masthead From Nebraska Bird Review March 1991

Nebraska Bird Review

Published quarterly in March, June, September, and December by the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union, Inc., as its official journal and sent to all members who are not arrears for dues. Subscriptions (on a calendar year basis only) are $10.00 per year in the United States. $12.00 per year in Canada and Mexico, and $12.50 per year in all other countries, payable in advance. Single copies are $3.00 each, postpaid, in the United States; $3.50 elsewhere. Orders for back issues of the Review and all changes of address should be sent to Thomas E. Labedz, NOU Librarian, W 436 Nebraska Hall, University …

Notes- Nebraska Bird Review March 1991

Nebraska Bird Review

Swainson's Hawks. On Saturday, 29 September 1990, I witnessed a mass migration of Swainson's Hawks. The weather was clear, with large cumulus clouds, approximately 75°F. At about 3:30 pm, I noticed several Swainson's traveling south over the Carpenter Ranch (20 miles north of Henry in Sioux County). For the next 45 minutes, I counted 176 Swainson's. One thermal contained 62 birds, soaring to an estimated 3800 feet (National Weather Service data on base of clouds). Once near the clouds, the birds would "peel off" and head south, with wings folded and at speeds clocked via auto at 55 mph. How …

Nebraska Bird Review- Whole Issue March 1991 Volume 59 Number 1

Nebraska Bird Review

Table of Contents

1990 Treasurer's Report

1990 Christmas Count

Fall 1990 Occurrence Report

A Second Specimen Record of Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) from Nebraska........................ 2

1991 National Wildlife Federation Eagle Survey Results ........................2

Fall 1990 Whooping Crane Report ........................3

Notes ........................3

Book Reviews ........................3

The Mayfly Newsletter, Peter M. Grant

The Mayfly Newsletter

The Mayfly Newsletter is the official newsletter of the Permanent Committee of the International Conferences on Ephemeroptera.

Editor's Note, Ray Korpi

Nebraska Bird Review

I am pleased to announce that Rosalind Morris of Lincoln will serve as the editor of The Nebraska Bird Review for 1992. Dr. Morris brings many years of birding experience to the Review and will do a fine job. Dr. Morris officially takes over the editorship on January 1, 1992.

Until that time, I will continue to serve as editor of the NBR. I will consider submissions for the December issue up until November 27, 1991 (the day before Thanksgiving). After that date, those wishing to contribute articles and notes to the NBR should mail them to Rosalind Morris, 3018 …

Eagles

Nebraska Bird Review

For the past three years, the Central Nebraska Public Power District has operated an Eagle Viewing Center at our J-2 Hydropower plant south of Lexington, and this past year below Kingsley Dam on Lake Ogallala.

The following are some results recorded at the sites:

At J-2 Hydroplant:

January 1990-0bservations were recorded on 23 days. 263 birds were sighted for a daily average of 11.4 per day. The highest count was 20 birds on January 2.

February 1990-0bservations were recorded on 15 days. 28 birds were sighted for a daily average of 1.9 per day. The highest count was 16 birds …

A Nesting Report Of A Wilson's Phalarope In Lancaster County, Larry Einemann

Nebraska Bird Review

Only once before has a nesting record of Wilson's Phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor) been reported in Lancaster County. This report is in The Nebraska Bird Review, December 1985. Employees of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission discovered two fledglings at a site in the northeast part of the county at 98th and Ashland Road. The two fledglings were found in a wet meadow. They were accompanied by two male and one female phalaropes. The sighting was made on 13 June 1985.

On 7 June 1991 I visited Arbor Lake, a recently purchased salt marsh about one mile north …

Some Birds Of The Pony Lake Area Of The Eastern Sandhills, Nebraska, James E. Ducey, Jerry Schoenenberger

Nebraska Bird Review

A partial survey was made of the bird life in the vicinity of Pony Lake, located about 15 miles south of Newport, in portions of sections 17-20, T28N, RI7W, Rock County.

Pony Lake was reportedly named according to a legend from "early days" when a native American was thrown and killed on its banks by a wild pony (Perkey, 1982). Originally Pony Lake was reported to be 20 feet deep (lake history based on conversations and observations of Jerry Schoenenberger). In the late 1800s, possibly 1900-1910, a town site was platted on the southwest corner of the lake. Construction included …