Nebraska Ornithologists' Union
Date of this Version
3-2005
Citation
“2004-05 Christmas Bird Counts in Nebraska” from Nebraska Bird Review (March 2005) 73(1).
Abstract
The addition of a new count encompassing Ponca State Park brings our total reported Nebraska counts to twelve this year. A total of 199 field counters and 20 feeder watchers participated. Temperatures were average, DeSoto being the cold spot, and precipitation was minimal.
This was the first year Cackling Geese were reported, following the recent split of Canada and Cackling Geese; a total of 70 were counted in 6 circles. American Wigeon numbers have been rising steadily on Nebraska CBCs, and the trend continued this year with 819 counted, a 25-year high. Three White-winged Scoters were found at Lake Mcconaughy, where they have been counted in three of the past four years. Greater Scaup made a good showing this year also, with a total of 123 counted, highest for the past 15 years. Common Mergansers were down this year, from over 36,000 last year to 5279 this year, but more Red-breasted Mergansers were counted this year (47) than ever before. To muddy the taxonomic waters a bit this year, 3 hybrid ducks were reported.
Comments
Copyright 2005 Nebraska Ornithologists’ Union. Used by permission.