Spring Field Days and Annual Meeting at Broken Bow

Authors

Date of this Version

6-2012

Citation

“Spring Field Days and Annual Meeting at Broken Bow,” from Nebraska Bird Review (June 2012) 80(2).

Comments

Copyright 2012 Nebraska Ornithologists’ Union. Used by permission.

Abstract

The 113th Annual Meeting and Spring Field Days were held in Broken Bow May 18–20, 2011. Meetings and meals took place at the Mid-Plains Community College and were hosted by Tim Hajda. Despite the unseasonably warm spring weather that had preceded the meeting, the 50+ members and friends in attendance found 164 species. Expected species from the Sandhills and surrounding habitats that were seen included Sharp-tailed Grouse, Greater Prairie Chicken, American Bittern, Black-crowned Night Heron, White-faced Ibis, Long-billed Curlew, Ovenbird, and Northern Waterthrush. Less common species observed included Glossy Ibis, Merlin, Peregrine Falcon, Black-necked Stilt, Whimbrel, Alder Flycatcher, Wood Thrush, Summer Tanager, and Lazuli Bunting.

Field trips were led to Arcadia Diversion Dam WMA, Sherman Reservoir SRA, Bowman Lake SRA, Calamus Reservoir SRA, Victoria Springs SRA, Milburn Diversion Dam, the Nebraska National Forest near Halsey, Pressey WMA, and Bitterns Call WMA. Field trip leaders were Bill Flack, Dave Heidt, Tim Hajda, Wayne Mollhoff, and T. J. Walker.

On Friday evening Eleanor Nugent from the Rainwater Basin Joint Venture outlined the Breeding Bird Survey Habitat Analysis project. They plan to focus on 14 species and the habitats needed to survive. Breeding Bird Survey participants were urged to provide GPS coordinates for the stops on their routes so that habitat data can be obtained.

Also on Friday evening, Wayne Mollhoff provided an update on the Breeding Bird Atlas II project. Over 570 blocks were surveyed, and at least 205 species have been reported.