Nebraska Ornithologists' Union
Date of this Version
6-1999
Citation
"Spring Field Report, March-May 1999" from Nebraska Bird Review (June 1999) 67(2).
Abstract
This spring proved an exciting season for several reasons. For warbler fans, it described a dream with lots of birds to look at and a rather incredible species count (for anywhere) of no fewer than 381 Many "eastern" warblers were found westward, especially at "islands" of habitat such as the Geneva Cemetery and similar spots just beyond the western edge of the original eastern woodland region, as well as the Panhandle. For rarity counters, spring included no fewer than 4 first state records: Glossy Ibis, Gray Flycatcher, Black-throated Gray Warbler, and Brambling. We make here a special note that the last 3 birds were seen by Steve Dinsmore, who found the flycatcher and warbler himself through his diligent checking of that migrant trap par excellence, Oliver Reservoir. The Glossy Ibis was found by Joel Jorgensen, through his equally diligent checking of the Rainwater Basin (disclaimer: WRS wrote this!). Slightly different types of first stat~ records, but possibly more significant biologically, included the first confirmed breeding records this century (!) for two species: Sandhill Crane and Pileated Woodpecker. Other interesting records for various reasons were a 4th state and 12th North American Common Crane; an amazing 27 Red Knots in one flock; the 6th state White-winged Dove (meanwhile the 4th is still hanging out in Kearneyl); the 2nd spring Hammond's Flycatcher; a possible Common Raven; a far out of range Bewick's Wren, and as many as 16 Blue-gray Gnatcatchers in the Panhandle. In addition, the spring period saw numerous record counts and rather early spring arrival dates also. All told, quite a spring!!
Comments
Copyright 1999, Nebraska Ornithologists' Union. Used by permission.