Nebraska Ornithologists' Union

 

Date of this Version

6-2021

Citation

The Nebraska Bird Review, Volume 89 June 2021 Number 2, pp. 50-79

Comments

Published by the Nebraska Ornithologists’ Union, Inc.

Abstract

A total of 163 observers contributed to this report. This spring several observers were quite active statewide, resulting in interesting discoveries among waterfowl hybrids, subspecies distributions, breeding and spatial range expansions, and more than usual early and late dates and high counts, not to mention a couple of extreme rarities. Speaking of BONO, readers will note a new section under “Species Accounts” that deals with hybrids reported in Nebraska. A surprising 47 are listed, 26 of these waterfowl. If you like waterfowl hybrids, read on! This report deals with 14 such hybrids, four newly documented for the state. Several non-waterfowl hybrids feature in this report as well. Interesting finds regarding subspecies include photos of Branta hutchinsii taverneri Cackling Geese (check out the characteristically shaped head profiles), Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers, Warbling Vireo, White-breasted Nuthatch, and White-crowned Sparrow. Always important are changes in breeding ranges; this spring notable expansions were documented for Sandhill Crane, Barred Owl, Pileated Woodpecker, Tufted Titmouse, and extraordinarily, Louisiana Waterthrush 200 miles westward in the Niobrara River Valley. One to watch is Dusky Flycatcher, which along with Broadtailed Hummingbird may be an incipient breeder in the Panhandle based on increasing spring reports. Significant distributional reports involved Common Poorwill east and Whippoor- will and American Woodcock west, Say’s Phoebe, Rock Wren, and Bullock’s x Baltimore Oriole east, and Cassin’s Sparrow north. Most early and late dates were not exceptional, but definitely so was a Forster’s Tern record early by a month, nicely photographed.

Share

COinS