SPRING FIELD REPORT, March–May 2025

Authors

W. Ross Silcock, Nebraska Ornithologists' UnionFollow

Date of this Version

6-2025

Document Type

Article

Citation

Nebraska Bird Review, volume 93, number 2, June 2025, pp. 54–77.

Comments

Published by the Nebraska Ornithologists’ Union, Inc.

Abstract

Perhaps the most important takeaway this spring is the continuing phenomenon of large numbers of species with early spring arrival dates. Although about half as many as 2024, there were 64 examples of either tied or new early arrival dates, most obviously of insectivores such as swifts, flycatchers, vireos, swallows, pipits, longspurs, and 10 warbler species. Among these, record or near-record early were Whip-poor-will, Black-necked Stilt, Marbled Godwit, Black Tern, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Purple Martin, Rock Wren, Gray Catbird in central, Spotted Towhee in north and west, and Hooded Warbler.

Following along logically perhaps with early arrival dates were a number of species with early nest building and egg dates, albeit in most cases only by a day or two. I urge observers to use the eBird breeding protocol, as this is the source of nesting phenology data that I use.

Also, there were late departures of about 20 species that winter in or near Nebraska. These were mostly in a few well-defined groups: diving ducks, hawks and falcons, both kinglets, Townsend’s Solitaire and Hermit Thrush, and sparrows. Essentially the same groups of species were late departees in 2024.

High counts are interesting: a few to mention are record numbers of Sandhill Cranes, 185 Forster’s Terns, and 510 White-faced Ibis. However, perhaps more significant are high seasonal totals, such as record tallies for several species: 59 Yellow-bellied Flycatchers, 75 Philadelphia Vireos (vetted for Merlin misidentifications!), 155 Northern Waterthrushes, six Connecticut Warblers, 12 Kentucky Warblers, 204 Chestnut-sided Warblers, and 42 Canada Warblers. It may be important to note that among these are migrants that traditionally move through Nebraska later in the migration period.

Certain normally wintering species were very low or absent this winter: Mountain Chickadee (none), Cassin’s Finch (one), Red Crossbill (low), and Snow Bunting (none). Also absent or low but expected during the spring period were Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch (none after Feb), and two sparrows, Nelson’s (none) and Henslow’s (one).

Encouraging are instances of range expansion; most notable among these are Common Raven and Black-chinned Hummingbird in the Panhandle, but also Pileated and Red-bellied Woodpeckers continuing to spread westward in riparian corridors and increasing reports of Northern Mockingbird northward. There was a notable incursion of Carolina Wrens into the northeast. Perhaps to be included here as somewhat unusual are wintering White-winged Dove and Western Grebe.

Conversely, there is concern for species barely hanging on or in isolated populations: Gray Partridge and easterly Black-billed Magpies, and edge of range species Chuck-will’s-widow in the north, Pinyon Jay in the west, and possibly Little Blue Heron, as its migratory population segment appears to be declining.

Interesting and/or curious breeding reports were of very early Mourning Dove fledglings, Scarlet Tanagers in Lancaster Co, and Red-breasted Nuthatches attempting to nest in installed siding insulation.

Taxonomic discussions in this report involved an unidentified sapsucker, White-crowned Sparrow, and Yellow-breasted Chat.

As usual, there were notable reports of out-of-range species, mostly eastern species west. Among those were the surprising number of species with fewer than 10 Panhandle records: Black-billed Cuckoo 6th, Ruby-throated Hummingbird 8th, Ruddy Turnstone 2nd spring, Blue-headed Vireo 2nd spring west and west central, Philadelphia Vireo 8th, Worm-eating Warbler 4th, Blue-winged Warbler 5th, Black-throated Blue Warbler 6th, and Canada Warbler 3rd. Significant western birds east were Lark Bunting, which tends to push eastward in dryer years, Bullock’s Oriole, and Western Tanager.

Finally, rarities. A potential first spring and 4th state record if approved by NOURC was a reported Common Ground-Dove; a White-tailed Kite was the 8th state record. Lesser but worthy of mention were Varied Thrush, Evening Grosbeak, Dark-eyed (Gray-headed) Junco, and probably three (!) Common Cranes.