University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons(® University of Nebraska - Lincoln Nebraska Bird Review Nebraska Ornithologists' Union 3-1991 Nebraska Bird Review- Whole Issue March 1991 Volume 59 Number 1 Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/nebbirdrev Part of the Poultry or Avian Science Commons, and the Zoology Commons "Nebraska Bird Review- Whole Issue March 1991 Volume 59 Number 1" (l99l). Nebraska Bird Review. 409. http: //digitalcommons.unl.edu/nehhirdrev/409 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union at DigitalCommons^University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Nebraska Bird Review by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons^University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Nebraska Bird Review (March 1991) 59(1), WHOLE ISSUE. Copyright 1991, Nebraska Ornithologists' Union. Used by permission. The Nebraska Bird Review A Magazine of Ornithology of the Nebraska Region Volume 59 March 1991 Published by the Nebraska Ornithologists’ Union, Inc. Founded 1899 Number 1 Table of Contents on the Back Cover Published quarterly in March, June, September, and December by the Nebraska Ornithologists’ Union, Inc., as its official journal and sent ro all members who are not arrears for dues. Subscriptions (on a calendar year basis only) are $10.00 per year in the United States, $12.00 per year in Canada and Mexico, and $12.50 per year in all other countries, payable in advance. Single copies are $3,00 each, postpaid, in the United States: $3,50 elsewhere. Orders for back issues of the Review and all changes of address should be sent to Thomas £. Labedz, NOU Librarian, W 436 Nebraska Hall, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska. 68588-0514. Memberships in the NOU (on a calendar year basis only): Students, $3.00; Active, $7.00; Sustaining, $15.00; Family Active, $10.00; Family Sustaining, $20.00; and Life, $100.00. All dues and subscriptions should be remitted to Alice Kenitz, NOU Treasurer, HC 50, Box 38-B, Gering, Nebraska 69341. Manuscripts for publication, semi-annual occurrence reports, and notes and field lists of bird sightings should be sent to Raymond T. Korpi, Editor, NW 1340 State #6, Pullman, Washington, 99163. The editor emeritus of Tht Nebraska Bird Reuiew is Dr. R. G. Corcclyou, Ocher officers are President, Dr. Norma Johnson-Mueller, 1261 Fall Creek Road, Lincoln, NE 68510; Vice President, Scott Purdy, 2222 Bellwood #104, Grand Island, NE 68802; Secretary, Alice Rushton, 7075 Iowa Street, Omaha, NE 68112; Alan Grenon, Nebraska Records Committee Chair, 1111 Bellevue Blvd, N., Bellevue, NE 68005. ISSN 0028-1816 2. The Nebraska Bird Review Vol. 59 BALANCE: 1 JAN 1990 Accounts payable paid Prepaid items used below RECEIPTS Memberships 156 Active 52 Family Active 16 Sustaining 6 Family Sustaining 10 Student 3 Life Subscriptions 33 Domestic Agencies 2 Domestic Direct 2 Foreign Agencies Miscellaneous Review Copies Checklists Field Cards Arm Patches Raffle Shirts Miscellaneous Publications Sales Tax Fee Spring Meeting Revenue: 1070.20 Cost: 1175.35 Fall Meeting Revenue: 2359.50 Cost: 2167.80 Interest Revenue TOTAL RECEIPTS EXPENSES Publications Review Newsletter Postage Officers’s Expenses President Secretary Treasurer Editor Librarian Records Committee TOTAL EXPENSES INVESTMENTS CASHED PREPAID DUES PREPAID SUBSCRIPTIONS SALES TAX DUE GIFTS BALANCE: 31 DEC 1990 1990 TREASURER’S REPORT Cash: Cash: Investments Current Total This Year To/From Account Other Years 1738.42 (393.12) (773.22) (1166.34) 393.12 773.22 13,763,20 14,335.28 1084.00 518.00 240.00 120.00 30.00 300.00 2292.00 295.50 20.00 23.00 338.50 3.50 42.00 33.30 11.85 140.00 209.14 9.00 1.25 (105.15) 191.70 608.79 619.02 1764.40 3775.88 619.02 4394.90 2902.61 765.08 286.16 3953.85 43,44 9.45 5.00 104.15 3.40 36.18 201.62 4155.47 4155.47 239.43 L529.12 531.00 208.50 .07 435.60 531.00 208.50 .07 (1529.12) 435.60 2896.78 (739.57) 12,853.10 15,010.31 No. 1 The Nebraska Bird Review f'tNiODICALS APR i 61991 UNIVCnsiTVOFN^ BR ilBHARY 1990 Christmas Count Report 101 species were reported on Christmas counts during 1990. An additional 2 species were recorded during count weeks but not during a specific count day. Direct comparison with 1990 count data is difficult due to a disparity in the number of counts; 110 species plus 2 in the count week were found in 1990. 14 counts were held during 1989, but only 6 counts are reported in 1990. The DeSoto NWR count was cancelled due to icy roads and bad weather. Wayne Mollhoff's 4 central Nebraska counts were apparently not held because he is a member of the Reserves and was on constant stand-by throughout this period due to the Persian Gulf crisis. No reports were received from 3 counts—Norfolk, Kearney, and Sioux City. In the counts that were held, an observer could see a difference in the number and types of birds seen between counts early in the period and later ones. The four counts held on December 15 and 16, the first weekend of the period, all showed increases in the number of birds seen. In fact. Grand Island set a record high, nearly doubling the number of birds seen on the record 1989 count, including 5000 Sandhill Cranes, a species never before recorded on a Grand Island count. But, as Lincoln compiler Daryl Giblin noted, two or three days later, the open water which enhanced bird numbers had frozen in the face of the severe arctic blast. The Tristate count, the most southeasterly of all counts, did show some increase, mainly due to an influx of Horned Larks; however, the Omaha count, held in subzero weather with approximately half the normal participants, showed a 4000-bird reduction. Many interesting birds were seen in all points of the count. The Pine Grosbeak at Grand Island was the one of the four new birds seen on this count, and a Prairie Falcon was seen on the Omaha count for the first time. The Lincoln count had its share of good birds: Double-crested Cormorants, a bird not often noted on any Nebraska count, were found, a Black-billed Magpie was recorded for the first time, and a Townsend's Solitaire was recorded for the second straight year. Also significant in Lincoln was the count week report of a Bonaparte's Gull, which may be the first time this species has been recorded in a count period, along with a record number of all gull species reported. More information on the Bonaparte's would be highly desired by the NBR. The Lincoln County (formerly North Platte) count recorded the only Mountain Bluebirds and a single Yellow-headed Blackbird. The Scottsbluff count had one of its highest species totals ever, and the Tristate count had the only Hermit Thrush and Snow Bunting recorded (though it is not known if these were in Nebraska, Missouri, or Iowa). Several tables follow. The first of these gives count conditions, the second lists those birds not identified to species (for example. Meadowlark sp.), and the third gives species totals. The "h" refers to high counts, and those with the designation "lA" are ones on the Omaha count which were only found in Iowa. A blank in the conditions table refers to the fact that the information was not provided, and a "W" in the main table denotes a species found in the area during the count week but not on the exact day of the count. PARTICIPANTS (Compilers in caps) Scottsbluff—Mary Allison, Lucile Bigelow, Jeff Essman, Marie Fernandez, Vonie Hatch, Helen Hughson, ALICE KENITZ, Robert Larkin, Brad McKinney, Connie McKinney, Loni Schlothauer, Sam Schlothauer, Nora Mae Vance. 4 The Nebraska Bird Review Vol. 59 Lincoln County—Robert Bailey, Esther Cunningham, Harold Cunningham, Erma Grill, Gregg Hoover, Nancy Jones,Pat McEvoy, MARGARET MORTON, John Orcutt, Darlene Schick. Grand Island—Colleen Babcock, Bob Braun, Faye Conlon, Paul Currier, Kenny Dinan, Craig Faanes, Tim Fannin, Louis James, Pauline James, Todd Jensen, Anne Kruse, Ron Kruse, Liz Kuta, GARY LINGLE, Connie McCartney, Deb Meyer, Jim Meyer, Scott Purdy, Helen Seim, Vern Throop, Drew Tustin, Steve Walker, Diane Zwink. Lincoln—Irene Alexander, Matt Beisel, Michael Bessert, Ann Bleed, Didi Brogden, Douglas Brogden, Cindy Cochran, Carol Crosby, Kevin DeCarmo, Joe Doremus, Hans Draayer, Larry Einemann, William Garthright, DARYL GIBLIN, MARGARET GIBLIN, Everett Gross, Mildred Gross, Joseph Gubanyi, Carolyn Hall, Nancy Hall, Ellen Harrington, Keith Heinrich, Karla Kaufman, Paul Kaufman, Paul Kay, Timothy Knott, Thomas Labedz, Rosalind Morris, Kevin Poague, Gary Purdy, John Purdy, Kenneth Reitan, Richard Rhodes, Roger Riss, Hazel Scheiber, Donald Showen, Ellen Stepleton, Alyce Studnicka, James Studnicka, Clare Sward, Frances Taylor, Joyce Vanier, Lyle Vanier, Angela Williams, Donald Williams, Gertrude Wood. Omaha—Betty Allen, Elliott Bedows, Russ Benedict, John Brenneman, Amy Galperin, ALAN GRENON, Betty Grenon, Essie Grill, Sam Grill, Dennis Hopp, JoEllen Hopp, Robert Hopp, Steven Hopp, Clem Klaphake, Damon Klaphake, Jim Kovanda, Sandra Kovanda, Babs Padelford, Loren Padelford, Chris Rasmussen, Ross Silcock, Bob Starr, Jerry Toll, Rick Wright. Tristate—ROSS SILCOCK. Other participants not listed. TABLE 1. COUNT COVERAGE AND WEATHER CONDITIONS. Scottsbluff Lincoln County Grand Island Lincoln Omaha Tristate Date Dec. 15 Dec. 15 Dec. 15 Dec. 16 Dec. 29 Dec. 23 Start Time (am) 7:40 8:00 7:30 4:05 End time (pm) 4:10 3:00 6:00 5:45 Miles by Vehicle 186 505 508 446 316 Miles on Foot 4.5 10 85 18 7 Miles Owling 0 4.5 51.5 11.5 0.5 Hours by Vehicle 17.75 33 33.5 61.5 26.5 Hours on Foot 3.75 9 104.25 total total Hours Owling 0 2 6.5 2.5 0.5 Hours at Feeders 6 8 21 5.5 Maximum Temp. (°F) 43 45 40 38 -5 10 Minimum Temp. (°F) 28 26 30 19 -9 -10 Wind Direction W-NW; NE (pm) NW SW NW S Wind Speed (mph) 7-8; 10-12 5-15 5-15 0-10 18-24 0-5 AM Weather clear clear cloudy to partly cloudy cloudy, snow clear PM Weather partly cloudy clear clear cloudy, light rain and sleet cloudy, snow clear Snow Cover 0 gone by pm 0 0 4 0-1 No. 1 The Nebraska Bird Review Scottsbluff Lincoln County Grand Island Lincoln Omaha Tristate Still Water pt. open open Open Moving Water open open open # of Field Observers 13 10 23 46 24 6 Number of Parties 1-4 8 16-20 9 3 # of Feeder Watchers 3 8 5 1 TABLE 2. BIRDS NOT IDENTIFIED TO SPECIES. Those listed in bold were the only birds of that type identified on the count. Bird Location and Number Buteo sp. Scottsbluff—3; Lincoln—11 Hawk sp. Lincoln—1 Gull sp. Lincoln—16 (high) Owl sp. Lincoln—4 Meadowlark sp. Lincoln—130; Omaha—28; Tristate—17 Blackbird sp. Lincoln—2 TABLE 3. COUNT RESULTS. All count centers and coverage areas are the same as reported last year. Further details can be found in NBR 58: 3-12. -*- Scotts¬ bluff Lincoln County Grand Island Lincoln Omaha T ristate Double-crested Cormorant 2(h) Great Blue Heron 2 3(h) 1 Gr. White-fronted Goose 155(h) Snow Goose 13(h) 1101 (h) 200 Canada Goose 11,902 (h) 5807 20,449 (h) 882 (h) 45 Wood Duck 2 Green-winged Teal 105 (h) 30 (h) 3(IA) American Black Duck 2(IA) Mallard 2342 395 9682 584 (h) 760 6 Northern Pintail 6 1 Northern Shoveler 12(h) Gadwall 14(h) 5(h) American Wigeon 51 18 4 1 (lA) Redhead W Lesser Scaup 2 Common Goldeneye 22 7(h) 14 130 1 Bufflehead 1(h) 1 Common Merganser 1 1369 (h) 88 1 Turkey Vulture 1(h) Bald Eagle 7 8 21 (h) 1 42 5 aduCt 4 11 1 immature 3 10 undesifjnated 8 42 5 Northern Harrier 2 1 8 10 Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 2 8 1 The Nebraska Bird Review Vol. 59 Scottsbluff Lincoln County Grand Island Lincoln Omaha Tristate Cooper’s Hawk 1 W 1 (lA) Red-tailed Hawk 20 47 (h) 77 40 48 Ferruginous Hawk 1 Rough-legged Hawk 1 6 5 6 3 1 Golden Eagle 3 American Kestrel 10 22 39 (h) 28 7 13 Merlin 1 1 1 1 Peregrine Falcon 1 W Prairie Falcon 4(h) 1 (h) 1 Ring-necked Pheasant 2 50 86(h) 5 21 Wild Turkey 14 32 20 20 16 Northern Bobwhite 76 1 1 5 Sandhill Crane 5000 (h) American Coot 2 W Killdeer 2 Common Snipe 2 3 Bonaparte’s Gull W Ring-billed Gull 25 232 (h) Herring Gull 1 31 (h) Rock Dove 244 (h) 17 161 579 7 67 Mourning Dove 2 1 156 5 40 Eastern Screech-Owl 2 15 2 5 Great Horned Owl 2 1 10 30 1 8 Barred Owl 4 1 2 Long-eared Owl 13 Short-eared Owl 3 Northern Saw-whet Owl 1 Belted Kingfisher 3 5 10 W 1 Red-headed Woodpecker 1 7 22 6 Red-bellied Woodpecker 7 41 32 36 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2 3 1 Downy Woodpecker 7 7 16 77 87 42 Hairy Woodpecker 2 5 18 17 6 Northern Flicker 36 14 56 50 38 62 yeCCoiv-sHafted 1 23 red-sAafted 13 1 yeCCow ^ red 1 undesiynated 21 14 56 26 38 62 Horned Lark 10 7 30 3 420 2257 Blue Jay 41 (h) 12 25 487 95 151 Black-billed Magpie 35 16 3 1(h) American Crow 67 175 2767 (h) 505 197 67 Black-capped Chickadee 75 (h) 25 156 372 238 184 Tufted Titmouse 26 15 Red-breasted Nuthatch 4 3 White-breasted Nuthatch 2 14 93 35 31 Brown Creeper 1 5 5 19 7 5 No. 1 The Nebraska Bird Review 7 Scottsbluff Lincoln County Grand Island Lincoln Omaha Tristate Carolina Wren 1 2 3 Winter Wren 1 Golden-crowned Kinglet 5(h) 13 27 4 6 Eastern Bluebird 58 6 2 2 25 Mountain Bluebird 15 Townsend’s Solitaire 5 1 1(h) Hermit Thrush 1 American Robin 66 271 718 (h) 129 325 227 Brown Thrasher 2 Cedar Waxwing 1 5 32 113 147 41 Northern Shrike 1 6 2 2 1 Loggerhead Shrike 3(h) 1 2 European Starling 1805 7299 8442 (h) 2666 310 250 Northern Cardinal 5 13 206 171 182 Rufous-sided Towhee 1 3 2 American Tree Sparrow 11 21 340 741 266 535 Song Sparrow 1 3 45 (h) 9 17 Swamp Sparrow W White-throated Sparrow 34 (h) 1 White-crowned Sparrow 9 1 10 Harris’ Sparrow 28 432 (h) 59 53 Dark-eyed Junco 43 74 299 1328 512 970 SCate-coCored 1 163 Oregon undesignated 42 74 239 9 1156 (h) 512 970 Lapland Longspur 77 (h) 55 (lA) 575 Snow Bunting 1 Red-winged Blackbird 5585 (h) 1700 350 (h) 259 1 Eastern Meadowlark 2 Western Meadowlark 1 57 3 2 11 Yellow-headed Blackbird 1 Rusty Blackbird 156(h) 1 Great-tailed Grackle W Common Grackle 45 (h) 3 50 1 Brown-headed Cowbird 3(h) Pine Grosbeak 1(h) Purple Finch 1 11 9 House Finch 127 30 74 (h) 51(h) 1 Red Crossbill 3(h) 1 Pine Siskin 16 11 7 American Goldfinch 41 208 47 370 243 66 House Sparrow 429 1731 790 4003 1390 1420 Total Number of Species 46 40 75 74 46 56 Number Species During Week 2 0 0 5 2 0 Total Number of Birds 23,113 16,462 50.459 17,628 23,113 7706 8 The Nebraska Bird Review Vol. 59 Fall 1990 Occurrence Report During the period from 1 July to 31 December 1990, 284 species were recorded in the state. This compares with 291 species in the second half of 1989, 282 species in 1988, 296 in 1987, and 293 in 1986. The map below gives a representation of the frequency of reports within the state: LEGEND Occurrence and Christmas Count Reports Received Occurrence Reports Received Christmas Count Report Received Field Trip Reports Received Miscellaneous Sighting Reports Received The report which follows gives information on reporting counties in a rough west- to-east order. Counties of similar longitude are dealt with in a north-to-south fashion with some consideration for keeping counties along river valleys together. Those counties whose data is found within the occurrence tables are denoted in capital letters. One change to note: species recorded by observers as NR (not observed during count period but birds which observer is sure were present) are listed in the courity-by-county report rather than the occurrence tables. Corrections to the 1989 Spring Occurrence Report : in Lancaster County, the dates for Franklin's Gull should be March 22 to April 2 (NBR 58:69), and those for Great Crested Flycatcher should read May 9 to June 8 (58:71). No. 1 The Nebraska Bird Review 9 COUNTY-BY-COUNTY REPORT SIOUX COUNTY—133 species. Reporters: David and Helen Hughson. Observers: Vonie Hatch and Stephen Kerr. Helen Hughson reports: Townsend's Warbler is seen occasionally at their ranch. The bird observed this fall was feeding on the insects it found on the leaves of their box elder tree. Helen was able to watch the bird for 10 minutes. The MacGillivray's Warbler was observed on their lower fence wire and kept hoping back and forth in the weeds. She has seen all three of the grey-headed warblers [Oporornis] in the area^ and did note the broken eyering on this bird. The Broad¬ tailed Hummingbird, a male, was identified using the metallic wing sound that it made in flight. This bird fed on her hanging geranium plant on the front porch. Hughson spent about an hour watching it from a lawn chair on the porch, and at one point the bird came within 6 inches of her face. She suspects that it must have seen the geranium reflection in her glasses. Two other birds which were firsts for the Hughsons' ranch were the Great Crested Flycatcher and the Eastern Phoebe. The Flycatcher sat on a wire over their garden and was viewed for an entire morning while Helen Hughson worked in the yard. The Phoebe she at first thought was a late Pewee, but the bird looked odd. Closer observation with field guide and binoculars in hand revealed that the bird was an Eastern Phoebe, and she then watched it on and off for the rest of the day. Kerr's report on the Swainson's Hawk migration (see page 34), including the sighting of three accipiters during this incident, has been added to the report submitted by the Hughsons. SCOTTS BLUFF COUNTY—133 species. Reporter: Alice Kenitz. Observers: Felix Koenig, Lucy Koenig, Nora Mae Vance, and Christmas Count participants. The Barrow's Goldeneye was sighted at the Gering sewage lagoons; it was a life bird for Alice Kenitz, and she has submitted a report on it to the NOURC. Nora Mae Vance saw 4 Whooping Cranes in a flock of Sandhill Cranes near Lake Minatare on October 21; this sighting was not reported to Game and Parks or USF&W, so it is not included in the Whooping Crane Report found later in this issue. The Sanderlings and Stilt Sandpipers were reported by personnel of the North Platte NWR. Kenitz also notes that she doe not recall having American White Pelicans in the area for the entire summer previous to 1990. Species listed as NR : Northern Bobwhite, Eastern Screech-Owl, Burrowing Owl. DAWES COUNTY—62 species. Reporter: Jim Minyard. Observer: Hope Minyard. Future documentation on the summer occurrences of American Tree Sparrows has been requested. Johnsgard (1982) lists this species as a migrant and winter visitor with dates of occurrence between October and May, and summer records would be outstanding. Cherry County—89 species. A list of species recorded by members during the NOU Fall Field Days, 7 to 9 September 1990, can be found in NBR 58:97-98 by following the V and C columns within the accompanying table. The only additional sighting received was of Whooping Crane (see page 32). 10 The Nebraska Bird Review Vol. 59 Thomas County—89 species. A list of species recorded by members during the NOU Fall Field Days, 7 to 9 September 1990, can be found in NBR 58:97-98 by following the T and F columns within the accompanying table. An appeal for further information on the Northern Shrike was made in the NOU Newsletter and is repeated here; conservatively counting this as a Shrike sp. does not change the number recorded as the only other shrike mentioned was also a Shrike sp. An Empidonax sp. was also recorded. Keith County—Whooping Crane was the only species recorded (see page 32). LINCOLN COUNTY—126 species. Reporters: Margaret Morton and Mrs. Howard Wyman. Observers: Mr. and Mrs. Harold Cunningham, members of the Tout Bird Club of North Platte, and Christmas Count participants. Both Mrs. Wyman and Morton reported that the sparrow population in Lincoln County was significantly lower during the entirety of this period. Species listed as NR : Chipping Sparrow (Further communication on sparrow occurrence this summer led to designation). Frontier County—Whooping Crane was the only species recorded (see page 32). Brown County—28 species. A list of species recorded by members during the NOU Fall Field Days, 7 to 9 September 1990, can be found in NBR 58:97-98 by following the B column within the accompanying table. Rock County—21 species. Reporters: Jim Ducey and Jerry Schoenenberger. An article by Ducey and Schoenenberger, containing data on sightings around Pony Lake, has been accepted for publication in the June NBR. A complete listing of dates and species will be given there. The number given above is a conservative estimate using the dates provided and noting species recorded as "permanent"; this includes the following species (some species may be added later): American White Pelican, Cattle Egret, Canada Goose, Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel, Ring¬ necked Pheasant, Greater Prairie-Chicken, Sharp-tailed Grouse, Wild Turkey, Great Horned Owl, Common Nighthawk, Blue Jay, American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, American Robin, Loggerhead Shrike, Common Yellowthroat, Northern Oriole, American Goldfinch, House Sparrow. The Trumpeter Swans reported in NBR 58:106 were probably in this county at times, though no direct mention of this was made (they are not included in the total above). Loup County—On 16 September 1990 Loren Blake found one White-faced Ibis and about 100 Sanderlings at Calamus Dam near Burwell. PHELPS COUNTY—114 species. Reporter: Robin Harding. Observer: Lanny Randolph. This report is mostly made up of sightings from Funk Marsh, but also includes sightings from the Sacramento Game Management Area. Species Listed as NR : Western Grebe, American Bittern, Green-backed Heron, Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Merlin, Peregrine Falcon, Solitary Sandpiper, Spotted. Sandpiper, Stilt Sandpiper, Forster's Tern, Rock Dove, Barn Owl, No. 1 The Nebraska Bird Review 11 Short-eared Owl, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Purple Martin, Red-breasted Nuthatch, White-breasted Nuthatch, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Eastern Bluebird, Gray Catbird, Cedar Waxwing, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Chipping Sparrow, Clay-colored Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Lapland Longspur. BUFFALO AND KEARNEY COUNTIES—97 species. Reporter: Robin Harding. Observer: Lanny Randolph and US F &W (Whooping Crane). These two counties are combined because much of Harding and Randolph's birding was done along the Platte River, which is the county border. Along the river, bird sightings were recorded at Fort Kearny State Park, Bassway Strip, Audubon's Rowe Sanctuary, and the sandpits behind Grandpa's Steakhouse. Away from the river, sightings were recorded at the reporter's home (northeast of Kearney), the Kearney City Cemetery, the Kearney State College campus, Kearney Lake, along back roads in Kearney County, and at a marsh two miles east of Funk Marsh. Also includes data from Whooping Crane Report. Species Listed as NR : Double-crested Cormorant, Turkey Vulture, Swainson's Hawk, Wild Turkey, Franklin's Gull, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Purple Martin. Hall County—76 species. The only reports from Hall County have been the Christmas Count and the Whooping Crane (see page 32). The Pine Grosbeak noted on the Christmas Count was the only one recorded in the state during the period, and further information has been requested. HOLT COUNTY—147 species. Reporter: Loren Blake. Observers: Clyde Blake and Jim Boettcher. Blake notes that this report covers only southern Holt County. He is not as familiar with birds which would be expected in the northern half. See page for several spring dates for this region. A photograph of the Sprague's Pipit has been provided by Blake for future publication. Species Listed as NR : Horned Grebe, Eared Grebe, American Bittern, Black-crowned Night-heron, Greater White-fronted Goose, Snow Goose, Turkey Vulture, Merlin, Peregrine Falcon, Virginia Rail, Black- bellied Plover, Piping Plover, American Avocet, Greater Yellowlegs, Willet, Long¬ billed Curlew, Marbled GodwiL Red-necked Phalarope, Bonaparte's Gull, Black¬ billed Cuckoo, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Say's Phoebe, Great Crested Flycatcher, Tree Swallow, Brown Creeper, Swainson's Thrush, Wood Thrush, Nashville Warbler, American Redstart, Ovenbird, Northern Waterthrush, Yellow-breasted Chat, Northern Cardinal, Lazuli Bunting, Indigo Bunting, Field Sparrow, Common Redpoll (in some years). KNOX COUNTY—144 species. Reporter: Mark A. Brogie. Observers: Ellen L. Brogie and Ed M. Brogie. Clay County—Craig Faanes' sighting of 15 White-faced Ibis at Harvard Marsh was reported in the NOU Newsletter. 12. The Nebraska Bird Review Vol. 59 POLK COUNTY—94 species. Reporter: Norris Alfred. Observers: Lee Morris and Swede Lind. This report was compiled by R. G. Cortelyou, who is in correspondence with the reporter. Species Listed as NR : Wild Turkey (note: this species was not seen during Fall 1990, but a flock of 119 birds was seen on 1 January 1991). CUMING COUNTY—61 species. Reporter: Larry Einemann. Einemann took two trips to West Point and areas south and southeast of'that town. One trip was made on 4 and 5 August (designation in table: Au 4), and the other on 3 and 4 November (designation: No 3). He reports the following nesting activity from the August trip: Yellow-billed Cuckoo—nest with 3 eggs in a pine on a farm SE of W. Point; Mourning Dove—a nest with 2 eggs in same windbreak as cuckoo nest; Eastern Bluebird—one box with several young on a farm SE of West Point; Dickcissel—3 downy young in an uncut, wet prairie. Seward County—In a widely noted report, Joe Gubanyi spotted a Broad-tailed Hummingbird at his feeder on 18 October 1990 in Seward. Further notes on this sighting have been requested. Saline County—The only report was the 8 American Kestrels sighted by John Nygren, noted in The NOU Newsletter. SAUNDERS COUNTY—101 species. Reporters: Fr. Thomas Hoffman and Larry Einemann. Fr. Hoffman reports: The territory covered in Saunders Co. is the same as always, in the northwest corner, an area of about 2 square miles centered on a sand and gravel operation. I thought the dry conditions of this fall limited cedar berry and hackberry production greatly and cut into numbers and species considerably. Einemann's coverage of this county consisted of two trips to the new Czechland Lake just northwest of Prague, one on 4 August, the other on 19 September. LANCASTER COUNTY—174 species. Reporters: Larry Einemann, Thomas Labedz, Mabel Ott, and Babs and Loren Padelford. Observers: Doug Fritz, Joe Gubanyi, and Norma Johnson-Mueller. The Mississippi Kite is a subject within the Notes section (see page 34). The White-winged Scoter sighted by Norma Johnson-Mueller was reported in the NOU Newsletter, further documentation has been requested. The Scissor-tailed Flycatchers, one adult male and one bird with a shorter tail, were reported by NGPC personnel John Sweet and Margo Ems, via Jon Dinan, to Tom Labedz. Ott's records, which included the only mention of Hermit Thrush in the entire table, are from her banding records. According to Daryl Giblin's Christmas Count report, the Peregrine Falcon has been living in Lincoln for about 15 months; however, no other reporter recorded the bird's presence beyond the nebulous date of "during the Christmas Count week." Given Giblin's note, "Jl" was recorded as an initial date. DAKOTA COUNTY—104 species. Reporter: Bill Huser. Huser notes that his time in the field during the fall was reduced, so this report should be examined in light of this. The highlight of the period was the No. 1 The Nebraska Bird Review 13 Snowy Egret sighting; 2 Snowys were seen in the company of up to 13 Great Egrets and were present for about a month. Washington County—10 species. News from this oft-visited county was rare this fall. R.C. Hoover of Pullman, Washington, visited DeSoto NWR on November 23 and observed Snow Geese and Bald Eagles. Hoover also reported ducks and gulls, but he is not a birder and was not positive on what kinds of birds he saw beyond this sketch. The Gull sp., however, is the only one recorded in the county this fall and is included above. This represents the only report 1 received to which a definite date can be affixed. R.C. Korpi and Ruth Green did visit the Interpretative Center after a Snow Goose count one day during November. Korpi reported the following list, which he admits is not complete: Snow Goose, Greater White-fronted Goose, Canada Goose, Bufflehead, Mallard, Green-winged Teal, and Bald Eagle. The Tundra Swan (only one noted this fall) and Sandhill Crane were reported in Ruth Green's "Notes from Nature" column in the Audubon Society of Omaha newsletter. Both birds apparently visited DeSoto NWR in late November. No identifying details or names of observers were given in the column including these reports. Documentation on either bird, or any other observations from DeSoto NWR or Washington County, would be appreciated. DOUGLAS AND SARPY COUNTIES—205 species. Reporters: Tanya E. Bray, R.G. Cortelyou, Kathleen Crawford-Rose, Ruth C. Green, Alan G. Grenon, Clyde E. Johnson, and Babs and Loren Padelford. Observers: Russ Benedict, Carr Heaney, Dawn Holt, Emma Johnson, Raymond C. Korpi, Raymond T. Korpi, Lorraine Lienemann, Gail Roebuck, B.J. Rose, Robert Rose, Alice Rushton, Del Stites, and lone Werthman. Several sightings were gleaned from Green's "Notes from Nature" column. One sighting for which further documentation is desired by the NBR and NOURC is the Henslow's Sparrows found by Carr Heaney on October 13 and 20. Efforts by Green and R.C. Korpi to locate these birds later was unsuccessful. The sparrows were found at Cunningham Lake, Douglas County, and Heaney reported seeing them there in 1987 through 1989. This species' status in Nebraska is one of much debate, and documentation of any Henslow's Sparrow in the state is highly desired by the NOURC. Other sightings and dates gleaned from Green's column are as follows: Snowy Owl (Holt), Golden Eagle (Lienemann), first occurrence of Red-breasted Nuthatch (Roebuck). The Connecticut and Kentucky Warblers reported by Green were both banded, the Connecticut in her backyard and the Kentucky in Fontenelle Forest. Green also notes these other banding records: 76 Nashville Warblers, 18 House Finches, and the reported Wood Thrush. The November 4 Black-legged Kittiwake at Carter Lake, Douglas County, was reported by several people as was the Pacific Loon on November 10. The Golden¬ winged Warbler—a hatching-year bird, probably male—was seen by R.T. Korpi in Fontenelle Forest. 2 Purple Finches and a Carolina Wren were coming to the feeders of Del Stites, who lives adjacent to the eastern border of Schramm State Park. R.G. Cortelyou notes that the last Burrowing Owl report in Douglas County, occurring in 1979, happened during a meeting of the Wilson Ornithological Society and therefore caused much more of a stir than Russ Benedict's September 25 14. The Nebraska Bird Review Vol. 5 9 sighting of a Burrowing Owl, a bird which was temporarily trapped in a South Omaha auto garage. CASS COUNTY—136 species. Reporters: Gertrude Wood. Observers: Kevin DeGarmo and Donald Wood. Gertrude Wood notes: the House Finches nested in our yard; there were four young. They all left by December 3 and have not been seen since this date. The only designation with Whip-poor-will was "S"; dates will be reported in a later issue. Otoe County—31 species. Larry Einemann reports the following species on a field trip to Nebraska City on 15 and 16 September: Double-crested Cormorant, Red-tailed Hawk, Mourning Dove, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Chimney Swift, Belted Kingfisher, Red-headed Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Barn Swallow, Blue Jay, American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, House Wren, Eastern Bluebird, American Robin, Cedar Waxwing, European Starling, Solitary Vireo, Orange-crowned Warbler, Nashville Warbler, Cardinal, Chipping Sparrow, American Goldfinch, House Sparrow. Some of the Tristate Christmas Count birds could have been from Otoe County, but no differentiation of Nebraska species was made in data provided. References Green, R.C. (Nov. 1990). Notes from nature. A bird's eye view, p. 7. Green, R.C. (Dec. 1990). Notes from nature. A bird's eye vieiv, p. 7. Green, R.C. (Jan. 1991). Notes from nature. A bird's eye view, p. 7. Johnsgard, P. J. (1982). A revised list of the birds of Nebraska and adjacent Plains states. (1980). NOU Occasional Paper No. 6, Lincoln, NE. Johnson-Mueller, N.G. (Nov./Dec. 1990). Bird sightings. The Nebraska Ornithologists' Union newsletter, p. 3. TABLE 1. County-by county listing of those birds identified to genus only. Sioux Phelps Buffalo Kearney Polk Cuming Lancaster Douglas Sarpy Accipiter sp. Sp 29 Yellowlegs sp. Au 11 Dowiccher sp. Au 20 Au 22 Au 4 Ot 28 Ot 14 Ot 25 Cuckoo sp. Au 11 Shrike sp. Au 18 No ,17 Meadowlark sp. Au 4 No 17 Ot 5 Dm 31 Ot 7 Dm 7 No 3 J1 1 Dm 30 J1 2 Dm 31 Those is denoted in bold here were the only members of that group seen in that particular county during the count period. Therefore, they are included in the species totals previously presented. Not all counties are represented. Sioux Scotts Bluff Dawes Lincoln Phelps Buffalo Holt Knox Polk Cuming Saunders Lancaster Dakota Sarpy Cass Pacific Loon No 10 Common Loon J1 6 Ot 31 Au 4 No 10 No 4 No 17 Pied-billed Grebe S Sp J1 6 No 13 Sp 2 Ot 13 Au 21 Ot 3 Sp 20 No 23 S Ot 12 Jl 16 Ot 21 Sp 30 Sp 19 No 24 Sp 19 No 12 Au 17 No 4 Au 6 No 4 Ot 20 Horned Grebe Ot 18 No 11 Eared Grebe J1 19 Ot 31 Sp 1 Sp 15 Sp 26 Ot 3 Western Grebe Sp 28 Jl 6 No 13 Sp 29 No 12 American White Pelican Jl 12 Ot 31 Jl 31 Sp 20 Au 4 Ot 28 Sp 28 S Ot 9 Ot 5 Ot 21 Jl 29 No 1 Au 16 Sp 10 Sp 8 No 24 Ot 20 Double-crested Cormorant Sp 10 Jl 20 Ot 31 Jl 1 Ot 27 Au 18 Ot 5 S No 15 Au 25 Ot 21 Sp 9 Jl 13 No 23 Jl 14 Dm 16 Sp 1 No 17 Sp 11 American Bittern Au 15 Au 22 Au 18 Least Bittern Au 19 Sp 3 Great Blue Heron Ot 1 Jl 1 Dm 15 Jl 6 Jl 20 Jl 1 Dm 15 Au 4 Ot 5 Sp 5 Dm 31 S Ot 20 Jl 16 Dm 16 Jl 7 Dm 7 Au 4 Jl 14 W Jl 1 Dm 16 S No 17 Jl 11 No 24 Jl 20 No 14 Great Egret Au 18 Ot 5 Sp 21 Jl 30 Sp 9 Au 2 Sp 10 Jl 23 Ot 5 Sp 20 Snowy Egret Au 22 Ot 5 Au 11 Au 10 Sp 10 Sp 21 Little Blue Heron Au 4 Jl 29 Au 19 Jl 31 Ot 8 Cattle Egret Jl 15 Au 11 Sp 14 Green-backed Heron Au 20 Sp 2 Au 30 Sp 5 Au 19 Sp 1 Jl 7 Au 11 S Sp 9 S Sp 7 S Sp 10 Jl 7 Sp 24 Jl 14 Sp 12 Black-crowned Night Heron Au 5 Au 28 Au 19 Ot 5 Au 19 Au 25 Sp 9 Sp 7 Jl 27 Yellow-crowned Night Heron Sp 28 White-faced Ibis Au 22 Au 24 Trumpeter Swan Sp 2 Greater White- fronted Goose Sp 23 Ot 17 No 23 Dm 15 Ot 21 Ot 18 No 1 Key: P—permanent resident; (p)—probably permanent resident; S—summer resident; W—winter resident; J1—^July; Au—^August; Sp—September; Ot—October; No—November; Dm—December; Dm X—seen in Xmas Count Week. No. 1 _ The Nebraska Bird Review Sioux Scores Bluff Dawes Lincoln Phelps Buffalo Kearney Holt Knox Polk Cuming Saunders Lancaster Dakota Douglas Sarpy Cass No n Ot 27 |jH B No 1 Dm 16 Or 6 Dm 17 Ot 9 Dm 28 Canada Goose P J1 1 Dm 31 JI 1 Dm 31 Au 26 Dm 16 No 23 Dm 31 HM P mm Wood Duck J1 6 Or 31 Jl 1 Ot 27 Au 25 Sp 29 Sp 20 Sp 21 s Ot 26 Jl 16 Ot 21 Ot7 Ot28 Au 4 s Sp 15 S Au 17 Sp 22 Sp 3 Ot 20 Sp 21 Ot 9 Ot 22 Ot 5 No 11 J1 6 Ot 31 Sp 20 Ot 13 Au 4 Ot 20 Sp 20 Sp 21 s Sp 29 Au 19 Ot 21 Au 11 Ot28 Sp 1 Sp 19 Ot 13 Au 15 Au 26 Au 20 No 6 Ot 25 No 1 Cinnamon Teal S Sp 10 Sp 29 Mallard p Ji 1 Dm 31 Au 22 No 3 Sp 21 Dm 31 S No 29 Au 19 No 11 Au 11 Dm 7 P P Jl 18 Dm 29 Jl 5 Dm 29 Ot 25 Dm 28 Ot 20 No 15 Au 25 Ot 20 Sp 20 Sp 21 S Ot 31 Or 21 Sp9 Ot28 No 23 Ot 13 Ot 27 Dm 29 Ot 25 Northern Shoveler la Ot 13 Dm 2 Au 25 Ot 20 Sp 20 Sp 21 S No 11 No 11 Ot 20 Dm 2 Gadwall s Sp 10 Sp 3 Dm 15 Au 25 Ot 20 Sp 20 Sp 21 S Ot 31 Ot 5 No 11 Dm 15 Ot 9 No 11 Ot 21 Dm 29 Ot 20 No 4 s No 10 Sp 3 Dm 15 Ot 30 Dm 15 Canvasback J1 19 No 13 P.cdhead J1 6 Dm 14 Ot 14 No 5 O: 20 Ot 21 No 4 Ot 29 HH ■tSH Oc 3 Ot 21 Au 4 Ot 14 No 4 Ot 20 No 7 No 21 ■■■ Lesser Scaup n Dm 16 Ot 21 Ot 17 1^1 Dm 16 Dm 29 W No 4 Dm 29 No 25 Barrow’s Goldeneye H IB _ Bufflehead Ot 27 Dm 16 Hooded Merganser Ot 31 Dm 11 No 21 No 3 Ot 22 Key: P—permanent resident; (p)—probably permanent resident; S—summer resident; W—winter resident; J1—July; \u—^AuBust; Sp—^September; Ot—October; No—November; Dm—December; Dm Xr-rSSgn in Xmas Count Week. The Neb:ta?l