University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons(® University of Nebraska - Lincoln Nebraska Bird Review Nebraska Ornithologists' Union 3-1990 Nebraska Bird Review (March 1990) 58(1)^ WHOLE ISSUE Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/nebbirdrev Part of the Ornithology Commons. Poultry or Avian Science Commons, and the Zoology Commons "Nebraska Bird Review (March 1990) 58(l), WHOLE ISSUE" (1990). Nebraska Bird Review. 544. http: //digitalcommons.unl.edu/nehhirdrev/ 544 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 1990) 58(1), WHOLE ISSUE. Copyright 1990, Nebraska Ornithologists' Union. Used by permission. The Nebraska Bird Review Magazine of Ornithology of the Nebraska Region Volume 58 Published by the NEBRASKA ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNION, INC, TABLE OF CONTENTS ON BACK COVER Published quarterly in March. June. September, and December, by the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union Inc. as its official journal and sent to all members who arc not in 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 Memberships (on a calendar year basis only): Students. $3-00; Active $7.00; Sustaining $15.00; Family Active $10.00; Family Sustaining $20.00; Life $100.00 All dues and subscriptions should be remitted to the Treasurer, Mrs. Alice Kenitz, HC 50, Box 38B, Geting, Nebras¬ ka 69341. Orders (or back numbers of the R e view should be sent to Dr. Rosalind Morris, Librarian. Nebraska Ornithol¬ ogists’ Union, W436 Nebraska Hall, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska 68588-0514. All manuscripts for publication, and all changes of address, should be sent to the Editor, R. G. Cortclyou, 5109 Underwood Avenue, Omaha, Nebraska 68132. Other officers are: President, Thomas E. Labedz, 1241 Starview Lane, Lincoln, Nebraska 68512, Vice-president, Douglas G. Thomas. 1035 Mississippi, Alliance, Nebraska 69301, and Secretary, Mrs. Ruth C. Green, 506 W 31st Avenue, Bellevue, Nebraska 68005. ISSN 0028-1816 1989 TREASURER’S REPORT Cash Invest- Current Total This Year Balance 1 January 1989 446.92 Accounts payable paid (358.26) Prepaid itens used below (673,00) RECEIPTS Meiaber- 144 Active 1 ,003.50 ships 48 Family Act. 480.00 23 Sustaining 345.00 6 Fan. Sust, 120.00 12 Life 1 ,200.00 16 Student 48.00 Sub- 4 Dorn. Direct 40.00 scrip- 28 Dom. Agency 250.50 tions 5 For. Agency 57.00 Miscel- Review copies 113.75 laneous Checklists 170.87 Arm patches 24.00 Field Cards bot 85.75 sold 50.53 (35.22) Shirts bot 666.20 sold 632.23 (33.97) Slide rentals 11.56 Misc. Pubs. 9.00 Sales tax fee .19 Spr.meet rev, 2,319.50 cost 2,430.75 (111.25) Fall meet rev.2,315.25 cost 2,158.00 157.25 Interest revenue 271.59 Total receipts 4 ,121 77 EXPENSES Publi- Review 1 ,507.28 cations Newsletter 643.41 Postage 385.00 Offi- President Long Dis. 114.53 cer’s other 92.58 Ex- Secretary 2.50 penses Treasurer 41.98 Editor 113.25 Librarian 4.90 Atlas,Record 115.22 Miscel- File cabinet 142.43 leneous Migration forms 89.68 Corporation fee 20.00 Change Agent fee 8.00 Member, brochures 41.45 River Conf. booth 20.00 Trees for Halsey 250.00 Total expenses 3 ,592.21 Vera Coons memorial (146.65) Investments cashed 516.31 Prepaid dues 536.50 Prepaid subscriptions 208.00 Sales tax due 28.72 Gifts 650.32 Balance 31 December 1989 1 ,738.42 To/From nents Account Other Years 1,031.26) 13,458.99 12,874.65 358.26 673.00 3,196.50 347.50 820.52 1,398.29 820.52 4,942 29 393.12 2,928.81 484.96 571.56 393.12 3,985.33 956.96 536.50 208.00 28.72 (516.31) (146.65) 650.32 1,166.34) 13,763.20 14,335.28 3 1989 CHRISTMAS COUNT One hundred three species and one hybrid were reported on the Christmas counts for 1989, and two were seen within the count circles during the count week, but not reported on the count, and there is the possibility that some of the “species" reported were ones not individually listed. The figures for last year, with one less reporting site, were 110, no hybrids, and two seen during the count week but not on the count day. The total individual count this year was 182,212, compared to 505,823 last year and 408,096 the year before. A drop of 264,575 Snow Geese from the 1988 count at DeSoto, and of 187,058 Red-winged Blackbirds from the 1987 count at Omaha, account for much of the difference. The columns are arranged in a west (left) to east (right) order, with the northernmost of those with about the same longitude given first. The symbol H is used to indicate a species which was present in the count circle during the count week, but not recorded on the count day. Figures which were underlined on the reports are underlined in the table, to indicate high counts. Sightings reported as “species" are not included in the count of species reported if any of that group were reported. Beaver Valley, center NW corner of Sec. 5, T21N, R7W, 4 mi. w. and 1.5 mi. s. of Petersburg, including Petersburg, Raeville, Loretto, and Akron, all in northwestern Boone Co.; 27 December, 8 AM to 4:10 PM, temp. 43® to 57® F., wind NW 5-10 mph., no snow cover, still water frozen, moving water partly open, AM and PM partly cloudy, 4 observers in 2 parties, total party- hours 16 and party-miles 68, 4 hours and 6 miles on foot, 12 hours and 62 miles by car, participants Harlow Butcher, Bub Dietz, David Stage, Duane Wolff, Wayne J. Mollhoff (compiler). Calmus-Loup, center NW corner of Sec. 35, T22N, R17W, 7 mi. w. and 4 mi. n. of Burwell. Circle lies mostly in Loup and Garfield counties, 29 December 7:45 AM to 5:30 PM, temp. 25® to 32® F., wind NW 15-30 mph., no snow cover mentioned, still water frozen, moving water partly open, AM cloudy, light freezing rain/snow, PM cloudy, 9 observers in 4-6 parties, totai party-hours 70 and party-miles 206, 8 hours and 7 miles on foot, 62 hours and 199 miles by car, participants Loren Blake, Joyce Borgelt, Norma Brockmoller, Roger and Isolde Cutshall, Jerry and Gerry Goodell, Nancy Jo Powers, Jan Uttecht, Wayne J. Mollhoff (compiler). DeSoto NWR, center Refuge Headquarters building, west to Biair, and east to Missouri Valley, Iowa, including all of the Refuge, Wilson Island, and Fort Calhoun, 16 December, 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM, temp. -11® to 14® F., wind n. 1-2 mph., 2 inches snow cover, still water partly open, moving water partly open, AM clear, PM partly cloudy, 31 observers in 7 parties, none at feeders and no owling, total party-hours 56 and party-miles 419.25,21.25 hours and 25.25 miles on foot, 34.75 hours and 394 miles by car, participants Betty Allen, Linda Bluedorn, Ralph Bluedorn, John Brenneman, Jack Brownrigg, Ron Cisar, Donna Daly, Harry Duncan, Rollin Gentes, Sue Gentes, James Glather, Ruth Green, Essie Grili, Sam Grill, Jeannie Henrickson, Raymond Korpi, Jim Kovanda, Sandy Kovanda, B. J. Rose, Douglas Rose, Roger Rose, 4 S. B. N. P. Rear. Calm. Loup C. G. I. 4Cor B. V. Norf. Grt. Blue Heron - 2 - - _ _ _ 1 White Fr. Goose - - 1 - - - - - Snow Goose 1 - 2 - - 1 - - Canada Goose 894 3,601 7,000 1,123 1,490 1,482 - 1 1 Green-w. Teal 9 1 - - 32 3 Am. Blk. Duck - - - - - 1 - - Mallard 2,801 2,086 16 2,573 5,000 18.812 1 4,972 77 No. Pintail 3 - - - - 2 - 2 MallardxPintail - _ _ _ _ 1 _ Gadwall - 4 - - - - - 2 _ Am. Wigeon 25 - - - - 2 - - _ Redhead - 5 - - - 1 ~ Ring-neck. D. _ _ _ _ _ Lesser Scaup - - 2 - - - - - Com. Goldeneye 1 61 1 38 - 4 - 4 _ Com. Merganser 3 14 35 5 8 - - 2 Bald Eagle 3 21 9 6 4 13 _ 7 7 adult 2 - _ 6 4 4 - 6 5 immature 1 - - - - 9 - 1 1 undesignated - 21 9 - - - - - 1 No. Harrier 2 13 2 _ 14 1 1 2 Sharp-shined H. 1 1 3 - 2 1 1 - 6 Cooper’s Hawk - - 1 - - - - - 2 Accipiter sp. - - - - - - - - 2 Red-shoulder.H _ _ _ _ _ _ Swainson's Hawk - - - - - - - - 1 Bed-tailed H. 3 15 4 8 9 41 1 1 36 Ferruginous H. - 4 1 - 4 - - - - Rough-legged H. 1 19 5 4 _ 12 1 6 12 Buteo sp. 2 - - - - - - - 3 Golden Eagle H 2 - - 2 _ _ immature - - - - 2 - - - _ undesignated - 2 - - - - - - - Eagle sp. - - - - 2 - _ - _ Am. Kestrel 6 19 7 5 3 20 1 3 27 Merlin - - - - - - - 1 1 Peregrine Fal. - - - - 1 - - - Prairie Falcon H 1 - 1 - 3 1 _ 2 falcon sp. - - - - - - - - - Gray Partridge - - - - - - - 1 2 Ring-necked Ph. 10 6 - 9 4 50 1 70 255 Gr. Prairie-Ch. - 12 - 52 _ _ 1 2 14 Sharp-tail. G. 3 30 - - - - - - - Wild Turkey 23 16 165 2 - 76 - - 7 No. Bobwhite 1 - 14 11 6 49 - - 387 Killdeer 2 - - - - - - - - Common Snipe 2 - - - 1 10 - 1 4 Rock Dove 132 60 162 5 6 131 4 7 179 Mourning Dove - - 1 - - 3 - - 3 E. Screech Owl - - - - 2 7 1 - 1 5 Lincoln Soo C. DeSoto Omaha Tri-S, 1 - - - - _ - - - - _ - 35,425 1 - 562 2 1,701 98 - 3 - 10 - _ 1 - 2 1 168 3,000 12,502 1,270 800 - 1 ■ - - - - - 2 - 13 - - - - 1 - - - - - _ 1 - - - - 1 - - _ 6 155 106 - - 28 21 7 1 _ 3 68 38 5 - 2 31 30 4 - 1 24 13 8 1 7 _ 4 2 1 7 - 1 2 1 _ - - - - - - 1 2 - - - H - - - - - - 50 6 47 53 28 - - - - - 1 _ 3 2 1 3 - 4 4 - - - - - 1 - - - - - - - - 1 _ _ _ _ _ 22 - 13 38 6 - - - - - 1 - - - - - - - - _ - - - 1 - - - - - - 7 3 226 38 - - - - _ - - -■ - _ - 28 35 23 H 125 15 17 - - _ _ _ 1 - - 1 _ 263 - 161 159 103 75 - 37 4 6 5 - 3 8 6 Ross Silcock, David Starr, Robert Starr, Linda Thompson, Jerry Toll, Eric Volden, John Weber, Marlene Weber, Al Werthman, lone Werthman, com¬ piler Melinda Rosenbaum. Four Corners, center NW corner of Sec. 4, T23N, R12W, 8 miles north and 9 miles west of Bartlett, Wheeler Co., 3 January, 8:15 AM to 5:15 PM, temp. 25° to 30° F., wind NW 10-25 mph., no snow cover, still water frozen, moving water partly open, AM clear, PM cloudy, 1 observer in 1 party, total party-hours 9, total party miles 72, 3 hours and 3 miles on foot, 6 hours and 69 miles by car, participant (and com¬ piler) Wayne J. Mollhoff. Grand Island, center NW V4, NW V4,Sec. 1,T10N, R10W, to include all of Grand Island, Cornhusker State WMA, south half of Hall Co. Airport, and Crystal Lake, 16 December, 7:45 AM to 5:45 PM, temp. -10° to 19° F., wind SW 5-10, light snow cover, 5% open water, partly cloudy, fair mast crop, 16 observers in 4 parties plus 1 at feeders, plus 3.5 hours and 40 miles by car in 2 parties, owling, total party- hours 39 and total party-miles 321, 9 hours and 11 miles by foot, 30 hours and 310 miles by car, participants Chuck Aubushon, Kenny Dinan, Craig Fannes, Dennis Grundman, Mike Hop¬ per, Ron Kruse, Mike and Shelly LaValley, Gary Lingle (compiler), Con¬ nie McCartney, Peter McDonald, Jim Meyer, Scott Purdy, Wende Rosier, Vern Throop, Diane Zwink. Mr. Lingle comments that in spite of the record cold temperature they did well, and had 20 species make new high counts. Kearney, center bridge over the Platte River, south of Kearney, in¬ cluding Kearney Cemetery, Harmon Park, Cottonmill Park, Fort Kearney State Park, Hike-Bike Trail, Platte River bridges, Kearney and Odessa, Fawn Meadows and Woods, sandpits, roadside areas, local feeders. 8 AM to 6 S. B. N. P. Kear. Calm. Loup C. G. I. 4Cor B. V. Norf, Gr. Horned Owl - 1 2 4 6 13 6 1 12 Snowy Owl - - - - - - - - - Barred Owl - - - - - - - - - Long-eared Owl - - - - - - - - 2 Short-eared Owl - - - - - 5 - - _ owl sp. - - - - - - - - - Bltd Kingfisher 1 1 1 - - 6 - - 2 Red-headed Wpkr - - 1 - - - - - - Red-bellied Wpr - 3 4 - - 5 - - 12 Y-b. Sapsucker - - 1 - - - - - - Downy Woodpeck. H 7 9 4 7 17 3 4 100 Hairy Woodpck. 2 3 5 3 1 2 - 1 35 No. Flicker 22 8 8 3 1 19 _ 1 33 Yellow-shf. 4 - 8 3 - - - - 33 Red-shafted 11 - - - 1 - - - - undesignated 7 8 - - - 19 - 1 - Horned Lark 2,062 97 150 3 15 927 13 6 623 Blue Jay 19 1 13 1 - 73 - 3 44 Pinyon Jay H - - - - - - - - Bl-bill. Magpie 81 44 7 19 8 19 8 1 56 American Crow 90 278 5,000 956 16 297 79 15 357 Bl-cap. Chick. 14 15 8 33 15 214 2 7 445 Tufted Titmouse - - - - - - - - - R-br. Nuthatch 1 1 4 - 6 - 1 4 W-br. Nuthatch _ 8 17 3 2 10 4 3 66 Brown Creeper - - 7 2 1 u - 1 4 Carolina Wren - - - - - - - - - Wren sp. “ - - - - 1 - “ - G-c. Kinglet 1 - 6 - - 5 - - 1 R-c. Kinglet - - 2 - - - - - - E. Bluebird - 10 - - - 3 - - - Mt. Bluebird - 140 - - - - - - - Townsend’s Sol. 1 2 - - _ - _ _ Am. Robin 6 123 17 3.615 3 34 - 1 522 Brown Thrasher - - - - - - - - - Bohemian Waxw. - - - - - - - ~ - Cedar Waxwing - - 25 26 - 47 _ 3 66 No. Shrike 1 4 2 3 1 4 - 1 10 Loggerhead Sh. - - - - - - - - - E. Starling 955 1.035 94 44 130 580 21 65 542 No. Cardinal - 6 11 - 2 31 2 73 Ruf-sid. Towhee - - - - 2 - - - Am. Tree Spar. 71 59 133 141 41 481 90 13 1,716 Field Sparrow - - - - - - - - - Savannah Spar. - - - - - - - - _ Song Sparrow - - - - - - - - - Lincoln’s Spar. - - - - - - - - Wh-thr. Sparrow - - - 1 - - - - Wh-cr. Sparrow 25 - - - _ 1 - _ 1 Harris’ Sparrow 4 - 20 11 1 275 - - 291 7 Lincoln Soo C. DeSoto Omaha Tri-S. n 1 7 1 25 5 - - - “ 2 - - 9 3 8 1 6 1 - _ 2 - - - - 2 - 2 1 - 4 - 4 - - 44 4 31 2 45 91 24 1 - 1 1 - 119 11 55 148 10 19 3 7 16 2 34 10 154 39 28 30 - 153 - - - - 1 - 2 4 10 - 39 26 82 42 1,459 85 11 158 151 123 418 15 76 460 70 465 42 279 657 112 - - - 39 10 27 - 1 1 - 90 3 52 138 17 23 1 5 10 1 1 - - 2 17 - 3 J 30 54 - 14 230 3 1 1 - - - 2 - - - _ 1,771 43 1,071 2,060 458 201 2 133 274 127 6 - 5 2 1,107 18 1,204 670 746 23 - - 1 _ 15 1 48 20 10 - - _ 1 _ 42 - 3 1 2 5 - 3 _■ 9 415 - 78 18 140 4:30 PM, temp. 7® to 19® F., wind SW 6 mph., ground snow covered, river frozen, AM clear, PM cloudy, 14 observers in 2 parties, plus 12 at feeders, 77.5 party-miles, 4.5 by foot, 73 by car, participants: Bonnie Bern- holtz, John Bliese, George W. Brown (compiler), Marian Brown, Robin Hard¬ ing, Bernice Heckman, Alice Heckman, Phebe Keenan, Helen Lind- strom, Dennis Sherrard, Mark Urwiller, Vicky Urwiller, Jamie Urwiller, Bill Wozniak, and at feeders Margaret Bliese, Dick Clark, June Clark, Norma Radford, Norma Schrack, Ward Schrack, Chris Sherrard, Hazel Shostrom, Marie Strom, Gary Zaruba, Mary Zaruba, Annette Wozniak. Lincoln, center intersection of S. Coddington and W. “A” streets, to include Pioneers Park, about 8 miles of Wilderness Park, Lagoon Park, Yankee Lake and Conestoga Lake areas, eastern half of Pawnee Lake, and Wyuka Cemetery, 17 December 5:15 AM to 6:15 PM, temp. -6® to 19® F., wind SW 0-10 mph., 3 inches snow cover, still water frozen, moving water partly frozen, AM partly cloudy, PM clear, 31 observers in the field in 13 parties, plus 31 at feeders, 57 hours at feeders, 3.5 hours and 47 miles owling, total party-hours 99 and total party-miles 743,65 hours and 74 miles on foot, 34 hours and 669 miles by car, participants: Irene Alexander, Maxine Bishop, Jim Burch, Carl Crosby, Cindy Cochran, David Cochran, Kevin deGarmo, Joe Doremus, Larry Einemann, William Garthright, Daryl and Margaret Giblin (compilers), Everett Gross, Mildred Gross, Ellen Harrington, Karla Kaufman, Paul Kauf¬ man, Paul Kay, Timothy Knott, Thomas Labedz, Peter Maslowski, Marilyn McCluskey, Richard McClusky, Rosalind Morris, Norma Mueller, Kevin Poague, Kenneth 8 S. B. N. P. Rear. Calm. Loup C . G. I. 4Cor B. V. Norf. Dark-eyed Junco 198 69 53 72 21 444 1 12 1.315 Slate-color. 20 - - - 3 - - - 1,315 Oregon 21 - - - 10 - - - undesignated 157 69 53 72 8 444 1 12 - McCown’s Longsp - - - - _ _ _ Lapland Longsp. - - - - - 64 - - 4 Red-winged Bl. 700 55 - - 950 18 - 6 308 W. Meadowlark 3 70 1 4 2 128 _ _ 64 meadowlk sp. - - - - - - - - Rusty Blackbird 4 - - - - - - 2 Brewer’s Blackb - - - - - - 1 Common Crackle - 3 - _ _ 2 _ _ 5 Br-hd. Cowbird - 1 - - - - - - 14 blackbird sp. - - - - - - - - (G-c) Rosy Finch 1 - - - - - - - Purple Finch - - - - - - - 22 House Finch 235 88 110 - - 12 - - 5 Red Crossbill - - - - - - - _ White-w. Crossb - - - - - - - - 30 Common Redpoll - - - - - - - - 85 Pine Siskin 149 18 4 _ _ 48 _ _ 209 Am. Goldfinch 47 126 78 - 7 247 1 42 146 Evening Grosb. 56 1 - - - 2 - - - House Sparrow 151 279 315 637 126 1,050 37 69 3,157 Species 47 52 51 37 35 63 23 41 61 Individuals 8 ,825 8,533 13,506 9,464 7,896 25.942 279 5,344 11,417 Reitan, Donald Showen, Frances Taylor, Lyle Vannier, Angela Williams, Donald Williams. Mr. GibIin commented: “This year we had 31 field observers in 13 parties. They logged 99 hours in the field which ties the record and which was done in cold but nearly calm weather this year. In fact, this was the second coldest day for a CBC ever held here in Lincoln. The coldest was in that awful December of 1983. We had 31 feeder watchers this year, a record effort in this department. Five participants in two parties owled before dawn. They continued on through the day as field parties. My party was plagued by the failure of both of my cassette recorders, which along with trying to recover from viral pneumonia, cut down on the time we typically spend owl- ing. Over all, the effort for this was the greatest ever done here at Lincoln. Unfortunately, the weather had not been very cooperative with our efforts. This year saw the continuation of an ongoing drought in this section of the country. However, this summer was not as severe as last year. It was not as hot and we had a little more rain. In late September we had a huge cloud¬ burst, over 10 inches - almost one-half the rain that fell all year! Otherwise this fall was extremely dry. As a result, the wild food crop this year was only fair except for juniper berries, which are plentiful. The areas that have Eastern Redcedars are alive this winter with Robins and Cedar Waxwings, which are to be found almost nowhere else. While this fall was warm and dry, winter hit hard with snow and temperatures almost to -20° F. a week before the 9 count, and caused the freezing over of almost all our water. The only open water was along a stretch of Haines Branch and another along Salt Creek where there were salt springs and also along Salt Creek below the discharge from the city sewage treatment plant. These stretches never freeze over, even at -30° F, to which the temperature dropped just a few days after the count. As a consequence, the number of water related species of birds was much less than in the previous years. Also, many lingering fall species cleared out with the onset of the cold weather.” “As in the years since the savage winter of 1983-1984, most upland species were found in city parks, the university campuses, and backyard feeders. However, there has been a slow increase in the numbers of species that were impacted by the weather that winter. Among the species are the American Tree Spar¬ row and the meadowlarks (likely Western Meadowlarks). The drought has been hampering the recovery of the Ring-necked Pheasant and North¬ ern Bobwhite. The density of Eastern Screech-Owls has continued declin¬ ing, likely due to the loss of habitat caused by expanding city suburbs and farming practices that lead to the clearing of shelter belts everywhere in this area. Also, the European Starling numbers have been declining, which most people don’t mind. The number of House Sparrows in the countryside seems to have declined also, but in the city their numbers have been soaring. The largest increase in the number of individuals of any species was for the Harris Sparrow, which are more abundant this year than in any year in the last fifteen. The White-throated Sparrow has increased in numbers in recent years, but are found primarily on the campuses of the University of Nebraska, where many bushes have been planted in recent years. Also significantly up is the number of Blue Jays, which must have had a good year. Another development is the establishment of House Finches in this area. They have nested within the city the last two summers, and this CBC they were reported by three of the field parties and several feeder watchers. I expect this species to be a regular in the future. (It has been previously reported on a Lincoln CBC but this year there were many more in the city.) This fall there appeared some irruptive species which have remained for the CBC. These include the Red-breasted Nuthatch and Red Crossbill. In this area, both the Northern Lincoln Soo C. DeSoto Omaha Tri-S, 1,265 28 1,663 972 1 .076 212 - - - - 37 - 2 2 - 1,016 28 1,661 970 1 ,076 - 1 - - - 332 - 3 64 - 281 7 - - - 1 - 409 - 96 45 58 100 - 46 - 3 206 “ 22 1 - 16 - 8 - 2 - - - - 48 - - ' - - - - 12 2 _ 15 6 28 - - 10 3 1 - - - - - - - - - - 4 - - 70 _ 4 54 63 324 6 366 185 131 - - - - - 3,413 21 1,333 1,490 862 60 36 58 62 48 12,651 3,352 59,905 9,829 5, ,269 10 and Loggerhead Shrikes are regular winter species, though neither is com. mon. (I put in this comment because of contrary assertions by some nearby regional editors.)” “No true accidentals are found on this year’s count. Margaret and I found the Townsend’s Solitaire at a very large grove of Eastern Redcedars. This species is a rare irruptive in this area. It had been reported once before on the CBC for Lincoln in the last 15 years. Both the Peregrine Falcon and Savannah Sparrow were found by the party of Don Showen and Lyle Vannier, and both were in the same area of Salt Creek where there are warm salt springs and partly open water. In addition, Don Showen is quite experienced as a birder. A Peregrine Falcon has been seen many times by many observers this fall and winter around downtown Lincoln. It has been harassing the city pigeons. It is quite likely the same bird as reported on the count, since the area along the creek where it was harassing some Mallards is only three miles from downtown, which is a short distance for such a bird. Over the last 20 years, the Prairie Falcon has become very rare here in the winter (or any other time), whereas the Peregrine Falcon is becoming fairly regular. Don did not notice anything like black armpits, and he mentioned the dark blue back and dark-capped head and ‘sideburns,’ which would indicate it as a Peregrine Falcon that he reported it as. The Savannah Sparrow was; first seen from across the creek. Don and Lyle went across, found the bird again and observed it for several minutes. This species is a common fall migrant but is usually through here in migration by the first of December, thus this would be a lingering individual of this species for this area. Don indicated that the bird’s streaking was too fine for a Song Sparrow, House or Purple Finch, or any of the heavily streaked sparrows, along with wrong coloration patterns for those species. It was streaked more extensively along the side than a Grasshopper Sparrow, besides having the wrong head shape, It lacked the buff under the breast streaking of a Lincoln’s Sparrow, and lacked the white on the sides of tail that a Vesper Sparrow has. However, he mentioned he could not see any yellow in the eye line, but according to some field guides not all individuals have yellow there. Overall his descrip¬ tion fits this species.” Loup City, NE corner of Sec. 13, T15N, R15W, Sherman Co., .25 mile N. of junction of Highways 10, 58, and 92 in Loup City, 1 January, 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, temp. 17° to 51° F., wind SW 5-25 mph., no snow cover, still water frozen, moving water partly open, AM clear, PM partly cloudy, 1 observer in 1 party, total party-hours 8.5, party miles 83, 1.5 hours and 2 miles on foot, 7 hours and 81 miles by car. Participant (and compiler) Wayne J. Mollhoff. Norfolk, center intersection of US 275 (business route) and US 81, (13th St. and Norfolk Ave.), 16 December, 7 AM to 5 PM, temp. -12° to 22° F., wind SW 5-12 mph., 2-3 inches snow cover, still water frozen, moving water partly open, AM partly clear, PM cloudy, light fog, snow, 23 observers in 6-13 parties, plus 4 at feeders, 8 hours at feeders, no owling, total party-hours 66, party-miles 587, 23 hours and 25 miles on foot, 43 hours and 552 miles by car, participants not listed, compiler Duane A. Wolff. Mr. Wolff commented: “We would like to dedicate this count to the memory of Willetta Lueshen. Willie, in her passing, leaves behind hundreds of birders whose lives will be 11 forever richer. Longtime birder, public speaker, instructor, and past president of Inland Bird Banding Association, Mrs. Lueshen was always eager to share her knowledge and love of birds with any and all people.” To which can be added that she was a former member and president of NOU, and one of the incorporators. North Platte, this count does not conform to the NAS rules, because they want to include all of Lincoln Co., 6 January, 8 AM to 4 PM, temp. 17® to 45° F., wind light NW, no snow cover, 14 observers in 4 parties, participants: Bob Bailey, Florence Clough, Harold Cunningham, Marie Evans, Erma Grill, Gregg Hoover, Nancy Jones, Eva Mae Kieborz, Margaret Morton, Esther Newhouse, Darlene Schick, Carol Somerhalder, Howard Wyman, Wilma Wyman (compiler). Omaha, center Offutt Air Force Base Lake, to include Fontenelle Forest, Lake Manawa(lowa) State Park, Plattsmouth Waterfowl Refuge, and portions of the Platte and Missouri rivers, 30 December, 5:30 AM to 5 PM, temp. 24® to 33° F., wind NW 4-10 mph., 4 inch snow cover, still water frozen, moving water partly open, AM cloudy, light snow, PM cloudy, 45 observers in 11-13 parties, plus 5 at feeders, 4 hours at feeders, 7 hours and 43 miles owling, total party-hours 102, party-miles 647.5, 51 hours and 47 miles on foot, 51 hours and 600.5 miles by car, species whose count is shown in italics were recorded only in Iowa, participants: Betty Allen, Jim Alt, Mary Babcock, Don Bailey, Ross Benedict, Tanya Bray, John Brenneman, Duane Bright, Kelly Clarke, Mike Crofoot, Donna Daly, Stephanie Fryers, Amy Galperin, Sue Gentes, Dutch Graf, Marjorie Graf, Ruth Green, Janet Greer, Alan Grenon (compiler), Betty Grenon, Essie Grill, Sam Grill, Maryjo Harlow, Jenny Henricksen, Clem Klaphake, Raymond Korpi, Jim Kovanda, Sandra Kovanda, Bruce Lund, Don Mass, Anne Maher, Eric Molho, Ralph Morocco, Kate Murphy, Shirley Noar, Bill Otto, Babs Padelford, Loren Padelford, Kevin Poague, Dick Rasmussen, Neal Ratzlaff, Kathleen Crawford-Rose, Steve Sabata, Eric Scholar, Ross Silcock, Bob Starr, Ron Stirling, Connie Tompkins, Ken Williams, Gary Woods. Scottsbiuff, center Visitor’s Center, Scotts Bluff National Monument, to include Scotts Bluff Co. Airport, portions of the Wildcat Hills, part of Carter Canyon, Roubadeau Pass, 16 December, 7:00 AM to 3:55 PM, temp. 11° to 16° F., wind NW 7-18 mph., 6 inches snow cover, still water partly open, moving water open, AM partly cloudy, light snow, PM partly cloudy, 5 observers in the field in 2 parties, plus 5 at feeders, 15 hours at feeders, total party-hours 16.25 and party-miles 184, .75 hours and 1 mile on foot, 15.5 hours and 183 miles by car, participants Alice Kenitz (compiler). Bob Kruger, Robert Larkin, Nora Mae Vance, Frank Zgaynor, and at feeders Julie Joyce Brashear, Jamalee Clark, Meredyth Gentry, Mary Harvey, Rex Metzger. Sioux City, center the Sioux City (Iowa) Auditorium, 23 January, 7:30 AM to 2 PM, temp. -24° to 10° F., wind S 5-30 mph., 2 inches snow cover, AM partly cloudy, PM clear. The following information is for only the Nebraska portion of the count. Three observers in 2 parties, total party-hours 8.5 and party-miles 36.5, 6.5 miles on foot and 30 miles by car, participants: Kurt Dean, Bill Huser, Jerry Probst (compiler). Tristate, center Mile 556 on the Missouri River, to include Nebraska City, 12 and the Missouri River bottoms and farmlands in Nebraska, Waubonsie State Park and Hamburg in Iowa, and extreme northwest Missouri down to the Nishnabotna River, 23 December, temp. -20° to 10° F., wind brief SW 5-1 o mph. early PM, 3 inches snow cover, AM clear, PM partly cloudy, 7 observers in field in 3 parties, .5 hour and 1 mile owling, total party-hours 27, and party- miles 371, 2 miles on foot, 369 by car, participants: Tanya Bray, Babs Padelford, Loren Padelford, B. J. Rose, Roger Rose, Ross Silcock (compiler), Jerry Toll. Scotts A C Lin- B C Hall Knox D Pierce Cedar R Sioux Bluff Dawes h coin Howard Polk Common Loon - - - - - Sp 20 k - S - No 4 - Ot 20 Sp 21 Au 4 No 24 Pied-billed Sp 10 - - e - Jl 10 k - Jl 4 S - - Jl 31 Ot 8 Ot 24 f Grebe 1 Au 12 No 3 Sp 2 Ot 22 No 5 Horned No 4 Grebe No 25 Eared Au 15 Au 11 - 1 - Sp 1 - - - No 16 - f Grebe Sp 23 Sp 10 Western - Au 28 - - - S - k - Jl 22 - No 25 Grebe Au 2 Jl 24 American - Jl* X - e - S - k - Jl 14 Ot 2 - Jl 8 Dm 10 White Pelican Sp 23 1 Sp 20 Sp 13 Double-crested Sp 1 Au 11 - e - S - k d Sp 3 S - 1 Jl 8 Ot 6 Sp 24 - Cormorant Sp 23 m Sp 25 1 No 1 No 3 Au 14 ot 15 No 25 Am. Bittern - - - e - - - - Jl 23 - - - Least Bittern - - - - - - - - Jl 17 S - - - - Au 5 Great Blue Au 5 S - Au 16 i a S - F d S - S - g Au 12 s - S - - Heron Au 15 Sp 23 c Ot 5 m Ot 30 No 3 1 Sp 13 No 5 No 5 Great Egret - - - - - - - - Jl 29 - - - Au 5 Snowy Egret - - - - - - - Jl 24 - - Little Blue _ _ _ _ _ - - Jl 1 - - - Heron Au 7 Cattle Egret - - - - - - - - Jl 1 Sp 20 - - - Green-backed - - - - - - - - Jl 22 - Jl 13 S - - - Heron Sp 3 Au 20 Black-crowned Sp 1 - - - - - - - Jl 21 Jl 22 - - - Night-Heron Jl 29 White-faced Ibis Trumpeter Swan Greater White- - - - m - - - - Ot 18 Ot 14 - Ot 24 - fronted Goose Ot 25 Snow Goose _ Dm 16 - - - - - - Ot 28 No 13 o No 2 - No 19 Canada Goose _ P _ 1 - P k - No 19 - No 19 Ot 17 - Dm 31 No 26 No 5 Goose sp. - - Wood Duck Sp S- Aul6e- S- B No 2 1 Sp 10 c J1 9 S - - Au 14 S*- S - J1 10 No 3 Sp 13 Ot 8 No 19 13 F G No 25 No 11 - e - Jl 7 Jl 15 - Jl 30 Ot 22 No 25 No 23 No 10 _ Ot 6 - No 11 No 25 No 2 - No 25 - Ot 3 S _ - S*- Ot*29 Ot 6 Ot 3 Dm 13 - f S - Jl 11 Ot 15 No 25 No 16 1989 (THIRTY-SECOND) FALL OCCURRENCE REPORT Two hundred ninety-one species, and the probability that the Snowy Owl QP the DeSoto NWR Christmas Count would qualify as a Nebraska bird and the possibility that some of the Empidonax sp. reported were not otherwise reported, were reported from 13 “full-time” locations plus 9 “spot-check” locations, which included 27 counties. The figures for 1988 were 282 species from 14 “full-time” locations plus 14 “spot-check” locations, which included 49 counties. The figures for 1987 were 296, plus 2 possibilities, from 14 “full¬ time” and 4 “spot-check” locations; 1986 293 and 1 possibility from 13 “full- Lan- Da- w Doug. Cass time” and 4 “spot-check” locations. caster kota a Sarpy The information is presented in a rough west (left) to east (right) order, with the northernmost of locations with approximately equal longitude listed first. Two dates indicate the first and last records for the period. The symbols used in the “full¬ time” columns are; Jl, Au, Sp, Ot, No, and Dm for the months. P to indicate a species which is present all of the year, although the same individuals may not be present during the whole year, and the numbers may vary greatly. (p) for a species probably present CCJ13S--S- s- all year, for which records didn’t cover j d No 11 Sp 30 No 17 Ot 28 the whole period. - Sp 28 S - to indicate a species which was present before 1 July and which was reported in the Spring Occurrence Report. S - W to indicate a species which was reported before 1 July and was still present after 31 December. It is similar to P, but the pattern is not always true. - W to indicate a species which re¬ mained after 31 December, but the lack of such designation does not necessarily mean that the species did not remain. X when the exact date was not provided. ot 30 b Au 20 No 4 * to Indicate a comment in the Dm 23 E Dm 30 Dm 2 text. ° to indicate that there were no f - Au 14 s - - s - s - records between the dates given, and No 8 Jl 16 No 14 Sp 29 (^is information was available to the - Au 28 Jl 15 - - - Jl 25 Au 3 Ot 17 Jl 15 S Sp 24 Sp - - Dm 26 - - Ot 23 No 20 c - No 20 Dm 8 - Au 1 - Au 31 Ot 22 - S - Au 4 Sp 15 Sp 14 - Ot 9 b S - No 21 E Dm 30 Dm 2 b Au 20 No 4 E Dm 30 Dm 2 14 Scotts A C Lin¬ B C Hall Knox D Pierce Cedar Sioux Bluff Dawes h coln Howard Polk Green-winged Au 15 Au 11 Au 16 1 - Sp 10 H - J1 9 Ot 21 - Ot 22 Ot 20 Teal Ot 10 Dm 16 Sp 19 m No 12 Dm 5 Am. Black Duck - - - - - - - - Mallard Au 15 I Au 15 r - P E j J1 1 S - 1 J1 13 Sp 24 Ot 24 o - U No 19 q No 19 No*19 Dm 5 Northern Pintail Au 25 - - - Sp 10 k - - Sp 20 - No 16 Sp 24 Dm 16 Sp 15 Ot 21 No 19 Ot 22 Blue-winged Teal Au 15 S - - - - S - q - J1 9 S - - Au 14 Sp 24 Au 17 Ot 5 Sp 15 k No 3 Ot 22 Au 20 Cinnamon Teal Sp 1 S - - - - - - - Sp 3 - - J1 24 Northern Sp 29 Au 25 - - - J1 1 k - Sp 3 Ot 14 - Sp 13 - Shoveler No 30 Sp 1 No 3 Gadwall Sp 10 J1 7 - - - - k - - Sp 20 - - Ot 24 No 3 No 3 Dm 5 American Wigeon Sp 20 - - - No 15 k - - Ot 2 - - Ot 24 Dm 16 No 26 No 3 No 25 Canvasback Sp 23 - - - Ot 1 k - - Ot 21 - - Ot 24 No 30 ot 15 No 3 Redhead Au 15 S - - - - - P - Sp 3 No 3 - - Ot 24 No 30 Dm 5 Ring-necked Sp 20 - - - - k - - Ot 21 - - Ot 24 Duck No 2 No 3 No 25 Greater Scaup - - - - - - - - - No 5 Dm 5 Lesser Scaup Ot 20 - - - - - - - Ot 14 - - Ot 24 No 3 No 3 No 25 Oldsquaw - - - - - - - - - No 19 No 25 Surf Scoter - - - - - - - Ot 14 - - No 4 White-winged - - - - - - - - - Scoter Common Goldeneye No 30 - - - Dm 1 - - - Dm 2 - Dm 17 - No 19 Dm 16 Dm 31 Dm 5 Bufflehead Ot 20 - - - - k - - Ot 14 - No 16 - No 5 No 30 Dm 2 No 25 Hooded Merganser No 2 - - - - - - - - - No 4 No 24 Common Merganser J1 24 - - - - - - - No 3 - No 19 No 5 No 30 No 19 Dm 5 Red-breasted - - - - - - - _ _ No 5 Merganser Dm 5 Ruddy Duck Au 15 S - - - - - k - J1 13 Ot 21 - - Ot 24 No 30 Au 10 No 3 Turkey Vulture Au 8 S - S - H c S - e - J1 9 J1 23 - Au 12 S - J1 26 Au 16 Sp 23 Sp 10 T Sp 20 Ot 1 Au 5 Au 20 Osprey Sp 8 - i - Sp 15 d d Sp 3 - Au 22 - Ot 24 Sp 21 m e Sp 12 Bald Eagle Dm 9 No 2 S - - - No 15 - - Sp 3 Ot 14 - Dm 17 Sp 24 No 19 Dm 16 ot 10 Dm 31 Dm 31 Dm 2 - W Dm 5 Northern Harrier Au 16 Au 18 - F - Ot 20 R d J1 1 Au 27 - Sp 13 - Au 23 Dm 16 W Dm 31 Z h Au 16 Ot 21 Sp 23 15 p G Lan- Da- W Doug. Cass caster kota a Sarpy . Au 23 No 7 b Au 16 No 11 No 25 Dm 23 Dm* 30 - Dm 23 c e P Jl 15 b S - Ot 22 Dm 23 E Dm 30 Dm 23 h _ Ot 18j Sp 9 - Ot 11 Ot 22 No 111 Dm 23 Dm 30 Au 23 Sp 4 - Au 19 Ot 23 Au 29 No 16 - - - Ot 18 Ot 11 Ot 29 No 11 _ _ Ot 18 No 23 P Au 22 No 11 Dm 23 No 30 _ _ Ot 9 No 23 c Ot 1 No 10 E No 30 _ Ot 27 Ot 28 No 4 No 30 _ Ot 17 - Ot 28 No 4 No 10 No 30 _ Ot 6 No 21 - Ot 30 No 4 No 10 Dm 23 No 30 _ _ - No 12 No 15 _ _ Ot 18 No 21 b Ot 15 No 21 Dm 5 c No 30 Dm 9 - - No 24 - No 12 No 18 ! No 21 _ No 12 No 17 - - No 11 No 21 c Ot 20 No 21 Dm 8 Dm 23 E Dm 30 - - No 10 - No 6 No 21 No 25 No 30 - - No 10 - No* 6 Dm 1 No 18 - - No 10 No 23 X No 17 Dm 4 Dm 8 Dm 23 Dm 5 Dm 29 - - - No 12 Dm 29 Dm 5 - - Ot 18 No 21 - Ot 11 No 9 No 23 No 30 - - S - S _ - S _ S - Ot 1 Au 22 No 4 Sp 10 - - Ot 14 Sp 4 - Jl 4 Ot 20 Ot 11 Sp 30 - - Dm 5 No 24 b No 10 No 28 Dm 23 o Dm 30 Dm 29 n - Ot 17 X Sp 9 Sp 20 Dm 17 No 30 Dm 4 compiler. Where information on shorter gaps in records was available to the compiler there is comment in the text. The symbols used in each “spot- check” column are specialized for each column, and are given in the text for that column. In most cases, these dates are from infrequent visits to the area (though in a few cases they are fairly frequent), so the whole half year isn’t covered. The average reader can just take the symbols in these columns as indications that the species was present; those who want to know when and in which county the record was made can decode the column. The number of species reported, contributors (to the extent known), and special comments, by counties and then by “spot-check” columns, are: Antelope, see Column D. Banner, see Scotts Bluff. Blaine, see Column B. Boone, see Column D. Brown, see Column B. Butler, see Column G. Cass, Elmwood, 135 species, Gertrude Wood, reporter, Mark Brogie, Kevin DeGarmo, Babs and Loren Padelford, Donald Wood. Mrs. Wood commented: “The Pelican seen Dm 13 was on the Platte River at Louisville. It could fly and did not seem injured. The Scarlet Tanager was seen at the Platte River State Park. The Rufous¬ sided Towhee that came to a feeder in Mrs. Wood’s yard Dm 15 was of the Western race.” Cedar, Laurel, 146 species, David Stage, reporter, Mark Brogie, Lois Stage. Chase (Ch), Wauneta, 60 species, lola Pennington, a = Jl 3, b = Jl 4, c = JI6, d = JI7,e = Jl 11, f = JI20. Cherry, see Column A. Colfax, see Column G. Cuming, see column F. Dakota, South Sioux City, 118 16 Scotts A C Lin¬ B C Hall Knox D Pierce Cedar E Sioux Bluff Dawes h coln Howard Polk Sharp-shinned Sp 23 - - - - - d Dm 27 Sp 20 i Dm 16 Ot 22 Sp 25 - Hawk Dm 16 Dm 31 Ot 21 r Dm 4 Cooper’s Hawk - - - - - - - - Ot 14 i - Sp 10 - Sp 25 Red-shouldered - - - - - - - Sp 3 - - - - Hawk Broad-winged H. - - - - - - - - - - - - - Swainson’s Hawk Au 8 Au 9 - t c S - c f J1 1 J1 23 b Au 14 Sp 24 S - - Ot 10 Sp 2 1 d Sp 12 j Sp 10 e Sp 10 Sp 28 Red-tailed Hawk Au 8 (p) P D a s - G a (P) J1 22 g J1 13 P P g Au 16 h c No 30 X i Dm 31 o Dm 16 h Ferruginous Hawk Au 16 - - - - - - - - - - - - Sp 10 Rough-legged Ot 1 Dm 16 Dm 9 P - No 1 - - Dm 20 - - - Ot 3 Ot 23 - Hawk Dm 9 Dm 31 Dm 31 - W Dm 31 Golden Eagle Au 22 Dm 17 J1 10 q Dm 30 n - - - - - - - No 5 American Kestrel Au 5 P S - J b P r C J1 23 A Au 13 P P m Au 20 No 28 T f s 0 Dm 23 k Dm 17 Merlin Au 22 No 12 - - - - - - Sp 14 - Sp 28 No 26 - - No 4 Peregrine Falcon - - - - - - - - - - - Ot 23 - Gyrfalcon - - - - - - - Ot* X - - - - - Prairie Falcon Au 15 Dm 17 - - - - e e No 19 - - Ot 5 No 10 - Dm 9 k Dm 7 Gray Partridge - - - - - - - J1 16 - J1 18 - P j Ot 20 Sp 10 Ring-necked P (p) B a P t a J1 9 P a P P P - Pheasant q f k H e Greater - - - m - P o - J1 10 - - - - - - Prairie-Chicken j Sharp-tailed - P - e - P c - Au 10 - - - - - - Grouse t u Wild Turkey Au 15 P P i b P f b J1 9 (P) - - AU0 13 (p)- - P j f No 26 Northern _ Dm 16 - ffl a P - a J1 4 a Au 14 s .- (P) - Bobwhite f d J1 23 j Dm 16 Au 20 Virginia Rail - - - - - - - - Au 7 J1 29 - - - - - Sora - - - - - - - - J1 23 - Sp 13 - Sp 27 - Sp 14 American Coot Au 15 S - - - - S - k j J1 1 J1 22 - Sp 13 No 8 Ot 24 _ Sp 6 No 2 Au 28 P Ot 18 No 12 Ot 28 No 15 Dm 5 Sandhill Crane - Ot 7 Sp 27 1 - Ot 10 k - Ot 10 - - - - - - Ot 19 No 20 m Ot 30 Dm 11 Whooping Crane - - - * - - * - 0t*13 - - - - - - No 4 Black-bellied _ - - - - - - - - Au 12 - - - Plover Ot 28 Lesser _ - - - - - k - - - Sp 11 - - - Golden-Plover Sp 13 _ _ _ _ - - J1 31 J1 29 - Au 3 - - g Au 9 Sp 2 i Semlpalnated Plover 17 p G Lan- Da- W Doug. Cass caster kota a Sarpy , - Ot 27 Dm 19 X Sp 9 Au 10 Dni 17 Dm 24 Dm 26 _ _ - - - Dm 17 Sp 16 - S - No 20 h - Jl* 3 Ot 17 c S - n Dm 30 - Sp 22 Sp 23 - Sp 26 Sp 20 P b P P E _ - Dm 17 - X No 10 No 16 Dm 31 f Pm 19 - Ot 17 A e Au 3 P 1 Dm 31 e P P X - Ot 13 Ot 14 - Sp 20 n - Ot 13 Dm 26 h - - - - - j B - P P X (p) p n - - - - X P (p) C-S- S-b P P D - Dm 3 Au 12| - - - - - Sp 15 Ot 21 e - Sp 7 Jl 15 - S - Ot 22 No 25 No 13 No 16 - - - - - Ot 11 No 6 e - Au 3 Au 12 - Au 1 - Au 10 Au 24 species, Bill Huser, reporter, Mark Brogie, Jerry Probst. Dawes, Crawford, 70 species, Jim Minyard, Mark Brogie, reporters. Mr. Minyard’s records are from around home near Crawford; Mr. Brogie’s records (Jl 7-9, Au 15 and 16, Dm 9) were from other parts of the county. Dixon, see Column E. Dodge, see Column G. Douglas (and Sarpy), Omaha and Bellevue, 210 species, Tanya Bray, R. G. Cortelyou, Ruth Green, Alan G. Grenon, C. E. Johnson, Babs and Loren Padelford, reporters, Mark Brogie, Alice Rushton. There were gaps in observations of Pelican from Jl 4to Sp 9, Green-winged Teal Au 16 to Ot 23, Parula Jl 27 to Sp 2. A Hooded Merganser was seen Jl 13. Ruth Green’s column in A Bird’s Eye View (XVIII, 1, 5) mentioned a Brown Thrasher over-wintering in Eunice Levisay’s yard and that the late (No 28) Northern Oriole at Duane Bright’s was a female. A couple of brown Rufous¬ sided Towhees were at the Charles Burnett’s No 28. Garfield, see Column C. Greeley, see Column C. Hall (and Howard), Cairo and Grand Island, 134 species, Paul Bedell, Wm. Lemburg, Helen Seim, reporters, Gary Lingle. See the Whooping Crane Report, page 33, for details on two confirmed sightings in Hall Co. and one in Howard Co. Mr. Lemburg noted that his records of No 23 and Dm 9 for Burrowing Owl in Hall Co. were very late. He recorded Wood¬ cock in adjacent Merrick Co. Ot 15 and 18. Hamilton, see Polk. Holt, see Column C. Howard, see Hall. Keya Paha, see Column B. Knox, Creighton, 161 species, Mark Brogie, reporter. The Gyrfalcon was reported in “late October’’ (Newsletter, 1989:6:4). 18 Scotts A C Lin¬ B C Hall Knox D Pierce Cedar I Sioux Bluff Dawes h coln Howard Polk Piping Plover - - - - - - - Au 4 J1 31 - Sp 13 Killdeer Au 15 S - Au 8 1 a S - I a s - S - A J1 8 S* S _ 8 Sp 21 Dm 16 Au 16 m f Sp 2 T b J1 1 Ot 21 k Ot 28 Ot 22 No 19 Bl-necked Stilt Sp*21 - - - - - - - - - American Au 16 S - - - - Sp 15 - - J1 13 - Avocet Au 25 Sp 17 Sp 10 Greater Au 11 - 1 - - k - J1 12 J1 24 - Au 3 Ot 8 J1 26 g Yellowlegs Au 28 Au 15 No 12 Sp 13 ot 24 Yellowlegs sp. - - - - J1 1 Sp 5 - No 5 - ot 15 Lesser Au 15 J1 24 - 1 - - k - J1 1 J1 22 - Au 3 Au 20 J1 26 g Yellowlegs Sp 23 Au 3 Au 5 Sp 13 No 22 Solitary Au 25 - e - - c - J1 5 J1 24 - Au 12 - J1 26 Sandpiper k J1 21 Au 27 Au 23 Willet Sp 23 - - - - - - - - Spotted J1 7 Au 16 i - - d - S - J1 22 - J1 31 Au 13 J1 26 g Sandpiper Sp 23 e Au 28 Au 5 Sp 13 Au 9 h Upland Au 7 - Au 15 - - S - - a Au 28 S - a J1 13 S - S - _ Sandpiper Au 16 Sp 1 b J1 29 Au 23 J1 23 J1 23 Long-billed Au 10 Au 11 - - - s - - - - _ Curlew Au 20 Ruddy Turnstone - - - - - - - J1 27 - J1 31 - - Sanderling Au 25 - - - - - - J1 1 - Sp 2 - - Sp 23 Sp 13 Semipalmated Au 15 - - - - - - - J1 21 J1 22 - Au 13 Au 20 Sandpiper Au 3 Au 5 Sp 13 Western - - - - - - - - Au 13 - - Sandpiper Sp 11 Least Au 15 - - - - - k - J1 9 J1 22 - Au 3 Sp 24 - Sandpiper Au 7 Au 5 Sp 13 Wh-rump Sandp. - - - - - - - - - - Baird’s Au 15 Au 11 - - - - - - J1 14 J1 24 - J1 31 - - Sandpiper Sp 23 Au 15 Au 5 Sp 13 Pectoral Au 15 - - - - - - - J1 12 J1 23 - Au 3 Sp 24 J1 26 8 Seindpiper Au 3 Au 5 Sp 13 Dunlin - - - - - - - - Ot 28 - J1 26 - Stilt Au 15 - - - - - - - J1 19 - Sp 11 - - Sandpiper Au 3 Buff-breasted - - - - - - - - Au 13 - - Sandpiper Sp 11 Peep - Ot 5 - - - - - - - - - Short-billed - - - - - - - J1 22 - - - Dowitcher J1 29 Dowitcher sp. - - 1 - - - - - Au 12 ot 8 - Ot 15 Long-billed - - 1 - - - - J1 17 J1 29 - Au 3 - - Dowitcher Au 4 Au 5 Coaaon Snipe Au 16 No 1 - o - - k - No 15 Sp 14 t Au 14 ot 8 - Dm 20 Ot 22 Am. Woodcock - - - - - - - Jl*17 - - ot 18 - 19 p G Lan- Da- W Doug. Cass caster kota a Sarpy - S - S - Sp 20 Au 27 c c S - S - - S - S - j No 26 ^u 22 No 16 No 7 - - - - - - - - e - Au 22 Jl 15 - Au 22 Sp 28 J ot 4 Ot 23 . e - Au 3 Jl 15 - Au 19 Sp 28 j Sp 14 Au 12 Sp 6 B - -Jl 29 - Au 7 Sp 14 j No 2 Sp 11 e - Au 28 - - - c - Au 23 S - - S - Ot 17 j Sp 13 Au 22 Sp 15 c - Au 16 - S - Jl 1 f Jl 6 Jl 14 - - Au 29 - ^ Sp 6 h - Au 10 Au 9 t Au 1 j Au 29 Sp 6 - - Au 22 Au 9 ^ Sp 6 Sp 14 Ot 18 e - Au 3 J1 15 - Au 1 Sp 23 i Au 29 Au 9 Sp 23 - - - - - Sp 6 Sp 14 j - Au 10 - - Sp 6 B - Au 3 J1 15 - J1 30 Sp 14 j Au 30 Au 9 Sp 11 h - - J1 15 - Au 19 - i Au 22 - - - _ - Au 19 Sp 6 h - - - ^ - - - - - - Au 22 - Sp 6 - - Da 29 - Sp 6 Sp 15 Ot 23 Ot 11 Lancaster, Lincoln, 180 species, Larry Einemann, Thomas E. Labedz, Norma Johnson, Paul and Karla Kauf¬ man, Mabel B. Ott, Babs and Loren Padelford, reporters, Joe Gubanyi, Ken Reitan, Gertrude Wood. Bar¬ headed and Swan Geese were reported, but there was no reason to believe they were other than escapees. There was a gap in Swain- son’s Hawk observations from Jl 15 to Ot 1. The Redpoll was seen in early December {Newsletter 1990:1:4). Lincoln, North Platte, 108 species, Mrs. Howard Wyman, reporter, members of the Tout Bird Club. The Varied Thrush was seen by Greg Hoover, Margaret Morton, Carol Somerhalder, and Wilma Wyman at a feeding station at a home north of North Platte. Many large pines and spruce are close to the station, afford¬ ing good protection for the birds. The drinking water seemed to be the chief attraction for the Thrush. Logan, see Column A. Loup, see Column B. Madison, see Column D. Merrick, see Hall and Polk. Pierce, 113 species, Mark Brogie, reporter, Babs and Loren Padelford. Platte, see Column D. Polk (and parts of Hamilton, Mer¬ rick and York) Polk, 104 species, plus the Empidonax sp. and a possible Bay¬ breasted Warbler, Norris Alfred, reporter, Lennis Lind, Lee Morris, Steve Wilson. Great Blue Heron, Canada Goose, and Mallard were seen Ja 1. There were gaps in obser¬ vations of Wood Duck from Jl 16 to Sp 26, Killdeer Jl 30 to Ot 8, Magpie Jl 23 to Ot 22, White-breasted Nuthatch Jl 9 to Ot 22, Eastern Bluebird Jl 2 to Sp 24, Loggerhead Shrike J130 to No 26, Yellow Warbler Jl 2 to Sp 27, Song Sparrow Ot 8 to Dm 3, and White- throated Sparrow Ot 15 to Dm 24. On Ot 15 Mr. Alfred saw what was “fairly definitely” a Bay-breasted Warbler. 20 Scotts A C Lin- B C Hall Knox D Pierce Sioux Bluff Dawes h coin Howard Polk Wilson’s Au 15 Au 11 - 1 - Sp 1 - - Au 10 - - - Phalarope Sp 1 Sp 20 Sp 10 Red-n. Phalarope - - - - - - - - - - - Sp 11 - Franklin’s Gull Au 5 S - - - - - - - - Ot 14 - Sp 2 - Ot 5 Sp 13 Bonaparte’s Gull - - - - - - - - - Ot 14 - - Ring-billed _ J1 7 1 _ S - k j J1 24 J1 22 1 J1 8 Ot 22 Gull No 30 Ot 15 Dm 2 Ot 28 No 3 Herring Gull - No 14 - - - J1 1 - - - No 3 - - No 16 Ot 30 Thayer’s Gull - - - - - - - - - - - - Glaucous Gull - - - - - - - - - - - - Caspian Tern - - - - - - - - - Sp 14 - - Common Tern - - - - - - - - - - - - Forster’s Tern - - - - - - - - S - Au 5 - - J1 31 Least Tern - - - - - - - - Au 7 S - - - Sp 14 Black Tern - - - a - - - - J1 6 S - - J1 8 - Au 5 Sp 2 Rock Dove Ip) P S - J a P - b (P) (P) E Au 3 P Sp 20 d d i i Sp 2 Mourning Dove Au 5 S - - a a S - E a S - S - A J1 8 S - Ot 26 Dm 18 T d No 1 L f J1 1 No 12 n Sp 13 No 19 Black-billed - - - - - - - - J1 1 S - - - Cuckoo J1 24 J1 4 Yellow-billed - - - - e J1 1 - a J1 9 Au 1 - S - J1 23 Cuckoo J1 15 Au 27 J1 14 Au 13 Barn Owl Au 20 - - - - - - - - - - - - Eastern Au 21 - - J - S - - - S - (P) - - Screech-Owl m Sp 6 J1 5 Great Horned Owl (p) (p) (P) P - P d - Au 10 (p) - Au 23 (P) m Dm 16 Snowy Owl - - - - - - - - - - - - - Burrowing Owl Ot 10 S - - - a S - - - Jl*31 - - - - Au 23 Sp 5 Dm 9 Barred Owl - - - - - - - - - - - - - Long-eared Owl _ _ _ _ _ No 13 _ _ _ _ No 19 Short-eared Owl - - - - - - - - - - - - - Common Au 5 S - s - - a S - a a S - S - c Au 26 - Nighthawk Au 30 Sp 18 ot 15 Au 20 c J1 9 Sp 16 f Sp 13 Common Poorwill - Au 10 - Sp 3 Whip-poor-will - - ■ - - - - - - - J1 4 - - - -aS--bS- S-fAu23S- d Au 15 e J1 9 Sp 21 h Sp 10 Au 27 Cedar Ot 28 Ot 28 - Au 9 . Dm 5 Ot 24 - Dm 5 Dm 5 - No 24 - Dm 5 J1 26 - c P S - e No 5 g S - - J1 20 S - c Sp 11 (P) - P g S - J1 10 S - - J1 22 S - e Sp 21 Chimney Swift Au 24 S - Sp 5 21 p G Lan" ^ Doug. Cass caster kota a Sarpy - - Sp 29 Ot 5 i Au 29 . _ _ Sp 22 Sp 21 Ot 29 No 12 Au 9 - - Ot 6 No 25 No 6 h _ S - - b Au 1 Sp 21 i Dm 8 Dm 5 No 29 Au 22 - - Ot 9 Ot 22 Dm 8 Dm 5 - - - - No 6 - - . - - Sp 6 - - Au 2 Sp 9 Sp 5 - - Jl 20 - - _ _ Au 28 Au 9 - Jl 11 Sp 20 Sp 4 Au 1 _ _ Jl 3 - - S - S - Ot 3 Au 22 Au 28 j .. Au 3 - - S - Sp 13 Sp 7 c c I 3 P X E ) (P) n e D a S - S • X S - S - j A Dm 31 Dm 31 Dm 28 No 10 _ Au 20 - - S - Jl 3 c - S - S - S - Jl 8 h Au 26 Jl 7 Sp 5 -- (p) Dm26X P S- J1 1 - - P P X P P - - - - X - - - Ot 22 - (p) Au 5 Dm 17 - - Dm 17 X - _ Dm 30 m - Dm 23 X - - - - S - S - - S - S - Ot 4 Sp 28 Sp 30 Au 29 Fes- S--S- S- f Ot 15 Au 12 Ot 15 J1 1 Rock, see Column B. Sarpy, see Douglas. Scotts Bluff, Gering, 144 species, Alice Kenitz, reporter, Joyce Brashear, Felix Koenig, Lucy Koenig, Brad McKinney, Nora Mae Vance. Mrs. Kenitz was not given the date for the Pelican sighting - just July. The Black¬ necked Stilts (8) were seen at Lake Alice by US Fish and Wildlife person¬ nel. The Eastern Bluebird and the Northern Mockingbird were seen in northern Banner Co. Seward, see Column G. Sheridan, see Column A. Sioux, (Mitchell is the Hughson’s post office, but they live in southern Sioux Co.), 135 species, David and Helen Hughson, reporters, Paul Bedell, Mark Brogie, David Stage. See page 27 for information on the Sage Sparrow. Stanton, see Column F. Thomas, see Column A. Wayne, see Column E. Washington (Wa), DeSoto NWR, 69 species, Alan G. Grenon, reporter, Mark Brogie, Ruth Green, Melinda Rosenbaum, Jerry Toll, a = Jl 25, b = No 11, c = No 15, d = No 18, e = Dm 3, f = Dm 16, g = Dm 18, h = No 29, X = Christmas Count Dm 16 (which includes Iowa as well as Nebraska). If there were more than one Nebraska record and the species was reported on the Christmas Count after the last Nebraska record, that last record is capitalized. Wheeler, see Column C. York, see Polk. Column A, 102 species. Cherry (C), Logan (L), Sheridan (S), and Thomas (T). Mark Brogie, Fall Field Day participants. See Whooping Crane Report, pages 33 through 35, for details on a probable sighting on the Brown/Cherry line, and an uncon¬ firmed sighting in Cherry Co. a = Au 6 (C), b = Au 6 (S), c = Au 9 (C), d = Au 9 (S), e = Au 16 (C), f = Au 23 22 Ruby-throated Hummingbird Br-tail Humming. Belted Kingfisher Lewis’ Hoodpeck. Bed-headed Woodpecker Bed-bellied Woodpecker Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker Northern Flicker Olive-sided Flycatcher Western Wood-Pewee Eastern Wood-Pewee Willow Flycatcher Least Flycatcher Empidonax sp. Eastern Phoebe Say’s Phoebe Great Crested Flycatcher Cassin’s Kingb. Western Kingbird Eastern Kingbird Scissor-tailed Flycatcher Horned Lark Purple Martin Tree Swallow Violet-green Swallow N. Bough-wing. Swallow Scotts A C Lin- B C Hall Knox D Pierce Cedar E Sioux Bluff Dawes h coin Howard Polk Au 22 Au 5 P Au 15 K a P d - S - s - - J1 31 S - S -e - Au 15 All 1 ^ T d e J1 1 Ot 21 Sp 10 Ot 6 No 19 Au 5 S - AU XU s - e a S - e a S - S - a Au 3 S _ S - g Au 16 Sp 23 ot 14 m f Sp 5 j b J1 1 Sp 20 h Sp 13 Sp 24 Au 31 - - - No 11 - a - Au 27 m - No 12 J1 16 _ Dm 31 b No 19 Dm 26 No 5 - Sp 30 ~ m - Ot 29 - - - No 4 - - Dm 24 - Ot 1 No 5 No 19 (p) P P P - (P) i a S - P B Au 14 Au 20 P n T P b J1 10 m Dm 16 - W (p) P Au 7 P Ot 20 - a (p) P a Au 23 J1 16 P a Au 9 T Dm 5 b n Au 5 P s - M a P c a s - P a Au 13 P P g Au 16 Sp 5 U d V d J1 1 h Dm 16 n Au 5 S - S - Sp 10 Sp 13 Au 25 Au 27 - Au 28 S - - Au 27 a Au 28 Sp 24 S - - J1 26 - J1 16 - - - Au 20 Au 15 Au 8 Sp 12 Sp 23 Au 16 - Au 15 Au 19 - - - Au 18 Sp 14 a Au 29 S Au S - - J1 26 S - - Sp 21 S - - J1 9 Au 5 s - S - A a S - - a S - S - a J1 8 S - S - - Sp 16 Sp 17 Au 29 X f Sp 11 b Au 28 Sp 3 Au 23 Au 20 Sp 2 Au 5 S - S - B a S - - a S - S - a J1 13 S - S - e Sp 14 Sp 9 Sp 1 e f Sp 12 d Au 28 Sp 20 f Sp 12 Au 20 Sp 10 g Au 15 P P C a P w a (P) S - a J1 8 S P n Au 16 w f n b Dm 31 r Dm 17 Jl 2 - - - - - S - - a J1 1 S - - J1 13 S - S - - Au 25 b Au 11 Au 23 Jl 30 Au 30 - - - m - - - _ - S - - Ji 8 Jl 30 _ - Au 27 J1 11 Au 5 Au 6 Au 15 - - - - - - - - - Au 15 Au 15 S - - - a S - _ a - S - - Au 23 S - - Sp 1 Au 28 d Sp 1 Au 27 Sp 5 23 p G Lan- Da- W Doug. Cass caster kota a Sarpy . _ Sp 5 - - S - Sp 8 Sp 21 Sp 28 Sp 15 _ P J1 16 - S - S - Dm 23 Dm 30 Dm 3 F b G D H b n f S- S--S- S- Dm 29 Au 22 Dm 28 Dm 29 H f F f j e Ot 8 Dm 17 P P P Sp 1 b P X X Sp 23 Dm 26 b P X b P X b P f - Au 10 Sp 13 --Au 5 S- - S- J1 3 Au 30 Au 12 Ot 20 - - J1 14 Au 30 - - Au 7 Sp 4 - - - J1 - Au 29 - Sp 10 - Sp 3 - -^§1“ s- ot 29 J1 3 f-S- S--S- Sp 1 J1 1 Sp 18 --S- S--S- S- Au 29 J1 16 Au 28 J1 3 BbS- S--S- S- 1 D Sp 20 Sp 2 Sp 20 J1 16 -- - - --J12 J1 20 f - P - X (p) P -eS- S--S- S- Au 23 Au 3 Sp 26 J1 16 e - S - - - J1 22 J1 1 1 Au 29 Au 10 c-Sp6S--S- S- 1 Au 22 Ot 9 J1 1 (C), g = Au 24 (C), h = Sp 23 (C). i = Sp 24 (C), j = Ot 7 (T), k = Ot 8 (L), I = Ot 8 (C), m = Ot 8 (T), (I and m include the Fall Field Day records, NBR 57:86-87), n = Ot 27 (C), o = Ot 27 (T), p = Dm 9 (C), q = Dm 9 (S), r = i + i,s = c-i-k, t = c-i-m, u = k,l,m, + q,v = i + k,x = j-i- l,y = e-i-m,z = b-i-m,A = a-i- b, B = a -I- d, C = a -I- j, D = a, j, + q, E = a, k, -p j, F = b, m, -I- o, G = b-i-c, H = c-i-k, l = d-i-e, J = d,e,-i-j,K = e-i-j,L = e-i- n, M = h -p j, N = h, j, -I- k, O = h, k, -p m, P = I -p j, Q = I + m, R = k + I, S = j, k, -p I, T = I -p m, U = l-po, V = j-pn, W = n-PO, X = d + e, Y = m -p n, Z = e, j, -p k. Column B, 90 species, Blaine (I), Brown (r), Keya Paha (K), Loup (L), Rock (R). Mark Brogie, Fall Field Day participants. See Whooping Crane Report, page 33, for details on prob¬ able sightings in Blaine, Brown, Rock counties, and on the Brown/Cherry line, and an unconfirmed sighting in Keya Paha Co. a = Au 9 (R), b = Sp 22 (r) c = Sp 22 (R), d = Sp 23 (r), e = Sp23(K),f = Sp24(r),g = Sp24 (R), h = Sp24(K), i = Ot6(l),j = Ot 8 (I), k = Ot 8 (r), (j and k include the Fall Field Day records, NBR 57:86-87), I = Ot 6 (L), m = Ot 8 (R), n = Ot 27 (I), 0 = Ot 28 (I), p = Ot 28 (L), q = b, c, -p e, r = b, e, -p j, s = h -p k, t = b -p j, u = j -p k, V = j -p p, w = e, j, -p k, X = d, e, -p j, y = j, n, + p, z = j -p m, A = a, b, e, -p I, B = a -p p, C = b -p e, D = b, c, e, i, ■p I, E = b, c, -p p, F = c, e, -p k, G = c -p f, H = c -p k, I = c, h, -p k, J = d-pe,K = d,e,-pn,L = d-p i,M = d-pj,N = e-pj,0 = e-p k, P = f, h, m, + p, R = e, i, k, -p m, S = f-ph,T = g,e,-pl,U = g-p k, V = k, n, o, + p, W = k + o, X = k, o, -p p, Y = m -p p, Z = n + p. Column C, 71 species, Garfield (a), Greeley (r). Holt (H), Wheeler (W). Mark Brogie, David Stage, a = Jl 4 (H), 24 Scotts A C Lin¬ B C Hall Knox D Pierce Cedar i Sioux Bluff Dawes h coln Howard Polk Bank Swallow - Au 11 - - - - - - J1 1 Au 27 - Au 12 Au 20 Jl 16 f Sp 23 Sp 2 Sp 24 Au 16 Cliff Swallow Au 27 S - Au 9 a a S - - a S - - J1 13 S - Jl 16 f Sp 23 Sp 1 b Au 5 Sp 11 Au 20 Sp 6 K Barn Swallow Au 5 S - S - A a S - - a S - S - A J1 8 S - S - A Sp 30 Sp 23 Sp 1 Q f Au 29 e J1 1 Ot 2 i Sp 13 Ot 8 Ot 25 h Steller’s Jay Dm 9 - - - - - - - - - - - - Blue Jay (p) P Au 15 M c P d A S - P A Au 13 P P h Q f P I J1 1 h Ot 28 Pinyon Jay (p) Sp 23 P - - - - - - - - - - _ Dm 31 Black-billed Au 20 P Au 15 Q - P n J S - Sp 3 a Au 23 S*- No 5 m Magpie Dm 9 o 0 i J1 10 No 3 Dm 16 No 12 American Crow (P) P P K c P A D s - P D J1 13 P P h W V K J1 10 i Dm 16 Black-capped (P) P P P a P J b s - P a J1 16 P P h Chickadee A u d z d J1 10 i Dm 17 Tufted Titmouse - - - - - - - - - - - - - Red-breasted tp) Sp 15 P p _ Ot 15 d _ _ s _ Ot 22 Ot 18 _ Nuthatch Dm 29 u Dm 30 t No 19 White-b reasted Au 5 Sp 23 P i - Ot 20 d - P - Au 23 Jl* 9 Jl 23 h Nuthatch Dm 9 Dm 12 m Dm 31 - W Dm 28 Pygmy Nuthatch Au 16 Ot 22 P - - - - - - - - - - - Brown Creeper - No 24 - m - Dm 8 - - No 16 Ot 14 s - Ot 22 - _ Dm 25 No 17 Dm 22 No 3 Rock Wren Au 22 S - - - - J - - - - - - _ Sp 26 J1 8 Carolina Wren - - - - - - - - - - - - - - House Wren Au 5 S - S - m a S - e a S _ S - a J1 8 S - S - Ot 6 Sp 23 Sp 1 e Sp 5 d J1 1 Sp 16 h Au 23 Au 27 Au 31 Winter Wren - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Sedge Wren _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ J1 31 S - _ Au 14 _ _ _ Au 28 Au 27 Sp 11 Marsh Wren Au 29 - - - - - j - S - - Au 23 - - _ Ot 14 Golden-crowned No 14 No 24 - J - - - - Ot 22 s - - Ot 16 - Kinglet Dm 16 0 No 19 Ruby-crowned Sp 16 - - k - - - - - n - Sp 24 Sp 29 - Kinglet Ot 7 Ot 8 Ot 18 Blue-gray - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Gnatcatcher Eastern - 0t*20 J1 10 j - Ot 21 J a S - S - - Au 23 S*- Jl 16 k Bluebird Sp 15 m Dm 31 j & No 26 Ot 21 Ot 22 Sp 24 Mountain Au 21 Sp 23 S - 0 - No 11 - - - - - - - - Bluebird Ot 8 Sp 8 Dm 31 Townsend’s J1 11 Sp 23 - m - Ot 16 - - - - _ - - - Solitaire Dm 9 Dm 16 o Dm 30 Veery - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 25 p G Lan- Da- K Doug. Cass caster kota a Sarpy _-Spl4S--S- S- Au 12 Sp 12 J1 2 I a Au 22 Au 12 - S - S - IE Au 17 J1 16 EaS- S--S- S- N A Ot 16 Au 12 Ot 13 J1 16 B e P P b P P N X f - - Dm 30 - A f P n F f P n - - Au 11 Dm 30 P b P P X P b P P X - b P Jl° 4 Dm 9 X Sp 25 - Dm 3 H - (p) P b P P n X - - Ot 4 No 11 X Sp 29 0t° 4 Dm 19 Dm 30 Dm 30 Dm 9 --Ot6 - -S-Dm9 Dm 17 Dm 24 F-S- S--S- S- j - Ot 18 Sp 19 Ot 10 J1 16 Ot 4 - - Ot 9 - Dm 17 - - Ot 6 J1 15 - Au 19 - Ot 7 Au 9 Ot 23 - - - J1 15 - Sp«28 - Ot 21 - - Ot 6 - b Ot 9 Oto 1 Dm 30 X Dm 9 Dm 9 - - Sp 28 - - Sp 10 Ot 4 No 30 Ot 31 - - - - - Auo21 Sp 25 --S- S-XS- S- Ot 19 Dm 19 No 21 Dm 29 - - Dm 17 - - - - - Sp 2 - b = JI15 (H). c = Au 16 (H), d = Sp 17(H),e = Sp 22(H).f = Sp 24 (H), g = Ot 6 (a), h = Ot 6 (W), i = Ot 8 (H), j = Ot 28 (a), k = Ot 28 (r), I = Ot 28 (W), A = a + g,B = a,g,+ h, C = a, g, + k, D = a + h, E = a, h, + k, F = a + k, l = b + j,J = b + 1, K = e + I, L = f + j, 0 = i + j. Column D, 73 species, Antelope (A), Boone (B), Madison (M), Platte (P). Mark Brogie, David Stage, a = Jl 4 (A), b = Jl 5 (A), c = Jl 27 (M), d = Jl 31 (M), e = Au 22 (A), f = Au 26 (M), g = Sp 3 (A), h = Sp 16 (A), i = Sp 17 (A), j = Sp 28 (M), k = Ot 1 (A), 1 = Ot 2 (P), m = Ot 6 (A), n = Ot 9 (A), 0 = Ot 28 (B), p = Ot 28 (P), q = Dm 7 (A), r = Dm 10 (A), s = Dm 16 (M), t = Dm 17 (M), A = a + I, B = a + 0 , C = a, d, + 0 , D = a, I, + 0 , E = g, I, + o, F = g + p, G = i + s. Column E, 50 species, Dixon (D), Wayne (W). Mark Brogie, David Stage, a = JI8(W), b = Jill (W),c = J116 (W), d = Jl 27 (W), e = Au 12 (D). f = Au 22 (W), g = Au 26 (W), h = Sp 2 (W), i = Sp 30 (D), j = Ot 17 (W), k = Ot19(W),l = Ot28(W),m = No 22(D), n = Dm16(W),o = JI14(W), A = e + f. Column F, 88 species, Cuming (C), Stanton (S). Mark Brogie, David Stage, Babs and Loren Padelford. a - JI5(S), b = JI5{C), c = JI13(S), d = Jl 16 (C), e = Au 3 (S), f = Au 3 (C), g = Au 6 (S), h = Au 12 (S), i = Au 14(S), j = Au 18 (S), k = Au 18 (C), I = Au 26 (S), m = Dm 3 (C), n - Dm 16 (S), A = a + f, B = c + f, C = c + d, D = f + n, E = a + b, F = b + c, G = k + I, H = b + j. I = e + f, J = d + e, K = k + n, L = f + I, M = e + k, N = d + h, O = f+h, P = h + k, Q = i + k. Column G, 29 species, Butler (B), Colfax (C), Dodge (D), Seward (S). Mark Brogie, David Stage, a = Jl 5 (D), b = Jl 16 (D), c = Au 26 (B), d = Au 26 (C), e = Au 26 (S), f = No 11 (D), 26 Scotts A C Lin B c Hall Knox D Pierce Cedar Sioux Bluff Dawes h coin Howard Polk Gr-cheek. Thrush - - - - - - - - - - - Swainson*B Sp 3 - - - - S - - - - - - - Thrush Ot 8 Ji 10 Heriait Thrush Sp 3 - - - - - - - - - - - Ot 8 Wood Thrush - - - - - - - - - - Jl 16 -■ American Robin Au 15 P S _ M a P X E S _ S _ B Jl 13 S - S _ £ Ot 8 Dm 15 U f V K Jl 1 No 19 m Dm 17 - w Dm 27 Varied Thrush - - - - Dm* 1 - - - - - Dm 11 Gray Catbird Sp 30 - - h b - - b S - S - g Au 14 s - Jl 16 a m c Jl 8 Sp 16 h Au 23 Au 20 Jl 26 Northern 0t*13 - - a Jl 1 - - - - - Mockingbird c Ot 8 Sage Thrasher Au 5 - - - - - - - - - - - Brown Thrasher Au 15 S - S - m a s - - a s - S - a Au 13 S - S - Sp 16 Sp 23 Au 4 f Au 21 b Jl 1 Sp 16 g Sp 2 Au 20 Sp 21 American Pipit Sp 23 - 1 - - k - - - Ot 22 Ot 16 - Ot 19 Cedar Waxwing Au 16 Au 1 - m - No 25 - - Jl 1 Jl 12 - Au 14 Jl 16 Jl 16 . Sp 6 Dm 31 No 4 Dm 16 Sp 8 Northern Shrike No 5 - P - No 1 - - - No 19 h Dm 16 - Ot 21 _ Dm 28 Dm 31 Dm 30 Shrike sp. - - - - - - - - - - - Loggerhead Au 5 Au 11 - e - - - a Jl 17 S - - Au 14 S*- Jl 10 - Shrike Sp 10 Sp 1 h b Au 14 Ot 21 - w European Au 16 P Au 15 e a P U D (P) F D Jl 8 p I g Starling T d y 0 F Ot 28 Bell’s Vireo - - - b - - - - S - g - Sp 3 Solitary Vireo Au 15 - - - - - - - - - - Au 16 Yellow-throated Vireo - - - - - - - - - - - Warbling Vireo S - - - - - - a Jl 1 s - g Jl 11 - S - d J1 31 Jl 9 Sp 3 Au 23 Jl 26 f Philadelphia Vireo - - - - - - - - - - h Bed-eyed Vireo Au 5 Au 4 Au 15 - - - - a - Sp 3 g - - Au 20 Tennessee Warbler - - - - - - - - - - -■ Orange-crowned Ot 11 - j - - J - - - - Sp 7 - Warbler T j Nashville Warbler - - m - - - - - Sp 3 g - - Northern Parula - - - - - - - - - - - Yellow Warbler Au 5 S -- S _ _ b _ _ a S _ s _ a Jl 8 s*- s _ Au 20 Sp 13 Sp 18 b Jl 9 Jl 29 Au 23 Sp 27 Jl 26 27 p G Lan- Da- W Doug. Cass caster,kota a Sarpy - - - - - Au 29 - - - Sp 11 - - Au 29 Ot 21 Sp 18 A = b, c, d, + e, B = b, c, + e, C = b + e, D = c, d, + e, E = c + d, F = e + f. CORRECTIONS TO 1989 SPRING OCCURRENCE REPORT -- - S--S- J1 1 Sp 5 poS- P bS- S- L F Dm 31 X Dm 30 Dm 9 - d Ot 20 Dm 3 b-S- S--S- S- f Ot 26 Sp 30 Ot 26 J1 3 - - Au 20 - - Sp 4 c-S- S- fS*-S- Dm 1 Sp 29 Ot 4 J1 16 - Ot 23 Ot 25 f - J1 3 P b S - Spo 3 Dm 31 X Dm 5 Dm 9 - - Ot 17 Dm 30 - Dm 31 - - Dm 17 - - - --S- - -SpllS- Dm 8 Dm 3 a a P P b P (p) n B X c- - S--J14 - Au 12 Sp 4 - - - Au 29 Ot 10 Sp 14 c-S- S--S- S- Sp 6 J1 4 Sp 14 J1 16 - - Sp 6 - - Au 12 Sp 4 --AU5S--S- Sp 14 J1 1 Sp 14 - - - Sp 4 Ot 9 - - Sp 26 - - Sp 23 Ot 28 Ot 26 --Sp2 - -Sp2 Ot 27 Ot 14 - - - - - S*- Sp 14 k- - s_ -s- Au 13 Sp 12 The final date for Merlin for Lan¬ caster Co. should be Mr 11 {NBR 57:63), the last date for Semipalmated Sandpiper for Dakota Co. is My 6 (p. 67), the last date for Western Sand¬ piper for Cedar Co. is My 20 (p. 66) and the first date for Lancaster Co. is My 11 (p. 67), the last date for Least Sand¬ piper for Lincoln Co. is Je 30 (p. 66), the first date White-rumped Sandpiper for Lancaster Co. should be My 6 (p. 67), the last date for Baird’s Sandpiper for Lancaster Co. is My 11 (p. 67), the first date for Rose-breasted Grosbeak for Scotts Bluff Co. is My 24 and the dates for Knox, Polk, and Cedar counties are Je 13, My 14 - S, and My 13, respectively (p. 76), the last date for Lazuli Bunting for Scotts Bluff Co. is Je 30 (p. 76), and the first date for Red-winged Blackbird for Lancaster Co. should be Mr 11 (p. 79), and for Brown-headed Cowbird should be Mr 24 (p. 81). On page 77 the columns from Palm Warbler on down are offset to the right of the proper headings. SAGE SPARROW IN SIOUX COUNTY On 6 August 1989, we observed a Sage Sparrow approximately one mile east of Coffee Park in Sow Belly Canyon in Sioux Co. The Sparrow flew from an area of sagebrush along the road and perched in the top of some brush about three to four meters high. The bird appeared to be an adult. Its bill was bluish-gray, breast was white with brownish streaks and a central dark spot. It had two faint pale wingbars, whitish eye-ring, a white Scotts A C Lin- B C Hall Knox D Pierce Cedar Sioux Bluff Dawes h coin Howard Polk ^ Chestnut-sided - - _______ ___ _ Warbler Magnolia - - _______ ___ “0tl6-. Warbler Bl-th. Blue W. - - _______ ___ _ Yellow-rumped Au 16 Sp 15 S - j - J1 10 d - J1 9 Sp 28 m - Ot 8 Sp 7 _ Warbler Ot 8 Ot 18 Sp 20 m Au 1 k Ot 25 Ot 21 Ot 15 Ot 24 Black-throated - - - m---- - ___ _ __ Green Warbler Blackburnian Warbler Yellow-throated Warbler Palm Warbler Bay-breasted - - _______ ___ 4 ; __ Warbler Black-and-white Au21- _______ __ 0tl5-- Warbler American Redstart Prothonotary Warbler Ovenbird Northern Waterthrush Kentucky Warbler Mourning Warbler MacGillivray’s Au 21 - — - _ - - - Warbler Au 29 Common Au 15 S - - c S _ d a J1 1 S _ a Au 23 S - S - - Yellowthroat Sp 1 Sp 23 Au 18 b Sp 16 8 Au 20 Sp 9 Hooded Warbler Au 21 - - - - - _ _ - - - - - Wilson’s Au 21 Sp 15 - _ _ d Sp 3 _ _ _ Warbler Sp 16 Canada Warbler - _ _ _ - _ _ - - - - - Yellow-breasted S - - a J1 1 _ - - J1 22 _ _ _ Chat Au 4 d Sp 2 J1 29 Au 15 - Au 15 - - - - - Sp 24 Sp4 - Au7-- - -- Summer Tanager 29 p G Lan- Da- W Doug. Cass caster kota a Sarpy - - -Spl Sp 11 - - - - - Au 12 - Sp 26 - - Sp 29 - - - _ - Ot 2 Sp 10 - Sp 23 Sp 22 Ot 29 Ot 14 No 5 Sp 29 - - Sp 9 Sp 29 S - J1 1 Stripe above the eye, whitish whisker stripe, grayish brown face patch, and iight brown streaks on its sides. The head and nape were grayish, the back and wings were brownish, tail was slightly notched, and the crown was streaked with brownish marks. The under tail coverts appeared to have streaks. It was about the size of a - Sp 1 - Vesper Sparrow. sp 9 We observed the Sparrow for - Sp 9 - about 10 minutes, from a distance of Sp 26 about 15 meters. The bird did not call - J1023 - Sp 28 - Sp 26 Ot 1 or sing during the observation period. The sky was sunny and viewing con¬ ditions were excellent. It was viewed using 7x35 binoculars and a 15-60 power, 60 mm zoom telescope. A - Sp 9 Sp 22 photograph of the bird was not ob¬ tained. - Sp 4 - A description of this encounter Sp 14 has been submitted to the Records - S - Committee. Sp 9 - Dave and Lois Stage, - S - P.O. Box 354, Laurel, NE 68745 Au 20 - S - Sp 9 NOTES - - Sp 22 - - Au 30 Sp 10 - - - S - - J1 7 J1 1 J1 27 - - Au 21 - - Au 29 Sp 29 Sp 11 MISSISSIPPI KITE I saw a Mississippi Kite along 1-80, near the Gibbon exit, 29 September 1989. ™ Ruth C. Green, 506 W. 31st Ave., Bellevue, NE 68005 B-S- S--S- e Sp 23 Sp 19 Sp 28 - - Au 31 Sp 10 - Au 29 Ot 6 Sp 13 - - Sp 9 - - Au 29 - Sp 11 -- - - - - Sp 5 a Sp 26 NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERA¬ TION EAGLE SURVEY In the 1990 Eagle Survey a total of 857 Bald Eagles were observed in Nebraska, 211 along the Missouri River, and 646 in the rest of the state. This count is 259 less than the record high of 1,116 observed in 1989, and 103 less than the average of 960 birds for 1987-1989. The Missouri River count is nearly identical to the 1989 figure and to the three year average. Possibly the cold snap in late December Cedar £ Scarlet Tanager Western Tanager Northern Cardinal Rose-breasted Grosbeak Black-headed Grosbeak Blue Grosbeak Lazuli Bunting Indigo Bunting Dickcissel Rufous-sided Towhee American Tree Sparrow Chipping Sparrow Clay-colored Sparrow Brewer’s Sp. Field Sparrow Vesper Sparrow Lark Sparrow Sage Sparrow Lark Bunting Savannah Sparrow Grasshopper Sparrow Le Conte’s Sparrow Scotts A C Lin- B C Hall Knox D Pierce Sioux Bluff Dawes h coin Howard Polk - - - - - - - • - - J1 16 Au 15 Sp 15 S - _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Sp 21 Au 24 - - m a P P a (p) Sp 16 c (p) S _ c d No 19 J1 26 d - - - - - - a J1 1 S - - S - Sp 14 Au 27 Au 20 S - _ e _ _ _ _ _ Au 26 Sp 4 Au 16 S - - - b - - a J1 6 J1 23 d S - s - g Au 30 f Au 27 Sp 5 _ J1 1 b _ _ _ _ _ _ Au 18 Au 5 - - - - - a S _ - J1 16 S - s c b Au 27 Au 23 J1 30 Au 18 - - - c S - - a J1 1 S - a J1 8 S - S - a d Au 13 b Au 28 Au 27 J1 13 Au 20 Au 18 Au 5 S _ S - M e Sp 10 d - J1 9 S - a Sp 13 Ot 8 J1 16 _ Ot 8 Ot 13 Sp 22 T e Ot 22 J1 29 J1 26 Au 16 Au 23 S - D - Dm 2 n - No 15 Ot 14 s Dm 16 Ot 22 Ot 26 _ Dm 22 No 10 n Dm 31 j Dm 31 Dm 10 - W Dm 31 Au 5 S - S - N - _ e a S _ _ Au 23 S - s _ _ Sp 14 Sp 22 Sp 12 Q j b Ot 21 J1 2 Au 16 Au 8 Sp 23 _ m _ _ e - Au 15 Sp 16 h Ot 8 _ Sp 30 Au 16 V a d a J1 1 S a Au 23 Ot 22 S T e b Ot 12 Ot 9 Sp 2 J1 27 Au 15 Sp 23 - h - _ 0 - S - - Au 23 Sp 24 S - g Sp 30 Ot 1 m j J1 4 Ot 22 Ot 29 Au 5 S - S - - c - - a S S - g Au 14 - S - - Sp 12 Au 5 Au 8 Sp 5 Sp 4 f b J1 31 Sp 3 Sp 25 S S - c a - Au 14 Sp 10 Sp 3 No 2 e f - - - - e - - Sp 11 Au 20 - j Ot 22 Au 19 S _ _ _ c S- _ a J1 1 S _ a S - S - - J1 20 f Sp 2 b Au 28 J1 4 Au 20 Sp 21 - - - - - - - - - - - Sp 27 - 31 p G Lan- Da- ¥ Doug. Cass caster kota a Sarpy S - J1 1 S - Jl*20 Sp 13 prompted some Eagles to overfly Nebraska in search of less hostile wintering conditions. The Harlan Co. Reservoir area was down 75 birds from the past three year average, the Sutherland Reservoir area was down 20, and the Platte River from Darr to b K - P i P b X p P Elm Creek was down 30. b a s _ S _ _ S - S - f Sp 28 J1 15 ot 29 J1 1 Sites No Bald Gold To¬ Ad Im ? Ad Im tal Au 29 s _ S - _ North PI. River 6 98 61 1 8 2 170 Sp 4 Au 12 Au 19 Platte River 9 143 91 5 . 239 South PI. River 1 10 5 - - 15 Republican 3 13 21 - - 34 Middle Loup 2 12 1 - 1 - 14 F - S - S - - S - s - N. Loup River 1 11 1 - - - 12 0 Sp 6 Au 12 Sp 28 J1 3 Loup River 1 24 2 1 - - 27 Snake River 1 3 1 . . . 4 F a S - S - - S - S - Niobrara 5 45 10 2 1 61 P b Au 22 Au 12 Ot 13 J1 16 Dawes/Sioux 5 1 2 - 4 1 8 - - Au 5 S - X S*- Sp*29 Box Butte 1 - - - 1 - 1 Dm 22 Au 12 Ot 28 Dm 15 Jail House Rock 1 - - - 1 - 1 Duel 1 . - - 1 . 1 n - Ot 14 No 11 b Ot 7 No 29 W. Cherry Co. 3 7 1 4 2 14 Dm 31 Dm 31 X Dm 30 Dismal River 2 3 1 4 S _ Ot 30 _ S - S - Rock/Brown 2 3 1 1 - 5 Ot 27 No 4 J] 16 Middle Loup 3 3 1 - 1 1 6 Wheeler/Boone 2 9 1 - 3 - 13 - - Sp 28 - Cuming/Dodge 2 3 - - - 3 Phelps 1 1 - - - - 1 Furnas/Harlan 2 1 1 - - - 2 Red Willow 3 7 2 - - - 9 B - S - S - X S - S - Dundy 2 1 - - 3 4 i Ot 18 Ot 15 Ot 23 J1 1 Enders/Frenchman 2 4 7 - - - 11 Sutherland Res 1 14 13 . . , 28 B 0 Au 3 S - - - Sp 29 h Ot 18 J1 4 Sub-total 62 416 223 ‘ 8 27 10 691 c - S - S - - J1 11 S - f J1 1 J1 4 J1 8 Above Sioux City 1 69 24 - 2 - 95 Sioux City/Omaha 1 46 6 - - - 52 Omaha/Neb. City 1 9 7 1 - - 17 - - - - - Neb. City/Rulo 1 33 16 - - - 49 Missouri River 4 157 53 1 2 . 213 - - Ot 18 - Sp 28 Sp 20 Ot 27 Ot 23 Total 66 573 276 * 9 29 10 884 B - S - S - - S - J1 16 e Au 22 J1 4 Au 19 - Ot 14 Ot 23 32 Scotts A C Lin- B C Hall Knox D Pierce Sioux Bluff Dawes h coin Howard Polk Fox Sparrow ~ m “ ~ “ ~ Song Sparrow No 16 No 24 _ j _ _ P _ J1 9 S _ h Au 14 Sp=*=24 m 3 Dm 31 Ot 21 n Dm 3 Lincoln’s Sp 30 - - 1 - - d - Ot 5 Sp 16 n - - Sparrow m Ot 8 Ot 21 Swamp Sparrow - - - - - - j - s - a - - ot 21 White-throated _ _ _ m _ _ _ _ No 4 _ _ Ot* 8 Sparrow Dm 24 White-crowned Sp 30 Sp 23 J1 6 N - Ot 15 M - Ot 5 Ot 2 - - Ot 8 Sparrow Dm 25 Ot 4 T Ot 19 n No 1 ot 14 Dm 24 Harris’ - Ot 13 _ N _ - 0 - Ot 5 Ot 2 n - Ot 8 Sparrow Dm 24 m n Dm 31 Dm 1 s - W Dark-eyed Junco Sp 16 Sp 15 P X - No 1 P - Ot 3 Ot 9 - Dm 16 Ot 8 Dm 9 Dm 31 m Dm 31 m Dm 31 Dm 23 Dm 17 - W McCown’s Longsp. Sp 5 - - - - - - - - - Lapland - - - - - - - - Dm 10 q - - Longspur r Ch-coll. Longsp. Sp 5 - - - - - - d - - - Snow Bunting - - - - - No 5 - - - - No 6 Bobolink _ _ - - - S - - a S _ S - - Au 13 s - Au 15 Au 28 J1 4 Au 14 J1 30 Red-winged - P Au 15 a a P H F S - S - a J1 8 S - Blackbird Au 16 e f m J J1 1 Dm 2 1 Sp 13 No 12 Eastern - - - 1 - - - - J1 1 - - Meadowlark Meadowlark sp. - - - - - - - - - P Western Au 8 P S - E a P D B S - S - A J1 8 Ot 8 Meadowlark Au 21 Sp 27 Y f P L J1 1 No 19 n Sp 13 Dm 3 Yellow-headed Sp 6 S - _ e d S - - - J1 1 S - - - Blackbird Sp 25 1 f Sp 9 J1 4 Sp 20 Rusty - Sp 22 - - - - - - - - Blackbird Dm 16 Brewer’s Au 15 Sp 23 J1 10 m - j - No 12 - - Blackbird Ot 1 Ot 29 Dm 2 Great-tailed _ _ _ - _ - - - J1 1 Ot 14 - - Grackle Common Au 5 S - Au 7 G a S - 0 F S - S - a J1 13 S - Grackle Ot 8 Dm 12 Au 16 y f No 1 z i J1 1 Dm 2 1 Sp 13 No 2 IS- S--aS--aS- S-aJ18S- J1 24 Au 22 f Au 30 b J1 1 No 19 Sp 2 No 2 Cedar g Sp 25 - Sp 21 - Ot 6 - Ot 22 Ot 6 - Ot 22 Ot 12 k Dm 3 Ot 3 - Dm 31 Dm 14 n Dm 14 - S - - J1 2 S - - Dm 10 S - e Dm 23 g S - - No 13 S - - Sp 23 Brown-headed Cowbird Ot 33 p G Lan- Da- W Doug. Cass caster kota a Sarpy _ - Ot 18 - - Ot 20 Ot 20 No 11 No 3 I- S- (p) X S- Au 2 Q Dm 22 Dm 30 Ot 20 Sp 28 Ot 15 - Sp 23 3p 16 Ot 27 Ot 29 - - Sp 28 Ot 23 Sp 28 Dm 9 Dm 5 Sp 29 Dm 31 X Sp 23 Sp 27 Nn - - Sp 28 ot 15 X Sp 28 Sp 22 Dm 27 No 11 - f Sp 28 Ot 11 b Sp 30 Ot 29 Dm 31 Ot 15 X Dm 28 Dm 29 - - Ot 3 Ot 14 b Sp 29 Ot 18 Dm 31 Dm 31 X Dm 31 Dm 30 h - X - - No 28 - h --S- S--S- J1 3 J1 4 Au 31 FaS- S-bS- S- 0 C Dm 30 Sp 4 X Dm 20 No 2 '-S- - - S- S-k Au 29 Au 24 Dm 29 - - P - X P Be P S- - P Sp3 n No 11 f - Au 30 J1 15 - J1 4 - Sp 4 Au 22 - - Dm 17 - X No 7 - Dm 24 - - - - X - Ot 23 - - Ot 12 - - - No 14 EcS- S-bS- S- I Dm 30 Dm 25 X Dm 20 Dm 3 cbS- S-X3- S- e Dm 29 Sp 4 No 6 Dm 3 LATE BOBWHITES On 7 October 1989, while I was putting up my banding nets near the Administration Buiiding at Haisey 4-H Camp, I fiushed a family of Bobwhites. The young (about 8 or 10) appeared to be no more than a week old. This seemed to be a very late hatching. ™ Ruth C. Green, 506 West 31st Avenue, Bellevue, NE 68005 WHOOPING CRANE REPORT The Grand Island office of the Fish and Wiidiife Service reported 5 confirmed sightings of Whooping Cranes in Nebraska in the fali of 1989, 6 probabie sightings, and 5 unconfirmed sightings. Confirmed sightings are: Four aduits, Haii Co., 13-14 Oc¬ tober, Platte River, 2.5 mi. w. of Wood River bridge, T9N, R12W, S23, 25, 27. Two aduits and one young, Sher¬ man Co., 29-30 October, 2 mi. w. and 1 s. of Rockviile. Three adults and one young, Howard Co., 31 October, Middle Loup River, 2 mi. s. of Dannebrog, T13N, R11W, S22, SE 1/4, S23, NW Va, fiying. One aduit, Hitchcock Co., 31 Oc¬ tober, 3 mi. s. and 4 mi. e. of Stratton, T2N, R34W, S33, NE Va. Found dead in field near a power line. Two adults, Hall Co., 4 November, Platte River, 2 mi. e. of Alda bridge T9N, R10W, S4, NW Va, and 2 mi. w. of Alda bridge, T9N, R11W, S4, NW Va. Probable sightings are: Two adults. Rock Co., 8 October, 23 mi. s. and 9 mi. e. of Bassett, T26N, R18W, SI. Two adults, Blaine Co., 28 Oc¬ tober, 5 mi. e. of Brewster, on North Loup River. Three adults, Hamilton Co., 29 October, 6 mi. n. and 1 mi. e. of Hampton, flying, highly probable. Three adults, Brown/Cherry Co. line, 30 October, Niobrara River. 34 Scotts A C Lin- B C Hall Knox D Pierce Cedar Sioux Bluff Dawes h coin Howard Polk Orchard Oriole Au 19 S - _ _ a S - _ a J1 9 S - a J1 11 S - S - Au 21 d Au 3 b Au 27 Au 23 J1 30 J1 26 Northern Oriole Au 5 S - - - a S - - a S - S - a Au 14 S - S - h Au 16 Sp 2 b Sp 1 b J1 1 Sp 3 g Au 23 Au 20 Sp 4 Rosy Finch No 12 Dm 16 - - - - - - - - - - - - Purple Finch - - - - - - - - Ot 21 - - - - Cassin’s Finch Au 5 - House Finch P Au 7 a P _ _ J1 1 - _ _ _ c Au 16 e Red Crossbill Au 8 _ S _ - - Ot 28 _ _ _ - _ _ _ Au 16 Ot 20 Ot 30 White-winged - - _ - - - - _ - s - - Crossbill t Connon Redpoll No 10 Pine Siskin Au 22 Sp 15 P j - No 19 - - No 22 Sp 20 t Dm 16 - - - Dm 9 Dm 31 o Dm 31 Dm 31 Dm 23 American Au 5 S - S - Z b P J a (P) P a J1 13 S - P h Goldfinch Ot 8 Dm 26 Ot 4 T c j d h Au 16 No 26 Evening Ot 21 - - - No 10 - - - - - - - - Grosbeak Dm 29 Dm 19 House Sparrow (P) P Au 7 z a P b a P P c J1 8 P P e Dm 9 q f k i G Sp 13 h Two adults, Brown Co., 30 October, 14 mi. s. and 6 mi. e. of Ainsworth, flying. Two adults and one young, Buffalo Co., 7 November, 2 mi. s. and 1 mi. w. of Riverdale, highly probable. The unconfirmed sightings are: Two adults. Cherry Co., 26 September, School House Marsh. One adult, Clay Co., 5 October, along Hwy. 6,1-1.5 mi. w. of Harvard Spur. Two adults and one young, Merrick Co., 25 October, Platte River, Hwy. 92 bridge. One adult, Keya Paha Co., 28 October, 6 mi. s. and 1.5 mi. w. of Springview, flying over the Niobrara River. Fourteen aduits, Buffaio Co., 2 November, 3 mi. NE of Gibbon, flying. The Service reported that from the fall of 1975 to the spring of 1989 Nebraska reported the greatest number of sightings in the US (68 out of 203) in the spring, is fourth in the fall (54 of 314), but is still first overall (122 of 517). Grus Americana, 29:1:1, reports that the total number of Whooping Cranes at the end of 1989 was 214,146 in the Arkansas/Wood Buffalo flock. 35 13 in the experimental Rocky Mountain flock, 32 at Patuxent, 22 at Interna¬ tional Crane Foundation at Baraboo, and 1 at the San Antonio Zoo. Confirmed, probable, and uncon¬ firmed sightings are defined in NBR 56:79. BOOK REVIEWS The Outermost House, Henry Boston, introduction by Robert Finch, xxiv -I- 222 pp. Penguin Books, New York, soft cover $6.95. This book is part of the Penguin Nature Library. In 1925, Henry Boston bought a small acreage on Cape Cod and built a two room home there, in which he lived for a year. The book is a record of that period: his observa¬ tions on the sea, the land and its creatures and features, and anything else that attracted his attention. His observations are interesting to read just for themselves, but some items in¬ vite comparison of those times with the present. “An irreducible residue of crude oil, called by refiners ‘slop,’ remains in stills after oil distillation, and this is pumped into southbound tankers and emptied far offshore.” Sometimes some of it washed ashore, and oiled birds showed up, and treat¬ ment of them was even less successful then. The author mentions that when Thoreau walked the area in 1849 it was practically treeless, but that trees have since been planted. (Remind you of Halsey?) He doesn’t mention that before the white man came, the cape probably was mostly forested. On the other hand, it is doubtful that the shipwrecks he talks about are as common now as they were then. Driftwood Valley. Theodora C. Stanwell-Fletcher, introduced by Wendell Berry, xvii -i- 384 pp., 5 x 7%, Penguin Books, New York, soft cover $8.95. The author and her husband spent August 1937 to January 1939 and mid-February to mid-September 1941 in northern British Columbia, collecting animals, birds, and plants for the British Columbia Provincial Museum. The area was not well known to the few inhabitants; the weather ran from below -50° to over 90°; a winter’s snow would be 12 feet or so, and some of it might be a soft form that allowed a person on snowshoes to sink to his knees in it; in summer mosquitoes and gnats often made protective clothing necessary. They had no near neighbors, and for communications depended mostly on the infrequent casual passer-by. They were proud of their two room cabin. F G Lan- Da- W Doug. Casa caster kota a Sarpy S - S - Au 16 Au 9 S - J1 5 Ot 29 J1 9 B-S- S--S*- S- Sp 6 Sp 10 Sp 10 Jl 8 - - Ot 17 Ot 14 Db N o 16 - Dm 17 - Dm 17 - Dm 3 Au 26 Sp 29 Dm 28 Dm 29 No 19 - Dm* X Ot 12 Dm 26 X Ot 1 No 18 Dm 28 Dm 31 F e P K P e P X No 19 FA P G f P b P X Nebraska Ornithologists’ Union, Inc. 5109 Underwood Avenue Omaha, Nebraska 68132 Forwarding and Return Postage Guaranteed Address Correction Requested TABLE OF CONTENTS 1989 Treasurer’s Report. 2 1989 Christmas Count.. 3 1989 (Thirty-Second) Fail Occurrence Report.13 Corrections to 1989 Spring Occurrenc| Report..27 Sage Sparrow in Sioux County.‘.27 Notes..29 Book Reviews.35 and its windows, some glass, some plastic, and mentioned with disapproval the small Indian cabins, with maybe only one window. (That was before the R factor had been invented, and they found that getting wood to heat the cabin was time consuming.) It is interesting to read how they coped, and of their adventures with animals (and people). The book has an appendix listing the scientific and common names of the plants, fish, amphibians, birds, and mammals found in the Driftwood region (14 pages). Collins Handguide to the Birds of the Indian Sub-Continent, Martin Woodcock, 176 pp., 4.5 x 7.5, bibliography, index, Stephen Greene Press, Lexington, Mass., $11.95. The first 11 pages give a general look at the sub-continent - the various regions and what may be expected. The main section contains descriptions and color illustrations of 273 species (about 1250 have been recorded in the area), followed by a “Synopsis of Families,” which lists all families of birds found in the area, the total number of species of each which have been recorded, and descriptions and black-and-white illustrations of 272 additional species. A really serious birder probably would want a more complete guide, but for the less serious one this is a light, convenient guide. University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons(® University of Nebraska - Lincoln Nebraska Bird Review Nebraska Ornithologists' Union 6-1990 Nebraska Bird Review (June 1990) 58(2)^ WHOLE ISSUE Eollowthis and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/nebbirdrev Part of the Poultry or Avian Science Commons, and the Zoology Commons "Nebraska Bird Review (June 1990) 58(2), WHOLE ISSUE" (1990). Nebraska Bird Review. 551. http: //digitalcommons.unl.edu/nebbirdrev/551 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 (June 1990) 58(2), WHOLE ISSUE. Copyright 1990, Nebraska Ornithologists' Union. Used by permission. 38 1989 NEBRASKA NESTING REPORT Compiled by Dr. Esther V. Bennett Data on the 1989 nesting season in Nebraska were received from 25 observers and two agencies, reporting on 105 species from 53 counties. Counties on the tabulation are listed in a west to east order, with the northern¬ most of the approximately equal locations given first. Numbers in normal type represent Nest Record Cards; numbers in italics represent nests reported by Nebraska Game and Parks Commission; B represents nest building; C 9OJ0Ld ^ XBLO cmw UDM-ish ^ euooa SJ xou>j ^ LLBH S A9L 00-JO OLBiina ^ ^lOH UBLJBH Bl^Bd bA9>| UOSWBQ ^ «otL^M pay - SBUIOm ^ ULODUn ^ 9SBLI0 ° M^L9>1 o> U9PJB0 00 LLLJJOH r- ar^^na xoa <© SeWBQ ui LLBquiLX J9UUBa CO ^^nLa s:^:^ODS CM >>>> >>>> X C M S ® O £ +j O ■ ■o -p z S -O c ® ■ <0 ■ (O o t_ o ® u . c ® (Oil- I E (0 L- UJ O C9 CO < O O TJ ® 1- ® O 0) ^ £ E = -r- C3 O DO U C 18 I n. ® I— o JC <8 ® O >. > xz m -a C TJ « -o CO (D (D 3 a: -I a: 3t 3 <0 <0 «a -o 3 « v> a. ■D c o '® u « ® c. +j (0 I- o u to <0 .c 1- 01 a. Q. to xnoLS 39 represents carrying food; E represents eggs; F represents feeding; M represents carrying nesting materials; N represents nests observed for which no Nest Record Card was submitted; P represents brood patch; S represents carrying fecal material; V represents Brown-headed Cowbird (visitor) egg in nest; Y represents young observed; and Z represents N, E, and Y. A figure in bold type in the Total Species line has been adjusted to allow for duplica¬ tion between Nest Record Cards, Game Commission reports, and No Nest Card reports. GPC in the following paragraph represents Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and CLR represents Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge and North Platte NWR. Thirty-three species were reported on 93 North American Nest Record Cards; 6 species with 543 nests by GPC, and 92 UOSpJBM^I-y CO I 90^0 lo CJ I ssBo , AdJBS s I sBL6noa ? , uoi6uiL|SBM,r 00 i uo:}.sjnL|i ^ I ® I dauMBd I UOSULjOr ^ I eBeo « I ja:iSBCiuBn I sjapunes 5 ' eBpoa o I Buiuino ^ I uoxlq „ 2 I uosja^ier „ I PJBM8S „ , uo:^UB:^S ^ ' JBpeo « , o I >ILOd S3 , a^^eid I uosipBH J;; I ■'t ■D ® 1 - ® O := £ E -I- CJ o ■o c <0 ® c ® CO ^ o ea §;= I CO x: CO « c » » 3 C X> -CO O O 00 3 ® ® O CO « 3 > -•- OJ 3 XI -D O i- a « « c- >• 1- -X ® w « >^ ® ® > £1 m Tj jc I C "O (fl T3 *- « ® ® 3 3 ■ o oe -1 tx 1“ z -I- w I- m E 0 « T3 » ® 03 a: 40 species with no cards. Eliminating duplications in reporting gives 105 total species. The counties (with column numbers in the tabulation shown in parentheses) and the contributors are: Banner (3) GPC; Boone (22) D. A. Stage; Box Butte (6) GPC; Buffalo (18) GPC; Butler (34) GPC; Cass (51) GPC, T. E. Labedz; Cedar (31) GPC, D. A. Stage, L. A. Stage; Chase (10) GPC, Ruth Green, lola Pennington; Clay (25) Connie McCartney; Colfax (33) GPC; Cuming (39) Larry Einemann; Dakota (46) D. A. Stage; Dawes (5) Larry Einemann; Dawson (14) GPC; Dixon (38) GPC, D. A. Stage; Dodge (40) GPC, D. A. Stage; Douglas (49) Alice Rushton, GPC, C. E. Johnson, E. D. Johnson; Gage (43) GPC; Garden (8) CLR, GPC, Doug Thomas; Greeley (19) GPC; Hall (20) Paul aojaidS 10 lO ijo^Lluibh ^ >|OUJawS; auoog xou>| ^ LIBH ° AaLaaJO OLBjjng® UOH - ubl-JBH ® BqBd - uosrtaa ^ molUM psa - SBUJOHi ui_ooun ^ asano ° inL3>l e» uapjBO 00 llm-jom t- a^i^na xoa j Tf jauuea ^jnia sqaoos 1- -D ® -o 0) ^ +J C +J +J ■U «) (0 w O r- 1- CO Q. Q. O 0 ) Vi :=) u —I > O)-— 0 ) C (J JC 1 - C CO 8815 . a: z CD uj a •os 0 ) o c s I- o> s CO >, S -O o •P O 0 ) c (O I- I- £ 0) 2 O JZ CL m -o TJ i- 0) O 0) q- -o o J<: D) (0 X CJ CO) (DO) -I- O .Q -O .Q sz a a o) Q. O P C jr to CCL 0) CO o ■ p - P (0 >> • to to lO i- <0 UJ CO C3 * xnoLS 41 Bedell, GPC, Helen Seim; Hamilton (24) GPC; Harlan (16) GPC; Holt (17) GPC, D. A. Stage; Jefferson (37) GPC; Johnson (44) GPC; Keith (9) Charles Brown {Natural History Magazine 1990,2:34-40), Mark M. Czaplewski, GPC; Keya Paha (15) GPC; Kimball (4) Mary K. Clausen, Alice Kenitz; Knox (21) T. E. Labedz, D. A. Stage; Lancaster (42) Irene Alexander, GPC, Sue Guild, Norma Johnson, T. E. Labedz; Lincoln (11) GPC; Madison (27) GPC; Merrick (23) GPC; Morrill (7) GPC; Otoe (52) GPC, E. D. Johnson; Pawnee (45) GPC; Pierce (26) D. A. Stage; Platte (28) GPC; Polk (29) Norris Alfred, GPC; Red Willow 03) GPC; Richardson (53) Mary K. Clausen; Saline (36) GPC; Sarpy (50) GPC, Ruth Green; Saunders (41) GPC; Scotts Bluff (2) CLR, GPC; Seward (35) GPC; Sioux (1) Larry Einemann; Stanton (32) D. A. Stage; Thayer CM ^ UOSpJBLJO^a „ lO OJ ssBo XdJBs S SBLBnoQ 5 uo^eumsBM 00 uo:iSjnL|i ^ 00U«Bd I" UOSUljOr 5 oBbo ” J0q.SBOUBT sjapunBs 5 06 poa o BuLUino o, uoxlq „ ” uosj0^^0r „ 9UUBS CO PJBM0S „ -iQL^na xe^Loo coco UO^UB^tS w JBpao ^ jaXBLii o >ILOd S UOSLPBH ^ +J 3 » O JO O = i,- Q,.- 3 z < . CO CO I- CO O 0) > C3)1— 0) c u ^ 1- C CO 0 3 1 - O O CO • q: z CO Lu a ■o » c ° ^ 5 t- D) » 05 O C O :r ■<- >. » TJ 0) •P O 0) C CO I- I- £ 0 ) C- 1 - •- 1 - 3 <0 j: c? m 00 o S_ Q. U CD 3 d) ^ a CO -D TT l- 0 ) O 0 ) c,- -O O -SO 05 CO 3 CJ C © <- © © LL r- ^ © “O 05 2 ® - c o. CO £ 42 (30) GPC; Thomas (12) R. G. Cortelyou, Bill Garthright, Ruth Green, Elsie Helzer, E. D. Johnson, Lee Morris, Shirley Morris, Jerry Poe; Thurston (47) Mary K. Clausen; and Washington (48) GPC. Nebraska Game and Parks Commission employees, aides, and contractors contributed nesting data. The Game and Parks Commission employees are: Mark Brohman, John J. Dinan, Randy Stutheit, and Greg Wingfield. Others who provided assistance to the Commission include Clyde Anderson (American Kestrel), Martha Desmond (Burrowing Owl), and Eileen Kirsch (Least Tern). Game and Parks Commission Bluebird data were submitted by individuals throughout Nebraska in response to a survey conducted in 1989. Crescent Lake NWR and North Platte NWR data were submitted by 90J9Ld S ' CM I uo:^L^u^BH ^ I >|OIJJ0H " ' suoog ^ ' XOU>| ^ M LIBH ° AsLaOJO ** OLB:^:^na - ^LOH - UBLJBH ^ ® BXS>| UOSMBQ ^ Z 00 h.) I Z II Mil II Mil >1 Mil II Mil II Mil II Mil rtOLUM pea ” SBUJOLji ULOOun ^ asBijO ° L|^L9)i CD I uepjBO 00 > llmjow t- a^.'ing xog SSMBQ ir> LlBquiL>j JSUUBg CO ■r- » » O O O ■— ■g ® g d) .£3 U 3 1 - I CD CD << CD l_ 0) 0) .o CO cn I 0 3-0 £ o o ® 3 Z X CO C J3 «J 1 - <0 o o d) 4.1 q: < o TJ 1- 1- c- © 0 )Z T- z c CO z CO i- CT) a S T7 C 1 - X © z « © .x I- * z CJ i- o C I- © z » © cn o T> cn . d) o Z CD CJ —I C31-.- Z Z C > «- 4J « » D)Z O xnois 43 Royce Huber, Manager. Sixty-two Nest Record Cards were contributed by D. A. Stage, and 12 by Paui Bedell. The following 26 species which were reported in 1989 were not reported in the 1988 Nesting Survey {NBR 57:34): American Bittern, Turkey Vuiture, Greater Prairie-Chicken, American Avocet, Spotted Sandpiper, Forster’s Tern, Rock Dove, Burrowing Owl, Barred Owl, Belted Kingfisher, Hairy Woodpecker, Great Crested Flycatcher, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Horned Lark, Bank Swallow, Cliff Swallow, Rock Wren, Sedge Wren, Mountain Bluebird, Cedar Waxwing, Warbling Vireo, Yellow Warbler, Black-headed Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Great-tailed Grackie, and American Goldfinch. uospJBMOia w « 30W If) llod S uosipewf:: -J X « ttJ » CO 3 » CO S ■o 0) CO CO CO 0 C •>- »- 1 - <0 ■— <0 CO O OQ ■- o o m m C C C 0 0 0 1 - t. 0 0 ^ m m 0 3-0 o o 0 m -t- CD c C — 4-> C .O 0 1 - « o o O E X < o 0 $1 0 0 O l_ •— I- ro -- ja X c > 1 - +J -r- 0 * •- o 1 - c ^ 2;=g0 44 Fourteen species reported in the 1988 Survey were not reported in 1989: White-faced Ibis, Ferruginous Hawk, Black-necked Stilt, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Long-eared Owl, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Carolina Wren, Bell’s Vireo, Red¬ eyed VIreo, Louisiana Waterthrush, Rufous-sided Towhee, Song Sparrow, Red Crossbill, and Pine Siskin. Anyone who sees evidence of nesting, young, or adult birds carrying nesting material, food, or fecal sacs, can submit the information without the use of a special form. The information should be easily separated by species and county. This information will be included in the Nebraska Nesting Report by letter rather than by numbers. Anyone who has found, or expects to find, an active nest is invited to request Nest Record Cards to use in reporting 0oj0l.d S ^®L0 oj lo 0uooa w ifoux ^ LIBH S A0t09JO ^ oiBijna " ^LOH U0LJBH sqsd bA0>| UOSMSQ ^ «oLILM P0d ” S0UiOMi uiooun ^ 0S0HO ° o> U9pj0O 00 ILtJJOH ,- 0^ana xoa io S0MBa ^ lLBquji)| ^ j0uu0a ^j-nta snoos w \ i y- II I I y- ^ tf) a> o «o ^ l- 0 ) (d tf) C 9 ^ (0 . 0 ) 0 l5 g 4-> a. ^ CO o — CT> U Q. *0 -I- -SC a I— TJ o 0) O C.7 LJ- (- O 1 - ^ a 01 ^ a. 1- a u w to Q. eo a o i- 1- CO .C CD 0 ) CO a. ^ CO • CO CO X 0 ) « 1 - I > _i c3 tr g l_ y V- CO -bc: ■- o £ » 0 -1- CJ o 1 - O O - T3 I- U. to 1-01 o CO ^ 01 C5 01 £ (0 CO u I- ■ D Vt —« -f— —« w w TO'acoE'Dcocyeo oi 1- 01 i 01 01 a co>-^o>--- 4 -><- to o o cy o to y ■DO! T3 01 01 01 ■l->CQ.a}CQ.ZQ. CO comcoei-ico CO +J 01 CO O O xnoLS 45 the nest. Each nest requires a separate card. Send your Nest Record Card requests, completed cards, and other information to Thomas E. Labedz, N.O.U. Librarian, W436 Nebraska Hall, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska 68588-0514. (Editor’s Note: Dr. Bennett, who has compiled the Nesting Surveys from the 1967 season on to the present, is moving out of the state, which is why the Librarian is the temporary contact for nesting reports and records. In 1988, the Review {NBR 56:39) carried the information that NOU was one of four organizations that had contributed continuously to the nest record program since its inception in 1965. Dr. Bennett has since added two more years to the record.) UOSpJBL|Ot.y ^ „ SSBO - AdJES o SELBnoQ 5 uo:i6ulmsem « uoisjnqi ^ B:io>|Ea 51 90U«Bd UOSUL|Or 5 06 bo ” JB^ISBOUBT sjapuPBs 5 86poa ^ BuLUino o, CO UOXLQ n 00 UOSJ9iJ.0r « f.. 8ULLBS collOd S uosLpEH J:; II II ^ ^ C3 CJ 4.) CO I- o o o ■DT3COeT3COOCO k. a> I a> CD C0>-r-O>-'-+J->- O O O r- CJ CO O *□ CD *□ CD CD CD ^.jcoocozo 46 THE EIGHTY-NINTH (1990) ANNUAL MEETING Good weather and good birding, and “Welcome” flags on the main street, greeted the 103 who registered for the 1990 Annual Meeting at Falls City. A check of the last 10 previous meetings shows that the 1987 meeting at Valentine had 116 participants registered, but that was a joint meeting with South Dakota, and 39 of the participants were members of SDOU only, so that 77 (or less, there were 14 unaffiliated participants, some of whom may have attended only because of the South Dakota participation) would be the comparable figure for a Nebraska meeting. The next highest attendance was “about” 85 at Scottsbiuff/Gering in 1988. The total species recorded (161) was also higher than for any of the 10 previous meetings, but the 126 recorded from Nebraska was exceeded at all meetings since 1984. However, 10 were species not recorded in the 10 previous meetings (shown in italics in the list below). Friday night a talk on “The Early History of the Human Inhabitants of Indian Cave State Park” was given by Larry Cook, Park Superintendent, and Satur¬ day morning was devoted to birding at the Park. Saturday afternoon Gary Lingle spoke on the Platte River flows and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission decision. The annual business meeting followed. Five changes to the NOU Bylaws, proposed in the March/April NOU Newsletter, were discussed. Two changes were passed and, after rigorous discussion, the other three were tabled for further work and will be brought up again at a future meeting. Article III, Officers, Section 6 now reads: “The Secretary, or his/her designate, shall act as clerk of all meetings of the Corporation and the Board of Directors, preparing records and minutes in permanent form. The Secretary shall be responsible for sending the members any necessary announcements, including those of annual and special meetings, also for preparation of mail ballots.” Article III, Officers, Section 9, now reads: “The Librarian shall have supervision of the permanent records, publications held for sale, and the library, and shall be responsible for their care and maintenance, and for keeping a record of publications sold and moneys received, and for remitting such receipts at least quarterly to the Treasurer.” Changes to Article V, Section 1 were tabled and additions of Sections 5 and 6 to Article V were also tabled. It was decided that the Occurrence Reports, the Christmas Count, and the Nesting Survey should continue to be published annually in the Review in their present or similar forms. These officers for the next year were elected: President, Dr. Norma Johnson, Lincoln; Vice- president, Douglas G. Thomas, Alliance; Secretary, Alice S. Rushton, Omaha; Treasurer, Alice Kenitz, Gering; Librarian, Thomas E. Labedz, Lincoln; and Editor, Ray T. Korpi, Pullman, Washington. (Editor’s terms are for a calendar year, to coincide with a volume.) R. G. Cortelyou was voted Editor Emeritus. The nominations by the Records Committee for Thomas E. Labedz and Joseph A. Gubanyi for three year terms were accepted. An anonymous donation of $250 in honor of Thomas E. Labedz, Ruth Green, and R. G. Cortelyou, who were retiring or changing jobs this year, and Dr. Neva Pruess, who retired at the Scottsbiuff/Gering meeting, was announced. It was 47 announced that the Fall meeting would be at Halsey Forest 7 to 9 September. This earlier date than usual should provide a different assortment of birds. Saturday evening was the banquet at the Elk’s Club, and the speaker was Dr. Charles A. Ely, of Ft. Hays State University, Kansas, who spoke on North American Migrant Birds Wintering in Mexican Rainforests. An afghan crocheted by Mrs. Janet Korpi was raffled off for $137, which will be used for a suitable purpose. The proceeds of a similar raffle last year were used to buy shrubbery for campgrounds at Halsey Forest. Sunday morning was for birding at Squaw Creek (Missouri) National Wildlife Refuge. Ronald L. Bell, Refuge Manager, gave a talk at the headquarters and then led a tour of the Refuge. The water level this year was about back to normal, after some dry years. The Directors and the Records Committee also held meetings during the weekend. One hundred sixty-one species were reported on the final count. The 22 species recorded in Nemaha Co. outside of Indian Cave State Park are coded N; the 80 in the Nemaha Co. portion of the Park are coded U (for upper); the 77 in the Richardson Co. portion of the Park are coded L (for lower); the 66 in the rest of Richardson Co. are coded R; the 104 in Squaw Creek (Missouri) NWR are coded S; the 28 in the rest of Missouri are coded M; the 50 in Kansas are coded K if they were marked for Brown Co., and those marked on the Kansas list with an “X,” rather than with the “B” of Brown Co., are coded X. Eliminating duplicate listings gives 87 for Nemaha Co., 97 for Indian Cave State Park, 111 for Richardson Co., 126 for Nebraska, and 112 for Missouri. Eastern Kingbird, Blue Jay, American Robin, and Red¬ winged Blackbird were listed in all seven columns. Italics mark the 10 species not recorded in the 10 previous meetings. P1ed-billed Grebe - - L - S - - Northern Bobwhite N U L R S - X Double-crested Cormorant - - - R S - K Sora - - - - S - - American Bittern - - - - S - - American Coot - - - - S - - Least Bittern - - - - S - - Black-bellied Plover - ■- - - S - - Great Blue Heron - U - R S - K Semipalmated Plover - - - - S - - Great Egret - u Ki1Ideer N - L R - M - Snowy Egret - - - R - - - Yellowlegs sp. - - - - s - - Green-backed Heron - - - - s - - Lesser Yellowlegs - - - R s - - White-faced Ibis - - - - s - - Spotted Sandpiper - - L R - - X Wood Duck - u - R s - K Upland Sandpiper M X Green-winged Teal - - - - s - - Sanderling - - - - s - - Mallard - - - - s M - Semipalmated Sandpiper - - - - s - - Northern Pintail - - - - s - - Western Sandpiper - - - - s - - Blue-winged Teal - - - R s - - Least Sandpiper - - - - s - - Northern Shoveler - - - - s - - White-rumped Sandpiper - - - - s - - Gadwal1 - - - - s - - Baird’s Sandpiper - - - - s - - Hooded Merganser - - - R - - - Pectoral Sandpiper - - - - s - - Turkey Vulture N u L R s - K Dunlin - - - - s - - Northern Harrier - - L R - - - Stilt Sandpiper - - - - s - - Sharp-shinned Hawk - u Short-billed Dowitcher - - - - s - - Red-shouldered Hawk - - - - s - - Wilson’s Phalarope - - - - s - - Broad-winged Hawk - u Red-necked Phalarope - - - - s - - Swainson’s Hawk - - - - s - X Franklin’s Gull - - - R - - - Red-tailed Hawk N u L - s - K Ring-billed Gull - - - R - - - American Kestrel N - - R - M - Caspian Tern Forster’s Tern - - - R s - - Ring-necked Pheasant N u - R s - K - - L - - M - Greater Prairie-Chicken - - - R - - - Black Tern - - - R s - - Wild Turkey - u Rock Dove - - - R - M - 48 Mourning dove N U L R S - K Solitary Vireo - - - R - - - Black-billed Cuckoo - - L - - - - Yellow-throated Vireo - U L R - - X Yel1ow-bi1led Cuckoo - u L - S - - Warbling Vireo - u L - S - K Great Horned Owl - - - R - - - Red-eyed Vireo - u L - S - K Barred Owl - u L - - - - Tennessee Warbler - u L R s - Common Nighthawk - u - R - - - Northern Parula - u L - - - - Chuck-wi11’s-widow - - L - - - - Yellow Warbler - u L - s M K Whip-poor-wi11 - u L - - - - Chestnut-sided Warbler - - L - - - K Chimney Swift N - - R s M K Magnolia Warbler - u L - - - Ruby-throated Hutnmingb. - u L - - - - Yellow-rumped Warbler K Belted KingTisher - - - R s M - Black-throated Green W. - u Red-headed Woodpecker - u L R s M K Blackburnian Warbler - u Red-bellied Woodpecker - u L - s - K Blackpoll Warbler - u - - s - - Downy Woodpecker - u L - s M - Cerulean Warbler - - L - - - - Hairy Woodpecker - u - R - - - American Redstart - - L - s M X Northern Flicker - u L - s M K Prothonotary Warbler - u - - s - - Olive-sided Flycatcher X Ovenbird - u L - - - - Eastern Wood-Pewee - u L R s - - Northern Waterthrush - u - - s - - Alder Flycatcher - - L - - - - Kentucky Warbler - u L - s M - Willow Flycatcher - u L - - - - Connecticut Warbler - - L - - - - Least Flycatcher - u L - s - - Mourning Warbler - u L - s - - Eastern Phoebe - u L - - - K Common Yellowthroat - u L - s M K Great Crested Flycatcher - u L - s - - Wilson’s Warbler - - - R - - - Western Kingbird - - - R - - K Canada Warbler - u Eastern Kingbird N u L R s M K Yellow-breasted Chat - - - - s - - Horned Lark N - - R - - - Summer Tanager - u L _ _ _ Purple Martin - - - R - M - Scarlet Tanager _ u L s _ _ Tree Swallow - u - - s - - Northern Cardinal _ u L R s K N. Rough-winged Swallow - u L R s - K Rose-breasted Grosbeak u L s _ K Bank Swallow - - L - s - - Blue Grosbeak - _ s _ Cliff Swallow - - - R s M K Indigo Bunting - u L - s _ K Barn Swallow N u L R s - K Dickcissel N - _ R s _ K Blue Jay N u L R s M K Rufous-sided Towhee _ u L _ _ _ American Crow - - - R s - - Chipping Sparrow - R s _ _ Black-capped Chickadee - u L - s - K Field Sparrow _ u L R _ _ Tufted Titmouse - - L - - M K Lark Bunting _ R _ _ _ White-breasted Nuthatch - u L - s M - Savannah Sparrow - - R _ _ _ Carolina Wren - u Grasshopper Sparrow - u L - s - K House Wren - u L R s - K Fox Sparrow _ _ _ s _ _ Sedge Wren - u - - s - - Song Sparrow - u L - s - - Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - L R - - - Lincoln's Sparrow - - L - _ _ _ Eastern Bluebird - u L R s - - Red-winged Blackbird N u L R s M K Gray-cheeked Thrush K Eastern Meadowlark _ u L R s K Swainson’s Thrush - u L R s - - Meadowlark sp. N u s M Hermit Thrush - u Western Meadowlark _ _ _ R M K Wood Thrush - u L - s M - Yellow-headed Blackbird _ _ R s American Robin N u L R s M K Great-tailed Grackle _ _ s Gray Catbird - u L R s M K Common Grackle N _ L R s M K Northern Mockingbird - u - R - - - Brown-headed Cowbird N u L R s M Brown Thrasher - u L R s - - Orchard Oriole u L s K Cedar Waxwing - u L - s - - Northern Oriole _ u L R s Loggerhead Shrike N u L R s - K American Goldfinch N u L R s _ _ European Starling Bell’s Vireo N u u L R s s : K House Sparrow N L R s - K BOOK REVIEWS Collins Guide to Tropical Plants, Wilhelm Lotschert and Gerhard Beese, 256 pp., including 274 color photographs (grouped on 96 pp. in the center of the book), 5 x 73 / 4 . index, Stephen Greene Press, Lexington, Mass. $24.95. The subtitle says “A descriptive guide to 323 ornamental and economic plants,” so obviously it can cover only the most prominent and common plants. (There are about 3,500 varieties of palms.) A one-page map of the 49 world shows the climate and vegetation zones of the tropics, which, with a two-page description, gives some guidance as to the plants to be expected in any region. For each species covered, the book gives a botanical descrip¬ tion, with flowering time, origin, distribution and requirements, and for economic plants, production tables. There are two pages of recommended botanic gardens and parks, and a two-page glossary. Wading Birds of the Worid, Eric and Richard Soothiii, 334 pp., 6.5 x 10, bibliography, index, Blandford Press, U.K., distributed by Sterling Publishing Co., N.Y., hard cover $29.95. The authors, father and son, use “waders” “to include all those birds which actually do wade at some time of the year,” about 330 species, from herons through phalaropes to thick-knees. They exclude birds such as the jacanas, which don’t wade. There are 96 color photographs, mostly a half-page or so, and 70 line drawings (by John Tennant). All species listed have at least two paragraphs: description, and habitat and distribution. Those with color photographs also have breeding distribution indicated in red on a 1.5 x 2 inch map of the world, and comments on characteristics and behavior, food, voice, display, and breeding. There are no comments on distinguishing marks or the like; it is just an overview of all birds of this type. A BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCK SPECIMEN FROM NEBRASKA: A FIRST STATE RECORD INTRODUCTION On 29 October 1989 John Andersen of Ong, Nebraska, shot and killed an adult male Black-bellied Whistling-Duck while duck hunting at Hansen Waterfowl Production Area, 3 miles north and 1 mile west of Ong, Clay Co., Nebraska (T6N R5W Section 35). Andersen’s brother-in-law, Stewart Porter¬ field of Lincoln, was present at the time and tentatively identified the specimen but returned to their vehicle to get a bird book for reference (Porterfield, pers. comm. 2 November 1989). Mr. Porterfield took the frozen, intact duck specimen to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission office in Lincoln where it was recommended that the specimen be deposited at the University of Nebraska State Museum (UNSM). The frozen specimen was delivered and donated to UNSM (Accession Z-1989-55) by Mr. Porterfield on 2 November 1989. The specimen was prepared as a standard study skin and partial skeleton by the author on 7 November 1989 and catalogued into Division of Zoology’s collections as UNSM ZM-16079. Dendrocygna autumnalis (Linnaeus), the Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, is not on the official list of birds in Nebraska (N.O.U.R.C., 1988, 1989) and was not listed as even hypothetical in a critically evaluated list of Nebraska birds (Bray et al., 1986). However, Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks, whose normal range is from southern Arizona and southern Texas south to southern Brazil and Argentina, have wandered north, including to Kansas, Iowa, and Michigan (A.O.U., 1983). There are three records of this species in Kansas (Thompson & Ely, 1989) and a recent sighting in Minnesota that is under consideration of the Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union Records Committee 50 (Tveten, 1989). A written description and photographs of UNSM ZM-16079 have been submitted to the Nebraska Ornithologists’ Union Records Com¬ mittee for consideration. PLUMAGE DESCRIPTION Bill and feet a bright reddish-orange. Throat pale gray or off-white grading to a medium gray on the cheeks, lores, auriculars, and narrow band above the eyes. Narrow ring of white feathers around the eyes with white trailing off behind the eye for less than 1 cm. Forehead an olive-gray grading to a russet on the crown to a dark brownish-black on the back of the crown then extending as a narrow, russet-brown strip down the back of the neck. Gray of cheeks extending down sides of neck. Lower neck, breast, back a russet color. Russet on breast grading into a lighter russet-tan on lower breast. Russet on back is darker than on breast grading into a russet-brown on the scapulars. Belly is black with white speckling gradually showing more white toward the under tail coverts which are mostly white with only a spot or two of black. Belly and flanks are separated from the breast by a sharp line. Flanks, tail, and upper tail coverts are black. Primaries and secondaries are black distally and white proximally. Outer edge of primaries is black. Greater wing coverts are off-white and lesser wing coverts are grayish white forming a large, whitish wing patch when the wing is extended. MEASUREMENTS Measurements: Total length = 492 mm, tail length = 73 mm, wing span = 783 mm, wing chord = 234 mm, tarsus length = 60 mm, culmen length = 48 mm, and weight = 836.5 grams. Moderate to heavy visceral and sub¬ cutaneous fat. Sex: Male with left testis measuring 8.0 x 3.5 mm and right testis measur¬ ing 8.5 X 3.0 mm. 51 WILD STATUS The possibility exists that this specimen had escaped from captivity and thus is not truiy a “wild” bird suitabie for record as Nebraska’s first occur¬ rence of this species. No evidence could be found that this individuai was anything but a wiid bird that wandered from the south. No bands, tags, or tattoos of any kind were found on the bird and none were reported removed by Mr. Andersen or Mr. Porterfield prior to the specimen’s arrivai at UNSM. The specimen had not been toe-clipped and no feathers were clipped. The specimen was reported by Mr. Porterfield to be “very wary” and “did not decoy weii.” The stomach contained seeds that compared favorably to that of Polygonum bicorne, a locally common smartweed (pers. comm. Margaret Bolick, Curator of Botany, UNSM, 8 November 1989). Fat levels indicate the bird was healthy. Two pellet sizes were found in the specimen and Mr. Andersen reported to have killed the bird with one shot indicating that the specimen had been shot previously and survived. CORRECTIONS TO THE PUBLIC RECORD On 16 November 1989 the Lincoln Journal newspaper ran Gary Svoboda’s “Outdoors” column on page 31 with a story about this specimen from information supplied by Mr. Porterfield. Several errors were made in this article. Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is quoted as saying that this is the most northern record of this species in North America; it is not. There is a recently published photograph of this species in Minnesota (Tveten, 1989). Mr. Porterfield is quoted, "They [The Museum] did a parasite study, and found some that are found only way down south.” No parasite check was ever made of this specimen and none would have been made because the specimen was frozen and thawed at least twice. This freeze-thaw scenario severely fractures delicate parasites, making them nearly useless for study. Mr. Porterfield also said that the author agreed to display this bird at the Museum. It is the policy of the Division of Zoology never to make such an agreement. This specimen likely will never be displayed. This specimen will remain protected in the Division of Zoology, Systematics and Research Col¬ lections, UNSM. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The author wishes to thank Mr. Andersen and Mr. Porterfield for having the foresight to carefully save the specimen and for asking Nebraska Game and Parks Commission what to do with it. I am grateful to the staff at Nebraska Game and Parks Commission who recommended the specimen be brought to the attention of the University of Nebraska State Museum. Thanks go to Mary Liz Jameson of the State Museum and Dr. R. G. Cortelyou who ex¬ amined this manuscript and made many helpful suggestions. LITERATURE CITED American Ornithologists’ Union. 1983. Checklist of North American Birds, 6th ed. Amer. Ornithol. Union, Baltimore, Maryland. 877 pp. Bray, T. E., B. K. Padelford, W. R. Silcock. 1986. The birds of Nebraska: A critically evaluated list Publ. by authors. Bellevue, Nebraska. 111 pp. 52 Nebraska Ornithologists’ Union Records Committee. 1988. The official list of the birds of Nebraska. NBR 56(4):86-96. Nebraska Ornithoiogists’ Union Records Committee. 1989. Second report of the N.O.U. Records Committee. NBR 57(2):42-47. Thompson, M. C. and C. A. Ely, 1989. Birds in Kansas. Volume 1. Univ. Kansas Mus. Nat. Hist., Public Education Series No. 11. Lawrence, Kansas. 404 pp. Tveten, J. L. 1989. Black-bellied Whistling-Duck Seen. The Loon 61 (3): 143-144. — Thomas E. Labedz, Collections Manager, Division of Zoology University of Nebraska State Museum W-436 Nebraska Hall, Lincoln, NE 68588-0514 ADDITIONAL OBSERVATIONS ON THE BIRDS OF THE LAKE McCONAUGHY REGION Since the publication more than five years ago (NBR, 52:26-35, 1984) of an earlier list of the birds of the North Platte Valley between Oshkosh and Keystone, many new records have been obtained. Additionally, since 1982 Dr. Charles Brown of Yale University has spent every summer doing ornithological fieldwork in the area, and has kindly contributed many of his observations. This abundance of new information appears to warrant some additions and modifications to the original list, most of which simply involve changes in occurrence or status information for previously recorded species. However, three previously unreported species have also been observed (those species listed here by scientific as well as vernacular names), resulting in a total list of 247 species reported for the area in less than 20 years, making this area one of the richest documented areas for bird life in the entire state. By comparison, the 1984 bird checklist for Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge consists of 273 species observed over nearly 50 years, and the 1974 bird checklist for Valentine National Wildlife Refuge consists of 231 species observed over about 40 years. Additions and changes in status are as follows: Common Loon. Summering birds in non-breeding to varying degrees of breeding plumage have been observed in June during most years and to as late as 10 July, as well as occurring sporadically during August, on Keystone and McConaughy Lakes. Thus the species now appears to be a regular non-breeding summer visitor. Pied-billed Grebe. Summering but apparently non-breeding birds on Lake Ogallala were observed during June and July in 1985, 1988 and 1989. Clark’s Grebe (Aechmophorus clarkii). A specimen of this recently recognized species was found dead on Lake Keystone during June of 1986 {NBR 54:64,1986). Non-breeding birds of this species or the Western Grebe usually summer on Keystone and Ogallala Lakes. Double-crested Cormorant. Late spring or summering birds have been seen 53 in late June and early July on Ogallala and Keystone Lakes during several summers. Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator). A pair with a well-grown brood was seen on Three-mile Lake, Arthur County, during early July, 1989. A single adult-plumaged bird was also observed on nearby Swan Lake during the same period. Although outside the limits of the immediate North Platte Valley, these unusual records seem worth noting here. Snow Goose. Latest spring record 9 May (Charles Brown). Canada Goose. Breeding has occurred at the west end of Lake McConaughy during several recent summers. Redhead. Latest spring record, 25 June. Hooded Merganser. One additional summer record, June 14,1989; three female-plumaged birds on the North Platte near Keystone. Osprey. Earliest spring record 22 April (Charles Brown). Bald Eagle. An apparent nesting attempt close to Highway 26 and the north shore of Lake McConaughy reportedly occurred in Garden Co. during 1987 and 1988 {NBR 56:47-48). Northern Goshawk. One additional record, 27 April, 1989 (Charles Brown). Peregrine. One additional record, 25 April, 1989, at Lake Ogallala (Charles Brown). Piping Plover. Nesting has been attempted during most summers at Martin Bay, Lake McConaughy, but has rarely succeeded because of fluctuating water levels and human disturbance. One nest hatched three young in 1985. Territorial birds have also been reported along the South Platte near Ogallala. Rather surprisingly, Least Terns have not yet been documented in this area, although suitable habitat seemingly exists. American Avocet. Latest spring record 16 June. Probable breeding by this species, as well as Willet, Black Tern, Forster’s Tern and other marsh-adapted species occurs not far to the north of the Platte Valley in the little-studied marshes of northeastern Arthur County, based on cursory surveys in 1989. Caspian Tern. Non-breeders were observed during June and July on Lake Keystone during 1986 and 1989, with a maximum of six seen 20 June 1989. Earliest spring record 23 April (Charles Brown). Black Tern. Earliest spring record 20 April (Charles Brown). Common Poorwill. Earliest spring record of calling 18 April (Charles Brown; this is also the earliest state record of which I am aware); latest record of calling 8 July. Breeding certainly occurs in the immediate vicinity of Cedar Point, judging from the frequency of spring calling, but has not yet been documented. Red-bellied Woodpecker. Heard calling in the vicinity of Cedar Point, June, 1989 (Brent Nickol). Western Wood-Pewee. Heard singing 25 June, 1985; also seen at Cedar Point 3 July 1989 (Charles Brown); nesting observed at Ash Hollow, 28 June 1987. Say’s Phoebe. Nesting by a single pair was observed from 1982-1987 at Whitetail Creek, near Keystone (Charles Brown). A single bird was observed near Arthur Bay, 15 June 1989. Eastern Kingbird. Earliest spring record 3 May (Charles Brown). 54 Scissor-tailed Flycatcher. Several observations of this species were made by field station personnel during the summer of 1984, including one near Keystone, 21 August, 1984 (Charles Brown). Violet-green Swallow (Tachycineta thalassina). Observed near Cedar Point Biological Station on 8 July, 1987, and on 29 April, 1989 (Charles and Mary Brown). Gray Catbird. Status changed from transient to local breeder (nested 1984). Earliest spring record 12 May (Charles Brown). Rose-breasted Grosbeak. Earliest spring record 12 May (Charles Brown). Blue Grosbeak. Earliest spring record 3 May (Charles Brown). Indigo Bunting. Now known to be a local breeder around Cedar Point Station, where territorial males (and hybrids with Lazuli Buntings) have been regular in recent years. Dickcissel. Originally judged to be only local and sporadic; this species has become surprisingly common and widespread in the past few years, especially around Keystone. Chipping Sparrow. Earliest spring record 29 April (Charles Brown). Orchard Oriole. Earliest spring record 8 May (Charles Brown). House Finch. First observed in the Kingsley Dam area during the summer of 1985. — Paul A. Johnsgard, School of Biological Sciences University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska 68588 NOTES EAGLE SURVEY NOTE. This part of the Eagle Survey report was lost between the bottom of page 29 and the top of page 31 of the March issue (NBR 58:29-31): *The unknown eagle under Niobrara was not identified as either Bald or Golden; all others were Bald Eagles. ™ Greg Wingfield, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Rt 4, North Platte, NE 69101 PAINTED BUNTING On 21 May 1988 I spotted a Painted Bunting in the cemetery (nearest to the road leading to the Monument) on the western edge of Gering, Scotts Bluff Co. I saw the bird at approximately 11:30 AM. It appeared in a wood pile at the north edge of the ravine which bordered the southern edge of the cemetery. The light conditions were good at the time ~ full sunlight was above and to my left, and no branches obstructed my view of the Bunting. The bird was in plain view for about 15 to 20 seconds, whereupon it dove further back into the pile. Further attempts to find it, both by myself and by those who went back later, were unsuccessful. The bird was shaped like a chubby goldfinch, typical of what any species of bunting would be shaped like. The head was rounded, the body propor¬ tioned like a finch rather than a warbler; rounder overall. The tail did not ex- 55 tend more than about an inch past the body. I did not note the bill shape as I looked for other field marks first. The bird was all green, but it was not all the same shade of green. The head, dorsal regions, and wings were all one shade of bright green, close to what I would call kelly green. This color was consistent throughout these areas of the bird; there was no streaking on the back, no rump or crown coloration, no facial markings, nor any dif¬ ference in wing color with the exception of the two wingbars, which were the same color as the birds ventral side, a more lime-colored green, more yellow in tone than the dorsal, but still primarily green. This color extended from throat to crissum, and again there was no inconsistency of color -- no streaking, no spotting, nor any other typical underside markings. As for the other parts of the bird, the eye was dark, and I particularly took notice of the flesh around the eye because it was aiso a very bright green. I did not record leg color. The gestalt of the bird was typicai of a member of the sparrow/finch family. The bird sat still while I watched it until I got closer. It did not hop or jump around like a warbler is apt to do, and this allowed me to make a reasonably thorough examination of the bird. I did not identify the bird right away, but I knew it was something different. The shape of the bird suggested goldfinch or bunting, and the coloration female. Other buntings were eliminated easiiy. The bird was too green to be an American Goldfinch. Lesser Goldfinch, which has been seen recentiy in western Nebraska, was also eliminated under plumage concerns. Vireos were eliminated because ail have some other color than green, or some facial markings. The bird’s general body shape also eliminated vireos. The two birds I considered most ciosely were Tennessee and Orange-crowned Warblers. I was able to eliminate Tennessee immediately because of the lack of gray on this bird. I also observed Ten- nessees in the cemetery and ruled these out as a possibility through indirect comparison. Orange-crowned was eiiminated, given the foliowing four factors; 1. Orange-crowneds fiit far more than this bird did, 2. The shape of the Orange-crowned is rounder, with a much smaller tail, and the bird was bigger than an Orange-crowned, 3. The green on an Orange-crowned is more olive than on this bird, and 4. There were no streaks on this bird’s chest, as are often found on an Orange-crowned at close range and in good light. The general shape of the bird also suggested bunting, but I did not con¬ sider Painted Bunting until about an hour later. Upon consulting various field guides I found the bird i saw was an adult female Painted Bunting. Painted Buntings have been seen in Nebraska on several occasions, and spring migration is when most of the records are (see Johnsgard 1986, Bray et al 1986). While an escaped cage bird is possible, the brightness of the plumage suggests that this was a wild bird. Also, given the weather condi¬ tions just prior to the sighting - strong, 50 mph south winds, followed by three days of rain where bird movement was minimal - a spring migration over¬ shoot is certainly viable. In fact, the only record accepted in Bray is for Scotts Bluff Co. on 14 May 1968, a similar date to this sighting. A copy of this report has been forwarded to the NOU Records Committee for consideration. Nebraska Ornithologists’ Union, Inc. 5109 Underwood Avenue Omaha, Nebraska 68132 Forwarding and Return Postage Guaranteed Address Correction Requested TABLE OF CONTENTS 1989 Nebraska Nesting Survey.38 The Eighty-ninth (1990) Annual Meeting.46: Book Reviews . 48 A Black-bellied Whistling-Duck Specimen from Nebraska: A First State Record.49 Additional Observations on the Birds of the Lake McConaughy Region.52 Notes. 54 Literature Cited Bray, T. E., B. K. Padelford, and W. R. Silcock. 1986 The Birds of Nebraska: a Critically Evaluated List. Published by the authors. Bellevue, NE. Johnsgard, Paul J. 1986. A Revised List of the Birds of Nebraska and Adjacent Plains States. NOU Occasional Paper No. 6, Lincoln, NE. — Ray Korpi, NW 1585 Turner Drive HI3, Pu^an, WA 99163 GRAY-CROWNED ROSY- FINCHES This is a picture I took through my kitchen window of the Gray- crowned Rosy-finches feeding on sunflower seeds. These birds come to our area (Sioux Co.) nearly every winter. They usually stay in the weeds and sunflowers along the creek. This year (1989, NBR 57:80) they found the sunflower seeds I put out for the Chickadees and Juncoes and have really made a mess of this area of the porch! One morning we counted 38 there. — Helen Hughson, Route 2, Mitchell, NE 69357 University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons(® University of Nebraska - Lincoln Nebraska Bird Review Nebraska Ornithologists' Union 9-1990 Nebraska Bird Review, WHOLE ISSUE (September Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/nebbirdrev Part of the Ornithology Commons. Poultry or Avian Science Commons, and the Zoology Commons "Nebraska Bird Review, WHOLE ISSUE (September 1990) 58(3)" (1990). Nebraska Bird Review. 560. http: //digitalcommons.unl.edu/nebbirdrev/ 560 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, WHOLE ISSUE (September 1990) 58(3). Copyright 1990, Nebraska Ornithologists' Union. Used by permission. 58 1990 (SIXTY-FIFTH) SPRING OCCURRENCE REPORT Two hundred and ninety species are listed on this report from 13 locatior plus 17 counties reported in five “spot check” counties. The 1989 figur were 289 species from 13 locations, plus 7 “spot check” columns involvii 36 counties: in 1988, 306 from 15 locations, plus 13 “spot check” columi involving 34 counties; in 1987, 288 from 13 locations and 6 “spot checi columns involving 9 counties; and 1986, 304 from 13 locations and 9 “sp check” columns involving 24 counties. The “spot check” columns are for infrequent visits to an area and the la of an entry for a particular species may be due to visits at the wrong tir or inadequate observing time. The average reader can just take the syi bols in these columns as indicating that the species was present; those wl want to know when and in which county can get that information by decodii the symbols, which are given separately for each column. The symbols ha different significance in each column. The information is presented in a rough west (left) to east (right) ord( with the northernmost of locations with approximately equal longitude listi first. Two dates indicate the first and last records for the period. The symbols used in the regular columns are: Ja, Fe, Mr, Ap, My, and Je for the months. P to indicate a species which is present all of the year, although the san individuals may not be present during the whole year and the numbers m, vary greatly. Scotts A B C Lin¬ Howard D Polk Cedar Saun^^ Sioux Bluff Dawes coln Hall Knox dera Common Loon _ Ap 28 _ _ _ _ _ _ Je 5 Pied-billed My 1 My 16 - d - b My 1 Mr 21 D Ap 7 Ap 8 My 5 Grebe My 26 My 10 Je 9 e {- S) My 24 Je 30 Horned Grebe _ _ _ _ _ d My 12 e _ _ My 13 Eared Grebe Ap 25 Mr 27 - d - - My 5 Ap 22 e My 5 Ap 29 _ Ap 29 My 26 My 12 My 2 f Western Grebe Ap 25 Ap 21 - d - b - My 5 _ _ My 26 f Je 9 American White Ap 27 Mr 29 - d - b Ap 10 Ap 27 Ap 11 b Ap 16 Ap 12 Ap 14 Pelican Ap 30 Je 30 f Je 30 My 7 Je 9 f Ap 22 Double-crested My 1 Ap 21 - d - b Ap 5 Ap 8 Ap 11 b Ap 16 Ap 12 Ap 7 Cormorant Je 30 f Je 30 Ap 21 Je 9 f My 24 Je 9 American - _ _ _ _ f - My 2 _ _ ; Bittern My 12 Great Blue Ap 10 P Ap 26 d a A Mr 25 Ap 18 Mr 11 d Ja 1 Ap 10 Ja 27 Heron Je 29 g E Je 30 Je 30 My 12 - S Je 30 My 12 Great Egret - - - - - - Je 9 - My 9 - - 59 (p) for probable permanent species for which reports were not spread over the whole period. - S to indicate the compiler knows the species remained after 30 June, but the lack of such an indication does not necessarily mean the species did not remain. W - to indicate the species was present before 1 January. W - S to indicate a species which arrived before 1 January and remained after 30th of June. It is similar to P, but the pattern is not always true. X and a month indicates that the exact date in the month was not reported. * to indicate a comment in the text. ° to indicate there were no records between the dates given and that in¬ formation was available to the compiler. Where information on shorter gaps in records was available to the compiler there is comment in the text. # to indicate that information on Whooping Crane sightings for these columns is given in the Whooping Crane report, page 87. Also, there were reports for counties not shown in the tabulation. The number of species reported (using only confirmed Whooping Crane sightings), contributors (to the extent known), and special comments by coun¬ ties and then by “spot check” columns are: s Blaine, see column C Box Butte, see column A Cass (and Otoe), Elmwood, 168 species, Gertrude Wood, reporter, Kevin DeGarmo, Ray 19 T. Korpi, Mable B. Ott, Donald Wood and (5 5 May) the Audubon Society of Omaha Spring Bird Count. Ray Korpi reported that Whip-poor- wills and Mourning Warblers were at Mrs. ^ Korpi’s folk’s place, east of Schram Park (Sar¬ py Co.) before 25 May. The Baird’s Sparrow was seen in Otoe Co. about 3.5 miles south and 2 east of Elmwood. Mrs. Wood studied the bird carefully and heard it sing. The Le Conte’s ^ Sparrow was banded in Otoe Co. by Mrs. Ott. Cedar, Laurel, 163 species, David Stage, reporter, Tanya Bray, Lois Stage. Chase, see column B Cherry, see column C Cheyenne, see column A 12 Cuming, see column E 5 12 Lan- Da- | E Doug. Cas caster kots^ Sarpy .Mr. 21 My 11' Je 8 -I Ap 13 Up 19 Ap 30 4p 24 My 10 My f - Mr 22^p 27 My 18 \ Mr 20lAp 7 Je 9 ^ly 24 Ap S^Ap 30 Ap 23^- S Ap 23 ^p 25 Ap 5 - My 27 c Mr 24 Ap My 20 My - Hr 17 Ap 21 - Ap 13 Ap My 13 - Ap 2 My Je 14 Mr 27 Ap My 14 My c Mr 18 Ap Je 28 My - Ap 20 Je 60 Scotts ABC Lin- Howard D Polk Cedar Saun- Sioux Bluff Dawes coin Hall Knox ders Snowy Egret - - - - - - - ■ - Little Blue _ _ _ _ _ _ My 7 _ Heron Cattle Egret - - - - - - Ap 26 Ap 28 - My 12 Ap 29 My 12 Green-backed - - - _ - Ap 29 Ap 22 _ My 12 Heron Je 30 My 12 - S Black-crowned - - - - - b My 12 My 2 - Ap 22 Night-Heron f My 14 Je 3 White-faced Ibis - - - d _ _ Ap 20 _ . Ap 27 Tundra Swan - - _ - Mr 20 _ Mr 27 Trumpeter Swan - - a h - Mr 16 J Mr 21 Greater White- - _ _ a Fe 10 Mr 10 b Fe 10 Mr 9 Mr 17 fronted Goose Mr 29 Ap 11 e Ap 15 Ap 29 Ap 14. Snow Goose Mr 5 Mr 7 - - - - Ja 10 Mr 10 b Fe 10 Mr 9 Mr 17 Mr 27 Ja 21 Mr 21 f Ap 15 Ap 18 Ap 1 ’- Ross’ Goose - - - - ■ - ■ Canada Goose (p) P - d a A ] D W - Mr 10 b Ja 1 Mr 9 W*- ^ f My 7 Ap 22 e Ap 15 Ap 12 My 27 Wood Duck (P) - - - - Ap 15 Mr 6 Mr 10 b Ap 1 Mr 22 Fe 18 Je 30 Je 30 Je 9 G (- S) Je 28 - S Green-winged Ap 10 W - - d - - Ap 2 Mr 11 Mr 10 B Mr 18 Ap 8 Fe 18 Teal My 26 Ap 10 My 7 My 12 G Ap 1 Ap 29 Am. Black Duck - - - - - Mr 10 - - Mallard (P) ] P Je 11 d a A P P Mr 10 B Ja 1 Ja 1 W*- g f Je 9 G {- S) Je 30 - S ^ Northern Pintail Ap 10 W _ - d - a Ap 10 Mr 11 Mr 10 - Fe 9 Ja 25 Ap 30 My 3 d Ap 20 Mr 27 My 12 Ap 15 Mr 21 Blue-winged Ap 19 Mr 29 - d - b Fe 10 Mr 13 Mr 21 D Mr 25 Ap 8 Ap 7 Teal My 26 f My 30 Je 30 My 12 G Ap 15 My 18 My 26 Cinnamon Teal Ap 20 Ap 28 - d - - Mr 19 - Ap 29 Ap 10 Ap 8 Northern Ap 19 Fe 28 d _ b Ap 15 Mr 24 Mr 10 B Mr 18 Ja 5 Ap 13 Shoveler My 26 f Ap 30 My 1 Je 9 f Ap 15 My 24 Ap 14 Gadwall Ap 10 Mr 8 - d - a My 1 Fe 28 Mr 10 B Mr 18 Ja 1 Fe 18 My 26 b My 12 Ap 21 Je 9 G Ap 15 Ap 29 Ap American Mr 20 W - - - - b Ap 10 Mr 5 Mr 10 A Mr 18 Mr 16 Wigeon Ap 19 My 26 Ap 20 My 26 My 12 G Ap 15 Ap 29 Canvasback Mr 8 - - - - Mr 10 b Ap 10 Ap 12 - My 3 Mr 25 Ap 29 61 Lan- ; Da- S E Doug. Cass caster' kotai Sarpy - - My 16 ' " 1 - My 12 Je 3 My 13 ! - i - Je 1 My 5 [My l| b Ap 22 Ap 25 Je 2 ' - s 1 Je 28 My 5 My 6 ■ 1 - Ap X Je 14 My 6: - 1 - Ap 20 Ap 26 - : - 1 - - - i - 1 - - Fe 1^ Mr 11| Ap 2i Mr 22 j - Mr*21 Mr 20 Ap 9 Mr 4: Mr 11 | Ap 23 Ap 3 - W - Fe 7 Ap 21 - ; Mr 11 1 !- - p Mr 11 - S |g W - Mr 4 1 Je 29 Ap 12|Mr 11 ic Fe 27 Mr 29 My 11 - s Je 30 My 5 Fe 22 iMr 10 W - Mr 27 My 18 ;Ap 14 j 1 My 3 My 5 - ! _ _ Mr B a. W - Mr 6 - S :g Je 28 My 5 Mr ^ Mr 11; - W - Mr 18 Mr 25 Mr 24' My 5 My 5 Mr 22 My 11 Ap 3; - Mr 27 Mr 27 My 8 Je 7 My 5 Mr 22, Mr 9 Mr 17 Ap 14 My 18 My 8 My 31 My 5 Fe 22 Mr 9 ■- Mr 21 Ap 14 My 18;My 10 : My 13 Fe 22 Mr 9 - Ja 1 Ap 14 My 10 My 8 My 10 Fe 22 Mr 9 - Mr 22 Ap 7 Mr 4 Mr 24 My 12 Dakota (and northern Thurston), South Sioux City, 168 species, Bill Huser, reporter. Mr. Huser commented: This past dry spring, follow¬ ing two dry years, left virtually no marsh or mudflat habitats in the county, so several species which use these two habitats are un¬ characteristically missing from this report. He was out of the county much of mid-May, which may explain the absence of a few common species. He used “NR” for common birds seen several times in Iowa Missouri River habitat, but not actually seen in Dakota Co. In all cases these common species were certain to be in the similar habitat on the Nebraska side. No return visit was made to check the status of the Chuck-will’s-widow. The Yellow Warbler was considered very early. The Black-billed Magpie has been seen regularly since last fall. This would be at least the third consecutive year of breeding in the county. House Finches are now regularly seen in the county. There were other sightings of Mourning Warblers in Sioux City, Iowa, so this must have been an exceptional year for this species this far west. Dawes, Crawford, 63 species, Jim Minyard, reporter, Hope Minyard, David Stage. Mr. Stage, 11 June, picked up some species not found in the Minyard’s vicinity. Dawson, see Lincoln Dixon, see column D Douglas (and Sarpy) Omaha and Bellevue, 219 species, Tanya E. Bray, R. G. Cortelyou. Ruth C. Green, Alan G. Grenon, C. E. Johnson, Babs and Loren Padelford, Robert and Kathleen Rose, reporters, Jim Ault, Russ Benedict, Mark Dietz, Gary Garaband, Jim Glather, Twink Gorgen, Emma Johnson, Mark Lind, Wanda Neaderhiser, Alice Rushton, David Starr, lone Werthman, Rick Wright. White-fronted Goose and Common Merganser were also reported 1 January. In the first week of March, Mrs. Green found at least five different sizes of Canadas on Offutt Base Lake (Sarpy Co.) They ranged from the Cackling Goose, the size of a Mallard, to ones four or five times larger, possibly Giant Canadas. One of the Peregrine Falcons raised 62 Redhead Ap 10 Fe 28 - d - - Ap 30 My 26 Ring-necked Duck My 1 Mr 2 - - - - My 16 Greater Scaup - - - - Lesser Scaup Ap 10 Mr 8 - - - - My 26 Oldsquaw - - - - Common Goldeneye - Ja 3 - _ - a My 16 Bufflehead My 1 Mr 8 - d - - My 16 Hooded - - - d _ - Merganser Common - Ja 3 - - - a Merganser My 16 Red-breasted - Ap 9 - - - - Merganser Ruddy Duck My 1 Mr 8 - d - b My 16 f Turkey Vulture My 2 Ap 17 My 22 c a c Je 11 Je 21 d Osprey - Ap 22 - - - - Ap 23 Bald Eagle Mr 16 W - (P) - - a My 23 Northern (p) (p) - - a Harrier Sharp-shinned _ W - - a - a Hawk Ap 29 Cooper’s Hawk - - - - Red-shouldered _ Hawk Broad-winged - Ap*28 - - - _ Hawk Swainson ’ s Ap 20 Mr 10 _ a a C Hawk My 26 d H Red-tailed Hawk Ap 10 (p) P b g a Je 11 d Ferruginous Ap 25 - - - - a Rough-legged Mr 11 W - - - - a Hawk Mr 2 Ap 5 Mr 24 Mr 10 A Mr 25 Mr 16 Ap 10 Mr 25 Je 9 F Ap 15 Ap 29 Ap 2 Ap 5 Mr 10 B Mr 25 Ja 1 Mr 17 Ap 6 Ap 9 My 12 c Ap 15 My 24 Ap 7 - - Ja 5 Ap 20 Mr 29 Mr 10 A Mr 18 Ja 1 Ap 13 Ap 25 My 26 My 12 G Ap*15 Ap 29 My 5 e Ap 1 My 26 W - A Ap 1 Ja 1 Ap 10 Mr 25 F Ap 12 Ap 2 Ap 19 Mr 10 A Mr 18 Ja 10 Ap 14 Ap 10 My 12 G Ap 15 My 24 - Ap 8 Ap 12 Ja 6 Mr 10 - Fe 9 Ja 1 Fe 11 Fe 20 Mr 25 Ap 1 Ap 29 Mr 14' Ap 20 - Mr 16 My*27 Ap 29 My 8 Mr 21 A Ap 13 Mr 16 Ap 13 My 12 Je 9 G Ap 22 Fe 26 My 7 Ap 8 d My 18 Ap 21 Ap 14 Je 30 My 5 (- S) My 24 Je 2 My 2 Ap 24 - Ap 29 Ap 22 My 14 Ap 26 My 24 My 27 W - W _ W - - W _ Ja 1 W _ Mr 10 Mr 27 Mr 25 Mr 4 Ap 21 Ap 13 W - Ja 6 Ja 21 b Ja=» : 1 Ja 5 Ap 7 Ap 4 My 5 d Fe 9 My 22 P Fe 2 Mr 25 _ Ja 10 W _ Ja 27 Fe 3 Ap 1 Mr 21 Fe 10 My 10 Ja 21 f Ja 12 Ja 29 Mr 8 My 5 Ap 17 Ap 19 Ap 29 - Ap 25 My 7 Ap 14 b Ap 9 Ap 8 Ap 14 Je 30 My 24 G Ap 29 Je 30 Fe 20 (p) I 3 B F ) P F Mr 30 G - Ap 1 W _ Ja 23 Ja 21 _ Ja 1 W _ Mr 28 My 26 Mr 10 Mr 4 Mr 25 63 Lan- I Da- ;E Doug. Cass caster kota\^ Sarpy Fe 22 iMr 9 1- Mr 28 Mr 24 Mr 22 ^y 8 i i Ap 21 Fe 22 (Mr 7 j- Mr 22 Mr 24 Ap 5 ;Ap 14 1 Ap 21 I- Ap 17 Fe 22 iMr 9 1- Mr 4 Mr 24 My llj |My 1 . 8 1 My 13 Fe 22( W W Ap 7 Mr 4: 1 Ap 11 Ap 13 Fe 22 iMr 9 - Fe 17 Ap 6 My 5 fMy 6 My 13 Mr 221 Mr - Ap 13 Mr 251 ! Ap 15 Fe 22l W - i Mr* 4 W _ Mr 29i Mr ii' i My 5 My 5 - j Mr 14 [- Mr 21 Mr 16 1 Ap 18 Mr 2l\ Mr 21 Mr 21 Mr 24 My 18 |My 28 My 10 Mr 22 ky 10 j- Ap 6 Ap 12 Je 30 pe 14 Je 28 Ap 23 i - - Ap 22 Fe 22 1 w _ h W _ W _ Mr 22 Mr 11 1 Mr 28 Ja 17 Fe 22 Ja 1 ! j- Mr 21 (p ) Ap 8 - - 1 1 W ( - ) Fe 28 (P) Ja 1 ^ i 1 I Je 3 Mr 22 1 1 - Ap° 7 (P) Je 14 - - - Mr 21 Je 6 Je 27 - - Ap 20 My 7 My 10 Ap 8 _ - Ap 15 Ap 18 1 My 13 P P c P (P) g - - - - Ja 10 W - Fe 11 - - Mr 18 last year returned and stayed around, but was not reported by any of the reporters. The 12 April date was for an adult plumaged bird seen over the Missouri River from the Bellevue bridge; the 27 May bird was a brown-plumaged bird seen at the north end of Cunningham Lake (northern Douglas Co.) On 27 April there was a bird alert for a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper and many local birders saw the bird. But after the discoverer discussed his photographs of the bird with an outside authority he changed his identification to Pectoral Sandpiper. This note is to make clear that the report was not overlooked. A Bohemian Waxwing was sighted 6 June, in Iowa maybe five miles or so from this sighting. There was a gap in reported sighting of Yellow-headed Blackbirds from 22 May to 29 June. Dundy, see column B Garden, see column A Garfield, see column C Hall (and Howard), Grand Island and Cairo, 123 species, Helen Seim, Bill Lemburg, reporters, Gary Lingle, Drew Justin, Scott Purdy, Pat Scroggins, Ruth Straunch. The Broad-winged Hawk was a dark morph which perched behind Gary Lingle’s house. Hamilton, see Polk Hayes, see column B Hitchcock, see column B Howard, see Hall Knox, Creighton, 173 species, Mark A. Brogie, reporter, Ed M. Brogie, Ellen L Brogie, David Stage. The Western Kingbird on 22 April was the earliest Mr. Stage remembers for Knox Co. Lancaster, Lincoln, 190 species, Larry Einemann, Paul Kaufman, Thomas Labedz, Mabel B. Ott, Babs and Loren Padelford, reporters, Frank Andelt, Eao Carson, John Dinan, Nancy Hall, Karla Kaufman, David Stage. The Peregrine Falcon, which was in downtown Lincoln, was an unbanded adult. Lincoln, North Platte, 117 species, Mrs. Howard Wyman, reporter. On 26 May, Mark 64 Golden Eagle American Kestrel Merlin Peregrine Falcon Prairie Falcon Gray Partridge Ring-necked Pheasant Gr. Prairie-Chic. Sharp-tailed Gr. Wild Turkey Northern Bobwhite Virginia Rail Sora American Coot Sandhill Crane Whooping Crane Bl-bellied Plover Lesser Golden-Plover Snowy Plover Semipalmated Plover Piping Plover Killdeer American Avocet Greater Yellowlegs Yellowlegs sp. (p) W - Mr 21-(p) Ja 6 Myl6 My 18 (p) P Mr 22 a b a Mr 20 (p) P B Ja 1 P Ap 13 Je 30 b g f Je 30 G Ap 15 My 26 Ap 7 My 1 (p) Ja 26 - Ja* 3 Mr 4 (P) - - - - (p) - - p (p) d a a P (p) P B P P (P) (p) (p) (p) (p) - - d P (p) (p) - - - - b P - (p) - - - P (p) (p) - Mr 8 P P My 5 - d - P (p) (p) d P (p) My 7 h Ap 19 Mr 27 My 16 My 2 - My 12 My 5 - My 9 My 12 d - b Ap 16 My 7 Mr 10 b Mr 25 W - My 5 f Je 30 Je 9 G (- S) My 24 Mr 25 Ap 11 Ap 2 - Fe 20 Fe 15 Ap 3 - Fe 10 Ap 21 Ap 26 Mr 15 Ap 19 Ap 30 - - # # - - b - - My*26 - - Ap 20 - - - - f - - Ap 22 - Ap 29 Mr 16 Mr 13 My 1 E a C Ap 12 Mr 12 Mr 10 B Mr 8 Mr 9 Ap 7 Je 11 Je 21 My 19 F A f Je 30 Je 30 Je 9 G - S Je 30 - S Ap 21 Ap 21 Je 21 d - b Ap 25 Ap 21 Ap 11 - My 5 f My 3 Ap 19 Ap 28 Ap 25 - - b Ap 20 Je 30 Ap 11 D Mr* X Ap 12 My 12 f Ap 15 Ap 29 Ap 12 Ap 21 65 Lan- Da- E Doug. Cass caster kota Sarpy (p) P a P (p) Ja 28 D Apl5 Ap 17 Ap 30 - Ap*12 My 1 My 27 - 'Je 14 |- {p) p :b P 'd - My 10'- P (p) (p) i a (p) ! D My 6 :My 16 ^ |My 21 Mr 221 Mr 11 h Mr 21 Ap 6 My 18;My 25 My 24 ; - - My 10 Ap 23 i- Ap 16 My 17 Ap 30 My 7 - Ap 13 My 8 Je 4 My 16 My 10 i - - Ap 27 Ap 29 My 5 Mr 4^ Mr 9 ;C Fe 11 Mr 9 Je 30; - S ig Je 30 My 5 Ap 20 _ - My 12 My 5 Ap 4; - - Mr 23 Ap 17 My 5 My 13 (P) (p) (P) Peyton and Jay Maher found two Piping Plovers 2 miles south of Gothenburg, just over the line in Dawson Co. The birds were forag¬ ing along a road ditch. One had bands on both legs, both bicolored, red top, white bottom. They chased away Robins and Grackles that landed in the area. Mark returned on 2 June and found one unbanded bird. Morrill, see column A Otoe, see Cass Co. Pierce, see column D Platte, see Polk Polk (and adjacent parts of Hamilton and York counties), Polk, 177 species, Norris Alfred, reporter, Swede Lind, Lee and Shirley Morris. (- S) is used when species were indicated as - S but supporting dates were not given. This report is compiled from Mr. Alfred’s “Birding” columns. He switched from a weekly {Polk Progress) to monthly {Polking Around) issues, so the number of his columns (and observations) was reduced. Lesser Scaup were reported in adjoining Platte Co. on 24 May by Mark Brohman. There were five Northern Harriers in sight at one time on 9 February, the most Mr. Morris has seen at one time. On the same trip he commented that he had seen more Prairie Falcons this winter than ever before. The 15 March date for Greater Yellowlegs is really “middle of March.’’ The Saw-whet Owl was a recent road kill and the first Saw-whet Mr. Morris had seen in the state. Mr. Alfred had never seen an Eastern Phoebe so early (1 April) before. Loggerhead Shrikes were recorded only on 1 January and 1 April. Sarpy, see Douglas Saunders, Morse Bluff, 114 species. Rev. T. A. Hoffman, reporter, and a visit to Cedar Bluffs, about 10 miles away, by Larry Einemann on 7 May. Father Hoffman com¬ mented: I was present for only one date in March, so that period is rather sparse. Canada Geese remained so long because the caretaker keeps a tame, clipped flock. The presence of wintering and summering Mallards is largely attributable to that also. The lone Red-breasted 66 Lesser Ap 19 - - - - Ap 23 Ap 11 f Ap 10 My 16 Yellowlegs Ap 25 My 5 Ap 15 My 18 Solitary Sandpiper - My 3 - - - - Ap 29 My 2 f Ap 29 - Willet Ap 19 Ap 28 d _ b Ap 29 f Ap 29 My 1 f Spotted - My 12 - - b Ap 30 Ap 29 My 12 b My 3 Ap 12 Ap 28 Sandpiper My 26 Je 30 Je 30 Je 9 f My 24 My 27 Upland Sandpiper My 12 - a d b My 1 My 12 - Ap 27 Ap 25 - Je 11 F Je 30 Je 9 (- s) Je 30 Whimbrel - - - - * - - - Long-billed Ap 4 My 29 d _ _ Ap 28 _ _ Curlew Je 30 Hudson!an Godwit - - - - - . - - Marbled Godwit _ _ _ . Ap 29 - Ap 29 My 2 Ruddy Turnstone - - - - - - - - Sanderling - Ap 21 - - - My 26 - My 5 Ap 29 - Semipalmated Sandpiper - - - - b f Ap 29 Ap 29 - Western Sandpiper - - - - f My 5 - ■ Least Sandpiper - _ - - - - My 5 - White-rumped f My 5 Ap 29 _ Sandpiper My 24 Baird’s Sandpiper Ap 19 My 12 - - _ d b Ap 29 Ap 4 _ Ap 12 Pectoral _ _ _ _ _ Ap 22 f My 5 Ap 29 _ Sandpiper My 24 Sharp-tailed S. - - - - - - - - Dunlin - - _ - _ _ _ _ _ stilt Sandpiper - - _____ _ -"Ap29- Buff-breast. S. - - _____ _ __^(y25- S-b. Dowitcher - - _____ _ __f,jy2- Long-billed - - - - - b - - Ap 27 f Ap 29 - Dowitcher Common Snipe Ap 25 W - Ja 3 - - My 1 Ap 7 Ap 11 d Ap 8 Ap 21 My 28 My 26 Ap 20 H Ap 22 My 1 American Woodcock My 12 67 Lan- Da- E Doug. Cass caster kota Sarpy Ap 14 Ap 11 - Ap 2 Ap 15 Je 4 My 7 My 14 My 5 Ap 23 My 8 - Ap 1 Ap 17 My 14 My 5 My 4 - Ap 18 My 10 My 5 Ap 24 - Ap 2 My 5 -S - My 24 My 8 Ap .28 - a Ap 24 D My 18 - - Ap 13 My 12 My 5 Ap 30 - Ap 5 Ap 18 - - My 10 - My 3 My 5 My 7 - Ap 11 My 5 My 18 My 14 My 10 My 7 - Ap 27 Ap 30 My 18 My 5 My 5 Ap 23 - Ap 10 My 5 My 18 My 8 My 8 My 8 Ap 30 My 7 - Ap 27 Je 4 My 17 Mr 22 Ap 11 - Mr 23 My 5 Ap 24 My 8 My 10 My 7 - Mr 23 Ap 14 My 18 My 10 My 5 - - note - My 18 - - Ap 15 - Ap 27 My 10 - Ap 27 - My 18 My 14 - - My 10 - My 5 _ - Ap 13 - My 6 Ap 14 My 1 - Ap 11 - Ap 30 My 4 My 5 Merganser female was swimming on our lake at sun-up. The red bill eliminated a Hoody and the whitish throat without a clear break between the dark throat and the white breast eliminated a Common. I had a clear look at it at short range for up to five minutes. The Alder Flycatcher was a life bird. I found up to four separate birds singing on the two days. The song didn’t sound quite like the description in the guides, and it wasn’t until I compared my tape recording with the Cornell recordings that I was able to definitely identify it. Scottsbiuff, Gering, 142 species, Alice Kenitz, reporter, Joyce Brashear, Felix Koenig, Lucy Koenig, Nora Mae Vance. On 28 April Nora Mae Vance, Helen Hughson, Sam and Loni Schlothauer and I were birding in the Gering Cemetery. My first glance at what turned out to be a Broad-winged Hawk was of a medium-sized brown bird with broad wings flying from one tree to another and I thought at first I was seeing some kind of owl. We determined right away, however, that it was a hawk. It flew several times and finally perched in one tree so that we could study it for about 15 minutes. During its short flights we could see that the tail was relatively long and narrow. The wings were very broad for the size of the bird and there were dark edges on the wings. We were about 100 yards from the bird when it was perched. We were using a 25x spotting scope. There were no trees or branches between us and the bird, so our view was unobstructed. For a time, an American Crow was sitting in the same tree and we could see that the Hawk was smaller than the Crow. The bird was facing us and we could see dark eyes, yellow legs, yellow on the upper mandible and a small white throat patch. The breast had rusty horizontal bars that were very close together on the upper breast and became farther apart on the lower breast. The tail was square, with light and dark bands of equal width. The terminal band was dark, with a small amount of light edging. We eliminated Red-shouldered Hawk because of the size of the bird, the equal¬ sized tail bands, the way the breast was 68 Wilson’s My 1 Ap 28 - d - b Ap 20 Ap 29 Ap 27 - Ap 26 - Phalarope My 3 My 26 f Je 15 Ap 29 Red-necked Phal, - My 12 - - - - - - - - - - - Laughing Gull - - - - - - - - - - Ap 29 - Franklin’s Gull _ Ap 29 - _ a c Ap 21 Ap 26 Ap 14 D Ap 15 Mr 16 _ My 16 Je 30 My 7My 12 G My 24 Bonaparte’s Gull - - - d - - - Ap 8 Ap 11 e My 5 Ap 12 - My 24 Ring^billed Gull Mr 20 Mr 8 _ - - b - - Mr 21 b Mr 28 W - Mr 17 My 16 f Ap 27 f Ap 15 My 24 Ap 13 Herring Gull - _ - d - _ Ap 1 _ _ _ _ Ap 12 _ Je 30 My 12 Caspian Tern - - - - - - - Je 29 - - - - - Common Tern _ _ _ _ _ My 2 Je 15 _ _ Ap 22 _ Je 10 Forster’s Tern - - - c - b - - Ap 20 f My 5 Ap 29 - d f Je 9 My 12 Least Tern - - - - - - - - My 12 - My 9 - My 26 Je 9 - S - S Black Tern My 30 My 26 - d _ b _ _ My 12 _ My 9 My 15 My 12 f Je 9 My 24 Rock Dove (p) P - b a - (p) (p) P B P P _ A F Mourning Dove Ap 3 P Ap 22 E a A Mr 28 * Mr 23 D Mr 18 Ap 4 Mr 17 Je 11 Je 30 F E Je 30 Je 30 Je 9 G - S Je 30 - S Black-billed - - - - - _ - - - My 23 Je 7 _ Cuckoo - S Je 16 Yellow-billed Je 23 My 15 - - b - - Ap 25 Je 9 - - My 24 Je 2 Cuckoo My 19 f Je 12 - S Barn Owl Ap 30 - - - - - - - - - - Ap 29 - E. Screech-Owl - - - - b - - (p) P - (p) P Ap 7 Gr. Horned Owl (P) (P) (P) - - - (P) (p) P - (p) P P Burrowing Owl Ap 8 - - - h b Mr 10 _ _ _ My 15 _ _ Je 11 Je 15 (- S) Barred Owl - - - - - - - - - - My 19 - - Long-eared Owl - - - - - - - - - - - - - Short-eared Owl - - - - - - - My 7 - - - - - N, Saw-whet Owl - - - - - - - - - - Ja* 1 - - Common Nighthawk My 23 My 31 Je 4 c a c My 2 My 7 My 21 - Je 11 Je 30 Je 24 d d Je 30 Je 30 Je 9 Je 2 Je 30 69 Lan- Da- E Doug. Cass caster kota Sarpy Ap 30 - - Ap 28 My 7 My 18 My 13 Mr 22 Mr 11 - Mr 23 Ap 10 My 10 My 14 - Ap 5 Ap 27 Fe 7 Mr 11 - Fe 11 Mr 5 Je 4 My 14 My 5 Mr 4 - Mr 20 Mr 18 Mr 29 Ap 6 My 18 NR - Je 16 Ap 23 My 7 - Ap 4 My 5 My 5 My 23 My 31 My 9 - My 31 Ap 19 Je 14 Je 29 My 11 My 21 - My 10 My 16 My 22 P P a D P (p) W - Mr 21 a Ja 1 Ap 6 Je 30 - S D Je 30 My 5 My 25 _ _ _ Je 6 Je 12 Je 9 Je 14 - g My 26 Je 30 My 25 - - - - - My 27 NR - (p) (p) (P) (p) - (P) (P) - - - - - (P) My 10 - (P) (P) W - _ _ Mr 17 - Ja 13 Mr 25 _ _ _ _ Streaked and the light underwings with dark edges. This sighting has been submitted to the NOU Records Committee for consideration. On 26 May, at about 8:15 a.m., Doug Thomas and I were birding at the Gering sewage lagoons, about one mile west of Gering. We saw a small Plover standing on a gravel dike. We were able to observe it for about five minutes with 8.5 x 44 binoculars before it flew. The bird had a white belly and pale grayish-brown back and wings. The legs and bill were dark. There was a black line starting at the eye and going back and a black band on the forehead. There was an in¬ complete black breast band and a little black on the tail. We determined it was not a Piping Plover because of the dark legs and beak and the black line behind the eye. It was not a Semipalmated Plover because of the light back, dark legs and beak, and incomplete breast band. This sighting of a Snowy Plover has been submitted to the NOU Records Com¬ mittee for consideration. On 21 June, at 6:30 a.m., I was doing a Breeding Bird Survey about 14 miles south of Morrill. I heard a different song, which had whistles and trills. This Sparrow was singing as it flew upward from a fence. It would fly up 50 feet or so, and then flutter down to the fence and kept repeating this over and over. The habitat was native pasture. In the approximate¬ ly two minutes I observed this bird with 8.5 x 44 binoculars, I could see that it was a large sparrow. The crown was rufous brown, with fine streaking. It was light around the eye. The gray breast was clear. There was a faint hint of white tips on the tail feathers when it flew. The back was gray-brown with streaking. The tail was rounded when it flew. When I returned to my car I played the tape with Sparrow voices and was able to match the song of this bird with that of the Cassin’s Sparrow on the tape. Identification was made primarily on the song and on the ‘skylarking’ behavior. This sighting has been submitted to the NOU Records Com¬ mittee for consideration. Sioux, (Mitchell is the Hughson’s post office. My 17 My 22 - My 14 My 19 Je 29 - S Je 30 70 Common - Je 5 - - - - - My 12 - - - - Poorwill Je 10 Chuck-wilX’s-wid. - _ - - - - - - - - - - Whip-poor-will - _ - _ _ _ - My 12 - _ My 13 _ My 24 Chimney Swift Ap 20 My 8 c a c Ap 25 My 5 My 22 - Ap 24 Ap 23 My 7 Je 30 d d Je 30 Je 30 Je J ) - S Je 30 - S White-throated - Ap 28 Je 3 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Swift My 26 Je 30 Ruby-throated - _ - _ _ _ Je 10 _ _ _ _ _ _ Hummingbird Je 11 Belted (p) (P) c b D (p) Ap 18 Ap 20 d My 5 Ap 12 Mr 17 Kingfisher g Je 30 Je ! J - s My 24 - S Lewis’ Woodpecker - - Je 11 - - - - - - - - - - Red-headed My 22 My 23 Ap 27 _ b c Ap 15 My 7 My : 2 d Ap 27 Ap 21 My 7 Woodpecker Je 11 My 26 Je 28 Je 30 Je 30 Je i -S Je 30 - S Red-bellied _ _ _ _ _ W - (p) P _ Ap 29 _ w - Woodpecker Mr 10 (- S) Je 23 Yellow-bellied _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ My 10 _ Sapsucker My 12 Downy Woodpecker (P) P F c b a Ap 1 (p) P b P P P e Je 30 F Hairy Woodpecker (p) (p) _ _ Mr 29 (p) (p) _ (P) P Ap 13 Je 30 - S Northern Flicker Fe 20 P Ap 27 c b A (p) P (p) D (P) P P Je 11 Je 30 F G Olive-sided Fly. - - - - - - - - - My 15 - - Western My 10 My 24 My 1 _ b _ _ _ _ _ _ - _ Wood-Pewee Je 11 Je 2 Je 26 Eastern - _ _ _ _ _ _ Je ( My 10 My 24 My 26 Wood-Pewee Je ! - S Yel-bel. Flyc. - - - - - - - - - - - - Acadian Flycatc. - - - - - - - - - - - - Alder - _ _ _ _ - _ _ _ - _ My#26 Flycatcher My 27 Willow - - _____ Flycatcher Least - - _____ Flycatcher Eastern - - - d - ~ - Phoebe Say’s Phoebe Ap 12 Ap 15 Ap 21 - - - My 12 Je 11 Je 30 Ap 30 Je 30 Je 4 - ■ My 24 My 5 - - My 6 My 7 My 7 My 10 - - My 11 My 28 My 12 Ap 20 ■ - Ap* 1 My 20 Ap 7 Je 9 - S My 29 - S - Mr 26 My 24 My 2 - - My 10 My 24 Ap 28 Je 9 - S Great Crested Flycatcher 71 Lan- Da- B Doug. Cass caster kota Sarpy My* 6 - - My 6 - Ap 22 Je 30 Ap 14 My 6a Ap 20 Ap 22 Je 30 - S g Je 30 My 5 My 10 - My 20 Je 19 P Ap 14 c Mr 4 Mr 22 - S Je 30 W - Ap 28 My 26 - S P P Ja 14 P P (p) P (p) P My 18 Je 14 Je 26 b W - W - D Je 30 Je 30 c P {p) - Fe 4 Ap 17 b P (p) c b P (p) C P (p) D - Je 3 g My 24 My 8 Je 30 My 8 My 16 - - - My 26 - - My 21 My 29 My 10 Je 14 - My 28 Je 4 My 2 My 10 b Ap 27 My 8 My 24 My 18 My 25 Ap 14 My 6 g Mr 18 Ap 7 Je 3 My 18 Je 30 but they live in southern Sioux Co.), 129 species, David and Helen Hughson, reporters, David Stage (11 June.) Thomas, see column C Thurston, see Dakota Wayne, see column D Washington, see column E York, see Polk A, 79 species, Box Butte (a), Morrill (b), Cheyenne (c). Garden (d), a + b = E, c + d = F. David Stage, 10 June. B, 64 species. Chase, Je 10 = a, Je 11 = b, Je 12 =c, Je 13 = d, Je 14 = e, Je 15 = f, all by Ruth Green, who was teaching at the Science Camp at Imperial; and from Breeding Bird Survey routes by lola Pennington, g = Je 17, from Stratton, Hitchcock Co. to Hamlet, Hayes Co., and on to Wauneta, Chase Co.; h = Je 20, from Benkelman, Dundy Co., to Champion, Chase Co., and on to Wauneta; A = g + h. C, 101 species, including code a, or 89 without code a, Blaine (B), Cherry (C), Garfield (G), Thomas (T), a = a trip into Cherry Co., but the documentation has been misplaced, b = My 22 (C), c = My 22 (T), d = My 23 (C), e = My 23 (T), f = My 24 (C), g = My 24 (T), all by Mrs. Green; h = Fe 21 and i = Fe 23, both (B), reported to John Dinan by Jim Weber, who got close enough to record the numbers from the birds’ patagial markers, which showed the birds were part of a Minnesota reintroduc¬ tion program; j = Ap 10 (C) by Scott Purdy; k = My 22 (G) by Mrs. Green; A = a -p b, B = a + c, C = b-i-c, D = c-i-d, E = c + f, F = c + g, G = d-i-g, H = f+g, J = i-i- j. Mrs. Green commented: On 22 May, I stopped in the Burwell Cemetery do do a little birding and was rather surprised to find a Townsend’s Solitaire there. This is a late date for this species to be this far east. The same day, as I drove just inside the entrance to Halsey National Forest, the first sound that caught my attention was the familiar song of Yellow-throated Vireos. I quickly located two birds foraging in the top of a cottonwood along the Middle Loup River. I watched them, off and My 9 My 10 - Ap 25 My 5 Je 3 Je 14 Je 3- 72 Western Ap 27 My 7 My 17 b a d Ap 20 My 8 Ap*22 - Ap 27 My 13 - Kingbird Je 11 Je 30 Je 30 F Je 30 Je 30 Je 27 - S Je 30 Eastern My 18 Ap 16 My 15 d a d Ap 28 My 1 Ap 22 _ My 5 My 6 Ap 28 Kingbird Je 11 Je 30 Je 30 e Je 30 Je 30 Je 15 - S Je 30 - S Horned Lark Je 11 F 1 F E a a (p) My 7 P A (p) P My 7 F d F E^irple Martin - c c - Mr 15 Ap 18 Ap 15 - Ap 15 Ap 9 My 12 d Je 30 Ap 29 Je 27 - S Je 30 Tree Swallow - Ap 17 - - d - Ap 22 D Ap 22 Ap 12 Ap 28 Ap 28 My 12 f My 1 - S Violet-Green Sw. Je 11 Ap 28 - - - - - - - - Northern Rough¬ Ap 20 Ap 17 c b c Ap 15 My 11 Ap 22 I Ap 22 My 10 Ap 17 winged Swallow My 26 d g d Je 30 Je 30 Je 9 f - S My 24 - S Bank Swallow _ _ _ - My 7 Ap 22 _ My 15 Ap 22 Je 2 My 12 Je 30 - S Cliff Swallow Ap 20 Ap 17 Je 11 b g _ Ap 15 _ My 5 - My 5 My 24 My 26 Je 11 Je 30 d Je 30 Je 9 (- s) - S Barn Swallow Ap 24 Ap 17 My 21 E c - Ap 12 Ap 22 Ap 20 e Ap 15 Ap 10 Ap 22 Je 11 Je 30 Je 28 F A Je 30 Je 30 Je 9 f - S Je 30 - S Blue Jay (p) E c a a (P) (p) P B F P P h e c Pinyon Jay (P) W - Mr 28 - - - - - - - - My 17 Je 28 Black-billed (p) F > - a a (p) (p) Fe 3 d Ja 7 Ja 1 Fe 4 Magpie c Je 6 My 5 My 24 My 6 American Crow (P) F F - a a (p) {p} P B F ) P P A G G Black-capped (P) F P - b B (p) (p) P B W - P P Chickadee g F Ap 15 Tufted Titmouse - - - - - - - - - - Red-breasted Ap 15 W - Je 11 - - - W - - - - Ja 6 - Nuthatch Je 11 Fe 12 Fe 21 White-breasted _ W- F _ c a W - (p) P d W _ P P Nuthatch My 26 My 15 Fe 9 Pygmy Nuthatch - Je 3 - - - - - - Je 25 Brown Creeper - Ja 7 - - - Fe 2 Mr 23 W - - - - Mr 30 Mr 24 Fe 11 Rock Wren Ap 20 - - - - - - - - - Carolina Wren - - - - - - - - - - House Wren My 11 My 16 My 6 c a e Ap 25 Ap 29 Ap 22 e Ap 27 Ap 23 Ap 22 Je 11 Je 30 Je 30 h g Je 30 Je 30 Je 9 (~ S) Je 30 - S 73 Lan- Da- E Doug. Cass caster kota Sarpy My 10 My 17 B My 5 My 5 Je 30 - S D Je 30 Je 30 Ap 23 My 10 B Ap 24 Ap 25 Je 30 - S D Je 30 My 5 (p) My 3 c P (p) - S My 5 Ap 14 g Mr 15 Ap 16 Je 30 - S Je 30 My 5 Ap 23 Ap 14 - Ap 2 My 5 Ap 28 My 10 Je 28 My 16 Ap 19 My 7 c Ap 7 My 5 Je 3 - S g Je 29 My 8 My 11 My 7c Ap 30 My 5 My 18 - S Je 30 My 8 My 11 My 7a Ap 27 Ap 25 Je 4 - S g Je 29 Ap 25 Ap 24 V Ap 9 Ap 26 Je 30 - S D Je 30 My 5 P P C P (p) D W - - My 6 P P a P (p) D p P C P (P) D - - P (p) Mr 10 - - W - - Ap 22 My 12 (P) P c P (P) g W - W - W - Mr 8 Ap 13 Ja 1 My 5 Ap 2 W - My 5 Je 30 Ap 17 Ap 28 b Ap 21 Ap 28 Je 30 - S D Je 30 My 5 on, for three days before I finally concluded their behavior certainly indicated they were on territory. As I have banded this species in Fontenelle Forest, I knew by plumage alone, that one was a female and one was a male. I could find no mention in NBR, back to 1931, of this species having been seen there before. I have birded Halsey every spring for over 20 years and have never recorded them at this location. I believe this to be the first record for Thomas Co. and the first one this far west in the state. On 24 May, I was birding along US 83, exactly 27.2 miles north of N 2, when I saw two Whimbrels in a wet meadow. The first one I saw was a rather large gray-brown bird with a long decurved bill. It was smaller than the ex¬ pected Long-billed Curlew and had a boldly striped head. It had pale grayish wing linings and dark undertail coverts. The first bird was close enough that I could see every field mark with my 7 X 42 binoculars and the second bird was as easily seen through a B & L scope on 30x. D, 85 species, Dixon (D), Pierce (P), Wayne (W). a = Mr 14 (W), b = Ap 12 (P), c = Ap 13 (W), d = Ap 21 (D), e = Ap 24 (P), f = Ap 27 (P), A = a-Pb, B = a, b-Pd, C = b, c -i-d, D = b-i-d, E = c-i-d, F = c-i-e, G = c -t- f, H = e -I- f, all by David Stage. E, 83 species, Cuming (C), Washington (W), a = My18(C), b = My 19(C), c = My 20(C), all Larry Einemann, d = My 21 (W), e = Je 1 (W) and f = Je 23 (W), both by Alice Rushton, g = Je 28 (W), a Breeding Bird Survey by Ruth Green, h = Mr 4 (W) by Jim Rissness, j = My 25 (C), k = My 26 (C), 1 = My 27 (C), and m = My 28 (C), all banding records by Mrs. Ott. The Lazuli Bunting was coming to a feeder at DeSoto NWR headquarters. CORRECTIONS TO 1989 FALL OCCURRENCE REPORT On NBR 58:25, the final date of Au 12 for Bank Swallow in Lancaster Co. should be moved to Dakota Co. and the Sp 12 for Doug/Sarpy should be moved squarely under that column. The final date for Eastern Bluebird for Lancaster should be Ot 29. 74 Sedge Wren ■ Marsh Wren - d - - Ap 20 Je 9 - My 26 Golden-crowned Fe 7 _ _ _ Fe 25 _ _ Ap 22 Kinglet Mr 10 Ruby-crowned My 1 - . - - - Ap 22 - My 23 Ap 14 Ringlet Ap 26 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - - - - - Eastern Ap 3 My 26 Ap 3 - g - W - Ja 9 Ja 7 b Ja 7 Mr 16 Ja 27 Bluebird Je 23 Mr 10 Je 30 Je 9 - S My 24 - S Mountain Mr 20 Mr 24 Mr 5 _ _ _ W _ _ Mr 8 _ Bluebird Je 11 Ap 28 Je 30 Mr 1 Townsend’s Mr 10 W - _ _ h W _ My 25 _ - Solitaire Je 11 My 9 * Fe 20 Veery - - - - - - My 23 Gray-cheeked _ - _ _ _ _ My 12 My 13 Thrush My 24 Swainson’s My 10 My 3 - - - My 2 My 7 My 10 - My 11 My 9 My 12 Thrush Je 10 My 28 My 15 My 25 My 27 Hermit Thrush - - - - - - - Wood Thrush _ - - - - My 12 _ My 13 My 7 Je 9 My 24 - S American Robin Ap 20 P Fe 25 E a B (P) (p) Ja 2 B W _ W _ F ) Je 11 Je 30 F A g Je 27 G - S Je 30 Varied Thrush - - - - - - - Gray Catbird My 20 My 26 My 15 c _ My 7 My 21 My 13 My 10 My 5 Je 12 Je 30 Je 9 - S Je 30 - S Northern Je 2 _ g _ Fe 20 My 25 _ _ Ap 29 Ap 28 Mockingbird h My 10 Je 3 Brown Thrasher My 11 My 12 Ap 19 d g b My 1 Ap 26 Ap 22 - Mr 18 Ap 25 Ap 22 My 26 Je 30 h e Je 30 Je 30 Je 9 “ S Je 30 - S American Pipit - - - - - - - Ap 25 Bohemian Waxw. Ap 28 - - - - - - - Cedar Waxwing Ap 22 - - c W My 7 Ja 26 _ Ja 7 Ja 1 Ja 13 My 26 Mr 28 Je 27 Fe 9 My 24 Je 30 Northern Shrike Mr 10 W - _ _ a _ Ja 2 _ W _ Mr 25 Mr 10 Ja 15 Loggerhead Ap 2 Ap 26 b - D My 7 Ap 22 - W* Ap 14 Shrike Je 11 Ap 28 c g My 10 Ap 1 European P My 9 E a a (P) {p ) P A P P F Starling Je 11 F G 75 Lan¬ Da¬ E Doug. Cass caster kota Sarpy Ap 30 - - My 16 My 1 My 5 - My 10 - W - - - Mr 21 Ap 14 Ap 15 Ap 9 My 1 - Ap 7 My 5 My 10 My 10 My 5 My 10 c Ap 8 My 8 Je 27 Mr 22 My 10 g Mr 19 W - My 20 Je 14 Je 20 Ja 1 - My 18 My 8 My 10 My 10 c My 5 My 8 My 23 My 23 My 2 My 1 b Ap 24 My 8 Je 2 c Je 1 - My 18 Ap 16 My 10 - My 5 My 9 My 10 My 18 Je 30 W- P AW- W- Je 30 D Je 30 My 5 - W - Ja 6 My 2 My 26 b Ap 26 My 5 Je 26 - S D Je 30 My 13 Ap 22 - - - Ap 12 Ap 25 a Mr 18 Ap 15 Je 26 - S D Je 30 My 5 - Ap 15 - My*27 W- W--W- w- Je 1 My 30 Je 30 My 5 W - - - Fe 5 Ja 14 Fe 7 Mr 22 Je 14 - Mr 26 Mr 27 Je 26 Je 3 P P b P (p) D FIRST NEBRASKA KITTIWAKE SPECIMEN The Black-legged Kittiwake {Rissa tridactyla) has previously been known from Nebraska only from a few sight records. Dr. George Hudson observed one at Oak Creek Park, Lincoln, in March, 1939 {NBR 5:57). Another individual was seen at Branched Oak Lake, Lancaster County, during April of 1976. Thirdly, an im¬ mature was seen and photographed at Oak Lake Park, Lincoln, on April 20-21,1981 {NBR 49:41). Lastly, during the fall occurrence report for 1988 {NBR 57:16, 53) Kittiwakes were reported from Cedar and Douglas-northern Sarpy counties, the Cedar County sightings in¬ volving up to three first-winter birds and being accompanied by photographs. In May of 1990, an adult Kittiwake was washed ashore along Lake Ogallala, Keith County, and found by Dr. Daniel Brooks, a parasitologist of the University of Toronto. Not knowing its identity nor realizing its rarity, he nevertheless decided to freeze it for possible later use by ornithologists at Cedar Point Biological Station, rather than to examine it for possible parasites. 1 subsequently found it in the freezer of the biological station and recognized its rarity. Dr. Brooks was unsure by that time if it had been found on the 20th or 21st of May. The bird, an adult male in full breeding plumage, but with small testes, has been prepared as a skin-skeletal specimen (#16143) of the University of Nebraska State Museum. Mr. Tom Labedz, who prepared the specimen, noted that it apparently died from choking on the bones of a catfish {Ictalurus punctatus). — Paul A. Johnsgard, School of Biological Sciences, U. of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588 NOU PARTICIPATION IN ACADEMY OF SCIENCE MEETING In 1990, NOU resumed active participation in the Annual Meeting of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences. Mr. Thomas E. Labedz, President of NOU, was chairman of the ses¬ sion, which was held in the afternoon of 20 76 White-eyed Vireo - - _ _ _ _ Bell’s Vireo - - - - - c g Solitary Vireo - - _ _ _ _ Yellow-throated - - - - - ♦ Vireo g Warbling Vireo - My 20 Je 11 c a c Je 3 d g Philadelphia V. - - _ _ _ _ Red-eyed Vireo My 10 My 26 Je 11 - - c Je 11 g Blue-winged W. - - _ _ _ _ Tennessee - - _ _ _ _ Warbler Orange-crowned My 15 My 9 - - - - Warbler Nashville - - _ _ _ _ Warbler Northern Parula Yellow Warbler My 18 My 9 My 18 d a c My 1 My 12 My 6 - My 9 My 8 My 5 Je 11 Je 30 Je 30 g Je 30 Je 30 Je 9 (- S) Je 30 - S Chestnut-sided . _ _ . My 24 Warbler Magnolia. Warbler . _ _ _ My 24 - My 15 _ My 25 Yellow-rumped Ap 24 Ap 21 My 28 - _ _ My 9 My 12 e Ap 22 Ap 30 Ap 22 Warbler My 12 Je 28 My 15 My 21 My 12 Blackburnian Warbler Yellow-throated Warbler Palm Warbler Blackpoll Warbler Cerulean Warbler Black-and-white Je 11 - - - - - - - - - My 11 My 8 Warbler American My 27 My 24 - - - - - - My 15 - My 13 My 15 Redstart Je 11 My 24 My 24 Prothonotary - - _____ _ __Myl9- Warbler - My 14 Ap 30 My 24 My 2 - My 9 My 14 Ap 28 My 25 (- S) Je 30 - S Je 9 - My 19 My 14 My 26 My 27 - S - My 7 My 20 - My 2 My 15 My 25 My 25 - Ap 26 - Ap 29 - Ap 22 My 24 My 10 My 12 - My 24 My 15 Je 9 - 77 Lan- Da- E Doug. Cass caster kota Sarpy - - My 5 - My 26 Je 14 - My 8 - Je 30 Ap 30 - - Ap 26 My 9 My 7 My 15 - Ap 24 Je 28 Ap 26 Ap 25 b Ap 24 My 5 Je 30 - S D Je 30 My 8 - My 5 My 5 NR c Ap 26 My 13 My 29 Je 29 My 9 My 21 b My 5 My 5 My 25 c My 29 My 8 Ap 25 My lb Ap 23 My 13 My 25 My 21 My 15 Ap 30 My 10 - Ap 29 My 5 My 18 My 16 My 8 - Ap 22 Je 28 My 5 Ap*25 - Ap 26 My 5 Je 7 Je 14 Je 30 My 8 My 16 - c My 14 My 22 My 23 My 11 My 21 - My 13 My 24 Ap 22 Ap 28 a Ap 11 Ap 25 My 10 My 10 D My 21 My 5 My 10 - - - My 21 - Ap 20 Je 11 - Ap 30 My 8 My 1 My 10 NR - Ap 28 My 9 My 25 My 24 - My 6 - - My lO My 7 My 1 - Ap 26 My 5 My 21 My 14 My 8 My 7 My 10 b Ap 29 My 8 My 22 My 22 c Je 28 - Ap 30 My 13 Je 28 April. The following papers were presented: SOLITARY VS. GREGARIOUS NESTING IN BURROWING OWLS. Martha Desmond and Julie Savidge, Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and Wildlife, lANR, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska 68583-0819. In the Great Plains region. Burrowing Owls {Athene cunicularia) will nest as isolated pairs in abandoned badger burrows, but are most commonly associated with black-tailed prairie dog {Cynomys ludovicianus) towns. As part of a study investigating the advantages and disadvantages of clumped nesting in Burrow¬ ing Owls data was collected on the initial brood size and fledging success of 92 nests in western Nebraska during the spring and summer of 1989. Seventy-seven percent of the nests successfully fledged at least one young. Owls nesting in badger burrows fledged an average of five young per nest (N = 16), whereas Owls nesting in active prairie dog towns fledged an average of 3.12 young per nest (N = 60). The lowest success rate was observed among Owls nesting in abandoned prairie dog towns; these nests fledged an average .88 young per nest (N = 9). Possible explanations for the higher fledging success of Owls nesting in badger burrows include decreased predation rates and less competi¬ tion for food resources. FORAGING BEHAVIOR IN BARN OWLS AS DETERMINED BY NEST MONITORING. Joseph A. Gubanyi, Department of Biology, Concordia College, Seward, Nebraska 68434, and Ronald M. Case, Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and Wildlife, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska 68583-0819. Nesting Barn Owls {Tyto alba) were studied in western Nebraska May-September 1985-86. Monitoring an illuminated nest allowed us to determine prey delivery rate, sequence of prey species delivered, and time sequence of prey delivered to the nest. To reduce any risk of nest abandonment, nest sites were monitored only if nestlings were a minimum of three weeks old. Monitoring stations were set up at dusk. 78 Ovenbird My 25 Je 11 - - - My 12 - - My 10 Je 11 Je 9 My 18 Northern Waterthrush - - - My 7 - - Waterthrush sp. - - - - - Louisiana Waterthrush - - - - - Kentucky Warbler - - - - - - My 19 Mourning Warbler - - - - - - Common My 11 My 26 d a c Ap 30 My 12 My 10 - My 5 My 14 My 5 Yellowthroat Je 11 Je 21 g Je 30 Je 30 Je 9 (- S) Je 30 - S Wilson’s Warbler - - - - - My*10 Canada Warbler - - - - - - Yellow-breasted My 10 _ e _ My 12 _ _ Chat Je 9 Summer Tanager - - - - - My 19 Scarlet Tanager - - - - - Je 9 - - Western Tanager My 24 My 26 My 25 _ _ _ _ Je 11 Je 26 Northern c a c (p) (p) Ap 15 P Ja 3 1 P Cardinal A g Je 9 My 24 Rose-breasted _ _ _ _ My 8 My 12 - My 9 My 12 My 5 Grosbeak My 31 Je 9 {- s) My 24 - S Black-headed My 12 _ My 27 _ - c - - _ _ Grosbeak Je 11 Je 29 g Blue Grosbeak My 12 My 22 - g - - - Je 4 - My 8 My 16 Je 30 h Je 15 Je 7 Je 29 Lazuli Ap 27 - - - _ _ _ _ Bunting Je 30 Indigo My 24 My 21 d - - - - Je 9 - My 19 My 15 My 26 Bunting My 26 - S Je 30 - S Dickcissel - g - My 10 My 26 Je 4 - My 10 My 14 My 27 h Je 30 Je 30 Je 9 - S Je 30 - S Rufous-sided My 11 Ap 28 My 3 - h - My 1 Ap 27 Ap 20 - Ap 22 Ap 21 Ap 14 Towhee Je 11 My 26 Je 30 My 15 My 10 Je 9 Ap 29 My 24 - S Cassin’s Sparrow Je*21 - - - - - - - American Tree Ap 6 W - Ap 23 _ _ a W _ W _ Ja 2 B W - W _ Fe 10 Sparrow Mr 31 Je 30 Mr 25 My 7 Mr 23 C Ap 1 Ap 18 Ap 7 79 Lan- Da- E Doug. Cass caster kota Sarpy My 5 My 6 - Ap 25 My 8 My 22 My 18 Je 28 Ap 30 NR - Ap 25 My 23 My 16 My 5 - - My 23 - Je 2 - - Ap 20 - My 15 My 16 My*18 - My 10 My*25 My 29 My 25 Ap 27 My 1 c Ap 24 My 5 Je 8 - S g Je 29 My 13 My 8 My 21 b My 13 My 8 My 18 My 15 - - My 13 My 16 My 8 - - My 5 My 20 My 16 - Je 14 My 25 My 18 - My 5 My 8 Je 20 P P C P (p) D Ap 30 My 6c Ap 25 My 5 Je 3 Je 14 g Je 30 My 8 - Je 14 b - g d - * My 10 My 18 b My 5 My 5 Je 4 - S g Je 30 My 12 My 6 My 18 B Ap 24 My 13 Je 30 - S D Je 30 W - Ja 1 - Ja 1 Ap 16 Je 3 Je 14 Je 20 My 5 W- W--W-Ja7 Mr 25 Fe 11 Ap 15 My 5 0.5-1.0 h before adults first appeared at the nest. We observed four nest sites on 17 different nights for a total of 46,0 h. Prey delivery rates averaged from 1.7 to 5.1 prey per h. Males delivered 77% of all prey. Our data did not support the hypothesis that single-prey loaders were more likely to take larger prey as search time increases. The probability of any given prey species delivered to the nest was independent of the previous species delivered to the nest. Our data suggest that the number of fledglings can be influenced by foraging efficiency of parents. We found nest monitor¬ ing an effective means for gathering Barn Owl natural history data and recommend its use with other nocturnal species. INTERACTIONS BETWEEN BREEDING BIRDS AND GRASSHOPPERS {ACRIDIDAE) FROM NEBRASKA SANDHILLS GRASS¬ LANDS Anthony Joern, School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska 68588-0118. What impact do breeding birds have on grasshopper populations and assemblages in Nebraska sandhills grasslands? Interactions among breeding bird populations and grasshoppers were examined using both observational and experimental tests. Key results include; (a) relative stability of Grass¬ hopper Sparrow and grasshopper populations over a 4-6 year period, (b) significant alteration of avian foraging behavior dependent on brood size coupled with non-random survivorship which varied with food availability, (c) signifi¬ cant increase in grasshopper densities (ca. 25%) when birds were removed from an area, and (d) altered bird foraging responses in response to specific combinations of prey where birds were more efficient when prey were morphologically similar. Such combined evidence indicates the importance of these biotic intersections in the Nebraska sandhills which may structure the assemblies of species at either level. EFFECTS OF THE CONSERVATION RESERVE PROGRAM ON WILDLIFE POP¬ ULATIONS IN NEBRASKA Justin W. King and 80 Chipping Ap 24 Ap 22 Ap 15 - - - My 1 Ap 29 Ap 20 e Ap 15 Ap 21 Ap 22 Sparrow Je 11 My 26 Je 30 My 12 Je 30 Je 9 Ap 29 Je 30 - S Clay-colored My 1 My 12 - - _ Ap 28 My 10 - My 7 Ap 25 My 12 Sparrow My 17 My 11 My 12 My 18 Brewer’s Ap 24 _ _ _ _ Sparrow Je 11 Field - - - My 14 Ap 16 e Ja 20 Ap 14 Ap 13 Sparrow My 25 Je 4 Je 30 - S Vesper Ap 20 Ap 28 - - - Ap 16 D Ap 29 Ap 8 Ap 14 Sparrow Je 11 Ap 26 F Je 30 My 7 Lark Sparrow My 2 Ap 28 My 10 E a c My 1 Ap 25 Ap 20 - Ap 29 My 7 My 12 Je 11 Je 30 Je 30 F A g My 15 Je 30 Je 9 (- S) My 24 Je 1 Lark Bunting My 7 My 22 Mr 20 E d e Je 4 _ Ap 24 Je 11 Je 21 Je 27 d h Savannah - - - Ap 16 - Ap 22 Ap 17 My 7 Sparrow Ap 26 Ap 29 My 28 Baird’s Sparrow - - - - - Grasshopper My 25 My 25 d g - My 6 - My 23 Ap 25 My 7 Sparrow Je 11 Je 30 h Je 9 (- S) Je 30 - S Le Conte’s Sp. - - - - - - Ap 30 Fox Sparrow - - - - - - My 19 Ap 14 Song Sparrow Fe 2 _ _ _ c _ Mr 20 Mr 23 D Ap 5 Mr 19 Fe 4 g My 26 My 5 F Ap 15 My 28 - S Lincoln’s Ap 24 - - _ - _ Ap 23 Ap 26 - Ap 29 My 6 Ap 22 Sparrow ■ My 10 My 15 My 21 My 5 Swamp Sparrow - - - - - Ap 26 - Ap 29 Ap 30 Je 4 White-throated _ _ - _ _ Ap 26 - Ap 22 Ap 27 Ap 22 Sparrow My 15 Ap 29 My 16 My 5 White-crowned Ap 15 W - Ap 22 _ - _ Fe 21 Ja 12 Ap 26 - My 5 Ap 27 Sparrow My 17 My 26 Mr 19 My 13 My 10 Je 8 Harris’ Sparrow W _ _ _ _ g Fe 1 Fe 4 W - b W - W - Ja 27 My 30 Mr 2 My 16 My 15 G Ap 29 My 24 My 12 Dark-eyed Junco Ap 12 W _ P _ _ a W _ W _ W _ b W - W _ W _ Ap 13 Ap 2 Ap 21 Ap 22 c Ap 15 Ap 30 Ap 7 McCown’s Longspur Ap 6 Je 11 Lapland Longspur - - _____ _ Ja 21 Ja 21 Ch-col. Longspur Ap 10 Bobolink c - - My 30 My 9 My 10 - My 8 My 24 My 12 Je 30 Je 30 Je 9 (- S) Je 30 Je 23 81 Lan- Da- E Doug. Cass caster kota Sarpy Ap 11 Ap 25 E Ap 11 Ap 14 Je 30 - S D Je 30 My 5 Ap 25 My 5 - Ap 26 My 11 My 11 Ap 23 Ap 20 g Ap 15 Ap 21 Je 3 Je 14 Je 27 My 5 Mr 25 Ap 28 b Ap 7 Ap 15 Je 26 Je 14 c My 2 Ap 25 My 10 c My 5 My 10 Je 14 g Ap 30 - - Ap 15 My 2 My 6 Ap 24 - My 16 Ap 28 Je 14 c Ap 19 My 13 Je 29 Je 30 Ap*15 Mr 25 - - Ap 3 Mr 26 Ap 14 Ap 26 Mr 20 Mr 20 g W - Mr 24 Je 30 - S Je 30 My 5 Ap 8 Ap 23 b Ap 22 My 1 My 18 My 21 c My 23 My 5 Ap 22 - - Ap 20 My 15 My 7 My 5 W - Ap 25 - Mr 27 Fe 26 My 16 My 6 My 17 My 5 W - My 5 b Mr 4 Fe 25 My 11 My 10 My 24 My 10 W-Ap28bW- W- My 16 My 10 My 17 My 10 Julie A. Savidge, Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and Wildlife, lANR, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska 68583-0819. From April to August 1989, effects of the Conservation Reserve Program on wildlife populations in southeast Nebraska were evaluated through two studies. The first pro¬ ject involved six 3x3-mile study sites. In the spring census, numbers of Ring-necked Pheasants {Phasianus colchicus) were significantly lower in areas with low CRP enroll¬ ment (<5% of the cropland in CRP) than in areas of high CRP enrollment (20% of the cropland in CRP). Western Meadowlark {Sturnella neglecta) numbers were not significantly different between the areas. In the summer census. Western Meadowlark, North¬ ern Bobwhite {Colinus virginianus), and cotton¬ tail populations were not significantly different between the low and high CRP enrollment areas. The second project compared eight 120-200 acre study sites with the following cover types: CRP planted to cool-season grass, CRP planted to warm-season grass, native prairies, and sorghum. Each site was sampled for breeding birds with the fixed-width transect method and bird diversity was measured with the Shannon-Weaver index (H’). One of the warm-season grass CRP fields had the highest H’ rating (1.75), while both cropland fields had the lowest H’ rating (0.0). Dickcissels {Spiza americana) were the most abundant species, followed by Grasshopper Sparrows {Am- modramus savannarum). Lastly, a nest preda¬ tion study was conducted on the same eight sites. No significant differences in rates of predation between the four habitat types were indicated by the data. w- W--W- w- Ap 23 Mr 20 Ap 8 Ja 1 My 10 Je 14 a My 24 My 13 Je 26 Je 25 RESULTS OF A PRELIMINARY STUDY SHOWING EVIDENCE OF WINTER SITE FIDELITY IN MIGRATORY SPARROWS IN NEBRASKA Thomas E. Labedz, Division of Zoology, University of Nebraska State Museum, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, Lin¬ coln, Nebraska 68588-0514. Well documented is the phenomenon that 82 Red-winged (P) P My 19 E a D (P) Ja 13 Mr 12 B Ja 1 W - Mr 17 Blackbird Je 30 F A H Je 30 Je 9 G S Je 30 - S Eastern d _ _ - My 19 Mr 12 Ap 22 Meadowlark Je 16 My 26 Meadowlark sp. - - - (p) (e )) - P Western (e •} F Mr 19 E a e _ Ap 20 Mr 10 B P Fe 10 Ap 14 Meadowlark Je 30 F A Je 15 G Je 30 - S Yellow-headed Ap 20 Ap 19 c a f Ap 28 Ap 19 Mr 23 - Ap 14 Ap 17 Blackbird Je 21 d Je 15 My 24 Je 9 Ap 29 My 24 Rusty Blackbird - - - - - Brewer’s Ap 20 _ _ My 12 - My 13 Ap 18 Blackbird Je 7 Je 1 Ap 23 Great-tailed - - - - My 26 My 2 - Grackle Je 9 Common Grackle Mr 30 Mr 21 Je 11 E a D (p) Mr 8 Mr 12 B Ja 10 Ja 3 Ap 7 Je 11 Je 30 F A g Je 30 Je 27 G - S Je 30 - s Brown-headed My 1 Ap 28 Je 4 c g - My 1 Ap 19 Mr 30 C Mr 25 Ap 12 Ap 7 Cowbird Je 11 Je 21 Je 30 d h Je 30 Je 30 Je 9 H - S Je 30 - s Orchard Oriole My 12 My 24 Je 11 b g d My 1 My 17 My 15 - My 11 My 14 My 26 Je 11 Je 21 d h e Je 30 Je 30 My 25 - S Je 30 - S Northern Oriole My 15 Ap 15 d a c Ap 20 My 11 My 10 - My 4 My 12 My 7 Je 11 Je 21 A f Je 30 Je 30 Je 9 (- S) Je 30 - S Rosy Finch Mr 20 - - - - - Purple Finch - - - - Cassin’s Finch Ja 2 _ _ _ _ _ Ap 26 House Finch (p) P c a - (P) My 10 Mr 23 - Ap 7 A Je 15 Ap 9 Red Crossbill Fe 7 - - - - - Je 12 Common Redpoll - - _ - Mr 23 a Ja 1 Mr 24 Pine Siskin I 3 Fe 4 - _ c Fe 8 W - Ja 2 - Fe 9 Ap 22 Je 30 g Mr 5 My 15 Je 6 My 7 American Ap 5 I 3 My 16 c a D (p) (1 P) 1 P b P 1 P P Goldfinch Je 11 Je 30 g Evening W - - - - W - - Grosbeak My 16 Fe 3 House Sparrow (p) ] P E a a (p) (l P) 1 P B P 1 P P c A G 83 Lan- Da- E Doug. Cass caster kota Sarpy w - Mr 8 B Fe 11 Mr Je 30 - S D Je 30 My Mr 22 - g Fe 16 (P) Je 8 Je 28 Ja 2 - f P _ My 26 P Mr 9 a P My 5 - S D Ap 23 My 1 - Ap*15 Ap 14 My 18 - S Je 29 W - - - Mr 2 - Fe 22 Ap 15 - Ap 24 Ja 1 - - - Ap 25 Mr 11 Mr 11 B Fe 12 W - Je 30 - S D Je 30 Je 30 W Mr 11 a Ja 22 W - Je 30 - S D Je 30 Je 30 My 10 My 10 b My 8 N Je 14 D Je 30 Ap 22 My 4 C Ap 24 My 5 Je 30 - S D Je 30 My 8 birds will return season after season to nest at the same location. Recent studies have begun to indicate a similar “winter” site fidelity for species wintering in topical areas. Studies of winter site fidelity are lacking for species that migrate to the Great Plains of North America from more northern nesting areas. Bird banding and recovery operations have been conducted for four winter seasons from 1986-87 to 1989-90 near Lincoln, Lancaster Co., Nebraska. Dark-eyed Junco {Junco hyemalis), American Tree Sparrow {Spizella ar- borea), and Harris’ Sparrow {Zonotrichia querula) are regularly encountered species that occur on the study site only in winter. Data gathered indicate varying degrees of winter site fidelity for each species on the study area. For Dark-eyed Juncos, over 14% have been recaptured on the study site in the same winter season; over 5% have been recaptured in two winter seasons; and .5% have been recaptured in three winter seasons. American Tree Spar¬ row figures are over 21 %, 11 %, and 3% for the same winter season, two winter seasons, and three winter seasons, respectively. For Harris’ Sparrow over 17% have been recaptured on the study site in the same winter season and over 14% have been recaptured in two winter seasons. Mr 22 Ja 1 - Fe 1 Mr 17 Ap 27 (p) Mr*24 - P Ja 6 - S Je 30 h Ja 17 Fe 4 Fe X W- - -JalFe4 My 16 Je 13 Je 30 P P a P (p) D P P a P (p) D BOOK REVIEWS A Parrot without a Name The Search for the Last Unknown Birds on Earth Don Stap, 240 pp. index, 6x9, Alfred A. Knopf, New York, $19.95 This is an account of a 1987 collecting ex¬ pedition to Peru for Louisiana State Universi¬ ty, led by John O’Neill. He had already described 11 new species of birds and was still looking. Peru has 1700 known species of birds and still counting. It took them two days by outboard-powered dugouts to get to the camp site from the last settlement. Later, with higher water, two natives made it in a day, but the water was so low when they broke camp that most of the participants had to walk out, taking eight days. And in between accounts of this ex¬ pedition Stap includes notes on another ex¬ pedition with Ted Parker and reports of other 84 expeditions and comments on other topics of collateral interest, such as why South America has such a variety of birds. The book should be of interest to anyone interested in birds, in adventure, in conditions in back-country South America and more. EXPLORING THE WORLD OF BIRDS Adrian Forsyth and Laurel Aziz, 72 pp., 8.25 X 8.25, index, Camden House, Charlotte, VT, cloth $15.95, paper¬ back $9.95. This is one of a series of children’s science books and should serve as a satisfactory introduction. The information is presented in three parts: mor¬ phology, behavior, and ecology, each consisting of several two (four 4) fac¬ ing page “chapters,” with colored illustrations on each page. There is one page of “Further Reading.” This is a Canadian book, using metric measurements, which may serve as a good introduction to future use and English spelling (behaviour, programme), which can be pointed out. For several topics there are suggestions as to projects the reader can carry out and a final section on birdwatching and study in one’s own back yard. But the vocabulary is at least junior high, maybe high school level. The index is to species only, but the list of “chapters” serves as an index to subjects. The 1991 Bird Identification Calendar, illustrated by John Sill, 11 x 14, The Stephen Greene Press, New York, $9.95. The first two pages are on attracting birds. The others have illustration and a short note each on usually five birds facing the calendar page (14 inches wide), except that one month is devoted to the Black-capped Vireo, and another to various sketches of the Belted Kingfisher, by Larry Barth. Rare Birds of the World, 1991 Calendar, text by Guy Mountfort, illustra¬ tions by Norman Arlott, 11 x 14, The Stephen Greene Press, New York, $10.95. The text and the illustrations have been taken from Rare Birds of the World. The first two pages contain an Introduction: Birds and Man, with seven illustrations repeated from the illustrations for the months. The facing page for each month illustrates rare birds from a particular geographic region, with some of the page containing the calendar also containing a comment on the birds illustrated. Because of this text, the calendar space itself is 6.5 x 11. SURVEY FOR LEAST TERNS AND OTHER BIRDS ON THE NORTH AND SOUTH PLATTE RIVERS, EASTERN KEITH COUNTY The Interior Least Tern {Sterna antillarum athalassos) is considered a na¬ tionally endangered subspecies, and except for a sighting of this form on Lake McConaughy during the summer of 1977 by Fretwell (Rosche and Johnsgard, 1984) and a more recent sighting of a pair with an unfledged chick between Arthur and Martin bays of Lake McConaughy in 1989 (Czaplewski, 1989), there have been no other published records of this species in Keith County. Because of a chance sighting on 20 May 1990, of two Least Terns flying along the South Platte River as I was crossing a bridge near Roscoe on my way to Cedar Point Biological Station (near Kingsley Dam), I decided to under- 85 take a survey of the North and South Platte Rivers in that vicinity, with the aid of my ornithology class. Six students (Tim Cramer, Andy Didrichsons, Steve Lamphere, Misti MacDowell, Ue Thao and Carol Thompson) under¬ took a detailed survey of the North Platte River from the bridge just south of Keystone to the Union Pacific railway bridge five miles northwest of Pax¬ ton, a river distance of ten miles. This section of river was surveyed three times by them between 25 May and 28 May 1990, on foot, and with canoe and boat. Additionally, the 2.5-mile section from the railroad bridge to the highway bridge over the North Platte directly north of Paxton was surveyed once by this same group of students, and the two-mile section of river from the diversion dam feeding the Sutherland canal at the east end of Keystone lake to the Keystone bridge was surveyed once by the entire ornithology class (19 persons) on 31 May. Results of counts of these two shorter sections are not included in the later species listing. Secondly, an 8-mile stretch of the South Platte from the highway bridge just southeast of Roscoe eastward to a point 2.5 miles east of the diversion dam feeding the South Platte River supply canal was surveyed on foot by the entire ornithology class on 1 June 1990. A more cursory survey was made along a three-mile stretch to the west of the Roscoe bridge. Results of bird counts in this latter section are also not included in the summary listing. With respect to the Least Tern, two adults were seen in flight on 27 May on the North Platte 2.5 miles east of Keystone, and two adults were seen in flight on the 31 May survey about halfway between Keystone Lake and the Keystone bridge. No evidence of breeding was apparent from their behavior. During the South Platte survey 11 Least Terns (ten in full breeding plumage) were observed feeding just above the South Platte feeder canal six miles east of the Roscoe bridge, and four more were sighted about one mile upstream from that point. No evidence of breeding, such as courtship feeding or other activity, was observed during the South Platte survey. In general, however, the habitat seemed to be locally suitable for breeding in spite of low water flows. Furthermore, small fish (Notropus, Fundulus, etc.) appeared to be considerably greater in abundance in the South Platte than the North Platte. I have since learned from Dr. John Janovy, Jr. of the Univer¬ sity of Nebraska that in late June of 1983 he found a breeding colony of Least Terns on a sand bank on the north side of the South Platte River 1.5 miles east of the Roscoe bridge, with at least five active nests containing eggs or newly hatched chicks. He also showed me several color transparencies that confirmed this identification. He mentioned that during 1983 water flows in the South Platte were unusually high and that nesting occurred on a large gravel bank (associated with a sand and gravel operation) that was at the time surrounded by water. During the period of study, almost no water was being released at the Lake Keystone diversion dam into the North Platte, and most of the water in the river seemed to be coming from Whitetail Creek and a few other creeks that similarly feed the river from the north side. At this time the FERC was holding in abeyance a federal order to release water into the North Platte in order to maintain flows for endangered species. The threatened Piping Plover {Charadrius melodus) was also searched for, but without success. Although it was reportedly observed near Ogallala along 86 the South Platte in 1988 by one of my ornithology students (Mindy Schulz), I have in most years seen it only along Arthur Bay of Lake McConaughy, where a single pair has regularly attempted to nest near the lakeshore. However, heavy human use of the area, including unrestricted vehicular traffic in the immediate nesting area, often results in nest failure. This year a nest with four eggs was found at Arthur Bay on 7 June. Since I left the area the next day, I was unable to determine its fate. Table 1. Birds seen during spring North and South Platte Surveys Species N. Platte S. Platte Species N. Platte S. Platte (3 counts) (1 count) (3 counts) (1 count) American White Great Horned Owl . 1 Pelican 1-1-1 - Common Double-crested Nighthawk 0-0-1 1 Cormorant 28-11-10 - Chimney Swift 1-0-0 - Canada Goose 3-3-4 4 + 6 Belted Kingfisher 3-0-4 5 young Red-headed Wood Duck - 2 Woodpecker 8-1-0 2+ nest Mallard 35-23-31 36 Northern Flicker 5-1-0 6+ nest Northern Pintail 2-0-0 2 Western Kingbird 2-0-1 17 Blue-winged Teal 26-4-24 19 Eastern Kingbird 7-20-7 23 Northern Shoveler 0-0-2 7 Rough-winged Gadwall 2-0-0 2 Swallow 45-0-1 1 American Wigeon 0-0-1 2 Cliff Swallow 53-10-1 ca. 200 Lesser Scaup 2-0-0 - Barn Swallow 1-0-2 3 Common Blue Jay 4-0-0 2 Merganser 2 Black-billed Magpie 3-1-3 3 Turkey Vulture 5-0-3 2 American Crow 0-1-0 3 Swainson’s Hawk 0-2-0 2 House Wren 3-10-0 12 Red-tailed Hawk 3-0-4 5 Marsh Wren 1-1-0 - Prairie Falcon - 1 American Robin 5-0-1 16 American Kestrel 1-0-0 1 Brown Thrasher 6-2-1 2 Ring-necked European Starling 1-0-0 1 Pheasant 3-0-0 - Warbling Vireo - 2 Sharp-tailed Yellow Warbler 0-1-1 - Grouse 1-0-0 2 Common Northern Bobwhite 2-0-0 2 Yellowthroat 4-3-2 2 Great Blue Heron 12-7-15 8 Rufous-sided Killdeer 44-28-22 49 Towhee 1-0-0 - Solitary Sandpiper - 2 Lark Bunting 1-0-0 - Spotted Sandpiper 45-11-7 5 Field Sparrow 0-2-0 - Long-billed Curlew 1-7-6 - Red-winged Stilt Sandpiper 0-2-0 - Blackbird 12-7-7 66 Calidris Sandpipers 950-0-0 37 Western Long-billed Meadowlark 5-6-1 2 Dowitcher 4-0-0 - Common Grackle 23-4-3 31 Wilson’s Phalarope 28-6-9 - Brown-headed Common Tern 2-0-3 5 Cowbird 3-0-0 1 Forster’s Tern 1-0-0 7 Orchard Oriole 4-0-1 12 Least Tern 0-2-0 15 Northern Oriole 4-0-1 1 Black Tern 0-0-1 - American Rock Dove 1-0-0 12 Goldfinch 2-0-1 - Mourning Dove 17-11-6 21 87 Literature Cited Czapiewski, M. M. 1990. Least Terns at Lake McConaughy. NBR 57(4): 95-96. Rosche, R., and P. A. Johnsgard. 1984. Birds of Lake McConaughy and the North Piatte Valley, Oshkosh to Keystone. NBR 52(2): 26-36. —Paul A. Johnsgard, School of Biological Sciences, U. of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588. MORE ON THE WHISTLING-DUCK ARTICLE In the report on the Whistling-Duck, Mr. Labedz mentioned a sighting in Minnesota {NBR 58:51.) He now adds that a more recent issue of The Loon (62:109) reports this was an escapee. Some skeptics noted that the site was near a game farm and called the farm. The farm owner reported that the bird escaped while its pen was being constructed, but was recaptured a couple of days later. There are approximately 1,100 game farms in Minnesota. WHOOPING CRANE REPORT The Grand Isiand office of the US Fish and Wildiife Service reported three confirmed sightings of Whooping Cranes in Nebraska in the spring of 1990, seven probable and 14 unconfirmed sightings. Confirmed sightings are: Three adults, Buffalo Co., 14-15 April, .5 mi. e. of N 10 bridge, Platte River. T8N, R14W, S18. Four adults. Clay Co., 15 April, 3 mi. nw of Harvard Marsh, T8N, R8W, S22. Fiying. One adult, Cherry Co., 9-10 May, 26 mi. s. and 16 w. of Valentine, Lone Tree Lake. T29N, R30W, S8, S V 2 . Probable sightings are: Four adults, Kearney Co., 4 April, 4-5 mi. w. of Kearney bridge on Piatte River Road. Eight aduits, Lincoln Co., 7 April, nw. of Hershey on Birdwood Creek. T15N, R33W, S27. Ten to twelve adults, Howard Co., 14 April, North Loup River, 1-1.5 mi. downstream from US 281 bridge. T15N, R10W, SI 4 or 23. Three adults. Hall Co., 15 April, 1 mi. w. of Grand Island power plant. T1 ON, R9W, S8, E 1 / 2 . Three adults, Clay Co., 15 April, near nw. edge of Harvard Marsh WMA. T7N, R8W, S36, NW 1/4. One adult, Dawson Co., 21 April, few mi. e. of Cozard, n. of 1-80. Flying. One adult, Kearney Co., 30 April, 3 mi. e. of N44, aiong Ft. Kearney Road. Unconfirmed sightings are: Two adults. Hall Co., 4 March, Crane Meadows on Mormon Island. Four adults, Merrick Co., 9 March, 1 mi. e. and 3 n. of Phillips, over Platte River. Fiying. Thirty adults. Hall Co., 10 March, 3 mi. w. of Doniphan. One adult, Buffalo Co., 13 March, 2.5 mi. w. of Gibbon 1-80 interchange. Four adults, Lincoln Co., 21 March, flying over North Piatte. Nebraska Ornithologists’ Union, Inc. 5109 Underwood Avenue Omaha, Nebraska 68132 Forwarding and Return Postage Guaranteed Address Correction Requested NOTES TABLE OF CONTENTS 1990 (Sixty-fifth) Spring Occurrence Report.58 Corrections to 1989 Fall Occurrence Report.73 First Nebraska Kittiwake Specimen.75 NOU Participation in Academy of Science Meeting.75 Book Reviews.83 Survey for Least Terns and Other Birds on the North and South Platte Rivers, Eastern Keith County .84 Notes.88 One adult, Buffalo Co., 22 March, near Elm Creek 1-80 interchange. Five adults, Hall Co., 1 April, 1 mi. e. of Alda bridge. Flying. Two adults, Hall Co., 6 April, 2 mi. n. and 1.5 e. of Doniphan. Flying. Twelve to fourteen adults, Buffalo Co., 8 April, near Shelton 1-80 exit. Flying. Twelve adults, Dawson Co., 9 April, 2 mi. e. of Gothenburg. Flying. Eight adults, Howard Co., 14 April, 1.5 mi. nw. of Boelus. Flying. Eight adults, Custer Co., 14 April, flying over Ansley. Two adults, Buffalo Co., 15 April, 2 mi. e. of N 10 along 1-80. Five adults. Hall Co., 15 May, flying over Grand Island. Confirmed, probable and unconfirmed sightings are defined in NBR 56:79. INDIGO BUNTING John Lueshen reported that a male Indigo Bunting was found dead in the front yard of his place (Route 2, Wisner - Ed.) It had band number 81-44804, put on by Willetta Lueshen on July 2,1985. It was at least a year old when banded, making it at least six years old. Another male In¬ digo Bunting was attacking the dead bird when John first saw it. —Lueshen’s Birders Newsletter, June 1990 University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons(® University of Nebraska - Lincoln Nebraska Bird Review Nebraska Ornithologists' Union 12-1990 whole Issue Nebraska Bird Review (December 1990) Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/nebbirdrev & Part of the Ornithology Commons. Poultry or Avian Science Commons, and the Zoology Commons "Whole Issue Nebraska Bird Review (December 1990)" (1990). Nebraska Bird Review. 569. http: //digitalcommons.unl.edu/nebbirdrev/ 569 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 (December 1990) 58(4), WHOLE ISSUE with a portion redacted. Copyright 1990, Nebraska Ornithologists' Union. Used by permission. The Nebraska Bird Review 4 Magazine of Ornithology of the Nebraska Region Volume 58 December 1990 Number 4 Published by the NEBRASKA ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNION, INC. Founded 1899 TABLE OF CONTENTS ON BACK COVER Published quarterly in March, June, September, and December, by the Nebraska Ornithologists’ Union Inc. as its official journal and sent to all members who are not in arrears for dues. Subscriptions (on a calendar year basis only) are $10.00 per year in rtie 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 Slates; $3.50 elsewhere. Memberships Ion a calendar year basis only); Students, $3.00: Active $7.00; Sustaining $15.00; Family Active $10.00; Family Sustaining $20.00; Life $100.00. All dues, subscriptions, and changes of address should be sent to the Treasurer, Mrs. Alice Kenib, HC 50, Box 38B, Gering, Nebraska 69341. Orders for back numbers of the review should be sent to Thomas E. Labedz, Ubrartan, Nebraska Ornthologists' Onion, w436 Nebraska Hall, University of nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska 68588-0541 All manuscripts for publication should be sent to Ray T Korpi, NW 1585 Turner Drive, #13, Pullman, Wash., 99163, Editor for future issues. R. G. Cortclyou was Editor for this issue. Other officers are: President. O. Norma Johnson. 1261 Fall Creek Road, Lincoln, Nebraska 68510, Vice-president, Douglas G. Thomas. 1035 Mississippi, Alliance, Nebraska 69301, and Seaefary, AliceS, Rushton, 7075 Iowa Street, Omaha, Nebraska ^152. 90 (The Nebraska Bird Review) THIRD REPORT OF THE N.O.U. RECORDS COMMITTEE The functions and methods of the N.O. U. Records Committee (henceforth, "the committee") have been described previously (A/SR 54:72-4). This report includes accounts of records evaluated by the committee in the last year, covering mostly records with accessions numbers 151-245. Ail records mentioned here are avaiiable to interested persons at the N.O.U. archives at the University of Nebraska State Museum, Lincoln. State List With this report, the following changes are made in the off icial list of the birds of Nebraska. These include changes in common and scientific names (Ameri¬ can Ornithologists Union (AOU), 1989, WSR57:58), additions to the state list, and changes in firmness of evidence: Yellow-crowned Night-Heron (change from Nycticorax violaceus to Nyuctanassa violacea): Regular, l-S Black-bellied Whistling-Duck {Dendrocygna autumnalis): Accidental, l-S, insert before Tundra Swan Sage Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianud^'. Accidental, III, insert before Greater Prairie-Chicken Iceland Gull {Larus glaucoides): Accidental, change from III to l-P Inca Dove {Columbina inca): Accidental, change from III to l-P change from Common Barn-Owl to Barn Owl {Tyto alba): Regular, l-S change from Northern Hawk-Owl to Northern Hawk Owl (Surnia alula): Accidental, l-S Broad-tailed Hummingbird {Selasphorusplatycercus):Oasua\, change from undocumented to i-P Williamson's Sapsucker {Sphyrapicus thyroideus): Accidental, change from into l-S change from Western Flycatcher {Empidonax difficilis) to Cordilleran Flycatcher {Empidonax occidentalisi): Regular, undocumented change from Water Pipit {Anthus spinoletta) to American Pipit {Anthus rebescens): Reg\j\ar, l-S Connecticut Warbler {Oporornis agilis): Casual, change from III to l-P Cassin’s Sparrow {Aimophila cassinu): Accidental, change from II to l-P Sage Sparrow (Amp/7/sp/zabe///): Accidental, III, insert before Lark Bunting Brown Towhee {Pipilo fuscus) (Accidental, III) has been recognized by the AOU as including two species; the status of these taxa in Nebraska will be reviewed by the committee. (The Nebraska Bird Review) 91 Accepted Records Briefly, records in the following classes are listed as accepted: l-S, a diagnostic, labeled specimen exists; l-P, a diagnostic, labled photograph exists; II, three or more independently written diagnostic documentations exist; III, one or two independently written diagnostic documentations exist. Each account of an accepted record includes a brief statement about the encounter, noting the species, class, date, approximate location, and initials of the observer{s). Red-necked Grebe {Podiceps grisegena). class III. One in basic plumage was seen 17 November 1988 at the Offutt Air Force Base (AFB) Lake, Sarpy Co. (Am. Birds 43:124, A/BR 57:10); GT. Clark's Grebe (Aechmophorus clarkii). class III. One was seen 1 July 1988 southeast of Alliance, Morrill Co.; WM. Another was found 20 July 1988 on Black Steer Lake, Garden Co., WM. Great Egret (Casmerodius albus). class III. One was seen 9 June 1989 near Gering, Scotts Bluff Co. (A/BR57:58, 63); AK. Snowy Egret (Egretta thula). class III. One was seen 12 June 1989 in Scotts Bluff Co. (A/BB57;58, 63); AK. Black-bellied Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis). class l-S. A bird shot in Clay Co. on 29 October 1989 was prepared as specimen ZM-16079 at the University of Nebraska State Museum. Photographs and a description have been placed in the NOU files. No evidence was found of this bird having a captive origin, but it may not be possible to completely eliminate this possibility. This is the first accepted record for Nebraska (Am. Birds A4:^^5, A/BB 58:49,87) ;JA, TL, SP. Tundra Swan (Cygnus coiumbianus). Class III. An adult was seen 24 No¬ vember 1988 at Crystal Cove, South Sioux City (A/BB 57:11); BH. Trumpeter Swan (Cygnusbuccinatof). class III. An immature bird was seen 13 November 1988 at Branched Oak Lake, Lancaster Co. (Am. Birds A3:^2A, A/BB57:11);TL. Brant (Branta bernicia). One of a light form was photographed 2 January 1989 at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), Washington Co. (Am. Birds 43:331, A/BB 57:61,65); class l-P, AG. Another light bird was seen 22 April 1990 in Phelps Co.; class III, MU. American Black Duck (Anas rubripes). class III. One was seen 20 January 1989 near Petersburg, Boone Co.; WM. Oldsquaw (Clangula hyemalis). class l-P. A bird in a mostly basic plumage was photographed 19 November 1989 in Cedar Co. (Am. Birds44^^5, A/BB 58:14); MB. Black Scoter (Melanitta nigra), class III. Two birds in female/immature plumage were seen 13 November 1988 at Papio Dam Site 20, Sarpy Co. (Am. Birds A3■.^25, A/BB57:12); TB, BP, LP. Surf Scoter (Melanitta Perspicillata). class l-P. A bird in probably female plumage was photographed 4 November 1989 in Cedar Co. (Am. Birds44A 15, A/BB58:14); MB. 92 (The Nebraska Bird Review) White-winged Scoter {Melanitta fusca). class III. One bird in probably adult female plumage was seen 29 October 1988 at the Offutt (AFB) Base Lake, Sarpy Co. {Am. S/rds43:125, A/S/? 57:12); AG. Barrow's Goldeneye {Bucephala islandica). Single adult males were seen 21 and 28 March 1988 at Branched Oak and Wagon Train Lakes, respectively, Lancaster Co. {NBR56: 57,69); class III, NJ. Another adult male was seen 2 January 1989 at DeSoto NWR Washington Co. (class III, TB), and was probably the one photographed there 8 January 1990 {Am. Birds 43:33^, NBR 57: 61,65); class l-P, LP. Sage Grouse {Centrocercus urophasianus). class HI. A description was submitted of a bird seen circa 6 September 1987 in northern Sioux Co. This is the first accepted record for Nebraska, DK. King Rail {Rallus elegans). class III. Perhaps as many as five were seen 18 August 1984 at the Capitol Beach marshes, Lancaster Co. {Am. Birds 39:73) ] AG. Common Crane {Grus grus). class l-P. Photographs taken of one 16 March 1974 in Buffalo Co. (A/BR42:63-4) have been placed in the NOU archives; CC, DC. Black-necked Stilt {Himantopus mexicanus). class III. Three birds were seen east of Gering, Scotts Bluff Co., on 15 May 1988 (A/SR 56:60); AK. Whimbrel {Numenius phaeopus). class l-P. Two birds were photographed in southeastern Cherry Co. on 20 May 1989 {Am. B/rds43:500, NBR57:95)] MB. Short-billed Dowitcher {Limnodromus griseus). A bird near Albion, Boone Co., was photographed 21 July 1987; class III (photograph alone was not considered diagnostic), WM. Another was seen and heard 13 May 1988 near Albion, Boone Co. (A/BB56:63); class III WM. Red Phalarope {Phalaropus fuiicaria). class l-P. A bird entering first basic plumage was photographed 26 September 1987 in Pierce Co. {Am. Birds 42:99, NBR 55:22, 24); MB. Laughing Gull {Larus atricilla). class III. A bird in an immature plumage was seen 10 January 1990 near Gavin's Point Dam, Cedar Co. (A/BB58:68); BKH, SV (photographs, but not considered diagnostic alone). Franklin's Gull {Larus pipixcan) . A photograph of a bird in alternate plumage taken 17 December 1988 at Gavin's Point Dam, Cedar Co. {NBR57:15, class l-P, BR), and a description of another in similar plumage seen 14 January 1989 at Sutherland Reservoir, Lincoln Co. (Class III, RR) documented two of several reports in the region that winter {Am. Birds 43:331). Iceland Gull {Larus glaucoides). A first-winter bird downstream of Gavin's Point Dam, Cedar Co. was photographed 4 December 1988 and described; class l-P ("A/BB57:52-3), EB, MB. This was probably the same bird as the one carefully documented 10 December (class III, BH, JP) and photographed (BR) and described (TB, BP, LP) there on 11 December 1988 {Am. Birds 43:331, 44:453); class l-P. (The Nebraska Bird Review) 93 Glaucous Gull {Larus hyperboreus). An immature was photographed downstream of Gavin's Point Dam, Cedar Co., on 4 December 1988 {NBR 57:54, class l-P, EB, MB). Two immatures were seen there 5 December 1988 (class III, BH), and five immatures were seen there 11 December 1988 {NBR 57:16): class III, TB, BP, LP. Another immature was seen 15 January 1989 at Lake McConaughy, Keith Co.; class III, RR. Great Black-backed Gull {Larus marinas), class III. An immature was seen 14 January 1989 at Sutherland Reservoir, Lincoln Co. {Am. S/rds43:331); RR. Black-legged Kittiwake {Rissa tridactyla). A first-winter bird was seen 30 October 1988 at the Offutt AFB Lake, Sarpy Co.; class III, DB. Another first- winter bird was seen 26 November 1988 downstream of Gavin's Point Dam, Cedar Co. (class III, BH), and was probably the bird photographed there 4 December 1988 {Am. S/rc/s 43:331, NBR 57:16, 53-54); class l-P, MB. Inca Dove {Columbina inca). Photographs of the bird that wintered in Kear¬ ney taken 23 December 1987 (class l-P, RG), and 1 January 1988 (class l-P NBR56:3, MB), have been placed in the committee files {Am. Birds 42:264). Another in Keya Paha Co. 23 through 25 November 1989 was photographed {Am. Birds44:M6, class l-P, JB). Broad-Tailed Hummingbird {Selasphorusplatycercus). class l-P. A male at a feeder in Hastings from 22 to 30 August 1987 was photographed. GK. This is probably the same bird reported under Unaccepted Records. Rufous Hummingbird {Selasphorus rufous), class III. An adult male was seen in Hastings on 13 September 1987 {NBR 56:14); JK. Lewis' Woodpecker {Melanerpes lewis). A bird was seen 15 May 1988 in Carter Canyon, Scotts Bluff Co. {NBR 56:73, class III, AK). Another was seen 23 September 1989 near Niobrara, Knox Co. (class III KB, WB). Williamson's Sapsucker {Sphyrapicus thyroideus). class l-S. A male found dead 13 May 1988 on the Creighton University campus, Omaha, is now the state's first specimen, ZM-15986 at the Univ. of Nebr. State Museum. Photo¬ graphs and a written description are in the NOU archives {Am. Birds 42:455, A/8R 57:30); JJB,TL,BW. SteIter's Jay {Cyanocitta stelleri). What probably was just one bird patron¬ ized a feeder in Sow Belly Canyon, Sioux Co., 24 November 1989 through 7 May 1990. It was photographed 24 November (class l-P, BH) and 9 December 1989 (class l-P, MB), {Am. Birds 44:452, 456, NBR 58:24). Marsh Wren (C/sfofhorL/spa/L/sfr/s) . class III. One seen and heard 1 January 1988 near Loup City, Sherman Co., may be the first mid-winter record {NBR 56:69): WM. Varied Thrush {ixoreus naevius). One was seen 20 October 1989 at Fontenelle Forest Nature Center, Sarpy Co. (class III, RB). Another was seen at DeSoto NWR Washington Co., 18 November 1989 (class III, GT). A mate at an Omaha yard 28 November 1989 through 16 March 1990 was photographed (class l-P, MB, Am. Birds 44:116, 452, 456, NBR 56:27,75). Yet another was seen 1 or 2 through 11 December 1989 near North Platte, Lincoln Co. (class III, A/SR 58:19,26, MM, RZ). 94 (The Nebraska Bird Review) Sage Thrasher {Oreoscoptes montanus). Or\e was seen 1 September 1988 near Gering, Scotts Bluff Co. (NBR 57:21, 29); class III, AK. Another was photographed 6 August 1989 in Sioux Co.; class l-P, DS. Sprague's Pipit {Anthusspragueii). class l-P. A photograph taken 1 October 1988 near Chambers, Holt Co., and published (NBR 57:32) has been, together with description, placed in the committee files (Am. Birds 43:126); LB. Golden-Winged Warbler {Vermivora chrysoptera). class III. An adult male was seen 7 May 1988 east of Homer, Dakota Co. (A/Sfl 56:71); BH. Yellow-rumped Warbler {Dendroica coronata). class III. One seen 16 De¬ cember 1988 near Loretto may be the first winter record in Boone Co.; WM. Pine Warbler {Dendroica Pinus). class l-P. A photograph of one in hand 23 August 1986 in Fontenelle Forest, Sarpy Co. has been placed in the committee files {NBR 55:22); RG. Prairie \Narb\er {Dendroica discoioi). class l-P. A photograph of one seen31 May 1982 at the Niobrara Valley Preserve, Brown Co., has peen placed in the committee files (NBR 51:49); DP. Worm-eating Warbler {Helmitheros vermivorus). class l-P. A bird photo¬ graphed northwest of Wisner, Cuming Co., on 2 May 1968 was placed in the archives: JL. Connecticut Warbler {Oporornis agilis). class l-P. A photograph taken 25 May 1988 near Chambers, Holt Co., has been, together with a description, placed in the committee files {NBR 56:99, 57-54); LB. Cassin's Sparrow {Aimophila cassiniij . A sighting 3 June 1989 in southwest Dundy Co. was documented (class IM.TB, RS). Sightings 21 and 22 June 1989 in Dundy Co. were also documented {NBR 57:67, 69 71), including photo¬ graphs taken of a a bird captured and banded (class l-P, MB, Am. Birds 43:1336). Sage Sparrow {Amphispiza belli) . class III. An adult was seen 6 August 1989 in Sow Belly Canyon, Sioux Co. This is the first accepted record for Nebraska {Am. BirdsNBR56:27, 30); DSt. Pine Grosbeak {Pinicola enucleator). class III. A female was seen 22 May 1988 southwest of Gering, Scotts Bluff Co. (A/BR 56:73, 76); AK. White-winged Crossbill {Loxia leucoptera). class l-P. A male present 16 December 1989 in Madison Co. was photographed: MB {Am. BirdsAA:456, NBR 58:34). Lesser Goldfinch {Carduelispsaltria). A photograph of a black-backed male near Harrison, Sioux Co., 20 May 1984 which documents the first state record, has been placed in the NOU archives {Am. S/rds 38:931, A/S/? 52:41,42,59); class l-P, PS. A male with a green back was seen 9 July 1988 in Carter Canyon, Scotts Bluff Co. (A/SS56:82, 83, 57:27); class III, AK. (The Nebraska Bird Review) 95 Unaccepted Records Briefly, records in the following classes are listed as unaccepted: class IV, probably correct but not beyond reasonable doubt; class V, insufficient evidence;class VI, probably released, escaped, or misidentified. Each account includes the species, date, approximate location, reasons for the committee's failure to accept, and class. Broad-winged Hawk ( Buteo platypterus) . A description of an immature Buteo seen briefly 29 April 1989 near Scottsbiuff was suggestive but not diagnostic and placed in class IV {NBR 57:62,63). Peregrine Falcon {Falco peregrinus). A description of a bird seen briefly at Fontenelle Forest Nature Center, Sarpy Co., on 12 July 1987 was lacking in detail and placed in class V. This report preceded releases of this species in Omaha {NBR5eA5, 16). Gyrfalcon IFalco rusticolus). A description of a bird seen briefly in Loup Co. on 8 January 1990 lacked detail and was placed in class V. Mountain Plover {Charadrius montanus). A description of a bird seen 16 May 1988 in Buffalo Co. was placed in class VI, as probably describing a basic plumage Lesser Golden-Plover {Pluvialis dominica). Eskimo Curlew {Numenius borealis). A report of an observation 16 April 1987 at the Mormon Island Crane Meadows, Hall Co., in the Omaha World Herald of 1 November 1987, and repeated in part in NBR 55:78, Includes no sub¬ stantiating details and was placed in class VI. Thayer’s Gull {Larus thayen).A single photograph taken 17 December 1988 at Gavin's Point Dam, Cedar Co., was placed in class IV, not being diagnostic without additional details. White-winged Dove {Zenaida asiatica). Descriptive material regarding a bird seen 3 July 1988 near Cozad, Dawson Co., was placed in class V, primarily due to poor conditions of sighting {NBR 56:54). Common Ground-Dove {Columbinapasseriria). Photographs of a bird seen 16 May 1987 near Valentine, Cherry Co., were placed in class V, as the quality of the images did not allow elimination of all similar species. Broad-tailed Hummingbird (Se/asphorusP/afycercus). A documentation of a bird seen in a yard in Hastings on 21-27 August 1987 was found to lack sufficient detail and placed in class IV. This was probably the same bird reported under Accepted Records. Bewick's Wren {Thryomanes bewickii). A description written recently of a bird seen 19 April 1980 in Knox Co. was placed in class IV because of sparse details and the time elapsed between the sighting and the writing of the description. Pine Warbler {Dendroica pinus). A description of a bird seen in Fontenelle Park, Omaha, 8 August 1989 was suggestive but not definitive and placed in class IV. Painted Bunting {Passerina ciris). A published descriptton (A/SP58:54-56) of a brief encounter with a bird on 21 May 1988 lacks sufficient detail to 96 (The Nebraska Bird Review) eliminate similar species, especially warblers, lacks mention of the differing account of another observer present, and was placed in class VI. Baird's Sparrow {Ammodramus bairdii). A description published {NBR 56:80-81) of two birds seen 25 March 1988 near Raymond, Lancaster Co., does not eliminate similar species beyond reasonable doubt and was placed in class IV. Great-tailed Grackle [Quiscalus mexicanus). Photographs taken 23 May 1978 near Grand Island were not clear enough to allow elimination of similar species. No additional information being available, this record was placed in class IV. In addition to the above records, the committee has also received and filed documentations of the following species (p=photograph, w^written): Missis¬ sippi Kite {p,.NBR5^ :91), Peregrine Falcon (p), Great Homed Owl of a northern subspecies (p), Snowy Owl (p, A/Bfl56:18.20,1988), Northern Saw-whet Owl (p). Rock Wren (w). Purple Finch (p, A/SR 56:51,1988, see also NBR 57:49- 51,1989), White-winged Crossbill (p, A/SR40:84,1972). Acknowledgments The committee thanks the following observers, who have contributed records included in this report: John Anderson, Karen Baker, Warren L. Baker, J. J. Baumel (JJB), Russ Benedict, Loren Blake, Tanya Bray, John Brenneman, Duane E. Bright, Ed M. Brogie, Mark A. Brogie, Cindy and David Cochran, Larry Einemann, Craig Faanes, Bob Fluchel, Ruth C. Green, Alan G. Grenon, Bruce K. Harris (BKH), Bill Huser, Norma G. Johnson, Douglas C. Kapke, Lloyd and Kathryn Kaufman, Alice Kenitz, Judith A Kestner, Glen Kramer, Thomas E Labedz, William Lemburg, Gary Lingle, John Lueshen, Terry C. Maxwell, Wayne J. Mollhoff, Everett Montgomery, Margaret Morton, Babs and Loren Padelford, Deb Paulson, Stewart Porterfield, Jerry Probst, Richard C. Rosche, B.J. Rose, Ross Silcock, David Stage (DSt), Dave Starr, Phil Swanson, Doug G. Thomas, Gerald W. Toll, Mark Urwiller, Steve Van Sickle, Barbara L. Wilson, Robert Ziegler. The committee members are: Tanya Bray, Mark A. Brogie, Alan G. Grenon, chairman, Joe Gubanyi, Alice Kenitz, secretary Thomas E. Labedz, Wayne J. Mollhoff, and Babs Padelford. Past members who acted on some of these records are Ruth C. Green and Gary Lingle. References American Ornithologists' Union. 1989. Thirty-seventh supplement to the American Ornithologists' Union Check-list of North American birds. Au/f 106:532-8. N.O.U Records Committee. 1986. By-laws of the N.O.U. Records Committee NBR 54:72-4. (The Nebraska Bird Review) 97 -. 1988. The official list of the birds of Nebraska NBR56: 86-96. Mullhoff, W.J. 1989. First report of the N.O.U. Records Committee. A/BH 55:79-85. ——. 1989. Second report of the N.O.U. Records Committee A/BB 57:42-7. — Alan G. Grenon, 1111 Bellevue Boulevard, A/., Bellevue, NE 68005 1990 FALL FIELD DAYS The registration for the1990 Fall Field Days, held 7 to 9 September at the 4-H Camp in the National Forest near Halsey, was 57. The weather was clear, in the 80's during the day, but cool nights, and even during the day the Lodge was pleasant because of the ventilation and the fans. Friday night there was a slide show, Saturday night Gerry Toll told about the Peregrine Falcon project in Omaha, with slides. Mrs. Green banded birds, as usual, showing interesting specimens to those who were near. On Saturday some took a canoe trip down the Middle Loup, but otherwise the participants were on their own, birding. At a Board meeting it was decided to firm up 6to 8 September 1991 at Halsey for Fall Field Days, but to see if some later date would be available. The possibility of having the Annual Meeting in Grand Island was discussed, and it was later firmed up as 17 to 19 May. The total count of species was 133; 88 in Cherry Co., with 45 reported from the Refuge and 75 elsewhere in Cherry Co.; 89 in Thomas Co., 86on the Forest and 13 elsewhere in the county: and 28 in Brown Co. V = Valentine Refuge C = Cherry Co. outside Valentine Refuge T = Thomas Co. outside National Forest F = National Forest in Thomas Co. National Forest in Blaine Co. (no reports) Blaine Co. outside National Forest (no reports) B = Brown Co. Pied-billed Grebe V c - - B Northern Shoveler V c - - B Horned Grebe - c - - B Gadwall V c - - - Eared Grebe - c - - - American Wigeon - c - - - Western Grebe - c - - B Ruddy Duck V - - - - Am. White Pelican V c - - B Turkey Vulture - c - F - Double-crested Cormorant V c T F B Osprey - - T F - American Bittern - c - - - Northern Harrier V c - F B Great Blue Heron V c - - B Sharp-shinned Hawk - - - F - Little Blue Heron - c - - - Cooper’s Hawk - - - F - Green-backed Heron - - - F - Swainson’s Hawk V c T F - White-faced Ibis - c - - - Red-tailed Hawk V c T F B Canada Goose V c - - B Golden Eagle - - - B Wood Duck V c - F - Americein Kestrel V c T F - Green-winged Teal - c - - - Merlin - - - F - Mallard - c - F B Prairie Falcon V c - F - Blue-winged Teal - c - - B Ring-necked Pheasant - c T - B 98 (The Nebraska Bird Review) Northern Bobwhite - - - F - Black-capped Chickadee V C - F - American Coot V c - - B Red-breasted Nuthatch - - - F - Semipalmated Plover V - - - - White-breasted Nuthatch - - - F - Killdeer V c - F B House Wren - c - F - American Avocet - c - - - Eastern Bluebird - - T F - Greater Yellowlegs - c - - B Swainson’s Thrush - - - F - Lesser Yellowlegs V c - - - American Robin V - - F - Solitary Sandpiper - - - - B Gray Catbird _ - _ F - Western Sandpiper - c - - - Brown Thrasher V c - F - Least Sandpiper - c - - - Sprague’s Pipit - - - F - Baird’s Sandpiper - c - - - Cedar Waxwing V - - F - Pectoral Sandpiper V c - - - Northern Shrike - - T - - Stilt Sandpiper - c - - - Shrike sp. - - - F - Dowitcher sp. V - - - - Loggerhead Shrike - c - - B Long-billed Dowitcher V c - - - European Starling - c - - - Wilson’s Phalarope V c - - - Bell’s Vireo - - - F - Ring-billed Gull V c - - - Solitary Vireo - - - F - Black Tern V - - - - Warbling Vireo - - - F - Rock Dove - - - F - Red-eyed Vireo - - - F - Mourning Dove V c T F B Tennessee Warbler _ _ _ F - Yellow-billed Cuckoo - - - F - Nashville Warbler - - - F _ Eastern Screech-Owl - - - F - Yellow Warbler - - - F - Great Horned Owl - c - F - American Redstart - - - F - Burrowing Owl - - - F - Ovenbird - - - F - Common Nighthawk - - - F - Common Yellowthroat V - - F - Common Poorwill - - - F - Wilson’s Warbler - - - F Chimney Swift - - - F - Yellow-breasted Chat - c - F - Ruby-throated Hummingbird - - T F - Scarlet Tanager - c - - - Belted Kingfisher V - - F - Northern Cardinal - - - F - Red-headed Woodpecker V c - F B Blue Grosbeak - - - F - Red-bellied Woodpecker V - - F - Lazuli Bunting V - - F Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - - - - B Rufous-sided Towhee V _ _ F Downy Woodpecker V - F - Chipping Sparrow - - - F - Hairy Woodpecker - - - F - Clay-colored Sparrow - c - F - Northern Flicker - c - - B Field Sparrow - - - F - Eastern Wood-Pewee V - - F - Vesper Sparrow _ c _ - Least Flycatcher - - - F - Lark Sparrow - c - F B Empidonax sp. - - - F - Lark Bunting - c - - - Eastern Phoebe - •- - F - Grasshopper Sparrow - c - - - Say’s Phoebe - c - - - Song Sparrow V - - F - Great Crested Flycatcher - - - F - Lincoln’s Sparrow - - - F - Western Kingbird V c T F - Bobolink - c - - - Eastern Kingbird V c - F B Red-winged Blackbird V c - F B Horned Lark - c - F - Western Meadowlark - c - F B Tree Swallow - c - - - Yellow-headed Blackbird V c - F - N. Rough-winged Swallow - - - F - Common Grackle _ c - F - Bank Swallow - c - - - Brown-headed Cowbird V c - - - Cliff Swallow - c T - - Orchard Oriole - c - F - Barn Swallow V c T F - Northern Oriole - c - F - Blue Jay V c - F - Red Crossbill - - - F - Black-billed Magpie - c - F - American Goldfinch - c - F - American Crow V c - F B House Sparrow - c - F - MOUNTAIN PLOVER SIGHTED IN KIMBALL COUNTY In late April of 1990 I went to Kimball Co. to search for Mountain Plovers. Over a period of a week I walked several sections where Mountain Plovers have been sighted in the past. No Plovers were found at that time. After I returned to my office in Lincoln, Fritz Knopf (Avian Studies Biologist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Colorado) contacted me to discuss Mountain Plover nesting habitat and behavior. Fritz offered to make a quick drive around Kimball Co. to see how the habitat in Nebraska compared to that used by nesting Mountain Plovers in Colorado. (The Nebraska Bird Review) 99 On 3 May 1990, Fritz and Jim Sedgewick sighted one adult in an overgrazed shortgrass prairie in Kimball Co., 5 miles west and 1.5 miles north of Bushnell. On 21 May I visited the Kimball Co. location and found an adult Mountain Plover sitting on a nest approximately 50 feet from the road. When I got out of my vehicle the adult ran from sight. The nest was a small depression in the ground, next to a cowple, and contained three olive- colored brown-mottled eggs. When I returned to my vehicle the adult reappeared. After about 20 minutes of running and stopping in a zigzag fashion, the adult returned to the nest. No other Plovers or nests were observed in the area. — Mary Kay Clausen, Nongame Heritage Zoologist, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, 2200 N. 33rd St. Lincoln, Neb 68503 LAUGHING GULL IN CEDAR COUNTY, NEBRASKA Johnsgard’s (1986) A Revised List of the Birds of Nebraska and Adjacent States considers the Laughing Gull (Lams atricilia) an extremely rare vagrant in Nebraska. Bray, Padelford, and Silcock (1986), in The Birds of Nebraska: a Critically Evaluated List, consider this species as accidental, with only one of 13 records accepted - the description of a specimen of one taken 2 April 1915 at Inland, Clay Co. This specimen was once in the Hastings Municipal Museum, but was sold and its current location is unknown. A Laughing Gull documentation by Steve Van Sickle and Bmce F. Harris of one at Gavin’s Point tailwaters. Cedar Co., on 10 January 1990 has recently been accepted by the NOU Records Committee. The following provides an additional description and the first published photograph for this species in Nebraska. On 28 April 1990, during a field trip of the Lueshen’s Birders of Northeast Nebraska, an adult-plumaged Laughing Gull was observed at the Gavin’s Point 100 (The Nebraska Bird Review) Dam tailwaters. The bird was first Identified as it flew downstream of the dam and landed on a small sandbar occupied by Franklin’s Gulls (Larus pipiscan), Ring-billed Gulls (Larus delawarensis), and Forster’s Terns (Sterna forsteri). The bird was characterized by having a black hood, large dull reddish bill, white underparts and hind neck, slate gray mantle and wings, black primaries, and blackish red legs. The Laughing Gull appeared much larger than the nearby Franklin’s Gull and nearly equalled Ring-billed Gull size. The bill was longer and noticeably heavier than that of the Franklins, and the eye crescents of the Laughing were not as pronounced. The wings appeared quite long. In flight, the gray of the wings merged with the all black primaries. The flight of the Laughing Gull appeared more buoyant than that of the Franklin’s Gull. Weobservedthe bird for nearly four hours, andwhenwe left, in midafternoon, the bird was still resting on the sandbar. The following morning Bill Huser and I arrived just after sunrise and spent nearly 45 minutes surveying the area downstream of the dam before we saw the Laughing Gull flying across the road to Lake Yankton. The bird then proceeded to fly to the South Dakota side, near the entrance of the Chief White Crane Recreation Area, where it dove into the water several times. It then flew back across Lake Yankton and landed on the sandbar on which we left it the previous day. It was observed by several observers later that afternoon, which represents the last sighting of the bird known to the author. Identifiable photographs are in the possession of the author, and copies have been sent to the NOU Records Committee. — Mark A. Brogie, Box 316, Creighton, Neb. 68729 Article redacted at the request of one of the authors (December 2013). Article redacted at the request of one of the authors (December 2013). 102 (The Nebraska Bird Review) Article redacted at the request of one of the authors (December 2013). (The Nebraska Bird Review) 103 Article redacted at the request of one of the authors (December 2013). 104 (The Nebraska Bird Review) SIGNIFICANT (7) MODIFICATIONS IN BIRD SIGHTINGS AT WOLFF LAKE (fall 1979 to spring 1990) One of the problems of having a cx)mputer handy is that you begin to start organizing your notes. Recently I began to organize the notes I had taken since 1979 for the Nebraska Bird Review’s semi- annual occurrence reports. Partly I wanted to verify my suspicions about variation in the occurrence of several species during that period of time. I try to visit the area called Wolff Lake (a sand-and-gravel operation on the south side of the Platte River in northwestern Saunders Co. each weekend. But there are many variations, and there are periods of prolonged absences. I average about 20 such visits each half year. On each visit I spend several hours from dawn to late morning walking through the area, and sometimes there is an added walk in late afternoon or evening. WILD TURKEYS are one of only two encouraging notes in this report. They were introduced Into the area in ’82 or ’83. They began to show up on my lists in Spring of ’84. This year they have become abundant with three or four groups of females and chicks (20-30 to a group) wandering around the area, mostly on the Wolff property, where they are not (yet) hunted. They have become almost as tame as barnyard chickens. PIPING PLOVER was regular, 1 to4birds, Maythrough July orearly August, up through 1987. Only two sightings of a single bird on 7 and 8 May 1988. None since. SOLITARY SANDPIPER was seen with some regularity, during May, and August to September (once in late October) I979-1980, and 1984-1987. None since. SPOTTED SANDPIPER was a comnrion summer breeding bird on the sand/ gravel pits, I979 through I988. Last year (I989) I could visit only March through May, but saw none. This year I had only 3 sightings of single birds through June 30.1 saw one or two along the Platte the first two Saturdays in September. (The Nebraska Bird Review) 105 LEAST TERN commonly attempted breeding on the sand tailings from the sand/gravel pits here every year from I979 at least through I985, but has become much less common with no sign of attempted breeding since then. I have only one sighting, along the river, in late May of both I988 and I989 (that may reflect my inability to get as far as the river those two years, I don’t recall.) This year I had 11 sightings along the river from 26 May to 5Aug., but no sign of breeding. WHIP-POOR-WILL were heard on 7 visits the spring of I980, on 5 visits the spring of ’81, once in late Apr. and once in early Aug. of ’82. That is all. A single OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER was seen, invariably in the same tree, on from one up to 3 visits, each year in late August or early September, from 1979-1984.1 saw one once on 6 June in I987 (at a different part of the property). I can speculate that the bird from I979-84 wasthe same bird, and that something (fatal?) happened to it. In any case, no more Olive-sided Flycatch¬ ers. TREE SWALLOWS are the second encouraging note. In ’81 and ’82 there was one occurrence a year. From ’84 through ’89 there were two or three occurrences a year, with some evidence of an interest in nesting sites. This year they surely nested, though I could not find the nest, and were present constantly from 28 Apr. to 14 July. BROWN CREEPER appeared from once up to 4 times spring and fall, 1979- 84. Since then only two sightings, in Jan. and Mar., 1987. BLUE—GRAY GNATCATCHER nested in our yard, 5/31-7/27/80.1 have one sighting recordedforMay and for July, ’81, and one for Apr., ’82. None after that. BELL’S VIREOwas a regular, May to late July or early Aug., 1980-1987. Only One sighting (or “hearing”) since, on 20 May, 1989. TREE SPARROWS were winter residents from 1979 to the spring of 1982. From then on they began to get scarce and disappear altogether from early Dec. to usually late Feb. or early Mar. Last fall (’89) they disappeared by 11 Nov., and the last couple winters they have been as scarce as Fox or Lincoln’s Sparrows, no flocks at all. HARRIS’ SPARROWS have not been so scarce as T ree Sparrows, but their schedule has been very similar: no winter residents since the winter of ’81 -’82, although twice they have stayed till 3 Jan., but then disappeared till Feb. PURPLE FINCH was hard to find when I began keeping tabulations in ’79. But by the following winter they were positively abundant, from 10/21/80-3/28/ 81.1 recorded them 7 times in Oct. and Nov., ’81; but just 2-4 times in spring and in fall of ’82, in spring of ’84, and again in fall of ’87. And that’s all. Here are some changes that might accountfor some of the decline. The ‘80’s were a dry period in Nebraska. If this is part of the reason, there should be a corresponding decline in other reports from the state. The sand-and-gravel operation also extended into areas that were previously woods, brush, or prairie, but there are other plots that are still undisturbed. — Rev. Thomas A. HoffmanCreighton University, Omaha, Neb. 68178 106 (The Nebraska Bird Review) NOTES THE TABLES FOR THE 1990 SPRING OCCURRENCE REPORT were poorly printed, for unexplained reasons. The tables did not match across the “gutter"; it will help to draw a line from the first line on one page to the first line on the facing page, and then draw a line across for every third line. That way, the line for each species will either have a line across, or be just above or just below one. The headings for the left-hand pages after page 60 were omitted. The headings for pages 58 and 60 are correct for the rest of the pages; a paper guide with the headings marked on it can be used, or the headings can be written in for more permanent use. NESTING TRUMPETER SWANS, On 2 September 19901 saw 2 adult and 2 young Trumpeter Swans on the west end of Long Lake, T26N R17W SI 2, Rock Co. The east end of Long Lake Is in T26N R16W S7, Holt Co. The lake is over a mile long and quite narrow, with a lot of rushes and emergent vegetation, in places growing completely across the lake. The open water is in fragmented strips and patches. The young Swans were getting good sized but still noticeably smaller than the adults. I would guess the young were capable of flight, but not long sustained flight. My cousin, Clyde Blake, who lives 3 miles west of the lake, says the young definitely were hatched there. His neighbor, Jim Boettcher, who owns an airplane and flies over the lake frequently, has been watching the birds all summer. Jim says they are usually found at the east end of the lake, t understand that the adults were at the lake last year, but no young were seen. A check of recent Reviews ar\6 of Ducey’s Nebraska Birds: Breeding Status and Distribution indicates that this Is the first recent breeding record east of Cherry Co. Ducey lists a 1896 record in Holt Co. and one in 1900 in Adams Co. — Loren Blake, HC 63 Box 18, Chambers, Neb. 68725 SUNNING PROTHONOTARY WARBLER. I was Informed of a Prothono- tary Warbler nest located in an area of Fontenelle Forest which beavers had flooded out several years ago. The morning I went down to the nest was hot and humid. I was able to set my camera within 20 yards of the nest, in a tall patch of grass to try to conceal myself as much as possible. Within a few minutes a male Prothonotary Warbler arrived. He began singing while flying from tree to (The Nebraska Bird Review) 107 tree as if he were trying to attract a female. He did this for about 20 minutes or so, then he flew down to a fallen tree, over the water, and lay down on his side with his head flat against the tree. Periodically he would raise his head to look around, and then he would lay it back down. He did this for about 5 minutes before he flew and started singing again. After about 20 minutes of singing he flew back down to the exact spot as before and lay down for an additional 5 to 10 minutes. Then he flew back to the tree tops and started singing again, and he eventually flew off. I would guess that this was some form of sunning, but it appeared to me as if he were lying down to sleep. — Mark Dietz. Ranger, Fontenelle Forest Nature Center, 1111 Bellevue Boulevard. North, Bellevue, Nebraska 68005 BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS On 6 September 1990 I saw Buff¬ breasted Sandpipers 6 miles W. and 7 miles S. of Chambers, at Chain Lake, in extreme southern Holt Co., in with other shore birds. — Loren Blake, HC 63, Box 18. Chambers, Neb. 68725 HAWK VS. OWL. On 25 April 1989 I was hiking along Cottonwood Trail in Fontenelle Forest when a Barred Owl flew up, almost at my feet, with a snake in its mouth. I watched it land on a branch of a tall cottonwood in what appeared to be an attempt to get a better grip on its prey. Suddenly a Broad-winged Hawk swooped in and struck the Owl on the head. The Hawk made three more striking passes, and on the fourth pass succeeded in knocking the Owl completely from its perch. The Owl actually fell about ten feet before it grabbed onto a lower branch. While the Hawk was preparing to make another dive the Owl quickly flew into a nearby tree cavity, still clutching the snake. It was obviously carrying food to young. I know Broad-winged Hawks like to eat snakes, too, but this Owl was not about to relinquish its prey, even at the risk of losing its dignity, head feathers, and perch! — Ruth Green, 506 W. 31st Ave., Bellevue, Neb. 68005 (Quotedfrom A Bird’s Eye View, 17:7:6) PINE GROSBEAK On 22 May 1988, after being alerted to its presence by several of the attendants at the annual Meeting, Wayne Molihoff, Art Huser, and I retraced their steps to Carter canyon, Scotts Bluff Co., to try to locate the Pine Grosbeak seen earlier that day. A thorough search of the chokecherry thicket soon resulted in locating the sedate bird as it fed on the emerging flower buds. The bird, a female or immature, was extremely tame and unwary. Although lighting conditions were unfavorable, the cooperation of the bird and the assistance of Wayne, who, with a stick, held aside intervening branches, made photos possible. After this close approach and Wayne’s moving twigs virtually adjacent to the bird, he succumbed to temptation and reached out and with his stick touched the bird’s tail without disturbing it. The large, chunky bird was largely gray in color, the wings and tail darker than the body. Prominent wing bars were white. The grey of the cheek, crown, and nape seemed overlaid with a golden green. The bill was dark in color, stout, blunt and with a strongly curved culmen. — Bill Huser, 401 E. 14th Street. South Sioux City, Neb. 68776 --Bob Thomson photo 108 (The Nebraska Bird Review) PARTIAL ALBINOS. A partial albino Red-winged Blackbird was first re¬ ported to us about 1 May 1989 by a friend who lives in its area. It is two miles east of the junction of N50A and N10, about 4.75 miles east of the entrance to Fort Kearney State Park, in Kearney Co. It was sighted by Marian and a group of Book Club ladles on 15 May, and observed at close range, maybe 15 feet, for about 20 minutes. On 10 June we were in the area again and made sorne more notes about appearance and behavior, over a period of about half an hour. It appeared to be territorial, with a female in the immediate area, it displayed and called from a fence wire along a small drain¬ age ditch, with weeds and small plum bushes and willows. The bird’s body and head were white, with black eyes, black beak, and a small black spot on the breast. The outer and Inner wing coverts were white, primaries black with white secondaries. The shoulder patches were bright red. The tail feathers were white, except for the right outer and the second from left which were black. If new color patterns are in order for Red¬ winged Blackbird males, we would vote for this one. The bird is spectacular, especially in flight. The bird returnedto its 1989 territory in mid-March, 1990, and has defended it since then. And we have learned that the bird was fledged ini 988 in this same area. — George and Marian Brown, 2018 12th Avenue, Kearney, Neb, 68847 This is a picture of a Grackle that I observed at my feeder In 1989. The bird was also observed in 1988. It came back in 1990. — Bob Willett, 508 N. 13th St Norfolk, Neb. 6870) INDKX TO VOLUNS 58 Acadeay of Science Meeting 75 Albino 108 Accipiter sp. 4 Alexander, Irene 7, 41 Additional Observations on the Birds Alfred, Norris 19, 41, 65 of the Lake McConaughy Region 52 (The Nebraska Bird Review) 109 Allen, Betty 3, 11 Alt, JiB 11, 61 Andelt, Frank 63 Anderson, Clyde 42 John 49, 96 Aubushon, Chuck 5 Avocet, Anerican 18, 40, 41, 43, 53, 64, 98, 102 Babcock, Mary 11 badger 77 Bailey, Bob 11 Don 11 Baker, Karen 96 Warren L. 96 Barn-Owl 90 Bauael, J. J. 96 Bedell, Paul 17, 21, 41, 43 Bell, Ronald L. 47 Benedict, Russell 11, 61, 96 Bennett, Dr. Esther V. 45 1989 Nebraska Nesting Report 38 Bernholz, Bonnie 7 Bishop, Maxine 7 Bittern, American 12, 38, 39, 43, 47, 58, 97, 102 Least 12, 47 Black-bellied Whistling-Duck Specimen from Nebraska: A First State Record 49 Blackbird, Brewer's 8, 32, 82 Red-winged 3, 8. 27, 32, 44, 45, 47, 48, 82, 86, 98, 102, 108 Rusty 8, 32, 82 Yellow-headed 32, 44, 45, 48. 63, 82. 98, 102 sp. 8 Blake, Clyde 106 Loren 3, 96, 106, 107 A Comparison of Historic and Modern Birdlife at an Eastern Sandhills Lake in Nebraska 100 Bliese, John 7 Margaret 7 Bluebird, Eastern 6, 21, 24, 42, 43, 48, 73, 74, 98, 102 Mountain 6, 24, 42, 43 (2), 74 Bluedorn, Linda 3 Ralph 3 Bobolink 32, 80, 98, 102 Bobwhite, Northern 4, 9, 16, 33, 40, 41, 47, 64, 81, 86, 98, 102 Boettcher, Jim 106 Bolick, Margaret 51 Book Review 35, 48, 83 Borgett, Joyce 3 Brant 91 Brashear, Julia Joyce 11, 21, 67 Bray, Tanya 11, 12, 17, 59, 61, 96 (2) Brenneman, John 3, 11, 96 Bright, Duane E. 11, 17, 96 Brockmoller, Norma 3 Brogie, Ed M. 63, 96 Ellen L. 63 Mark A. 15 (2), 17 (4), 19, 21 (3) 23 (2), 25 (4), 63, 96 (2) Laughing Gull in Cedar County, Nebraska 99 Brohman, Mark 42, 65 Brooks, Dr. Daniel 75 Brown, Dr. Charles 41, 52 George W. 7, 108 Marian 7, 108 Mary 54 Brownrigg, Jack 3 Bufflehead 14, 62 Bunting, Indigo 30, 43, 44, 45, 48, 54, 78, 88 Lark 30, 48, 80. 86, 98 Lazuli 27, 30, 73, 78, 98, 102 (2) Painted 54, 95 Snow 32 Burch, Jim 7 Burnett, Charles 17 Butcher, Harlow 3 Buteo sp. 4 Canvasback 14, 38, 39, 60 Cardinal, Northern 6, 30, 44, 45, 48, 78, 98 Carson, Eao 63 Case, Ronald M. Foraging Behavior in Barn Owls as Determined by Nest Monitoring 77 Catbird, Gray 26, 42, 43, 48, 54, 74, 98, 102, 103 catfish 75 Cedar, Eastern Bed 8, 10 Chat, Yellow-breasted 28, 48, 78, 98 Chickadee, Black-capped 6, 24, 42, 43, 48, 72, 98, 102, 103 Christmas Count 1989 3 Chuck-will’s-widow 48, 61, 70 Cisar, Ron 3 Clark, Dick 7 Jamalee 11 June 7 Clarke, Kelly 11 Clausen, Mary K. 41 (2), 42 Mountain Plover in Kimball County, Nebraska 98 Clough, Florence 11 Cochran, Cindy and David 7, 96 Comparison of Historic and Modern Birdlife at an Eastern Sandhills Lake in Nebraska 100 Cook, Larry 46 Coot, American 16, 40, 41, 47, 64, 98, 102 Cormorant, Double-crested 12, 38, 39, 47, 52, 58, 86, 97, 102 Cortelyou, R. G. 17, 42, 46 (2), 61 cottontail 81 cottonwood 71, 103 Counties Adams 93 (2), 95 Antelope 15, 25 Arthur 53 (2) Banner 15, 21, 38 Blaine 15, 23, 33, 59, 71 Boone 3, 15, 25, 38, 91, 92 (2), 94 Box Butte 38, 59, 71 Brown 15, 23, 33, 34, 94, 97 Buffalo 4, 29, 34 (2), 38, 87 (2), 88 (3), 92, 93, 95 110 (The Nebraska Bird Review) Counties, continued Butler 15, 25, 39 Cass 13, 39, 59 (2) Cedar 12, 27 (2), 39, 58, 59, 91 (2), 92 (3), 93 (2), 95, 99 Chase 13, 15, 38, 59, 71 Cherry 15, 21, 33, 34, 59, 71, 73, 87, 92, 95, 97 Cheyenne 59, 71 Clay 34, 38, 49, 87 (2), 91 Colfax 15, 25, 39 Cuming 15, 25, 39, 59, 73, 88, 94 Custer 88 Dakota 5, 13, 27, 39, 59, 61 (2), 73, 91, 94 Dawes 12, 38, 58, 61 Dawson 38, 61, 65, 87, 88, 95 Dixon 17, 25, 39, 61, 73 Dodge 17, 25, 39 Douglas 5, 13, 39, 59, 61, 73, 93. 93, 95 Dundy 63, 71, 94 (2) Gage 39 Garden 38, 53 (2), 63, 71, 91 Garfield 3, 17, 23, 63, 71 (2) Greeley 17, 23, 38 Hall 4, 12, 33, 38, 58, 63, 87 (3), 88 (2), 95, 96 Hamilton 17, 19, 33, 38, 63, 65 Harlan 38 Hayes 63, 71 Hitchcock 33, 63, 71 Holt 17, 23, 33, 38, 94 (2), 100, 106, 107 Howard 12, 33, 58, 63, 87, 88 Jefferson 39 Johnson 39 Kearney 87 (2), 108 Keith 38, 52, 75, 84, 93 Keya Paha 17, 23, 34, 38, 93 Kimball 38, 98 Knox 12, 27, 38, 58, 63, 93, 95 Lancaster 5, 13, 27 (5), 39, 59, 63, 73 (2), 91. 92 (2), 96 Lincoln 4, 12, 27, 38, 58, 63, 87 (2), 92, 93 (2) Logan 19, 21 Loup 3, 19, 23, 95 Madison 4, 19, 25, 39, 94, 108 Merrick 17, 19, 34, 38, 87 Morrill 38, 65, 71, 91 Nemaha 47 Otoe 5, 39, 59 (3), 65 Pawnee 39 Phelps 91 Pierce 12, 38, 65, 73, 92 Platte 19, 25, 39, 65 (2) Polk 12, 27, 39, 58, 65 Red Willow 38 Richardson 39, 47 Rock 21, 23, 33, 106 Saline 39 Sarpy 5, 13, 21, 39, 59 (2), 61, 65, 73, 91 (2), 92, 93 (2), 94, 95, 106, 107 Saunders 39, 58, 65, 104 Scotts Bluff 4, 12, 27 (2), 38, 54, 58, 67, 91 (2), 92, 93, 94 (3), 95, 96, 107 Counties, continued Seward 21, 25, 39 Sheridan 21 (2) Sherman 4, 33, 93 Sioux 12, 27, 38, 56, 58, 69, 92,'^, 93, 94 t3) Stanton 21, 25, 39 Thayer 39 Thomas 21 (2), 33, 38, 71 (2), 73, 97 (2) Thurston 39, 61, 71 Washington 3, 13, 39, 71 (2), 91, 92 j 93 Wayne 21, 25, 71, 73 Wheeler 4, 21, 23 York 19, 21, 65, 71 Cowbird, Brown-headed 8, 27, 32, 48, 82, 86, 98, 105 Cramer, Tim 85 Crane, Common 92 Sandhill 16, 64, 102, 102, 104 Whooping 16, 33, 64, 87 Crawford-Rose, Kathleen 11 (see Rose) Creeper, Brown 6, 24, 72, 105 Crescent Lake NWR 40, 41, 42 Crofoot, Mike 11 Crosby, Carl 7 Crossbill, Red 8, 9, 34, 44, 82, 98 White-winged 8, 34, 94,96 Crow, American 6, 24, 42, 43, 48, 67, 72, 86, 98, 102, 103 Cuckoo, Black-billed 20, 48, 68 Yellow-billed 20, 44, 48, 68, 98, 102, 103 Cunningham, Harold 11 Curlew, Eskimo 95 Long-billed 18, 40, 41, 66, 86, 102, 103 Cutshall, Isolde and Roger 3 Czaplewski, Mark M. 41 Daly, Donna 3, 11 Dean, Kurt 11 DeGarmo, Kevin 7, 15, 59 Desmond, Martha 42 Solitary vs. Gregarious Nesting in Burrowing Owls 77 Dickcissel 30, 44, 45, 48, 54, 78, 81, 102 Didrichsons, Andy 85 Dietz, Bub 3 Mark 61, 107 Dinan, John J. 42, 63, 71 Kenny 5 Doremus, Joe 7 Dove, Inca 90, 93 Mourning 4, 20, 40, 41, 48 86. 90, , 102 Rock 4, 10, 20, 40, 41, 43 68, 86, 98, 102, 103 White-winged 95 Dowitcber, Long-billed 18, 66, 86, 98, 102, 103 sp. 18, 98 Short-billed 18, 47, 66, 92 Ducey, Jim A Corapoarison of Historic and Modern Birdlife at an Eastern Sandhills Lake in Nebraska 101 Duck, American Black 4, 14, 60, 91 Ring-necked 4, 14, 62 (The Nebraska Bird Review) 111 Duck, continued Ruddy 14, 38, 39, 62, 97, 102, 103 Wood 12, 38, 39, 47, 60, 86, 97 Duncan, Harry 3 Dunlin 18, 47, 66 Eagle, Bald 4, 14, 29, 53, 62 Golden 4, 16, 31, 64, 97 sp. 4, 54 Effects of the Conservation Reserve Program on Wildlife Populations in Nebraska 79 Egret, Cattle 12, 60 Great 12, 47, 58, 91 Snowy 12, 47, 60, 91 Einemann, Larry 7, 19, 40 (2), 41, 63, 65, 73, 96 Ely, Dr. Charles A. 47 Empidonx sp. 22, 98 Evans, Marie 11 Faanes, Craig 5, 96 Falcon, Peregrine 4, 10 (3), 16, 53, 61, 63 (2), 64, 95, 96, 97 Prairie 4, 10, 16, 64, 65, 86, 97 sp. 4 Field Day, 1990 Fall 97 Finch, Cassin’s 34, 82 House 8, 9, 34, 44, 45, 54, 61, 82 Purple 8, 34, 82, 96, 105 Rosy 8, 34, 56, 82 First Nebraska Kittiwake Specimen 75 Flicker, Northern 6, 22, 40, 41, 48, 70, 86, 98, 102 Fluchel, Bob 96 Flycatcher, Acadian 70 Alder 48, 67, 70 Cordilleran 90 Great Crested 22, 40, 41, 43, 48, 70, 98 Least 22, 48, 70, 98 Olive-sided 22, 48, 70, 105 Scissor-tailed 22, 42, 43 (2), 54 Western 90 Willow 22, 48, 70 Yellow-bellied 70 Foraging Behavior in Barn Owls as Determined by Nest Monitoring 77 Forest, Nebraska National 47 Fryers, Stephanie 11 Gadwall 4, 14, 38, 39, 47, 60, 86, 97, 102 Galperin, Amy 11 Game and Parks Commission, Nebraska 40 (15), 41 (23), 42 (3), 49 Garaband, Gary 61 Garthright, William 7, 42 Gentes, Rollin 3 Sue 3, 11 Gentry, Meredyth 11 Giblin, Daryl and Margaret 7, 10 Glather, James 3, 61 Gnatcatcher, Blue-gray 24, 48, 74, 105 Godwit, Hudson!an 66 Marbled 66, 102, 103 Golden-Plover, Lesser 16, 64 Goldeneye, Barrow’s 92 Common 4, 14, 62 Goldfinch, American 8, 34, 43, 44, 45, 48, 82, 86, 98, 102 Lesser 94 Goodell, Gerry and Jerry 3 Goose, Bar-headed 19 Cackling 61 Canada 4, 12, 19, 38, 39, 53, 60, 61, 65, 86, 97, 102, 103 (2) Giant Canada 61 Greater White-fronted 4, 12, 60, 61, 102, 104 Ross’ 60 Snow 3, 4, 12, 53, 60 Swan 19 sp. 12 Gorgen, Twink 61 Goshawk, Northern 53 Crackle, Common 8, 32, 44, 45, 48, 82, 86, 98, 102, 108 Great-tailed 32, 43, 44, 45, 48, 82, 96 Graf, Dutch 11 Marjorie 11 Grebe, Clark’s 52, 91 Eared 12, 38, 39, 58, 97, 102 Horned 12, 58, 97 Pied-billed 12, 38, 39, 47, 52, 58, 97 Red-necked 91 Western 12, 58, 97 Green, Ruth C. 3, 11, 17 (2), 21, 29, 33, 40, 41, 42, 46, 61 (2), 71 (4), 73, 96 (2), 97, 107 Greer, Janet 11 Grenon, Alan G. 11, 17, 21, 61, 96 (2) Third Report of the N.O. U. Records Committee 90 Betty 11 Grill, Erma 11 Essie and Sam 3, 11 Grosbeak, Black-headed 30, 43, 44, 45, 78 Blue 30, 44, 45, 48, Evening 8, 34, 82 Pine 94, 107 54, 78, 98 Rose-breasted 27, 30, , 44, 45, , 48, 54, 78 Gross, Everett and Mildred 7 Ground-dove, Common 95 Grouse, Sage 90, 92 Sharp-tailed 4, 16, 40, 41 64, 86, 102, 103 Grundman, Dennis 5 Gubanyi, Joseph A. 19, 46, 96 Foraging Behavior in Barn Owls as Determined by Nest Monitoring 77 Guild, Sue 41 Gull, Bonaparte’s 20, 68 Franklin’s 20, 47, 68, 92, 100 Glaucous 20, 93 Great Black-backed 93 Herring 20, 68 Iceland 90, 92 Laughing 68, 92, 99 Ring-billed 20, 47, 68, 98, 100 Thayer’s 20, 95 Gyrfalcon 16, 17, 95 Hall, Nancy 63 Harding, Robin 7 Harlow, Maryjo 11 Harrier, Northern 4, 14, 38, 39, 47, 62, 65, 97, 102, 103 112 (The Nebraska Bird Review) Harrington, Ellen 7 Harris, Bruce K. 96 Harvey, Mary 11 Hawk, Broad-winged 16, 47, 62, 63, 67, 95, 107 Cooper's 4, 16, 62, 97 Ferruginous 4, 16, 44, 62 Bed-shouldered 4, 16, 47, 62 Bed-tailed 4, 16, 38, 39, 47, 62, 86, 97, 102, 103 Bough-legged 4, 16, 62, 102, 104 Sharp-shinned 4, 16, 47, 62, 97 Swainson’s 4, 16, 38, 39, 47, 62, 86, 97, 102 Hawk-Owl, Northern 90 Heckman, Alice 7 Bernice 7 Helzer, Elsie 42 Henricksen, Jenny 3, 11 Heron, Great Blue 4, 12, 19, 38, 39, 47, 58, 86, 97, 102, 103 Green-backed 12, 47, 60, 97 Little Blue 12, 60, 97 Hoffman, Rev. Thomas A. 65 Significant (?) Modifications in Bird Sightings at Wolff Lake (fall 1979 to spring 1990) 104 Hoover, Greg 11, 19 Hopper, Mike 5 Huber, Boyce 43 Hughson, David 21, 71 Helen 21, 56, 67, 71 Hummingbird, Broad-tailed 22, 90, 93, 95 Ruby-throated 22, 48, 70, 98 Rufous 93 Huser, Art 107 Bill 11, 17, 61, 96, 100, 107 Ibis, White-faced 12, 44, 47, 60, 97 Indian Cave State Park 46, 47 Interactions Between Breeding Birds and Grasshoppers {Acrididae) from Nebraska Sandhills Grasslands 79 Iowa 11, 12, 21, 61, 63 Janovy, Dr. John 85 Jay, Blue 6, 9, 24, 42, 43, 47, 48, 72, 86, 98, 102 Pinyon 6, 24, 72, 102 (2) Steller's 24, 93 Joern, Anthony Interactions Between Breeding Birds and Grasshoppers [Acrididae) from Nebraska Sandhills Grasslands 79 Johnsgard, Dr. Paul A. 75 Additional Observations on the Birds of the Lake McConaughy Region 52 Survey for Least Terns and Other Birds on the North and South Platte Rivers, Eastern Keith County 84 Johnson, C. E. 17, 40, 61 E. D. (Emma) 40, 41, 42, 61 Johnson-Mueller, Dr. Norma J. 7, 19, 41, 46, 96 Jones, Nancy 11 Junco, Dark-eyed 8, 32, 80, 83 (2) juniper 8 Justin, Drew 63 Kansas 47 Kapke, Douglas C. 96 Kaufman, Karla and Paul 7, 19, 63 Lloyd and Kathryn 96 Kay, Paul 7 Keenan, Phoebe 7 Kenitz, Alice 11, 21, 41, 46, 67 (2), 69, 96 (2) Kestner, Judith A. 96 Kestrel, American 4, 16, 38, 39, 47, 64, 86, 97, 102, 103 Kieborz, Eva Mae 11 Killdeer 4, 18, 40, 41, 47, 64, 86, 98, 102 King, Justin W. Effects of the Conservation Reserve Program on Wildlife populations in Nebraska 79 Kingbird, Cassin’s 22 Eastern 22, 42, 43, 72, 86. 98, 102 47, 48, 53, Western 22, 40, 41, 86, 98, 102 48, 63, 72, Kingfisher, Belted 6, 43, 48, 70, 86, 98 22, 40, 41, Kinglet, Golden-crowned 6, , 24, . 74 Ruby-crowned 6, 24, 74 Kirsch, Eileen 42 Kite, Mississippi 29, 96 Kittiwake, Black-legged 75, 93 Klaphake, Clem 11 Knopf, Fritz 98 Knott, Timothy 7 Koenig, Felix and Lucy 21, 67 Korpi, Mrs. Janet 47 Ray T. 46, 56, 59 (2) Raymond 3, 11 Kovanda, Jim and Sandy 3, 11 Kramer, Glen 96 Kruger, Bob 11 Kruse, Ron 5 Labedz, Thomas E. 7, 19, 40, 41 (2), 45, 46 (3), 63, 75 (2), 96(2) A Black-bellied Whistling-Duck Specimen from Nebraska: A First State Record 49 Results of a Preliminary Study Showing Evidence of Winter Site Fidelity in Migratory Sparrows in Nebraska 81 Lamphere, Steve 85 Lark, Horned 6, 22, 42, 43 (2), 48, 72, 98, 102 Larkin, Robert 11 Laughing Gull in Cedar County, Nebraska 99 LaValley, Mike and Shelly 5 Lemburg, William 17, 63, 96 Levisay, Eunice 17 Lind, Lennis (Swede) 19, 65 Mark 61 Lindstrom, Helen 7 Lingle, Gary 5, 17, 46, 63, 96 (2) Longspur, Chestnut-collared 80 Lapland 8, 32, 80 McCowii’s 6, 32, 80 Loon, Common 12, 52, 58 Lueshen, John 88, 96 Willeta 10, 88 Lund, Bruce 11 MacDowell, Misti 85 (The Nebraska Bird Review) 113 Magpie, Black-billed 6, 24, 42, 43, 61, 72, 86, 98 Maher, Anne 11 Jay 65 Mallard 4, 10, 14, 19, 38, 39, 47, 60, 65, 86. 97, 102 Mallard x Pintail 4 Martin, Purple 22, 42, 43, 48, 72, 102 Maslowski, Peter 7 Mass. Don 11 Maxwell, Terry C. 96 McCartney, Connie 5, 40 McCluskey, Marilyn 7 Richard 7 McDonald, Peter 5 McKinney, Brad 21 Meadowlark, Eastern 32, 48, 82 Western 8, 9, 32, 44, 45, 48, 81, 82, 86, 98, 102 sp. 8, 9, 32, 48, 82 Meeting, The Eighty-ninth {89th) Annual 46 Nebraska Academy of Science 75 Merganser, Common 4, 14, 61, 62, 86 Hooded 14, 17, 47, 53, 62 Red-breasted 14, 62, 65/67 Merlin 4, 16, 27, 64, 97 Metzger, Rex 11 Meyer, Jim 5 Minnesota 71, 87 Minyard, Hope 61 Jim 17, 61 Missouri 12, 47 Mockingbird, Northern 21, 26, 42, 43, 48, 74 Molho, Eric 11 Mollhoff, Wayne J. 3 (2), 5, 10, 96(2), 107 Montgomery, Everett 96 Morocco, Ralph 11 Morris, Lee 19, 42, 65 (3) Dr. Rosalind 7 Shirley 42, 65 Morton, Margaret 11, 19, 96 Mountain Plover Sighted in Kimball County 98 Murphy, Kate 11 Neaderhiser, Wanda 61 Nesting Report, 1989 Nebraska 38 Nests and Nesting 33, 53 (5), 54 (2), 61, 77 (2), 84, 85, 86, 99, 106 Newhouse, Esther 11 Nickel, Brent 53 Night-Heron, Black-crowned 12, 38, 39, 60 Yellow-crowned 90 Nighthawk, Common 20, 48, 68, 86, 98, 102 Noar, Shirley 11 North Platte NWR 42 NOU Participation in Academy of Science Meeting 75 Nuthatch, Pygmy 24, 72 Red-breasted 6, 9, 24, 72, 98 White-breasted 6, 24, 42, 43, 48, 72, 98 Oldsquaw 14, 62, 91 Oriole, Northern 17, 34, 44, 45, 48, 82, 86, 98, 102, 103 Orchard 34, 44, 45, 48, 54, 82, 86, 98, 102 Osprey 14, 53, 62, 97 Ott, Mabel B. 19, 59 {2), 63, 73 Otto, Bill 11 Ovenbird 28, 48, 78, 98 Owl, Barn 20, 40, 41, 68, 77, 90 Barred 6, 20, 40, 41, 43, 48, 68, 107 Burrowing 17, 20, 40, 41, 43, 68, 77, 98, 102, 103, 104 Great Horned 6, 20, 40, 41, 48, 68, 86, 96, 98, 102 Long-eared 6, 20, Northern Hawk 90 44, 68 Northern Saw-whet 65, 68, 96 Short-eared 6, 20, > 68, 102, 103 104 Snowy 6, 13, 20, 96 sp. 6 Padelford, Babs 96 Babs and Loren 11, 12, 15, 17, 19 (2), 25, 61, 63, 96 Partridge, Gray 4, 16, 38, 39, 64 Parula, Northern 26, 48, 76 Paulson, Deb 96 Peep 18 Pelican, American White 12, 15, 58, 86, 97, 102 Pennington, lola 15, 40, 71 Peyton, Mark 63/65 Phalarope, Red 92 Red-necked 20, 47, 68 Wilson's 20, 47, 68, 86, 98, 102 Pheasant, Ring-necked 4, 9, 16, 38, 39, 47, 64, 81, 86, 97, 102, 103 Phoebe, Eastern 22, 40, 41, 48, 65, 70, 98, 102 Say’s 22, 40, 41, 53, 70, 98, 102, 102 pine' 19 Pintail, Northern 4, 14, 38, 39, 47, 60, 86, 98, 102 Pintail x Mallard 4 Pipit, American 26, 74, 90 Sprague’s 94, 98 Water 90 Plover, Black-bellied 16, 47, 64 Mountain 98, Piping 18, 40, 41, 53, 64, 65, 85, 104 Semipalmated 16, 47, 64, 98 Snowy 64, 69 Poague, Kevin 7, 11 Poe, Jerry 42 Poorwill, Common 20, 53, 70, 98 Porterfield, Stewart 49, 96 Powers, Nancy Jo 3 Prairie-Chicken, Greater 4, 16, 38, 39, 43, 47, 64, 102 prairie dog, black-tailed 77 Probst. Jerry 11, 17, 96 Pruess, Dr. Neva 46 Purdy, Scott 5, 63 Radford, Norma 7 Rail, King 92 Virginia 16, 64 Rasmussen, Dick 11 Ratzlaff, Neal 11 Redcedars, Eastern 8, 10 Redliead 4, 14, 38, 39, 53, 62, 102, 103 Redpoll, Common 8, 19, 34, 82 Redstart, American 28, 48, 76, 98 114 (The Nebraska Bird Review) Reitan, Kenneth 7/8, 19 Report, 1989 Christmas Count 3 1989 {32nd) Fall Occurrence 13 1990 {65th) Spring Occurrence 58, 106 Correction, 1989 Fall Occurrence 73 Correction, 1989 Spring Occurrence 27 NOU Records Committee 90 Treasurer’s 2 Rissness, Jim 73 Robin, American 6, 8, 26, 42, 43, 47, 48, 74, 86, 98, 102, 103 Rosche, Richard C. 96 Rose, B. J. 3, 12, 96 Douglas 3 Kathleen and Robert 61 (and see Crawford-Rose) Roger 3, 12 Rosenbaum, Melinda 5, 21 Rosier, Wende 5 Rosy-Finch, Gray-crowned, 8, 56 {and see Finch, Rosy) Results of a Preliminary Study Showing Evidence of Winter Site Fidelity in Migratory Sparrows 81 Rnshton, Alice 17, 40, 46, 61, 73 Sabata, Steve 11 Sage Sparrow in Sioux County 27 Sanderling 18, 47, 66 Sandpiper, Baird’s 18, 27, 47, 66, 98, 102 Buff-breasted 18, 66, 107 Cali dris 86 Least 18, 27, 47, 66, 98, 102 Pectoral 18, 47, 63, 66, 98 Semipalmated 18, 27, 47, 66, 102, 103 Sharp-tailed 63, 66 Solitary 18, 66, 86, 98, 104 Spotted 18, 40, 41, 43, 47, 66, 86, 102, 104 Stilt 18, 47, 66, 86, 98, 102, 103 Upland 18, 40, 41, 47, 66, 102 Western 18, 27, 47, 66, 98 White-rumped 18, 27, 47, 66 Sapsucker, Williamson’s 90, 93 Yellow-bellied 6, 22, 70, 98 Savidge, Julie A. Effects of the Con¬ servation Reserve Program on Wild¬ life Populations in Nebraska 79 Solitary vs. Gregarious Nesting in Burrowing Owls 77 Scaup, Greater 14, 62 Lesser 4, 14, 38, 39, 62, 65, 86, 102, 103 Schick, Darlene 11 Schlothauer, Sam and Loni 67 Scholar, Eric 11 Schrack, Norma 7 Ward 7 Schulz, Mindy 86 Scoter, Black 91 Surf 14, 91 White-winged 14, 92 Screech-Owl, Eastern 4, 9, 20, 40, 41, 68, 98 Scroggins, Pat 63 Sedgewick, Jim 99 Seim, Helen 17, 41, 63 Sherrard, Chris 7 Dennis 7 Shostrom, Hazel 7 Shoveler, Northern 14, 38, 39, 47, 60, 86, 97, 102 Showen, Donald 8, 10 Shrike, Loggerhead 6, 10, 26, 42, 43, 48, 65, 74, 98, 102 Northern 6, 9/10 26, 74, 98 sp. 26, 98 Significant {?) Modifictions in Bird Sightings at Wolff Lake {fall 1979 to spring 1990) 104 Silcock, Ross 5, 11, 12, 96 Siskin, Pine 8, 34, 44, 82 smartweed sp. 51 Snipe, Common 4, 18, 66, 102, 103 Solitaire, Townsend’s 6, 10, 24, 71, 74 Solitary vs. Gregarious Nesting in Burrowing Owls 77 Somerhalder, Carol 11, 19 South Dakota 100 Sora 16, 47, 64 Sparrow, American Tree 6, 9, 30, 78, 83 {2), 105 Baird’s 59, 80, 96 Brewer’s 30, 80 Cassin’s 69, 78, 94, 98 Chipping 30, 44, 45, 48, 54, 80, 98 Clay-colored 30, 80, 98 Field 6, 30, 44, 45, 48, 80, 86, 98, 102 Fox 32, 48, 80 Grasshopper 30, 44, 45, 48, 79, 80, 81, 98, 102 Harris’ 6, 9, 32, 80, 83 {2), 105 House 8, 9, 34, 44, 45, 48, 82, 98, 102, 103 Lark 30, 44, 45, 80. 98, 102 Le Conte’s 30, 59, 80 Lincoln’s 6, 32, 48, 80, 98 Sage 27, 30, 90, 94 Savannah 6, 10 (2), 30, 48, 80 Song 6, 32, 44, 48, 80, 98 Swamp 32, 80 Vesper 30, 44, 45, 80, 98 White-crowned 6, 32, 80 White-throated 6, 9, 32, 80 spruce 19 Squaw Creek NWR 47 Stage, David A. 3, 15, 21, 23, 25 {4), 40 {5), 41 (4), 43, 59, 61, 63 {2), 71 (2), 73, 96 David and Lois Sage Sparrow in Sioux County 27 Lois A. 15, 40, 59 Starling, European 6, 9, 26, 42, 43, 48, 74, 86, 98 Starr, David 5, 61, 96 Robert 5, 11 Stilt, Black-necked 18, 21, 44, 92 Stirling, Ron 11 Straunch, Ruth 63 Strom, Marie 7 Stutheit, Randy 42 Survey for Least Terns and Other Birds on the North and South Platte Rivers, Eastern Keith County 84 63 (The Nebraska Bird Review) Swallow 1 Bank 24, 42, 43, 48, 72, 73, 98 Barn 24, 42, 43 (2), 48, 72, 86, 98, 102 Cliff 24, 42, 43 (2), 48, 72, 86, 98 N. Rough-winged 22, 48, 72, 86, 98 Tree 22, 42, 43, 48, 72, 98, 105 Violet-green 22, 54, 72 Swan, Trunpeter 12, 53, 60, 91, 106 Tundra 60, 91 Swanson, Phil 96 Swift, Chimney 20, 40, 41, 48, 70, 86, 98 White-throated 70 Tanager, Scarlet 15, 30, 48, 78, 98 Summer 28, 48, 78 Western 30, 78 Taylor, Frances 8 Jim, Cliff, and Bob 104 Teal, Blue-winged 14, 38, 39, 47, 60, 86, 97, 102 Cinnamon 14, 38, 39, 60 Green-winged 4, 14, 38, 39, 47, 60, 97, 102 Tern, Black 20, 47, 53 (2), 68, 86, 98, 102 Caspian 20, 47, 53, 68 Common 20, 68, 86 Forster’s 20, 40, 41, 43, 47, 53, 68, 86, 100, 102, 103 Least 20, 40, 41, 68, 84, 86, 105 Thao, Ue 85 Third Report of the N.O.U. Records Committee 90 Thomas, Douglas G. 40, 46, 69, 96 Thompson, Carol 85 Linda 5 Thrasher, Brown 6, 17, 26, 42, 43, 48, 74, 86, 98, 102 Sage 26, 94 Throop, Vern 5 Thrush, Gray-cheeked 26, 48, 74 Hermit 26, 48, 74 Swainson’s 26, 48, 74, 98 Varied 19, 26, 74, 93 Wood 26, 48, 74 Titmouse, Tufted 6, 24, 48, 72 Toll, Gerald W. 5, 12, 21, 96, 97 Tompkins, Connie 11 Towhee, Brown 90 Rufous-sided 6, 15, 17, 30, 44, 48, 78, 86, 98 Turkey, Wild 4, 16, 40, 41, 47, 64, 104 Turnstone, Ruddy 18, 66 Urwiller, Jamie 7 Mark 7, 96 Vicky 7 Uttecht, Jan 3 Van Sickle, Steve 96 Vance, Nora Mae 11, 21, 67 (2) Vannier, Lyle 8, 10 Veery 24, 74 Vireo, Bell’s 26, 44, 48, 76, 98, 105 Philadelphia 26, 76 Red-eyed 26, 44, 48, 76, 98 Solitary 26, 48, 76, 98 Warbling 26, 42, 43 (2), 48 86, 98, , 102, , 103 Vireo, continued White-eyed 76 Yellow-throated 26, 48, 71, 76 Volden, Eric 5 Vulture, Turkey 14, 38, 39, 43, 47, 62, 86, 97 Warbler, Bay-breasted 19, 28 Black-and-white 28, 76 Black-throated Blue 28 Black-throated Green 28, 48 Blackburnian 28, 48, 76 Blackpoll 48, 76 Blue-winged 76 Canada 28, 48, 78 Cerulean 48, 76 Chestnut-sided 28, 48, 76 Connecticut 48, 90, 94 Golden-winged 94 Hooded 28 Kentucky 28, 48, 78 MacGillivray’s 28 Magnolia 28, 48, 76 Mourning 28, 48, 59, 61, 78 Nashville 26, 76, 98 Orange-crowned 26, 76 Palm 28, 76 Pine 94, 95 Prairie 94 Prothonotary 28, 48, 76, 106 Tennessee 26, 48, 76, 98 Wilson’s 28, 48, 78, 98 Worm-eating 94 Yellow 26, 42, 43 (2), 48, 61, 76 86, 98, 102 Yellow-rumped 28, 48, 76, 94 Yellow-throated 28, 76 Waterthrush, Louisiana 44, 78 Northern 28, 48, 78 sp. 78 Waxwing, Bohemian 6, 63, 74 Cedar 6, 8, 26, 42, 43 {2), 48, 74, 98 Weber, Jim 71 John 5 Marlene 5 Werthman, A1 5 lone 5, 61 Whimbrel 66, 73, 92 Whip-poor-will 20, 48, 59, 70, 105 Whistling-Duck, Black-bellied 49, 87, 90, 91 Wigeon, American 4, 14, 38, 39, 60, 86. 97 Williams, Ken 11 Willet 18, 53, 66, 102, 103 Willett, Bob 108 Williams, Angela 8 Donald 8 Wilson, Barbara L. 96 Steve 19 Wingfield, Greg 42, 54 Wolff, Duane A. 3, 10 Wood, Donald 15, 59 Gertrude 15, 19, 59 (2) Wood-Pewee, Eastern 22, 48, 70, 98 Western 22, 53, 70 Woodcock, American 17, 18, 66 Woodpecker, Downy 6, 22, 48, 70, 98 102 (The Nebraska Bird Review) Nebraska Ornthologists’ Union, Inc. 5109 Underwood Avenue Omaha, Nebraska 68132 Forwarding and return postage guaranteed Address Correction Requested TABLE OF CONTENTS Third Report of the N.O.U. Records Cbmmiftee.90 1990 Fall Field Days . . . : . . . . v.97 Mountain Plover Sighted in Kimball County.98 Laughing Gull in Cedar County, Nebraska.99 A Comparison of Historic and Modern Birdlife at an Eastern Sand Hills Lake In Nebraska.100 Signifigant (?) Modifications in Bird Sightings at Wolff Lake (fall 1979 to spring 1990). 104 Notes.106 Index to volume 58..108 Woodpecker, continued Hairy 6, 22, 40, 41, 43, 48, 70, 98 Lewis’ 22, 70, 93 Red-bellied 6, 22, 44, 48, 53, 70, 98 Red-headed 6, 22, 40, 41, 48, 70, 86, 98, 102 Woods, Gary 11 Wozniak, Annette 7 Bill 7 Wren, Bewick’s 95 Carolina 6, 24, 44, 48, 72 House 24, 42, 43, 48, 72, 86, 98, 102 Marsh 24, 74, 86, 93, 102 Rock 24, 42, 43 (2), 72, 96 Wren, continued Sedge 24, 42, 43 (2), 48, 74 Winter 24 sp. 6 Wright, Rick 61 Wyman, Howard 11 Wilma (Mrs. Howard) 11, 19 (2), 63 Yellowlegs, Greater 18, 64, 65, 98 Lesser 18, 47, 66, 98, 102 sp. 18, 47, 64 Yellowthroat, Common 28, 42, 43, 48, 78, 86, 98, 102, 103 Zaruba, Gary 7 Mary 7 Zgaynor, Frank 11 Ziegler, Robert 96 Zwink, Diane 5