Date: 7/5/26 11:52 am From: Scott Seier via groups.io <spseier...> Subject: [NEBirds] 2026 Humboldt Breeding Bird Survey Results
Nebraska Birders:
I am pleased to share the results of this year's Humboldt breeding bird
survey.
This is my fifth year running the Humboldt BBS route. It starts south of
Humboldt, at the intersection of Highway 8 and 634th Avenue in Richardson
County, and ends west of Auburn, in Nemaha County. It appears that the
route was started in 2018, with data available for both 2018 and 2019. It
also appears that the route was not run in 2020 or 2021, as no data is
available for either year. I started running the route in 2022. This year
I observed 56 species, which is typical for the route, and 695 total
individuals, which is an all-time high.
A few observations from this year's route:
1. In general, there were no real surprises; it was overall a typical
survey outcome, based on my experience with the route.
2. Notable high counts this year include Canada goose (30, from one group
I encountered in Nemaha County), turkey vulture (22), barred owl (2, only
second time observed on the route), Eastern phoebe (6), black-capped
chickadee (6), European starling (31), lark sparrow (5, tied with 2022),
common yellowthroat (11), and rose-breasted grosbeak (4).
3. The only notable low count this year was blue grosbeak (1).
4. Surprising misses this year were Eastern kingbird and Northern
mockingbird.
5. The previously mentioned barred owl was a new species for me
(previously observed by someone else in 2018).
6. I observed signs of breeding for the following species: Eastern phoebe
and American robin.
A move changes everything. I in 7th heaven in my back yard in Choctaw, OK. Monday back to Mesa where our park bans bird feeders.I have over come this with plantings . The park has been doing a lot of landscaping so is habitat.
We alll need to work with had we have
We can all create some bird friendly areas
Don MaasChoctaw, OkOklahoma County (Temporarily?
“If you do not take an interest in the affairs of your government then you are doomed to live under the rules of fools. Plato“You can ignore reality, but you cannot ignore the consequences of reality.”
Don & Shirley MaasThe Maas’s have migrated to the Valley of the Sun in Mesa, AZ from Choctaw, Ok for the winter.
The sentence "you don't know what you have until it's gone" means a lot to me since we moved from a large acreage near a river surrounded by trees to a small town with only 1 stubby weird looking tree in the front yard. When living in the country, I would often report seeing 12-15 species of birds within 20 minutes to Cornell FeederWatch. Before snowstorms it was common to see 15-30 or more Northern Cardinals taking turns at the feeders. We've been in town for 3 months now and have installed a few birdfeeders. After a few weeks, they started trickling in. It's so exciting to see a pair of Cardinals, several Goldfinches, Downys and Flickers, a Hummingbird on the feeders, and today we had an oriole on our patio pecking around in a planter. The excitement had never left even after seeing them regularly in the country. But now it's doubled because the common birds have become rare. I'm sure with our continued welcomes they will become more frequent and tell their friends where they can go to get the good stuff. At least that's the hope.
Thank you for bringing that sentence to my attention.
Rita Jensen Wahoo, NE Saunders County
On 2026-07-01 11:41, Gordon Warrick via groups.io wrote: > Thanks for reminding us. > > On Tuesday, June 30, 2026, 05:48:32 PM MDT, Shirley Maas via > groups.io <dtmsem2006...> wrote: > > Food for thought > > Don Maas Former Ne > Choctaw , Ok > Oklahoma County > > Mess, Az > Maricopa County > > “If you do not take an interest in the affairs of your government > then you are doomed to live under the rules of fools. > Plato > “You can ignore reality, but you cannot ignore the consequences of > reality.” > > Don & Shirley Maas > The Maas’s have migrated to the Valley of the Sun in Mesa, AZ from > Choctaw, Ok for the winter. > Begin forwarded message: > > On Tuesday, June 30, 2026, 5:02 PM, <jwdavis...> > <jwdavis...> wrote: > >> Thanks for your help and support for our birds and othe wildlife. >> “The wildlife and its habitat cannot speak, so we must and we >> will. ” — Theodore Roosevelt. I had this quote on my emails >> for 20 years as a reminder for me and others. How many >> ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerStart >> >> External Email >> >> ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerEnd >> >> Thanks for your help and support for our birds and othe wildlife. >> “The wildlife and its habitat cannot speak, so we must and we >> will.” — Theodore Roosevelt. I had this quote on my emails for >> 20 years as a reminder for me and others. >> >> How many people on this list serve are speaking out for wildlife >> and its habitat, or are you sitting in apathy and indifference as >> they disappear? >> >> Jerry >> >> ------------------------- >> >> From: okbirds <OKBIRDS...> on behalf of Susanne Lutze >> <eztuls46...> >> Sent: Tuesday, June 30, 2026 1:40 PM >> To: <OKBIRDS...> <OKBIRDS...> >> Subject: Re: [OKBIRDS] Birds and Our Hedonic Adaptation >> >> You are correct to call attention to the process of almost erasing >> our common birds to an unseeing public. Nature, especially birds, >> help keep me balanced in a world of chaos, greed and distractions. I >> try to both start and end each day with >> ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerStart >> >> External Email >> >> ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerEnd >> You are correct to call attention to the process of almost erasing >> our common birds to an unseeing public. Nature, especially birds, >> help keep me balanced in a world of chaos, greed and distractions. I >> try to both start and end each day with nature ….my birds, >> bunnies, insects, coyotes, reptiles are my truth. My soul when given >> this beginning and end to each day…feels in balance. >> Watching young House Finches, young Bue Jays, teen Mockingbirds, >> yearly juvenile Brown Thrashers, and lots of Mourning Doves, Robins, >> Sparrows, hawks, and this rear’s family of five Crows….gives me >> smiles when so much going on in the world is sad. >> Thanks for your insights. >> >> "Carry a heart that never hates, a smile that never fades, and a >> touch that never hurts." >> >> On Tue, Jun 30, 2026 at 2:16 PM <jwdavis...> >> <jwdavis...> wrote: >> >>> Birds and Our Hedonic Adaptation “You don’t know what you >>> have until it is gone” is something that all are aware of. That >>> is a characteristic of humans to fail to appreciate what they have >>> while they have it. Humans become insensitive to stimuli >>> ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerStart >>> >>> External Email >>> >>> ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerEnd >>> >>> Birds and Our Hedonic Adaptation >>> >>> “You don’t know what you have until it is gone” is >>> something that all are aware of. That is a characteristic of >>> humans to fail to appreciate what they have while they have it. >>> Humans become insensitive to stimuli and environmental factors >>> with repeat exposure. Birders are not immune to this factor and >>> take for granted the birds they see around them. Yes, you may have >>> been excited about having a bird in your yard the first time but >>> as time wears on, this becomes a common place, and the excitement >>> diminishes just as buying a new object from the store. The hedonic >>> adaptation is a psychological process where people tend to return >>> to a relatively stable baseline level after having positive or >>> negative life events. When something good happens like seeing a >>> new bird or adding a bird to your life lists, you have a boost of >>> happiness, but the feeling fades as your brain adjusts to the >>> experience. This natural and often unconscious process helps keep >>> life stable but can cause you to ignore or become complacent to >>> the treasures and the birds that you have around you. I have been >>> on birding trips with some birders referring to a species seen so >>> often that they call them “trash birds”. There are no trash >>> birds regardless of how often they are seen. You need to regain a >>> gratitude and appreciation for what you have. Find joy in seeing >>> your American Robins, Northern Cardinals, Blue jays, Eastern >>> Bluebirds, and others that you see so often that you ignore their >>> presence and the beauty they hold. By understanding the hedonic >>> adaptation process that is at work in your crinkled cranium you >>> can focus on strategies that promote sustainable well-being, >>> cultivate gratitude, meaningful engagement, and mindful awareness, >>> rather than relying solely on new external circumstances and birds >>> to provide a lasting happiness. >>> >>> You need to remember that we have lost 3 billion birds since 1970 >>> and four percent (4%) fewer birds are crossing the Gulf each year. >>> In just one decade, we have 40% fewer birds crossing the Gulf. >>> Even what we call our common birds is in steep decline. You need >>> to find a mental way of renewed and sustainable joy and >>> appreciation for our birds and see and experience each one while >>> we still have them. >>> >>> Jerry Wayne Davis >>> June 30, 2026 >>> Hot Springs, AR >> >>> > > > > Links: > ------ > [1] https://groups.io/g/NEBirds/message/43149 > [2] https://groups.io/mt/120056528/3005744 > [3] https://groups.io/g/NEBirds/post > [4] https://groups.io/g/NEBirds/editsub/3005744 > [5] https://groups.io/g/NEBirds/leave/5806104/3005744/144787468/xyzzy
Date: 7/1/26 9:41 am From: Gordon Warrick via groups.io <prubinus...> Subject: Re: [NEBirds] Fw: [OKBIRDS] Birds and Our Hedonic Adaptation
Thanks for reminding us.
On Tuesday, June 30, 2026, 05:48:32 PM MDT, Shirley Maas via groups.io <dtmsem2006...> wrote:
Food for thought
Don Maas Former NeChoctaw , OkOklahoma County
Mess, AzMaricopa County
“If you do not take an interest in the affairs of your government then you are doomed to live under the rules of fools. Plato“You can ignore reality, but you cannot ignore the consequences of reality.”
Don & Shirley MaasThe Maas’s have migrated to the Valley of the Sun in Mesa, AZ from Choctaw, Ok for the winter.
Begin forwarded message:
On Tuesday, June 30, 2026, 5:02 PM, <jwdavis...> <jwdavis...> wrote:
Thanks for your help and support for our birds and othe wildlife. “The wildlife and its habitat cannot speak, so we must and we will. ” — Theodore Roosevelt. I had this quote on my emails for 20 years as a reminder for me and others. How manyZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerStart External Email ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerEndThanks for your help and support for our birds and othe wildlife. “The wildlife and its habitat cannot speak, so we must and we will.” — Theodore Roosevelt. I had this quote on my emails for 20 years as a reminder for me and others.
How many people on this list serve are speaking out for wildlife and its habitat, or are you sitting in apathy and indifference as they disappear?
JerryFrom: okbirds <OKBIRDS...> on behalf of Susanne Lutze <eztuls46...>
Sent: Tuesday, June 30, 2026 1:40 PM
To: <OKBIRDS...> <OKBIRDS...>
Subject: Re: [OKBIRDS] Birds and Our Hedonic Adaptation You are correct to call attention to the process of almost erasing our common birds to an unseeing public. Nature, especially birds, help keep me balanced in a world of chaos, greed and distractions. I try to both start and end each day withZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerStartExternal Email ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerEndYou are correct to call attention to the process of almost erasing our common birds to an unseeing public. Nature, especially birds, help keep me balanced in a world of chaos, greed and distractions. I try to both start and end each day with nature ….my birds, bunnies, insects, coyotes, reptiles are my truth. My soul when given this beginning and end to each day…feels in balance.Watching young House Finches, young Bue Jays, teen Mockingbirds, yearly juvenile Brown Thrashers, and lots of Mourning Doves, Robins, Sparrows, hawks, and this rear’s family of five Crows….gives me smiles when so much going on in the world is sad. Thanks for your insights.
"Carry a heart that never hates, a smile that never fades, and a touch that never hurts."
On Tue, Jun 30, 2026 at 2:16 PM <jwdavis...> <jwdavis...> wrote:
Birds and Our Hedonic Adaptation “You don’t know what you have until it is gone” is something that all are aware of. That is a characteristic of humans to fail to appreciate what they have while they have it. Humans become insensitive to stimuliZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerStartExternal Email ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerEndBirds and Our Hedonic Adaptation“You don’t know what you have until it is gone” is something that all are aware of. That is a characteristic of humans to fail to appreciate what they have while they have it. Humans become insensitive to stimuli and environmental factors with repeat exposure. Birders are not immune to this factor and take for granted the birds they see around them. Yes, you may have been excited about having a bird in your yard the first time but as time wears on, this becomes a common place, and the excitement diminishes just as buying a new object from the store. The hedonic adaptation is a psychological process where people tend to return to a relatively stable baseline level after having positive or negative life events. When something good happens like seeing a new bird or adding a bird to your life lists, you have a boost of happiness, but the feeling fades as your brain adjusts to the experience. This natural and often unconscious process helps keep life stable but can cause you to ignore or become complacent to the treasures and the birds that you have around you. I have been on birding trips with some birders referring to a species seen so often that they call them “trash birds”. There are no trash birds regardless of how often they are seen. You need to regain a gratitude and appreciation for what you have. Find joy in seeing your American Robins, Northern Cardinals, Blue jays, Eastern Bluebirds, and others that you see so often that you ignore their presence and the beauty they hold. By understanding the hedonic adaptation process that is at work in your crinkled cranium you can focus on strategies that promote sustainable well-being, cultivate gratitude, meaningful engagement, and mindful awareness, rather than relying solely on new external circumstances and birds to provide a lasting happiness.You need to remember that we have lost 3 billion birds since 1970 and four percent (4%) fewer birds are crossing the Gulf each year. In just one decade, we have 40% fewer birds crossing the Gulf. Even what we call our common birds is in steep decline. You need to find a mental way of renewed and sustainable joy and appreciation for our birds and see and experience each one while we still have them.
Jerry Wayne DavisJune 30, 2026Hot Springs, AR
Date: 6/30/26 4:48 pm From: Shirley Maas via groups.io <dtmsem2006...> Subject: [NEBirds] Fw: [OKBIRDS] Birds and Our Hedonic Adaptation
Food for thought
Don Maas Former NeChoctaw , OkOklahoma County
Mess, AzMaricopa County
“If you do not take an interest in the affairs of your government then you are doomed to live under the rules of fools. Plato“You can ignore reality, but you cannot ignore the consequences of reality.”
Don & Shirley MaasThe Maas’s have migrated to the Valley of the Sun in Mesa, AZ from Choctaw, Ok for the winter.
Begin forwarded message:
On Tuesday, June 30, 2026, 5:02 PM, <jwdavis...> <jwdavis...> wrote:
Thanks for your help and support for our birds and othe wildlife. “The wildlife and its habitat cannot speak, so we must and we will. ” — Theodore Roosevelt. I had this quote on my emails for 20 years as a reminder for me and others. How manyZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerStart External Email ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerEnd#yiv2384427697 #yiv2384427697pfptBannerekf4mwx {display:block !important;visibility:visible !important;opacity:1 !important;background-color:#d04b4c !important;max-width:none !important;max-height:none !important;}#yiv2384427697 .yiv2384427697pfptPrimaryButtonekf4mwx:hover, #yiv2384427697 .yiv2384427697pfptPrimaryButtonekf4mwx:focus {background-color:#e9797a !important;}#yiv2384427697 .yiv2384427697pfptPrimaryButtonekf4mwx:active {background-color:#d89d9d !important;}#yiv2384427697 html:root, #yiv2384427697 html:root>body {display:block !important;visibility:visible !important;opacity:1 !important;}#yiv2384427697 P {margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;}Thanks for your help and support for our birds and othe wildlife. “The wildlife and its habitat cannot speak, so we must and we will.” — Theodore Roosevelt. I had this quote on my emails for 20 years as a reminder for me and others.
How many people on this list serve are speaking out for wildlife and its habitat, or are you sitting in apathy and indifference as they disappear?
JerryFrom: okbirds <OKBIRDS...> on behalf of Susanne Lutze <eztuls46...>
Sent: Tuesday, June 30, 2026 1:40 PM
To: <OKBIRDS...> <OKBIRDS...>
Subject: Re: [OKBIRDS] Birds and Our Hedonic Adaptation <!--#yiv2384427697 #yiv2384427697x_pfptBannero9celtz {display:block!important;visibility:visible!important;opacity:1!important;background-color:#d04b4c!important;max-width:none!important;max-height:none!important;}#yiv2384427697 html:root, #yiv2384427697 html:root > div {display:block!important;visibility:visible!important;opacity:1!important;}-->You are correct to call attention to the process of almost erasing our common birds to an unseeing public. Nature, especially birds, help keep me balanced in a world of chaos, greed and distractions. I try to both start and end each day withZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerStartExternal Email ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerEndYou are correct to call attention to the process of almost erasing our common birds to an unseeing public. Nature, especially birds, help keep me balanced in a world of chaos, greed and distractions. I try to both start and end each day with nature ….my birds, bunnies, insects, coyotes, reptiles are my truth. My soul when given this beginning and end to each day…feels in balance.Watching young House Finches, young Bue Jays, teen Mockingbirds, yearly juvenile Brown Thrashers, and lots of Mourning Doves, Robins, Sparrows, hawks, and this rear’s family of five Crows….gives me smiles when so much going on in the world is sad. Thanks for your insights.
"Carry a heart that never hates, a smile that never fades, and a touch that never hurts."
On Tue, Jun 30, 2026 at 2:16 PM <jwdavis...> <jwdavis...> wrote:
Birds and Our Hedonic Adaptation “You don’t know what you have until it is gone” is something that all are aware of. That is a characteristic of humans to fail to appreciate what they have while they have it. Humans become insensitive to stimuliZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerStartExternal Email ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerEndBirds and Our Hedonic Adaptation“You don’t know what you have until it is gone” is something that all are aware of. That is a characteristic of humans to fail to appreciate what they have while they have it. Humans become insensitive to stimuli and environmental factors with repeat exposure. Birders are not immune to this factor and take for granted the birds they see around them. Yes, you may have been excited about having a bird in your yard the first time but as time wears on, this becomes a common place, and the excitement diminishes just as buying a new object from the store. The hedonic adaptation is a psychological process where people tend to return to a relatively stable baseline level after having positive or negative life events. When something good happens like seeing a new bird or adding a bird to your life lists, you have a boost of happiness, but the feeling fades as your brain adjusts to the experience. This natural and often unconscious process helps keep life stable but can cause you to ignore or become complacent to the treasures and the birds that you have around you. I have been on birding trips with some birders referring to a species seen so often that they call them “trash birds”. There are no trash birds regardless of how often they are seen. You need to regain a gratitude and appreciation for what you have. Find joy in seeing your American Robins, Northern Cardinals, Blue jays, Eastern Bluebirds, and others that you see so often that you ignore their presence and the beauty they hold. By understanding the hedonic adaptation process that is at work in your crinkled cranium you can focus on strategies that promote sustainable well-being, cultivate gratitude, meaningful engagement, and mindful awareness, rather than relying solely on new external circumstances and birds to provide a lasting happiness.You need to remember that we have lost 3 billion birds since 1970 and four percent (4%) fewer birds are crossing the Gulf each year. In just one decade, we have 40% fewer birds crossing the Gulf. Even what we call our common birds is in steep decline. You need to find a mental way of renewed and sustainable joy and appreciation for our birds and see and experience each one while we still have them.
Jerry Wayne DavisJune 30, 2026Hot Springs, AR
While doing a bird count along the gravel roads near where we live, we found a kestrel nest high in a dead tree. There were two adults and two young kestrels. The young birds were making short flights from one branch to another and around the tree. Another young one was still in the nest and was being brought food by an adult.
Kathy and Duane Schwery
Cass County
Date: 6/27/26 6:45 pm From: Paul L. Pearson via groups.io <Propearson...> Subject: [NEBirds] UNK Cuckoo Surveys-6/27 Burt, Thurston Counties
I had the opportunity to join Dr Jacob Cooper on Sat June 27 for some 2026 cuckoo surveys being conducted by the UNK Ornithology Program in Burt and Thurston Counties. Protocol was stopping at pre-selected locations with presumed suitable habitat and playing a 6 minute recording of calls (with interspersed pauses) from both species.
We started at spots near/in Summit Lake SRA (Burt). We had one Yellow-billed call at our first stop, but unfortunately I didn’t catch it. After a few more stops in Burt without any cuckoos, we proceeded to Middle Decatur Bend, an historic oxbow on the Eastern side of the Missouri River across from Decatur but part of Nebraska. After our playback loop, a Black-billed Cuckoo called once distinctly from a fair distance south of our location through tick and poison ivy infested weeds that prohibited trying to search for it. This was only the 2nd BBCU found (so far) in the statewide survey. Per eBird and NOU county records, this is a Burt county FIRST record! Personally this was my first BBCU in the 21st century and only my second (June 1983). We celebrated with some (unexpectedly) great brisket for lunch at the Hillbilly Smokehouse in Decatur.
We then proceeded north into Thurston County and the Omaha Tribe Reservation (with prior permission) and tried various locations that we were able to access until it became too windy to reasonably continue.At Big Elk Wildlife Park in Thurston we heard our second and last YBCU of the day. A final stop at Pelican Point SRA (Burt Co) on the Missouri river was our last attempt and we saw 2 Least Terns on the Iowa side of the river in Monona County. Along with our 3 cuckoos, we both added county ticks in Washington, Burt and Thurston (Jacob-59 in Burt and 27 in Thurston!), as well as attracting several actual ticks.
On Saturday, June 27, 2026 at 02:32:12 PM CDT, Ruth Stearns via groups.io <ruthstearns...> wrote:
Mike and I tried out luck Friday to find the kite. I think the experience alone would have been worth it, driving down that two lane sandy road (Circle Road) through the Sandhills of Bessey National Forest, listening to Ovenbirds, Brown Thrashers, Field Sparrows, Bell's Vireo's, Western Meadowlarks, Lark Sparrows, Northern Bobwhite, Chipping Sparrows, and perhaps we'll say there were Spotted Towhees. We could find some birds easily as they perched on the dead trees from the fires of a few years back, less so once we got into wooded areas. We found the parking area by the gate, and successfully figured out how to open it, and close it, and we headed east beyond the gate. Stomped through deep sand, poison ivy and cowpies...then headed up a hill after traveling about 1/4 of a mile. We scoped those hills to the north a billion times, and headed further east along the ridge and scoped some more, memorizing every dead tree we saw but never finding the kite that sat so nicely for others who had come earlier in the week. We scoped every distant soaring raptor. We figured out where the red threshing machine was that some would mention. But an hour and a half seemed long enough, and it was time for lunch, so we headed back to the car, vowing to head back out once we'd eaten. But after we ate, I said, lets just drive down Circle road and see what happens. We'd driven about 1/4 mile, I was scanning every dead tree I'd see along my side of the road. I hollared to Mike to stop...and back up, keep backing up...stop. And I looked up the hill at what must have caught my eye. And there it was. just 100 yards or so up the ridge, sitting in a dead tree tucked between two living cedars. A small white bellied raptor, hooked beak, gull gray back and wings and those black shoulder patches. It let me take pictures, It let Mike get out to see. And I got out, and got the scope out, and fiddled with the phone and the digiscoping attachment and took pictures and videos, and we just marveled at our unbelieveable luck to have seen this bird.
Ruthie Stearns and Mike MattsonLincoln, NE
Date: 6/27/26 12:32 pm From: Ruth Stearns via groups.io <ruthstearns...> Subject: [NEBirds] White-tailed Kite Thomas County
Mike and I tried out luck Friday to find the kite. I think the experience alone would have been worth it, driving down that two lane sandy road (Circle Road) through the Sandhills of Bessey National Forest, listening to Ovenbirds, Brown Thrashers, Field Sparrows, Bell's Vireo's, Western Meadowlarks, Lark Sparrows, Northern Bobwhite, Chipping Sparrows, and perhaps we'll say there were Spotted Towhees. We could find some birds easily as they perched on the dead trees from the fires of a few years back, less so once we got into wooded areas. We found the parking area by the gate, and successfully figured out how to open it, and close it, and we headed east beyond the gate. Stomped through deep sand, poison ivy and cowpies...then headed up a hill after traveling about 1/4 of a mile. We scoped those hills to the north a billion times, and headed further east along the ridge and scoped some more, memorizing every dead tree we saw but never finding the kite that sat so nicely for others who had come earlier in the week. We scoped every distant soaring raptor. We figured out where the red threshing machine was that some would mention. But an hour and a half seemed long enough, and it was time for lunch, so we headed back to the car, vowing to head back out once we'd eaten. But after we ate, I said, lets just drive down Circle road and see what happens. We'd driven about 1/4 mile, I was scanning every dead tree I'd see along my side of the road. I hollared to Mike to stop...and back up, keep backing up...stop. And I looked up the hill at what must have caught my eye. And there it was. just 100 yards or so up the ridge, sitting in a dead tree tucked between two living cedars. A small white bellied raptor, hooked beak, gull gray back and wings and those black shoulder patches. It let me take pictures, It let Mike get out to see. And I got out, and got the scope out, and fiddled with the phone and the digiscoping attachment and took pictures and videos, and we just marveled at our unbelieveable luck to have seen this bird.
Ruthie Stearns and Mike MattsonLincoln, NE
Date: 6/25/26 7:36 pm From: Jason Thiele via groups.io <jasonthiele...> Subject: [NEBirds] Madison BBS results
And, finally, I completed the Madison BBS route on June 22. This is a newer route (started in 2018), and this was only my second time completing it. The route starts just east of Madison and takes a meandering course through Madison County, ending several miles south of Meadow Grove. This year's species total and total number of birds were the highest recorded for this route. A Wood Duck and two Great Horned Owls were also observed between points.
I'm sounding like a broken record, but just like my previous two routes, Northern Bobwhite numbers were substantially higher than previous years (0 in 2018, 3 in 2019, 22 in 2025). Purple Martin and Rose-breasted Grosbeak were recorded for the first time. Otherwise, there weren't a lot of surprises.
Date: 6/25/26 7:34 pm From: Jason Thiele via groups.io <jasonthiele...> Subject: [NEBirds] Wheeler County BBS Results
I completed the Wheeler County BBS route on June 16. This route starts in the Sandhills northwest of Bassett and then follows county roads and Highway 70 to the Antelope/Wheeler county line. This route has been run off and on since 1978; I took over the route in 2019. This year has to be the driest I have seen on this route, with very few marshes having open water. As a result, I missed some expected species and had below-average counts for others. The total species count and the total number of birds is right in line with what I've had in recent years, though. Turkey Vulture was the only other species observed during the route but not captured at a stop.
As was the case on my other BBS routes, the Northern Bobwhite count was way above average. This area isn't exactly "quail country," but 13 was a pretty good count considering there had never been more than 5 recorded on this route. I usually have a few lingering Greater Prairie-Chickens on leks for this route, but since I ran it about a week later than usual, the Lonely Hearts Club must have broken up for the year. That was certainly the biggest miss. Wilson's Snipe numbers fluctuate a lot on this route, presumably due to changes in habitat conditions on the meadows. 16 isn't bad, but I've had 40 on this route before. Finding two cuckoos was a bit of a surprise; it had been many years since either species was recorded on this route.
Date: 6/25/26 7:28 pm From: Jason Thiele via groups.io <jasonthiele...> Subject: [NEBirds] Tilden BBS results
Good evening. I have just finished data entry for three Breeding Bird Survey routes completed this month, so I thought I would take a few minutes to share results and thoughts.
I completed the Tilden route on June 6. The Tilden BBS route starts in Tilden and goes north and east through portions of Madison, Antelope, and Pierce counties, ending in the Plainview area. This route was run for the first time in 2019. I will probably never top the results of that first year, when the abundance of water on the landscape from the spring flood produced species that would not be expected in most years. This year's run was slightly below average with 58 species recorded, but total birds were right around the 1000-1100 mark that has been typical. A White-breasted Nuthatch was also encountered on the route between stops.
The Northern Bobwhite tally was the highest for this route by far. The previous high was 27 last year. Two straight years with mild winters and good nesting conditions have been kind to this species. I have seen the same trend on my other BBS routes and throughout my travels around northeast Nebraska. Counts for other species generally fell within the observed ranges over the past few years. Probably the biggest misses were waterfowl (first year I haven't recorded at least one duck or goose species) and Willow Flycatcher (first time missed on this route).
Date: 6/25/26 1:25 pm From: Jacob C. Cooper via groups.io <cooperj2...> Subject: Re: [NEBirds] Dickcissels
It does seem like its been a good couple of years for them down in the southwest. We have had good numbers of them in Colfax County, New Mexico the past two yearsincluding several up to about 7,000 ft in elevation in the wider canyons.
Might be a bit early to tell- usually westward incursions are in years of high numbers in the regular range in June (I haven't taken a look at June yet).
Definitely something to keep an eye on, especially knowing about those Colorado sightings.
Ross
BONO co-editor
________________________________
From: <NEBirds...> <NEBirds...> on behalf of Robin Harding via groups.io <pine2siskin4...>
Sent: Thursday, June 25, 2026 12:55
To: <NEBirds...> <NEBirds...>
Subject: [NEBirds] Dickcissels
Nebraska birders,
I've read the chapter on Dickcissels in the Birds of Nebraska Online. Could this be an incursion year for them in western Nebraska or are they expanding their range? I traveled through southwestern Nebraska on my way to Colorado Springs recently. I recorded two singing male Dickcissels in Hayes County at Hayes Center WMA on June 16.
In Colorado, I attended a bird walk led by a local birder. South of Colorado Springs, in Aiken Canyon Preserve on June 20, we saw two male Dickcissels. The guide was excited to see them because he said they are rare at that location. Near the Grandview Cemetery at Wray, Colorado on June 22, I heard four singing males. Nearby, at Stalker Lake, I heard four more singing males. I saw at least one at each location.
In Dundy County, near Haigler, on June 23, I heard one singing male Dickcissel. On the same day, in Chase County, at the Frenchman Valley Produce pond, I heard one singing male. Personally, the one in Dundy County was a new county bird for me. I entered all of these sightings onto ebird.
Looking at ebird, I see many reports of Dickcissels in western Nebraska and into Wyoming and Colorado. Many of them are recent reports. Incursion or expanding their range?
Date: 6/25/26 11:39 am From: Ross Silcock via groups.io <silcock...> Subject: Re: [NEBirds] Dickcissels
Hi Robin,
Might be a bit early to tell- usually westward incursions are in years of high numbers in the regular range in June (I haven't taken a look at June yet).
Definitely something to keep an eye on, especially knowing about those Colorado sightings.
Ross
BONO co-editor
________________________________
From: <NEBirds...> <NEBirds...> on behalf of Robin Harding via groups.io <pine2siskin4...>
Sent: Thursday, June 25, 2026 12:55
To: <NEBirds...> <NEBirds...>
Subject: [NEBirds] Dickcissels
Nebraska birders,
I've read the chapter on Dickcissels in the Birds of Nebraska Online. Could this be an incursion year for them in western Nebraska or are they expanding their range? I traveled through southwestern Nebraska on my way to Colorado Springs recently. I recorded two singing male Dickcissels in Hayes County at Hayes Center WMA on June 16.
In Colorado, I attended a bird walk led by a local birder. South of Colorado Springs, in Aiken Canyon Preserve on June 20, we saw two male Dickcissels. The guide was excited to see them because he said they are rare at that location. Near the Grandview Cemetery at Wray, Colorado on June 22, I heard four singing males. Nearby, at Stalker Lake, I heard four more singing males. I saw at least one at each location.
In Dundy County, near Haigler, on June 23, I heard one singing male Dickcissel. On the same day, in Chase County, at the Frenchman Valley Produce pond, I heard one singing male. Personally, the one in Dundy County was a new county bird for me. I entered all of these sightings onto ebird.
Looking at ebird, I see many reports of Dickcissels in western Nebraska and into Wyoming and Colorado. Many of them are recent reports. Incursion or expanding their range?
Date: 6/25/26 10:56 am From: Robin Harding via groups.io <pine2siskin4...> Subject: [NEBirds] Dickcissels
Nebraska birders,
I've read the chapter on Dickcissels in the Birds of Nebraska Online. Could this be an incursion year for them in western Nebraska or are they expanding their range? I traveled through southwestern Nebraska on my way to Colorado Springs recently. I recorded two singing male Dickcissels in Hayes County at Hayes Center WMA on June 16.
In Colorado, I attended a bird walk led by a local birder. South of Colorado Springs, in Aiken Canyon Preserve on June 20, we saw two male Dickcissels. The guide was excited to see them because he said they are rare at that location. Near the Grandview Cemetery at Wray, Colorado on June 22, I heard four singing males. Nearby, at Stalker Lake, I heard four more singing males. I saw at least one at each location.
In Dundy County, near Haigler, on June 23, I heard one singing male Dickcissel. On the same day, in Chase County, at the Frenchman Valley Produce pond, I heard one singing male. Personally, the one in Dundy County was a new county bird for me. I entered all of these sightings onto ebird.
Looking at ebird, I see many reports of Dickcissels in western Nebraska and into Wyoming and Colorado. Many of them are recent reports. Incursion or expanding their range?
Date: 6/23/26 9:39 pm From: Don and Shirley Maas via groups.io <snowbirds2012...> Subject: Re: [NEBirds] Chasing birds in Chase Co.
Thanks for the report Robin
Don MAAS
>
> On Jun 23, 2026 at 9:42 PM, <Robin Harding via groups.io (mailto:<pine2siskin4...>)> wrote:
>
>
>
>
> Nebraska birders,
>
> I took a little detour on my way to Colorado last week. My total number of bird species in Hayes County was at 123. I wanted to get it up to that magic number 125. I birded a dead end road near Hamlet on June 15 in the evening. It was a location that Lanny and I had been to many years ago and marked it on our map as a good birding spot. Shortly after I arrived on this daye, I heard a Field Sparrow singing. That was a new county bird. Other highlights included a Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Bell's Vireo, Yellow-breasted Chat and Black-headed Grosbeak but none of them were new county birds. Further down the road, I heard an unfamiliar song. I finally got my eyes on the songster and it was a Towhee. It was not a typical Towhee song, although it was two identical notes and then a trill, like a Spotted Towhee. It probably was a weird Spotted Towhee but I wasn't sure if I should count it as a new county bird.
>
> The next morning, I went to Hayes Center WMA. It was a beautiful, cool and calm morning. I walked along the road on the east side of the lake. I heard a Northern Bobwhite, which was a new county bird. Other highlights included a Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Great Crested Flycatcher, Orchard Oriole, Northern Cardinal and Dickcissel. I also saw an Eastern Bluebird which was another new county bird. My new Hayes County total is 127. It's nice to have a little cushion.
>
> In the afternoon of June 16, I drove to Imperial to try my luck at locating the Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks. The weather was sunny and hot. I couldn't find the right pond and was not able to find the ducks. Oh well. It was worth a try.
>
> On my way back from Colorado on June 23, I did a little more birding in Chase County. As I was driving from Haigler to Benkelman it rained hard. By the time I got to Imperial, the rain had stopped. I finally found the Frenchman Valley Produce pond but the only ducks I saw were Mallards. I was disappointed but I thought that I might as well look at the other ponds in the area. I checked a couple other nearby ponds but found no ducks. It was getting late and I needed to head for home. I stopped at the intersection of highway 61 and 3rd Street, looked to the right and saw a couple ducks in the flooded ditch. I took a quick look with my binoculars and, WOW, there were two Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks. I carefully moved the car into a parking lot and got out to get a better view. Beautiful ducks and not shy. They didn't fly away.
>
> Robin Harding
> Shelton, Nebraska
>
>
>
Date: 6/23/26 7:42 pm From: Robin Harding via groups.io <pine2siskin4...> Subject: [NEBirds] Chasing birds in Chase Co.
Nebraska birders,
I took a little detour on my way to Colorado last week. My total number of bird species in Hayes County was at 123. I wanted to get it up to that magic number 125. I birded a dead end road near Hamlet on June 15 in the evening. It was a location that Lanny and I had been to many years ago and marked it on our map as a good birding spot. Shortly after I arrived on this daye, I heard a Field Sparrow singing. That was a new county bird. Other highlights included a Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Bell's Vireo, Yellow-breasted Chat and Black-headed Grosbeak but none of them were new county birds. Further down the road, I heard an unfamiliar song. I finally got my eyes on the songster and it was a Towhee. It was not a typical Towhee song, although it was two identical notes and then a trill, like a Spotted Towhee. It probably was a weird Spotted Towhee but I wasn't sure if I should count it as a new county bird.
The next morning, I went to Hayes Center WMA. It was a beautiful, cool and calm morning. I walked along the road on the east side of the lake. I heard a Northern Bobwhite, which was a new county bird. Other highlights included a Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Great Crested Flycatcher, Orchard Oriole, Northern Cardinal and Dickcissel. I also saw an Eastern Bluebird which was another new county bird. My new Hayes County total is 127. It's nice to have a little cushion.
In the afternoon of June 16, I drove to Imperial to try my luck at locating the Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks. The weather was sunny and hot. I couldn't find the right pond and was not able to find the ducks. Oh well. It was worth a try.
On my way back from Colorado on June 23, I did a little more birding in Chase County. As I was driving from Haigler to Benkelman it rained hard. By the time I got to Imperial, the rain had stopped. I finally found the Frenchman Valley Produce pond but the only ducks I saw were Mallards. I was disappointed but I thought that I might as well look at the other ponds in the area. I checked a couple other nearby ponds but found no ducks. It was getting late and I needed to head for home. I stopped at the intersection of highway 61 and 3rd Street, looked to the right and saw a couple ducks in the flooded ditch. I took a quick look with my binoculars and, WOW, there were two Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks. I carefully moved the car into a parking lot and got out to get a better view. Beautiful ducks and not shy. They didn't fly away.
Date: 6/23/26 10:55 am From: Paul Roisen via groups.io <roisenp1950...> Subject: Re: [NEBirds] White-tailed Kite
The white tailed kite was seen by Bill Huser, Jerry Probst and Paul Roisen
several times today first was seen from the Hills, where Thane and Justin
and those guys had viewed it From the red thrashing machine site way south
closer to where Tobin‘s pin was it then flew further south and we got some
decent pictures in the end. It was very skittish today probably due to the
rain and a truck driving down the road where Justin and Teagan had been and
where the red thrashing machine was as a matter of fact, the guy power that
up and roared away doing some whatever he was doing with it. Just letting
you know that it is around and moving around quite a bit seen on the top of
dead trees most of the time.
God Bless
*Paul O. Roisen*
*Sioux City, IA 51106 **Woodbury County, IA*
*Mobile 712-301-2817 **<roisenp1950...> <roisenp1950...>*
On Mon, Jun 22, 2026 at 9:34 PM Paul L. Pearson via groups.io <Propearson=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> Keegan Brown and Justin Rink found it this afternoon close to the
> original pin and Eli Weber found it just a little bit ago.
>
> Great bird! Be prepared to hike in at ~ a mile RT through ticks, poison
> ivy, and up and down Sandhills slopes.
>
> Paul P
> [image: logo-ebird-1200.png]
>
> eBird Checklist - 22 Jun 2026 - Nebraska NF--Circle Road (Northwest) - 12
> species (+1 other taxa) <https://ebird.org/checklist/S361886843> > ebird.org <https://ebird.org/checklist/S361886843> > <https://ebird.org/checklist/S361886843> > Q
>
>
> Paul L. Pearson, Ph.D.
> President, Nebraska Ornithologists’ Union
>
>
> --
> Paul L. Pearson, PhD
> President-Nebraska Ornithologists’ Union
> Omaha, NE
>
>
>
On Mon, Jun 22, 2026 at 7:35 PM, Tobin Brown via groups.io<tobinjbrown...> wrote: Keegan, Justin, Eli, and Connor all found the kite today!
It's about a 1/2 mile hike east down the 2-track from Circle road, then 1/4 mi north to the ridge where you can see the tree it has been roosting in.
Good luck!
- Tobin Brown
On Mon, Jun 22, 2026, 8:09 PM Paul Roisen via groups.io <roisenp1950...> wrote:
Did anyone go looking for the White-tailed Kite today June 22? Bill Huser, Jerry Probst, and I are heading out very early tomorrow AM with hopes of seeing it. If anyone looked for it today and either did not find it or found it and have not report it yet, we would very much appreciate and info regarding either sighting OR failure to sight the bird.
God Bless.Paul O. RoisenSioux City, IA 51106 Woodbury County, IAMobile 712-301-2817 <roisenp1950...>
Date: 6/22/26 6:35 pm From: Tobin Brown via groups.io <tobinjbrown...> Subject: Re: [NEBirds] White-tailed Kite
Keegan, Justin, Eli, and Connor all found the kite today!
It's about a 1/2 mile hike east down the 2-track from Circle road, then 1/4
mi north to the ridge where you can see the tree it has been roosting in.
Good luck!
- Tobin Brown
On Mon, Jun 22, 2026, 8:09 PM Paul Roisen via groups.io <roisenp1950=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> Did anyone go looking for the White-tailed Kite today June 22? Bill
> Huser, Jerry Probst, and I are heading out very early tomorrow AM with
> hopes of seeing it.
> *If anyone looked for it today and either did not find it or found it
> and have not report it yet, we would very much appreciate and info
> regarding either sighting OR failure to sight the bird.*
>
> God Bless.
> *Paul O. Roisen*
> *Sioux City, IA 51106 **Woodbury County, IA*
> *Mobile 712-301-2817 **<roisenp1950...> <roisenp1950...>*
>
>
Date: 6/22/26 6:09 pm From: Paul Roisen via groups.io <roisenp1950...> Subject: [NEBirds] White-tailed Kite
Did anyone go looking for the White-tailed Kite today June 22? Bill Huser, Jerry Probst, and I are heading out very early tomorrow AM with hopes of seeing it. *If anyone looked for it today and either did not find it or found it and have not report it yet, we would very much appreciate and info regarding either sighting OR failure to sight the bird.*
God Bless. *Paul O. Roisen* *Sioux City, IA 51106 **Woodbury County, IA* *Mobile 712-301-2817 **<roisenp1950...> <roisenp1950...>*
Date: 6/21/26 1:30 pm From: Gary Roberts via groups.io <garoberts...> Subject: [NEBirds] Johnson BBS Route 54002 Results
Hi All: Finished my last route for this season of BBS just in time. The route has 9 miles of minimum maintenance roads and the rain started 10 minutes after we finished the route. Weather was beautiful during the route and although we had fewer species than usual we did set a new record for individual birds totaled. Below are the results:
Date: 6/20/26 9:20 pm From: Gary Roberts via groups.io <garoberts...> Subject: [NEBirds] Lyons BBS Route
Hi All: Just dropping the results of my Lyons BBS route that was run last Sunday June 14th. Not the most species i've had for sure but was a nice day for a drive. One YBCU at stop 38 for the folks collecting data on them.
Gary Roberts
Dodge County
Route SummaryObserver:R0758 - Gary Roberts Route:LYONS, NEBRASKA (54-315) Run Method:101-Standard BBS Route Summary InformationDate Route Run:06/14/2026Start Time:05:19End Time:09:29Start Temp:51 °FEnd Temp:62 °FStart Wind:3-Leaves, small twigs in constant motion [8-12 mph, 13-19 Kph]End Wind:4-Dust rises; small branches move [13-18 mph, 20-29 Kph]Start Sky:0-Clear or few cloudsEnd Sky:0-Clear or few clouds 10 Stop Totals Species 1-10 11-20 21-30 31-40 41-50 Total ind. Total StopsCanada Goose000040401Northern Bobwhite64001116Wild Turkey1000011Ring-necked Pheasant1899414129Mourning Dove712129105026Eurasian Collared-Dove0210032Rock Pigeon3000031Yellow-billed Cuckoo0001011Common Nighthawk1000011Killdeer14064159Upland Sandpiper2010032Red-tailed Hawk0101022Red-headed Woodpecker0121596Great Crested Flycatcher0200022Eastern Kingbird1120266Eastern Phoebe0010011Eastern Warbling-Vireo0001122Blue Jay0120032American Crow1500063Horned Lark43031117Tree Swallow0100342Barn Swallow016134114410Cedar Waxwing0000441Northern House Wren1223199Sedge Wren1000011Gray Catbird0000111Brown Thrasher1020033European Starling0413010274Eastern Bluebird0101022American Robin19242812139632House Sparrow441707328American Goldfinch0045092Lark Sparrow1102154Chipping Sparrow0211266Field Sparrow1000122Vesper Sparrow2100033Song Sparrow1020033Bobolink1110033Eastern Meadowlark2100255Western Meadowlark554031712Orchard Oriole0000111Baltimore Oriole1000122Red-winged Blackbird221729231710829Brown-headed Cowbird3611663222Common Grackle310212188Common Yellowthroat1231077Yellow Warbler0011022Northern Cardinal1312188Rose-breasted Grosbeak0101022Blue Grosbeak0020022Indigo Bunting1101033Dickcissel14811864733Great Horned Owl1000011American Kestrel0001011Loggerhead Shrike0010011Cliff Swallow200000201Total Species : 56Total ind. : 742Vehicles0000000Noise0000000
Date: 6/20/26 3:12 pm From: Ross Silcock via groups.io <silcock...> Subject: Re: [NEBirds] NOU Crawford species update
Hi Tana,
I'm working on Spring updates to BONO and saw your message to NEBIRDS that included a 31 May sighting of a Hermit Thrush. I don't see it in eBird, and it's a late date, so could you send me the Hermit Thrush pics you mentioned?
Thanks,
Ross
________________________________
From: <NEBirds...> <NEBirds...> on behalf of Tana Clemens via groups.io <tanaclem...>
Sent: Sunday, May 31, 2026 17:07
To: <NEBirds...> <NEBirds...>
Subject: Re: [NEBirds] NOU Crawford species update
Good afternoon All, Im bad with eBird and will be trying to enter in Sunday mornings finds, but today some of the species I havent seen mentioned yet are: a Loggerhead shrike( pics) a sharptail grouse ( female, have pics) in two different areas, Hermit thrush ( pics), Cassins Kingbird ( pics). All seen in Sioux county, but different hotspots.
Shoutout to Mark Brogie for the assist to the Cassins!
And many thanks to a Kathy DeLara & group for having us tag along Sat.
And thanks to NOU group!
Date: 6/19/26 5:49 pm From: Paul Hubert via groups.io <paulhubert123...> Subject: [NEBirds] Broad-winged hawk, Omaha
This evening (June 19) I at about 7:30, I heard what sounded like a cross between an Eastern Wood Pewee, and Tarzan scream in my neighbor's yard. Never having seen Tarzan in person, I went over to look. There were a handful a songbirds chattering around a particular spot, and after a minute or two, a small, pale buteo fled the scene. Every year, from about 6 years ago till maybe 3 years ago, we had a nesting pair of Broad-wings in our neighborhood, but I haven't one in a few years. I remember one year in particular, the day the juvies fledged the whole fam damnly was flying around the neighborhood, letting out that long whistle with a hitch at the start. It's very nice to see one again. Chip Hubert Omaha
Date: 6/18/26 9:59 pm From: Don and Shirley Maas via groups.io <snowbirds2012...> Subject: [NEBirds] Desert Oasis Garden After Dark - 12 New Reasons to Visit
Date: 6/17/26 6:46 pm From: Shirley Maas via groups.io <dtmsem2006...> Subject: Re: [NEBirds] *no sighting* Request for feedback on TreeRush lights/music at Fontenelle Forest
No organization operates without $’s and Nature Centers and Botanical Gardens are no different. Here in Arizona both the Desert 🌵 Botanical Gardens and the Boyce Thompson Botanical Gardens both have gone to events. Some problems with both.Fontenne Forest 🌳 faces a funding problem since they receive no tax funding.It up to us who love the forest to keep our membership up to date and put them near the top of the list with donations.There is No Such Thing As A Free Lunch.Don MaasMesa, AZMaricopa County Choctaw, OKOklahoma County
“If you do not take an interest in the affairs of your government then you are doomed to live under the rules of fools. Plato“You can ignore reality, but you cannot ignore the consequences of reality.”
Don & Shirley MaasThe Maas’s have migrated to the Valley of the Sun in Mesa, AZ from Choctaw, Ok for the winter.
On Wednesday, June 17, 2026, 7:50 PM, Paul Roisen via groups.io <roisenp1950...> wrote:
Very productive talks have been going on. Thank you very much Paul for explaining What has happened. This is very good news for Fontenel Forest in specific and maybe other places in general as we move forward to make certain places more bird and animal friendly. God bless.
Paul O. RoisenSioux City, IA 51106 Woodbury County, IAMobile 712-301-2817 <roisenp1950...>
On Wed, Jun 17, 2026 at 7:38 PM Paul L. Pearson via groups.io <Propearson...> wrote:
I want to thank anyone who submitted comments or feedback to Fontenelle Forest. It definitely made a difference!
The new director brought up these issues with the owner of TreeRush and there are going to be changes in how they operate going forward and how they work with the Forest that are big positive steps.
First and foremost, NO MUSIC during the day or on weekday evenings, unless there is a pre-planned event. Huge for birds and boardwalk birders!
The TreeRush weekend "glow nights" will continue, but volume will be monitored and coordinated with FF programs, esp. future scheduling (e.g. 2027)
New TreeRush employees will now get training from FF educators so they understand the mission and purpose of the Forest.
If you still want to provide feedback or if you go there and enjoy NOT hearing the music while birding, maybe send them an email
<info...>
Paul Pearson
--
Paul L. Pearson, PhDPresident-Nebraska Ornithologists’ Union
Omaha, NE
Date: 6/17/26 5:50 pm From: Paul Roisen via groups.io <roisenp1950...> Subject: Re: [NEBirds] *no sighting* Request for feedback on TreeRush lights/music at Fontenelle Forest
Very productive talks have been going on. Thank you very much Paul for
explaining What has happened. This is very good news for Fontenel Forest in
specific and maybe other places in general as we move forward to make
certain places more bird and animal friendly. God bless.
*Paul O. Roisen*
*Sioux City, IA 51106 **Woodbury County, IA*
*Mobile 712-301-2817 **<roisenp1950...> <roisenp1950...>*
On Wed, Jun 17, 2026 at 7:38 PM Paul L. Pearson via groups.io <Propearson=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> I want to thank anyone who submitted comments or feedback to Fontenelle
> Forest. It definitely made a difference!
>
> The new director brought up these issues with the owner of TreeRush and
> there are going to be changes in how they operate going forward and how
> they work with the Forest that are big positive steps.
>
> First and foremost, NO MUSIC during the day or on weekday evenings, unless
> there is a pre-planned event. Huge for birds and boardwalk birders!
>
> The TreeRush weekend "glow nights" will continue, but volume will be
> monitored and coordinated with FF programs, esp. future scheduling (e.g.
> 2027)
>
> New TreeRush employees will now get training from FF educators so they
> understand the mission and purpose of the Forest.
>
> If you still want to provide feedback or if you go there and enjoy NOT
> hearing the music while birding, maybe send them an email
>
> <info...>
>
> Paul Pearson
>
>
>
> --
> Paul L. Pearson, PhD
> President-Nebraska Ornithologists’ Union
> Omaha, NE
>
>
>
Date: 6/17/26 5:38 pm From: Paul L. Pearson via groups.io <Propearson...> Subject: Re: [NEBirds] *no sighting* Request for feedback on TreeRush lights/music at Fontenelle Forest
I want to thank anyone who submitted comments or feedback to Fontenelle Forest. It definitely made a difference!The new director brought up these issues with the owner of TreeRush and there are going to be changes in how they operate going forward and how they work with the Forest that are big positive steps.First and foremost, NO MUSIC during the day or on weekday evenings, unless there is a pre-planned event. Huge for birds and boardwalk birders!The TreeRush weekend "glow nights" will continue, but volume will be monitored and coordinated with FF programs, esp. future scheduling (e.g. 2027)New TreeRush employees will now get training from FF educators so they understand the mission and purpose of the Forest.If you still want to provide feedback or if you go there and enjoy NOT hearing the music while birding, maybe send them an <emailinfo...> PearsonSent from my Galaxy
Date: 6/16/26 5:08 pm From: Paul L. Pearson via groups.io <Propearson...> Subject: [NEBirds] *no sighting* Request for feedback on TreeRush lights/music at Fontenelle Forest
I have a favor to ask regarding Fontenelle Forest.
Fontenelle Forest is one of the prime birding hotspots for Nebraska Birders. As many of you know, and have experienced, TreeRush near the Nature Center business blasts music during the day and into the evening along with disruptive bright lights. Fontenelle Forest’s mission is foremost a conservation forest and light/noise pollution that affects birds, animals and especially the people who pay to support and visit to enjoy nature directly contradicts that mission.
There was apparently a lot of controversy when TreeRush was given a 15 year contract (7 years remaining) several years ago by a former director. I have been told that longtime supporters of Fontenelle Forest, some NOU members, were extremely upset when TreeRush came in (destroying the habitat where Connecticut Warblers had previously nested) to the point of withdrawing all financial support including taking FF out of their wills.
If you have experienced ANY lessening of your enjoyment of the forest because of TreeRush’s music or lights, if you are a volunteer that has had your programs disrupted or affected, if you have withdrawn or held back support for FF, have avoided birding or been impacted when birding in the Boardwalk/Nature center because of the noise/lights, I ask you to please submit your comments to <info...>
Even if you are just concerned about the impact that TreeRush has on the birds in the forest, please send your comments. If possible, please do so this evening (Tues June 16) or tomorrow AM, but your feedback on this topic any time will be helpful. Commentary from the many birders and nature enthusiasts that attempt to use the Forest for its intended purpose may have a direct effect on how that entity is allowed to operate in the future and lessen their impact.
As NOU president, as well as a member, volunteer educator, and financial supporter of FF, I would like to see the birds, animals and people who use the Forest be prioritized over TreeRush and their intrusive music and lights.
Again, the email to submit commentary is <info...>
Thank you!
--
Paul L. Pearson, PhD
President-Nebraska Ornithologists’ Union
Omaha, NE
Date: 6/16/26 11:51 am From: Tobin Brown via groups.io <tobinjbrown...> Subject: [NEBirds] Crescent Lake BBS
Nebraska Birders,
This weekend I completed the Crescent Lake Breeding Bird Survey. This was only my second year running the survey.
Overall, the hills look to be recovering quite well from the wildfires, but the grasses are still only a few inches tall due to a lack of rain. Low water, fairly windy conditions and the recent wildfire recovery led to a pretty significant drop in diversity from last year (59 to 40 species).
- Only 4 species of waterfowl observed compared to the 10 from last year - No Bitterns detected (perhaps due to wind), but I did find 3 Black-crowned Night Herons at Rush Lake. - Very short grasses led to the absence of Bobolink and a significant drop in Grasshopper Sparrows (39 last year to 3 this year), and Dickcissel (24 to 6) - Long-billed Curlew, Marsh Wren, and blackbird numbers were relatively stable. - New species for me on the route, bringing my personal species count to 64: American Robin, Western Greve, Black-crowned Night Heron, Swainson's Hawk, Sharp-tailed Grouse
I also extended my trip before and after the route, spending a few more days in the Sandhills and Panhandle, which netted some more great birds! It seems like a really good year for Cassin's Sparrow, which I listened for on my BBS route, but didn't find. The complete trip report is here: https://ebird.org/tripreport/537726
Date: 6/15/26 3:37 pm From: Paul Roisen via groups.io <roisenp1950...> Subject: [NEBirds] Ferruginous Hawk and Common Poorwill
Greetings all, A great big congratulations to Jillian Kruempel from Iowa, my home birding state for notching a couple of great birds today. By chance I had taken the day to bird Thomas County and was in the vicinity (myc trip was from Halsey area via Circle Rd and down to White Tail Campground and back as I continue to work on achieving the 125 species mark in Thomas. I sure could have used those two species to add to my list totals. Started the day at 106 species and have not completely updated my checklists for today so do not know where I ended up. I have only one complaint.... I am back in Burwell for the night so before I wander back home to Sioux City, IA. God Bless you all. *Paul O. Roisen* *Sioux City, IA 51106 **Woodbury County, IA* *Mobile 712-301-2817 **<roisenp1950...> <roisenp1950...>*
Date: 6/14/26 1:47 pm From: Steve Schmitt via groups.io <sschmitt1...> Subject: [NEBirds] Seward BBS results
Nebraska Birders,
On June 6th the Seward BBS route was completed for the USGS Breeding Bird Survey. The weather was very good (quite a bit cooler overall) however, rain overnight between June 5th and 6th did cause one of the 50 stops to be unavailable due to an unpassable road (no gravel on this particular stretch.) There was still a little drizzle at the start, with heavy thunder and lightning to the west of the route starting point that ended up going south, so not impacting the count, other than it was a bit darker on the first several stops than usual. The attached picture shows the sun beginning to rise to the east of the route starting point. The route was completed in 5.5 hours and ending temperature was only 78 degrees. We had at least one bird at ever stop, which often doesn't happen due to high temperatures at the end of the route in most cases.
This was my 25th year running this route. Notable Items based on previous runs:
- 0 Chimney Swifts - first time not finding them at stop in Staplehurst
- 0 Upland Sandpipers - 50/50 chance on the route, but had them the past couple of years previous to this run
- 3 Meadowlarks - at the first couple of stops only, expected more as the day got warmer but didn't find more
- Higher than normal numbers of Bobwhites (22) and Ring-necks (16) and Red-headed Woodpeckers (7) on this year's run
- This year is the 60th anniversary of the BBS. A note from the BBS team with the packet noted Red-winged Blackbirds represents the most abundant species in the BBS dataset, with over 7.5 million individuals. Red-wings were once again the most numerous on this count, 68 individuals
Date: 6/13/26 10:20 am From: Gordon Warrick via groups.io <prubinus...> Subject: [NEBirds] no sighting - Sandhills Prairie Refuge Assoc.
Since many of you bird in the Sandhills and along the Niobrara River I wanted to make you aware of this "friends group" to which I belong. We support conservation efforts of Fort Niobrara/Valentine NWR Complex mostly but also Seier and Crescent Lake to some extent. The web-site is at sandhillspra.org, and you can get to our Facebook page from a link therein. We offer memberships, raise money for smaller purchases for the refuges, host public hikes, and conduct volunteer field work on the two refuges near Valentine.
Date: 6/12/26 4:31 pm From: Jacob C. Cooper via groups.io <cooperj2...> Subject: [NEBirds] Cuckoos and more
Hi all,
I first wanted to thank folks for your support of UNK ornithology this year. I realize I did not do a proper write up of our big day, and I apologize for thatits been a stressful few months for me and time has escaped me. We had 102 species on our big day, including multiple first county records (such as Burrowing Owl and Black-necked Stilt for Valley County!). Thank you again to Paul Roisen, Peggy Huss, and Sawyer Therrien for joining and thanks to Rita Cunha for guiding us through Valley County. We have a complete list of everything we had on our Big Day here: https://ebird.org/tripreport/520210
I also wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been reporting cuckoos so far. We have at least one confirmed nesting record of Yellow-billed Cuckoo in the state this year and have reports of them from 39 counties so far! (See below).
[Screenshot 2026-06-12 at 18.07.10.png]
Yellow-billed Cuckoo counties in yellow
As expected, Black-billed Cuckoo reports have been much scarcer, but I have seen reports from the following counties so far:
[Screenshot 2026-06-12 at 18.06.47.png]
Black-billed Cuckoo counties in red
Sawyer and I just arrived in Brown County this afternoon for surveys through the weekend. We will be posting everything we find to eBird.
Thank you again to everyone who has reported cuckoos so far! If you see a county above that is missing cuckoo reports, please let us know if you find any (<therriens...>) or better yet, submit them to eBird when you encounter a cuckoo!<https://ebird.org/checklist/S350760735>
Date: 6/11/26 2:07 pm From: pastorpaultdunbar via groups.io <pastorpaultdunbar...> Subject: [NEBirds] Cape May
Popped out to my backyard over lunch today and heard and audio recorded (and then watched with binoculars) a very vocal male Cape May Warbler. I've had them in my yard twice before over my 20 years here, but this one is pretty late!
Paul DunbarHastings NE (Adams Co)
Date: 6/7/26 6:20 pm From: Gordon Warrick via groups.io <prubinus...> Subject: Re: [NEBirds] Johnstown BBS
Thanks. I think I ran that one 40 years ago!
On Sunday, June 7, 2026, 10:38:30 AM MDT, Keegan Brown via groups.io <keegqbrown...> wrote:
Nebraska Birders,
On June 6th I completed the Johnstown route for the USGS Breeding Bird Survey. I was lucky to have great weather! It was a pleasant morning with very little wind and a starting temperature of 59 degrees. It gradually warmed up and got a bit windy at the last few stops. It took ~4.5 hours to complete the route, and by the time I finished, it was 82 degrees.
This is my first year running this route, so I do not have any data to compare it against. However, many of the species present were about what I expected.
Notable Items based on nothing other than my own expectations:
- 0 House Finches: I expected to find at least a few.- 0 Yellow-headed Blackbirds: I think the habitat was maybe too dry.
- Very few nuthatches: There seemed to be plenty of habitat, especially near Long Pine SRA. After the survey, I did observe WBNU and RBNU at Long Pine SRA.- A domestic Indian Peafowl at Stop 25: Certainly an escapee from a nearby farm, but its call caught me off guard.
- 1 Wood Duck: Not unexpected, but with the amount of grassland I was in, this bird wasn't exactly top of mind.
Excited to see how/if this changes each year! Trip report on eBird, and the data table summary below.
Date: 6/7/26 9:38 am From: Keegan Brown via groups.io <keegqbrown...> Subject: [NEBirds] Johnstown BBS
Nebraska Birders,
On June 6th I completed the Johnstown route for the USGS Breeding Bird Survey. I was lucky to have great weather! It was a pleasant morning with very little wind and a starting temperature of 59 degrees. It gradually warmed up and got a bit windy at the last few stops. It took ~4.5 hours to complete the route, and by the time I finished, it was 82 degrees.
This is my first year running this route, so I do not have any data to compare it against. However, many of the species present were about what I expected. Notable Items based on nothing other than my own expectations: - 0 House Finches: I expected to find at least a few. - 0 Yellow-headed Blackbirds: I think the habitat was maybe too dry. - Very few nuthatches: There seemed to be plenty of habitat, especially near Long Pine SRA. After the survey, I did observe WBNU and RBNU at Long Pine SRA. - A domestic Indian Peafowl at Stop 25: Certainly an escapee from a nearby farm, but its call caught me off guard. - 1 Wood Duck: Not unexpected, but with the amount of grassland I was in, this bird wasn't exactly top of mind.
Excited to see how/if this changes each year! Trip report on eBird, and the data table summary below.
