Date: 3/24/26 4:36 am From: Kathleen J Crawford-Rose via groups.io <katcr...> Subject: Re: [NEBirds] Richardson County birding
Loved your post, Ruthie. Good luck to you AND THE HUSKER BOYS!
On Monday, March 23, 2026 at 09:44:35 PM CDT, Shirley Maas via groups.io <dtmsem2006...> wrote:
Love your report. We need more of the experiences not just dry numbers.
“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 Monday, March 23, 2026, 6:09 PM, Ruth Stearns via groups.io <ruthstearns...> wrote:
My Richardson county list has been at 118 since 2020, and only earlier this month did I start trying to improve on that number, checking area lakes for waterfowl and finding none until I got to a cornstubble field close to the road with Snow Geese and #119 Ross's Geese.
With eBird needling me with its needs alerts emails (which I did ask for), I realized I needed to get back to the county to pick up some waterfowl and other birds I didn't have yet. So no lounging over coffee this morning, get going and on the road!
I'd call today's effort inspired by the Nebraska Mens Basketball team, who keep playing til the game is over. No quitting early!
So, I needed six more birds, and my last emails from eBird promised that many and then some. Could I find any?
First headed to Kirkman's Cove, and in the cold winds, on the western side, picked up the Lesser Scaup # 120 , but none of the others on the list. Did hear Barred Owls, that was cool! And also FOY Pied-Billed Grebes. At the south side found Blue-winged Teal #121, (also FOY's) and some Gadwall, but nothing else. How can this big lake have so few waterfowl? Hmm.
Wandering around north of Humboldt did have FOY Turkey Vultures.
Then headed to Verdon Lake with many promising new Richardson County birds. But it was a bust. nothing but the Canada Geese and four Snow Geese that were all there three weeks ago. Did have a pretty FOY Eastern Phoebe tho.
So off to my last planned stop...Indian Cave. Can I find the Purple Finches on Trail #9? YES! The lowest spot on that trail, right near the entrance, seemed the birdiest, and the purple finches were zipping around at a distance, chittering and making that Tick tick call! Fun to see Red-headed Woodpeckers and Tufted Titmice galore. Hiked up to the meadow, and on the way back, near where I had the PUFI's, were some Golden-crowned Kinglets, who alerted me with their high pitched little squeaky noises. When I got the list in eBird, the Purple Finches were #122 and the Kinglets #123.
Dang...all my spots for the day taken, and I was two short, and I needed to get home and fix supper. I could make it just fine but....I kept thinking about those two lakes. They had all these waterfowl on them yesterday, who were nearly all gone by today. It'd been a few hours since I was there, maybe something else came in? Should I go 15 miles out of my way to go home that way? So what would the Huskers do? They'd keep trying! So I headed back down to Verdon Lake. While it was warmer than this morning, still no waterfowl, unless you want to count the FOY Double-crested Cormorants. Also picked up an FOY Great Blue Heron (really? took me that long to get those two birds this year?) And probably an early Chipping Sparrow, eBird had it down as Rare, but it was definitely another FOY.
But my Richardson county list was still at #123. Off to Kirkman's Cove. Pulled in to one of the spots I'd liked from this morning, and there were no rafts of ducks, nothing, but there was one somethingorother just off the shore. Was it a loon? Good heavens it was, an FOY Common Loon, and #124 for Richardson County https://ebird.org/checklist/S312513091 photos attached to this list.
Can I find ONE more bird on this lake? Hmm.. off in the distance was a small duck, or grebe, too far away to ID. Where can I get closer...ok, one more detour needed, but it was on my way back, headed back in to the western entrance of the lake....and right in front of me was the duck...the bins suggested it was a ruddy, and eventually I pulled it into my scope, as it liked to be below the waterline vs above most of the time. When I entered it in eBird, it was number #125!!!!!
So I guess it pays to play like the Husker basketball team...Don't stop playing til the game is over. And yes, I guess waterfowl comes and goes into lakes quite often, so don't rule out going back at the end of the day to look again!
So six new county birds and 9 FOY's for the day. 39 species total. A fun day!
Ruthie StearnsLincoln, NE
Date: 3/23/26 7:44 pm From: Shirley Maas via groups.io <dtmsem2006...> Subject: Re: [NEBirds] Richardson County birding
Love your report. We need more of the experiences not just dry numbers.
“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 Monday, March 23, 2026, 6:09 PM, Ruth Stearns via groups.io <ruthstearns...> wrote:
My Richardson county list has been at 118 since 2020, and only earlier this month did I start trying to improve on that number, checking area lakes for waterfowl and finding none until I got to a cornstubble field close to the road with Snow Geese and #119 Ross's Geese.
With eBird needling me with its needs alerts emails (which I did ask for), I realized I needed to get back to the county to pick up some waterfowl and other birds I didn't have yet. So no lounging over coffee this morning, get going and on the road!
I'd call today's effort inspired by the Nebraska Mens Basketball team, who keep playing til the game is over. No quitting early!
So, I needed six more birds, and my last emails from eBird promised that many and then some. Could I find any?
First headed to Kirkman's Cove, and in the cold winds, on the western side, picked up the Lesser Scaup # 120 , but none of the others on the list. Did hear Barred Owls, that was cool! And also FOY Pied-Billed Grebes. At the south side found Blue-winged Teal #121, (also FOY's) and some Gadwall, but nothing else. How can this big lake have so few waterfowl? Hmm.
Wandering around north of Humboldt did have FOY Turkey Vultures.
Then headed to Verdon Lake with many promising new Richardson County birds. But it was a bust. nothing but the Canada Geese and four Snow Geese that were all there three weeks ago. Did have a pretty FOY Eastern Phoebe tho.
So off to my last planned stop...Indian Cave. Can I find the Purple Finches on Trail #9? YES! The lowest spot on that trail, right near the entrance, seemed the birdiest, and the purple finches were zipping around at a distance, chittering and making that Tick tick call! Fun to see Red-headed Woodpeckers and Tufted Titmice galore. Hiked up to the meadow, and on the way back, near where I had the PUFI's, were some Golden-crowned Kinglets, who alerted me with their high pitched little squeaky noises. When I got the list in eBird, the Purple Finches were #122 and the Kinglets #123.
Dang...all my spots for the day taken, and I was two short, and I needed to get home and fix supper. I could make it just fine but....I kept thinking about those two lakes. They had all these waterfowl on them yesterday, who were nearly all gone by today. It'd been a few hours since I was there, maybe something else came in? Should I go 15 miles out of my way to go home that way? So what would the Huskers do? They'd keep trying! So I headed back down to Verdon Lake. While it was warmer than this morning, still no waterfowl, unless you want to count the FOY Double-crested Cormorants. Also picked up an FOY Great Blue Heron (really? took me that long to get those two birds this year?) And probably an early Chipping Sparrow, eBird had it down as Rare, but it was definitely another FOY.
But my Richardson county list was still at #123. Off to Kirkman's Cove. Pulled in to one of the spots I'd liked from this morning, and there were no rafts of ducks, nothing, but there was one somethingorother just off the shore. Was it a loon? Good heavens it was, an FOY Common Loon, and #124 for Richardson County https://ebird.org/checklist/S312513091 photos attached to this list.
Can I find ONE more bird on this lake? Hmm.. off in the distance was a small duck, or grebe, too far away to ID. Where can I get closer...ok, one more detour needed, but it was on my way back, headed back in to the western entrance of the lake....and right in front of me was the duck...the bins suggested it was a ruddy, and eventually I pulled it into my scope, as it liked to be below the waterline vs above most of the time. When I entered it in eBird, it was number #125!!!!!
So I guess it pays to play like the Husker basketball team...Don't stop playing til the game is over. And yes, I guess waterfowl comes and goes into lakes quite often, so don't rule out going back at the end of the day to look again!
So six new county birds and 9 FOY's for the day. 39 species total. A fun day!
Ruthie StearnsLincoln, NE
Date: 3/23/26 6:34 pm From: greg hartel via groups.io <gregjhartel...> Subject: Re: [NEBirds] Sarpy County questions
Ringneck Pheasant at Base Lake. 3/20
On Fri, Mar 20, 2026 at 2:03 PM Matt Shurtliff via groups.io <mmscornhusker=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> Thanks Mary and Elizabeth! This is low fruit for my state and county
> lists.
>
> On Fri, Mar 20, 2026 at 10:11 AM Mary Clausen via groups.io <mkclausen=
> <gmail.com...> wrote:
>
>> To hear the woodcocks at Walnut Creek, park just west of the dog park
>> next to the picnic area. The woodcocks are in the grassy hillside just
>> north of the parking lot. You hear them just after dusk and sunset. There
>> is a low trail on the hillside that goes east paralleling the road. Just
>> walk along that or the road.
>>
>> Mar Claisen
>> Sarpy County
>>
>>
>> On Fri, Mar 20, 2026, 9:09 AM Matt Shurtliff via groups.io
>> <mmscornhusker...> wrote:
>>
>>> I've got a couple of Nebraska & Sarpy list gaps I want to address -
>>> anyone have details on the following:
>>>
>>> - Woodcock spot at Walnut Creek - I've heard this is near the dog
>>> park? Anyone have any more specifics?
>>>
>>> - Red-shouldered Hawk at Chalco - I've seen a couple of reports - anyone
>>> have details on where at Chalco the hawk has been seen? It's a big place
>>> :).
>>>
>>> FYI there's a ton of Mergansers at the Offutt Base Lake in Sarpy, mostly
>>> Red-breasted (80+ on Wednesday) but I got a photo with all 3 kinds in it.
>>>
>>> Last question - any word on Crescent post-fire? Is access closed to the
>>> Refuge?
>>>
>>> --
>>> Matt Shurtliff
>>> <mmscornhusker...>
>>>
>>
>
> --
> Matt Shurtliff
> <mmscornhusker...>
>
>
>
Date: 3/23/26 6:24 pm From: dt via groups.io <dtandelsie...> Subject: Re: [NEBirds] Richardson County birding
Ruth, I enjoyed your post and could so easily relate to the just one more just one more!!Diane in Laramie
Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer
On Mon, Mar 23, 2026 at 7:09 PM, Ruth Stearns via groups.io<ruthstearns...> wrote: My Richardson county list has been at 118 since 2020, and only earlier this month did I start trying to improve on that number, checking area lakes for waterfowl and finding none until I got to a cornstubble field close to the road with Snow Geese and #119 Ross's Geese.
With eBird needling me with its needs alerts emails (which I did ask for), I realized I needed to get back to the county to pick up some waterfowl and other birds I didn't have yet. So no lounging over coffee this morning, get going and on the road!
I'd call today's effort inspired by the Nebraska Mens Basketball team, who keep playing til the game is over. No quitting early!
So, I needed six more birds, and my last emails from eBird promised that many and then some. Could I find any?
First headed to Kirkman's Cove, and in the cold winds, on the western side, picked up the Lesser Scaup # 120 , but none of the others on the list. Did hear Barred Owls, that was cool! And also FOY Pied-Billed Grebes. At the south side found Blue-winged Teal #121, (also FOY's) and some Gadwall, but nothing else. How can this big lake have so few waterfowl? Hmm.
Wandering around north of Humboldt did have FOY Turkey Vultures.
Then headed to Verdon Lake with many promising new Richardson County birds. But it was a bust. nothing but the Canada Geese and four Snow Geese that were all there three weeks ago. Did have a pretty FOY Eastern Phoebe tho.
So off to my last planned stop...Indian Cave. Can I find the Purple Finches on Trail #9? YES! The lowest spot on that trail, right near the entrance, seemed the birdiest, and the purple finches were zipping around at a distance, chittering and making that Tick tick call! Fun to see Red-headed Woodpeckers and Tufted Titmice galore. Hiked up to the meadow, and on the way back, near where I had the PUFI's, were some Golden-crowned Kinglets, who alerted me with their high pitched little squeaky noises. When I got the list in eBird, the Purple Finches were #122 and the Kinglets #123.
Dang...all my spots for the day taken, and I was two short, and I needed to get home and fix supper. I could make it just fine but....I kept thinking about those two lakes. They had all these waterfowl on them yesterday, who were nearly all gone by today. It'd been a few hours since I was there, maybe something else came in? Should I go 15 miles out of my way to go home that way? So what would the Huskers do? They'd keep trying! So I headed back down to Verdon Lake. While it was warmer than this morning, still no waterfowl, unless you want to count the FOY Double-crested Cormorants. Also picked up an FOY Great Blue Heron (really? took me that long to get those two birds this year?) And probably an early Chipping Sparrow, eBird had it down as Rare, but it was definitely another FOY.
But my Richardson county list was still at #123. Off to Kirkman's Cove. Pulled in to one of the spots I'd liked from this morning, and there were no rafts of ducks, nothing, but there was one somethingorother just off the shore. Was it a loon? Good heavens it was, an FOY Common Loon, and #124 for Richardson County https://ebird.org/checklist/S312513091 photos attached to this list.
Can I find ONE more bird on this lake? Hmm.. off in the distance was a small duck, or grebe, too far away to ID. Where can I get closer...ok, one more detour needed, but it was on my way back, headed back in to the western entrance of the lake....and right in front of me was the duck...the bins suggested it was a ruddy, and eventually I pulled it into my scope, as it liked to be below the waterline vs above most of the time. When I entered it in eBird, it was number #125!!!!!
So I guess it pays to play like the Husker basketball team...Don't stop playing til the game is over. And yes, I guess waterfowl comes and goes into lakes quite often, so don't rule out going back at the end of the day to look again!
So six new county birds and 9 FOY's for the day. 39 species total. A fun day!
Ruthie StearnsLincoln, NE
Date: 3/23/26 6:09 pm From: Ruth Stearns via groups.io <ruthstearns...> Subject: [NEBirds] Richardson County birding
My Richardson county list has been at 118 since 2020, and only earlier this month did I start trying to improve on that number, checking area lakes for waterfowl and finding none until I got to a cornstubble field close to the road with Snow Geese and #119 Ross's Geese.
With eBird needling me with its needs alerts emails (which I did ask for), I realized I needed to get back to the county to pick up some waterfowl and other birds I didn't have yet. So no lounging over coffee this morning, get going and on the road!
I'd call today's effort inspired by the Nebraska Mens Basketball team, who keep playing til the game is over. No quitting early!
So, I needed six more birds, and my last emails from eBird promised that many and then some. Could I find any?
First headed to Kirkman's Cove, and in the cold winds, on the western side, picked up the Lesser Scaup # 120 , but none of the others on the list. Did hear Barred Owls, that was cool! And also FOY Pied-Billed Grebes. At the south side found Blue-winged Teal #121, (also FOY's) and some Gadwall, but nothing else. How can this big lake have so few waterfowl? Hmm.
Wandering around north of Humboldt did have FOY Turkey Vultures.
Then headed to Verdon Lake with many promising new Richardson County birds. But it was a bust. nothing but the Canada Geese and four Snow Geese that were all there three weeks ago. Did have a pretty FOY Eastern Phoebe tho.
So off to my last planned stop...Indian Cave. Can I find the Purple Finches on Trail #9? YES! The lowest spot on that trail, right near the entrance, seemed the birdiest, and the purple finches were zipping around at a distance, chittering and making that Tick tick call! Fun to see Red-headed Woodpeckers and Tufted Titmice galore. Hiked up to the meadow, and on the way back, near where I had the PUFI's, were some Golden-crowned Kinglets, who alerted me with their high pitched little squeaky noises. When I got the list in eBird, the Purple Finches were #122 and the Kinglets #123.
Dang...all my spots for the day taken, and I was two short, and I needed to get home and fix supper. I could make it just fine but....I kept thinking about those two lakes. They had all these waterfowl on them yesterday, who were nearly all gone by today. It'd been a few hours since I was there, maybe something else came in? Should I go 15 miles out of my way to go home that way? So what would the Huskers do? They'd keep trying! So I headed back down to Verdon Lake. While it was warmer than this morning, still no waterfowl, unless you want to count the FOY Double-crested Cormorants. Also picked up an FOY Great Blue Heron (really? took me that long to get those two birds this year?) And probably an early Chipping Sparrow, eBird had it down as Rare, but it was definitely another FOY.
But my Richardson county list was still at #123. Off to Kirkman's Cove. Pulled in to one of the spots I'd liked from this morning, and there were no rafts of ducks, nothing, but there was one somethingorother just off the shore. Was it a loon? Good heavens it was, an FOY Common Loon, and #124 for Richardson County https://ebird.org/checklist/S312513091 photos attached to this list.
Can I find ONE more bird on this lake? Hmm.. off in the distance was a small duck, or grebe, too far away to ID. Where can I get closer...ok, one more detour needed, but it was on my way back, headed back in to the western entrance of the lake....and right in front of me was the duck...the bins suggested it was a ruddy, and eventually I pulled it into my scope, as it liked to be below the waterline vs above most of the time. When I entered it in eBird, it was number #125!!!!!
So I guess it pays to play like the Husker basketball team...Don't stop playing til the game is over. And yes, I guess waterfowl comes and goes into lakes quite often, so don't rule out going back at the end of the day to look again!
So six new county birds and 9 FOY's for the day. 39 species total. A fun day!
Ruthie StearnsLincoln, NE
Saw this crane in a filed south of Elm Island Road just east of Rowe Sanctuary today. Not sure if it is the same one Tobin saw, but looked quite at home with the other Sandhills around it. Listed as an Albino in eBird, so if it is luestic, please let me know.
Also, hundreds of cranes doing a fly in to the River about 12:30 pm. Trying to cool off in the heat maybe.
Cinnamon Teal was very visible this morning exactly where Robin states. A Volunteer at Rowe told us it had been seen from the McGregor Blind, but we might be able to see at the wetlands dock area (and lighting was much better as you looked toward McGregor). Plenty of Cranes were closer for viewing as well. We were there from 11-11:15, 3/20/2026.
Date: 3/20/26 6:33 pm From: Rita Flohr via groups.io <motherhen2k...> Subject: Re: [NEBirds] Cinnamon Teal pdf of trail map at Rowe during crane season
Date: 3/20/26 12:03 pm From: Matt Shurtliff via groups.io <mmscornhusker...> Subject: Re: [NEBirds] Sarpy County questions
Thanks Mary and Elizabeth! This is low fruit for my state and county lists.
On Fri, Mar 20, 2026 at 10:11 AM Mary Clausen via groups.io <mkclausen=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> To hear the woodcocks at Walnut Creek, park just west of the dog park next
> to the picnic area. The woodcocks are in the grassy hillside just north of
> the parking lot. You hear them just after dusk and sunset. There is a low
> trail on the hillside that goes east paralleling the road. Just walk along
> that or the road.
>
> Mar Claisen
> Sarpy County
>
>
> On Fri, Mar 20, 2026, 9:09 AM Matt Shurtliff via groups.io <mmscornhusker=
> <gmail.com...> wrote:
>
>> I've got a couple of Nebraska & Sarpy list gaps I want to address -
>> anyone have details on the following:
>>
>> - Woodcock spot at Walnut Creek - I've heard this is near the dog park?
>> Anyone have any more specifics?
>>
>> - Red-shouldered Hawk at Chalco - I've seen a couple of reports - anyone
>> have details on where at Chalco the hawk has been seen? It's a big place
>> :).
>>
>> FYI there's a ton of Mergansers at the Offutt Base Lake in Sarpy, mostly
>> Red-breasted (80+ on Wednesday) but I got a photo with all 3 kinds in it.
>>
>> Last question - any word on Crescent post-fire? Is access closed to the
>> Refuge?
>>
>> --
>> Matt Shurtliff
>> <mmscornhusker...>
>>
>
>
>
Date: 3/20/26 11:41 am From: Elizabeth Winter via groups.io <evwinter1...> Subject: Re: [NEBirds] Sarpy County questions
In reference to the red-shouldered hawk at Chalco, I saw the hawk flying
around the entrance road off Giles. I was driving home and turned around
to ID it and was pleasantly surprised. Not sure where the others saw it,
but I had made several previous attempts to find it and failed. Good Luck!
On Fri, Mar 20, 2026 at 9:09 AM Matt Shurtliff via groups.io <mmscornhusker=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> I've got a couple of Nebraska & Sarpy list gaps I want to address - anyone
> have details on the following:
>
> - Woodcock spot at Walnut Creek - I've heard this is near the dog park?
> Anyone have any more specifics?
>
> - Red-shouldered Hawk at Chalco - I've seen a couple of reports - anyone
> have details on where at Chalco the hawk has been seen? It's a big place
> :).
>
> FYI there's a ton of Mergansers at the Offutt Base Lake in Sarpy, mostly
> Red-breasted (80+ on Wednesday) but I got a photo with all 3 kinds in it.
>
> Last question - any word on Crescent post-fire? Is access closed to the
> Refuge?
>
> --
> Matt Shurtliff
> <mmscornhusker...>
>
>
>
Date: 3/20/26 8:11 am From: Mary Clausen via groups.io <mkclausen...> Subject: Re: [NEBirds] Sarpy County questions
To hear the woodcocks at Walnut Creek, park just west of the dog park next
to the picnic area. The woodcocks are in the grassy hillside just north of
the parking lot. You hear them just after dusk and sunset. There is a low
trail on the hillside that goes east paralleling the road. Just walk along
that or the road.
Mar Claisen
Sarpy County
On Fri, Mar 20, 2026, 9:09 AM Matt Shurtliff via groups.io <mmscornhusker=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> I've got a couple of Nebraska & Sarpy list gaps I want to address - anyone
> have details on the following:
>
> - Woodcock spot at Walnut Creek - I've heard this is near the dog park?
> Anyone have any more specifics?
>
> - Red-shouldered Hawk at Chalco - I've seen a couple of reports - anyone
> have details on where at Chalco the hawk has been seen? It's a big place
> :).
>
> FYI there's a ton of Mergansers at the Offutt Base Lake in Sarpy, mostly
> Red-breasted (80+ on Wednesday) but I got a photo with all 3 kinds in it.
>
> Last question - any word on Crescent post-fire? Is access closed to the
> Refuge?
>
> --
> Matt Shurtliff
> <mmscornhusker...>
>
>
Good to know. I looked on Tuesday and didn't see them - but trails were
closing so I didn't have much time. Rowe's trails are tentatively open
from 10-4 - but they won't open if cranes are still on the river just so
people know that.
Colleen
On Thu, Mar 19, 2026 at 1:27 PM Robin Harding via groups.io <pine2siskin4=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> Nebraska birders,
>
> At Rowe Sanctuary's McGregor blind. In marshy area along south bank.
>
> Robin Harding
> Shelton
>
>
>
Date: 3/19/26 12:23 pm From: Robin Harding via groups.io <pine2siskin4...> Subject: Re: [NEBirds] Photo of Cinnamon Teal
On Thu, Mar 19, 2026, 2:18 PM David Cunningham via groups.io <gopacgodc=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> Where is the McGregor blind?
>
> On Thu, Mar 19, 2026, 2:16 PM Robin Harding via groups.io <pine2siskin4=
> <gmail.com...> wrote:
>
>> Nebraska birders,
>>
>> A large group of visitors are in Rowe Sanctuary's McGregor blind this
>> afternoon enjoying a rare sight. There are hundreds of Sandhill Cranes on
>> the river. They are usually in the fields during the day. Someone spotted
>> a Cinnamon Teal. I attached a photo taken by Brandon Nehring.
>>
>> Robin Harding
>> Shelton
>>
>
>
Date: 3/19/26 12:18 pm From: David Cunningham via groups.io <gopacgodc...> Subject: Re: [NEBirds] Photo of Cinnamon Teal
Where is the McGregor blind?
On Thu, Mar 19, 2026, 2:16 PM Robin Harding via groups.io <pine2siskin4=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> Nebraska birders,
>
> A large group of visitors are in Rowe Sanctuary's McGregor blind this
> afternoon enjoying a rare sight. There are hundreds of Sandhill Cranes on
> the river. They are usually in the fields during the day. Someone spotted
> a Cinnamon Teal. I attached a photo taken by Brandon Nehring.
>
> Robin Harding
> Shelton
>
>
Date: 3/19/26 12:16 pm From: Robin Harding via groups.io <pine2siskin4...> Subject: [NEBirds] Photo of Cinnamon Teal
Nebraska birders,
A large group of visitors are in Rowe Sanctuary's McGregor blind this afternoon enjoying a rare sight. There are hundreds of Sandhill Cranes on the river. They are usually in the fields during the day. Someone spotted a Cinnamon Teal. I attached a photo taken by Brandon Nehring.
Date: 3/19/26 6:01 am From: David Cunningham via groups.io <gopacgodc...> Subject: [NEBirds] Nebraska wildfires
Unfortunately and sadly there have been numerous wildfires within Nebraska with the 4 most recent having devastating impacts. There has been human life lost. It appears all of Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge is burned. There has been property burned and destroyed. There are many counties affected. There are some birders and/or NOU members directly affected. Power was cut for a while even during the bitter cold. Evacuations occurred. There are no fly zones. And so on. The Morrill fire affected 5 counties and burned the most western side of Lake McConaughy, which is visible in the reference below. One oddity is the map shows a portion of the lake as burned, which reflects the dried portion on the west side.
Date: 3/16/26 4:11 pm From: Paul Hubert via groups.io <paulhubert123...> Subject: [NEBirds] Turkey vulture Omaha
Just had a turkey vulture fly over my house in Northern Omaha. With the single digit temperatures last night and tonight, not sure of being the early bird is all that’s cracked up to be this year.
Chip Hubert
Omaha.
Date: 3/16/26 1:40 pm From: Jorgensen, Joel via groups.io <Joel.Jorgensen...> Subject: Re: [NEBirds] Albino Sandhill Crane
Yeah, I’ll go along with Laurel. There were 2 single Whooping Cranes bopping around the Alda-Grand Island Area for a while in March with the first appearing on the early date of 25 February. Similar to most years, leucistic Sandhill Cranes have also been seen and reported as Whooping Cranes. Many leucistic Sandhill Cranes look a little dingy, but Tobin’s bird looks especially white (and pretty) and probably closer to pure albinism than most.
Joel
___________________________________________________________________
Joel Jorgensen | Nongame Bird Program Manager | Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
2200 N 33rd St. | Lincoln, NE 68503 | <joel.jorgensen...><mailto:<joel.jorgensen...> | 402-471-5440
From: <NEBirds...> <NEBirds...> On Behalf Of Badura, Laurel via groups.io
Sent: Monday, March 16, 2026 3:26 PM
To: <NEBirds...>
Subject: Re: [NEBirds] Albino Sandhill Crane
I think different birds. I have seen a WHCR in with sandhills in the Alda area and there were two WHCRs east of the Alda bridge (south side of river) last week. Not sure about a whooping crane at Rowe though.
This email has been received from outside of DOI - Use caution before clicking on links, opening attachments, or responding.
Tobin,
Great photo and thanks sharing. I have heard reports at the Crane Trust Center, Rowe, and others that they have seen a singleton WHCR. Seeing your photo I wonder if this is the bird they have seen.
Yesterday morning we observed a really cool bird from the Rowe Sanctuary "Sandbar" (far west) Blind.
The early rays of sunlight revealed a fully white crane. At first I was thinking Whooping Crane, but it wasn't tall enough. As the sun came out more, I in was able to notice the head pattern of a Sandhill. Eventually it made it's way to the front of the group where we could see pinkish yellow legs. The bill and facial skin also had this yellow color, lacking any dark pigment. In flight, the wingtips were pure white, not a hint of gray, and from a distance, the eye appeared completely dark (albinos have a dark red eye). This makes me think it's actually a true albino instead of the slightly more "common" leucistic bird.
[cid:<image001.png...>]
Let me know what you think, and keep an eye out for this bird if you're near Rowe! Another observer said they saw it earlier in a field southwest of the sanctuary. More photos are on my ebird checklist.
I think different birds. I have seen a WHCR in with sandhills in the Alda area and there were two WHCRs east of the Alda bridge (south side of river) last week. Not sure about a whooping crane at Rowe though.
Laurel
________________________________
From: <NEBirds...> <NEBirds...> on behalf of David Cunningham via groups.io <gopacgodc...>
Sent: Sunday, March 15, 2026 11:33 AM
To: <NEBirds...> <NEBirds...>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: [NEBirds] Albino Sandhill Crane
This email has been received from outside of DOI - Use caution before clicking on links, opening attachments, or responding.
Tobin,
Great photo and thanks sharing. I have heard reports at the Crane Trust Center, Rowe, and others that they have seen a singleton WHCR. Seeing your photo I wonder if this is the bird they have seen.
Yesterday morning we observed a really cool bird from the Rowe Sanctuary "Sandbar" (far west) Blind.
The early rays of sunlight revealed a fully white crane. At first I was thinking Whooping Crane, but it wasn't tall enough. As the sun came out more, I in was able to notice the head pattern of a Sandhill. Eventually it made it's way to the front of the group where we could see pinkish yellow legs. The bill and facial skin also had this yellow color, lacking any dark pigment. In flight, the wingtips were pure white, not a hint of gray, and from a distance, the eye appeared completely dark (albinos have a dark red eye). This makes me think it's actually a true albino instead of the slightly more "common" leucistic bird.
[cid:ii_19cf1b50b50254814211]
Let me know what you think, and keep an eye out for this bird if you're near Rowe! Another observer said they saw it earlier in a field southwest of the sanctuary. More photos are on my ebird checklist.
Date: 3/15/26 9:33 am From: David Cunningham via groups.io <gopacgodc...> Subject: Re: [NEBirds] Albino Sandhill Crane
Tobin,
Great photo and thanks sharing. I have heard reports at the Crane Trust
Center, Rowe, and others that they have seen a singleton WHCR. Seeing your
photo I wonder if this is the bird they have seen.
Dave Cunningham
Sarpy County
On Sun, Mar 15, 2026, 8:43 AM Tobin Brown via groups.io <tobinjbrown=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> Nebraska birders,
>
> Yesterday morning we observed a really cool bird from the Rowe Sanctuary
> "Sandbar" (far west) Blind.
>
> The early rays of sunlight revealed a fully white crane. At first I was
> thinking Whooping Crane, but it wasn't tall enough. As the sun came out
> more, I in was able to notice the head pattern of a Sandhill. Eventually it
> made it's way to the front of the group where we could see pinkish yellow
> legs. The bill and facial skin also had this yellow color, lacking any dark
> pigment. In flight, the wingtips were pure white, not a hint of gray, and
> from a distance, the eye appeared completely dark (albinos have a dark red
> eye). This makes me think it's actually a true albino instead of the
> slightly more "common" leucistic bird.
>
>
>
> Let me know what you think, and keep an eye out for this bird if you're
> near Rowe! Another observer said they saw it earlier in a field southwest
> of the sanctuary. More photos are on my ebird checklist.
>
> https://ebird.org/checklist/S309025762 >
>
> Tobin Brown
> Lancaster county
>
>
Date: 3/15/26 6:43 am From: Tobin Brown via groups.io <tobinjbrown...> Subject: [NEBirds] Albino Sandhill Crane
Nebraska birders,
Yesterday morning we observed a really cool bird from the Rowe Sanctuary "Sandbar" (far west) Blind.
The early rays of sunlight revealed a fully white crane. At first I was thinking Whooping Crane, but it wasn't tall enough. As the sun came out more, I in was able to notice the head pattern of a Sandhill. Eventually it made it's way to the front of the group where we could see pinkish yellow legs. The bill and facial skin also had this yellow color, lacking any dark pigment. In flight, the wingtips were pure white, not a hint of gray, and from a distance, the eye appeared completely dark (albinos have a dark red eye). This makes me think it's actually a true albino instead of the slightly more "common" leucistic bird.
Let me know what you think, and keep an eye out for this bird if you're near Rowe! Another observer said they saw it earlier in a field southwest of the sanctuary. More photos are on my ebird checklist.
Date: 3/15/26 4:38 am From: William Flack via groups.io <sparvophile...> Subject: Re: [NEBirds] Wintering Rusty Blackbirds?
My attention's been called to a rather significant typo in my original message: in the first sentence, it should read "western Dodge County" rather than "eastern". I apologize to readers who've tried to find the site based on that flawed description.
Date: 3/14/26 5:19 pm From: Robin Harding via groups.io <pine2siskin4...> Subject: [NEBirds] Rainwater Basin
Nebraska birders,
Steve Morris and I birded Clay and Hamilton Counties on Saturday, March 14. The weather left something to be desired. It was sunny, windy and cold. We started at Harvard WPA to look for Smith's Longspur. It didn't take too long for me to hear the rattle call of longspurs but I can't yet distinguish between Lapland and Smith's. Steve turned on the Merlin app and we walked more. After flushing several more birds, we got a decent look. The Merlin app also thought they were Smith's Longspurs. Other notable species were Blue-winged Teal and Yellow-headed Blackbird.
We drove around White Front WMA and found a couple Savannah Sparrows. We enjoyed some time at Massie WPA where we saw many ducks. We also saw a couple Lesser Yellowlegs and I heard an American Pipit fly over. Moger WPA also hosted many ducks (nine species). Not far from Moger, Steve spotted a small raptor flying. The bird perched atop a small tree so we were able to study it. We decided that it was an immature Merlin.
Our next stop was Smith WPA. As we reached the top of the hill on the south side, we saw an amazing number of Snow Geese. The flock was a couple hundred yards from front to back and a half mile wide. The geese appeared to be close to each other (a tightly packed flock). Neither of us are good at estimating large numbers but we guessed there were 10,000. We were able to see one Ross's Goose on the near edge of the flock. There were also eight species of ducks and one American White Pelican. We also birded at Hultine WPA and saw a couple hundred female Red-winged Blackbirds with only a few males.
The day warmed up but the wind continued to blow hard. We birded a few more wetlands but in mid to late afternoon we didn't see much.
I would add there's been some bad behavior at a couple of the public access blinds, people coming late or leaving early and scaring birds off the lek (and annoying other birders). A good rule of thumb is to be in the blind an hour before sunrise at minimum and leave after the birds have left.
Date: 3/13/26 8:50 am From: Jacob C. Cooper via groups.io <cooperj2...> Subject: [NEBirds] Prairie-Chicken Lek Etiquette
Hi all,
Eugene Huryn reported that he had people exiting their vehicles at a prairie-chicken lek south of Kearney while the birds were displaying. As a general reminder:
*
Please do not exit your vehicle at a prairie-chicken lek while birds are present
*
Please do not leave the right of way for public roads at leks on private property
We want to make sure we are doing whats best for the birds without also causing conflict with local landowners.
Date: 3/11/26 7:47 pm From: William Flack via groups.io <sparvophile...> Subject: [NEBirds] Wintering Rusty Blackbirds?
Fellow NEBirders—
This afternoon, I birded a stretch of county road N in eastern Dodge County, including the Maple Creek crossing. Along the deep ditch just west of the creek, I found a male and two female Rusty Blackbirds.
I'd also seen three Rusties at that very location (in the same stretch of deep ditch) on December 5, 2025. Unfortunately, I didn't record the sexes of those three birds, so don't know if they matched today's birds. But it seems reasonable to speculate that they might've been the same, and spent the whole winter here.
I don't know if they'd have had open water, in the creek or from seeps, throughout the winter. From my limited knowledge of Rusties, I'd guess that they'd want shallow water, or at least wet ground, on which to forage, and that might've affected whether they stayed for the winter or not.
Anyone from the east end of the state care to weigh in on the subject of wintering Rusties?
Date: 3/10/26 10:19 am From: Badura, Laurel via groups.io <laurel_badura...> Subject: Re: [NEBirds] Contact for Kansas -- Crested Caracara
Thank you so much!
Laurel
________________________________
From: <NEBirds...> <NEBirds...> on behalf of Tobin Brown via groups.io <tobinjbrown...>
Sent: Tuesday, March 10, 2026 11:17 AM
To: <NEBirds...> <NEBirds...>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: [NEBirds] Contact for Kansas -- Crested Caracara
This email has been received from outside of DOI - Use caution before clicking on links, opening attachments, or responding.
There is a channel in the Kansas Discord server that is posting updates.
Last update was yesterday afternoon, the landowner said it was not present.
Tobin Brown
Lancaster County
On Tue, Mar 10, 2026 at 11:15 AM Badura, Laurel via groups.io<http://groups.io/> <laurel_badura...><mailto:<fws.gov...>> wrote:
Does anyone have a contact for Kansas that would be in the continuous know of the Crested Caracara location? I plan on heading to St. Louis Thursday, the 19th for the basketball tournaments and thought I would slip down to the Lawrence area to see it.
Thank you for any leads.
Laurel
Laurel Badura
Partners for Fish and Wildlife Biologist
US Fish and Wildlife Service
Last update was yesterday afternoon, the landowner said it was not present.
Tobin Brown
Lancaster County
On Tue, Mar 10, 2026 at 11:15 AM Badura, Laurel via groups.io
<laurel_badura...> wrote:
> Does anyone have a contact for Kansas that would be in the continuous know
> of the Crested Caracara location? I plan on heading to St. Louis Thursday,
> the 19th for the basketball tournaments and thought I would slip down to
> the Lawrence area to see it.
>
> Thank you for any leads.
>
> Laurel
>
> Laurel Badura
> Partners for Fish and Wildlife Biologist
> US Fish and Wildlife Service
>
> 9325 South Alda Road
> Wood River, NE 68883
>
> Cell: 308-440-1388
>
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 3/10/26 9:15 am From: Badura, Laurel via groups.io <laurel_badura...> Subject: [NEBirds] Contact for Kansas -- Crested Caracara
Does anyone have a contact for Kansas that would be in the continuous know of the Crested Caracara location? I plan on heading to St. Louis Thursday, the 19th for the basketball tournaments and thought I would slip down to the Lawrence area to see it.
Thank you for any leads.
Laurel
Laurel Badura
Partners for Fish and Wildlife Biologist
US Fish and Wildlife Service
Date: 3/10/26 8:52 am From: bent6130 via groups.io <ericbents...> Subject: Re: [NEBirds] Carter Lake wintering waterfowl
Ross,
Regarding Carter Lake, I believe the timeframe you mentioned was when they began encouraging/enforcing lakeside house owners to clean up all dog waste, as it was creating water quality issues to include overgrowth of aquatic vegetation. According to my source, this enforcement did indeed improve water quality. Interestingly, as migrating waterfowl (both divers and dabblers) fuel up heavily on aquatic vegetation during migration, we might have a situation where less vegetation has resulted in less waterfowl.
An interesting convergence of timeframes but I could be wrong here.
Eric BentsOmaha, NE
On Sunday, March 8, 2026 at 09:51:25 AM CDT, Ross Silcock <silcock...> wrote:
#yiv4676919386 P {margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;}Looking back at mid-winter (7 Jan-14 Feb) waterfowl records at Carter Lake, there were several important records in 2013-2013 and 2013-2014. Since then, however, reports have been few.
Has the lake been modified so that it is less attractive to wintering waterfowl? Were those two winters unusually mild? Have there been planned fish kills/renovations?
Any info is welcome!
Ross
Ross Silcock Co-editor Birds of Nebraska OnlineEditor Seasonal Reports, Nebraska Bird Review.
Date: 3/8/26 7:51 am From: Ross Silcock via groups.io <silcock...> Subject: [NEBirds] Carter Lake wintering waterfowl
Looking back at mid-winter (7 Jan-14 Feb) waterfowl records at Carter Lake, there were several important records in 2013-2013 and 2013-2014. Since then, however, reports have been few.
Has the lake been modified so that it is less attractive to wintering waterfowl? Were those two winters unusually mild? Have there been planned fish kills/renovations?
Any info is welcome!
Ross
Ross Silcock
Co-editor Birds of Nebraska Online
Editor Seasonal Reports, Nebraska Bird Review.
Date: 3/6/26 3:48 am From: William Flack via groups.io <sparvophile...> Subject: Re: [NEBirds] Snow/Ross's isn't on eBird
I suspect that Ross's may tend to cluster in flight, as well. I've been trying to find them in flying flocks, looking for birds that're significantly smaller than their neighbors, and having little luck. If they clump together in those flocks, so that small Ross's are next to other small Ross's, I'm less likely to see that contrast.
Date: 3/4/26 4:40 pm From: Matt Shurtliff via groups.io <mmscornhusker...> Subject: Re: [NEBirds] Snow/Ross's isn't on eBird
I see this too, they tend to segregate when present in numbers. You’ll see
an island of Ross’s.
Matt Shurtliff
<mmscornhusker...>
On Wed, Mar 4, 2026 at 6:30 PM Ross Silcock via groups.io <silcock=
<rosssilcock.com...> wrote:
> Interesting point re distribution of Ross's within Snow flocks. In my
> experience, if there are a large number of Ross's, they tend to sort into
> bunches of Ross's. If there are only a few, they tend to hang around the
> edges of the Snow flock, although that may be because a small number
> randomly dispersed inside the flock could be easily missed.
>
> I'll have to investigate the "tuckiness" tendencies of white geese!
>
> Ross
>
>
> Ross Silcock
>
> Co-editor Birds of Nebraska Online
> Editor Seasonal Reports, Nebraska Bird Review.
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
> *From:* <NEBirds...> <NEBirds...> on behalf of William Flack
> via groups.io <sparvophile...>
> *Sent:* Wednesday, March 4, 2026 6:13 PM
> *To:* <NEBirds...> <NEBirds...>
> *Subject:* Re: [NEBirds] Snow/Ross's isn't on eBird
>
> Thanks, Ross! 2% is consistent with the one attempt I made to figure the
> percentage: a medium-sized flock on Cochran Lake in Scotts Bluff County,
> where I went through carefully looking at bills. I figured that of the
> birds whose bills I could see well enough to identify species, about 1 in
> 40 were Ross's.
>
> However, I have to attach a caution to that. I was assuming that I was
> seeing a random sampling of the flock. If head-tucking behavior varies
> between the species, I might've undercounted the tuck-ier species. And if
> Ross's tend to stick together, rather than dispersing randomly among the
> Snows, then my sample might've been biased.
>
> William Flack
> Kearney
>
>
>
>
Date: 3/4/26 4:31 pm From: Ross Silcock via groups.io <silcock...> Subject: Re: [NEBirds] Snow/Ross's isn't on eBird
Interesting point re distribution of Ross's within Snow flocks. In my experience, if there are a large number of Ross's, they tend to sort into bunches of Ross's. If there are only a few, they tend to hang around the edges of the Snow flock, although that may be because a small number randomly dispersed inside the flock could be easily missed.
I'll have to investigate the "tuckiness" tendencies of white geese!
________________________________
From: <NEBirds...> <NEBirds...> on behalf of William Flack via groups.io <sparvophile...>
Sent: Wednesday, March 4, 2026 6:13 PM
To: <NEBirds...> <NEBirds...>
Subject: Re: [NEBirds] Snow/Ross's isn't on eBird
Thanks, Ross! 2% is consistent with the one attempt I made to figure the percentage: a medium-sized flock on Cochran Lake in Scotts Bluff County, where I went through carefully looking at bills. I figured that of the birds whose bills I could see well enough to identify species, about 1 in 40 were Ross's.
However, I have to attach a caution to that. I was assuming that I was seeing a random sampling of the flock. If head-tucking behavior varies between the species, I might've undercounted the tuck-ier species. And if Ross's tend to stick together, rather than dispersing randomly among the Snows, then my sample might've been biased.
Date: 3/4/26 4:13 pm From: William Flack via groups.io <sparvophile...> Subject: Re: [NEBirds] Snow/Ross's isn't on eBird
Thanks, Ross! 2% is consistent with the one attempt I made to figure the percentage: a medium-sized flock on Cochran Lake in Scotts Bluff County, where I went through carefully looking at bills. I figured that of the birds whose bills I could see well enough to identify species, about 1 in 40 were Ross's.
However, I have to attach a caution to that. I was assuming that I was seeing a random sampling of the flock. If head-tucking behavior varies between the species, I might've undercounted the tuck-ier species. And if Ross's tend to stick together, rather than dispersing randomly among the Snows, then my sample might've been biased.
Date: 3/3/26 7:33 pm From: Ross Silcock via groups.io <silcock...> Subject: Re: [NEBirds] Snow/Ross's isn't on eBird
Bill,
From BONO Ross's account:
Johnsgard (2012) estimated that some 2% of white geese migrating through Nebraska are Rosss Geese; since the mid-continent flock of Snow Geese numbers some 4.9 million, Johnsgard (2012) estimated that some 90,000 Rosss Geese pass through Nebraska. More recent estimates indicate the number of Snow Geese in the mid-continent may be 2-4 times greater than 4.9 million (Mark Vrtiska, NGPC, personal communication). Thus, the estimated number of Rosss Geese migrating through Nebraska would be proportionally higher as well.
Hope this helps!
Ross
Ross Silcock
________________________________
From: <NEBirds...> <NEBirds...> on behalf of William Flack via groups.io <sparvophile...>
Sent: Tuesday, March 3, 2026 9:27 PM
To: <NEBirds...> <NEBirds...>
Subject: Re: [NEBirds] Snow/Ross's isn't on eBird
Thanks for adding Snow/Ross's, Joel!
Based on careful examination of individuals in flocks, any idea what the usual ratio of Snow to Ross's would be?
Date: 3/3/26 2:11 pm From: Tobin Brown via groups.io <tobinjbrown...> Subject: Re: [NEBirds] Common Crane near Alda
Boni also forwarded a photo from Julie Geiser, there are TWO more Common
Cranes at Clear Creek WMA in Garden County. The same WMA which had one bird
for nearly 2 weeks last year.
[image: image.png]
I guess they really are becoming common!
Tobin Brown
Lancaster County
On Tue, Mar 3, 2026 at 3:37 PM Jacob C. Cooper via groups.io <cooperj2=
<unk.edu...> wrote:
Date: 3/3/26 2:09 pm From: Ricky D Olson via groups.io <tatanka40...> Subject: Re: [NEBirds] Common Crane near Alda
Thanks
From: <NEBirds...> <NEBirds...> On Behalf Of Jacob C. Cooper via groups.io
Sent: Tuesday, March 3, 2026 3:13 PM
To: Nebraska Birding <nebirds...>
Subject: [NEBirds] Common Crane near Alda
Hi all,
Jeremiah Ourada just posted a photo of a Common Crane near Alda this afternoon. He said it was at this location:
Date: 3/2/26 10:24 pm From: Jorgensen, Joel via groups.io <Joel.Jorgensen...> Subject: Re: [NEBirds] Snow/Ross's isn't on eBird
Bill:
Snow/Ross's Goose has been added. Unclear to me why it wasn't on the regular list. I think Snow/Ross's Goose is the preferred option for tallying white geese numbers with an "x" in both Snow Goose and Ross's Goose. Unless there is a precise accounting of all geese in the flock, Snow Goose numbers are usually over-estimated and Ross's Goose numbers are under-estimated as observers often assume they are all Snow Geese except for a small number of Ross's that get picked out.
Joel
================================================
Joel Jorgensen
Nongame Bird Program Manager
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
2200 N. 33rd 68503 | 402-471-5440
<joel.jorgensen...>
________________________________
From: <NEBirds...> <NEBirds...> on behalf of William Flack via groups.io <sparvophile...>
Sent: Monday, March 2, 2026 10:05 PM
To: <NEBirds...> <NEBirds...>
Subject: [NEBirds] Snow/Ross's isn't on eBird
I'm trying to enter a list on eBird, for an observation in Red Willow County in which I saw several light geese. Some of them were clearly Snows (head shape and/or grinning patch), but some had their backs to me or their heads tucked, so I couldn't name them for sure. However, eBird isn't giving me a "Snow/Ross's Goose" option. Can the reviewer for that county get that option restored, please? Thanks.
Date: 3/2/26 8:05 pm From: William Flack via groups.io <sparvophile...> Subject: [NEBirds] Snow/Ross's isn't on eBird
I'm trying to enter a list on eBird, for an observation in Red Willow County in which I saw several light geese. Some of them were clearly Snows (head shape and/or grinning patch), but some had their backs to me or their heads tucked, so I couldn't name them for sure. However, eBird isn't giving me a "Snow/Ross's Goose" option. Can the reviewer for that county get that option restored, please? Thanks.
Date: 3/1/26 2:31 pm From: Tobin Brown via groups.io <tobinjbrown...> Subject: [NEBirds] 2025 Big Year Recap
Nebraska Birders,
It's taken a while, but I've finally gathered all of my thoughts on last year. I go into more detail about my planning, as well as my top 10 birds, top 5 photos, other animals, and more: https://brobin.me/blog/2026/02/nebraska-big-year-recap
I am also giving a presentation 3 times this year, if you'd like to hear about my experience in person:
Date: 3/1/26 11:16 am From: pastorpaultdunbar via groups.io <pastorpaultdunbar...> Subject: [NEBirds] Smith's Longspurs
I stopped by Harvard WPA in Clay Co. yesterday (2/28/26), saw a few common ducks and geese -- not much water there, so my main target of big waterfowl numbers was disappointing -- but in the calf-high yellow grasses on the west-central side, north of the dike I flushed up so many Smith's Longspurs! I tallied 144 but it could have been more. It's early, and rather western for Smith's, and definitely a high count, but I stayed and watched them for over 2 hours. Of course, they're just the worst for trying to photograph if you're a digiscoper like me; they flush up only when you almost step on them and then fly way up, darting around, only to drop down in some other invisible grassy spot. At one point there was one flock of 48 in the air behind me another of 56 flying in front of me, with still others I could hear chattering in the grass around me, so I know I wasn't re-counting the same few birds. To be honest, I did not positively ID each of those 144 and I suppose there could have been Laplands mixed in but I don't think that's real common to have Laplands in a mixed flock using this grass habitat when there's plenty of more open ag fields around that they seem to prefer, and all the birds I got real good looks at were Smith's, and the habitat and behavior was spot-on for Smiths. In flight I could make out the white patch on the forward edge of the wings on some of the birds, and the 2 white outer tail feathers, and just general buffy colors, and of course they were constantly calling in flight a high, dry rattle. Got several recordings and a few photos. Nearer the water I also found 2 Am.Pipits and 6 Savannah Sparrows, both FOY for me.
Date: 3/1/26 10:16 am From: Matt Shurtliff via groups.io <mmscornhusker...> Subject: [NEBirds] Lucky day at Loess Bluffs NWR
Here's a few pics from Loess Bluffs NWR yesterday. The accumulation of Snow Geese was the biggest I've ever seen, my best guess is > 2 Million, but it could've been significantly higher. But then I got an even bigger treat.
At about 4:45 pm, birds began lifting from the mass. The geese weren't repositioning like we often see. They weren't scared up, circling, and returning to the ground. They were rising, gaining altitude, and heading north. It started with a trickle, then a steady stream, and then a MASSIVE flow. Over the next hour the exodus became spectacular as flight after flight of birds lifted off, some of the flights 50K or greater. Just a great sight to see.
If I had to guess, I'd say more than half of the geese present at the refuge left late yesterday afternoon. Maybe even 3/4.
In addition to those leaving from the refuge, I could see HUGE flights of Snows going north over the Missouri River. At this size I wouldn't even call them skeins, though multiple several-mile long vees were moving. It was just a huge mass of birds. They birds weren't coming to the refuge, they were heading north. I couldn't put a number to what was moving up the river. The Snow Goose Superhighway was open.
Bonus - as I was circling around the refuge to leave, there was a murmuration of blackbirds. I got to a spot where I could see, and the numbers were staggering. Birds from all around were accumulating at the refuge. They ended up in the trees and in the cattails. As light went away, as you focused binoculars on the cattails, it was an enormous frenzy of blackbirds. I've only seen one bigger in my life, years ago in January at Cheyenne Bottoms in KS.
No way to count the blackbirds, but it's entirely possible I had an 8-digit bird day, > 10 Million, between the two species.
What a joy to see. This is why I watch birds. I'm so lucky.
Date: 3/1/26 4:51 am From: Ruth Stearns via groups.io <ruthstearns...> Subject: Re: [NEBirds] Problem with eBird?
I just went in to eBird on the website, and I see what you mean. Looked at some forums on FB and perhaps it is a very recent bug, happening globally even. some are saying we have to wait it out, as if it's a known issue to be fixed. I haven't found anything from eBird on the subject.
Ruthie StearnsLincoln, NE
On Friday, February 27, 2026 at 03:03:50 PM CST, Robin Harding via groups.io <pine2siskin4...> wrote:
Nebraska birders,I have also noticed that my county life list totals are in reverse order than a few days ago. My year-to-date and month-to-date totals seem to be there. I don't know why it has changed. Robin HardingShelton, Nebraska
On Fri, Feb 27, 2026 at 2:49 PM William Flack via groups.io <sparvophile...> wrote:
In the past few days, when I've brought up the "My eBird" page, it's shown my life totals for the Nebraska counties, but not my year-to-date or month-to-date totals. It's also showing those life totals with the smallest at the top and the largest at the bottom, which is the reverse of the way it's done it in the past. Has anyone else seen this problem? If so, any idea why? William FlackKearney
Date: 2/27/26 1:03 pm From: Robin Harding via groups.io <pine2siskin4...> Subject: Re: [NEBirds] Problem with eBird?
Nebraska birders,
I have also noticed that my county life list totals are in reverse order
than a few days ago. My year-to-date and month-to-date totals seem to be
there. I don't know why it has changed.
Robin Harding
Shelton, Nebraska
On Fri, Feb 27, 2026 at 2:49 PM William Flack via groups.io <sparvophile=
<yahoo.com...> wrote:
> In the past few days, when I've brought up the "My eBird" page, it's shown
> my life totals for the Nebraska counties, but not my year-to-date or
> month-to-date totals. It's also showing those life totals with the
> smallest at the top and the largest at the bottom, which is the reverse of
> the way it's done it in the past. Has anyone else seen this problem? If
> so, any idea why?
>
> William Flack
> Kearney
>
>
>
>
Date: 2/27/26 12:49 pm From: William Flack via groups.io <sparvophile...> Subject: [NEBirds] Problem with eBird?
In the past few days, when I've brought up the "My eBird" page, it's shown my life totals for the Nebraska counties, but not my year-to-date or month-to-date totals. It's also showing those life totals with the smallest at the top and the largest at the bottom, which is the reverse of the way it's done it in the past. Has anyone else seen this problem? If so, any idea why?
Date: 2/27/26 9:33 am From: Joe Freeborn via groups.io <jfreeborn58...> Subject: Re: [NEBirds] Conkaree!
[Edited Message Follows]
We’ve had quite a few of them in the yard now for several days. Along with the other usual blackbird suspects. Smaller flocks but still annoying on my feeders. Lol.
Date: 2/27/26 7:11 am From: Joe Freeborn via groups.io <jfreeborn58...> Subject: Re: [NEBirds] Conkaree!
We’ve had quite a few of them in the yard now for several days. Along with the other usual blackbird suspects. Smaller flocks but still annoying on my feeders. Lol.
Date: 2/24/26 7:05 am From: Jorgensen, Joel via groups.io <Joel.Jorgensen...> Subject: [NEBirds] Breeding Bird Survey routes available in 2026
The Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) is a long-term, volunteer-driven bird monitoring program conducted throughout North America. BBS data are used widely by wildlife agencies, researchers, birders and conservation planners. The program began in 1966 and more information about the BBS can be found HERE<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbs/about/__;!!PvXuogZ4sRB2p-tU!Du41XSSsr8S-rqg6zF-nWKwy_pRamTj4wVfMnd__7jw26ScgQB7V12Bukax_zymT2aUa8NxEDwXIgXrDUYvHk6RBa-bA257m$>. I am the state BBS coordinator and perhaps my principal duty is to identify and recruit individuals to fill vacant routes. Running a BBS requires only one morning in June to complete. Conducting a BBS route provides the opportunity to experience a back corner of Nebraska that you otherwise may not visit. Furthermore, it is a great way to contribute to a larger effort that helps everyone understand how bird populations and distributions are changing over time. Currently, there are several routes available in Nebraska. Open routes are shown in yellow on the attached map or at the following link: https://birds.outdoornebraska.gov/2019-breeding-bird-survey-routes-available/.
If you're interested, you have the opportunity to contribute to this program by adopting one of these routes. However, it is also important to ponder the following sideboards when considering taking on a BBS route.
1. Observers need access to suitable transportation - many routes include minimum maintenance roads.
2. Observers should possess good hearing and eyesight.
3. Observers need to be able to identify most breeding birds in the route's area by sight and sound. Knowledge of bird songs is extremely important because most birds detected on these surveys are singing males. HOWEVER - you don't need to be perfect or an expert - a decent skill set filling an empty route is better than a vacant route.
4. New BBS participants must also successfully complete the BBS Methodology Training Program before their data will be used in BBS analyses.
5. Observers should have the intention of running a BBS route for more than one year. This is important - one observer completing a route once has limited value.
Joel
___________________________________________________
Joel Jorgensen | Nongame Bird Program Manager
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
2200 N 33rd St. | Lincoln, NE 68503
<joel.jorgensen...><mailto:<joel.jorgensen...> | 402-471-5440
