Date: 6/16/25 9:09 am From: Tobin Brown via groups.io <tobinjbrown...> Subject: [NEBirds] Crescent Lake Breeding Bird Survey
Nebraska Birders,
Inspired by Jason Thiele's reports, I figured I'd share my experience as well!
On Friday I conducted my first breeding bird survey at Crescent Lake. Having never done a survey before, I was a little worried about the rushed nature of a 3 minute count, but I think I did pretty well! I counted just over 1000 individuals of 57 species (plus a non-count Sora and domestic Peafowl)! 20 species were only found at a single stop. The weather was clear and cool, with very little wind, I don't think I could have asked for better. Here are some of the overall highlights of the day.
- *Dawn Song.* The Dawn song at the marsh was overwhelming (see the stilt recording below). Probably hundreds of birds, I did my best to parse out what I was hearing, but I suspect I underestimated Marsh Wrens, blackbirds, and calling coots/ducks by quite a bit. (I think I may have missed a Least bittern there too) - *Black-necked Stilt:* I had 2 Black-necked Stilts at my first stop at the northwest corner of Goose Lake. They were very vocal <https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/637624955> (probably scolding me). I'm not sure when the last time this route was run, but this may be a new species for the route. - *Cinnamon Teal:* I came across one single drake Cinnamon Teal at stop 18. It was in a pond with some Blue-winged teals. I did not note a hen, but I think it's likely one was hiding in the marsh. - *Meadowlarks!* Meadowlarks dominated my count, noted at 46 stops (and probably missed at the others). Almost all were Western, but I did hear one singing Eastern Meadowlark. - *American Bittern*: I was hoping to hear a displaying Bittern on my route, and I did on stop 10! I stopped briefly after my 3 minute count to take a recording <https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/637625220>. - *Prairie Chickens:* I thought I was well into Sharp-tailed Grouse territory, but I heard a few late Prairie Chickens still booming at stops 5-7 - *Weasel!* The non-bird highlight of my route was a Long-tailed Weasel <https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/637629575> at stop 30.
