Date: 9/21/25 3:18 pm From: Robin Harding via groups.io <pine2siskin4...> Subject: [NEBirds] Sherman Co. Res.
Nebraska birders,
It had been too long since the last time that my old friend Steve Morris
and I had birded together. We remedied that on Sunday, September 21. We
met a new friend, Rita Cunha from Ord, at the Sherman County Reservoir.
We had hopes of relocating the Sabine’s Gull and Common Terns. At the dam,
the weather was calm, cloudy and cool. We saw several Franklin’s and
Ring-billed Gulls but we could not find the target species. It began to
sprinkle but it looked like it would pass soon. In the Thunder Bay area,
we found a cooperative Orange-crowned Warbler and a Black-capped Chickadee.
By the time we arrived at the Ash Canyon (Trail 3) area, the sprinkle had
stopped. But then, of course, the wind picked up. We found a beautiful
Say’s Phoebe along Trail 3. I didn’t realize at that time but it was a new
Sherman County bird for me.
We continued birding the trails on the west side of the lake, being
cautious of muddy roads. We were able to drive most of the trails and we
also walked a bit. We saw a Bald Eagle fly over. We were very pleased to
watch a flock of about seventy Franklin’s Gulls do their aeronautical
acrobatics.
Our last stop was at Oak Creek (Trail 11) area. As we scanned the far
shore, we spotted a Great Egret. I assumed that I had already seen the
species in this county but I was wrong. I may have just forgotten to write
it down at some time in the past but today, it is officially a new county
bird. My new total for Sherman County is 182.
