Date: 11/23/25 9:38 am From: David Cunningham via groups.io <gopacgodc...> Subject: Re: [NEBirds] Archway bird walk
Robin,
Sounds like a wonderful time and certainly a delightful report.
Dave
On Sun, Nov 23, 2025, 11:32 AM Robin Harding via groups.io <pine2siskin4=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> NEbirders,
>
> I eagerly joined the UNK Ornithology monthly bird walk Saturday morning,
> November 22. Dr. Jacob Cooper and Peggy Huss (one of his most enthusiastic
> students) have been leading these bird walks this semester. On that
> morning we met at the Archway Monument and walked the Pioneer’s Path
> Trail. We were joined by Cody McGregor, five other UNK students and Amy, a
> UNK staff member. We walked a half mile east then turned around, retraced
> our steps and continued west for a half mile.
>
> It was a chilly morning but the sun was shining and the wind was calm.
> The trail follows Turkey Creek and there are small lakes between the creek
> and Interstate 80. One of the first birds that we heard was a Belted
> Kingfisher. Off to a good start. As we walked the trail, we encountered a
> flock of Slate-colored Juncos with one Oregon Junco. This gave Dr. Cooper
> the opportunity to teach us about juncos. He told us about one of the many
> junco species that lives in a remote mountainous region.
>
> When we saw a Red-breasted Nuthatch and Lapland Longspurs, Dr. Cooper
> taught us about winter irruptions. This winter is looking promising.
> There have already been several species reported that would indicate a
> ‘good’ winter. Be on the lookout for Redpolls.
>
> We saw three or four small flocks of Cedar Waxwings. Usually, I’m lucky
> if I see one flock. Some of the waxwings remained perched in a tree,
> giving us a good look. This gave Dr. Cooper another opportunity to teach
> us about waxwings. He said that there are only three species of waxwings.
> If this will be a ‘good’ winter, maybe we’ll see Bohemian Waxwings.
>
> A covey of Northern Bobwhite flushed near Peggy, nearly giving her a heart
> attack. Dr. Cooper was surprised to see them at this location. He said
> that the species is becoming more rare and we were in a city park. Years
> ago, my late husband Lanny called them magic birds because they would
> appear out of nowhere and just as quickly disappear into thin air.
>
> One of the last species that we saw on this day was Harris’s Sparrow. Dr.
> Cooper taught us about their limited range. They breed in north central
> Canada and winter in the southern Great Plains including Nebraska. This
> brought another memory to my mind. Many years ago during ‘March Madness’
> Lanny and I met a couple ladies from the east coast who traveled to
> Nebraska for the Sandhill Crane spectacle. Also on their bucket list was
> Harris’s Sparrow. When we found one, the ladies did a little life bird
> dance.
>
> Robin Harding
> Shelton, Nebraska
>
>
