Date: 11/23/25 11:04 am From: Shirley Maas via groups.io <dtmsem2006...> Subject: Re: [NEBirds] Archway bird walk
Love your reports. Doubt the professor could teach you much.
Look forward to showing the Ratzaff’s AZ birdsWednesday here in the Mesa Area.
Don MaasMaricopa CountyMesa, AZ
“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 Sunday, November 23, 2025, 10:37 AM, David Cunningham via groups.io <gopacgodc...> wrote:
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...> 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.
