Date: 1/6/26 10:40 am From: Jorgensen, Joel via groups.io <Joel.Jorgensen...> Subject: [NEBirds] Lower Platte River CBC - results
The 9th edition of the time-honored Lower Platte River CBC took place Monday, 5 January, which happens to be the final day of the CBC period. Eleven observers in nine parties tallied 82 species, which ties the record achieved in 2023 and is above the average of all prior years of 75 species (range 71-82). Weather was great with temps in the 50s and light winds. A big theme of this year's CBC was a good diversity and large numbers of waterfowl as well as a good representation of semi-hardy passerines, which can likely be attributed to the relatively mild winter (but early Dec was cold!). Below is the rundown of highlights:
New count birds: Tundra Swan, Greater Scaup, Red-breasted Merganser, and Snow Bunting
Other really good birds: Ruby-crowned Kinglet (2nd time on CBC), Field Sparrow (2nd time) Killdeer (3rd time ) and Double-crested Cormorant (3rd time)
50/50 birds detected on CBC: Red-headed Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Winter Wren (3), Hermit Thrush and Purple Finch
High counts of note: Greater white-fronted Goose (1331 > the 1042 in 2019)
Trumpeter Swan (29 > the 23 in 2025)
Northern Pintail (11 > 9 in 2021)
Ring-necked Duck (83 > 57 in 2025)
Ring-billed Gull (34 > 27 in 2025)
Merlin (6 > 2 in 2024)
Red-breasted Nuthatch (22 > 17 in 2018)
Golden-crowned Kinglet (13 > 7 in 2021)
Eastern Bluebird (95 > 83 in 2018 and following several years of being relatively scarce)
Spotted Towhee (3 > 1 in multiple years)
White-throated Sparrow (52 > 18 in 2024)
Carolina Wren (17), American Robin (606) and Yellow-rumped Warbler (20) also showed their best numbers of recent years, but did not set record highs.
Misses: Ring-necked Pheasant (not easy in the CBC circle), Northern Harrier (ditto), Pileated Woodpecker, Brown-headed Cowbird and Pine Siskin
Low counts of note: Only 2 meadowlarks were reported.
Thanks to the participants that came out.
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
