Date: 4/24/26 6:54 pm From: Robin Harding via groups.io <pine2siskin4...> Subject: [NEBirds] Nuckolls and Clay Counties
Nebraska birders,
Steve Morris and I enjoyed a day of birding in Nuckolls and Clay Counties. We paused at a spot a couple miles north of Superior where Scissor-tailed Flycatchers had been seen three years ago. Unfortunately, all we saw were cowbirds.
We walked on the David Ely property which is a few miles east of Superior. At the marsh, we heard a Sora and a Common Yellowthroat. We played a Virginia Rail recording but did not hear a response. In the woods, notable species include a couple Warbling Vireos, a chickadee, and a million House Wrens. The Merlin app heard Wilson's Warbler but we could not see it. The highlight was a Barred Owl which let us get a very good look. Walking in the woods was difficult due to many fallen trees. We were still very grateful to have the opportunity to bird on the property.
After lunch, we went to the Nelson sewage ponds but found them dry. Along the way to the ponds, we paused at a home with several occupied Purple Martin houses and bird feeders. We met the owner who was proud of his birds.
On the way back home, we stopped at Smith WPA in Clay County. There were many shorebirds, ducks, geese and gulls. The viewing was a bit tough because of heat waves but highlights include American Avocets, Black-bellied Plovers, Wilson's Phalaropes, Franklin's Gulls and Forster's Terns which was a new county bird for me.
