Date: 5/26/26 4:59 am From: Matt Shurtliff via groups.io <mmscornhusker...> Subject: [NEBirds] Crescent Lake NWR - fire recovery
Hi all - I went to Crescent yesterday, which has been my favorite place in the state since Dr. Johnsgard took us there in Field Ornithology in the summer of 1989. This is my first look post-fire. I entered from the south via Oshkosh and exited to the NE via the road to Lakeside.
The vastness of the vire was definitely shocking, and it's fire-scarred in all directions as far as the eye can see. The fence posts are burned for large lengths, and in the worst areas there are long sections where the wooden posts have been replaced. The few trees that are out there took a beating. One entire windbreak plant on the road up from Oshkosh was fully burned. The old dead trees in a few spots on the marsh are charred. The fire came close to the HQ area and nearby trees, but none of that burned.
That said - I was very encouraged to see plenty of signs of recovery. There's a lot of devastation to be sure, but even in the very worst areas, there is some green grass and sage brush beginning to sprout. You don't have to look to hard to see it. In many other areas, there was much more grass, and the new sage were > 6 inches high, with the yucca were beginning to grow new sprouts. Even saw a few wildflowers. These areas were greener than areas that hadn't been burned. As a good friend told me, the prairie is resilient and is doing it's thing.
The wet meadows are as green as ever, and there are plenty of birds there. Large numbers of Ibis, Avocet, and Phalaropes yesterday. More Phalaropes than I've ever seen at once. On the drive in there were several Curlews feeding in charred areas with new grass growth.
Water levels are LOW. I've been there on days where there was water lapping over the roads, now it's > 100 yards away.
I took quite a few pictures, if any of you have interest, just email me offline and I'll send you some.
