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08 Feb Another COCR update ["paul" ] 08 Feb Common Crane, 2/8/12 ["paul" ] 08 Feb Common Crane, 2/7/12 ["paul" ] 6 Feb Re: Another Snowy Owl West of Fremont?? ["Don & Janis Paseka" ] 07 Feb Another Snowy Owl West of Fremont?? ["Luther" ] 6 Feb Fw: Hermit Thrush ["Ross Silcock" ] 6 Feb Common Crane Monday Feb 6 ["Ross Silcock" ] 6 Feb Carter Lake- Omaha- 2/06 [Justin Rink ] 06 Feb Common Crane 2/6/12 ["paul" ] 6 Feb Common Crane (2/2/12) Thanks! [Chris West ] 6 Feb RE: Digest Number 4070 ["Langan, Marian" ] 6 Feb yellow-throated warbler ["Jerry Toll" ] 5 Feb short-eared owls - Seward Co ["Gubanyi,Joe" ] 5 Feb thanks [Urban Lehner ] 5 Feb Rustys at home [] 5 Feb Common Crane [Jan Johnson ] 5 Feb RE: amateur volunteer bird counters ["Elliott Bedows" ] 05 Feb House Finches ["jpkassik" ] 4 Feb RE: Snowy Owl Update + BOL/PL 2/1 ["Walker, TJ" ] 4 Feb Re: amateur volunteer bird counters [Carolyn Rieke ] 4 Feb Re: amateur volunteer bird counters ["Kathy DeLara" ] 4 Feb amateur volunteer bird counters [Urban Lehner ] 04 Feb Snowy Owl - Hall County ["J" ] 4 Feb RE: Fw: So hard to trust Sibley these days.. ["Kayleen A Niyo" ] 4 Feb Lake birds [Jeanine Lackey ] 4 Feb RE: Fw: So hard to trust Sibley these days.. ["Gubanyi,Joe" ] 4 Feb Re: Fw: So hard to trust Sibley these days.. [Jan Johnson ] 4 Feb Fw: So hard to trust Sibley these days.. ["Ross Silcock" ] 4 Feb Snowy Owl Update + BOL/PL 2/1 ["Jorgensen, Joel" ] 4 Feb Re: Spotting Scopes [Gregston Nelson ] 04 Feb 2nd Snowy Owl for me ["ingwersen.mark" ] 04 Feb Spotting Scopes ["trplduece" ] 03 Feb Red Tail Hawk ["trplduece" ] 03 Feb Re: Common Crane, Snowy Owl ["paul" ] 3 Feb Snowy Owl Triage [Jeanine Lackey ] 03 Feb Common Crane, Snowy Owl ["paul" ] 3 Feb First post: Snowy Owl photos [CheekyGeek ] 3 Feb Dodge Co. snowy owl ["Don & Janis Paseka" ] 3 Feb RE: West Omaha Lakes 2/01 ["Walker, TJ" ] 2 Feb Fontenelle Wetlands- 2/02 [Justin Rink ] 2 Feb Re: Common Crane, Thursday [Matt Hansen ] 2 Feb Cranes and more [RUSSELL DUERKSEN ] 02 Feb Common Crane, Thursday ["paul" ] 2 Feb Ponca State Park [Jan Johnson ] 02 Feb Common Redpoll ["Susan Louise" ] 2 Feb Rare Bird ["Clem Klaphake" ] 2 Feb (unknown) [Wesley Sterling ] 02 Feb Re: West Omaha Lakes 2/01 [Ami Sheffield ] 02 Feb American Kestrel ["karenm4birds" ] 1 Feb Re: West Omaha Lakes 2/01 [] 1 Feb West Omaha Lakes 2/01 [Justin Rink ] 1 Feb RE: Location of Long Eared Owl. ["Elliott Bedows" ] 1 Feb Re: RFI: Common Crane [Chris West ] 1 Feb RE: Location of Long Eared Owl. ["Jo Bartikoski" ] 01 Feb Nebraska Bird Partnership News - February ["J" ] 1 Feb Re: Location of Long Eared Owl. [Karen Wagoner ] 1 Feb Location of Long Eared Owl. [] 1 Feb (unknown) [Wesley Sterling ] 1 Feb Snowy Owl Video [Jan Johnson ] 1 Feb Possible White-tailed Kite, definite Short-eared Owl ["Walker, TJ" ] 31 Jan Re: Common Crane Reoords for Nebraska ["Kathy DeLara" ] 01 Feb Preventing death traps for birds ["John" ] 31 Jan Wintering Robins: [Audrey Sterkel ] 31 Jan Common Crane Reoords for Nebraska [Mark Brogie ] 31 Jan Re: Our 1st Robin arrived yesterday! ["Clem Klaphake" ] 31 Jan Walnut Creek Park [Wesley Sterling ] 31 Jan Common Crane, Tuesday pm ["paul" ] 31 Jan Re: RFI: Common Crane ["Clem Klaphake" ] 31 Jan Midtown Ross's Goose & Y-b Loon (KS) [Justin Rink ] 31 Jan Re: RFI: Common Crane [] 31 Jan RFI: Common Crane [Chris West ] 30 Jan Fw: Nebraska Birding ["Kathy DeLara" ] 30 Jan Whooping Cranes On The Platte ["Jorgensen, Joel" ] 30 Jan [Fwd: Winter Whooping Cranes On The Platte:] [] 31 Jan Common Crane, Monday ["paul" ] 30 Jan RE: Our 1st Robin arrived yesterday! ["Eades, Rick" ] Subject: Another COCR update From: "paul" <pastorpaultdunbar AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:49:08 -0000 Since people from all over still seem to be v. interested in updates on the Common Crane, I'll continue to provide them as I get them. I just got a call from some birders from Oklahoma that they, together with about 18 other birders from IA, MO, TX, Ontario, and elsewhere were looking at the crane for the past hour or so (4:20-5:30ish). It was seen on the south side of the Platte River Road, between Alda and 70th. I'm told everyone got great looks as the bird strutted about, raised its wings, and generally put on a show. Huzzah! (And for folks thinking about coming out to look for it this weekend, bring your warmest clothes -- Saturday's high is supposed to be 17 degrees, and out here there's almost always wind to make it feel a lot colder than it is.) Paul Dunbar Hastings (Adams Co) ------------------------------------ Subject: Common Crane, 2/8/12 From: "paul" <pastorpaultdunbar AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:06:28 -0000 I just got an update I thought I'd share from an IA birder who saw the COCR at 12:30pm a couple miles east of where it had been seen previously. It was along 70th Road South (which is east of Alda) betweeen Lepin and Platte River Roads. Apparently there are some ridges in that area, and the cranes are tough to see. Since she saw it, no one has yet been able to refind it, though there are other birders out there and looking. Good luck, everybody! When I was up there last evening, I thought it looked like there were quite a few more cranes around than there were a week ago, so it could be getting tougher. By the way, maybe everybody is doing this already, but it would be wise to keep an eye out for HOODED Crane, too. As I understand it, the Tennessee Hooded was last seen on Jan.30, and one (presumably the same bird?) was seen today in west-central Indiana. I don't know where it will go from there, but, of course, the Hooded seen last spring in Nebraska was less than 20 miles east along I-80 from the Common Crane being seen now. Just a heads-up,for those whose heads aren't already up. Paul Dunbar Hastings (Adams Co.) ------------------------------------ Subject: Common Crane, 2/7/12 From: "paul" <pastorpaultdunbar AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 08 Feb 2012 03:46:53 -0000 Folks from Delaware were out looking for the COCR today. There weren't any cranes hanging around this afternoon in the usual fields around Alda/Rosedale, but there were several thousand southeast of there a mile or two, near the intersection of Osage and Barrows. Fact is, the bird never was found foraging. It was finally seen only briefly at 5:40pm as these birders were parked at 90th and Platte R. Dr., and the bird flew over them to the north to land out of sight up close to the river. So, birders who are out tomorrow or Thursday (like the folks from St.Louis and from Illinois I talked to on the phone tonight) should be looking during the day for where the bird might be foraging. As the cranes pick clean the fields closest to the river, they may be moving farther south during the day. (Maybe I'll get this bird on my Adams County list after all!) Paul Dunbar Hastings (Adams Co) 402-984-5843 ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Another Snowy Owl West of Fremont?? From: "Don & Janis Paseka" <paseka76 AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 6 Feb 2012 21:29:24 -0600 Luther, In your post, you said that your brother saw the owl between county Rd F and the cut-off ditch. Did you mean county Rd R? That would make more sense if Mike was on his way home as Rd F would be about 12 miles north of the cut-off and put the location of the sighting east of Scribner. Oddly enough, I was hauling corn this afternoon and saw what appeared to be a large white bird sitting on the ground in the middle off a snow covered flat field about 1/4 mile west of Rd 14 Blvd north of Rd R. I didn't have optics along , and of course the bird was gone when I returned. This would only be a couple of miles from where I think Mike actually saw the owl on Sunday, and a couple miles north of where Chad Taylor's brother saw one in December. I did see a Prairie Falcon this afternoon at the intersection of Rd 16 and Rd P that was close enough to identify without optics. Don P Ames NE On Mon, Feb 6, 2012 at 8:08 PM, Luther wrote: > ** > > > I just got a call from a brother who lives west of Fremont. (He's been an > avid birder for about 30 years.) Yesterday afternoon, around 4:30pm, as he > was driving home, he spotted a Snowy Owl flying parallel to him as he drove > down the road he was on. The owl flew along side him for about a quarter of > a mile. He tried to find the owl again today with no luck. > > The location of the owl was: 7 miles west of Fremont on Highway 30, then > north on County Rd 16, between County Rd F and the Cut-off Ditch Rd. > > Luther > Central Omaha > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Another Snowy Owl West of Fremont?? From: "Luther" <lutherhaige AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 07 Feb 2012 02:08:00 -0000 I just got a call from a brother who lives west of Fremont. (He's been an avid birder for about 30 years.) Yesterday afternoon, around 4:30pm, as he was driving home, he spotted a Snowy Owl flying parallel to him as he drove down the road he was on. The owl flew along side him for about a quarter of a mile. He tried to find the owl again today with no luck. The location of the owl was: 7 miles west of Fremont on Highway 30, then north on County Rd 16, between County Rd F and the Cut-off Ditch Rd. Luther Central Omaha ------------------------------------ Subject: Fw: Hermit Thrush From: "Ross Silcock" <silcock AT rosssilcock.com> Date: Mon, 6 Feb 2012 19:40:41 -0600 Clem Klaphake asked me to post this. Ross Ross Silcock P.O. Box 57 Tabor, IA 51653 New Zealand Land and Pelagic Bird Tours http://www.rosssilcock.com I stopped at Fontenelle Forest today and saw: - 1 Hermit Thrush FOY - 1 Winter Wren - 3 Downy Woodpeckers - 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker - 1 N. Flicker - 2 Tree Sparrows - 3 WB Nuthatches - 2 BC Chickadees - 2 RT Hawks - 4 W. Turkeys Clem Klaphake Bellevue, NE [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Common Crane Monday Feb 6 From: "Ross Silcock" <silcock AT rosssilcock.com> Date: Mon, 6 Feb 2012 18:11:29 -0600 Just received a phone call from 2 intrepid Iowa birders Bill Scheible and Ken Lowder who located the Common Crane with about 150 Sandhill Cranes at Alda and Rosedale this afternoon. Thanks to John and Shari who had the bird in their scope when Bill and Ken arrived! Ross Ross Silcock P.O. Box 57 Tabor, IA 51653 New Zealand Land and Pelagic Bird Tours http://www.rosssilcock.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Carter Lake- Omaha- 2/06 From: Justin Rink <spindalis79 AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 6 Feb 2012 15:37:50 -0800 (PST)   This afternoon I paid a visit to Carter Lake.  There have been some changes as more ice has melted creating more pools for the waterfowl.  There has been a major influx of Common Goldeneye and Gadwall it seems.  The only new species was a single female HOODED MERGANSER (FOY).  The female Gr. Scaup from my previous report could not be relocated.  The e-bird report is below...   Carter Lake, Douglas, US-NE Feb 6, 2012 3:20 PM - 6:00 PM Protocol: Traveling 0.5 mile(s) 17 species Canada Goose  100 Gadwall  170    Large numbers throughout the winter. American Wigeon  8 Mallard  300 Northern Shoveler  270    There have been large numbers of Shoveler haning out at this lake all winter Canvasback  40 Redhead  80 Ring-necked Duck  70 Lesser Scaup  15 Common Goldeneye  95 Hooded Merganser  1 Ruddy Duck  2 Pied-billed Grebe  2 American Coot  350 European Starling  3 Dark-eyed Junco  8 House Finch  2 This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)   Good birding.   Justin Rink Midtown Omaha, Douglas Co., NE spindalis79 AT yahoo.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Common Crane 2/6/12 From: "paul" <pastorpaultdunbar AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:16:43 -0000 The COCR was seen last eve around 5:20pm just southwest of the Alda/Rosedale intersection. It was seen just north of that intersection today, Monday, around 10am. The gravel roads (which are all the roads in this general crane area except Alda and Rosedale) are a little sloppy after the wet snow, but I got around on them yesterday in my little 2WD Honda Fit, so I think everybody should be okay. Paul Dunbar Hastings (Adams Co.) ------------------------------------ Subject: Common Crane (2/2/12) Thanks! From: Chris West <birdingbum17 AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 6 Feb 2012 12:01:41 -0800 (PST) Hi everyone,  I've been out birding/traveling all weekend and just got back to my computer today.  I just wanted to say many thanks to all the kind birders who emailed or called me before and during my drive out to see the Common Crane last Thurs.  I and one other birder from Wisconsin drove overnight Wed night (Feb 1st) and arrived at around 7:30am on Thurs morning (Feb 2).  We cruised down Alda Rd looking for flocks of Sandhills. When we got to Rosedale Rd, we turned around and headed back north to the only apparent flock of cranes. The flock was located just south of the intersection of Alda and Rainforth roads on the west side of Alda Rd. This was around 8am-ish.  As we pulled up, I watched about 15 cranes fly in from the north. Trailing them was a different-looking crane. I slammed on the brakes and jumped out and started scoping the area that the bird had landed in.  Took about 15 minutes of scoping, but the Common Crane soon raised its head and stuck out like a sore thumb. As we watched, it foraged for about ten minutes, then flew south towards Rosedale Rd. It was awesome to see it in flight through the scope. It really sticks out in flight with the pale back and black edging to the flight feathers.   Over the next few hours, we helped several other birders re-find the bird 3 different times.   When we left, around 1pm, it was foraging with a group of Sandhills in a field on the east side of  90th ave, north of Rainforth Rd.  This was ABA lifer #618 for me and the 4th ABA crane species I saw in the month between Jan 2nd and Feb 2nd.  Now I just need a Lesser Prairie-chicken.... :D  Happy Birding! --Chris W,  Madison, WI  [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: RE: Digest Number 4070 From: "Langan, Marian" <mlangan AT audubon.org> Date: Mon, 6 Feb 2012 11:59:50 -0800 Hi Everyone - Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center is having a free public walk for the GBBC on Friday, Feb. 17, from 9:30-11:30 am. No reservations are needed. Press releases have been sent out about this - not sure if it would have aired in Omaha. If you are interested, you can find directions at www.springcreekprairie.org. ______________________________________ Marian Langan, Executive Director Audubon Nebraska 11700 SW 100th St., PO Box 117 Denton NE 68339 Ph (402) 797-2301, Fax (402) 797-2304 www.nebraska.audubon.org [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: yellow-throated warbler From: "Jerry Toll" <geritol48 AT cox.net> Date: Mon, 6 Feb 2012 08:29:21 -0600 I just saw the yellow-throated warbler again at my feeder at home. It has been here off and on now since January 21. Initially it visited numerous times during the day. Lately it has not been coming every day. Jer Toll 2741 Wyoming St Omaha NE 68112 402.312.1635 geritol48 AT cox.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: short-eared owls - Seward Co From: "Gubanyi,Joe" <Joseph.Gubanyi AT cune.edu> Date: Sun, 5 Feb 2012 19:09:06 -0600 It was too nice to stay in so I decided to see what the weekend snow brought in. Late this afternoon I found two short-eared owls, one at North Lake Basin and the other at the Tamora wetlands. Both were sitting on fenceposts. I could kick myself for not bringing my camera because the one at North Lake Basin was right next to the road in perfect light while I watched from my car. Also had numerous flocks of horned larks. I was surprised to not find any longspurs. Joe Gubanyi Seward [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: thanks From: Urban Lehner <uclbird AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 5 Feb 2012 18:01:02 -0600 Much appreciate the suggestions for amateur volunteers. Best, Urban -- Urban C. Lehner 15526 Pierce Circle Omaha, NE 68144-5109 402 301 6143 (cell) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Rustys at home From: snowbunting AT rcom-ne.com Date: Sun, 5 Feb 2012 16:14:47 -0600 Nebraska birders, Lanny and I saw about 30 Rusty Blackbirds in our yard early this afternoon. Our yard is in north central Kearney County and it is February 05. We got about 7 inches of heavy wet snow Friday night. The weather radio said that this is a new record amount of snow for the date. It has been dry here so we need the precipitation. Too bad it comes all in one big storm. Last Friday (Feb. 03) I saw many Snow Geese in a flock of Canadas near the intersection of highways 10 and L50a. Just during this last week, I've noticed an increasing number of Snow Geese in this area. Robin Harding northern Kearney County ------------------------------------ Subject: Common Crane From: Jan Johnson <bluebird47 AT cedarwb.net> Date: Sun, 5 Feb 2012 15:04:00 -0600 We just found & watched the Common Crane with a small group of Sandhills south of Rosedale Rd & 90th St. The majority of the cranes are in the section between Rosedale & Rainforth. We spent scopula of hours looking them over & then were scanning this small group when what I was sure was the Common Crane flew across in front of the scope & of course landed in the middle of the section behind a rise. We drove back to 90 th & south & found it with 3 Sandhills about 2:40 Jan & Richard Johnson ------------------------------------ Subject: RE: amateur volunteer bird counters From: "Elliott Bedows" <ebedows AT cox.net> Date: Sun, 5 Feb 2012 12:05:15 -0600 Hi Urban, Though it's a ways off, the fall hawk migration at Hitchcock is always a possibility. YES, I know that ID'ing the birds is essential there, but there are always experienced people on the Tower to assist. And during October and other than December, it's a heck of a great way to spend a day. There are also various spring counts that are always attended by novice birders under the tutelage of experienced leaders. Elliott (Bedows, Bellevue, Sarpy Co.) From: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Urban Lehner Sent: Saturday, February 04, 2012 6:53 PM To: nebirds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [NEBirds] amateur volunteer bird counters A twentyish fellow I met today in Omaha said he'd heard on the radio a request for volunteer bird counters but couldn't recall the details. He said he and his parents aren't birders but like birds and would be interested in taking part in counting events that take public volunteers even if they don't know much about birds?/ Anyone know of such events? It seems like it would have to be an event where species identification wasn't a critical part of the process. Kind of hard to imagine for me but some group was apparently calling for such volunteers, if this guy understood the radio correctly. Thanks, Urban -- Urban C. Lehner 15526 Pierce Circle Omaha, NE 68144-5109 402 301 6143 (cell) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: House Finches From: "jpkassik" <jpkassik AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 05 Feb 2012 17:02:11 -0000 Hello, Just wanted to comment on the House Finches. The past few years I would be so excited when one or two showed up at my feeders. There just weren't very many of them. This year I have well over twenty that visit my feeders. It has been amazing to see all of these. Judy- Friend ------------------------------------ Subject: RE: Snowy Owl Update + BOL/PL 2/1 From: "Walker, TJ" <thomas.walker AT nebraska.gov> Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2012 20:23:12 -0600 Joel, had a report just east of Maxwell off of Slant Road (about 1 mile east of Highway 30 - slant road heads due east from just east of Maxwell and highway 30 goes ESE). Not "verified yet" but description was good. This is the same guy that called one in in December but I could not relocate. He hadn't seen it since then until yesterday. I am wondering if they aren't starting to move back northward? May try to verify tomorrow or Monday AM. T. J. Walker - District Manager, Wildlife Division - Partners Section Nebraska Game and Parks Commission 301 East State Farm Road North Platte, NE 69101 Office Phone 308-535-8025 Cell Phone 308-530-7659 ________________________________ From: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com [NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Jorgensen, Joel [Joel.Jorgensen AT nebraska.gov] Sent: Saturday, February 04, 2012 1:10 PM To: 'NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com' Subject: [NEBirds] Snowy Owl Update + BOL/PL 2/1 Good snowy Saturday: A quick update of the Snowy Owl invasion. New reports are coming in at about one a day. Totals as of Saturday afternoon: All Reports: 193 Confirmed Reports: 156 Confirmed by photos: 88 Collected or picked up dead, injured, or moribund: 28 Confirmed by credible observer: 27 Confirmed by description: 13 On Wednesday, February 1, Lauren Dinan and I were briefly at Branched Oak and Pawnee Lakes. Among the numerous Canada Geese and Mallards, few hundred Common Mergansers, and handful C. Goldeneye and RB Gulls at BOL, we saw: ~35 Northern Pintail ~200 Greater White-fronted Geese ~15 Bald Eagles Pawnee Lake had little open water (10%) and far fewer birds. We did see 19 Bald Eagles and 10 Redheads. The Redheads came in while we were there and appeared to be new arrivals. - Joel Joel Jorgensen | Nongame Bird Program Manager Nebraska Game and Parks Commission 2200 N. 33rd St. | Lincoln, NE 68503 joel.jorgensen AT nebraska.gov> | 402.471.5440 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: amateur volunteer bird counters From: Carolyn Rieke <bcrieke AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2012 19:40:25 -0600 How about the Great Backyard Bird Count coming up in a few weeks? Except I guess you do need to know which birds you are seeing but maybe he missed the finer details. Here is the website: http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/. Carolyn Rieke Lincoln, NE On Sat, Feb 4, 2012 at 6:52 PM, Urban Lehner wrote: > ** > > > A twentyish fellow I met today in Omaha said he'd heard on the radio a > request for volunteer bird counters but couldn't recall the details. He > said he and his parents aren't birders but like birds and would be > interested in taking part in counting events that take public volunteers > even if they don't know much about birds?/ Anyone know of such events? It > seems like it would have to be an event where species identification wasn't > a critical part of the process. Kind of hard to imagine for me but some > group was apparently calling for such volunteers, if this guy understood > the radio correctly. > Thanks, > Urban > > -- > Urban C. Lehner > 15526 Pierce Circle > Omaha, NE 68144-5109 > 402 301 6143 (cell) > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: amateur volunteer bird counters From: "Kathy DeLara" <renosmom AT charter.net> Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2012 18:33:32 -0700 It was probably an ad for the Great Backyard Bird Count that is Feb 17-20th. Maybe a nature center or someplace like that in your area trying to get people interested? Kathy ----- Original Message ----- From: Urban Lehner To: nebirds AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Saturday, February 04, 2012 5:52 PM Subject: [NEBirds] amateur volunteer bird counters A twentyish fellow I met today in Omaha said he'd heard on the radio a request for volunteer bird counters but couldn't recall the details. He said he and his parents aren't birders but like birds and would be interested in taking part in counting events that take public volunteers even if they don't know much about birds?/ Anyone know of such events? It seems like it would have to be an event where species identification wasn't a critical part of the process. Kind of hard to imagine for me but some group was apparently calling for such volunteers, if this guy understood the radio correctly. Thanks, Urban -- Urban C. Lehner 15526 Pierce Circle Omaha, NE 68144-5109 402 301 6143 (cell) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: amateur volunteer bird counters From: Urban Lehner <uclbird AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2012 18:52:45 -0600 A twentyish fellow I met today in Omaha said he'd heard on the radio a request for volunteer bird counters but couldn't recall the details. He said he and his parents aren't birders but like birds and would be interested in taking part in counting events that take public volunteers even if they don't know much about birds?/ Anyone know of such events? It seems like it would have to be an event where species identification wasn't a critical part of the process. Kind of hard to imagine for me but some group was apparently calling for such volunteers, if this guy understood the radio correctly. Thanks, Urban -- Urban C. Lehner 15526 Pierce Circle Omaha, NE 68144-5109 402 301 6143 (cell) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Snowy Owl - Hall County From: "J" <jill AT nebraskabirds.org> Date: Sat, 04 Feb 2012 23:59:03 -0000 I flushed a snowie while out and about today. It landed on a pivot northeast of the intersection of 90th and Wildwood, about two miles west of Alda and north of Highway 30. Jill Grand Island ------------------------------------ Subject: RE: Fw: So hard to trust Sibley these days.. From: "Kayleen A Niyo" <Kay AT KayNiyo.com> Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2012 16:43:48 -0700 The link was broken in the post from Ross that I received; part of it was on a 2nd line. Copy the whole link and paste it in your browser and you will get the article. Kay Kayleen A. Niyo, Ph.D. Niyo Scientific Communications Kay Niyo Photography Kay AT KayNiyo.com www.KayNiyo.com ______________________________ 5651 Garnet Street Golden, CO 80403 Phone: (303) 679-6646 Fax: (866) 849-8013 -----Original Message----- From: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Jan Johnson Sent: Saturday, February 04, 2012 3:22 PM To: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [NEBirds] Fw: So hard to trust Sibley these days.. Couldn't find it at this link. I even searched for quite some time. On Feb 4, 2012, at 3:22 PM, Ross Silcock wrote: > This is funny (from the Missouri list). Those of you familiar with "The > Onion" will understand!! > > Ross > > Ross Silcock > P.O. Box 57 > Tabor, IA 51653 > New Zealand Land and Pelagic Bird Tours > http://www.rosssilcock.com > -----Original Message----- > From: Kerry Brook Burciaga > Sent: Saturday, February 04, 2012 2:20 PM > To: MOBIRDS-L AT PO.MISSOURI.EDU > Subject: So hard to trust Sibley these days.. > > I saw this on the Arkansas list-serve and thought I'd repost: > > http://www.theonion.com/articles/the-sibley-guide-to-birds-has-clearly- > misidentifie,11301/ > > Kerry Burciaga > West Plains, MO > kbburciaga at gmail dot com > > ---------------------------------------------------------- > The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum > List archives: https://po.missouri.edu/archives/mobirds-l.html > > Jan http://www.flickr.com/photos/bird-brained-quilter/ <") ( \ / |`` [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Lake birds From: Jeanine Lackey <jeanine.dinan AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2012 16:41:16 -0600 My lake is 100% open so still have lots of Canada and Cackling Geese. Plus: Greater White-fronted Goose Snow Goose Mallards Common Goldeneye Canvasback Ring-necked Duck Belted Kingfisher Jeanine Doniphan [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: RE: Fw: So hard to trust Sibley these days.. From: "Gubanyi,Joe" <Joseph.Gubanyi AT cune.edu> Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2012 16:30:32 -0600 To Jan (and anyone else who might want to read the article) Go to the The Onion website(http://www.theonion.com ). In the upper right hand corner of the page there is a search tool. Type in Sibley, click the search button and it will show up. Maybe this will take you right to the article: http://www.theonion.com/search/?q=Sibley it's pretty funny if you like satire; I do. Thanks for sharing it, Ross. Joe Gubanyi Concordia University 800 North Columbia Seward, NE 68434 (402) 643-7316 Joseph.Gubanyi AT cune.edu -----Original Message----- From: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Jan Johnson Sent: Saturday, February 04, 2012 4:22 PM To: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [NEBirds] Fw: So hard to trust Sibley these days.. Couldn't find it at this link. I even searched for quite some time. On Feb 4, 2012, at 3:22 PM, Ross Silcock wrote: > This is funny (from the Missouri list). Those of you familiar with > "The Onion" will understand!! > > Ross > > Ross Silcock > P.O. Box 57 > Tabor, IA 51653 > New Zealand Land and Pelagic Bird Tours http://www.rosssilcock.com > -----Original Message----- > From: Kerry Brook Burciaga > Sent: Saturday, February 04, 2012 2:20 PM > To: MOBIRDS-L AT PO.MISSOURI.EDU > Subject: So hard to trust Sibley these days.. > > I saw this on the Arkansas list-serve and thought I'd repost: > > http://www.theonion.com/articles/the-sibley-guide-to-birds-has-clearly > - > misidentifie,11301/ > > Kerry Burciaga > West Plains, MO > kbburciaga at gmail dot com > > ---------------------------------------------------------- > The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum List > archives: https://po.missouri.edu/archives/mobirds-l.html > > Jan http://www.flickr.com/photos/bird-brained-quilter/ <") ( \ / |`` [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Fw: So hard to trust Sibley these days.. From: Jan Johnson <bluebird47 AT cedarwb.net> Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2012 16:22:00 -0600 Couldn't find it at this link. I even searched for quite some time. On Feb 4, 2012, at 3:22 PM, Ross Silcock wrote: > This is funny (from the Missouri list). Those of you familiar with "The > Onion" will understand!! > > Ross > > Ross Silcock > P.O. Box 57 > Tabor, IA 51653 > New Zealand Land and Pelagic Bird Tours > http://www.rosssilcock.com > -----Original Message----- > From: Kerry Brook Burciaga > Sent: Saturday, February 04, 2012 2:20 PM > To: MOBIRDS-L AT PO.MISSOURI.EDU > Subject: So hard to trust Sibley these days.. > > I saw this on the Arkansas list-serve and thought I'd repost: > > http://www.theonion.com/articles/the-sibley-guide-to-birds-has-clearly- > misidentifie,11301/ > > Kerry Burciaga > West Plains, MO > kbburciaga at gmail dot com > > ---------------------------------------------------------- > The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum > List archives: https://po.missouri.edu/archives/mobirds-l.html > > Jan http://www.flickr.com/photos/bird-brained-quilter/ <") ( \ / |`` [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Fw: So hard to trust Sibley these days.. From: "Ross Silcock" <silcock AT rosssilcock.com> Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2012 15:22:36 -0600 This is funny (from the Missouri list). Those of you familiar with "The Onion" will understand!! Ross Ross Silcock P.O. Box 57 Tabor, IA 51653 New Zealand Land and Pelagic Bird Tours http://www.rosssilcock.com -----Original Message----- From: Kerry Brook Burciaga Sent: Saturday, February 04, 2012 2:20 PM To: MOBIRDS-L AT PO.MISSOURI.EDU Subject: So hard to trust Sibley these days.. I saw this on the Arkansas list-serve and thought I'd repost: http://www.theonion.com/articles/the-sibley-guide-to-birds-has-clearly- misidentifie,11301/ Kerry Burciaga West Plains, MO kbburciaga at gmail dot com ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum List archives: https://po.missouri.edu/archives/mobirds-l.html ------------------------------------ Subject: Snowy Owl Update + BOL/PL 2/1 From: "Jorgensen, Joel" <Joel.Jorgensen AT nebraska.gov> Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2012 13:10:08 -0600 Good snowy Saturday: A quick update of the Snowy Owl invasion. New reports are coming in at about one a day. Totals as of Saturday afternoon: All Reports: 193 Confirmed Reports: 156 Confirmed by photos: 88 Collected or picked up dead, injured, or moribund: 28 Confirmed by credible observer: 27 Confirmed by description: 13 On Wednesday, February 1, Lauren Dinan and I were briefly at Branched Oak and Pawnee Lakes. Among the numerous Canada Geese and Mallards, few hundred Common Mergansers, and handful C. Goldeneye and RB Gulls at BOL, we saw: ~35 Northern Pintail ~200 Greater White-fronted Geese ~15 Bald Eagles Pawnee Lake had little open water (10%) and far fewer birds. We did see 19 Bald Eagles and 10 Redheads. The Redheads came in while we were there and appeared to be new arrivals. - Joel Joel Jorgensen | Nongame Bird Program Manager Nebraska Game and Parks Commission 2200 N. 33rd St. | Lincoln, NE 68503 joel.jorgensen AT nebraska.gov | 402.471.5440 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Spotting Scopes From: Gregston Nelson <gnelson AT primarycares.com> Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2012 07:16:33 -0600 I have a Celestron ED scope and like it. Gregston R. Nelson, M.D. 12728 Augusta ave Omaha, NE. 68144 402 330 1410 <>< On Feb 3, 2012, at 7:08 PM, trplduece wrote: > I'm looking to buy a spotting scope & am wondering what everyone may be using & why. I've been looking for awhile & a few of you have helped me a great deal. I can't afford a Swarovski, Leupold or Kona type scopes. I have been looking AT the Celestron 52302 Regal Refractory 80mm F-ED scope & like a few features on it. Any thoughts? I've never owned a scope & I would like to get into Digiscoping. Thank you for your help in advance. > Larry Johnson > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: 2nd Snowy Owl for me From: "ingwersen.mark" <ingwersen.mark AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 04 Feb 2012 01:32:47 -0000 Spotted my second snowy owl Tuesday about 5:15 on a power pole one half mile west of the 389 mile marker on hwy 92. This is about 10 miles west of Osceola NE. ------------------------------------ Subject: Spotting Scopes From: "trplduece" <trplduece AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 04 Feb 2012 01:08:26 -0000 I'm looking to buy a spotting scope & am wondering what everyone may be using & why. I've been looking for awhile & a few of you have helped me a great deal. I can't afford a Swarovski, Leupold or Kona type scopes. I have been looking AT the Celestron 52302 Regal Refractory 80mm F-ED scope & like a few features on it. Any thoughts? I've never owned a scope & I would like to get into Digiscoping. Thank you for your help in advance. Larry Johnson ------------------------------------ Subject: Red Tail Hawk From: "trplduece" <trplduece AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:09:21 -0000 I was AT Chalco Hills Rec. Area today to get a cache. While I did see a few deer in the area, not much else there, bird wise. Except, when I was leaving I saw a Red Tail Hawk using the winds coming up from the lake to hover & look for a snack. You can really see the red tail this way. I watched for 10 or so minutes & it never did flap its wings. Very cool. I took a picture but it didn't turn out too well. I'll see if I can sharpen it up when I get time & post it. ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Common Crane, Snowy Owl From: "paul" <pastorpaultdunbar AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:31:48 -0000 I forgot to add that, in this same area of Hall County, along the Platte River Road west of the town of Doniphan about 4 miles, I saw a flock of about 1500 geese, which I believe are new to the area, even from yesterday. It contained all 5 species of regularly occurring geese, with about 600 Snow Geese, 600 Cackling Geese, 200 Canadas, 100 Gr.White-fronted, and 20 or Ross's (including one blue-phase, though it might have had a little Snow Goose in its genes, with the bill seeming to me to be just slightly too large for pure Ross's.) So keep eyes open! Over the years here in south-central NE, we've had all kinds of rare geese show up in these flocks. Time for another, I say! Paul Dunbar Hastings ------------------------------------ Subject: Snowy Owl Triage From: Jeanine Lackey <jeanine.dinan AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 11:04:53 -0600 Although this may be a moot point at this juncture, I thought that, as a volunteer raptor rehabilitator and a birdwatcher, I would forward some information to those who are most likely to observe injured or weak snowies. Typical Snowy Owl behavior makes it difficult to ascertain the physical condition of a bird. A healthy female Snowy Owl should weigh 5 lbs, males 3, not that you can tell how much they weigh just be looking at them, the large number of feathers makes them seem very robust, even if they are ill. They normally sit in the open and often perch with eyes closed and the majority "look" quite healthy. However, If you see a Snowy Owl showing signs of sickness or injury such as difficulty breathing, bleeding, stumbling, fractures or other trauma, or drooping a wing(s) (emaciated), the animal needs medical attention. It is importance to get in touch with a licensed wildlife rehabiliator as soon as possible. This is in the interest of any wildlife you find and can mean the difference between life and death. If you observe a Snowy Owl in the same location for several hours (or days) or the animal is approachable, this bird likely needs medical attention. No healthy raptor should let a human approach it. If you are unsure about assessing the condition make a phone call and ask questions. Rehabilitators work with many other rehab centers across the country especially the Minnesota Raptor Center and combine their knowledge to find solutions for caring and treating snowies. Nebraska is not the only state dealing with and treating sick and injured Snowy Owls. Please do not attempt capture or rehabilitation of raptors on your own. Communication with experienced, licensed rehabilitators is key to providing the best care for sick or injured owls (or any raptor). Licensed rehabilitators have been specially trained for triage, convalescence and paliative care of wild animals once they arrive in our care. And we have the medication and equipment on hand to treat birds quickly...it's our job. Since December, Raptor Recovery Nebraska has received 17 Snowy Owls into the treatment center, each suffering from starvation, disease, crawling with feather lice, and/or injured from a collision, and these are just the birds that make it to the center. Of the 17 birds, 13 were emaciated weighing 1- 1.5 lbs, and none of those birds have survived. One bird with a severely broken humerus was kept in a box for two days by prior to arriving at the treatment center and had to be euthanized since by the time the bird came to us, the bone was dead and not repairable. The take home message is, someone at one of the numbers below should be able to help or provide answers to questions. Obviously, rehabilitators may not have an answer or explanation for every scenerio or situation. For birders who are out frequently keeping the numbers handy may be worthwhile. For more information or to find a RRN volunteer near you visit Raptor Recovery Nebraska’s website. Raptorrecoverynebr.org and open the latest newsletter. *Central Nebraska Triage Treatment Center (Dannebrog) * Vicki Orr 308-750-3816 Blake Hatfield 308-383-1875 Jeanine Lackey 402-499-9872 *Raptor Recovery Headquarters (Elmwood) *402-994-2009 Thanks and good birding Jeanine Doniphan [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Common Crane, Snowy Owl From: "paul" <pastorpaultdunbar AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:04:00 -0000 Saw the COCR today, Friday, at 10am near the intersection of Rainforth and S. 90th, same general area it's been in. Dan Glomski from the Crane Trust Nature Center told me that there was a new influx of Sandhills last evening, maybe 5,000-10,000, so it might be getting harder to pick this bird out, though I didn't have a lot of trouble today. It was in a flock of maybe 1500 birds, and I didn't see a lot of cranes elsewhere, though they could have still been out on the river, with the gloomy, dark skies. Conditions v. unpleasant, windy, rain spitting in the scope. Since I know some folks are checking this site from out of state, you should know that we're in a WinterStorm Warning here, with 8-12" (even 16"?) of snow predicted for tonight through tomorrow, with 35mph winds. Lots of folks are curious to see what the cranes will do. Nearly every year they face nasty weather while they're here in Feb-March. Some years they don't fare too well and there are casualties, and I suppose they could get temporarily pushed out of the area toward the south, but mostly I think they just weather these storms. We'll see. Also, I saw and photographed today the Snowy Owl reported yesterday, at same location -- about 1/2 mile west of Hwy 281 on Rosedale Rd. Paul Dunbar Hastings (Adams Co.) ------------------------------------ Subject: First post: Snowy Owl photos From: CheekyGeek <cheekygeek AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 10:41:10 -0600 Sighted a Snowy Owl on the east edge of Kearney (Buffalo County) on Sunday, just after sundown. Returned on Monday and got photos of two of them (some distant shots of a territorial dispute, apparently) http://www.flickr.com/photos/pixelsmithy/6792942927/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/pixelsmithy/6796788241/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/pixelsmithy/6792955637/ Saw one again Tuesday (unremarkable photos). On Wed. I got the following shots: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pixelsmithy/sets/72157629136465149/ Did not show on Thurs. eve. On Friday morning, on the way to work, I saw one (road kill) on Hwy 30 midway between Shelton and Wood River in Hall County. He was on the south shoulder, probably diving for prey in the ditch when he was hit. Sadness. About three weeks ago we sighted on after sundown near Yanney Park southwest of Kearney. I may have photos, but was shooting a medium format film camera that day and the roll remains unfinished. (Remember those days?) : ) Darren Addy Kearney, Nebraska -- Always on the lookout for Pentax film cameras and lenses. What do you have gathering dust? ------------------------------------ Subject: Dodge Co. snowy owl From: "Don & Janis Paseka" <paseka76 AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 09:00:28 -0600 Mark Brogie just called (8:50 am) to say that he, Ellen and Ben just saw a snowy owl near the weigh station on highway 275 north of Fremont. It is sitting on a pole a short distance north of the weigh station on the west side of the road. This is very close to the location of an owl Richard and Jan Johnson reported some weeks ago. Same owl, or is there just something about that location that is appealing to an owl? Janis Paseka Ames NE [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: RE: West Omaha Lakes 2/01 From: "Walker, TJ" <thomas.walker AT nebraska.gov> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 00:53:47 -0600 How relative is "nearby"? I drove 410 miles on 2/2/12 from North Platte to Red Cloud and back (different route back) and found two Snowy Owls about 1.5 miles apart from each other in Harlan County. One was about 1 mile west of the Highway 183 and 136 intersection north of Alma, sitting about 1/2 mile north of there on a center pivot. The other was about two miles further west on 136 sitting on a large power pole on the south side of the highway. T. J. Walker - District Manager, Wildlife Division - Partners Section Nebraska Game and Parks Commission 301 East State Farm Road North Platte, NE 69101 Office Phone 308-535-8025 Cell Phone 308-530-7659 ________________________________ From: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com [NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of pdixn AT aol.com [pdixn AT aol.com] Sent: Wednesday, February 01, 2012 10:19 PM To: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [NEBirds] West Omaha Lakes 2/01 does anyone have any recent sitings of snowy owls nearby. thanks. pat from wyo [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Fontenelle Wetlands- 2/02 From: Justin Rink <spindalis79 AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 16:16:46 -0800 (PST)   This afternoon I birded some of the previously flooded bottomlands of Fontenelle Forest.  I took Pond Trail to Great Marsh Trail, then back to the parking lot.  From there I walked Stream Trail to Missouri, over to Walking Club, and then back on Cottonwood.  I also ventured slightly into Hansome Hollow.  Due to the area being flooded, the number of birds species-wise was pretty pathetic.  I didn't even get my first Junco until 4:45pm.  The e-bird report is below...   Fontenelle Forest--Wetlands, Sarpy, US-NE Feb 2, 2012 2:40 PM - 6:00 PM Protocol: Traveling 3.0 mile(s) 19 species Canada Goose  21 Bald Eagle  3 Red-tailed Hawk  2 Great Horned Owl  1 Barred Owl  2 Belted Kingfisher  2 Red-bellied Woodpecker  3 Downy Woodpecker  17 Hairy Woodpecker  11 Northern Flicker  3 Pileated Woodpecker  2    One heard across the river in Iowa.  Another as a flyover in the Wetlands Learning Center parking lot. American Crow  1 Black-capped Chickadee  35 White-breasted Nuthatch  15 Brown Creeper  3 Winter Wren  2 Golden-crowned Kinglet  12 European Starling  8 Dark-eyed Junco  25 This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)     The first WINTER WREN (FOY) was heard calling near the parking lot near the Wetlands Center.  The second WINTER WREN was observed in a brush pile where Cottonwood intersects with Stream Trail.  The number of GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS were a bit of a surprise as well.  They would appear in winter pods with other species.  There may have also been three (3) PILEATEDS as one was heard as I was walking back along Stream Trail.  However the vocalizations came from the same vicinity as where I saw the bird fly from later.  Therefore this Pileated cannot be ruled out.   Good birding. Justin Rink Midtown Omaha, Douglas Co., NE spindalis79 AT yahoo.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Common Crane, Thursday From: Matt Hansen <mmhansen52 AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 15:59:29 -0800 (PST) Thanks for the update------yes to staying out of fields, buy a spotting scope or borrow one if your going to drive from whereever and see a lifer for goodness sakes do screww up up for we who respect the birds we watch--Matt Hansen One cannot have wisdom without living life. --Dorothy McCall --- On Thu, 2/2/12, paul wrote: From: paul Subject: [NEBirds] Common Crane, Thursday To: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com Date: Thursday, February 2, 2012, 1:03 PM   Sorry I didn't post yesterday, when I also did run up over lunch and locate the Common Crane at the Rosedale/Alda intersection. I did the same today. I arrived up there at 11:30, found the bird within about 3 minutes (it was southwest of the Rosedale/Alda intersection out among about 500 Sandhills), pointed it out to some other birders who were looking for it about a mile north of where it was. Just as I was leaving, it got up and flew to the north (all the cranes did) and was relocated up at it's other spot, near Platte River Drive and 90th Rd. That's where it was being seen last about 2pm. Anyway, that's the update. I've seen it every day for the past 7 when it was first found, and it usually doesn't take long to relocate. Still a very "tick-able" bird in my estimation. Also for those in the area, a Snowy Owl was seen today by Russell Duerksen and party at the intersection of Hwy 281 and Rosedale Rd, and a Prairie Falcon was also seen along Rosedale. And somewhere in this same general area, a Rough-legged Hawk, which we've seen very few of this winter (unlike the Harriers, which are THICK!) On a sour note, there was a birder with Nebraska plates (I'll not report publically the license plate#, though I did read it) driving out through the middle of the cornfield and flushing the cranes up, while 4 other carloads of birders sat along the road with scopes up, dutifully obeying law and etiquette. Please don't do this, folks, or we'll all get a bad name, if not kicked out of the area altogether. Paul Dunbar Hastings (Adams Co.) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Cranes and more From: RUSSELL DUERKSEN <russell.duerksen AT azbar.org> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 14:24:00 -0700 Thanks to Paul Dunbar, Chris West and others, a group of 3 had a very good day birding today. The common crane was about 1.5 miles N. of Rosedale Rd., and .5 miles south of River Road on 90th today. Great scope views. thank you Chris for sharing your scope, Paul for putting us on the bird. A snowy owl was sighted at the NW corner of Rosedale and 281 (?) [the four lane road]. A prarrie falcon was in the area as well Russell S. Duerksen Chino Valley, AZ 86323 duerksen AT msn.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Common Crane, Thursday From: "paul" <pastorpaultdunbar AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:03:37 -0000 Sorry I didn't post yesterday, when I also did run up over lunch and locate the Common Crane at the Rosedale/Alda intersection. I did the same today. I arrived up there at 11:30, found the bird within about 3 minutes (it was southwest of the Rosedale/Alda intersection out among about 500 Sandhills), pointed it out to some other birders who were looking for it about a mile north of where it was. Just as I was leaving, it got up and flew to the north (all the cranes did) and was relocated up at it's other spot, near Platte River Drive and 90th Rd. That's where it was being seen last about 2pm. Anyway, that's the update. I've seen it every day for the past 7 when it was first found, and it usually doesn't take long to relocate. Still a very "tick-able" bird in my estimation. Also for those in the area, a Snowy Owl was seen today by Russell Duerksen and party at the intersection of Hwy 281 and Rosedale Rd, and a Prairie Falcon was also seen along Rosedale. And somewhere in this same general area, a Rough-legged Hawk, which we've seen very few of this winter (unlike the Harriers, which are THICK!) On a sour note, there was a birder with Nebraska plates (I'll not report publically the license plate#, though I did read it) driving out through the middle of the cornfield and flushing the cranes up, while 4 other carloads of birders sat along the road with scopes up, dutifully obeying law and etiquette. Please don't do this, folks, or we'll all get a bad name, if not kicked out of the area altogether. Paul Dunbar Hastings (Adams Co.) ------------------------------------ Subject: Ponca State Park From: Jan Johnson <bluebird47 AT cedarwb.net> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 13:16:49 -0600 I rode along with Richard to Ponca for some farm business this a.m. Afterwards we drove to the park. I was hoping to find Purple Finches but Jeff Fields, the manager, said not this year. He said the best birds were all the Bald Eagles they had by the river. On Monday they counted 28 which is very high for this area. We stopped at the overlook first which gave more sweeping views of the river from above and counted 15. Once down by the boat ramp we could see an area not visible from above and counted 7 more Eagles there. I'm sure more were downstream not visible from either vantage point. That made a total of 22 eagles today, 20 adults and 2 immatures. Then, one mile from home we found a lone adult Bald Eagle. Here at home my Common Redpolls are in their 47th day coming to my feeders. Jan Johnson Wakefield http://www.flickr.com/photos/bird-brained-quilter/ <") ( \ / |`` [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Common Redpoll From: "Susan Louise" <swhitney1977 AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:20:40 -0000 Hello All, We had our 2nd Redpoll ever here in our backyard this morning. I just took a pic of it and will post it later today. Our only previous one was 3/7/11... What a treat! It was with all the Goldfinches...almost missed seeing it.thank goodness it flew over to another perch on the feederssoI could see it's little red cap...LOL Based upon the approaching big snowstorm, it might just hang around here awhile...crossing fingers:) Susan Whitney Lincoln, NE ------------------------------------ Subject: Rare Bird From: "Clem Klaphake" <ckavian AT cox.net> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 12:14:23 -0600 Another example of a rare winter visitor to the Midwest in winter. http://ottumwacourier.com/local/x1500479579/Rare-oriole-visit-in-odd-Iowa-winter Clem Klaphake Bellevue, NE [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: (unknown) From: Wesley Sterling <wtstrlng AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 10:11:26 -0800 (PST) I will be going to Walnut Creek Park Friday at 1 PM to see/show the owl with my 3 kids. I am very much an amateur here, but hopefully we can see it. If anyone wants to join, feel free. (The long eared owl is very hard to spot in the brush, he camouflages well! Directions: Walnut Creek Park on Highway 370 and 96th Street. You will need to go past the first park entrance, go further south on 96th and take a right at the stop sign. Follow that road, Schram Rd, to the park entrance (Turkey Rd)(has a boat ramp sign), go to the end of the road, which is a parking lot. Follow the walking trail by the garden/bench until you get to the brush on the left, not very far at all. If you are facing the brush, you will see it consists of 3 large trees, the owl is between the middle and right trees a bit behind a log that is lying down horizontally. There are several smaller trees behind this log, going zigzag, and the owl actually looks like one of the stumps going off one of the trees. Hope you find it!) Wenche Sterling [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: West Omaha Lakes 2/01 From: Ami Sheffield <littlebluedog AT cox.net> Date: Thu, 02 Feb 2012 09:00:03 -0600 There are also a couple of Barred owls that I see now and then when hiking on the west side of Zorinsky in the pine trees. The other day I was out there and saw a Golden Crowned Kinglet. On 2/1/2012 10:18 PM, Justin Rink wrote: > > Today I visited a few select bodies of water around West Omaha. My > first location was Lakeview Hills Lake at 171st and Frances. The > Trumpeter Swan was absent. The waterfowl ratio had changed a bit > since my last visit... > > -2 Wood Duck (drake and hen) > -100 Mallard > -1 Ring-necked Duck > -2 Lesser Scaup > -8 Common Goldeneye > -4 Ruddy Duck (males beginning to molt a defined white cheek patch) > > My next stop was "Phantom" Lake which was still mostly frozen. The > only other species except for the regulars were a pair of LESSER SCAUP. > > During a quick visit to Boys Town Lake I spotted... > > -100s Canada Goose > -13 Cackling Goose > -100s Mallard > -12 Ring-necked Duck > > I then headed to Lake Zorninsky to look for Short-eared Owls near > the prairie area. This proved to be a fruitless efffort. However I > had a skein of about 80 geese fly directly over including 10 CACKLING > GEESE and one (1) blue-morph SNOW GOOSE. > While waiting for the Short-eared Owls I began hearing several > sparrows along the weedy edge near the bank. The majority of > these were Am. Tree Sparrows with a few Song Sparrows mixed in. > However one vocalization, a very short churry non-sparrow scold call > made me consider possible MARSH WREN. Whatever it was, I don't think > it's a species that is typically heard in the dead of winter in > eastern Nebraska. I do realize that they are a year-round resident in > the Lake Ogalalla vicinity. > > Good birding. > > Justin Rink > Midtown Omaha, Douglas Co., NE > spindalis79 AT yahoo.com > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: American Kestrel From: "karenm4birds" <karenm4birds AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 02 Feb 2012 08:32:57 -0000 Is this an American Kestrel looking for a mate? I taped this earlier in January near Lake Manawa. I couldn't quite catch what he was doing on the ground. I am guessing he had a mouse or something and was showing off. I didn't see a female anywhere near him. I was surprised that he allowed us to be so close to him as well. I guess when it's the right time of year birds have one thing on their minds. Family. :) I apologize for my bad video. I have more bad videos of him too if anyone wants to see them. Karen Marx Lavista http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XWcFyR4LG8&feature=youtu.be ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: West Omaha Lakes 2/01 From: pdixn AT aol.com Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 23:19:39 -0500 (EST) does anyone have any recent sitings of snowy owls nearby. thanks. pat from wyo ------------------------------------ Subject: West Omaha Lakes 2/01 From: Justin Rink <spindalis79 AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 20:18:06 -0800 (PST)  Today I visited a few select bodies of water around West Omaha.  My first location was Lakeview Hills Lake at 171st and Frances.  The Trumpeter Swan was absent.  The waterfowl ratio had changed a bit since my last visit...   -2 Wood Duck (drake and hen) -100 Mallard -1 Ring-necked Duck -2 Lesser Scaup -8 Common Goldeneye -4 Ruddy Duck (males beginning to molt a defined white cheek patch)    My next stop was "Phantom" Lake which was still mostly frozen.  The only other species except for the regulars were a pair of LESSER SCAUP.   During a quick visit to Boys Town Lake I spotted...   -100s Canada Goose -13 Cackling Goose -100s Mallard -12 Ring-necked Duck     I then headed to Lake Zorninsky to look for Short-eared Owls near the prairie area.  This proved to be a fruitless efffort.  However I had a skein of about 80 geese fly directly over including 10 CACKLING GEESE and one (1) blue-morph SNOW GOOSE.   While waiting for the Short-eared Owls I began hearing several sparrows along the weedy edge near the bank.  The majority of these were Am. Tree Sparrows with a few Song Sparrows mixed in.  However one vocalization, a very short churry non-sparrow scold call made me consider possible MARSH WREN.  Whatever it was, I don't think it's a species that is typically heard in the dead of winter in eastern Nebraska.  I do realize that they are a year-round resident in the Lake Ogalalla vicinity.   Good birding.   Justin Rink Midtown Omaha, Douglas Co., NE spindalis79 AT yahoo.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: RE: Location of Long Eared Owl. From: "Elliott Bedows" <ebedows AT cox.net> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 20:41:55 -0600 Hi Karen , I would love to see the Owl(s). I live in Bellevue, but I work Mon.-Thurs. in Papillion. If you are available Friday, I’d love to join you. Let me know (I’m free all day but prefer after 10:00 am – though not a necessity). Please let me know. If it is possible, please contact me off-line at ebedows AT cox.net and we can make arrangements. Elliott Bedows, Former ASO President and Field Trip Chair From: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Karen Wagoner Sent: Wednesday, February 01, 2012 12:43 PM To: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [NEBirds] Location of Long Eared Owl. Enter the park from the south. Park by the fishing dock and take the path on the north end of the parking lot that veers left. You'll see some bushes/trees on the left. Not far at all. I see the owl in there. I live very close so let me know if you'd like some company when you come. Karen Wagoner, Bellevue Sent from my iPod On Feb 1, 2012, at 9:23 AM, NevaLCP AT aol.com wrote: > Please repost the exact location of the Long-eared owl sightings. I was unable to look for it/them in December and I didn't try after hearing they had been disturbed. I'm hoping to get up to Omaha week after next after I get back from a short trip to Florida and try to find them. This would be a life bird for me, a rare event in Nebraska anymore. > > I assuming you mean Walnut Creek park around the big lake south of Papillion and not Walnut Grove Park near Zorinsky Lake. > Walnut Creeks a big place. It would help to know where to start looking. > > NevaP in Lincoln > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > TODAY(Beta) • Powered by Yahoo! > Biggest unsolved mysteries in physics > The elusive Higgs boson particle could help explain why the universe works the way it does. > Privacy Policy [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: RFI: Common Crane From: Chris West <birdingbum17 AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 12:59:08 -0800 (PST) Hi everyone,  Has anyone seen the Crane today?  If so, please call me at (608) 475-9016 and leave a message.  I can also be reached by email until 7pm tonight.   I'll be out bright and early tomorrow morning looking for the bird.  Thanks! --Chris [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: RE: Location of Long Eared Owl. From: "Jo Bartikoski" <jobart AT cox.net> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 15:53:46 -0600 Just returned from Walnut Creek and unfortunately we were unable to spot the owl. I am pretty sure we were in the right spot, but maybe not looking correctly, although we had very good instructions (thank you to Wenche Sterling). We did see the kestrel though. It was very close to us, got spooked & flew a short way to the top of a small tree leaving us a perfect view of him. Just as my husband was getting ready to take a photo, a walker came by, and he flew across the lake. Sorry we didn’t know there was someone so close that we could have met up with. Jo Bartikoski From: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Karen Wagoner Sent: Wednesday, February 01, 2012 12:43 PM To: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [NEBirds] Location of Long Eared Owl. Enter the park from the south. Park by the fishing dock and take the path on the north end of the parking lot that veers left. You'll see some bushes/trees on the left. Not far at all. I see the owl in there. I live very close so let me know if you'd like some company when you come. Karen Wagoner, Bellevue Sent from my iPod On Feb 1, 2012, at 9:23 AM, NevaLCP AT aol.com wrote: > Please repost the exact location of the Long-eared owl sightings. I was unable to look for it/them in December and I didn't try after hearing they had been disturbed. I'm hoping to get up to Omaha week after next after I get back from a short trip to Florida and try to find them. This would be a life bird for me, a rare event in Nebraska anymore. > > I assuming you mean Walnut Creek park around the big lake south of Papillion and not Walnut Grove Park near Zorinsky Lake. > Walnut Creeks a big place. It would help to know where to start looking. > > NevaP in Lincoln > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > TODAY(Beta) • Powered by Yahoo! > Biggest unsolved mysteries in physics > The elusive Higgs boson particle could help explain why the universe works the way it does. > Privacy Policy [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2012.0.1913 / Virus Database: 2109/4779 - Release Date: 02/01/12 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Nebraska Bird Partnership News - February From: "J" <jill AT nebraskabirds.org> Date: Wed, 01 Feb 2012 19:58:16 -0000 Visit http://nebraskabirds.org/ for the latest Nebraska bird news from the Nebraska Bird Partnership. Recent articles include:-2012 Spring migration preview-Bird of the Month: Canvasback-Bird Events - February-Common Crane attracts a flock of birders-Central Nebraska libraries gain from NBP donation-Douglas presented bird conservation award-Winter cranes part 3-Get ready for the 15th annual backyard bird count and more. Thanks for your support, Jill Liske-ClarkCoordinator [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Location of Long Eared Owl. From: Karen Wagoner <kwagoner21 AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 12:42:57 -0600 Enter the park from the south. Park by the fishing dock and take the path on the north end of the parking lot that veers left. You'll see some bushes/trees on the left. Not far at all. I see the owl in there. I live very close so let me know if you'd like some company when you come. Karen Wagoner, Bellevue Sent from my iPod On Feb 1, 2012, at 9:23 AM, NevaLCP AT aol.com wrote: > Please repost the exact location of the Long-eared owl sightings. I was unable to look for it/them in December and I didn't try after hearing they had been disturbed. I'm hoping to get up to Omaha week after next after I get back from a short trip to Florida and try to find them. This would be a life bird for me, a rare event in Nebraska anymore. > > I assuming you mean Walnut Creek park around the big lake south of Papillion and not Walnut Grove Park near Zorinsky Lake. > Walnut Creeks a big place. It would help to know where to start looking. > > NevaP in Lincoln > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > TODAY(Beta) • Powered by Yahoo! > Biggest unsolved mysteries in physics > The elusive Higgs boson particle could help explain why the universe works the way it does. > Privacy Policy [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Location of Long Eared Owl. From: NevaLCP AT aol.com Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 10:23:58 -0500 (EST) Please repost the exact location of the Long-eared owl sightings. I was unable to look for it/them in December and I didn't try after hearing they had been disturbed. I'm hoping to get up to Omaha week after next after I get back from a short trip to Florida and try to find them. This would be a life bird for me, a rare event in Nebraska anymore. I assuming you mean Walnut Creek park around the big lake south of Papillion and not Walnut Grove Park near Zorinsky Lake. Walnut Creeks a big place. It would help to know where to start looking. NevaP in Lincoln [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: (unknown) From: Wesley Sterling <wtstrlng AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 07:08:36 -0800 (PST) I should have clarified that the owl at Walnut Creek Park in Papillion is the LONG-EARED OWL. Sorry about that! Wenche Sterling [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Snowy Owl Video From: Jan Johnson <bluebird47 AT cedarwb.net> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 07:54:09 -0600 We've had Snowy Owls here but nothing like this small town in Montana! > http://video.msnbc.msn.com/nbc-news/46205016/#null Jan http://www.flickr.com/photos/bird-brained-quilter/ <") ( \ / |`` [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Possible White-tailed Kite, definite Short-eared Owl From: "Walker, TJ" <thomas.walker AT nebraska.gov> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 02:13:36 -0600 Thought I had a Snowy Owl in Hitchcock County west of Culbertson around 3:45 PM on 1/31/12, approximately 2.5 miles west of where Highways 6 and 34 split. There is an east-west county road that crosses the NE to SW highway 34 there (with the intersection being a little "off set" on either side of the highway). Pulled onto the gravel road heading east off of the highway. Put the spotting scope on it, bird was kind of back towards the sun a bit. Through binoculars I said "not a Snowy, maybe something better" to the guys I was with. Small, slim raptor, nearly all white with dark "shoulders". Kind of a "small head" look to it, seemed like it may have had the dark around the eye. The only problem that I am having is that the areas on the wings and back that should have been gray looked completely white - but again, I was looking back towards the afternoon sun. It was too far off of the gravel road to get a really good look at it and the highway was very busy at that time. I will not have a chance to get back there to look for it until at least some time next week. It was sitting on a north-south fence line maybe 1/3 of a mile off of the highway and probably 1/3 to 1/2 miles off of the gravel road, I think between some CRP and native rangeland. I tried to "pass it off" as a leucistic raptor of some sort (possibly Northern Harrier) but the more I think about it, the shape, shoulder patch and eye are jumping out in my memory and the more I think it may have been a White-tailed Kite. Now this one I am sure of. While walking through some CRP that morning exactly a mile north of the above sighting, repeatedly flushed at least one Short-eared Owl between about 8:30 and 9:00 AM. Also flushed pretty large numbers of Lapland (only?) Longspurs out of that same CRP field. T. J. Walker - District Manager, Wildlife Division - Partners Section Nebraska Game and Parks Commission 301 East State Farm Road North Platte, NE 69101 Office Phone 308-535-8025 Cell Phone 308-530-7659 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Common Crane Reoords for Nebraska From: "Kathy DeLara" <renosmom AT charter.net> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:33:14 -0700 Thanks Mark Kathy ----- Original Message ----- From: Mark Brogie To: NEBirds Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 9:10 PM Subject: [NEBirds] Common Crane Reoords for Nebraska The following are the NOU Records Committee Accepted records for Common Crane in Nebraska: Acc. # File # Type: Observed Submitted by: County Class 184 206.1-1 PHOTO 16-Mar-74 DAVID & CINDY COCHRAN BUFFALO 1-P 461 206.1-2 WRITTEN/PHOTO 31-Mar-96 GARY LINGLE HALL 1-P 462 206.1-3 WRITTEN 30-Mar-96 ROBERT JASSEN HALL 3 463 206.1-4 WRITTEN 30-Mar-96 JIM WILLIAMS HALL 3 535 206.1-5 PHOTO 31-Mar-96 MARK A. BROGIE HALL 1-P 875 206.1-6 WRITTEN 6-Mar-99 ROBIN HARDING BUFFALO 3 893 206.1-7 WRITTEN 9-Mar-99 STEPHEN J. DINSMORE KEARNEY 3 903 206.1-8 PHOTO 6-Mar-99 LOREN BLAKE BUFFALO 1-P 1222 206.1-9 PHOTO 6-Mar-08 STAN TEKIELA BUFFALO 1-P 1223 206.1-10 PHOTO 6-Mar-08 AMBER BURNETTE BUFFALO 1-P 1225 206.1-11 PHOTO 2-Apr-08 T.J. WALKER LINCOLN 1-P 1242 206.1-12 PHOTO 5-Apr-08 DAVID W. NELSON LINCOLN 1-P 1277 206.1-13 PHOTO 21-Mar-09 BARBARA HOOVER GARDEN 1-P 1322 206.1-14 PHOTO 12-Mar-09 JAY FAVINGER LINCOLN 1-P 1323 206.1-15 PHOTO 18-Mar-10 VIRGINIA CLARK LINCOLN 1-P There is also a 1972 record (possibly two birds)(Sharpe et al. 2001) that the NOURC has not reviewed. There is also a report of a bird seen and photographed in 2010 (NBR 79:2; 53). No documentation of this bird has been submitted to the NOURC and to date who actually saw the bird is unknown. Mark A. Brogie - NOU Records Committee Chairperson 508 Seeley, Box 316 Creighton, NE 68729 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Preventing death traps for birds From: "John" <flyingcarlini AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:27:26 -0000 Hello birders, Here's an important article from the MO listserv on exposed vertical pipes that can be death traps for birds: ca.audubon.org/workinglands-pipes.php Missouri plans to refit its fishing line disposal tubes to prevent this problem. Wonder if Nebraska's are safe? John Carlini & Shari Schwartz, Lincoln ------------------------------------ Subject: Wintering Robins: From: Audrey Sterkel <a_sterkel AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:53:31 -0800 (PST) We always have a few Robins that hang out through out the winter months, but nothing like this year.  This year we are getting flocks of 20-30 into the yard.  Really living it up at the bird bath.  Last week we had a flock of Cedar Wax Wing/Robin mix.  It is very dry here.  I haven't even swept snow from the steps etc.  all winter.  Makes me rather edgy about whats to come.     Audrey Sterkel Cheyenne County 69162 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Common Crane Reoords for Nebraska From: Mark Brogie <mbrogie AT esu1.org> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:10:28 -0600 (CST) The following are the NOU Records Committee Accepted records for Common Crane in Nebraska: Acc. # File # Type: Observed Submitted by: County Class 184 206.1-1 PHOTO 16-Mar-74 DAVID & CINDY COCHRAN BUFFALO 1-P 461 206.1-2 WRITTEN/PHOTO 31-Mar-96 GARY LINGLE HALL 1-P 462 206.1-3 WRITTEN 30-Mar-96 ROBERT JASSEN HALL 3 463 206.1-4 WRITTEN 30-Mar-96 JIM WILLIAMS HALL 3 535 206.1-5 PHOTO 31-Mar-96 MARK A. BROGIE HALL 1-P 875 206.1-6 WRITTEN 6-Mar-99 ROBIN HARDING BUFFALO 3 893 206.1-7 WRITTEN 9-Mar-99 STEPHEN J. DINSMORE KEARNEY 3 903 206.1-8 PHOTO 6-Mar-99 LOREN BLAKE BUFFALO 1-P 1222 206.1-9 PHOTO 6-Mar-08 STAN TEKIELA BUFFALO 1-P 1223 206.1-10 PHOTO 6-Mar-08 AMBER BURNETTE BUFFALO 1-P 1225 206.1-11 PHOTO 2-Apr-08 T.J. WALKER LINCOLN 1-P 1242 206.1-12 PHOTO 5-Apr-08 DAVID W. NELSON LINCOLN 1-P 1277 206.1-13 PHOTO 21-Mar-09 BARBARA HOOVER GARDEN 1-P 1322 206.1-14 PHOTO 12-Mar-09 JAY FAVINGER LINCOLN 1-P 1323 206.1-15 PHOTO 18-Mar-10 VIRGINIA CLARK LINCOLN 1-P There is also a 1972 record (possibly two birds)(Sharpe et al. 2001) that the NOURC has not reviewed. There is also a report of a bird seen and photographed in 2010 (NBR 79:2; 53). No documentation of this bird has been submitted to the NOURC and to date who actually saw the bird is unknown. Mark A. Brogie - NOU Records Committee Chairperson 508 Seeley, Box 316 Creighton, NE 68729 ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Our 1st Robin arrived yesterday! From: "Clem Klaphake" <ckavian AT cox.net> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:44:33 -0600 Just want to add my two cents to the first Robin comments. As Rick says, “they never left”. Nor do all of them ‘ever’ leave. Every year in Dec. and Jan there are Robins on almost all of the CBCs in Nebraska. I find Robins 12 months of the year here in Nebraska. I think maybe 50 years ago or longer Robins were often seen as harbingers of spring by the general population and therefore that notion became established that they all migrate. With more birders and observations we find that a significant number, especially of northern Robins, are around all year. Check any cedar grove in Dec., Jan. or Feb. Clem Klaphake Bellevue, NE From: Eades, Rick Sent: Monday, January 30, 2012 7:13 PM To: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: RE: [NEBirds] Our 1st Robin arrived yesterday! They never left. I've seen them around Lincoln all winter so far. Not enough snow to push them out. Rick Eades Lincoln ________________________________________ From: mailto:NEBirds%40yahoogroups.com [mailto:NEBirds%40yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Jill Holmquist [mailto:jill%40fai-insight.com] Sent: Monday, January 30, 2012 2:36 PM To: mailto:NEBirds%40yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [NEBirds] Our 1st Robin arrived yesterday! I had robins a few weeks ago. It made me wonder if they ever left. Jill Holmquist Lincoln, NE On Jan 30, 2012, at 2:28 PM, Susan Louise wrote: > Hello All, > > It seems like it's not just the Sandhill Cranes are arriving early. I took a pic of our earliest ever return of a Robin yesterday! > > Susan Whitney > Lincoln, NE > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Walnut Creek Park From: Wesley Sterling <wtstrlng AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:28:25 -0800 (PST) We went to Walnut Creek this afternoon, and went looking for the owl, to see if it was still there, and it was! In the exact spot where we saw it Dec 28. We also saw an American Kestrel on the other side of the lake, by the play area. He was teasing us quite a bit - as soon as I would approach the tree he was sitting in, he'd fly to a smaller tree, then back again, and would often leave the tree, "sit" still in the air, then go back. He flew very close to us several times, seems very content to hang out in that area. He spent most of his time in the large dead tree below the play area, right by the walking trail. I think that would be towards the east. On the small island we also saw our first robin of the year, and he was very bright red! Wenche Sterling, Omaha [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Common Crane, Tuesday pm From: "paul" <pastorpaultdunbar AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:53:48 -0000 As of 4pm, the Common Crane was in the same location as yesterday afternoon -- near the intersection of Platte River Dr and 90th Rd S. It was again a good 1/2mile out to the north, in a flock of about 1000 Sandhills. When I left it was still being watched by birders from Texas, Minnesota, and Colorado. Good luck, ya'll. Paul Dunbar Hastings (Adams Co.) (402) 984-5843 ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: RFI: Common Crane From: "Clem Klaphake" <ckavian AT cox.net> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:48:21 -0600 Chris, On my way back from Colorado today I stopped by the Alda Road to look for the Common Crane. This was about 11:30am. A couple of Iowa birders, Lucinda and Lois, were with Betty Grenon from Bellevue, NE. They were looking for the crane also. I drove down a little further south on Alda Road just north of Rosedale Road. There I immediately spotted the Common Crane amongst a flock of Sandhills. My wife headed back to let the other 3 birders know but they had left and I didn’t have their cell phone number. The bird then flew a little further north along Alda Road (never real close) where I again found it. Then someone from Colorado pulled up just as the whole flock of cranes took off to the northwest. They landed in a pretty much out-of-the way area just south of the river – no roads were anywhere near them. I met Betty, Lois and Lucinda again and they were going to try to relocate the crane later this afternoon. I don’t know if they will post any new information. I also came across a large flock 200-250 Lapland Longspurs while watching the Common Crane. Clem Klaphake Bellevue, NE From: Chris West Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 1:11 PM To: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [NEBirds] RFI: Common Crane Hi everyone, I, and a group from Wisconsin, am coming down either tonight or tomorrow night to look for the Common Crane. Any updates on the bird's status/location, etc would be greatly appreciated. I can be reached by email today and tonight, or by text message/call at (608) 475-9016. Thanks! --Chris W Madison, WI [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Midtown Ross's Goose & Y-b Loon (KS) From: Justin Rink <spindalis79 AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:38:17 -0800 (PST)   Today Jim Ducey called me to report a ROSS'S GOOSE hanging out at Fontenelle Park (Omaha) with Canadas and Cacklers.  I went out to confirm and found a small goose with a conical bill and lacking a large "grinning patch."  This is the only "grounded" Ross's Goose I can remember in the Omaha area for quite some time.  Nothing else of interest, however.      In out-of-state news- Ted Cable discovered a juv. YELLOW-BILLED LOON yesterday on Tuttle Reservoir in northern Kansas.  The reason I mention it is because this is only about 50 miles south of the Nebraska state line.  The bird was still present today according to the KS listserve.  Check the KS listserve for further info.   Good birding.   Justin Rink Midtown Omaha, Douglas Co., NE spindalis79 AT yahoo.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: RFI: Common Crane From: NevaLCP AT aol.com Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:28:49 -0500 (EST) I plan to be out there looking for it Wednesday. Neva P. 402-450-1933 -----Original Message----- From: Chris West To: NEBirds Sent: Tue, Jan 31, 2012 2:40 pm Subject: [NEBirds] RFI: Common Crane Hi everyone, I, and a group from Wisconsin, am coming down either tonight or tomorrow night to look for the Common Crane. Any updates on the bird's status/location, etc would be greatly appreciated. I can be reached by email today and tonight, or by text message/call at (608) 475-9016. Thanks! --Chris W Madison, WI [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: RFI: Common Crane From: Chris West <birdingbum17 AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:11:27 -0800 (PST) Hi everyone,  I, and a group from Wisconsin, am coming down either tonight or tomorrow night to look for the Common Crane.  Any updates on the bird's status/location, etc would be greatly appreciated.   I can be reached by email today and tonight,  or by text message/call at (608) 475-9016.   Thanks!  --Chris W  Madison, WI  [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Fw: Nebraska Birding From: "Kathy DeLara" <renosmom AT charter.net> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:33:47 -0700 Received this question via the NOU website. Mark?? Kathty DeLar Mitchell NE ----- Original Message ----- From: Justin Bosler To: renosmom AT charter.net Cc: justin.bosler AT gmail.com Sent: Monday, January 30, 2012 3:48 PM Subject: Nebraska Birding With the Common Crane currently in Hall County, I was curious as to how many previous records have been accepted as "wild" by the NOU? Thanks! Justin [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Whooping Cranes On The Platte From: "Jorgensen, Joel" <Joel.Jorgensen AT nebraska.gov> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:46:44 -0600 Good evening: With word reaching this discussion group about possible Whooping Cranes in central Nebraska, I would ask folks on this list to remind those that are not on this list of proper etiquette whenever coming across this species. This is particularly the case with the influx of out-of-state birds that may be visiting the state as a result of the Common Crane. As everyone knows, Whooping Cranes are state and federally-listed as endangered. The Endangered Species Act (ESA) and Nebraska's Nongame and Endangered Species Conservation Act prohibits harassment, harm, and pursuit of whooping cranes including any intentional or negligent act or omission that creates the likelihood of injury to wildlife by annoying it in such a way that significantly disrupts normal behavior patterns, such as feeding or roosting. Harassment includes flushing the birds to flight during observation. Instances of Whooping Crane harassment by wildlife photographers has increased in the past couple years. In spring 2010 in Nebraska, there were 3-4 instances of individuals approaching Whooping Cranes on foot in attempts to get better photos. In doing so, at least two of these individuals trespassed on private property. One of these cases was turned over to law enforcement and I anticipate law enforcement will be increasingly involved in future instances. Whooping Cranes should never, ever, be approached on foot. Observers should always view Whooping Cranes from a vehicle or a blind and, ideally, stay 2000 ft. from any birds. If you see someone approaching, harassing, or shooting a Whooping Crane, please collect some details (e.g., license plate #, description) and contact law enforcement Ellen Goeckler, Special Agent, USFWS, Phone: (402) 223-1709 Mike Damico, Special Agent, USFWS, Phone: (308) 534-0925 Nebraska Wildlife Crimestoppers hotline - 1-800-742-7627 Or contact me. I apologize for the lecture. Furthermore, I wish Whooping Crane location information could be provided freely to the public so everyone could take every opportunity to see this species. I am disappointed a few bad eggs ruin it for all the good eggs. - Joel Joel Jorgensen | Nongame Bird Program Manager Nebraska Game and Parks Commission 2200 N. 33rd St. | Lincoln, NE 68503 joel.jorgensen AT nebraska.gov | 402.471.5440 From: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of snowbunting AT rcom-ne.com Sent: Monday, January 30, 2012 7:59 PM To: nebirds yahoo Subject: [NEBirds] [Fwd: Winter Whooping Cranes On The Platte:] Nebraska birders, I received the following from Joe Springer at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. I doubt that the photos will go through to NeBirds. If you would like to see them, send me a personal message. Robin Harding northern Kearney County ---------------------------- Original Message ---------------------------- Subject: Fw: Winter Whooping Cranes On The Platte: From: "Robin Harding" > Date: Mon, January 30, 2012 11:17 am To: snowbunting AT rcom-ne.com ---------------------------------------------------------- From: Joe Springer/BIOLOGY/UNK/UNEBR Date: 01/29/2012 04:02 PM Subject: Winter Whooping Cranes On The Platte: Gary, Bruce, et al. Bill Riggs took these pictures on the 27th. Hope you can see them. There is no doubt in my mind that these are Whooping Cranes on the Platte River in late January! Joe ----- Forwarded by Joe Springer/BIOLOGY/UNK/UNEBR on 01/29/2012 03:58 PM ----- From: Bill Riggs > To: undisclosed-recipients:; Date: 01/28/2012 12:01 AM Subject: Winter Whooping Cranes On The Platte: What do you make of this? There are just nine pictures and one video. I tried to clear them up a little, but when I sharpen them they get grainy. They won't win any awards but I think you can tell what they are. You are invited to view Bill's photo album: Winter Whooping Cranes On The Platte Winter Whooping Cranes On The Platte South Channel Platte River - Jan 27, 2012 by Bill Just east of the Overton Bridge 1:00 P.M. They were there when I crossed the river a little before noon; still there when I came back. I haven't seen any myself, but they say some of the Sandhill Cranes have been hanging out up here this winter; not sure if they just stopped and stayed on their way south or came back up when they couldn't find any food. Nobody can remember that ever happening before. I usually figure on them being back by Valentine's Day. I've been blessed to see Whooping Cra... View Album Play slideshow Message from Bill: It seems there have been more and more Herons year-round, but I thought it was odd to see Egrets out there. I really did try to convince myself that's what they were, but the more I watched them and especially when I got them up on the computer, there was little doubt that I was actually seeing Whooping Cranes in the Platte...in January. If you are having problems viewing this email, copy and paste the following into your browser: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=camelnamedclyde&target=ALBUM&id=5702486079882855505&authkey=Gv1sRgCNPeiqW-1sTgJg&feat=email [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: [Fwd: Winter Whooping Cranes On The Platte:] From: snowbunting AT rcom-ne.com Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:59:15 -0600 Nebraska birders, I received the following from Joe Springer at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. I doubt that the photos will go through to NeBirds. If you would like to see them, send me a personal message. Robin Harding northern Kearney County ---------------------------- Original Message ---------------------------- Subject: Fw: Winter Whooping Cranes On The Platte: From: "Robin Harding" Date: Mon, January 30, 2012 11:17 am To: snowbunting AT rcom-ne.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Joe Springer/BIOLOGY/UNK/UNEBR Date: 01/29/2012 04:02 PM Subject: Winter Whooping Cranes On The Platte: Gary, Bruce, et al. Bill Riggs took these pictures on the 27th. Hope you can see them. There is no doubt in my mind that these are Whooping Cranes on the Platte River in late January! Joe ----- Forwarded by Joe Springer/BIOLOGY/UNK/UNEBR on 01/29/2012 03:58 PM ----- From: Bill Riggs To: undisclosed-recipients:; Date: 01/28/2012 12:01 AM Subject: Winter Whooping Cranes On The Platte: What do you make of this? There are just nine pictures and one video. I tried to clear them up a little, but when I sharpen them they get grainy. They won't win any awards but I think you can tell what they are. You are invited to view Bill's photo album: Winter Whooping Cranes On The Platte Winter Whooping Cranes On The Platte South Channel Platte River - Jan 27, 2012 by Bill Just east of the Overton Bridge 1:00 P.M. They were there when I crossed the river a little before noon; still there when I came back. I haven't seen any myself, but they say some of the Sandhill Cranes have been hanging out up here this winter; not sure if they just stopped and stayed on their way south or came back up when they couldn't find any food. Nobody can remember that ever happening before. I usually figure on them being back by Valentine's Day. I've been blessed to see Whooping Cra... View Album Play slideshow Message from Bill: It seems there have been more and more Herons year-round, but I thought it was odd to see Egrets out there. I really did try to convince myself that's what they were, but the more I watched them and especially when I got them up on the computer, there was little doubt that I was actually seeing Whooping Cranes in the Platte...in January. If you are having problems viewing this email, copy and paste the following into your browser: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=camelnamedclyde&target=ALBUM&id=5702486079882855505&authkey=Gv1sRgCNPeiqW-1sTgJg&feat=email [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Common Crane, Monday From: "paul" <pastorpaultdunbar AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 01:45:20 -0000 I got up to the Common Crane area Monday around 12:45pm, found folks from Arizona, Missouri, Colorado, Tennessee, plus some fellow Huskers, but no one had seen the bird, and some of them had been there since 7:30am. Turns out, it was up closer to the river. I located it at 3:30pm in a flock of about 1000 Sandhills just northwest of the intersection of Platte River Dr. and 90th Rd S. That's about 2 miles north and a mile west of where it's been seen the last 3 days (Alda Rd & Rainforth). Unfortunately, it was way off the road, maybe 3/4 mile north, so even scoping it was tough, but most everyone got to see it. It was still there when I left at 5:20pm. Also, on 90th Rd about 1/4 mile south of Platte River Dr there was a pair on Gr. Prairie Chickens eating buds in the top of a small tree, for those out-of-staters who might want to find this species. Also, also: On the Platte River Road, east of Alda, near the intersection of 60th Rd. S, (i.e., about 3 miles east of the Common Crane) there was a Snowy Owl sitting out in the middle of a cornfield, but it also was quite a ways out. Just before I left the area, however, I saw him lift up and fly west but lost sight of him, since I was driving at the time. I'm not suggesting he's left the area permanently, just that he might be moved a bit. In fact, I suspect this is the same bird that's been seen on and off over the past 2-3 weeks in this general area. Paul Dunbar Hastings (Adams Co) (402) 984-5843 ------------------------------------ Subject: RE: Our 1st Robin arrived yesterday! From: "Eades, Rick" <rick.eades AT nebraska.gov> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:13:49 -0600 They never left. I've seen them around Lincoln all winter so far. Not enough snow to push them out. Rick Eades Lincoln ________________________________________ From: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com [NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Jill Holmquist [jill AT fai-insight.com] Sent: Monday, January 30, 2012 2:36 PM To: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [NEBirds] Our 1st Robin arrived yesterday! I had robins a few weeks ago. It made me wonder if they ever left. Jill Holmquist Lincoln, NE On Jan 30, 2012, at 2:28 PM, Susan Louise wrote: > Hello All, > > It seems like it's not just the Sandhill Cranes are arriving early. I took a pic of our earliest ever return of a Robin yesterday! > > Susan Whitney > Lincoln, NE > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------