27 June 2008

Constructed Sandbars Essential for Missouri River Terns and Plovers

Construction of sandbars along the middle Missouri River has provided essential breeding habitat for the Least Tern, an endangered species, and Piping Plover, a threatened species.

This season, most of the birds nesting below Gavins Point Dam are using several sandbars constructed in recent years by the Army Corps of Engineers, said Greg Pavelka, a wildlife biologist with the Corps, and program manager for the tern and plover effort.

“Sandbars have been constructed by the Corps of Engineers to replace sandbars that have been lost to erosion and habitat that has been lost to vegetation encroachment on existing sandbars,” he said. “Without the constructed sandbars there would be only marginal habitat left for the two species below Gavins Point Dam.”

Construction of the most recently completed sandbar complex, at river mile 777.7 above the Vermillion Bridge, was finished just before spring this year. It had a population of around 50 terns and 32 plovers on the most recent survey on June 18th.

Constructed sandbar at river mile 775.0. The view is looking east down the river. Picture taken 23 June 2008. All pictures courtesy of Greg Pavelka, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Newly constructed sandbar at river mile 777.7. Picture taken 23 June 2008.

A constructed sandbar complex fifteen miles west of Gavins Point Dam on Lewis and Clark Lake was re-engineered, and just completed this spring. It is now home to about 200 terns and 50 plovers.

Currently, the 2008 Adult Census is being conducted by the Corps on the Missouri River from Fort Peck Lake in eastern Montana down to Ponca State Park in northeastern Nebraska. About 800 miles of the river are censused during this time.

In 2007, a record 1,010 adult least terns and 1,251 adult piping plovers were counted on the Missouri, according to Pavelka.

This season, for the stretch of the Missouri River below the dam, the constructed sandbars had 94 Piping Plover nests, with 45 at other locales during the mid-June survey. For Least Terns, there were 96 nests at the constructed sandbars, and ten elsewhere, according to the census details.

Least Tern and Piping Plover Nesting Details

Results of survey conducted on 18 June 2008. The nesting information is color coded by construction date with the sandbars constructed in 2004 and 2005 color coded red while the new sandbars that were constructed in the fall of 2007 and the spring of 2008 color coded in blue. Information courtesy of the Army Corps of Engineers.

Piping Plover Nesting – Missouri River below Gavins Point Dam

River Mile

# of Nests

Active Nests

Successful Nests

Unsuccessful Nests

Undetermined Nests

791.5

8

4

4

0

0

777.7

19

16

1

1

0

775.0

0

0

0

0

0

Total

27

20

5

1

0

770.0

29

11

1

16

0

761.3

33

7

12

11

1

755.0

5

4

0

1

0

Total

67

22

13

28

1

Con. Total

94

42

18

29

1

Other Sites

45

18

15

11

1

Total

139

60

33

40

2

Least Tern Nesting – Missouri River below Gavins Point Dam

River Mile

# of Nests

Active Nests

Successful Nests

Unsuccessful Nests

Undetermined Nests

791.5

25

25

0

0

0

777.7

25

24

0

1

0

775.0

6

6

0

0

0

Total

56

55

0

1

0

770.0

14

14

0

0

0

761.3

7

6

0

1

0

755.0

19

19

0

0

0

Total

40

39

0

1

0

Con. Total

96

94

0

2

0

Other Sites

10

9

0

1

0

Total

106

103

0

3

0

Piping Plover Nesting – Lewis & Clark Lake

River Mile

# of Nests

Active Nests

Successful Nests

Unsuccessful Nests

Undetermined Nests

RM 827

25

22

1

2

0

Other Sites

3

2

0

1

0

Total

28

24

1

3

0

Least Tern Nesting – Lewis & Clark Lake

River Mile

# of Nests

Active Nests

Successful Nests

Unsuccessful Nests

Undetermined Nests

RM 827

98

94

0

4

0

Other Sites

11

11

0

0

0

Total

109

105

0

4

0

“Both species prefer sandbars located in midstream, with a sand and gravel mix, enough elevation to prevent the loss of nests from flooding and vegetation cover of less than 15%,” Pavelka said. “Piping plovers also require large areas of wet sand so that they can forage for worms, fly larvae, beetles, crustaceans, mollusks, and other invertebrates. Least terns need shallow water backwaters where they will dive after their primary food source – fish.”

Recent heavy rains in the river basin have caused the loss of some bird nests thus far season, including several below Gavins Point Dam. Upriver, high tributary inflows from the rains have caused Lake Oahe to rise. Lake Sakakawea in North Dakota has also risen as it captures the snowpack runoff from the northern Rocky Mountains. The higher water levels in the reservoirs have inundated shoreline habitat used by the plovers. Where possible, Corps staff have moved the nests to higher ground, but in several cases, nests have been flooded.

Bird Surveys

A crew comprised of four Army Corps of Engineer employees, and one from the South Dakota Game and Parks monitor both species during the breeding season along the Missouri National Recreation River. The group visits each nesting locale about once a week.

Access restriction sign used to protect breeding areas used by the terns and plovers.

Access restriction sign on sandbar at river mile 777.7.

Monitoring begins in mid-April as the piping plovers arrive from their wintering grounds along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts and Caribbean Islands. Least terns make their appearance about a month later, arriving on the Missouri around mid-May.

The crew uses a handheld computer with a global positioning system unit to precisely map nest locations and to record nest data, chick numbers and ages and habitat status, Pavelka said. At the end of the day the data is uploaded via the Internet to the Missouri River Recovery Least Tern and Piping Plover Data Management System (TPDMS). There the data is analyzed and used to make decisions on water releases out of the dams. Least Tern and Piping Plover data summaries for 2008 and previous years are available to the public at the TPDMS website.

In addition to the monitoring done by the Corps of Engineers, the Corps is funding two research projects on the Missouri River.

Study blind used for research on terns and plovers. Picture taken in 2007.

The U.S. Geological Survey is in its third year, and final year, of investigating the foraging ecology of the Least Tern on the constructed sandbars.

The Virginia Polytechnic Institute is continuing to study how Piping Plovers use the constructed sandbars. A three-year PhD dissertation project was recently completed, while a two-year Master’s degree was started this season.

Monitoring will continue until the end of August when the last of the chicks have fledged and the birds depart for the wintering grounds.

Information is also being kept on birds that occur elsewhere in Nebraska.

Terns and Plovers that use the Niobrara River are monitored by staff with the National Park Service. The nests on the Niobrara were washed away by heavy rains in early June, but birds are re-nesting on the river, according to information received by Pavelka.

Tern and Plover nesting along the Platte River and lower Loup River is monitored by the Tern and Plover Conservation Partnership. A summary of the number of birds noted in different counties within their breeding range is being updated at the end of each month, through September.

Mandate to Protect

A biological opinion issued by the Fish and Wildlife Service provides the mandate for conservation of endangered and threatened species along the Missouri River.

The opinion, issued in 2000 and amended in 2003, found that the six dams built in past decades along the Missouri River, as well as changes in the river channel to provide waterway navigation have a dramatic impact on the tern and plover, as well as the pallid sturgeon.

Since the actions of the Corps, as operator of the dams and being responsible for maintenance of the river channel, affects these species, they were required to monitor the species and undertake efforts to ensure their survival.

Federal monitoring efforts have been underway since 1986, with the Corps taking over all monitoring along the Missouri River in 1993. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission carried out population surveys in prior years.

The 1990 recovery plan for the interior population of the Least Tern set a goal of having a stable population of 900 along the Missouri River.

The Missouri River is home for the greatest number of the northern Great Plains population of Least Terns. The number of birds has fluctuated between 800 and 1000 in the past three years, Pavelka said.

The 1988 recovery plan for the Northern Great Plains Population of Piping Plovers set a recovery goal of 425 adult pairs, or at least 850 birds. In 1,251 adult plovers were counted along the Missouri River, according to Corps’ information.

The Missouri River is important to the recovery of the northern Great Plains population with about one-fourth of the Great Plains Piping Plovers occurring along the river.

Boom and Bust

“There have been a lot of ups and downs” during the years, said Pavelka, who has been working with the tern and plover project since 1993. “The terns and plovers are adapted to a boom and bust cycle. It’s all about water … too much or too little.”

High flows and drought conditions cause differing conditions along the river and at the reservoirs.

“One year, high water levels will inundate most of the habitat leaving little area for the birds to nest,” he said. “The next season may bring low water levels and abundant habitat and the birds will be more successful.

Aerial view of the channel location where a sandbar was constructed at river mile 777.7.

“In 1997 high releases out of Gavins Point Dam inundated most of the sandbars, but in 1998 low releases exposed many new sandbars that were devoid of vegetation. High nest success and fledging success continued for several years as the birds used the new sandbars. Drought conditions meant lower lake levels and more beach habitat on Lake Oahe and on Lake Sakakawea for Piping Plovers to successfully raise broods.”

The monitoring program is vital for monitoring the populations to ensure their survival, Pavelka said. “The Corps of Engineers has a tremendous commitment to ensure the survival of these two species.”

“The construction of new sandbars will continue in coming years on the Missouri below Gavins Point Dam, on Lewis and Clark Lake and on the Missouri below Fort Randall Dam. It is important to provide sandbar habitat at various locations along the river in order to spread out the birds. Though the constructed sandbars have been successful in attracting terns and plovers, it makes the birds, their nests and chicks susceptible to a roving predator or a passing thunderstorm. By ensuring that there is enough habitat for the birds, the Corps is committed that there will be least terns and piping plovers on the Missouri River for years to come.”

Least Tern and Piping Plover Data Management System with regular updates by the Army Corps of Engineers, during the breeding season

20 June 2008

Yemen Chooses Grosbeak as National Bird

Golden-winged Grosbeak on Croton. Picture by R.F. Porter.

By Richard Porter

The Yemen Council of Ministers recently approved the Golden-winged Grosbeak as Yemen's national bird. This colourful bird with a huge beak for eating fruits and seeds is resident in the highlands of Yemen and on the island of Socotra. The Arabian Leopard was chosen as the national mammal, the Dragon Blood Tree (a Socotran endemic) as the national tree and the Aloe (Aloe irafensis) as the national plant.

After a long consultation process, which involved many students, the final selection of the bird was made by Environment Minister, His Excellency Abdul Rahman Al-Eryani.

"I am proud we have chosen these animals and plants that are so important for Yemen's biodiversity and culture. They will help us promote wildlife education and conservation actions," he said in a statement to the Yemen cabinet and the press.

The possibility of a leopard reserve is already being investigated which will also be important for many of Yemen's endemic birds and plants.

Wadi Lefage at the proposed Leopard reserve. Picture by David Stanton.

Dragon's Blood trees. Picture by R.F. Porter.

Birds that would benefit from the proposed leopard reserve includes at least eight endemic species (Arabian Partridge, Yemen Linnet, Yemen Thrush, Arabian Waxbill, Yemen Warbler, Arabian Woodpecker, Yemen Serin, Arabian Serin) as well as the Golden-winged Grosbeak. Breeding Lammergeier and Griffon Vultures also would benefit.

It is hoped that BirdLife International will be a supporter of this exciting project.

Additional details on the candidates.

19 June 2008

Olympic Promotion Helpful in Reducing Bird Hazard

Promotional material installed on the west facade on the Qwest Center Omaha is the type of material helpful in reducing the danger of the reflective glass surface for birds.

The screening makes the wall visible to birds, whereas it was formerly transparent. The colorful material also removes the reflective character of the wall, which also renders the surface readily visible. Only a portion of the entire wall is being covered.

Window screening placed above the north entry.

Installing the window screening at the south end of the west wall.
Note the obvious difference in the reflective character of the setting once the glass is covered.

Another illustration of the screening, showing the change in the reflective character of the glass.

The International Olympic Committee paid for installation of the glass screening, according to the installers. Olympic swimming trials will be held at the facility in ten days.

More than 40 bird strikes, most of which resulted in a bird death, were recorded at this locale during May and through mid-June. With migration season over for now, there have been no additional records of bird strikes noted since June 11th.

Natural Spaces at Midtown Omaha Parks Essential for Local Avifauna

During May, the value of natural habitat at Elmwood Park and Memorial Park was shown by their extensive use by a variety of resident and migratory wild birds.

These two parks have several fine green spaces - represented by these places names used to designate the occurrence of birds during a particular survey - including Wood Creek, Elmwood Park; Shadow Lake, Elmwood Park, Elmwood Park; Elmwood Park Ravine; Wood Creek, Memorial Park; Memorial Park; and Happy Hollow Creek, on its east side.

There were 66 species recorded on different days during the month, as shown by the following table listing them in standard taxonomic sequence. The numbers at the head of the columns is the particular Julian date, i.e., 123 corresponds to 2 May, 138 was 17 May, and 149 was 28 May. The value shown is the total number counted at the various places on the particular day; a zero indicates no count information is available. A thorough count was not made every day, so there can be no valid comparison of the total number of birds present.

Common Name

123

124

125

126

129

130

132

134

135

137

138

141

144

145

146

149

151

Canada Goose

-

-

2

-

-

4

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Wood Duck

-

6

6

5

-

12

2

-

8

5

8

-

-

8

-

7

-

Mallard

-

-

-

2

-

2

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Turkey Vulture

-

-

1

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

5

-

-

-

-

-

-

Red-tailed Hawk

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

1

1

-

-

1

-

-

-

Mourning Dove

-

0

3

-

-

1

-

-

2

-

5

1

-

2

-

-

2

Yellow-billed Cuckoo

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

Barred Owl

-

-

2

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

Chimney Swift

-

-

6

3

-

-

2

-

2

-

2

-

-

-

6

-

3

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Belted Kingfisher

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Red-bellied Woodpecker

-

-

2

1

-

2

1

-

2

-

3

1

-

1

1

2

1

Downy Woodpecker

-

0

1

1

-

3

1

-

1

-

3

1

-

1

1

2

1

Hairy Woodpecker

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

Northern Flicker

-

-

2

1

-

1

1

-

1

-

-

1

-

1

1

-

-

Olive-sided Flycatcher

-

0

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

2

-

-

Eastern Wood-Pewee

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

2

-

1

Least Flycatcher

-

0

2

2

-

3

1

-

6

-

5

3

-

3

8

6

5

Eastern Phoebe

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

2

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

Great Crested Flycatcher

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

2

2

1

Eastern Kingbird

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Warbling Vireo

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

2

-

-

-

3

-

Red-eyed Vireo

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

1

-

2

2

12

2

Blue Jay

-

0

3

2

-

2

1

-

1

-

3

1

-

1

1

2

-

Barn Swallow

-

-

2

2

-

3

5

-

2

-

7

-

-

-

2

-

2

Black-capped Chickadee

-

0

3

2

-

3

1

-

1

-

2

2

-

2

-

2

1

Red-breasted Nuthatch

-

-

2

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

White-breasted Nuthatch

-

-

1

1

-

1

-

-

1

-

1

1

-

1

-

2

-

House Wren

-

0

6

4

-

4

1

-

2

-

2

2

-

2

2

2

1

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

1

0

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Veery

-

-

2

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Swainson's Thrush

-

0

2

4

-

4

7

-

3

-

7

1

-

3

2

1

1

American Robin

2

0

12

10

-

10

4

-

5

-

19

6

-

5

6

8

3

Gray Catbird

-

-

2

3

-

8

3

-

7

-

10

1

-

3

2

2

1

Brown Thrasher

-

0

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

European Starling

-

-

3

1

-

6

22

-

6

-

6

2

-

8

10

-

2

Orange-crowned Warbler

-

-

2

2

-

-

-

-

-

-

2

-

-

-

-

-

-

Nashville Warbler

-

0

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Northern Parula

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Yellow Warbler

1

0

-

-

-

2

-

-

1

-

4

2

-

-

1

1

-

Chestnut-sided Warbler

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

2

2

-

-

Magnolia Warbler

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

Yellow-rumped Warbler

15

0

14

15

-

22

-

-

-

-

1

1

-

-

-

-

-

Blackpoll Warbler

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

Black-and-white Warbler

-

0

1

2

-

2

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

American Redstart

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

5

-

2

-

1

1

1

2

1

Prothonotary Warbler

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Ovenbird

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

Louisiana Waterthrush

-

0

1

-

-

-

3

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Mourning Warbler

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

1

-

Common Yellowthroat

-

-

1

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

2

1

1

2

1

-

-

Hooded Warbler

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Wilson's Warbler

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

2

-

1

-

-

-

-

Chipping Sparrow

-

15

3

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

5

-

-

-

-

-

3

White-throated Sparrow

-

0

-

2

-

13

3

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Harris's Sparrow

-

-

-

-

-

2

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Northern Cardinal

1

-

7

6

-

10

4

-

5

-

10

2

-

4

3

3

3

Indigo Bunting

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Red-winged Blackbird

-

0

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Common Grackle

-

0

4

10

-

15

12

-

3

-

28

6

-

8

6

9

8

Brown-headed Cowbird

-

-

2

1

-

-

2

-

-

-

7

-

-

-

2

4

-

Baltimore Oriole

-

0

1

2

-

3

1

-

4

-

4

1

-

1

2

-

1

House Finch

-

-

-

2

-

1

-

-

-

-

2

-

-

2

-

3

1

Pine Siskin

-

-

2

-

-

2

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

American Goldfinch

-

0

4

4

-

10

2

-

7

-

4

2

-

2

2

2

2

House Sparrow

-

-

4

2

-

7

-

-

-

-

2

-

-

3

-

-

-

This bird calendar shows the change in species composition during the month, especially denoting the shifts as migratory species moved through, going northward.

The most numerous species appear to be the American Robin and Common Grackle. Common other birds were the Chipping Sparrow and Northern Cardinal and European Starling.

The White-throated Sparrow and Harris's Sparrow were gone by mid-month. The Eastern Wood-Pewee, vireos and flycatchers showed up during the latter half of this May.

During the month, a few broods of Wood Ducks were present, although some groups seen once or twice were not noted again. Then another brood might be apparent. These birds, dwelling along the creek, are likely impacted by heavy rains which significantly raise the water levels of the creeks, flooding the banks and probably washing the little fledglings away.

A fine representation of 17 species of warblers were present, nearly always in the arboreal splendor along Wood Creek. Distinctive records were the Prothonotary Warbler and Hooded Warbler, this being this first known sighting of this species at Elmwood Park. The same applies to the Louisiana Waterthrush, lurking along the edge of the creeks. Several others were recorded after not having been noted for several years. Sunlit areas along Happy Hollow Creek were prime spots for seeing bunches of Yellow-rumped Warblers during the first half of the month.

Common Name

17 May 1914

17 May 2008

Wood Duck

-

8

Turkey Vulture

-

5

Red-tailed Hawk

-

1

Mourning Dove

0

6

Barred Owl

-

1

Chimney Swift

0

2

Red-headed Woodpecker

0

-

Red-bellied Woodpecker

-

3

Downy Woodpecker

-

3

Northern Flicker

0

1

Eastern Wood-Pewee

-

1

Least Flycatcher

-

5

Eastern Phoebe

0

1

Warbling Vireo

-

1

Red-eyed Vireo

0

1

Blue Jay

0

3

American Crow

0

-

Barn Swallow

0

7

Black-capped Chickadee

0

2

White-breasted Nuthatch

-

1

House Wren

0

2

Eastern Bluebird

0

-

Swainson's Thrush

-

7

Wood Thrush

0

-

American Robin

0

44

Gray Catbird

0

10

Brown Thrasher

0

-

European Starling

-

9

Orange-crowned Warbler

-

2

Yellow Warbler

0

4

Yellow-rumped Warbler

-

1

American Redstart

-

2

Common Yellowthroat

0

2

Wilson's Warbler

-

2

Scarlet Tanager

0

-

Eastern Towhee

0

-

Chipping Sparrow

-

10

Northern Cardinal

0

10

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

0

-

Dickcissel

0

-

Red-winged Blackbird

0

-

Western Meadowlark

0

-

Common Grackle

0

43

Brown-headed Cowbird

0

7

Orchard Oriole

0

-

Baltimore Oriole

0

4

House Finch

-

2

American Goldfinch

0

4

House Sparrow

-

4

Total:

31

37

Indications of breeding activity increased as the month was ending, or into the first part of June. Especially notable were a Black-capped Chickadee carrying food, and two fledgling Red-tailed Hawks at their nest site.

There are a minimum of 1066 bird use days - a standard measure of the importance of a site for avifauna - represented by this tally. The number of use days would obviously increase dramatically if a detailed analysis was used to determine the daily presence of species that are known residents, or about half of the overall number recorded.

Comparing 2008 to 1914

Among the information available for Elmwood Park are some records from surveys conducted decades ago by Omaha birders. During May in particular, a survey was conducted on May 17, 1914, with the results published in June in the Sunday World-Herald, with three pictures of the men afield and three pictures of mounted birds. The wordy title of the article: "Hunting Wild Birds in Parks and Green Woods that Abound Near Omaha. The Boom of the Gun is No Longer Heard in the Woods Near Omaha, But in its Place Bird Hunters Search Diligently with Lead Pencil, Notebook and Camera, While About Flit the Feathered."

The author was Miles Greenleaf, and his field associates were sportsman Billy Marsh, and attorney Robert D. Neely tramping through Elmwood Park and onward to the Little Papillion Creek.

Overall in 1914, 31 valid species were sighted in the park area, with some type of hawk (likely a Red-tailed) also noted, and the Loggerhead Shrike along the creek.

A survey in 2008, limited to the Memorial Park and Elmwood Park environs had 37 species. The values in the table are the number counted during the survey jaunt.

A combined 50 species were noted on the two surveys. There are some obvious differences in the avifauna.

Notable additions include the Wood Duck, now nesting in the ancient, towering cottonwood trees along Wood Creek and Happy Hollow Creek. There likely was much less woodland in 1914, with an insufficient amount for these ducks, which proably also had a lesser range of distribution.

Barred Owls are also present because of the increase in arboreal habitat. The Red-bellied Woodpecker seems to have replaced the Red-headed Woodpecker, the latter now only an unusual visitor. Several other species, the flycatchers and vireos, are also more prevalent now because of more woodland.

The obvious lack of the American Crow, only occasionally seen, could be attributed to impacts on the species due to its lessening numbers as a result of West Nile virus.

Gone due to increased urbanization, are the Eastern Bluebird, Dickcissel, Orchard Oriole and Western Meadowlark, subject to the decline of habitat diversity, especially replacment of crop fields, grasslands and country shrubs with streets, buildings and yards. The latter places not suitable for country birdlife.

The European Starling did not occur anywhere in Nebraska in 1914. The House Sparrow had a much lesser range of occurrence, although this introduced species was already present in Omaha.

The comparison seems to indicate a slight increase in species present, but overall a decline in variety because of a loss of habitat diversity, the key element to have more kinds of birds.

Economic Value of Green Spaces for Birds

The economic value of the green spaces can be derived by taking the bird-use days and multiplying that by a standard figure. Whatever the result, the value of these natural spaces is priceless for the documented species, with the flora and habitat vital for birds to survive during migration or as a seasonal breeding place.

This value of the parkland to avifauna is an important consideration in evaluating the management of the park lands. For example, some areas which are now biologically barren mown grass, would have a greater value if converted to reforestation areas where native species of shrubs and trees could be planted to increase plant cover, and subsequently provide additional habitat for the fauna. This is especially apparent at a few places along the Elmwood Park Ravine.

An increased extent of flora would also be an important asset to improving the air polluted by high traffic volume along Dodge Street, and due to the vehicles associated with the adjacent University of Nebraska at Omaha campus. The cost of park maintenance would also be effectively reduced.

There was no motor fuel expended in reaching the parks green spaces in order to conduct a survey, following the BIGBY greenbirding concept. The surveys were accomplished by walking around and the parks were reached in the same manner or via bicycle transportation.