Comparing Late-Spring Birdlife of Significant Urban-Spaces

An distinctive comparison of bird sightings is available because of the species denoted at two particular habitat spaces in east-central Nebraska. There was no attempt to coordinate the two outings, but they both just happened to occur on the same date in May, 2010.

On May 28, a morning count was done at the spaces of Elmwood Park, and a day later there was additional information forthcoming, based on a report on the state's bird forum, based upon what had been seen during an survey at the lowlands of Fontenelle Forest.

The first results were derived from efforts of an individual, while the latter was the last "show and go" for spring by five members of the Fontenelle Nature Association, as reported by Allen Reyer.

Summer has certainly arrived, as readily apparent at Elmwood. Winds in the morning were thankfully, somewhat calm, though humidity was obvious. Foliage was lush and thick, and even enough to deter any interest in some attempt to walk along Wood Creek, since there are no trails. Just north of the bridge over the languid creek of tainted waters, an especially beautiful bird was the mornings' delight of distinction, as she walked along the pedestrian trail and was appreciably expressive.

Young birds are fledging, as determined by an observation of fledgling chickadees, the wing fluttering of a fledgling obvious in the tree, at Shadow Lake. At Wood Duck Point - on the east portion of the pond - there were more than 20 Wood Ducks, comprised mostly of small ducklings closely following their mom, with each of the two being especially attentive, as is their norm.

On the forest lowlands, "It was hot and humid, with lots of mosquitoes and ticks. Birds were scarce and hard to see with all the leaves and tall grasses," Reyer explained in his post about the p.m. outing by the group.

Bugs were not a problem during the a.m. outing at Elmwood. It is quite interesting that during any of the multitude of outings on this scene, ticks have never been a concern. There may have been one found, which grasped upon clothes during the past three years, but none have had any opportunity to grasp flesh.

The bird survey efforts however done, are significant and important to illustrate the value of different places for migratory birds.

Comparing Species

It is quite an unexpected situation to be able to note more species, and a greater number of birds, in the limited green space of an urban park in comparison to the relative expanse of a nature reserve. Yet the results are not contrived, and can only be compared in their actuality.

Especially apparent was the greater number of Wood Ducks along Wood Creek, along its banks through Elmwood park. The little ducklings are about Wood Creek, and what a joy to watch, from afar as their lives are just underway in a new season. It would be especially interesting to get a view from below, which would show their tiny legs paddling furiously, to stay close to their mom, a duck. Wood Duck Point is the best place to appreciate this bit of natures splendor during these days, among the year.

At the ravine, the Barred Owl was up among the branches of the spring trees, looking down at me, while my necked was stretched looking up at it, as it wondered about this intrusion, which soon passed. The pines trees to the west, and generally about, including over on the golf course, continue to be the haven for an expressive Red-breasted Nuthatch, whose distinctive call is always a pleasure to hear, and a ready indication of its existence at a place suitable for a good life.

The following table indicates the bird species noted at these two places on May 28th.

Common Name	Elmwood Park	Fontenelle Forest
Wood Duck	38	3
Turkey Vulture	-	1
Mourning Dove	6	-
Eastern Screech-Owl	-	1
Barred Owl	1	-
Chimney Swift	5	-
Belted Kingfisher	-	1
Red-bellied Woodpecker	2	1
Downy Woodpecker	2	-
Hairy Woodpecker	1	1
Northern Flicker	2	1
Eastern Wood-Pewee	1	-
Great Crested Flycatcher	2	1
Eastern Kingbird	1	-
Warbling Vireo	1	-
Red-eyed Vireo	1	-
Blue Jay	2	-
American Crow	1	-
Purple Martin	-	2
Barn Swallow	1	2
Black-capped Chickadee	4	3
Red-breasted Nuthatch	1	-
White-breasted Nuthatch	2	-
House Wren	6	5
American Robin	44	3
Gray Catbird	4	8
European Starling	15	4
Cedar Waxwing	6	25
Yellow Warbler	-	1
Common Yellowthroat	-	4
Eastern Towhee	-	1
Chipping Sparrow	4	1
Song Sparrow	-	1
Northern Cardinal	10	1
Rose-breasted Grosbeak	-	1
Indigo Bunting	1	-
Red-winged Blackbird	1	6
Common Grackle	46	-
Brown-headed Cowbird	1	-
Orchard Oriole	-	1
Baltimore Oriole	3	1
American Goldfinch	2	-
House Sparrow	1	-

The number of species overall is 42, with 33 at the Elmwood Park environs, and 26 on the lowlands of Fontenelle Forest. If the Common Nighthawk, which was present nearby on the heights of Dundee, as well as the screech-owl which is a habitant of the vicinity were included, the whole numbers situation would change, increasing the number of midtown birds.

There is a dramatic difference in the number of birds counted. At Elmwood Park places, there were a minimal 218 individuals, and only 80 in the forest lands, or a value of about 2.5 times greater in midtown Omaha were the green spaces in completely surrounded by neighborhoods.

On the forest lowlands, there is a river, a wildlife area to the east, wooded hills and other such places of birdly habitat.

Actually though, a days outing at Fontenelle Forest could be appreciated more because of the grandeur of the place of big trees, a sprawling marsh, a hidden lake and other sublime spots wherein the big wood-pecker of the river occurs and other special species occur during what would undoubtedly be a fine time of watching a variety of wild birds.

Whether this is a comparison based upon one part of incomplete reporting - though this is most likely not the case - it is surprising to be able to note that a midtown park had more birds than a Missouri valley wildlife haven. Whatever, it is all good, though there has never been any thought that the tally from a mornings' outing at a local urban park would surpass which was noted during a hike by a determined bunch of birders at the great forest near Bellevue!