31 May 2011

Flag Tribute to Veterans Mostly Ignored in East Omaha

As the day of tribute to veterans of the grand United States of America dawned in eastern Omaha, my bicycling route was brought up short upon noticing the situation with the flags at TD Ameritrade Park.

The magnificent colors of "Old Glory" were flying at the top of the pole. Having read that flags should be shown at half-staff in recognition of the nation's veterans:

"Gov. Dave Heineman has ordered that U.S. and Nebraska flags be flown at half-staff until noon on Monday, May 30 in observance of Memorial Day.
"Gov. Heineman said, 'Our flags will fly at half-staff as a tribute to the courage and dedication of those who have sacrificed for our freedom. Memorial Day is an opportunity to salute the heroes who have served our nation with honor and those who are serving today.' — (FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE; May 26, 2011, 11:50 a.m. CT)"

During my subsequent route particular attention was given to how our national symbol was being displayed.

It did not take long to realize the situation of how few flags were actually at half-staff, and it was an obvious minority.

Pictures were all taken before 9 a.m.

The places which deserve recognition for being attentive to this day of veterans, are the following places where the flags were suitably displayed.

  1. Con-Agra Foods - 33 flags gloriously displayed!
  2. Flag display at Con Agra Foods.
    The flag "full-up" in the background was atop the Burlington Building.

  3. Federal Building (near 17th and Dodge Streets)
  4. Gottschalk Freedom Center
  5. Memorial Park (Omaha Parks and Recreation Department); perhaps the most iconic presentation to recognize veterans with the special events held Monday morning
  6. Flag at the monument in Memorial Park.

  7. Midtown Crossing flag at Turner Park; the huge flag flew fine in the winds of a day with winds and temperatures indicative of the pending summer
  8. Midtown Crossing flag on the east side of Turner Park.

    Mutual of Omaha bank.

  9. Mutual of Omaha Bank
  10. Nebraska Medical Center - Clarkson Entry
  11. Clarkson entry - Nebraska Medical Center.

    Durham Outpatient Center - University of Nebraska Medical Center

  12. Nebraska Medical Center - Durham Outpatient Center
  13. Omaha Steel Castings
  14. Omaha Steel Castings company on Farnam Street.

  15. Omaha World-Herald Building
  16. OPPD Energy Plaza
  17. Qwest Center Omaha (managed by the Metropolitan Entertainment and Convention Authority)
  18. Large flag being flown at half-staff at the Qwest Center Omaha.

  19. WOWT
  20. WOWT with flag at half-staff
    In the background are two Kiewit Building Group flags flying "full-up."

  21. Zorinsky Federal Building

Only about 29% of the places were displaying the flag at half-staff.

Many more places did not lower their flags in tribute to our American veterans.

This is a list, presented alphabetically as there are so many places that this seemed the proper manner to list the places where flags were "full-up" or not in a lowered position.

  1. American National Bank (downtown)
  2. American Red Cross
  3. American Red Cross.

  4. Burlington Place
  5. Curtis Building (National Park Service offices)

    Curtis Building; regional headquarters of the National Park Service.

  6. Double-tree Hotel
  7. Douglas County Courthouse
  8. Embassy Suites
  9. Embassy Suites.

    Federal Reserve Bank.

  10. Federal Reserve Bank
  11. Former Eagles Club at 24th and Douglas; this building is currently for sale.

    Former Eagles Club.

  12. First National Bank building (two; on west side and atop the structure which is a pinnacle of the downtown Omaha skyline)
  13. First National Data Center
  14. First National Bank, west side. The flag atop the building was also at full height.

    First National Bank green space.

    First National Bank tower.

  15. First National Tower (flag was mostly draped around the pole)
  16. First Presbyterian Church (along Farnam Street)
  17. Former Eagle Building (24th and Douglas; currently for sale)
  18. Gene Leahy Mall - west end (Omaha Parks and Recreation Department)
  19. Flags at west end of Gene Leahy Mall; the flag atop the Paxton is shown in the upper background.

    Hilton Hotel, near the Qwest Center Omaha.

  20. Hilton Garden Inn
  21. Hilton Inn near Qwest (talked with staff here expressing the improper display; they immediately realized their error)
  22. Hruska Building - National Park Service
  23. Kiewit Blackstone Building
  24. Kiewit Plaza
  25. Kutak Rock law firm building
  26. Legal Aid Building (19th and Farnam Streets)
  27. Legal Aid building at 19th and Farnam Streets.

    Near Lewis and Clark Landing, with Ricks Cafe Boatyard in the background.

  28. Lewis and Clark Plaza (Omaha Parks and Recreation Department)
  29. Memorial Park Storz Drive (Omaha Parks and Recreation Department; numerous flags)
  30. Flags along Storz Drive at Memorial Park.
    This picture was taken after the Memorial Day event, but still before noon.

  31. Metropolitan Utilities Building
  32. Metropolitan Utilities District, downtown office.

    Omaha/Douglas Civic Center, County courthouse and atop the building in the background, Kutak-Rock law firm.

  33. Omaha/Douglas Civic Center
  34. Redfield and Company
  35. Rick's Cafe Boatyard
  36. Scottish Rite Masonic Center
  37. Scottish Rite Masonic Center.

  38. Security National Bank (by Blackstone)
  39. Security National Bank facility near the Blackstone.

    Nebraska State Office Building.

  40. State Office Building (State of Nebraska)
  41. TD Ameritrade Park (also managed by the Metropolitan Entertainment and Convention Authority)
  42. TDAmeritrade Park.

    Flag by veteran's memorial at Turner Park.

  43. The Paxton
  44. Turner Park by Veteran's monument (Omaha Parks and Recreation Department)
  45. Union Pacific Center
  46. Union Pacific Center; the corporate headquarters.

    United Way building, downtown.

  47. United Way

In comparing those places with flags properly displayed to those where the flags had not been lowered in respect, there is a dramatic difference.

More than 70% of the flags noted were not properly displayed.

A very similar version of this report was provided to Congressman Lee Terry, after he had asked to receive the details. We discussed this at the Memorial Day event at Memorial Park. Some veterans at the same place were also told about the flag situation which had been observed. Where an email was available, this document was also provided to a few of the businesses listed.

23 May 2011

Public Comments on Carter Lake Project

The following comments were sent to officials of the Omaha Parks and Recreation Department, which is currently accepting birds for construction of shoreline stabilization, a wet basin, targeted dredging and associated work at Carter Lake. There was no acknowledgment from any officials that this document was received. An engineer at the contractor's meeting did indicate they had received this information and were evaluating it.

Based upon extensive personal research and a close evaluation of the pending project at Carter Lake, the following comments are being provided to lessen the impact of the project on the myriad of birds which use this oxbow lake along the Missouri River.

This lake - originally called Cut-off Lake - is the result of a shift in the channel of the Missouri River. It was not created due to any human actions, despite what a plaque on the Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge might indicate.

The still waters of the lake have been an obvious haven for many sorts of fowl. Some of the first records for this locality were in 1886. Further occasional observations continued through the 1890s, and one of the foremost indications of bird use was in 1902, associated with the efforts of Frank Shoemaker, whose photographs taken at the lake are now - thankfully - preserved in a distinctive collection at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln archives.

Interest in birds at then renamed lake continued. From the mid 1920s, and for the next 15 years, other Omaha birders visited the lake environs to denote the species present.

Back in those days, the lake still had some of the natural, terrestrial habitats typical for the Missouri River floodplain.

Prominent in the site's history, was its official designation as a bird sanctuary in the early 1930s, in recognition of a preeminent sports writers in Nebraska's history - Sandy Griswold.

The bird sanctuary was first recognized by an Omaha city ordinance. "Prominent town men George Brandeis and Thomas Kimball, were on a committee of 50 folk that raised funds to place a memorial monument or marker in the city park now at the former Missouri River oxbow.

"The people wanted to remember 'Sandy's Creed'" for conservation of natural resources. There was a tribute in the April 1930 Sunday magazine of the local newspaper. Apparently a marker was placed at the park, but which eventually disappeared.

This particular recognition has been long forgotten, but not wholly ignored.

Lake Transformation

Though Carter Lake was created by natural forces, in the modern era, a coalition various agencies has worked hard to meld the lake to their wants. Housing on the Iowa side of the lake has meant a nearly complete loss of any natural condition of the shoreline. Homeowners and a golf course built a wall to protect their place from the lake waters.

Each effort celebrates their association with the oxbow lake, yet a primary task has been to separate their property from a natural connection with the lake.

The current project continues this trend in transforming the naturally-created lake to an artifice of engineering.

Certainly there has been a willing coalition of agencies, etc. working on this project, but each one has a particular mission which they want to see achieved.

It has all been wrapped into an effort to improve water quality for the human community.

Based upon the information reviewed and discussions with project participants, this effort has had little regard for the wild birds which have been using this locality long before there were any human settlers, a town and housing.

Yet this historic natural legacy has long been and continues to be ignored.

The Carter Lake project - for which bids are now being accepted - appears to be driven by three particular goals:

1) use park land to address the needs of the stormwater/sewer separation project by the City of Omaha.
2) make the lake nice for home owners on the Iowa side of the lake.
3) provide a fisheries resource for local residents.

There has been no indication that could be found on how project measures have taken into consideration the natural values of the setting, nor any impacts on the local avifauna.

A Birds Eye Perspective

In anticipation of this project, numerous surveys have been conducted of bird use of the local environs in the Carter Lake District. Records of the bird use were made for the following sites:

  • Levi Carter Park
  • Levi Carter Pond
  • Iowa West Ranch, as noted from across the lake
  • Kiwanis Park

During the many bird surveys done this spring, there were no Bald Eagles observed. News articles in previous years indicated Carter Lake as a prime place to see this majestic raptor. Was the lack of eagles due to the loss of large fish because of the fish-kill done last autumn? Although there weren't enough surveys done in the late winter period, there were no records of mergansers, though they have been commonly seen on the lake's waters in previous years, by numerous observers.

The following is a tally of the birds noted in particular at the pond area, which is a distinctive habitat due to its shallow water conditions, and very suited for fowl.

Common Name

3/30

4/1

4/9

4/12

4/17

4/20

4/23

4/25

4/27

4/29

5/1

5/3

5/7

5/17

Canada Goose

-

-

-

1

-

1

-

-

-

2

-

-

-

-

Wood Duck

4

3

7

1

6

2

2

2

2

6

10

5

3

7

Mallard

2

2

-

-

4

-

6

-

7

2

-

-

3

3

Blue-winged Teal

-

1

18

4

7

12

12

12

9

6

2

2

1

-

Northern Shoveler

4

-

6

-

12

6

5

2

11

7

6

6

8

-

Green-winged Teal

-

-

3

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Pied-billed Grebe

-

-

2

1

-

-

1

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

The Green-winged Teal was noted only at this particular place, while the other species were seen elsewhere at the lake.

These details do indicate the value of the pond for dabbling ducks, which can now "tip-up" and find forage in the shallow waters.

Dredging the pond to a consistent depth of 4.5 feet will render the waters too deep for each of the ducks indicated. And as there is very little shallow water within the lake proper, the proposed plans will have a deleterious impact to birds.

During the bird surveys carried out in a standard manner this year, there have been more than 75 species recorded, including notes derived from other metro-area bird watchers. Among the more than 600 records includes one of the Common Moorhen, which was last noted at Carter Lake in 1930.

Based upon a count of the species present, there have been more than 10,000 individual birds denoted on only 15 or so occasions during a five-month period. If further analysis was done, this value would readily reach an extent in the hundreds of thousands. If a valuation was placed on each bird-use day of $5, which is a paltry sum, there is a vast economic value of the lake habitats for migratory and resident birds.

Birds make no demands other than have a place to exist. Others undertake efforts to reduce the quality of wildlife habitat which makes places less friendly for the existence of wild birds. Carter Lake, based upon historic conditions and the priceless bird observations made in former decades, provide a dramatic perspective of change to the habitats which have continually meant a loss of habitat and decrease in diversity of representative avifauna.

This information has been previously summarized.

Project Suggestions

It had been my understanding that there would be an opportunity to provide comments on the final project design at a public meeting once the final plans were developed, according to a person at the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission who said there would be a meeting in this regard. This is obviously not the case, as there was no known opportunity for the public to review and comment on the final design plans, as they were finished and went right to the City of Omaha's bidding process.

In order to ameliorate the overall transition of Carter Lake from a somewhat natural lake to a designed water body, the following comments are provided. These slight changes would at least make somewhat of a lesser impact to the birdlife of the lake environs.

After a review of the current project plans, the following suggestions are provided, specifically for the north wet detention basin. The numbers correlate with the numbers given on the associated figure of this pond and the pending lagoon.

Generally, dredging this pond to a depth of ca. 4.5 feet will effectively remove any value the place will have for dabbling ducks, which tip up to get food from the water. The species recorded prefer shallow waters.

Three Wood Ducks using deadfall at the Levi Carter Pond.

1) Deadfall logs in this immediate area and elsewhere are valuable roost sites notably used by the ducks. Each of these should be retained and placed in a suitable place once project work is completed.

2) Provide a secondary notch in the berm: the rock could be placed to where its upper extent is about four inches below the expected level of the water. This inhibits access to the berm which reduces the potential for disturbance to birds on the pond, reduces the extent of a visual barrier and improves the ability of birds and other swimming critters to readily access the entire water area of the pond.

3) Move the primary notch to within 2-3 feet of the eastern end of the berm. This also inhibits access, providing the same benefits given with item 2. Doing so allows the creation of an island which will be beneficial to the water fowl. This island should have an above water height of less than 8 inches and the dirt should be planted with a suitable species of grass.

4) Similar to item No. 2.

5) Similar to item No. 3. Moving this notch eastward also increases the thalweg of the flow, providing an improved opportunity to trap sediments and nutrients.

6) Every effort should be made to retain any and all vegetation along the eastern shore of the pond, as it provides a visual barrier to traffic on Grand Avenue. This barrier improves the quality of the pond habitat by reducing disturbance and increases the habitat diversity.

7) Shift the alignment of the proposed shallow water area to align with the bank. This will help change the thalweg away from the drain, perhaps assist in retaining water longer and thus the chance to retain sediment and nutrients. The designated plan alignment appears to direct water into the drain.

8) This area should not be dredged. Not doing so would provide an undisturbed refugia for pond biota which could then repopulate the disturbed areas of the pond basin. This would also help to retain some shallower water habitat.

9) Plant shrubs along the edge of the lagoon to provide a visual barrier to increase floristic diversity. Shrubs can also be being planted at other suitable places? There are no shrub species on the "designated" plant list, yet something such as the native dogwood would increase floral diversity, readily provide a viable natural barrier and add a floristic element to the park which is now dramatically missing.

10) Create a backwater area on the interior of the horseshoe-shaped lagoon. The project plan depicts a linear lagoon with an apparent depth of eight feet. With its steep sides, there will likely be minimal growth of any wetland vegetation or other features which would capture runoff sediments or nutrients. Creating a backwater on the interior of the lagoon could be easily accomplished by additional excavation. The water could get into the area via two suitable notches on the eastern side which would be hydrologically connected to the standard water pool. The elevation of the backwater could vary from a depth of 1-12 inches below the expected elevation of the water pool. This variable terrain would provide distinctive habitat for the lake environs by increasing texture and diversity of the park setting.

Apparently the lagoon is intended to help trap sediments and nutrients from stormwater runoff, but there are no constructs within the long and narrow construct. Shouldn't there be wetland vegetation or some other facet to help with improving water quality, before it reaches the lake waters?

Creating this shallow-water habitat would mitigate for the loss of similar habitat at the pond, reduce the disturbance factor in the lagoon as with the current proposed design, one person in the interior of the horseshoe could be noisy and cause disturbance to the entire lagoon area. Having a natural habitat would also remove the need for maintenance of the lawn monoculture typical for much of the park.

Area of Levi Carter Park where the lagoon will be constructed.

11) The engineering plan for the lagoon indicates there are about 20 trees of very sorts where this feature will be created. Many of these trees will be removed - though some could perhaps be moved - as a result of the project work. Each tree removed should be replaced with a new tree.

The following comments, apply to areas of the project, other than the associated figure.

What is the need for 21 breakwaters on the east shore of the lake. This seems excessive. These rock structures will create a visual "ugliness" to this section of the shoreline. Which raises the question of how visual aesthetics have been considered in the project plans?

Move the groin SP 63 a short distance southward and do not build SP 64. These two features are in close proximity and are redundant. They cater to the fishing crowd, yet increase the potential for disturbance to lake fowl.

This area around the lake island could be the place which could be rededicated as the Sandy Griswold Bird Sanctuary, as it is long past the time when this city of Omaha approved feature was first recognized. This would be an important measure in realizing the birdly value of the lake, rather than fisheries getting the sole attention, as has been the obvious situation thus far. Perhaps a community group could provide a suitable marker?

Further details are requested for the following questions, as suitable details could not be determined by reviewing the available bid documents available online.

How will the credentials of the "field representative" be evaluated to ensure they have the knowledge and skill needed to accurately determine the presence or absence of bird nests?

What species are included in "Seed Mix 'A'" which is to be planted on four acres of land.

Has the list of tree species been reviewed by a botanist to ensure that only species native to the region are being planted?

Land Management

Distinct from the lake project is the need for additional land management efforts at Levi Carter Park.

In particular, at the so-called "Meadow in the Making" area on the west side of the lake, across the street and southward from the care-takers house, numerous volunteer growth cedar trees are growing. If these unneeded trees are not removed, they will overwhelm the setting and create an unwanted vegetative condition which will be nothing like a meadow setting.

With proper tools, the trees could be cut and removed in a day's time. Perhaps the Carter Lake volunteer group could assist with this task?

Nearby, along the shore of the lake, is an area where the unwanted invasive species, phragmites is established. If this species is not eradicated, it will spread and become an unwanted blight.

With the numerous trees marked with a numeral for removal in the Levi Carter Park area, once these "old-growth" trees are removed, the park lands will be mostly lawn. There needs to be an immediate effort to plant new trees to replace those "relict" trees slated for removal.

The new trees would not replace the old trees so important to cavity nesting bird species such as the Wood Duck and woodpeckers, though at least the park - with some effort at tree replacement - would be more than a boring expanse of monoculture turf grass which has a trivial natural value.

Carter Lake is much more than an artificial construct. The current project needs to take this into account and include project options which is a small manner will give some consideration to the natural values of this important Missouri Valley habitat.

18 May 2011

Phantasmagoria of Warblers at Fontenelle Forest Environs

There was a wonderful phantasmagoria of warbler species about the woods and wetlands of Fontenelle Forest on May 14, 2011. They were singing among the arboreal splendor of the uplands, skulking about the floodplain and deep in the swamp of Hidden Lake, along the swollen Missouri River.

It took the efforts of several people to determine their actual extent.

A group of four birders noted 22 species, during the Sarpy County Spring Count, walking the south uplands and north floodplain for hours during the day. Then as the evening crept forth, two of this bunch traversed the flooded lands of the south wetland to search out the Prothonotary Warbler. It was the final species that was added to the day's tally.

The Hooded Warbler - observed by another member of the count crew, Cerulean Warbler and Blue-winged Warbler were also noted by other birders during the day.

Overall, there was a phenomenal 26 species of warblers noted for the day in the immediate vicinity.

This is probably the greatest number of warbler species seen on a single day in the history of Nebraska ornithology.

Warbler Splendor

The forest environs have always been a haven for a variety of warblers during spring migration.

The first known species of warbler seen in the recent historic period was a Black-and-white Warbler noted on 16 June 1895 at what was then called Childs Point. In 1896, the bird chronicles note the presence of a Blue-winged Warbler.

A species list from 1900, lists 18 species of warbler known for this locality.

The place's warblerian history continued henceforth from that era when observational ornithology was just really getting started. There are few records readily available to consider from that time. Starting in about 1977, the observations on record became more prevalent and regular, and are extremely useful in indicating the number of warblers noted on a particular date at Fontenelle Forest. These records indicate particular instances when a fine number of warblers were observed.

11 May 1918 - 17 species
8 May 1983 - 16 species
15 May 1983 - 16 species
10 May 2008 - 20
14 May 2008 - 20
16 May 2008 - 17
14 May 2009 - 16
8 May 2010 - 16
9 May 2011 - 15
13 May 2011 - 18
14 May 2011 - 26

It's readily obvious that mid-May is the time to be looking for warblers in the vicinity.

Based upon a composite evaluation of known warbler records for the Fontenelle Forest area, there have been 35 species noted for the seven day period around May 14, as shown in the following table. The values indicate the number of instances when a particular species was noted on a particular Julian date, which is used to standardize a date of occurrence in different years. This table is compiled from more than 5000 warbler records for the Childs Point - Gifford Point - Fontenelle Forest - region, extending back to the early years of the 1890s.

Common Name

131

132

133

134

135

136

137

Blue-winged Warbler

2

2

-

1

-

-

1

Golden-winged Warbler

5

1

4

3

2

-

1

Tennessee Warbler

19

12

11

18

12

6

6

Orange-crowned Warbler

14

7

7

7

5

4

3

Nashville Warbler

15

10

7

11

8

4

2

Northern Parula

11

8

6

10

7

4

3

Yellow Warbler

15

9

8

16

12

7

2

Chestnut-sided Warbler

5

4

7

6

5

3

2

Magnolia Warbler

3

4

2

2

3

-

3

Cape May Warbler

-

1

1

-

-

-

-

Black-throated Blue Warbler

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

Yellow-rumped Warbler

12

9

12

9

8

5

1

Black-throated Green Warbler

3

1

3

5

2

1

-

Blackburnian Warbler

2

-

2

6

3

2

1

Yellow-throated Warbler

7

5

7

4

4

1

1

Prairie Warbler

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

Palm Warbler

-

1

1

-

1

-

-

Bay-breasted Warbler

-

1

1

1

-

-

1

Blackpoll Warbler

8

12

10

15

10

4

4

Cerulean Warbler

4

3

5

6

4

4

1

Black-and-white Warbler

11

5

5

8

7

2

2

American Redstart

19

13

14

14

14

9

7

Prothonotary Warbler

11

6

9

6

9

4

3

Worm-eating Warbler

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

Ovenbird

18

9

9

9

9

5

4

Northern Waterthrush

10

7

9

10

7

5

1

Louisiana Waterthrush

4

4

3

3

2

2

1

Kentucky Warbler

2

1

2

5

1

-

-

Connecticut Warbler

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

Mourning Warbler

1

-

4

4

5

1

2

Common Yellowthroat

15

11

12

11

11

8

4

Hooded Warbler

-

-

-

1

-

1

-

Wilson's Warbler

4

9

3

7

6

2

1

Canada Warbler

1

1

-

-

-

1

-

Yellow-breasted Chat

-

-

-

-

1

-

1

Further particulars can be derived by looking closer at the record details.

The most commonly observed species have been the Yellow Warbler, American Redstart, Tennessee Warbler and Common Yellowthroat.

The species least noted have been:

Cape May Warbler: not observed nor reported since 1995
Black-throated Blue Warbler: not observed since 1983
Prairie Warbler: once only in 1996
Worm-eating Warbler: noted only in 2008
Connecticut Warbler: only observed during these particular days in 1993

A species which no longer occurs in this region is the vividly expressive Yellow-breasted Chat. It was last seen in 1978 during this time period as recorded for this locality using the records available for this analysis. In earlier years, it was regularly noted on a day's tally sheet by competent observers.

All-in-all the second Saturday of May was a fine day to be out in the wild listening and looking at warblers. It was an especially fine situation to walk along with two birdmen knowledgeable of the nuances of warbler song and having the finely-honed skills necessary for proper identification.

Many times, my sole role was recording what species was seen where as other watchers were looking whilst my task was recording. Being the first to denote the Black-and-white Warbler was certainly a significant highlight of the day.

The most difficult species was the Prothonotary Warbler, found during a day when nearly a dozen hours had already elapsed in the pursuit of bird species. Tough times followed this sighting, but looking backwards now, it was all grand.

To have been present during bird watching which recorded 23 species of warblers on a single day is certainly something to readily appreciate. And to have a natural setting conducive to such a wonderful bunch of birds was certainly the most significant aspect of the day.

17 May 2011

Birdly Plethora on County Spring Count

For the second year in a row, a Saturday in earlier May was spent looking for birds in eastern Sarpy County. This time, a group of bird enthusiasts gathered at the Gifford Road parking lot on the floodplain of Fontenelle Forest, ready to spend hours determining the species present.

Walking was underway by 7:30, with distinct groups setting forth to different sections. A group of three women would cover the north uplands, others went northward along the floodplain. My route with three compatriots were responsible for the south uplands.

Participants in the bird survey at Fontenelle Forest.

After a short jaunt, upward we went on bluffs along the Signal Ridge trail. It was a relatively cool morning in the 40s with brisk winds and overcast skies. Though it wasn't pleasant weather, it was about the birds. Out front were Mark Brogie, a renowned Nebraska birder from Knox County, Justin Rink - a prominent bird-watcher from Omaha, Ellen Brogie and myself at the back, being the self-appointed recorder of species and the number present.

Our hike continued on and onward. The guys up front listening attentively for bird songs, ticking off this species of warbler, that kind of thrush or some other particularity that would denote another sort of birdly occurrence. Early in the morning, they were asked to speak up in order for the scribe to readily hear what was seen, in order to add it to the days' tally.

Along the Signal Ridge trail, there were about 30 species observed. The birds were doing their spring thing, and there were always songs to hear, a bit of moving feathers to get a look at or other key indicators to allow an identification.

Mormon Hollow was traversed and then onward was History Trail. The consensus for the latter place was that its curves and switchbacks gave a dense of deva vu, as if we had already been at this place. Along the way were a few relicts of past times which must have been the source of the trail's moniker.

Along the way, warbler number 17 and 18 were brought to the group's attention by Ellen Brogie, when a Chestnut-sided Warbler and an Orange-crowned Warbler were noted in a tree.

Our group of four were up to eighteen warblers by 10:00 a.m. Onward we went, and despite having an area map there were a couple of brief walks in the wrong direction.

When we arrived back on the floodplain to return to the gathering point for the noon rendezvous, we ran into a group of a few herpetologists from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, looking about for reptiles or amphibians. They even had a state vehicle to get them to the place.

The volunteer birders had to rely on personally-owned vehicles for their transportation.

Once back at the Gifford Road parking lot, the bird watchers shared comments of the morning's sightings. Matt - and his impish son - had a photograph of the Hooded Warbler near the railroad tracks by the end of the Walking Club Trail. He'd also seen a Wilson's Warbler at the lower end of Mormon Hollow.

Birder Rink asked the visiting birder from Albuquerque about the Kentucky Warbler that was noted. Others were chatting about some particular sparrow, a thrush, woodpecker or some other sort of birdly trivia important for the day's effort.

Afternoon in Eastern Sarpy County

Most of the morning birders went elsewhere after the midday gathering. Our gang of four wanted to see the Hooded Warbler, so went northward to the same site where it had been observed just a few hours earlier. Along the way, more notes were taken on the species and numbers.

Thankfully enough blank pieces of paper had been brought along to allow for taking nearly continual notes.

Walk along. Stop. Listen and look was the irregular pattern. An occasional aside off the trail might have been taken to get a better look or listen.

When we went to look for the Hooded Warbler, it was not seen but other species were added to the tally. Significant sightings were made of the Wilson's Warbler and the Acadian Flycatcher.

We walked back to the Gifford Road parking lot in a brisk walk, nonetheless hearing the expressive Barred Owls and seeing a a Magnolia Warbler near the deer exclosure on the floodplain.

At 2:25 p.m., there had been 20 species of warblers observed.

Our group of four bird watchers got into two cars and went to the Fontenelle Forest Nature Center. The Cerulean Warbler was our target.

After passing Acorn Acres, while walking on the extensive boardwalk, around we went. The turn to Childs Hollow was missed, but along the way another warbler species was added to the day's tally. There was a Black-and-white Warbler on a tree over there. Once it was indicated to the other two guys, it was written on the tally paper for this particular section of the forest.

After this walk-about, we decided to go to the LaPlatte Bottoms to see what other interesting species might be seen. The Brogies had never been to this place, so were followers in getting to the site.

Evening on the Missouri River Floodplain

After the exciting observation of the Eurasian Wigeon and other species at the LaPlatte Bottoms, only two of us returned to the floodplain. There were few notes available for the Great Marsh.

As we walked southward from Gifford Road, the first especially notable sighting was a Mourning Warbler, noted because of a personal hesitation and wonderment about a particular bird song. The warbler flew up from a tree just a short distance away. At the marsh blind, most prominent were the swallows.

We then continued onward. Without words, we were soon looking for the alternative trail to Hidden Lake. The normal trail was underwater due to high flows along the Missouri River.

We found the unmarked trail and eventually were at our destination. The species of particular focus was the Prothonotary Warbler.

There were several Yellow Warblers to falsely attract our attention, but eventually, across the waters was heard the song of the Prothonotary. There was also a fine bunch of Wood Ducks.

We walked much of the north side of the lake, thinking that we'd be able to find a route to higher ground towards its west end. The closer we got, the more we realized the water level was too high. Finally reality made its mark, and it was obvious we'd have to repeat our path to get back to where we'd started.

It was late evening, there was no interest in walking through dark woods. Each step was a trepidation of condition after having already walked so many miles this weekend day. But there was no choice.

On the wayback, a Great Egret was, however, a new addition to the day's tally.

Once we reached an long-abandoned fence, with its post and dangling barbed wire, it was apparent we'd gone too far east. Our route turned north, and we reached a grassy glade, then turned west and eventually reached the road along the edge of the Gifford Point WMA.

While getting along, a Great Horned Owl was heard on the north side of the Great Marsh. It was the last species noted for the day.

We'd started before 7:30 a.m. and it was near 8 p.m. at this particular time on International Migratory Bird Day in eastern Nebraska.

Whew. My left knee still has tinges of pain from the many steps walked on last Saturday.

Species Diversity

During the day, notes were continually kept on the species seen at particular notable locations. Rather than having a simple overall list, the intent was to get an indication of what species occurred where, and how many were present.

The following list is a summary of those notations. All but three species were individually observed. A special thanks to three other birders for their pictorial record, personal communication or electronic message which helped in documenting the entire number of species present in the Fontenelle Forest and Gifford Point environs on this wonderful May day with imperfect weather.

Species are indicated according to prominent, recognized locations with the area surveyed. This detail indicates the extent of each species, and provides a more accurate indication of their occurrence, in comparison to a simple list of everything being designated to one locality and with no count. The specificity also provides a better historic record to indicate occurrence for future evaluation.

The value shown indicates the number counter. A zero value indicates a species presence, though no count was available. These are also records of other valuable participants in the count.

Common Name

Gifford Point WMA

Gifford Farm

Hidden Lake, Gifford Point

Great Marsh at Fontenelle Forest

Fontenelle Forest Floodplain

History Trail, Fontenelle Forest

Camp Wakonda

Mormon Hollow, Fontenelle Forest

Signal Ridge, Fontenelle Forest

North Uplands, Fontenelle Forest

Canada Goose

-

4

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Wood Duck

-

-

10

-

2

-

-

-

-

-

Blue-winged Teal

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

Wild Turkey

-

-

2

-

1

2

-

-

-

7

Great Blue Heron

-

-

1

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

Great Egret

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Turkey Vulture

5

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

Cooper's Hawk

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

Broad-winged Hawk

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

2

Red-tailed Hawk

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

Sora

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

Killdeer

-

2

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Spotted Sandpiper

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Rock Pigeon

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

Mourning Dove

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

Yellow-billed Cuckoo

-

-

-

-

0

-

-

-

-

-

Great Horned Owl

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

Barred Owl

-

-

1

-

3

-

-

-

-

-

Chimney Swift

-

11

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

2

Belted Kingfisher

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

Red-headed Woodpecker

-

-

-

1

1

1

-

1

1

2

Red-bellied Woodpecker

-

-

1

-

2

2

1

2

1

1

Downy Woodpecker

1

-

1

-

0

1

-

-

1

1

Hairy Woodpecker

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

2

Northern Flicker

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

1

Pileated Woodpecker

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

Olive-sided Flycatcher

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

Eastern Wood-Pewee

-

-

-

1

2

3

-

2

1

1

Acadian Flycatcher

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

Least Flycatcher

-

-

6

4

5

2

-

-

1

3

Eastern Phoebe

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

1

Great Crested Flycatcher

1

-

6

3

3

3

1

4

4

4

Western Kingbird

-

3

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Eastern Kingbird

-

4

1

8

-

-

-

-

-

-

Bell's Vireo

-

-

-

-

0

-

-

-

-

-

Yellow-throated Vireo

-

-

-

-

1

1

-

-

-

2

Blue-headed Vireo

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

Warbling Vireo

1

-

1

4

5

3

-

-

3

3

Red-eyed Vireo

-

-

-

-

-

7

-

2

7

8

Blue Jay

-

-

1

-

1

3

-

1

1

-

American Crow

-

-

-

-

0

-

-

-

-

-

Tree Swallow

-

2

-

40

-

-

-

-

-

-

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

-

-

2

5

-

-

-

-

-

-

Cliff Swallow

-

-

-

10

-

-

-

-

-

-

Barn Swallow

-

3

-

60

-

-

-

-

-

-

Black-capped Chickadee

-

-

3

1

5

4

1

2

3

3

Tufted Titmouse

-

-

1

-

-

1

-

-

2

-

White-breasted Nuthatch

-

-

-

1

3

3

-

1

1

5

Carolina Wren

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

House Wren

1

-

7

4

17

3

1

3

4

5

Sedge Wren

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

-

-

-

-

2

2

-

-

-

-

Eastern Bluebird

-

-

-

1

-

1

-

-

1

2

Veery

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

Gray-cheeked Thrush

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

Swainson's Thrush

-

-

6

2

14

4

-

8

10

8

Wood Thrush

-

-

2

-

1

-

-

1

2

2

American Robin

-

-

-

-

3

-

2

1

-

1

Gray Catbird

1

-

4

3

15

-

-

-

-

2

Brown Thrasher

-

-

-

-

0

-

-

-

-

-

European Starling

-

25

-

-

2

-

-

-

-

-

American Pipit

-

6

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Blue-winged Warbler

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

Golden-winged Warbler

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

1

Tennessee Warbler

2

-

2

-

11

6

-

3

9

35

Orange-crowned Warbler

-

-

-

-

1

2

-

-

-

-

Nashville Warbler

-

-

-

-

1

1

-

1

2

-

Northern Parula

-

-

-

-

2

-

-

1

-

1

Yellow Warbler

1

-

6

3

7

3

-

1

2

3

Chestnut-sided Warbler

-

-

-

-

1

2

-

-

-

-

Magnolia Warbler

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

Yellow-rumped Warbler

-

-

1

-

-

2

-

-

3

-

Black-throated Green Warbler

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

2

-

1

Blackburnian Warbler

-

-

-

-

1

2

-

1

-

-

Yellow-throated Warbler

-

-

-

-

2

-

-

-

-

-

Blackpoll Warbler

-

-

1

-

3

2

-

1

3

1

Cerulean Warbler

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

Black-and-white Warbler

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

American Redstart

-

-

7

-

9

2

-

2

-

12

Prothonotary Warbler

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Ovenbird

1

-

1

-

1

-

-

1

-

2

Northern Waterthrush

-

-

1

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

Louisiana Waterthrush

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

Kentucky Warbler

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

1

1

Mourning Warbler

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

Common Yellowthroat

-

-

-

3

4

-

-

-

-

1

Hooded Warbler

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

Wilson's Warbler

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

2

-

2

Summer Tanager

-

-

-

-

-

3

-

2

-

2

Scarlet Tanager

-

-

-

-

-

2

-

1

2

2

Eastern Towhee

1

-

1

-

3

-

-

-

-

2

Chipping Sparrow

-

-

-

1

2

1

-

-

-

-

Clay-colored Sparrow

-

2

-

2

-

-

-

-

-

1

Field Sparrow

-

-

-

-

0

-

-

-

-

-

Song Sparrow

-

-

-

-

0

-

-

-

-

-

Lincoln's Sparrow

-

-

-

1

1

-

-

-

-

-

White-throated Sparrow

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

White-crowned Sparrow

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

Northern Cardinal

-

-

-

1

2

1

-

1

-

2

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

1

-

-

3

7

1

-

2

-

5

Indigo Bunting

-

-

-

-

7

8

-

1

3

13

Dickcissel

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

Red-winged Blackbird

-

-

-

10

1

-

-

-

-

-

Brown-headed Cowbird

-

14

-

3

3

2

1

1

1

3

Orchard Oriole

-

2

-

1

1

2

-

-

1

3

Baltimore Oriole

1

-

4

4

9

7

-

1

1

2

American Goldfinch

-

-

2

-

2

1

2

-

3

4

House Sparrow

-

-

-

-

2

-

-

-

-

-

It was a grand day of birding significant in our documenting 110 different species at one broad locality. Warblers were the obvious species of interest.

There were no ticks to contend with, which was greatly appreciated.

There were 91 species noted for this same locality during the spring count in 2010.

There were reportedly 174 species observed in the county during the day, by many observers.