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31 January 2019

Cedar Waxwings and Robins Show up in Valentine Rather Hungry

January 30, 2019. Cedar waxwings and robins show up in Valentine rather hungry. Valentine Midland News 47(30): 12.

Some most colorful, fine wildbirds have continued their residence about Valentine during the past weeks. Somewhat smaller and less robust than a robin, they have a plumage quite distinct plumage and a distinctive voice. These bits of avian life are cedar waxwings garbed with vivid feather colors including a black-eye mask suitable for any mystery ball and a yellowish belly as fine as any fancy vest. Their plumage expression includes a bright yellow color tip their tail which is so indicatively fine. Though no hats are required anywhere in the natural realm, their crown feathers lift for some time when they indicate a natural expression.

Varying numbers can be seen within Valentine or local natural lands. The groups trill can be very obvious as expressed from some tree where they are busily feeding on buds or by flocks in flight as a bunch flies just above the arboreal realm. And yes, they do appreciate cedar berries. Numbers have varied from 3 to nearly 20 based upon count details. A bunch of about two dozen was seen on January 28, at the North Lake Shore Hills.

Another significant occurrence of past weeks has been a few rusty blackbirds with mottled winter-time plumage expressively different from the well-known red-winged blackbirds of the summer season. Four arrived in late November and two have continued to linger. They are regularly appreciative of the bird seed buffet. This tenure is the longest extent of regular occurrence for the northern-central Sand Hills. They have been seen on one day or another in the past, including an initial report for October 31, 1919 at the Fort Niobrara Game Preserve. It was more than 75 years later until the next observation became available in the ornithological chronicles.

An exciting observation happened on January 25th when a Northern Mockingbird was well seen at the confluence of Minnechaduza Creek and the Niobrara River. Gordon Warrick was able to get a picture to document its occurrence during his hike-around. This is a first known winter sighting in this vicinity, based upon an evaluation of details dating back more than a century. Usually they visit the valley in later spring, like in mid-May and linger through July! This was a great sighting and to have a report and picture is significant. Obviously they weren’t here for any balmy weather because typical winter range is a bunch of miles beyond Nebraska towards the southerly extent of the Great Plains in Kansas or Oklahoma.

While outdoor these days, there is nearly always a sound of wild birds to hear. There may a moment or two to look into a shrub at a busy bird or upon the birdly expressions beneath the vivid blues, grays and white of the sky. Listen for the call of black-capped chickadees with their chick-a-dee-dee expression, they also have a two note expression that is their means of saying hello from woods where nuthatches also call while jumping around on the bark of so many trees.

Many thousands of American robins have very recently been flighty across the north hills. While estimating numbers associated with multiple flocks, three morning tallies were approximately 1500, which is a whole lot of bird life going into town or elsewhere to feed on tree buds or cedar berries or something at one or another suitable robin space. Because of the repeated occurrence, the flocks had to have returned to an overnight roost amidst the pines and cedars of the Cherry county country land.

Don’t miss the regular winter residents. Trumpeter swans linger on the river, with other fine species of waterfowl. There are the antics of the mergansers. Hundreds of Canada geese traverse the sky daily in loose skeins while being an indicative song of the wild. Any flock might include a diminutive cackling goose with their individual voice.

A fine extent of Eurasian collared doves seen daily act similar to bobble-heads – pecking up and down in a regular motion - as they feed on ground-spread seed. Dark-eyed juncos skitter about nearby as a bunch of them appreciate a place where they do not have to scratch through snow to feed on ample bird seed.

These wildbirds are among the typical 30 species that have occurred in recent years during January at Valentine were there are havens present as snow, cold, wind and dreary gray skies prevail along with the other ever-changing expressions of winter-time.

Our feathered friend always appreciate something to eat, especially when snow covers the ground and single-digit temperatures predominate.

Bird watching is a great pastime that anyone can freely enjoy. What might be your appreciative sighting today?



26 January 2019

Wind Turbine Regulations Approved by Planning and Zoning Board at Valentine Meeting

January 24, 2019. Wind turbine regulations approved by Planning and Zoning Board at Valentine meeting. Grant County News 134(26): 1, 4, 7.

Requests to ban industrial wind turbines in Cherry County and to reclassify massive wind turbine structure as industrial from their current commercial/utility classification in applicable regulations were approved by the members of the Planning and Zoning board at their meeting on January 15th at Valentine.

A public comment period allowed further details to be given for the requests by Messrs. Wayne Eatinger and William Weller.

Eatinger was the first to speak while presenting a map graphic that showed the potential impact that wind turbine developments could have upon the Cherry County landscape. Circles with a diameter of 24 miles were centered on land spaces where turbine developments might occur because the land owners are associated with legally filed easements. The vast majority of the county was within one circle or another. Especially indicative were the four circles originating on the periphery of the McKelvie Division, Nebraska National Forest. There would be one place or another within this grassland and forest plantings expanse – with some of the best dark skies of the central Great Plains – where 600 foot-tall wind turbines could always be seen from a prominent vantage.

The 12-mile radius represented by the map was a conservative estimation. This distance is now known to be inadequate. A tall wind turbine 15 miles away can be readily seen from the right point of view. One turbine west of Valentine can be seen from near Kilgore, a distance of 24 miles, according to west Kilgore resident Carolyn Semin.

There are apparently plans to revise this map to indicate a distance of 15 miles.

The next map graphic was personally presented. It had a title of “Map Graphic Indicating Property Owner Perspectives Regarding Placement of Industrial Wind Turbines Within Cherry County” based upon individual considerations a vast amount of land parcels.

This evaluation indicated what is known for vast swaths of the county. Thanks to Brock Moreland and Rick Weber for their help in getting the map steadily placed on an easel so the P&Z board could get a suitable view.

These are the indicative color-codes on the map graphic, and they are indicative, as derived from known facts:

  • Red: property owners opposed to industrial wind turbines. Derived from comments at public hearings, public records and most recently, direct personal communications (i.e., phone calls and conversations) as a result of ongoing efforts by many concerned residents that want a range and ranch land setting. Red is the most prominent color on the map graphic, readily indicating the expansive opposition by ranch families, individuals, ranch corporations, and others to industrial wind turbines. Many neighbors stand together in their solidarity of opposition to industrial wind turbine development in Cherry County country. Nearly every proposed wind turbine locality is surrounded by red because the neighbors do not want any turbines among the hills.

    A multitude of parcels for owners of some of the largest tracts of land in the county are included in this category.
    Green: public property including Valentine NWR and Fort Niobrara NWR, Niobrara Valley Preserve owned by The Nature Conservancy, wildlife management areas owned by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Nebraska National Forest - McKelvie Division, Niobrara National Scenic River, Bowring Ranch State Historical Park. There are also sites where conservation easements conserve the range land setting (i.e., Vanderploeg place along the Niobrara River south of Valentine, Horse Creek Ranch, and Jumbo and Pullman Valley Fen, etc.). There are also a few USA owned tracts where turbines could not be placed on these small, publicly owned and isolated land parcels. Some of these parcels are managed as part of Valentine NWR.

  • Yellow: spaces where turbines could or would not be placed based upon location or public sentiment. There will be no industrial wind turbine facilities placed within Valentine, nor amidst any housing tracts or local to Miller Airport. There will be no industrial wind turbines placed within county villages. There are also land tracts where a land-owner has not indicated whether they are for or against wind turbines but will not have wind turbines on their property. This coloration also includes a few sections owned by the State of Nebraska, without a BELF ownership designation, and where the citizens of Nebraska need to be able to voice their opinion on any and all drastic land management decisions.
  • Brown: enrolled members of Cherry County Wind LLC or people that have expressed support for wind turbines being placed upon their property. The extent of land enrolled by “forwindees” is readily available in Cherry county public records.
  • Black: isolated parcels where the Board of Educational Lands and Funds colluded with Cherry County Wind LLC to enroll publicly-owned parcels for involvement in potential wind-turbine development. There was no public involvement in any decision by the agency board. There had to have been some collusion as the parcels indicated by county records of agreement match so well with associated private property included for potential, future industrial wind turbine development.

  • Purple: land owned by R.E. “Ted” Turner and former state senator Al Davis. Both have been involved in efforts to promote wind turbines but have not indicated whether they would allow turbines on their property. Turner has replied to inquiries on whether industrial wind turbines would be placed on any of the Sandhills Ranch Properties in Cherry, Sheridan and Garden counties. There has been no definitive answer provided.
  • Blue: wetlands including so many special lakes, including at Valentine NWR where millions of dollars are being spent to improve the quality of the waters for subsequent values for people fishing and bird-watching. There are also prominent sections of rivers where industrial wind turbines will never be built.
  • White: representing property owners that are neutral in regards to the placement of industrial wind turbines or land-owners whose view is not yet known. There are multiple blank parcels included in this category because they are owned by members of the planning board as well as a county commissioner or two.

Efforts will continue to determine landowner positions and further convey perspectives on the map graphic until the day when the commissioners have their required public hearing.

During the meeting, several people vividly expressed their views. Others were present to convey their support for the two amendments.

There is “overwhelming support for not having wind turbines in Cherry County,” said Craig Andresen of Wood Lake.

Mr. Rick Weber indicated that the people he deals with in his real estate business want to come to the sandhills because of the great grass resources and since it is such a unique place. The “wind turbine gold rush is over,” he said.

When William “Billy” Weller stood and spoke in support of his amendment request, his poignant point was that current residents are “stewards of our heirs.” His request is another piece of the puzzle that fits together in the discussion regarding wind turbines, and received great support.

From the Brownlee village country, there came additional voices.

“There is a lot of wisdom in both amendments,” said Craig Miles, while he came to town from his legacy ranch way to the south of the Heart City. He has spoken to again and again and once more in opposition to wind turbines. On the 15th he expressed the importance of dialog and the value of listening.

Barb Welch of the Brush Creek Ranch with its north unit west of Brownlee added other indicative comments. “There is a time and place for everything,” she said. “Stop and think of what you are doing,” she said while continuing to speak to the Planning and Zoning Board. There are important places where there should not be industrial wind turbines. She conveyed once again the views from a woman against wind, that no one wants wind turbines to be seen from Mount Rushmore and other important national monuments citizens know to be are important. “Don’t put turbines in a place we treasure,” while she spoke about the Great American Sandhills.

Gary and Glenda Phipps residing in the north Whitman country also drove a bunch of miles to be present. Wind turbines are a “little bit of money for some people,” he said.

When Bob Stetter stood to speak, there was complete silence in respect as there had been throughout the public comment period. Bob got his notes together and then expressed a local radio station comment spoken on the local radio station: “welcome to paradise.” “Keep the sandhills a paradise,” Stetter said in agreement, adding other expressions indicating that industrial wind turbines should be kept out of the Sand Hills.

A complete slate of P&Z board members was not present on the 15th. At least newly appointed member Duane Kime was there. The newly appointed woman from the Cody was not seen anywhere near the Valentine meeting room. She was appointed and could not even attend the first meeting of her tenure.

About 50 people attended the meeting and when the crowd was asked to stand if they supported the two amendments, everyone stood. This included stalwarts that have once and again stood with their neighbors in opposing wind, including personal time, travelling to pertinent meetings, doing research and otherwise being involved in the process for the past few years. They included these neighbors, as representative: Semin, Weber, Moreland, Welch, MacLeod, Trimble, Witt, Young, Wolfenden, McCormick, Rhoades, Mundorf, Gallinol, Warren and Hanna, et al.

Both amendments will henceforth by submitted to the county commissioners. A public hearing will then be scheduled. The three commissioners will then decide on whether these amendments would be enacted, and thus the fate of Cherry County in regards to industrial wind turbines.

23 January 2019

Request Filed to Classify Wind Turbines as an Industrial Feature in Cherry County

William Weller. July 19, 2018. Request filed to classify wind turbines as an industrial feature in Cherry County. Document filed at county zoning office.

A request to amend the Cherry County, Nebraska, zoning regulations was filed July 19, 2018 to revise the designation associated with wind turbines. The request was to change the regulations so wind turbines are an industrial feature, rather than the currently classification as “commercial/utility”. An additional request was to have industrial wind turbines specifically indicated as an industrial use as referenced by section 303 of the county regulations.

The request was filed by Cherry County landowner William R. Weller – whose property adjoins many parcels owned by a land-owner who has signed an agreement to allow wind turbine placement on their property. Mr. Weller also paid the $50 filing fee early in the morning on July 19 at the county offices. A two-page attachment was included in the filing, indicating where changes in the regulatory text were being requested, mostly associated with section 613 of the zoning regulations.

When the wassubmitted to the county zoning administrator, a request was made that the item be placed on the agenda for the August 7th Planning and Zoning Board meeting to indicate a specific date and time for a public hearing and an active public consideration of this proposal.

This is the request filed with the zoning administrator by Mr. Weller.

Request for Revisions to the Cherry County Zoning Regulations

July 19, 2018; changes are indicated by bold text. This online document has been slightly changed for formatting purposes, but there were no substantive changes in content.

303.42 INDUSTRIAL USE: Of, relating to, concerning, or arising from the assembling, fabrication, finishing, manufacturing, packaging, or processing of goods, or mineral extraction.

Revise to:

303.42 INDUSTRIAL USE: Of, relating to, concerning, or arising from the assembling, fabrication, finishing, manufacturing, packaging, or processing of goods, mineral extraction or any WECS with a wind turbine(s) height above ground exceeding 100 feet.

SECTION 613 WIND ENERGY CONVERSION FACILITIES

613.03 Commercial/Utility Grade Wind Energy Systems

Revise to: 613.03 Industrial Grade Wind Energy Systems

Purpose: It is the purpose of this regulation to promote the safe, effective and efficient use of commercial/utility grade wind energy systems within Cherry County.

Revise to:

It is the purpose of this regulation to promote the safe, effective and efficient use of industrial grade wind energy systems within Cherry County.

Definitions

2. Commercial/Utility WECS shall mean a wind energy conversion system of equal to or greater than 100 kilowatts in total name plate generating capacity.

Revise to:

2. Industrial WECS shall mean a wind energy conversion system of equal to or greater than 100 kilowatts in total name plate generating capacity.

Requirements

Commercial/Utility Grade wind energy systems shall be permitted as a Conditional Use within any district where...

Revise to:

Industrial Grade wind energy systems shall be permitted as a Conditional Use within any district where...

Table on Setbacks; column title

WE-CS Wind Turbine Commercial/Utility WECS

Revise to: Wind Turbine Industrial WECS

Special Safety and Design Standards

All towers shall adhere to the following safety and design standards:

Section 1. The Commercial/Utility WECS owner(s) and/or operator(s) shall conduct an analysis on potential shadow flicker at any occupied...

Revise to:

The industrial WECS owner(s) and/or operator(s) shall conduct an analysis on potential shadow flicker at any occupied...

Section 3. All Commercial/Utility WECS shall have a sign or signs posted on the tower, transformer and substation

Revise to:

3. All industrial WECS shall have a sign or signs posted on the tower, transformer and substation...

4. All wind turbines, which are a part of a commercial/utility WECS, shall be installed with a tubular, monopole type tower.

Revise to:

All wind turbines, which are a part of an industrial WECS, shall be installed with a tubular, monopole type tower.

6. Color and finish:

All wind turbines and towers that are part of a commercial/utility WECS shall be white, grey, or another non-obtrusive color. Blade finishes shall be matte or non-reflective.

Revise to:

6. Color and finish:

All wind turbines and towers that are part of an industrial WECS shall be white, grey, or another non-obtrusive color. Blade finishes shall be matte or non-reflective.

12. ... each Commercial/Utility WECS shall have a Decommissioning plan...

Revise to: 12. ... each industrial WECS shall have a Decommissioning plan...

13. Noise:

No Commercial/Utility WECS shall exceed 50 dBA at the nearest structure occupied by humans.

Exception: a Commercial/Utility WECS may exceed 50 dBA during periods of severe weather as defined by the US Weather Service.

Revise to:

No industrial WECS shall exceed 50 dBA at the nearest structure occupied by humans.

Exception: an industrial WECS may exceed 50 dBA during periods of severe weather as defined by the US Weather Service.

Potential Impacts to Whooping Cranes by R-Project Powerline

Potential impacts to Whooping Crane due to the r-project have not been adequately considered by the Nebraska Public Power District, according to a recent report. Much of the report is an evaluation of a previous report regarding the endangered cranes prepared by K. Gil and E. Weir.

Once these reports became available, there have been numerous requests by people concerned with construction of the r-project, a Nebraska state legislator and others that the utility provide an adequate assessment before the transmission line could be constructed.

Primary in the report was a finding that the Fish and Wildlife Service environmental review did not consider radio telemetry records of Whooping Crane occurrence collected during 2010-2014. Including these records provide a more “comprehensive and accurate representation of whooping crane occurrences in the R-Project area,” according to Craig A. Davis, the author of the report.

Other indicated items of concern included:

“NPPD did not validate” the collision risk assessment in their crane risk model.
NPPD’s mathematical equations “oversimplifies the potential risk that the r-project poses to migrating whooping cranes.”
NPPD underestimated “the risk of whooping crane collision with high voltage transmission lines” by utilizing data for powerlines in areas where cranes would not occur.
NPPD underestimated the extent of potential crane habitat that would potentially be impacted by the transmission line.
NPPD did not consider wetlands of less than 0.25 acres as potential stopover habitat.
Crane avoidance protocol during construction were not clearly defined.
“NPPD used a rather simplistic collision model to estimate the potential risk of powerlines to whooping cranes.” This model could not be validated, Davis indicated in his subsequent, detailed discussion.

Other items discussed in the report include projected population growth, an ecosystem risk model, and a review of whooping crane telemetry occurrence data.

“It is clear after reviewing NPPD’s, Gil and Weir’s, and the USFWS’s approaches that there is considerable uncertainty in how whooping cranes will be impacted by the R-Project,” Davis said. He also suggested that occurrence records “should be investigated further to determine the types of habitat whooping cranes are using within the R-Project area...”

Craig A. Davis. 2018. Review of Whooping Crane Risk Assessment Documents for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement on Issuance of an Incidental Take Permit and Implementation of a Habitat Conservation Plan for the R-Project Transmission Line. Lewis Berger U.S., Inc. Morristown, NJ. 23 pp.

Gil, K. and E. Weir. 2017. Scientific Analysis and Comments Regarding the R-Project Draft Habitat Conservation Plan and Potential Impacts to Endangered Whooping Crane: Analysis of Whooping Crane Powerline Collision Risk. Ecosystem Advisors, LP, College Station, TX. 39 pp.

02 January 2019

Wildbirds in the Vicinity of Valentine During November-December 2018

The last two months of 2018 brought the typical variety of wildbirds at Valentine in north-central Nebraska. Weather was highly variable with many periods of snow-covered ground.

These are some details associated with notable observations:
¶ Canada Goose: the greatest number ever seen in the vicinity was associated with the flight of many flocks on December 20th. There was ample open water water with roost habitat at the Valentine Mill Pond, with others birds going easterly or southeasterly to other nearby roost sites, including Potters Pond along the county road to Berry Bridge and others most likely to the Niobrara River roost site near Borman Bridge WMA, after they have returned from foraging grounds to the north. This species will be prominent in area skies through the first weeks of 2019.
¶ Cackling Goose: only a very few seen despite checking flocks numerous times for this more diminutive sized goose which can also be readily identified by its notably different call.
¶ Trumpeter Swan: the single bird and then two swans eventually left for some place more suitable.
¶ Wood Duck: notably reduced in numbers this year.
¶ Gadwall and Mallard: prefer the marshy area at the western extent of the mill pond where there are cattails and shallow waters which mean it is a wetland. The Mallard also like to forage along Minnechaduza Creek below the dam.
¶ The families flock of Wild Turkey were regular daily visitors until the end of December. The group included a female with five young and another female with a single youngster. They certainly had it figured out how to seeds to eat, especially the blackbird seeds. They arrive soon after sunrise, eat their fill and then go wander around nearby. Once they recognized the squeaky door associated with more of the seed mix have been provided, they would return again. Then they would wander around the nearby hills and then return late in the afternoon and eat more of what had been spread for the smaller birds. This was the hierarchy: deer would use a leg to get rid of any turkey ... turkeys would chase away the Eurasian collared dove if they were around ... then the juncos and finchs would get along. The juncos can almost be compared to feathered mice and they sccury around eating.
¶ Rock Dove: pigeons most typically occur at the Valentine Livestock Market and westward from there to near the intersection of Highway 83 and Highway 20.
¶ Eurasian Collared Dove: many arrived late in the season and were sometimes very common as they gathered without interspecies strife and ate in their manner. There was more than one grand bird day when the pioneer doves flew and landed where the seeds where, and then other mates then did the same. Perhaps these birds left the city environs because of the bird roost disrupters placed prominently at electrical power substations. They are not pigeons despite what a city electrical worker may convey.
¶ Great Horned Owl: a regularly enjoyed visitor as heard on several nights.
¶ Woodpeckers: three species regularly seen while the Red-bellied Woodpecker is less regular in its occurrence.
¶ American Crow: a few spend the winter here. Three of them actually visited the bird seed source on a couple of days to determine what the many other birds were eating. They then went back to their norm of foraging.
¶ Cedar Waxwing: permanent residents that apparently roam around a lot for find suitable food.
¶ Brown Creeper: more prevalent than expected since there are a very few Valentine residents obvious enough to realize that a so subtle sound heard where there are tree, is its winter song as it feeds on tree bark.
¶ Common Starling: usually limited to interurban spaces, especially the livestock market, though they do occasionally get together amidst the tree-scape north of the mill pond.
¶ American Robin: ubiquitous in their appreciation of tree seeds.
¶ House Sparrow: this small bird of birddom usually resides amidst nooks and crannies in Valentine, but when cold weather arrives, hey gather at spots where shrubby vegetation provides cover where they can elude avian predators.
¶ Red-winged Blackbird: a few lingered late in the season, probably because they could find something to eat at the seed buffet.
¶ Rusty Blackbird: based upon a review of multiple records for Cherry County, this late November and through December is a very distinctive set of occurrence records. The numbers are indicative. A small group were the first arrivals at the seed buffet and in the horse pen outside my north window. Their arrival was a great surprise, because this species has been reported so rarely. My gaze became fixed on this sort of bird, and my effort of looking was a success. The birds survived into December, and a hearty bunch spent Christmas at my place, then the bunch of four continued to linger until the last day of the year. Didn't have any turkey side dressing for them but they were seen vibrantly feeding on seeds provided in various mixes readily available at local businesses.
¶ Harris's Sparrow: one of the most beautiful visitors during the two months considered, especially during November.
¶ Dark-eyed Junco: daily bird friends about the shack, at the seed and elsewhere including the park and feeders within Valentine. They can get along well until one gets to close to another one and with a flutter of wings the interloper is urged to move a short distance away. With snow on the last day of the year, the seed was getting covered so an alternative was needed to make seed readily available. The steps to the porch were swept and ample seed was provided there to make it easier to reach. This mites can be especially frenetic on days when ongoing snows continue to obscure edible food.
¶ Northern Cardinal: a permanent resident but not always obvious with its color and vivacious expression known to be at the top of some peoples list of one particular bird or two to see and enjoy, once and again along the drive and the north side of town. A visiting male on the last day of the year was vibrant against the white of the landscape as it enjoyed seed provided so it could get something ample to eat.

This is the overall tally of the 42 species seen at regularly visited locales associated with the Heart City during the two months.

Proper Name     Julian Date: 308 310 314 319 327 330 339 345 350 354 364
Canada Goose 55 185 445 550 250 81 185 395 650 4500 200
Cackling Goose - - - - - - - - - - - - 2 - - - - - - - -
Trumpeter Swan 2 - - 2 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Wood Duck - - - - - - - - 1 - - - - - - - - - - - -
Gadwall 20 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Mallard - - - - 40 2 - - - - 4 4 6 1 - -
Hooded Merganser - - - - 2 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Wild Turkey 8 8 8 11 8 8 8 8 8 8 - -
Sharp-shinned Hawk - - - - - - - - - - - - 1 - - - - - - - -
Bald Eagle - - 1 - - - - - - 1 - - 1 - - 1 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2 1 1 1 1 - - - - 1 - - - - - -
Rock Dove - - 8 - - 6 30 - - - - 2 - - 35 - -
Eurasian Collared Dove 10 6 5 11 21 6 4 8 7 32 16
Great Horned Owl 1 - - 2 1 - - - - 2 2 2 2 - -
Belted Kingfisher - - 1 1 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Red-bellied Woodpecker - - - - 1 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1
Downy Woodpecker 1 - - 1 1 - - 1 1 1 - - 1 - -
Hairy Woodpecker - - - - 1 1 - - 2 1 1 - - 1 - -
Northern Flicker - - 1 3 3 - - - - 1 2 - - - - 2
Merlin - - - - 1 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Blue Jay 4 - - 4 3 2 1 2 2 - - - - 2
American Crow 1 3 7 2 1 3 2 - - 5 - - 5
Cedar Waxwing - - 4 9 - - 3 30 1 - - - - 30 - -
Black-capped Chickadee 2 - - 4 2 3 2 2 2 4 2 3
Golden-crowned Kinglet - - - - 2 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Red-breasted Nuthatch 2 - - 2 1 2 - - - - 1 1 - - 2
White-breasted Nuthatch 2 1 3 2 1 2 2 1 1 1 2
Brown Creeper - - - - - - - - - - 2 - - - - 1 - - - -
Common Starling 2 7 - - 18 23 - - - - - - 35 7 - -
Eastern Bluebird - - 16 16 7 7 - - - - 2 - - 5 - -
Townsend's Solitaire 1 - - 1 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
American Robin 65 35 18 10 65 175 25 5 20 35 225
House Sparrow - - 10 20 10 20 15 30 25 39 - - 25
House Finch 4 6 3 4 65 65 12 3 8 28 8
American Goldfinch 2 - - - - - - 2 - - - - - - - - 2 - -
Red-winged Blackbird 4 11 - - - - 3 12 3 4 - - - - - -
Rusty Blackbird - - - - - - - - 8 9 7 - - - - 2 4
Common Grackle 3 2 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Harris's Sparrow 2 3 3 2 2 2 1 - - - - - - - -
Dark-eyed Junco 25 15 14 12 30 32 15 30 12 25 34
American Tree Sparrow 2 3 4 2 3 3 2 2 - - - - 2
Northern Cardinal - - 1 2 - - 2 1 1 1 - - - - 1

The 42 species seen during November-December 2018 (273 records) compares to 35 in 2015 (172 records); 41 in 2016 (292 records); and, 37 in 2017 (176 records).

There are a few bird feeders along Lake Shore Drive so the area wildbirds certainly have some food to eat as they strive to survive snow covering the spaces where they forage, very cold temperatures and other threats to their survival. If a few birds are present when more seed is spread, within a minute or two they are right back and once again busily feed. Seeds for the birds are especially important on snowy days and what follows when the landscape is covered by inches of white. These birds have to survive as they will establish the next generation of our featured friends. Without wildbirds we would live in a boring place, since often it is the color, life and a sudden view of something never seen before that can often create a special day to share. It only requires some attention and a helpful pair of binoculars or a spotting scope.

Twelve Days of a Valentine Christmas

To use the norms of a great song of the season this is a personal expression for the twelve days before the special Christmas holiday. Perhaps these words could fit into some lyrical presentation, but any attempt to do that would be well beyond my skills, so instead a faux representation will have to suffice. It is discombobulated for sure.

  • 12 days before Christmas: 12 dark-eyed juncos foraging because there has been deep snow on the ground.
  • 11 days: house finch in flight as seen outside the north window.
  • 10 days: Eurasian collared doves in the neighborhood.
  • 9 days: American robins foraging in the western tree line.
  • 8 days: roaming turkeys foraging on a daily schedule. The birds’ confrontation with a single coyote on the hunt had an obvious result: turkeys 8 and coyote 0.
  • 7 days: American Tree Sparrow appreciating bird seed.
  • 6 days: white-tailed deer foraging and eating provided seed on a Sunday evening.
  • 5 days: coyote pack traversing the land in search of sustenance, led by their supposed mom.
  • 4 days: cherry chickadees and vibrant nuthatches going from tree to tree amidst trees of the North Lake Shore Hills.
  • 3 days: American crow at the bird seed investigating why so many birds have been congregating.
  • 2 days: Northern Flickers foraging on the trees, or maybe the view of the early mornings of this day could be a couple of white-tailed rabbits that scurry to provided food.
  • 1 day before: an adult Bald Eagle soaring magnificently in the skyscape well above the pines outside a window.

And with one writer scribing in a padded chair in front of a computer within a Valentine shack. A belated Merry Christmas to all from a spot within such a special place ... the Great American Sandhills.