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?