Area Birds in Grant County, Nebraska in 2017

January 11, 2018. Area birds. Grant County News 133(24): 1. The published article had subsequent edits prior to being posted online.

Wildbirds are a great and ongoing attraction, and during the eclipse and other times during 2017 in Grant county, several people took the time to look upon a scene and kept notes that indicated the occurrence of 70 species.

The initial known bird outing of the year was at the Hyannis cemetery on March 15, when a travelling group spent 40 minutes to see what was present. Their report is especially interesting as four variations of Dark-eyed Junco were seen (ebird.org checklist by Rick Wright) that had origins in different regions of North America. A Townsend’s Solitaire seen was the first one reported since March, 2009.

There was a nice report submitted by Nebraskan William Flack for a site on the south Whitman Road at the Cherry Valley Road on March 30th. His tally was 20 species including a fine variety of waterfowl including numerous Northern Shoveler and Gadwall, some Canvasback as well as two magnificent Trumpeter Swan present as reported with pictorial documentation.

Avocet WMA was a prominent locale for ornithological history of the year as it is adjacent along Highway 2. Some tally’s reported were based upon a few minutes spent to take a look. There were 44 species noted in April, May and August. Waterfowl had a prominent occurrence. There was also large numbers of pelicans, ibis. The site is also notable for the unusual occurrence of Great-tailed Grackle.

During the August eclipse, observer Bernard Morris parked at the gas station – when not watching the sky during a three hour period – kept a list of species present across the highway at the wildlife area that included three species of raptors and two sorts of terns.

Birder Flack did a walk-about in the eastern extent of Whitman on August 23rd, with an online submission reporting the occurrence of 14 species. Another visitor reported a few species for their driveby.

Many of the years’ records are transitory observations kept while someone was driving along either Highway 2 or Highway 61. Some of these sightings could be designated to a particular locality, but those submitting the record are not aware of local place-names, so instead indicate a name referring to a broad, generic locality.

There was a survey done at the Apache Ranch by an employee of the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, but since it occurred on private property, details are not publicly available. This was apparently the only visit to a site significantly away from a prominent roadway.

Among the shorebirds seen were the Killdeer, Spotted Sandpiper, Greater Yellowlegs and Lesser Yellowlegs and Willet. There was for some reason only one report of a Long-billed Curlew.

In considering the years’ observations, it is obvious there is a relative dearth of sightings in Grant county, as a larger number of species would be expected to occur. Nothing was reported about the Blue Jay, which appears to have a sporadic occurrence at Hyannis. It is very surprising that there was no recorded occurrence of the Downy Woodpecker. In regards to the Horned Lark and Marsh Wren, one report of each is not indicative as they both have a broader wide-spread range. The same applies to the Common Yellowthroat, which would be expected amidst the habitats at Avocet WMA and other spaces, in addition to the singular 2017 observation at Frye Lake WMA. There was no mention of Chimney Swift at Hyannis, though it has been seen in the urban setting in many past years. Why is it that the only report of a House Wren for the county dates to 2007? Is an indication of range or due to a lack of reported sightings? The lack of any report of Dark-eyed Junco is also indicative of a lesser extent of observational occurrences, as this species is prevalent in winter times within the region.

If an observer had driven south of Ashby to Alkali Lake, there would have certainly been a greater diversity of species occurrence to report because its features are quite unique and any wildbirds present can be seen from a roadside vantage. Though there were sightings from Whitman, there was no mention of Doc Lake. Nothing was referred to Wolfenberger Lakes though it is also adjacent to and visible from Highway 2. There were no reports from the Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory that is publicly owned and seemingly conducive to visits. Surprisingly, no birder apparently visited DeFair Lake WMA, which, based upon personal experience, is a fine place and even nice enough to spend an overnight in the parking lot.

There are 192 species of birds that are known to occur within the county, based upon an overall consideration that includes historic occurrences. Considering the more than 300 species of birds that occur in the sandhill region, the overall tally is also less than what would be expected.
On an aside, it seems obvious that the overall availability of birding places within Grant county is not known to an extent that could result in more and/or extended visits. When obvious public lands are not visited, it is likely the result of a lack of knowledge of their being available for bird watching?

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This is a list of the species observed, and which was not submitted with the article for the newspaper. Species are listed in taxonomic sequence.

* Canada Goose * Trumpeter Swan * Wood Duck * Gadwall * American Wigeon * Mallard * Blue-winged Teal * Northern Shoveler * Northern Pintail * Green-winged Teal * Canvasback * Redhead * Ring-necked Duck * Lesser Scaup * Bufflehead * Ruddy Duck * Common Pheasant * Pied-billed Grebe * Western Grebe * White-faced Ibis * Black-crowned Night Heron * Great Blue Heron * American White Pelican * Double-crested Cormorant

* Turkey Vulture * Northern Harrier * Swainson's Hawk * Red-tailed Hawk * American Coot * Killdeer * Long-billed Curlew * Greater Yellowlegs * Lesser Yellowlegs * Willet * Spotted Sandpiper * Ring-billed Gull * Forster's Tern * Black Tern * Eurasian Collared Dove * Mourning Dove * Chimney Swift * Red-headed Woodpecker * Hairy Woodpecker * Northern Flicker * Western Kingbird * Eastern Kingbird * Loggerhead Shrike * Warbling Vireo

* Cedar Waxwing * Horned Lark * Tree Swallow * Barn Swallow * Marsh Wren * Brown Thrasher * Common Starling * Townsend's Solitaire * American Robin * House Sparrow * House Finch * American Goldfinch * Common Yellowthroat * Yellow-headed Blackbird * Western Meadowlark * Orchard Oriole * Red-winged Blackbird * Brown-headed Cowbird * Common Grackle * Great-tailed Grackle * Dark-eyed Junco * Lark Sparrow

Cedar Removal Considerations on Sandhills Highways

During a recent trip through the sandhills, notes were kept on the situation regarding cedar trees along the some highways in the region. There were some places where there were no errant cedars. These locales presented a wonderful vista, which truly represented a sea of grass.

The following areas were otherwise, and details were provided to staff at the Nebraska Department of Roads so they can know of the problem and put sufficient effort into the task to get rid of the cedar trees.

• along Highway 91 from Highway 2 at Dunning to Brewster; this was the worse condition of a roadside noted
• Highway 97 north of Mullen, especially from the village to the county line
• Highway 83 north of Thedford; most of the unwanted trees are to the southern extent, as upon getting into Cherry county there are only a few which mar the view. The grassland along this stretch is mostly tree of trees and by removing the relatively few trees present, this would create a wonderful vista of the grass scape.
• Highway 2 west of Broken Bow; especially to Merna and Anselmo

Also, along Highway 20 from Cody to Merriman, there is perhaps one cedar tree along the highway that needs to still be removed. It would be gone now except a large enough saw was not available to remove it. Two other smaller cedars were recently cut to achieve the goal of having no invasive cedar trees.

In 2004, the Nebraska Department of Roads initiated a program to remove cedar trees in this region. There are some obvious successes for this effort, but the work needs to be actively continued.

Bird Reserve of Soata Province Protects Endangered and Endemic Birds

James Ed. Ducey

The newly established Soata Reserve conserves habitat for endangered and endemic species of Columbia, and other migratory bird species, according to the Bird Group of Soata.

Members of the group - Alejandro Hernandez, Oswaldo Cortes, Sandra Alarcon, Daira Ximena Villagran, Jose Gil and Giovanni Chaves - have conducted surveys and research in the dry valleys and premontane forests of the Soata Province for several years, Cortes said.

Chestnut Bellied Hummingbird. Pictures courtesy of the Soata Bird Group.

The initial reserve, comprising 700 hectares, was based on the occurrence of the Chestnut-bellied Hummingbird and Niceforos Wren in the region around Soata, Boyaca department, Cortes said. This region is in central Columbia.

Findings of their reserach were recently published in a report titled: “Reserve Birds Of Soata - Saving the Chestnut Bellied Hummingbird (Amazilia castaneiventris), Niceforos Wren (Thryothorus nicefori) and Mountain Grackle (Macroagelaius subalaris).”

The report summarized finding for two of the most notable species.

Chestnut Bellied Hummingbird: “…inhabits promontane forest occuring principally between 2400 and 1800” meters. There was “evidence that the species should not be rare due to a specialised diet and the most frequently used, Yatago are widely distributed in the birds’ range. It is likely that flowering patterns of these and other species are responsible for the seasonal movement of the hummingbird; this is supported by the fact that most records of the species from Soata occur after May when flowering peaks in the area.”

“This species is critically endangered because it has an extremely small known range in which suitable habitat is severely fragmented and continuing to decline,” according to the species factsheet at Birdlife International. The estimated population was given as less than 100 birds.

Niceforos Wren.

Niceforos Wren: “The highest altitudinal record was at 2000 m in vereda La Costa (Soata), and the lowest altitudinal record was at 1800 m. The largest group recorded was 20 birds recorded in a river forest in madre de agua (Trichanthera gigantean) and Manila tamarind or Monkeypod (Pithecellobium dulce) trees. Niceforos Wrens were mainly recorded singing in the morning.”

Other bird species found in oak forests of the Soata Reserve were the Mountain Grackle, Rusty Faced Parrot (Hapalopsittaca amazonina), Yellow flamed Parakeet (Pyrrhura calliptera) and Black Inca (Coeligena prunellei).

“The immediate need for the protection of these bird populations is to establish some form of reserve around known foraging areas and areas of mature forest,” Cortes said. “This does not have to take the form of Nature Reserve, but may involve identifying species protection areas. This would help assure that certain activities, such as wood burning, felling of trees over 20 meters tall, and other activities such as housing development could not take place in these areas. Any development would be carried out in accordance with ecologically sensitive guidelines.”

Also, to assist in habitat conservation, Cortes said, “no non-native plants should be introduced to gardens, native trees should not be cut down, and that stands of trees must be planted along roadsides to soften the habitat damage. Use of pesticide chemicals should be banned or strictly controlled.”

Legal protection is another important focus of the Bird Group of Soata.

“As has proved useful in the Soata” Cortes said in an email, “the introduction of legal protection of the Chestnut Bellied Hummingbird, Niceforos Wrens, Mountain Grackle, Rusty Faced Parrot would allow criminal charges to be brought against anyone proven to intentionally or recklessly disturb or harm any hummingbirds, whether in the roost or foraging.”

Although we don't have the facilities of other reserves in our country,” Cortes said, “this is one step for the conservation and research of our bird heritage.”

Members of the Soata Bird Group.

The Bird Group “would like to thank several individuals and organizations who provided advice, support, resources, logistical help and encouragement throughout the period of this project. These include important contribution by Neotropical Bird Club, Corporacion Ocotea, Fundacion Quincha, The Birdfair/RSPB Research Fund for Endangered Birds, American Bird Conservancy, Birdes Exchangers, Fundacion Colibri y Fundacion Proaves which made possible field research and information gathering. Special thanks to family Sanabria and Marquez and all volunteers for their hard work in the field. The Sanabria Family, gave permission to work on their property and Alcaldia Municipal de Soata, for their genuine interest in the protection of the species which lead them to support this study.”

Cedar Removal Along Nebraska Roadways Focus of State Agency

By James Ed. Ducey

An ongoing program by the Nebraska Department of Roads continues to remove invasive and unwanted cedar trees from the right-of-way along the state's roadways.

The project was initiated in the autumn of 2004, when the state agency "realized that the spread of eastern red cedar trees had picked-up during the ongoing drought," said Art Thompson, a highway landscape architect.

All district maintenance superintendents were notified to increase their emphasis on control of the red cedar statewide, and especially in the Sand Hills, according to a mid-November directive.

At the same time, "emphasis was also placed on removal of smaller cedar seedlings by mowing when small enough not to damage equipment. This would occur during scheduled mowing of the entire right-of-way which can occur every 3 to 5 years depending on the area of the state," Thompson said.

"Directions indicated to begin with removal of trees producing seed and then begin to thin the cedar trees to a spacing of no closer than 50 foot apart." All trees closer than 35 feet were to be removed.

"It would be my hope that by setting this example on public right-of-way, adjacent property owners will incorporate similar procedures on their property," Thompson said.

In some areas, all of the invasive trees are removed. Notable roadways where extensive cedar removal has been done include Highway 20 between Ainsworth and Valentine. Many trees are have been taken from the predominantly grass range westward from Valentine towards Merriman. In this section, only a few trees needed to be removed to eradicate the unwanted growth.

There is a large variety of ownership along the state's highways and scenic byways, including acreages, farms and ranches, towns and hamlets or various sizes, and national wildlife refuges. The Cowboy Trail corridor runs for more than 300 miles along Highway 20 in northern Nebraska.

The NDOR also has a "long standing program to remove potential large growing woody plant material for the lateral obstacle clearance area adjacent to all highways as a safety measure to maintain good visibility and a safe recovery area on the roadside. This includes cedar trees and is an ongoing procedure." Before any trees are cleared, they are checked to ensure no bird nests or eggs are disturbed.

"It is hoped that the long term benefit of this work will be to broaden the diversity of native species of animals and plants along the roadside as well as at mitigation sites and on adjacent private property," Thompson said. "The key is everyone needs to do their part."