Threatened Extermination of the Wild Pigeon - 1879

Sportsmen are waking up to the fact that the indiscriminate and wholesale slaughter of pigeons is rapidly thinning out the species. Sporting papers are full of complaints about the manner in which netters and trappers capture and kill the birds at their nestlings in Michigan and elsewhere. It is suggested that a law be passed by all States in which the pigeon brings forth its young, prohibiting the killing or trapping of the birds for three years. It is claimed that this would give the flocks a chance to recuperate to such an extent that similar laws would not have to be passed for years afterward. As a substitute for the pigeon during the years that pigeon-destroying is barred, the marsh blackbird is suggested. This bird is very abundant on the Calumet, Kankakee, and Illinois rivers. It is claimed that they are great corn and grain destroyers, and that they could easily be spared. To show the way in which sportsmen themselves massacre pigeons, 14,000 birds have recently been caged for slaughter at Peoria. The Illinois State Sportsman's Association is holding it great annual shoot there this week.

October 28, 1879. South Kentuckian 1(42): 4. From the Chicago Journal.

City Intelligence - After the Pigeons

Scores of hunters were out from the city after wild pigeons yesterday, and every bird between the Homestead and Folsom, on both sides of the American, had a chance to smell powder smoke. A few of the shooters are reported to have made good bags, but the majority had little game to show when they returned. All were satisfied, however, the universal idea being that it would pay to take advantage of such a fine day for a tramp, even if they had not got a feather. Speaking of these pigeons, we notice that the papers quite generally throughout the State mention their being seen in or near the respective localities where the papers are published. The South Coast, of San Luis Obispo, has the following to say concerning them: "Immense flocks of wild pigeons abound in the hills of the Santa Paula. These birds are quite large, and excellent eating. They are genuine English wild pigeons, and were first brought to this coast by the Hudson Bay traders, at Vancouver, where they multiplied so rapidly that the company were obliged to exterminate them, except such as escaped and became wild. They weigh from one to three pounds."

February 24, 1879. Sacramento Daily Union 7(364): 3.

Last Nighthawks of Missouri Valley Autumn

On a fine evening with skies touched by sublime reds of an autumnal sunset, a lone nighthawk flitted southward beneath the clouds. It was a partly cloudy evening, with forceful winds from the south, ensuring that the bird had to make its determined way.

Every evening of the Common Nighthawk migration along the Missouri River valley is especially expressive by each event, however seen from any particular scene. Each is different. Winds vary. Any extent of cloudiness in never the same. Precipitation is profoundly influential, and sometimes stifling.

Colors of the sky convey the always changing characteristics as the nighthawks and other wildbirds move along during their southern migration, replicating movements represented by centuries before there were any chronicles.

Nighthawk sky on at October evening at Carthage.

At a local spot with an open vista from a Hamilton Street parking lot, the birds are the focus, while the local language certainly not English. On some recent nights, some residents were focused on a can or bottle of booze. The litter is obvious nearly daily.

Above the hard-scape of the city grounds, the skies are a place of freedom for the flights of birds, while — of course — ignoring the obvious hazards present, and most obviously indicated by multiple contrails of planes which split the blue with their artificial lines of a domineering civilization.

The last nighthawk of the season was silently making its way southward on the evening of October 8th over Carthage. There may have been others elsewhere, but no one was watching. Recent weather to the north has been harsh in the past few days, so where has this sojourner been lingering in apparent solitude beneath the sliver of a moon.

The sublime movement of each special Common Nighthawk migrating southward begins in September along the Missouri River valley. Their flight is a regular occurrence, but known to few that look into the skies as these birds move along in their autumnal migration.

During the early days of September, languidly flying along, these birds are obvious — especially in the evening skies — going southward above the urban-scape of Omaha. Numbers vary. There are several obvious places suited to their observation, extending from the riverfront, westward to midtown and to the western edge of the county, based upon observations made this season. Some inter-urban locales are vantage points where a wonderful multitude can be seen passing overhead in the expressively changing dome of the sky.

The Carthage neighborhood is an example. Just to the east of here, the Izard Industrial Zone also has a setting with features such as obscured skies suitable to observing an expanse without obstructions.

Most of the counts from this autumn come from these two places, such as Bellevue, Sarpy County, and the T.L. Davis Prairie along the Elkhorn River in western Douglas county. These other records are included, as indicated by the online forum NEBirds, to provide comparative details on the geographic extent of this season's autumnal nighthawk flights, as observed.

Results indicate that mid-September is a prime time to relax, find a comfortable seat that provides an expansive overhead view, note your time of arrival and pay attention to the antics of the nighthawks.

The peak count from this autumn was September 11th, when approximately 1400 were noted in east Omaha, the extent split between Carthage and the Izard Industrial Zone, just to the east, across the bisectual traffic-strewn Northwest Radial Highway with its seemingly incessant road traffic. Once beyond, the spectacle in the skies once again were the sight to enjoy. It was a phantasmagoria of nighthawk flight. Fewer of these special birds continued to occur through September. The latest local record for this season was October 4th. There are other historic records from later dates, but snow storms in the west, chilly overnight temperatures, and other weather features have been sufficient to get the insect-eating nighthawks to move southward to more suitable climes.

This possibly final nighthawk of the season may not be the last occurrence of this species. There are several other records for October for the Douglas County area, so perhaps one or a few may still pass southward. Whether or not they will be seen, is not known?

Autumn Season Summary

This is summary of nighthawk counts for Missouri River valley region in east-central Nebraska for autumn 2013.

Julian Date	Bemis Park District	Mercer District	Izard District	Saddle Creek District	Carthage District	Dundee District	Memorial Park District	Midtown Omaha District	Elkhorn Valley District	Bellevue District
245	- -	- -	- -	16	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
246	- -	- -	57	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
247	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	46	- -	- -	- -
248	- -	- -	184	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
249	- -	- -	47	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
250	- -	65	33	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
251	- -	- -	191	- -	12	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
253	- -	- -	55	- -	- -	- -	- -	2	- -	- -
254	- -	- -	750	- -	672	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
255	- -	- -	15	- -	95	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
256	- -	- -	35	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
257	- -	- -	48	- -	22	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
258	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	6	- -	- -	- -	- -
259	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
261	- -	- -	57	- -	2	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
262	- -	- -	65	- -	5	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
263	- -	15	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
264	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	10	- -	- -
265	- -	- -	11	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
267	- -	- -	16	- -	7	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
268	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	55
269	- -	- -	3	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
270	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	35
271	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	12	- -	- -	43	- -
272	- -	- -	14	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
273	- -	- -	- -	- -	6	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
274	- -	- -	18	- -	55	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
275	22	- -	- -	- -	32	- -	- -	- -	- -	15
276	- -	- -	4	- -	28	- -	- -	- -	- -	8
277	- -	- -	4	- -	12	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
281	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -

Julian date 281 is October 8, 2013.

Carcasses Convey Continual Carnage at CenturyLink Center

Autumnal migration is underway along the Missouri River as prominently indicated by anyone observant of wildbirds at natural and unnatural settings within the valley.

The passage of so many sorts of birds is also sordidly shown by the number of wildbirds being found dead at buildings in downtown Omaha.

Ongoing carnage was vividly conveyed by the number of bird carcasses located at the CenturyLink Center on the morning of October 5th. A dead female Common Yellowthroat was the first fatality found along the building's west facade, about 40 feet from the north corner. Further south a bit of a ways, at the first section of glass north of the main convention center entryway, there were six carcasses, representing four species: Clay-colored Sparrow (2), Tennessee Warbler (2), another female Common Yellowthroat and a Lincoln's Sparrow. The remaining two fatalities were another Clay-colored Sparrow at the doorway of the southmost convention center entryway, and a third Tennessee Warbler near the doors of the north-facing entryway towards the south end of the west side.

Each of these carcasses were moved from where found, and disposed of in a natural manner proper for wildbirds.

A new discovery of the morning were two additional carcasses found near the paver blocks on the east side of the landscaping areas west of the west facade. There was another female Common Yellowthroat and another Lincoln's Sparrow immediately next to the blocks. It appeared that the carcasses had been blown to where they were found. They most likely were fatalities from Friday — when a survey was not done due to rainy weather in the morning — and a result of facility maintenance crews used a blower to move leaves and other material away from the building, the bird carcasses were among the debris.

Since 2008, when surveys for window-strike instances were started, there has never been an instance when ambient winds were enough to move any bird carcass multiple feet from where it had originally fallen upon striking a glass wall. The distance from where bird carcasses are typically found at the CenturyLink Center — usually within a meter of the glass facade — is too extensive for an undisturbed carcass to get moved. A predator did not move the formerly living birds, as there were no signs of predatory impacts on the slight forms of the lifeless birds.

If this is the case, it indicates another disrespect to wildbirds, as now they are considered as nothing more than a leaf to blow away in disregard. Previously, bird carcasses have been seen in the facilities trash receptacles.

This is one of the largest counts of window strikes documented on a single day at this location. There had previously been 12 found on September 25, 2008.

Elsewhere on Saturday, the other most significant observation was three disabled Lincoln's Sparrows at the Zesto Building, across the street from the CenturyLink Center parking lot. There were three disabled birds present at the doorway of the Lids Locker Room, the entrance to Blatt Beer and Table and the east glass wall for Zesto. These were the first casualties noticed during the morning bicycle survey. Other, more lively birds could be heard and seen among the landscaping within the area, including the plantings associated with the CenturyLink Center west parking lot and along the south side of TDAmeritrade Park.

Three carcasses were also found at the Zorinsky Federal Building; two on the west side and one on the north side. The species: Lincoln's Sparrow, Marsh Wren and another one of the so-much abused female Common Yellowthroat. Perhaps they were found because no one was picking up trash because of the government shutdown.

This was the situation a couple of day's earlier at the Curtis Park Service Building, along the riverfront.

Architects associated with the construction of these facilities have wrought a death zone with their inclusion of landscape plantings of various sorts. The birds land among the vegetation while migrating, thinking it is a safe haven, and then many of them slam into a reflective scene and are either killed or disabled. Adding to the problem are City of Omaha officials and others who want "green features" included as features for buildings within the city-scape of the river city.

The results? Hundreds of birds are being killed or harmed every year!!! And the extent of dangerous places is increasing due to new construction which adds glass facades to a city-scape which wildbirds have to deal with while trying to survive in an tainted natural world ...

Because of a running event originating at the CenturyLink Center Omaha at first morning on October 6th, there were no carcasses found since people and their accoutrements and prevalent promotional displays. It was a chilly morning, with constant drizzle and steady winds making it not so pleasant to be riding a bicycle.

On the morning of October 7th, sixteen bird-window strikes were documented in downtown Omaha. It was a morning with temperatures in the mid-40s, no wind and clear skies subsequent to the weather upheaval during the weekend. It was obvious that migratory movement would occur, and the results were indicative.

Clearing Destroys Habitat at West Omaha Park

An article in the local newspaper on Friday, October 4th indicated another example of a limited perspective by officials of the Omaha Parks Recreation and Public Property department. Apparently because of public request, a meeting was held to discuss what was to happen at One Pacific Place Park, regarding the complete clearing of vegetation associated with a key habitat feature of the place along the Big Papillion Creek.

The clearing occurred during mid-September, based upon details which could be determined. An actual date of occurrence would be preferred as it would mark a date of destruction.

A personal call to the office of the mayor of Omaha, on Friday, October 4th asking for specific details, did not provide any information of interest regarding a site plan, a schedule for further work, sorts of plants to be planted, etc.

A visit was made to the park the next day on Saturday, which conveyed quite a paradoxical situation. An interpretive sign promotes various features of the local flora and fauna, while the perspective is nothing more than a few trees and an otherwise barren landscape of worthless turf grass.

The newspaper article indicated that a wetland and prairie were to be established at this place. The obvious question is when?

There are also other pertinent points:

Why is vegetation cleared in September, pending earth work weeks later? The apparent time-frame reflects a obvious lack of attention to details. Why is vegetation cleared weeks before any earth-moving effort? When will vegetation be planted to replaced what was cleared. For how many months will the vegetative cover be gone?

The focus appears to be schedule something to get done, and then schedule the next thing, without any regard to important considerations such as native flora, use of the site by migratory birds, and continuance of the natural features that may have been associated with the site.

There is obviously some ignorance regarding vital values being lost, as obvious at One Pacific Place Park. Consider: vegetation cleared in September, earthwork sometime late in the year, an unknown time when seeds will be planted by at this time of the year nothing will grow until next year. If, and that is a big if, seeds are in place to suitably grow next spring, there might be some plant cover by May or early next summer.

Considering the dearth of natural settings within urban Omaha, any little haven can be appreciated by migratory wildbirds. The vegetative cover at this park could have been a place enjoyed during the autumn migration, potentially during the winter season, and maybe as a temporary stop-over site next spring.

Decisions by Omaha Parks department staff obviously exclude any of these opportunities, because of their ignorance or perhaps worse, their indifference, but seemingly it is a lack of knowledge due to ignorance because of a lack of knowledge.

The whole scenario could might have been compressed into a very short time-frame next spring. Remove the current cover, work the ground and then immediately afterwards, spread the seeds for the new vegetation which could sprout with the arrival of the natural growing season.

Instead, the loss of flora and fauna will occur over a several month's long period. Based upon what the Parks Department has done, there is very little space left which might provide a haven for any of the animals indicated upon the sign. Denuding a habitat to a barren condition decimates whatever fauna had been present as their home is destroyed.

Skepticism is a word which applies in this situation, and only time will convey what will actually happen?

R-Project an Apt Moniker for Pending Powerline

Identifying the pending powerline through the southern Sandhills as the "R-Project" is an appropriate moniker ... one which does not pertain to its approximate visual representation.

The name is more appropriate for rampant results which will ensue once construction occurs and the massive towers and drooping lines are imposed across the land. Do not doubt that the power transmission line won't get built. The entire process undertaken by the Nebraska Public Power District and the Southwest Power Pool has been focused upon a when, not if proposition.

This decision originated, as initially approved outside of Nebraska by agency bureaucrats associated with the regional power pool. NPPD agreed and continues to promote this project which will cost more than $300 million to construct.

There are a lot of r-words which pertain to this project which is a juggernaut which will not be stopped, despite any negative findings. It will ruin native habitats. It will destroy viewscapes. It will result in bird deaths. It will be a threat to threatened and/or endangered species. Etc.

NPPD has had public meetings. They have accepted public comment. The entire scenario is conveyed as being open an open process. the agency will convey some perspective to slight the concerns and indicate that their purposes are the most important facts to consider.

However, the agency has not even considered a no-build option!

Also of particular pertinence, currently, none of the information NPPD has garnered in association with this effort has been made available for public review and evaluation. Known details are whatever they want to convey.

What has been the involvement of state and federal environmental agencies? This status is unknown, and may be indicated in whatever environmental assessment that might be prepared and submitted to the public for scrutiny.

Presently, what are the details being considered to provide an acceptable transmission line corridor. These details are not known, not indicated in detail by the utility company. They listen and make a decision suited to their goal.

How might this powerline — which will undoubtedly be built— corridor be optimized in its placement to minimize overall impacts to the land? It would seem that a route associated with current features, such as along Highway 83 would work, but, based upon previous comments, NPPD would rather place a powerline elsewhere, because during a storm, two lines along a similar corridor would result in reduced service to customers.

And unforgettably, there has been nothing presented thus far as to how potential, and known impacts — based upon historic context — will be addressed.

The situation is considered as being an endeavor to "go green" as based upon some people's limited perspective, as very recently conveyed in more than one newspaper-published comment.

This juggernaut of ruination to sandhills' places will not be stopped. The result is one more, especially destructive insult, to the especially unique features of the region.

Powerline Purposes

The three primary reasons for the powerline to be built, according to NPPD details, are:

1). Enhance operation

In reviewing the project website and through direct communication with NPPD reps, it has yet to be determined how a secondary powerline will enhance operation. The agency already provides service which they would probably convey as being "completely satisfactory" since the company could not provide service which was not satisfactory. What sort of enhancement is required for customers within this NPPD service area, and what is the utility company perspective which forces this perspective? A large kilowatt transmission line will not provide power to local customers, unless it is indirectly. This is another aspect which has not been well explained in readily available public information among the sparse details available on the companies website.

2) Relive congestion on existing lines

The existing lines apparently transit enough power to serve NPPD customers within this portion of their service area. If it didn't there would have been a multitude of customer complaints. Removing the congestion is a misnomer for providing more lines to promote and subsidize local power development, which is beyond the amount currently required for use by Nebraska power customers.

Company officials have not indicated weather threats and the influence of weather hazards, nor potential prairie fires, on existing power lines so they need to spread the threat?

It seems that because of "events of nature" that NPPD is considering how to spread powerlines across a greater expanse, because if they were located within a common corridor, they are alarmed that a single event might cause some power outages. So they prefer to spread the damage over a greater expanse?

If NPPD wanted a perfect power providing record, perhaps they should provide each of there customers with an electrical generator and a ready source of propane to operate them, so that no customer has to ever be without power?

Things happen and the company can never address them all!

3) Provide opportunities for development of renewable energy projects

This R-Project is nothing more than an obvious effort to enhance opportunities to take advantage of government subsidies to develop turbine facilities which currently work well to put public money into the pockets of developers and land-owners. How many dollars of public money are being spent in this endeavor?

It's quite obvious that some people nearby the R-Project corridor are interested in this project. A new transmission line will provide them a new means of economic return. The web-site of the Cherry County wind energy association — men focused upon wind energy development — makes this especially obvious.

The environmental armageddon associated with this massive and lengthy power transmission line will occur too soon. Viewscapes will be lost. Habitats will be fragmented. Wildbird mortality will occur because of birds striking wires spread across the skies, since a new barrier will be imposed across former wildlands.

Eventually, additional public and private property will be decimated by placement of wind turbines and service roads. There will be additional powerlines built to connect these facilities to the power line grid.

Will the power produced will be sent to places outside Nebraska, where there is already a surplus of electricity generated beyond the needs of state businesses and residents.

The incessant, yet obviously biased demand for more wind energy, will be done to the detriment of so many resources important to Nebraskans, and to a greater extent in this case, to the exquisite features spread about the dunes and valleys of the unique Sand Hills.

This project is wrought with problems, yet it will certainly be built. The transmission line is but the first obvious destructive event. Additional destruction and degradation will subsequently occur.

Appreciate the hills now because there are more efforts underway to industrialize this special land.

Natural Woodland Settings Destroyed at Omaha Parks

A second instance of the destruction of wild flora features at an Omaha park was recently revealed.

Development work at Pacific Springs Park has recently removed an extensive amount of vegetation from what had been called a "wilderness area."

During a public-meeting of the Omaha Parks Advisory Board on October 3rd, a SID board representative and a associate from an architectural firm gave a presentation regarding proposed changes to occur within the park at 174th and Pacific Streets.

Numerous pictures were shown, and a couple including a before and after perspective of the wooded area. The "wilderness area" of more than one acre had been a woodland with typical understory vegetation, including shrubs and other representative native flora were completely obliterated. The tract was transformed into an area of large trees and turf mowable grass, and there were mulch trails added to what was called a "remote area."

The SID board cleared the woodland since it was "not usable by the public," said a board representative at the meeting, upon being asked this question outside the meeting room.

At other areas of the park, the SID is considering adding "ornamental landscaping" or something which is a "cultured landscape," according to terminology used by a Parks Board member. This artificial vegetation would be installed by some company. There were no details indicated in regards to the type of plant species.

This park is owned by the Pacific Springs Sanitary Improvement District 398, but must comply with city of Omaha requirements since it is within a three-mile zone of jurisdiction.

Northeast extent of Levi Carter Pond September 8, 2013.

The other instance of this sort, besides what happened at the Northwest Pond Natural Habitat Area at Levi Carter Park, is the setting at Levi Carter Pond, just to the south.

The contractor hired by Omaha Public Works Department cleared vegetation at both sites. At the south pond, there were a number of trees and unique shrubs removed along the eastern portion of the pond, apparently on September 7th.

When an onsite meeting occurred a few days later, an official of the Parks Recreation and Public Works department said there would be no effort to replace the removed trees and shrubs.

The removal of the greenery significantly reduced the value of the pond to migratory birds, especially because of the loss of the visual barrier, as well as foraging habitat that is not to be valuable for many neotropical migrants.

The cleared area would be planted to turf grasses, and be mowed on a regular basis, as part of a "beautification" project.

This setting would rely upon the natural vegetation remaining upon the western extent of the pond, as the Parks department intent would not anything of beauty to the scene except barren turf, mowing machine exhaust and noise, along with other disturbances.

Both of these situations are convey, now, a recurring theme prevalent in Omaha parks. Remove the natural vegetation and its unique diversity, and replace it with a monoculture of some sort of turf grass, and then ensure that it is mowed multiple times during the growing season. The stormwater parks also are somewhat guilty in this respect, especially at Spring Lake Park.

Each of these actions convey a myopic perspective, ignorant of any multiple-use perspective to protect unique flora and fauna.

Here is another example as conveyed in regards to One Pacific Place Park, as reported in the local newspaper on October 4th.