Research Investigating Aspen Decline in Niobrara Valley

Research was initiated in 2015 to understand what may be causing a decline in the extent of hybrid aspen trees along the Niobrara River.

The hybrids (Populus xsmithii) are a genetic mix of the quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) and bigtooth aspen (Populus grandidentata).

Two primary tasks were completed during the year.

1) “Leaf material for genetic analysis” and “root cuttings for clonal propagation in greenhouse experiments” were collected by Nick Deacon, a postdoctoral associate, and Jake Grossman, a graduate student, according to a project report provided to the National Park Service, the project sponsor. Both are from the University of Minnesota.

Root cuttings were collected from “all Niobrara aspens stands of as well as stands of quaking aspen and big toothed aspen from NE, SD, MN, IA, and WI.

2) An analysis of aspen stand condition at Smith Falls State Park was completed by James Robinson, a graduate student at the University of South Dakota. Also evaluated were the “effects of herbivory and management on growth and condition of aspen suckers. Findings provided implications for future management of aspen stands.”

Two manuscripts were prepared from these analyses, the report said.

The unique hybrid aspens – relicts of a Pleistocene age northern boreal forest - occur in the cool and moist spring-branch canyons along the river, notably on the southern slope of the Niobrara valley. The stands are currently in decline, “due to pathogen infestations, fire suppression, competition with invasive red cedar, ungulate browsing, drought stress and potentially changes in the spring freeze-thaw cycles due to climate change,” according to the project proposal.

“An understanding of the genetic diversity and hybrid status, age structure and health, ecological niche and historical rate of range contraction, and drought and freezing tolerance physiology, is of paramount importance for understanding the fate of these important heritage organisms,” the proposal said.

This is a three year project, financed by the Niobrara National Scenic River office of the National Park Service at Valentine. The project grant was for $381,439.81.

December Birds of the Valentine Vicinity

Winter reigns as a fine variety of bird species continue to occur in the vicinity of Valentine, Nebraska. Prominent conditions during December have been variable, with notable changes by the end of 2015. Some moderate weather brought numerous robins mid-month. Following an approximate 4-inch snowfall about near the end of the third week of the month, cold weather prevailed with lows in the 0^o range or less, and daily high temperatures in the lower to mid 20s. The average daily high is the mid-30s. Wind chills many degrees less make being outdoors even more chilly, and this chill index seems to be a regular occurrence. Snow cover continued to prevail as there was no melting. The mill pond is mostly entirely ice-covered, so there has been little use by Canada Goose.

» Canada Goose: more prevalent early in the month, with lesser numbers noticed in flight nearly daily during the month. Apparently they are roosting on the Niobrara River southeast of Valentine, as indicated by other observers. They fly northward to forage on corn fields.

» Mallard: a few arrived at the end of the month, with 5-6 noticed on the unfrozen Minnecaduza Creek, below the dam at the Valentine Mill Pond; these fowl have been readily seen swimming about as noticed from the nearby north end of the main street.

» Northern Bobwhite: the covey continues to be present amidst the pine-clad bluffs north of the Valentine Mill Pond. These are an especially appreciated species. They are looking for places without snow cover so they can forage. This includes bare ground beneath pine trees.

» Wild Turkey: the local flock has not wandered near my vicinity with only a single bird arriving a couple of times to see if there was any horse feed left behind that it could eat

» Bald Eagle: the best sighting of the month was an adult slowly flying at a low level over the livestock market.

» Eurasian Collared Dove: continue to be prevalent near the livestock market, and are most readily seen just to its south, near the power substation. Across the street to the west is a corn storage facility, with kernels on the ground near an end of an auger, after trucking loading/unloading operations. This may be a source of food for these doves, though they have not been seen there, perhaps due not being present at an appropriate time. Rock Doves may also feed there, as they are also common about the market. Two to four ECDs are regularly among the housing and pines north of the mill pond.

» Red-breasted Nuthatch: probably more prevalent than indicated, but recorded to a lesser extent due to fewer visits into the pine lands.

» House Sparrow: continue their occurrence in gathered flocks; the largest number is present in shrubbery along north Main Street, at the southeast corner of the Mill Pond area; another bunch is known to occur near the livestock market.

» American Goldfinch: only occasionally seen, with the greatest number seen once within Valentine, associated with a bird feeder.

» Dark-eyed Junco: regular loose flocks of 10-20, with birds at two-three known localities, with high counts a combination of numbers counted on the same date at different localities; south-facing slopes with a lesser extent of snow cover, are important foraging areas.

Most of the species seen are regular winter residents. There is a definite dearth of sparrows. Some flighty birds were seen but could not be identified since the spotting scope was not available.

Some bird feeders are being regularly used by the song birds. There is one located on the north edge of the city, just west of Main Street which is enjoyed by the Red-bellied Woodpecker, and White-breasted Nuthatch, especially. There are also two on the north side of the Valentine Mill Pond. Chickadess and the irregular cardinal are appreciative of these food sources.

The 28 species indicated are listed in the taxonomic order as designated by the International Ornithological Congress, 2015. The top row of numbers is the julian date corresponding to the date of the month. Not all species present on each day are listed as the intent is to get representative counts, and to especially denote notable occurrences.

Proper Name	343	344	346	347	348	351	352	353	355	362	363
Canada Goose	1300	1300	15	--	30	--	--	--	--	125	165
Cackling Goose	10	10	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--
Mallard	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	7	6
Northern Bobwhite	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	12
Wild Turkey	--	--	1	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--
Sharp-shinned Hawk	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	1
Bald Eagle	--	--	--	--	--	1	--	--	1	--	--
Red-tailed Hawk	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	2	--	--	1
Rock Dove	--	--	--	--	31	--	--	--	40	--	--
Eurasian Collared Dove	--	--	4	--	--	--	6	2	30	8	--
Great Horned Owl	--	--	--	2	--	--	--	--	--	--	--
Red-bellied Woodpecker	--	--	1	--	1	--	1	2	1	1	--
Downy Woodpecker	--	--	--	--	1	--	--	--	1	--	--
Hairy Woodpecker	--	--	1	--	1	--	2	--	1	1	--
Northern Flicker	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	3	--	--	1
Blue Jay	--	--	--	--	--	--	1	2	--	--	2
American Crow	--	--	1	--	--	--	--	--	--	1	2
Black-capped Chickadee	--	--	4	--	--	--	3	--	6	3	--
Red-breasted Nuthatch	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	1	--	--
White-breasted Nuthatch	--	--	2	--	--	--	2	5	4	4	--
American Robin	--	--	--	--	2	--	--	--	35	--	--
House Sparrow	--	--	20	--	30	--	--	--	25	20	--
House Finch	--	--	--	--	3	--	--	--	--	--	--
American Goldfinch	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	3	12
Harris's Sparrow	--	--	1	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--
Dark-eyed Junco	--	--	12	--	16	--	30	--	5	12	29
American Tree Sparrow	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	2	--	1
Northern Cardinal	--	--	1	--	--	--	--	1	--	--	1

There have been 62 species recorded for this bit of a north-central Nebraska vicinity from late August through the end of December. There were 462 records kept for 54 distinct days here, with fewer than ten records the typical daily tally. The most number of records being 30 on October 1^st and 28 on November 28^th. All records are derived from the specifics kept in a relational database with 147,649 bird records for the Great American Sandhills™ and central Niobrara River valley.

There would be additional species recorded if visits were made to relatively nearby Borman Bridge WMA and the fish hatchery and adjacent Government Canyon WMA, but were not done due to weather conditions and a lack of suitable transportation. A species that would be especially enjoyed would be a Winter Wren. Also an expectant is the Townsend's Solitaire, or maybe a Rough-legged Hawk or Golden Eagle or Prairie Falcon.

Consideration is being given to watching some particular birds at the feeders on the north side of the city.

If a vehicle was available, the bird-watching range would increase to include outings to regional, riverine spring-flows to look for the feathered mite, as well as wintering Marsh Wren and Virginia Rail. It is just too dang cold to walk or bicycle the distance needed to get to the localities to replicate visits made years ago. There are key birds present, but their occurrence is not known by any ornithologists.

Considerations for Archiving Cherry County Governmental Records

Unique in perspective, the official records of Cherry county convey precise details of the life and times of residents for more than 130 years. Once initially created, the necessities have been continually updated on a regular basis by county staff and officials. The source documents are various sorts of bound books or singular pieces of paper which indicate marriages, land transactions and associated deed records and prices, mortgage specifics, interments at county cemeteries, taxation particulars which indicate the progress of county residents, and other miscellany associated with the history of the county and its people.

Most of the information, especially for past times associated which convey some wonderful details for the early years of county history, are stored on paper-based documents kept within the county building – some in the basement - at Valentine. Only a small portion of this historic record is available via an up-to-date electronic method.

In order to retain the history extant within the county records, it is essential that a permanent, digital record of the material be initiated and established, using acceptable and current methods of historic preservation.

There are numerous steps to initiate an effort to suitably conserve the original history of Cherry county. They include, but are not necessarily limited to these items:

1. Identify all source documents, and list them in a catalog to ensure that each and all items are documented and known and identified as a part of the county records.

2. Ensure safe and suitable storage of source documents to do the best possible to keep them in the best possible condition for the long-term.

3. Determine how to digitize source documents; this facet includes many issues including which record sources to start with, how they should be digitized (including consultation with an archival professional(s) to determine any equipment needs, establish protocols to indicate proper file format, file naming conventions, key word details, content topics and grouping, etc.).

4. Establish a suitable means of public access so source documents can be reviewed in a manner that will ensure they are not stolen, damaged, nor diminished in any manner; including the need for users to pay an access fee to assist with document retention and provision, if deemed appropriate.

5. Evaluate any opportunities for grants or other sources of funding to assist in the conservation of county history; these may include private donations, county funds, state of Nebraska funding, or perhaps even national entities that would contribute to the preservation of history associated with the county.

County officials can, and should as soon as possible, establish permanent protocols to ensure ongoing record conservation and establishing archival records. Efforts need to be done to establish an inclusive and permanent archive for the wonderful source documents of information associated with the expansive history of the residents of rural Cherry county. This effort will obviously require funding. Foremost should by a fund to be established by county officials to initiate the ongoing effort. An initial amount of county funds need to be designated to establish a Cherry County Record Archive.

---

DRAFT documented submitted first via email to the Cherry County Commissioners for discussion at the 29 December 2015 meeting. Prepared by James E. Ducey, Valentine; and creator of the digital archive of the Great American Sandhills. The one-page document was prepared in response to a request by a county commissioner.

Addendum to Document

The request for record access was discussed at the county commissioners meeting in the morning on the 29^th. There are considerations that need to be addressed. This topic is not a usual consideration for county officials. There was consensus on moving forward on this matter. A protocol needs to be defined, especially regarding how the records would be accessed in a manner that would not be an undue burden on county staff, as well as an appropriate space suitable for a researcher to review the records.

Following the meeting, an email request was sent to an archival specialist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, asking for suggestions on how to implement proper archival methods. This was in response to a request by a commissioner member. A question at the meeting was: Have other counties undertaken a similar effort.

Commissioners Adamson, Storer and Van Winkle have been receptive to records access, and have also been suitably considering the means and methods to conserve the history associated with Cherry county records.

On December 30^th there was also a discussion with Eric Scott — the Cherry County attorney — on this matter, as the commissioners had asked that a "request" be provided in regards to records access. The question of the day was what the request should include and how it might best be conveyed? A secondary question was about a charitable foundation where tax-deductible funds might be denoted to help fund a "Cherry County Heritage Project." Other birdly topics of common interest were also a part of the discussion at his main street office in Valentine.

The three commissioners are supportive, as are county officials. It is the methods that need to be determined. Rightely, county officials are ensuring that the records are properly dealt with to ensure long-term considerations of suitably maintaining the records, while allowing public access.

This document is posted for archival purposes.

Domestic Cats in Wildlands an Unwanted Scourge

Up on the ridge, a bit northeast of the bluebird shack, a black cat sat. It was very obvious from the north window because it was a black spot amidst the otherwise dull colors of the winter landscape. It was on the prowl in its inherent manner.

An obvious target would be birds, known to be a regular target as these predators forage anywhere.

The Dark-eyed Juncos at this place are kept busy all day as they forage for the necessities to survive, so when a fat domestic cat arrives during its stroll, it is a threat for these wildland residents.

It is a harsh time as seasonal birdlife strives to survive. Sources of food are limited by snow cover and an overall frozen land, with recent temperatures near 1^o and wind chills even colder, down into the minus 10⁰ degrees.

There is a chill on the land and a wandering cat from some house in the city is not a natural part of the seen.

The unwanted black animal, once seen, became the focus of an afternoon's attention. Once the overshoes were put on, a trudge outside was taken in its direction. After stepping off the front porch of the shack, a first fence of the corral was stepped over. A bit of a ways to the east, a gate was opened and after going through the chain maneuver, it was kept closed, though unlatched while going towards the feline target [later latched and anchored in the proper manner]. The black cat soon realized the intent of the incursion. It moved to the south, hesitated for a bit of time, but the human intruder continued walking in the same direction, and along with some known sounds cats don't like, the cat in the wilds ran to the south.

It was chased away, not because of any animosity regarding cats, but because any cat threatening birds will be dealt with in a manner that will disrupt their stalking.

When the errant black cat was once again obvious on a subsequent day, there on the ridge near the shack, the routine was similar. Get the boots on, cross the fence, etc. It was easier the second time as there were already footsteps to follow, amidst those of the bunnies and deer.

The unwelcome feline was further up the steep slope, so more steps had to be taken across the cold, snowy ground. The black critter actually thought it could hide beneath a pine. It was not there very long, once it realized that my destination was its location. It ran, once again to the south.

A wandering covey of quail were only a few yards away, as they moved about their territory of survival. The quail flew as the cat was chased away, running away to the southward, certainly towards its house along Lake Shore Drive, Valentine.

Wild birds do not have any such option, even on a night when the forecast low was 4^o below zero.

Nearby beneath the slope, four horses watched in expectation, thinking that my outdoor dash might mean some would get some grain or hay. Sorry steeds, as that is your owner’s task. Though they stayed about the hay and where they have been fed grain, soon they wandered off into the bluffy grass and pines pasture. They would be excited while getting something later.

Cats chasing any types of birds are just not welcome, anywhere! Where was a wily coyote to deal with the feline? Or, perhaps, a strident hawk or big owl to take care of the domestic wanderer looking to kill avian kin.

The spot where the furry feline was seen is outside the city limits of Valentine. Since it is a rural place, firearms may be discharged, and a bow-and-arrow may be used, legally. The wild country adage of shoot, shovel, and shutup comes to mind for some reason? Perhaps an even better option would be a showdown between a domestic cat and a cougar!

Breeding Season Survey Results Issued for Niobrara Scenic River

Several common breeding season species present in the Niobrara River valley during 2015 were denoted by bird surveys underway to monitor bird occurrence and distribution.

The Mourning Dove, House Wren, Field Sparrow, American Crow, Spotted Towhee, Chipping Sparrow and Yellow-breasted Chat were among the “most common species” present, according to a “resource brief” issued mid-December for the Niobrara National Scenic River. The surveys during mid-May to mid-June are among many done by the Northern Great Plains Network Inventory and Monitoring Program, of the National Park Service. The Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, based in Colorado, provides training and oversight for the people doing the surveys.

The Niobrara River valley is notable for its confluence of several ecosystems where several species of birds are known to hybridize. There was no information issued in the briefs for 2014 and 2015 in regards to avian hybridization.

Overall, there were 78 species noted at the 13 grids along the scenic river eastward of Fort Niobrara NWR.

Results from a similar 2014 effort, denoted 77 species during counts on five days in June, and three days in July.

During the two years of summer surveys, there have been 89 species noted. There were 25 species of concern denoted, the 2015 resource brief, with this classification based upon state and national designations.

Considering the Dickcissel, there were 62 observations in 2015, compared to 161 in 2014. More Grasshopper Sparrows were seen in 2015, than in 2014, comparing 110 to 79, respectively. For the Yellow-breasted Chat, there were 105 detections in 2015, compared to 67 in 2014. The only towhee species recorded, was the numerous Spotted Towhee, according to a list of observations indicated by the published brief. There was a decline in the detections of the Common Yellowthroat, comparing 30 in 2015 to 58 in 2014.

There were very few orioles amidst the survey sites, with only one each of the Baltimore and Bullocks’s Oriole observed in 2015, with five of the Baltimore species noted in 2014. These two species are especially notable for hybridization, based upon historic studies.

Black-headed Grosbeak numbers declined to 5 in 2015, a decrease from 14 in 2014. No Rose-breasted Grosbeaks were seen during any of the surveys in the past two years. This is another species known for the occurrence of hybrids.

Survey efforts are a long-term means to monitor bird distribution and occurrence along the Niobrara River, as well as other locales in the northern Great Plains.

Bird monitoring objectives, according to survey protocols, are:

• “to integrate existing bird monitoring efforts in the region to provide better information on distribution and abundance of all breeding birds, especially for high priority species;
  
• “to provide basic habitat association date for most bird species to address habitat management issues;
  
• “to provide long-term status and trend data for all regularly occurring breeding species” … “with a target of detecting a minimum rate of population change” …
  
• “to maintain a high-quality database of that is accessible to all of our collaborators as well as to the public on the worldwide web, in the form of raw and summarized data, and;
  
• “to generate decision support tools that help guide conservation efforts and provide a better measure of conservation success.”
  

Although the survey locations were along the river, there were no records of either the Least Tern or Piping Plover.

Neither the 2014 nor 2015 brief included any details on habitats were the surveys were done.

Federal funds pay the expenses associated with these surveys, intended to “detect biologically significant changes in population parameters over time,” including evaluation of population size and birds as indicators of ecosystem conditions.

Surveys will continue in 2016.

Checklist of Avifauna for the Nebraska Sandhills

The sandhills of Nebraska and extreme southern South Dakota are a unique and expansive area of predominantly prairie lands with interspersed wetlands and human settlements. A great variety of birds occur.

A modern-era checklist has just been prepared for the region, based upon a database of more than 148,000 records, with the first dated record from 1886.

The details convey there are 58 families with a representative 406 valid species. Other sorts of birds occur, specifically known hybrids. In the case of prominent name changes, previous alternate common names are indicated.

The source of the details needed to create this updated checklist was: Gill, Frank and D. Donsker (editors). 2015. International Ornithological Council world bird list (version 5.4). Doi 10.14344/IOC.ML.5.4. www.worldbirdnames.org", which is the result of a multi-year voluntary effort by globally situated experts. This freely-available spreadsheet also includes details on the published sources that indicated the original naming, as well as subspecies and their distribution. Each tidbit makes the information essential when considering world avifauna, but are interesting as well.

Species are listed in the taxonomic order indicated by this reference. In the case of prominent name changes, previous alternate common names are indicated. Some of the changes are slight, while there might also be a completely new common name.

Family Anatidae

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck; Dendrocygna autumnalis

Swan Goose; Anser cygnoides

Greater White-fronted Goose; Anser albifrons

Bar-headed Goose; Anser indicus

Snow Goose; Chen caerulescens

Ross's Goose; Chen rossii

Canada Goose; Branta canadensis

Cackling Goose; Branta hutchinsii

Brant Goose; Branta bernicla

Mute Swan; Cygnus olor

Trumpeter Swan; Cygnus buccinator

Tundra Swan; Cygnus columbianus

Wood Duck; Aix sponsa

Gadwall; Anas strepera

Eurasian Wigeon; Anas penelope

American Wigeon; Anas americana

American Black Duck; Anas rubripes

Mallard; Anas platyrhynchos

Blue-winged Teal; Anas discors

Cinnamon Teal; Anas cyanoptera

Northern Shoveler; Anas clypeata

Northern Pintail; Anas acuta

Green-winged Teal; Anas crecca

Canvasback; Aythya valisineria

Redhead; Aythya americana

Ring-necked Duck; Aythya collaris

Tufted Duck; Aythya fuligula

Greater Scaup; Aythya marila

Lesser Scaup; Aythya affinis

Common Eider; Somateria mollissima

Harlequin Duck; Histrionicus histrionicus

Surf Scoter; Melanitta perspicillata

White-winged Scoter; Melanitta fusca

Black Scoter; Melanitta americana

Long-tailed Duck; Clangula hyemalis

Bufflehead; Bucephala albeola

Common Goldeneye; Bucephala clangula

Barrow's Goldeneye; Bucephala islandica

Hooded Merganser; Lophodytes cucullatus

Common Merganser; Mergus merganser

Red-breasted Merganser; Mergus serrator

Ruddy Duck; Oxyura jamaicensis

Family Odontophoridae

Scaled Quail; Callipepla squamata

Northern Bobwhite; Colinus virginianus

Family Phasianidae

Wild Turkey; Meleagris gallopavo

Ruffed Grouse; Bonasa umbellus

Sage Grouse; Centrocercus urophasianus

Sharp-tailed Grouse; Tympanuchus phasianellus

Greater Prairie-Chicken; Tympanuchus cupido

Chukar Partridge; Alectoris chukar

Grey Partridge; Perdix perdix

Common Pheasant; Phasianus colchicus

Family Gaviidae

Red-throated Loon; Gavia stellata

Pacific Loon; Gavia pacifica

Great Northern Loon; Gavia immer

Yellow-billed Loon; Gavia adamsii

Family Podicipedidae

Pied-billed Grebe; Podilymbus podiceps

Red-necked Grebe; Podiceps grisegena

Horned Grebe; Podiceps auritus

Black-necked Grebe; Podiceps nigricollis; eared grebe

Western Grebe; Aechmophorus occidentalis

Clark's Grebe; Aechmophorus clarkii

Family Threskiornithidae

American White Ibis; Eudocimus albus

Glossy Ibis; Plegadis falcinellus

White-faced Ibis; Plegadis chihi

Family Ardeidae

American Bittern; Botaurus lentiginosus

Least Bittern; Ixobrychus exilis

Black-crowned Night Heron; Nycticorax nycticorax

Yellow-crowned Night Heron; Nyctanassa violacea

Green Heron; Butorides striata

Western Cattle Egret; Bubulcus ibis

Great Blue Heron; Ardea herodias

Great Egret; Ardea alba

Reddish Egret; Egretta rufescens

Little Blue Heron; Egretta caerulea

Snowy Egret; Egretta thula

Family Pelecanidae

American White Pelican; Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

Brown Pelican; Pelecanus occidentalis

Family Phalacrocoracidae

Neotropic Cormorant; Phalacrocorax brasilianus

Double-crested Cormorant; Phalacrocorax auritus

Family Cathartidae

Turkey Vulture; Cathartes aura

Family Pandionidae

Western Osprey; Pandion haliaetus

Family Accipitridae

White-tailed Kite; Elanus leucurus

Golden Eagle; Aquila chrysaetos

Sharp-shinned Hawk; Accipiter striatus

Cooper's Hawk; Accipiter cooperii

Northern Goshawk; Accipiter gentilis

Northern Harrier; Circus cyaneus

Bald Eagle; Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Mississippi Kite; Ictinia mississippiensis

Red-shouldered Hawk; Buteo lineatus

Broad-winged Hawk; Buteo platypterus

Swainson's Hawk; Buteo swainsoni

Red-tailed Hawk; Buteo jamaicensis

Ferruginous Hawk; Buteo regalis

Rough-legged Buzzard; Buteo lagopus

Family Rallidae

Yellow Rail; Coturnicops noveboracensis

Black Rail; Laterallus jamaicensis

King Rail; Rallus elegans

Virginia Rail; Rallus limicola

Sora; Porzana carolina

Common Moorhen; Gallinula chloropus

American Coot; Fulica americana

Family Gruidae

Sandhill Crane; Grus canadensis

Whooping Crane; Grus americana

Family Recurvirostridae

Black-necked Stilt; Himantopus mexicanus

American Avocet; Recurvirostra americana

Family Charadriidae

American Golden Plover; Pluvialis dominica

Grey Plover; Pluvialis squatarola; black-bellied plover

Semipalmated Plover; Charadrius semipalmatus

Killdeer; Charadrius vociferus

Piping Plover; Charadrius melodus

Snowy Plover; Charadrius nivosus

Mountain Plover; Charadrius montanus

Family Scolopacidae

American Woodcock; Scolopax minor

Wilson's Snipe; Gallinago delicata

Short-billed Dowitcher; Limnodromus griseus

Long-billed Dowitcher; Limnodromus scolopaceus

Hudsonian Godwit; Limosa haemastica

Marbled Godwit; Limosa fedoa

Eskimo Curlew; Numenius borealis

Whimbrel; Numenius phaeopus

Long-billed Curlew; Numenius americanus

Upland Sandpiper; Bartramia longicauda

Greater Yellowlegs; Tringa melanoleuca

Lesser Yellowlegs; Tringa flavipes

Solitary Sandpiper; Tringa solitaria

Willet; Tringa semipalmata

Spotted Sandpiper; Actitis macularius

Ruddy Turnstone; Arenaria interpres

Red Knot; Calidris canutus

Sanderling; Calidris alba

Semipalmated Sandpiper; Calidris pusilla

Western Sandpiper; Calidris mauri

Least Sandpiper; Calidris minutilla

White-rumped Sandpiper; Calidris fuscicollis

Baird's Sandpiper; Calidris bairdii

Pectoral Sandpiper; Calidris melanotos

Dunlin; Calidris alpina

Stilt Sandpiper; Calidris himantopus

Buff-breasted Sandpiper; Tryngites subruficollis

Wilson's Phalarope; Phalaropus tricolor

Red-necked Phalarope; Phalaropus lobatus

Red Phalarope; Phalaropus fulicarius

Family Laridae

Black-legged Kittiwake; Rissa tridactyla

Sabine's Gull; Xema sabini

Bonaparte's Gull; Chroicocephalus philadelphia

Black-headed Gull; Chroicocephalus ridibundus

Little Gull; Hydrocoloeus minutus

Ross's Gull; Rhodostethia rosea

Laughing Gull; Leucophaeus atricilla

Franklin's Gull; Leucophaeus pipixcan

Mew Gull; Larus canus

Ring-billed Gull; Larus delawarensis

California Gull; Larus californicus

Great Black-backed Gull; Larus marinus

Glaucous-winged Gull; Larus glaucescens

Glaucous Gull; Larus hyperboreus

Iceland Gull; Larus glaucoides

Thayer's Gull; Larus thayeri

American Herring Gull; Larus smithsonianus

Lesser Black-backed Gull; Larus fuscus

Caspian Tern; Hydroprogne caspia

Least Tern; Sternula antillarum

Common Tern; Sterna hirundo

Forster's Tern; Sterna forsteri

Black Tern; Chlidonias niger

Family Stercorariidae

Pomarine Skua; Stercorarius pomarinus; pomarine jaeger

Parasitic Jaeger; Stercorarius parasiticus

Long-tailed Jaeger; Stercorarius longicaudus

Family Columidae

Rock Dove; Columba livia; rock pigeon

Eurasian Collared Dove; Streptopelia decaocto

Mourning Dove; Zenaida macroura

White-winged Dove; Zenaida asiatica

Family Cuculidae

Yellow-billed Cuckoo; Coccyzus americanus

Black-billed Cuckoo; Coccyzus erythropthalmus

Family Tytonidae

Western Barn Owl; Tyto alba

Family Strigidae

Flammulated Owl; Psiloscops flammeolus

Eastern Screech Owl; Megascops asio

Snowy Owl; Bubo scandiacus

Great Horned Owl; Bubo virginianus

Barred Owl; Strix varia

Great Grey Owl; Strix nebulosa

Burrowing Owl; Athene cunicularia

Northern Saw-whet Owl; Aegolius acadicus

Long-eared Owl; Asio otus

Short-eared Owl; Asio flammeus

Family Cprimulgidae

Common Nighthawk; Chordeiles minor

Common Poorwill; Phalaenoptilus nuttallii

Chuck-will's-widow; Antrostomus carolinensis

Eastern Whip-poor-will; Antrostomus vociferus; whip-poor-will

Family Apodidae

Chimney Swift; Chaetura pelagica

White-throated Swift; Aeronautes saxatalis

Family Trochilidae

Ruby-throated Hummingbird; Archilochus colubris

Broad-tailed Hummingbird; Selasphorus platycercus

Rufous Hummingbird; Selasphorus rufus

Calliope Hummingbird; Selasphorus calliope

Family Alcedinidae

Belted Kingfisher; Megaceryle alcyon

Family Picidae

Lewis's Woodpecker; Melanerpes lewis

Red-headed Woodpecker; Melanerpes erythrocephalus

Acorn Woodpecker; Melanerpes formicivorus

Red-bellied Woodpecker; Melanerpes carolinus

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker; Sphyrapicus varius

Red-naped Sapsucker; Sphyrapicus nuchalis

Downy Woodpecker; Picoides pubescens

Hairy Woodpecker; Picoides villosus

Northern Flicker; Colaptes auratus

Family Falconidae

American Kestrel; Falco sparverius

Merlin; Falco columbarius

Gyrfalcon; Falco rusticolus

Prairie Falcon; Falco mexicanus

Peregrine Falcon; Falco peregrinus

Family Tyrannidae

Eastern Phoebe; Sayornis phoebe

Say's Phoebe; Sayornis saya

Olive-sided Flycatcher; Contopus cooperi

Western Wood Pewee; Contopus sordidulus

Eastern Wood-Pewee; Contopus virens

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher; Empidonax flaviventris

Acadian Flycatcher; Empidonax virescens

Willow Flycatcher; Empidonax traillii

Alder Flycatcher; Empidonax alnorum

Least Flycatcher; Empidonax minimus

Hammond's Flycatcher; Empidonax hammondii

Cordilleran Flycatcher; Empidonax occidentalis

Vermilion Flycatcher; Pyrocephalus rubinus

Cassin's Kingbird; Tyrannus vociferans

Western Kingbird; Tyrannus verticalis

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher; Tyrannus forficatus

Eastern Kingbird; Tyrannus tyrannus

Great Crested Flycatcher; Myiarchus crinitus

Family Laniidae

Loggerhead Shrike; Lanius ludovicianus

Great Grey Shrike; Lanius excubitor; northern shrike

Family Vireonidae

White-eyed Vireo; Vireo griseus

Bell's Vireo; Vireo bellii

Yellow-throated Vireo; Vireo flavifrons

Plumbeous Vireo; Vireo plumbeus

Cassin's Vireo; Vireo cassinii

Blue-headed Vireo; Vireo solitarius

Warbling Vireo; Vireo gilvus

Philadelphia Vireo; Vireo philadelphicus

Red-eyed Vireo; Vireo olivaceus

Family Corvidae

Grey Jay; Perisoreus canadensis

Blue Jay; Cyanocitta cristata

Steller's Jay; Cyanocitta stelleri

Pinyon Jay; Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus

Black-billed Magpie; Pica hudsonia

Clark's Nutcracker; Nucifraga columbiana

American Crow; Corvus brachyrhynchos

Northern Raven; Corvus corax; common raven

Family Bombycillidae

Bohemian Waxwing; Bombycilla garrulus

Cedar Waxwing; Bombycilla cedrorum

Family Paridae

Tufted Titmouse; Baeolophus bicolor

Black-capped Chickadee; Poecile atricapillus

Mountain Chickadee; Poecile gambeli

Family Alaudidae

Horned Lark; Eremophila alpestris

Family Hirundinidae

Sand Martin; Riparia riparia; bank swallow

Tree Swallow; Tachycineta bicolor

Violet-green Swallow; Tachycineta thalassina

Purple Martin; Progne subis

Northern Rough-winged Swallow; Stelgidopteryx serripennis

Barn Swallow; Hirundo rustica

American Cliff Swallow; Petrochelidon pyrrhonota

Cave Swallow; Petrochelidon fulva

Family Regulidae

Golden-crowned Kinglet; Regulus satrapa

Ruby-crowned Kinglet; Regulus calendula

Family Troglodytidae

Rock Wren; Salpinctes obsoletus

Sedge Wren; Cistothorus platensis

Marsh Wren; Cistothorus palustris

Bewick's Wren; Thryomanes bewickii

Carolina Wren; Thryothorus ludovicianus

Winter Wren; Troglodytes hiemalis

House Wren; Troglodytes aedon

Family Polioptilidae

Blue-grey Gnatcatcher; Polioptila caerulea

Family Sittidae

Pygmy Nuthatch; Sitta pygmaea

Red-breasted Nuthatch; Sitta canadensis

White-breasted Nuthatch; Sitta carolinensis

Family Certhiidae

Brown Creeper; Certhia americana

Family Mimidae

Grey Catbird; Dumetella carolinensis

Northern Mockingbird; Mimus polyglottos

Sage Thrasher; Oreoscoptes montanus

Brown Thrasher; Toxostoma rufum

Curve-billed Thrasher; Toxostoma curvirostre

Family Sturnidae

Common Starling; Sturnus vulgaris; European starling

Family Turdidae

Varied Thrush; Ixoreus naevius

Eastern Bluebird; Sialia sialis

Mountain Bluebird; Sialia currucoides

Townsend's Solitaire; Myadestes townsendi

Veery; Catharus fuscescens

Gray-cheeked Thrush; Catharus minimus

Swainson's Thrush; Catharus ustulatus

Hermit Thrush; Catharus guttatus

Wood Thrush; Hylocichla mustelina

American Robin; Turdus migratorius

Family Cinclidae

American Dipper; Cinclus mexicanus

Family Passeridae

House Sparrow; Passer domesticus; English sparrow

Family Motacillidae

Buff-bellied Pipit; Anthus rubescens; American pipit

Sprague's Pipit; Anthus spragueii

Family Fringillidae

Evening Grosbeak; Hesperiphona vespertinus

Pine Grosbeak; Pinicola enucleator

Grey-crowned Rosy Finch; Leucosticte tephrocotis

Purple Finch; Haemorhous purpureus

Cassin's Finch; Haemorhous cassinii

House Finch; Haemorhous mexicanus

Common Redpoll; Acanthis flammea

Red Crossbill; Loxia curvirostra

Two-barred Crossbill; Loxia leucoptera; white-winged crossbill

American Goldfinch; Spinus tristis

Lesser Goldfinch; Spinus psaltria

Pine Siskin; Spinus pinus

Family Parulidae

Ovenbird; Seiurus aurocapilla

Worm-eating Warbler; Helmitheros vermivorum

Louisiana Waterthrush; Parkesia motacilla

Northern Waterthrush; Parkesia noveboracensis

Golden-winged Warbler; Vermivora chrysoptera

Blue-winged Warbler; Vermivora cyanoptera

Black-and-white Warbler; Mniotilta varia

Prothonotary Warbler; Protonotaria citrea

Tennessee Warbler; Leiothlypis peregrina

Orange-crowned Warbler; Leiothlypis celata

Nashville Warbler; Leiothlypis ruficapilla

Connecticut Warbler; Oporornis agilis

MacGillivray's Warbler; Geothlypis tolmiei

Mourning Warbler; Geothlypis philadelphia

Kentucky Warbler; Geothlypis formosa

Common Yellowthroat; Geothlypis trichas

Hooded Warbler; Setophaga citrina

American Redstart; Setophaga ruticilla

Cape May Warbler; Setophaga tigrina

Cerulean Warbler; Setophaga cerulea

Northern Parula; Setophaga americana

Magnolia Warbler; Setophaga magnolia

Bay-breasted Warbler; Setophaga castanea

Blackburnian Warbler; Setophaga fusca

American Yellow Warbler; Setophaga aestiva

Chestnut-sided Warbler; Setophaga pensylvanica

Blackpoll Warbler; Setophaga striata

Black-throated Blue Warbler; Setophaga caerulescens

Palm Warbler; Setophaga palmarum

Audubon's Warbler; Setophaga auduboni; yellow-rumped warbler. There may also be occurrences of the more eastern Myrtle's Warbler, which now has a distinct scientific name.

Yellow-throated Warbler; Setophaga dominica

Prairie Warbler; Setophaga discolor

Grace's Warbler; Setophaga graciae

Black-throated Grey Warbler; Setophaga nigrescens

Townsend's Warbler; Setophaga townsendi

Black-throated Green Warbler; Setophaga virens

Canada Warbler; Cardellina canadensis

Wilson's Warbler; Cardellina pusilla

Fmmily: Incertae Sedis

[Genus relationships not certain.]

Yellow-breasted Chat; Icteria virens

Family Icteridae

Yellow-headed Blackbird; Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus

Bobolink; Dolichonyx oryzivorus

Western Meadowlark; Sturnella neglecta

Eastern Meadowlark; Sturnella magna

Bullock's Oriole; Icterus bullockii

Baltimore Oriole; Icterus galbula

Orchard Oriole; Icterus spurius

Red-winged Blackbird; Agelaius phoeniceus

Brown-headed Cowbird; Molothrus ater

Rusty Blackbird; Euphagus carolinus

Brewer's Blackbird; Euphagus cyanocephalus

Common Grackle; Quiscalus quiscula

Great-tailed Grackle; Quiscalus mexicanus

Family Emberizidae

Lark Bunting; Calamospiza melanocorys

Red Fox Sparrow; Passerella iliaca; fox sparrow

Song Sparrow; Melospiza melodia

Lincoln's Sparrow; Melospiza lincolnii

Swamp Sparrow; Melospiza georgiana

Harris's Sparrow; Zonotrichia querula

White-crowned Sparrow; Zonotrichia leucophrys

White-throated Sparrow; Zonotrichia albicollis

Golden-crowned Sparrow; Zonotrichia atricapilla

Dark-eyed Junco; Junco hyemalis

Savannah Sparrow; Passerculus sandwichensis

Nelson's Sparrow; Ammodramus nelsoni; Nelson's salt-marsh sparrow

Saltmarsh Sparrow; Ammodramus caudacutus

Le Conte's Sparrow; Ammodramus leconteii

Baird's Sparrow; Ammodramus bairdii

Henslow's Sparrow; Ammodramus henslowii

Grasshopper Sparrow; Ammodramus savannarum

American Tree Sparrow; Spizelloides arborea

Chipping Sparrow; Spizella passerina

Field Sparrow; Spizella pusilla

Clay-colored Sparrow; Spizella pallida

Brewer's Sparrow; Spizella breweri

Vesper Sparrow; Pooecetes gramineus

Lark Sparrow; Chondestes grammacus

Black-throated Sparrow; Amphispiza bilineata

Cassin's Sparrow; Peucaea cassinii

Green-tailed Towhee; Pipilo chlorurus

Spotted Towhee; Pipilo maculatus

Eastern Towhee; Pipilo erythrophthalmus

Family Calcariidae

McCown's Longspur; Rhynchophanes mccownii

Lapland Longspur; Calcarius lapponicus

Smith's Longspur; Calcarius pictus

Chestnut-collared Longspur; Calcarius ornatus

Snow Bunting; Plectrophenax nivalis

Family Cardinalidae

Summer Tanager; Piranga rubra

Scarlet Tanager; Piranga olivacea

Western Tanager; Piranga ludoviciana

Dickcissel; Spiza americana

Rose-breasted Grosbeak; Pheucticus ludovicianus

Black-headed Grosbeak; Pheucticus melanocephalus

Northern Cardinal; Cardinalis cardinalis

Blue Grosbeak; Passerina caerulea

Indigo Bunting; Passerina cyanea

Lazuli Bunting; Passerina amoena

Painted Bunting; Passerina ciris

This is an updated checklist for a regional area within Nebraska which conforms to international standards of name designation and taxonomy. The Nebraska bird group standards are based upon a lesser extent of species evaluation ... those only for North America.

Avian taxonomy is an ever-changing situation. Updates are typically issued on a yearly basis, so any field guide may be out-of-date within months after it is published. Name and taxonomy standards used vary greatly, from state to national to international.

It requires a focused effort to update particulars within any digital record-keeping methodology. Changes have to be carefully integrated with all previous, related details, while maintaining their essential intregrity. For a database, temporary alterations have to be allowed as additions and edits occur. Then the information has to be checked again to ensure essential accuracy.

It took numerous hours of a pre-holiday weekend to update the bird nomenclature details included in the database of the Great American Sandhills. It was a much more interesting endeavour than going shopping for holiday gifts!

A day earlier effort to update using the American Ornithologists Union checklist simply did not work. The effort was abandoned as the resultant details were confusing due to a lack of flexibility, especially when considering taxonimc sequence. Any use of the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union state checklist was immediately not feasible, due its simplicity and since it could not be saved digitally for later consideration at the home computer, where the hours of editing would occur.

The most problemantic item in regards to updating any personal database is the taxonomic sequence. Common and scientific names can be easily changed. Yet, none of the issued sources provide a specific number of identification, so there is the necessity to derive some means so that once the information is updated, it can be properly sorted for presentation that is proper and adheres to the original source.

After editing the records based upon the AOU checklist, the species sequence was not right. They attribute a species number based not upon when it was first designated, but upon an arbitrary designated number when something occurred. The Winter Wren is an example of this stupidity. The species has been known for nearly two centuries, yet when it was split to include the Pacific Wren of the northwest, its id value was changed.

The NOU checklist indicates nothing as far as a value where the list can be downloaded and used to prepare an electronic checklist, with a value that would allow creating a list with the proper taxonomic sequence.

The most problematic item is determining a sequence. Records need to be sorted so they can be regularly displayed in the right manner. Yet there is no number designated by any of the checklists available. In the case of the update using the IOC list, at least the row of the spreadsheet could be used to provide a faux number to enter so the species could be kept in the proper order. It would certainly make this sort of effort easier if a number was designated by authorities.

The extent of birds has been studied for decades, so it would seem that some numbering sequence could have been adopted that would be dynamic and suitable for the long-term. Alas, that is not the case now and never has been. Determining the order for species has always been essential and it will continue to be essential. Certainly the nomenclature experts could consider and develop a resolution...

New Master Plan Being Prepared for Cowboy Trail

A final public meeting was held at Valentine on December 16th to get input on a new master plan for the Cowboy Recreation and Recreation Trail. It was a cold night with the local community recovering from an eight-inch snow fall the previous day.

Officials asked for public input in association with comments and a slide presentation. One of the attendees was Al Brock, of the Valentine Recreational Trails Coalition.

Some options suggested by the public at the meeting were:

• Indicate local activities at communities along the trail that might be of interest to trail users and help with interactions among people with a variety of interests; examples at Valentine include the livestock market, county fair and rodeo activities
  
• Convey the availability of community resources beneficial to trail users, including wireless at libraries, shower facilities as well as the usual place to eat and sleep
  
• Create pollinator habitat at Valentine to benefit the Monarch butterfly
  
• Evaluate small, isolated prairie habitat parcels along the trail as opportunities for public access by trail users that want to stop and enjoy the local nature
  
• Indicate local businesses in towns along the trail that provide basic services for cyclists
  
• Plan for options to fund the opening of western portions of the trail, perhaps including donations to finance particular sections, with, perhaps, indicated recognition
  
• Pursue funding options that can help improve resource values along the trail
  

Proposed new management scenarios indicated for the trail by public officials include:

• Alternatives for trail operation and maintenance
  
• Maintenance and creation of pollinator habitat
  
• Options for haying practices; letters have been sent to current hay cutters to inform them that haying may not occur in 2016 while options are evaluated, according to officials
  
• Conservation and replanting of native prairie
  
• Clearing of unwanted woody vegetation from the trail right-of-way, especially invasive cedar trees
  

Indicated concerns regarding the trail, including activities which degrade the trail surface and perspectives of people opposed to the trail and its uses.

Two events to occur in the summer of 2016 associated with the trail corridor include: 1) an “ultra-marathon” with solo and team participants, which is expected to include visitors from other U.S. states, and 2): Valentine being a host community for the Bicycle Ride Across Nebraska, where riders will primarily ride along the highway, but will also have the option to ride along the Cowboy Trail.

Local options for recreational trail enhancement at Valentine mentioned, were connectors from the trail to the Valentine High School, and creating a highway-side trail to Fort Niobrara NWR.

The new plan will consider options for opening the western ca. 120 miles of the trail, westward from Valentine to its western terminus. A primary concern indicated is the development cost which is currently about $36,000 per mile, Nelson said.

The last master plan for the trail that was purchased in 1994, was prepared in 1995.

The 321 mile trail across northern Nebraska, is open to the public from Norfolk to Valentine. There are also two segments of the western portion of the trail available for public use at Gordon and Rushville.

Usage figures for 2009, convey there were 17,778 visits for the open section of the trail during June to September, according to the meeting presentation. This would equate to an approximate economic impact of $5.3 million. There would also be subsequent maintenance costs.

Current costs for trail operation and management are about $150,000, according to Nebraska Game and Parks Commission figures. It recently cost $7 million to repair the trail and bridges due to the 2010 historic flooding along the Elkhorn river.

Public officials present at Valentine included the trail coordinator, Kirk Nelson of the NGPC, along with other agency personnel. Alex Duryea represented the Nebraska Tourism Commission.

Other meetings along the trail included one delayed by the snow storm for a day at Rushville. Public comments were to be accepted until December 31st. A draft of the plan will be available for review in the spring of 2016.