Considering Recognition of Sandy Griswold Bird Sanctuary

Document submitted to two project agencies on 27 July 2011.

As mentioned in a published editorial and as requested by two area birders, there is an effort underway to have the Sandy Griswold Bird Sanctuary recognized once again at Carter Lake.

Omaha officials passed a resolution recognizing this designation, with the backing of the Izaak Walton League. The May 10, 1925, issue of the Omaha Bee indicated: "Carter Lake has been made a bird preserve. No more may Omaha nimrods slaughter migrating flocks of ducks which seek rest in the lake. The fowls seem to realize that they will not be molested about the lake, and have made their homes near it in great numbers." (See editorial).

The recognition was given due to the lake being a haven for many different sorts of birds. Historically the environs had a greater diversity of species. As the lake was transformed, its value to various species declined slowly but certainly. There was also the Nepenthe place where Alva Leroy Timblin enjoyed the bird life in the early 1930s, especially before the airfield plane traffic drove them away.

Bird Sanctuary Signage

The interest in recognizing the Sandy Griswold Bird Sanctuary would involve the placement of a marker at a suitable place that would recognize the feature. The cost for a marker would be raised through a fund-raising effort. It would also be installed by volunteers, so there would be no cost to a public agency.

The question is where should the marker be placed? Based on a review of the lake setting, development work planned for lake it would seem appropriate that the marker go on the east side of the lake at its southern extent. There are several reason for this suitability:

1) The available viewscape towards the lake would include the woods of the Bird Island and Iowa West Ranch which represent two primary undisturbed woodlands about the lake, and represent a natural setting, something which might have been seen in the 1920s.

2) This area of the lake is a no-wake zone so would not be disturbed by motor-boat traffic as nearly two-thirds of the lake will be.

3) It is a short distance from a parking lot, and would be a nice walk on a cement trail to visit the marker.

4) There are no plans to place unsightly concrete rip-rap along the shoreline.

5) The island provides a visual barrier to the urban setting of Carter Lake, including the barren Mabrey Park.

Unwanted Groins

There is one major concern and that is the planned installation of two rip-rap groins into the lake environs, southward of the southeast pier. They would provide fishing access. The groins are needed because people fishing do not want to fish from the bank, according to fisheries staff at the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. A fisheries manager said he would discuss this situation with his staff, but nothing has been heard, though this was brought to their attention weeks ago. This was not included in the topics covered during the mid-July meeting of the agencies/people involved with this project. Why is this situation being trivialized?

The groins are an obvious intrusion to the lake area. NGPC fisheries staff have said the lake is not being important for birds, and so should not be considered. This agency has not however adequately addressed bird use during seasonal migrations, especially since the removal of rough fish. After conducting more than 20 bird surveys from April through July, the lake environs still have an interesting array of birds, and though mostly terrestrial species, there are good numbers of Canada Goose, Mallard and Wood Duck.

NGPC fisheries staff and their consultants have no basis – as there have been no facts provided to support their claim for saying how the lake is no important for birds. And though this was not mentioned in any public hearings, it is now and as the project is delayed, there is ample opportunity to make revisions.

A majority of the lake side is to be altered by installation of bank tabilization, jetties, breakwaters and other hard rock intrusions which will effectively convert the historic Missouri River oxbow into an "industrial lake" with little natural shore and floodplain woods. Any shallow water habitat has already been mostly lost due to dredging in the 1930s and by additional dredging planned for the current project.

The two groins indicated on the associated map are not essential to provide a suitable fishing experience at Carter Lake. They do ruin an area of the lake which should become recognized as a nice haven for birds. Having the groins intrude into the lake would obviously increase disturbance to any birds on the water.

Concerns over the use of Nebraska Environmental Trust funds for this project were expressed at the July meeting of the board. Funds from this trust should not be used for a project which limits its environmental focus – in this case water quality and fishing – to the exclusion and seeming detriment of other appreciated and recognized natural features: birds. The groins can be left out with no additional cost, and would actually have a minimal reduction in the project expenses.

The Carter Lake project is expected to cost more than $6 million. This money is being well spent to further reduce the value of the lake to native birds using federal funds. Has the project environmental assessment evaluated ancillary impacts?

There are additional concerns regarding the parkland management. There are also opportunities. Carter Lake can be so much more than an industrial lake and park.

The following graphic illustrates the location for the proposed bird sanctuary sign.

Birds the Losers

The local birdlife continues to be the losers when it comes to the changes being wrought to the natural setting of Cutoff/Carter Lake, both now and in the past.

These two pictures visually depict this occurrence.

The female Mallard on her nest below the rail fence luckily seemed to be successful. The image does depict how little suitable habitat was available for her use as this busy and hazardous site was selected. If the Levi Carter so-called "Meadows in the Making" were suitably managed to increase plant diversity, rather than just being signs placed to give rationale for not mowing early in the season, this mallard and other birds would readily benefit. And mowing the grass in mid-July is not necessary, as it would help breeding birds survive, rather than having their home become isolated and more open to predation by area cats. The primary north "meadow" area was mown before July 16. Picture taken 19 June 2011

The two Mallards on the dock were among the four chased away by the incoming boat. The boat did a spin around the lake and then left. Plans for the project appear to include removal of tree snags and other suitable features which could provide alternate roosts. Picture taken 16 July 2011

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This picture was not included in the document but is included here to show how averse some people are to a long-growth of grass. This is a private citizen cutting grass on a Saturday in Levi Carter Park. It is not known if the person had permission?

Picture taken 16 July 2011.

UNO Plans Depict Potentially Hazardous Building

Plans for a new campus building show a design which may be hazardous to migratory birds.

A "Community Engagement Center" is to be built autumn 2011 and finished in spring 2012 on the north side of the campus of the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

The building is shown in a rendering as having a north facade which is mostly glass. Other areas of glass also appear to be planned as exterior walls.

"Use of glass and light will add to the dynamic environment within, and will convey in a physical sense the university’s commitment to be open and accessible." — UNOmaha planning document

This document also refers to glass-enclosed conference rooms.

Rendering of the Community Engagement Center. Courtesy image.

If the north wall has an "open view" as shown, the landscaping typically planted on campus will be reflected in the glass, and possibly create the false impression of vegetation which are known to be a consistent danger to birds.

The rendering would seem to indicate that the building will not be bird-friendly.

A similar glass facade at the adjacent Criss Library is already known to be a hazard, as dead birds have been found next to the lower-level windows of the Tritsch Garden on the north side.

Dead birds have also been found on the south side of the recently remodeled Health Education and Physical Recreation building on the UNO campus. This facade is across the street from Elmwood Park, which worsens the danger. Birds leaving the green spaces of the park see trees reflected in the expanse of glass, and fly into the windows.

The extensive use of glass was used to provide exercisers a "pretty view" of the park land. This is causing unnecessary bird deaths.

Location of the Community Engagement Center, which also shows landscape features. Courtesy image.

There is something disingenuous about having a building likely hazardous for birds which is projected as being "engaging to the community" or housing the "Building Bright Futures Initiative" and even an office for "Omaha By Design."

One section of the planning document refers to the building wanting to adhere to LEED program which "encompasses a holistic approach to sustainable design."

There is no information to be found on the web that would indicate any effort was made to make the structure "engaging" (i.e., safe) for birds, which are also part of the campus community. The landscaping on campus, nearby Elmwood park and golf course, as well as the arboreal setting of Fairacres all contribute to this lively situation.

UNO buildings are only making the environment more of a hazard. There are obvious and well-proven measures which could readily make the structure bird-friendly. A single bird death will instantly indicate that a holistic design was not used.

Vultures Roost Midtown Omaha Tower

Turkey Vultures have been roosting on a regular basis on a communications tower in midtown Omaha. They are especially prevalent in the early morning. Variable numbers have been occurring, with the greatest number, 77 near the end of June.

Numbers have been recorded and will be presented in a later analysis.

Midtown Martins and Dangerous Dundee Mishap

It was a swell evening Thursday on June 23. Sky was blue with a few scattered clouds to the south. Winds were calm and it was cool.

Purple Martins were about and it was time to once again check activity at their well known roost.

Wheeling along on two wheels, upon arrival at 44th Street, the setting was just right to view the roost trees lit by sublime evening light, with the buildings shining in the background. There were, however, no birds of interest yet about.

Bicycling further east, time was taken to watch the Chimney Swifts about 40th and Farnam streets. The usual fine bunch was about, including a couple of small groups which had fledglings refining their aerial skills. The bird sort of twittering was all about.

With time available a brief stop was made at the local establishment for a single cool drink with my favorite lemonade mix.

Then onward to the roost site observation location which was being used by three medical center workers on a smoke break. They sat on the steps and babbled on. The fem was the focus of two men's attention. She was fully loaded. There was a pack of cigarettes topped with a lighter, a cell phone, a music player, a bug repeller and a can of soda all carefully laid out in a row on either side. They finally left and the birds, thankfully, became the obvious feature.

About 8:30 p.m. there were 15 or so martins above. On terra firma nearby, several cutesy little bunnies were on the turf, though close to cover. Their parents foray's were a bit further. They were an additional appreciation.

Common Grackles fly around. Some starling were obvious. A few other species were present.

Most noticeably a Red-tailed Hawk, perched on a rooftop edge of the south doctor's building. It had earlier been seen soaring above the scene. Those little bits of rabbit were prime targets for this mighty raptor.

Martin Mecca

With the swarm of martins increasing, another detail was noticed. The measly "decorative" decals were on the glass windows of the walkway, but the banners were not hung with care. This is the danger zone for the migratory birds.

The martin mecca midtown is best appreciated with a personal experience. This particular evening, early in the season had the normal activities which have been observed in the past four years, since my sole discovery of this wonder of the Missouri River valley. Yet! Yes it was a grand spectacle. Once observed in all their glory, the activities are superb in a phantasmagorical mix of bird movement, vocalizations and other general activity by adult and juveniles birds. They are masters through the hidden breezes of the sky.

The hawk just sat there with its own intentions. Occasionally a grackle would swoop nearby to express its displeasure. Two robins were most intent in wanting the hawk gone. One sat within a few feet, trying to harass the raptor to an extent to get it to leave. Another was a few feet further away, providing backup. Near the roost site observation location, a robin was seen carrying food, which readily indicated the reason for robins in action against a predatory intruder among their community.

Once the hawk did finally decide to depart, most of the martin swarm escorted it upon its departure towards the west.

With the descent of dark, more of the munificent martins arrived. The seasonal congregation was underway, and was only being appreciated by a single man, who's presence did not matter in the least to the gathered birds.

What new expressive word should be given here is uncertain. There could be further comments on the splendor, but it was time to cycle onward.

Dangerous Dundee Mishap

Going up the hill to 49th Street there a bit if vibrancy in the pedal motion because of what had been enjoyed. Pedal. Breathe. Pedal. Pedal. Fatigue upon getting to the hilltop.

Going north, the fine night continued across Dodge Street and northward towards the expected destination.

Suddenly a car turned in front of my route. There was a vivid view of a pending collision with no means to stop or avoid the coming hit.

Oh no! Smash ...

The subsequent moments are not part of my awareness. The next cognizant realization was lying on the street, looking at the underside of a car, with the front tire a few feet away. The "wits were gathered" as lying in the street was not the place to be, so my position was moved to the curbside grass to lay back. The "hipster" drivers at least asked once about my situation, then made no further attempts at communicating. A nearby resident offered a cup of water. She had not seen the accident but had heard it.

Yikes. A car and a bike collide with her and other gawkers knowing about it because of the noise. What is it about a guy on a bicycle hitting a car which cut in front of the cyclist that is so obviously noisy?

If the car would have had its headlights on or used its turn signal - neither which was being used based upon quickly made, pre-trauma recollections - it might have been avoided.

There could be a lot to say of what happened next. It all followed an expression to call emergency services. An ambulance and fire truck arrived in minutes.

The responders then took control. Being strapped onto a back board and being asked question after question is not my version of a typical bird watching outing.

My eyes were kept closed except for a few secondary moments, until and into being situated in an emergency room. The stress level was elevated.

There could be comments on being treated as a body instead of a person at the nearby medical center. There was a lack of explanation on the flurry of activites. Their actions were apparently appropriate, but overwhelming. There was the security goon being a "big man" with a shiny "tin" badge. There is the discomfort of being left lying for many minutes on a back board while health care givers discuss my situation in the hall. Money, money, money the basic point. There could be words given about the doctoral discussions, when the two guys finally were cognizant enough to be personable and listen. There were a whole lot of words because of out looking at birds. There is the lack of police providing no information on the car drivers.

There could be more said. There were enough opinions to last a year.

As a hurting hombre, my nights destination was reached a couple of hours later, via my own two feet through the streets. Ow. Oh that hurts. Again and again until the realization most obvious: pain is an active part of life, and this was one of my times. Along the way, notably noticed were small pieces from a broken car - due to blunt force tramua from my body - on north 49th Street. The broken bike - with a dramatically twisted front tire - had already been delivered by three firemen to the front porch, rather than the back year which had been the request, repeated twice.

Conditions due to the accident continue. It is beyond malaise, but an obvious malady with an unknown result(s) pending.

There will certainly be another bicycle visit to the martin mecca? This wonder of the bird world will hopefully be enjoyed again and again in some manner or another.

Water Spreads Across Missouri Floodplain

View of Tobacco Island mitigation area. Image courtesy of the Army Corps of Engineers.

"Floodplain functionality" has dramatically returned at wild lands along the Missouri River as evident at the numerous mitigation areas created by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during recent years.

Most of the sites adjacent to the river channel are now completely inundated by flood waters, based on river valley inundation maps prepared by the Corps.

Many of these mitigation sites including land that was formerly corn fields, which would have been inundated under current conditions along the river.

The depth of water at the mitigation sites would vary, according to Jolene M. Hulsing, a natural resources specialist with the Corps' Omaha district.

"The Corps number one concern is public safety and property," Hulsing said, "The flood will expose mitigation sites to natural processes that facilitate fish and wildlife.

"Mitigation sites serve as areas for the river to flow where it did prior to construction of navigation controls. These areas have been reconstructed to 'mimic' natural conditions. Being exposed to this rare flood event exposes the sites to pre-navigation and pre-dam flows. How the landscape responds to the flood water will be reminiscent of how the landscape functioned prior to settlement.

"It will be educational to see what the flood has done to impact these sites," she said.

A thorough evaluation of the sites will occur once the flooding has ended.

"Vegetative conditions and wetland situations will be mapped," Hulsing said.

There will most likely be damage to infrastructure at the mitigation sites, such as pumping stations, rock structure, fencing, roads, signage, etc. Hulsing said. "This will all have to be assessed after the flood water recede."

Corps officials currently have only limited access to the mitigation areas, due to inundated roads and excessive flows which severely inhibit boat or vehicular access.

Hulsing and other staff at the Missouri River Project Office have had to relocate from their headquarters at the Omaha Moorings, along Pershing Drive. Water is inside the lower buildings, but a port a dam currently is keeping water out of the Administrative office.

Local wildlife is having to adapt to the higher flows, but the river's fish and wildlife has dealt with flooding along the river for centuries. The extent of the spreading water may be a new experience for current generations, so they are being forced to adapt.

The mitigation sites from Sioux City to Rulo comprise about 22,000 acres, and are actively managed for natural uses to benefit indigenous fish and wildlife.

Editorial Cartoonist Erroneous

The editorial cartoonist for the local daily newspaper was off the mark on the strip for June 15, 2011.

This strip is wrong in many ways by what it conveys, including:

1. Indicating that extensive flooding was the result of water management for endangered and threatened species
2. Conveying a perspective that people were suffering due to birds and fish
3. Is a lame commentary attacking fish and birds which have few advocates for their interests
4. Shows a disregard of the need for conservation of important natural resources within the Missouri valley
5. Does not convey that the bird species have also lost their seasonal homes

For these reasons, the artist was nominated as a "butthead of the week" on the Tom Becka show, on Friday evening, June 17. The talk-show host also tried to make the discussion one of birds versus people.

This erroneous perspective shows a lack of awareness and is an easy stance to take rather rather than to understand the issues. There are compromises involved and finding common ground is preferable to antagonizing the situation.

This cartoon is included through the fair-use provision of the copyright law.

Malaise of Flooded Missouri Valley Habitats

A white-tailed deer belly-deep in flood waters covering the Horseshoe Lake Flats was the forlorn sign of the malaise along the in bird habitats along the Missouri River of Nebraska. It stood still for quite a time, not moving in any particular manner, as if not knowing what to do next. It was surrounded by water of variable depths, and may have lost its nurtured fawn?

For wild birds, there have undoubtedly been similar tragedies of the summer breeding season as merciless water creeps across dry land, flooding habitats and havens for so many birds.

Carbonation

A visit to some known floodplain places was carried out on June 11th.

It started with an arrival on the east bluff lookout at Hummel Park a bit after 5 a.m., to have proper siting for a sunrise during the summer solstice month. Access was available from Ponca Road as Pershing Road was closed at the river bridge near Florence. Above this road, the Interstate had also been closed, as flooding on the Iowa side meant a closed section of I-29.

Along the steep route outward, the clay soil was tacky, giving a good grip for shoe soles, and thankfully suited for the careful steps to get along on a suitable vantage point or two.

Upon looking downward in a vast expanse, an Eastern Phoebe found the situation suitable, though it was a place where an errant step would be into a dangerous, big hole or a long fall from the sheer bluff wall.

Songsters expressed the pending day, vocal in a scene without car or plane traffic. Fog in the sky masked portions of the Missouri valley in the dim and expressive light of pre-dawn.

The lowland was liquid H2O, mostly covered.

The corn field to the east was mostly flooded, with another Duda Farm field to the north was entirely flooded. N.P. Dodge Park was all covered. Scant glimpses of sun and changing sky conditions meant it was time to relocate.

A quick jaunt was made to the Horseshoe Lake Flats. Along the way - after the dreadful traffic control situation due to recreational trail construction - the Surfside Club was closed due to flood conditions, especially in its parking lot. The usual road taken along the lowlands by the Krimlofski Tract was closed and blocked by cement barricades. An alternative western route was taken that ended at the drainage ditch along County Road P49. Where it was barricaded, with signage.

Floodplain

Nearly everything eastward of this point was under some depth of water. It looked like a lake to the east, though the road signs sticking up here and there readily indicated usual purposes. In the distance were inundated buildings. A center-pivot irrigator was useless as it was partially under water.

The most interesting consideration from this point: What is the entire flooded land was actually part of the Boyer Chute NWR. Forget growing crops on a floodplain but allow the river to reclaim land it undoubtedly spread across in former years. The scene was wild and dramatic in its presentation of a time many decades ago when there was natural flooding which was the nature of the Missouri River.

Resident tragedies would eventually disappear. There would be less personal disasters and economic impact if the land was managed differently.

After an interlude, the day's route went southward to the entrance of N.P. Dodge Park where the local flock of Canada geese were gathered. The gaggle of geese were gathered on a spit of grass. One gander was using a spot reserved for handicapped parking. Boisterous goslings were big but not yet ready to fly. This bit of turf was among the few square feet of the park which were not inundated.

Displaced

An unusual bird sighting here was two Green Herons, also adapting to the conditions. A Killdeer had a miniscule place where it could forage.

Along Pershing Drive, a jogger came along, and upon inquiry said there was no water on the road to the south. That route was actually accessible. Here, and elsewhere during the day, were gawkers getting their own perspective of the Flood of 2011.

Returning to the Hummel Park bluffs, intermittent sun and fog clouds presented a suitable dichotomy of the situation.

After safely maneuvering the park bluffs - more suited to a phoebe or bunting than a human hiker - it was time to go further south, moving first along Pershing Drive. The Corps of Engineers had built a berm of several feet around the Omaha Moorings staff building. Coast Guard people had done the same. Beneath the Mormon Bridge, a officer of the Omaha Police Department sat in his cruiser, controlling inbound access onto the drive. Leaving was not being controlled.

The guy was given a wave.

Near Carter Lake, contractors were placing sand bags around at least four electrical facilities - transformers, etc. - along Abbott Drive, by Eppley Airfield. Preventive efforts certainly?

Industrial?

La Platte Bottoms

Safely transversing the traffic officer radar spot north of La Platte, the always expressive La Platte Bottoms were reached. Water levels were notably higher than an earlier visit in June. There were however, barricades and road closed signs at the junction of La Platte Road and Harlan Lewis Drive, similar to those from the latter months of 2010.

Upon driving east to see what birds were about, my excursion was brought short by a man in a big pickup, making a kindly gesture. He asked if my residence was further along? No. He then said the county sheriff was issuing tickets to people present along the road, as it was officially closed. The apparent fine was $57.

My route - after noting the Great-tailed Grackles - went eastward to the first turn-around and continued to a stopping point at the intersection, just a few feet west of the barricades and signs, and certainly out of the zone of potential conflict.

It was not a good time to be trying to watch birds. There was too much traffic, especially dump trucks of various sorts. Some were taking fill material to a nearby site along Papillion Creek where the military was apparently filling sand bags to armor the creek's levee. A bit west, other trucksters hauled quantities of dirt to create a berm around a power company facility.

During a stop at the western edge of the bottoms, with the car parked completely off the roadway, there was a bit of time to see more Black Terns, and snap a pic after getting stable following the gusts from passing trucks. While there, a county sheriff drove past.

Watersway

Great Marsh

The road to the floodplain of Fontenelle Forest and Gifford Point was completely blocked by barricades about a mile to the west, near Camp Logan Fontenelle. There were four barricades joined by a cable preventing any vehicular access, though there were no directives limiting foot traffic.

It did require a hike among the forest with beautiful birds to arrive on the floodplain. There certainly was water on the road, a few hundred feet eastward of the railroad tracks. Most of the lowland of Gifford Point is covered by some extent of river flows at this place directly below the city of Omaha.

The Great Marsh is greater than it has been in any recent year. The expansive marsh includes aquatic forest to the east - perhaps it might be called a swamp - and there are probably continuous liquid conditions to Hidden Lake.

Rust on the tracks indicate a lack of use for the BNSF railroad line.

Evening Time

Barricades along the county road east of Fort Calhoun were noted in a visit during in the early evening with ample sun. A partial barricade was bypassed to access to the barricade point. During the very brief visit, a patrol car of the Nebraska State Patrol came on the scene, but left without asking any questions.

A second visit to CR P49 indicated an increase in water levels. The bit of road present in the morning - as used by foraging Common Grackles and Killdeer - was gone. A female gawker here would not go beyond the barricades and signage because it said no trespassing.

The day went smoothly with no harangues for being anyplace. No inadvertent mishaps. And any citations for trespassing or speeding were avoided. All it took was time and money for high-priced gasoline.

Flood. Original artwork (c) 2011 Scott Malone.