Power Facilities Development in West Custer County

Information found on the web indicates plans for development of power facilities in western Custer county.

A transmission substation and distribution lines will be built in the area, according to an agreement between BP Wind Energy North America Inc. the Nebraska Public Power District and the Southwest Power Pool, Inc. The "generator interconnection agreement" for the Broken Bow South substation was dated May, 2011.

The document also indicated that: "BP Wind plans to construct a 75 MW wind generation facility, which will consist of fifty General Electric 1.5 MW wind turbines." The following diagram indicates the facility, and was included in the agreement document (No. 2220).

The turbine facility was being developed in the playa wetland in the county westward of Merna. The original intention was to develop the facility and sell the power to NPPD. The power district instead selected a turbine facility that is now nearing completion in eastern Custer County.

When NPPD decided on the east Custer site, a representative said the site west of Broken Bow was eliminated since whooping cranes regularly migrate through the area.

Whooping Crane migration corridor through Nebraska. Courtesy image.

The numerous playa wetlands provide optimum seasonal roost sites for these endangered cranes, as well as a large number of other bird species.

Changed Situation

There are two notable changes which apply to this situation.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is currently evaluating a "Habitat Conservation Plan" for a multi-state region.

"A primary goal of the HCP is to develop a consistent, systematic, and predictable approach for wind energy development while supporting the conservation of certain species. The objective of the EIS is to evaluate the potential impacts that would result from the proposed HCP and associated Incidental Take Permit (ITP) for potential species take associated with construction, operation, and maintenance activities associated with multiple commercial wind energy facilities within North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas." FWS summary document

An incidental take provision would allow the "taking" of endangered species such as the Whooping Crane, as well as threatened species and species in need of conservation, such as the Lesser Prairie-Chicken. Species Take Avoidance Measures are also being considered.

A second pertinent item is recent legislation passed in Nebraska which allows power from wind turbines can now be exported from the state, so a local power district does not have to be the purchaser. For example, a project could be built and the power sent elsewhere, without the involvement of NPPD or OPPD.

BP Wind still has the agreements with some landowners in the area, which would allow placement of turbines on their property. The meteorological stations installed by BP Wind to evaluate the wind resource, are still in place.

Pending Turbine Farm

Is there a turbine farm looming in the future for western Custer county? The pending availability of a power substation and transmission line indicates there is going to be additional power generation in the area, since more infrastructure is being created.

Adding additional facilities indicates greater power generation and the means to transfer it to where needed.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Nebraska Game and Parks Commission have recognized the playa wetlands of Custer county as a locale of significance which should not be used as a wind turbine facility.

However, information indicates BP Wind is still working to develop wind power facilities. The documentation also indicates continued interest in placing fifty turbines among the wetlands.

If incidental take of endangered species such as the Whooping Crane is allowed, this may tip the balance as regards the occurrence of this species in west Custer County. And if the power was exported elsewhere, local power districts could say they are not directly involved, and thus not have to answer to local opposition to any turbine project.

Omaha Building Notably Dangerous for Migrant Hummingbirds

A particular downtown Omaha building is especially dangerous for migrant Ruby-throated Hummingbirds.

Ten dead hummers have been noted in the past four years, with four occurrences in particular associated with the Central Park Plaza.

Most notable is that three of the known instances have been at the same spot of the building's plaza, and within a time period of three days. The only exception among the bunch was a bird that struck glass on the north side of the north tower, ending up on the sidewalk along the street.

It is quite a conundrum why hummingbirds would be killed within the same time period at the same building and within an area no greater than 36 inches in diameter. The specific spot is on the west side of the plaza of the Central Park Plaza, and immediately near the second window from the north end of the windows between the north and south entrances.

A single carcass of a Ruby-throated Hummingbird was noted, corresponding to three particular dates:

• 13 September 2008,

The first instance of a dead hummingbird found at the Central Park Plaza buildings.

• 13 September 2009, and

Another instance of a Ruby-throated hummingbird killed by the glass at the Central Park Plaza.


• 15 September 2011.

Dead hummingbird noted on 16 September 2011, in a completely drenched condition. Based upon the time when found, and weather conditions, it is likely that this bird was struck dead the previous day.

No available explanation can explain this repeated autumnal occurrence. The building's plaza does not have any greenery that might attract birds of any sort. It is separated from the somewhat green situation of the Central Park Mall by the multi-story downtown Omaha Library. Lights might be a factor, but they mostly shine higher upon the two towers.

What might cause this sordid event is not known...

If the unnecessary demise due to windows strikes occurred twice it might be due to chance, but after three instances, it is more than just a random event. Any first-hand explanation is not forth-coming as birds can't describe their behavior, and, anyway, those involved are now dead, and were thrown into the trash to get rid of the formerly live animals.

Some sort of human explanation is not available, and completely lacking. It could be appropriate to investigate the matter further by staking out the place during the same days in future years and watching any hummingbird behavior in a precise and focused manner to gather some interpretable clues. This determination would be derived from an initial four years of gathering records in the early morning of many days.

The unused Law Building has caused two known hummingbird deaths during the same period.

A recent addition to the list of dangerous buildings is the Sorrell Center at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. The bird that died there languished for a time before it was noted. Once that happened, watching eyes made sure it was removed.

Carcasses have also been recorded at the 1200 Landmark Center, Qwest Center Omaha (now Centurylink, though the signs have not yet been changed), and Omaha Public Power District Energy Plaza, which was also a new addition in 2011. At the latter site, the carcass was left on the sidewalk for an extended period.

These sorts of ponderings should not occur, and they would not if the proprietors of particular buildings in downtown Omaha gave attention to the how their buildings are dangers to migrant birds, especially in spring and autumn. If the many structures which are not bird-safe were otherwise presented, there would be noticeably fewer bird strikes and an insufficient record of occurrence to devise trends or repeated occurrences.

Alas, it is otherwise, to the ongoing detriment of birds migrating through the valley of the Missouri River.

Renovation Destroys Swift Habitat

Renovation of historic apartments in Omaha has destroyed chimneys useful for Chimney Swifts.

The Canterbury Apartments at Park Avenue and Leavenworth Street are being renovated from their former dilapidated condition. Additional apartment houses in the same vicinity are going through the same process.

One of the first construction activities at the Canterbury was to provide a new roof on the buildings. When this was done, all of the chimneys were removed.

An earlier story pondered the fate of these buildings. The buildings will remain but their best features have been obliterated.

The south Canterbury Apartment house shown without its once prominent chimneys.

Other Destruction

Another building with a fine chimney has been razed. It had been present since 1900, providing a useful haven for 111 years. Since it had been abandoned and was completely unkempt, it was simply removed. There was just one chimney, but the loss of just one decreases the options available for the swifts, and continues the trend of continual decline in the only habitat - chimneys - used by the little, black bugeaters.

Swift habitat recently destroyed.

Pending Building in Old Market Depicts Bird Hazards

A multi-use structure to be built in the Old Market area of Omaha includes the most prominent feature which is known to be hazardous to migrating birds.

Image from the architectural firm and used through the fair-use policy.

The multi-level brick building will feature an extensive glass facade on its lower level. This type of exterior wall is reflective and also does not provide an effective visual barrier for birds which do not see the glass. There is no indication that the glass to be used will be of a bird-safe type, such as fritted glass or ornilux.

An aspect not shown in the building's drawing is landscaping. This is one positive point as nearby or adjacent planting would attract birds and make the place more of a danger.

The Old Market does have a dearth of vegetation and thus the area has fewer known bird strikes. It also is not surveyed very often for this reason, so the true extent of occurrence is not known.

The construction of this building has not yet been approved by the Omaha City Council, and when this occurs, it is a perfect time to provide comments against it being built since it does not adhere to bird-safe guidelines.

This building was designed by the same architectural firm associated with another potentially dangerous building in North Downtown.

There are a variety of options to design a bird-safe building, yet this architectural firm continue to present structures which prominently feature dangerous glass. The firm's architects apparently do not consider how their designs are creating new dangers for migrant birds in the east Omaha area along the Missouri River.

Watching Magnificent Martins and Spectacular Swifts

Submitted to the newsletter of the Audubon Society of Omaha, with additional material added to the online edition.

By June 5, 2011, Purple Martins had arrived at their midtown roost, with an early number of 100 present the following day. Numbers in the hundreds were reached by June 23rd, with more than 1000 by mid-July. Numbers increased day-by-day and there were about 6500 on July 21st.

By this time, Nebraska Medical Center personnel had placed banners on the cross-walk windows to create a visual barrier and reduce the likelihood of a martin hitting the glass.

The watching season at the martin mecca midtown was notably subdued this season. There were consistently fewer watchers of the magnificent flight behavior as the birds came in each night to their normal roosting site.

An early peak was August 13th, when an estimated 45,000 were present. There were fewer birds for a few days, but then a multitude occurred once again. As numbers increased so did the delight of observers.

Figure showing a 15-mile diameter around the Martin Mecca Midtown. Sites within this radius known to be used during the day by martins include the lake near Bennington, Horseshoe Lake Flats, Florence Waterworks, Carter Lake and Offutt Base Lake.

The peak count of the season, ably made with the assistance of Justin Rink - the Purple Martin Ambassador - was 65,000 in early September. A brief article in the local newspaper brought out more enthusiasts, with at least 262 watchers on the 4th. Numbers decreased quickly though, with only 6000 on the 7th. The last few birds were seen on the 12th, ending another season. This was within a day of the last martins noted in 2009.

The Nebraska Medical Center deserves recognition for timely placement of banners, and then adding others - when requested - within the north walkway as birds were watched bouncing off that glass.

A significant difference this year was a shift of the last martins to using a couple of trees in a green space along Capitol Avenue, about a block west of 42nd street.

Swift Chimneys

The next grand spectacle to enjoy during the autumn season is the gathering of chimney swifts at prominent chimneys of various buildings in eastern Omaha. Fine numbers will continue to gather through mid-October.

On the evening of September 10th, a chimney near 44th and Izard Street was used by an estimated 925 chimney swifts. This same evening, nearly 400 Common Nighthawks were observed flying southward and generally about the same vicinity; one of the highest number of this species to have ever been noted in the region.

Early on the morning of the 11th, perfect timing allowed a count of 1025 bug-eaters leaving the big chimney at Duchesne Academy, along north 38th Street, in the Cathedral neighborhood.

That evening a most spectacular sight was the twittering gathering at the many-sided chimney of the church at 36th and Farnam Street. The birds kept coming but eventually - within minutes - all disappeared into the brick structure. There were an estimated 1400, based on counts of groups entering the roost. The same event was enjoyed two night later.

The best chimney in the Omaha area for watching the roosting activity of Chimney Swifts.

Swift action can be enjoyed in many places about Omaha. Numbers vary, but can be readily seen in downtown Omaha, especially the south side of the Old Market, South Omaha, the Blackstone area, Benson, in Dundee near 50th and Dodge and scattered elsewhere. Particular chimneys are often used again-and-again.

Swift watching is as easy as watching martins, and with a little planning, can be enjoyed from the comfort of a car. It can be a uniquely different birding outing.

September Migration in Eastern Nebraska

Autumnal migration is currently underway on the plains, and a unique combination of bird watching outings reveal the variety of species which are present now in mid-September. A tally indicates the variety which can be expected.

Bird Watching

Several sources indicate the following 95 species were present along the Missouri River in the Omaha vicinity and at Indian Cave State Park at the following locales:

1. Carter Lake (19 species): a morning visit on September 15th.
2. Fontenelle Forest (52 species): visits were made on September 14th and 16th by Justin Rink, and on the 17th, he led the field trip for the Audubon Society of Omaha, where there was a drastically notable dearth of forest birds. After that hike about the north uplands, a brief visit was made to the entrance of Gifford Farm, on the river floodplain.
3. Harlan Lewis Flats (16 species): visited on the chilly and drizzly Saturday after the Fontenelle Forest foray. This wetland - which in a typical year is corn fields - occurs southward from Missouri River Road to the bridge over the Big Papillion Creek, and is a result of the high water levels during the 103 days of the Missouri River Flood of 2011. There is a barricade on the bridge blocking the road, preventing any further access, so the La Platte Bottoms could not be visited.
4. Indian Cave State Park (66 species): a birding day for the southeast district of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission was held on the 15th, with a list of species graciously provided by the agency.

The number of waterfowl varied with a greater number of Mallards at Carter Lake, where they are a common breeding species. The same applies to the Canada Goose. Notable at the north Omaha lake were the 33 Pied-billed Grebe and American Coots.

More dabbling ducks were at the Harlan Lewis Flats, an area along the road of the same name, and southward from Missouri River Road to the bridge over the Big Papillion Creek. Blue-winged Teal were prominent in their drab, eclipse plumage.

A big surprise was the number of Killdeer at the still flooding Gifford Farm. The road was passable to the entrance of the farm. A but further, water was still running across the road and the ground was a barren mudflat. These shorebirds were obvious and it was hoped there might be a greater variety, but only the Spotted Sandpiper was also present.

Noting a Sandhill Crane in southeast Nebraska at this time of the season, is notable.

The Belted Kingfisher was the only species noted for all four localities.

In comparing Fontenelle Forest and Indian Cave State Park, there were 85 species recorded. The Sarpy county forest was notable for its dearth of raptors. More flycatcher species were present at the southern forest, perhaps due to somewhat better weather conditions. It has been notably chilly and damp in the region, likely moving birds further southward.

A fine variety of a dozen warblers are represented from both places.

The Yellow-headed Blackbirds were an enjoyable sight, and it was surprising to see the flock of Brown-headed Cowbirds, which are not often seen in large groups. Of a known 1400 records, only 32 denoted more than 30 birds at a particular time and place. Although only a common of Common Grackles were noted, this is more a result of not being at a place where they are still present in the area.

Moderation in the weather will certainly improve bird watching conditions in the coming days. It will be that sublime seasonal weather to get out and about to denote the grand variety of migrants passing southward this year in the Missouri River valley.

Species List

The number given, is a total of the number of each species recorded - if noted - for the site during the period considered.

Common Name	Carter Lake District	Fontenelle District	Indian Cave District	La Platte District
Canada Goose	272	1	0	--
Wood Duck	40	--	0	--
Gadwall	--	--	--	2
Mallard	386	--	--	26
Blue-winged Teal	35	--	0	235
Wild Turkey	--	14	0	--
Pied-billed Grebe	33	--	0	6
American White Pelican	--	--	0	--
Double-crested Cormorant	--	--	0	--
Great Blue Heron	--	0	0	5
Turkey Vulture	--	4	0	--
Osprey	--	--	0	--
Bald Eagle	--	--	0	--
Sharp-shinned Hawk	--	--	0	--
Cooper’s Hawk	--	--	0	--
Broad-winged Hawk	--	--	0	--
Red-tailed Hawk	--	0	--	--
American Kestrel	2	--	--	--
Peregrine Falcon	--	--	0	--
American Coot	36	--	--	--
Sandhill Crane	--	--	0	--
Killdeer	--	130	--	8
Spotted Sandpiper	--	1	--	--
Pectoral Sandpiper	--	--	--	30
Franklin's Gull	--	--	--	1
Ring-billed Gull	--	--	--	1
Mourning Dove	--	0	0	5
Yellow-billed Cuckoo	--	4	0	--
Great Horned Owl	--	--	0	--
Barred Owl	--	--	0	--
Chimney Swift	--	1	--	--
Ruby-throated Hummingbird	--	1	0	--
Belted Kingfisher	1	2	0	1
Red-headed Woodpecker	--	1	0	--
Red-bellied Woodpecker	--	3	0	--
Downy Woodpecker	1	4	0	--
Hairy Woodpecker	--	0	0	--
Northern Flicker	6	3	0	--
Pileated Woodpecker	--	1	--	--
Eastern Wood-Pewee	--	15	0	--
Least Flycatcher	--	--	0	--
Eastern Phoebe	--	--	0	--
Great Crested Flycatcher	--	--	0	--
Eastern Kingbird	--	--	0	--
Yellow-throated Vireo	--	5	0	--
Blue-headed Vireo	--	3	0	--
Warbling Vireo	--	--	0	--
Red-eyed Vireo	--	9	0	--
Blue Jay	5	3	0	--
American Crow	--	--	0	--
Tree Swallow	--	--	0	--
Northern Rough-winged Swallow	--	1	--	100
Barn Swallow	2	--	0	100
Black-capped Chickadee	3	8	0	--
Tufted Titmouse	--	2	0	--
White-breasted Nuthatch	--	6	0	--
Brown Creeper	--	--	0	--
House Wren	--	1	--	--
Ruby-crowned Kinglet	--	1	0	--
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher	--	--	0	--
Eastern Bluebird	--	0	0	--
Swainson's Thrush	--	2	--	--
Wood Thrush	--	5	--	--
American Robin	20	2	0	--
Gray Catbird	2	2	0	--
Brown Thrasher	--	--	0	--
European Starling	72	2	--	--
Cedar Waxwing	--	2	0	--
Tennessee Warbler	--	1	--	--
Nashville Warbler	--	28	0	--
Northern Parula	--	--	0	--
Black-throated Green Warbler	--	1	0	--
Bay-breasted Warbler	--	1	--	--
Black-and-white Warbler	--	1	0	--
American Redstart	--	--	0	--
Ovenbird	--	2	--	--
Northern Waterthrush	--	1	--	--
Mourning Warbler	--	1	--	--
Common Yellowthroat	--	3	--	--
Wilson’s Warbler	--	--	0	--
Summer Tanager	--	--	0	--
Scarlet Tanager	--	2	--	--
Eastern Towhee	--	1	0	--
Chipping Sparrow	--	--	0	--
White-throated Sparrow	--	1	--	--
Northern Cardinal	--	2	0	--
Rose-breasted Grosbeak	--	11	0	--
Indigo Bunting	--	--	0	--
Red-winged Blackbird	--	--	--	100
Yellow-headed Blackbird	--	--	--	6
Common Grackle	2	--	--	--
Brown-headed Cowbird	--	--	0	30
Baltimore Oriole	--	--	0	--
American Goldfinch	6	0	0	--
House Sparrow	2	4	--	--

This is but a sample of the many birds which can be enjoyed during the autumn migration in the special wild spaces and urban places of the region.