Ghouls and goblins might have been the focus for later on October 31st, but the early part of the day was especially splendid for another sort of outdoor endeavor. The morning was splendid for a walk-about through the spaces of Memorial Park and Elmwood Park. It had been many weeks since a similar survey had been done, so the timing was right.
The outing at these two eastern Omaha parks was enough to elicit an intent to keep going with a similar effort to evaluate the extent of wild birds at other significant park spaces nearby the Missouri River valley.
The following places were surveyed during October 31st to November 4th, with the results indicated according to districts, in a summary of places within a common area.
Memorial Park District: including Happy Hollow Creek, Memorial Park, and Wood Creek, Memorial Park;
Elmwood Park District: including, in the order of visitation, Young Park, the north portion of the Elmwood Park golf course, the south grove of trees along Wood Creek within the park, and then eastward along the creek, and to Shadow Lake and finally at the Elmwood Park Ravine, along Happy Hollow Boulevard. The Wood Creek pond was empty except for the flow of the creek, obviously for some reason by the department of Parks, Recreation and Public Property, of the City of Omaha.
The survey was done while walking through each area.
With continuing suitable weather conditions, the next morning's survey for November 1st, was done via bicycle. After pedaling about downtown Omaha, and a useless attempt to find a northward trail from the riverfront to Carter Lake, the route went back to 16th Street, and followed a typical routine, with the regular route of visitation. Sites of record included:
- Kiwanis Park;
- Carter Lake including any observations at Iowa West Ranch as seen from the east bank of the lake;
- Levi Carter Park, including the primary settling basin associated with the final days of lake dredging;
- Levi Carter Pond on the western edge of the park; and
- the northwest pond within the park at its northwest corner.
The visit occurred early in the morning, while Justin Rink, another local birder took a look during the latter afternoon. His results as given online, contribute a few additional species to the overall tally.
Fontenelle Park was visited mid-day while returning to the home neighborhood. Nothing had changed here.
There was no attempt to bird-watch Friday morning because it was too windy.
Saturday morning — November 3rd — was another exquisite Indian summer day, and a fine time to be out and about. After cycling about downtown during somewhat of a morning chill, the first stop afterwards was Gifford Park, with its big trees and few other habitat features. Beyond there, other place of some interest included Bemis Park, Carolyn Mercer Park and the Walnut Hill Reservoir. They are grouped within the Mercer District, east of Mercer Park Road, and north of Cuming Street.
 Perspective of Carolyn Mercer Park, 3 November 2012. |  Perspective of Walnut Hill Reservoir, 3 November 2012. |
Further north down a boulevard, Adams Parks was the final place of the day, where the bicycle was locked to a sturdy rail on the west side of basin of too many cattails. After this, time was taken to walk about the park grounds to the east, which do include some natural habitat features beneath the trees.
Sunday required a notably longer jaunt. Going south from downtown, an unknown number of peddles and glides were needed to reach Spring Lake Park. The arrival here was welcomed by the vivid song of the Carolina Wren in the spring flats just north of F Street. My ride was locked to a picnic table. Walking followed.
After taking some pictures in the north meadow, the "king of the park" was noticed on the eastern hill, standing silent, but in an obviously aggressive stance. He was ignored, as the park walk continued.
Sadly, no Winter Wrens were seen nor heard among the spring-fed hollows, or flats, or if you prefer, the lowland areas of the park. The bicycle survived unscathed, and the two pit-bull dogs present were muzzled and on their leash, so provided no threat. There was the usual bunch of tires and other trash present.
The extent of riding increased upon going to the next area. After hopefully dodging broken glass upon the smooth concrete of the route, the relatively new, and fine trail continued to Mount Vernon Gardens. Lots of the American Robins were about, active in the morning.
The route further to the south required riding along 13th Street to get to Mandan Park. Here, the bike was locked to picnic shelter. It was reserved, perhaps unknowingly for my ride as there was no one else around using the facility. The walk here went east to the bluffs, and then through the wonderful south hollow with its magnificent trees, then down to the flats along the river.
Along the river, there were certainly a large extent of weedy growth, flowing water and a fine variety of wild birds active in their usual pursuit of survival. There were no ducks or eagles along the adjacent Missouri River.
 Grass view at a river-bench wetland at the Mandan Flats, 4 November 2012. |  Heron tracks on the beach of the Missouri River, 4 November 2012. |
 River-bench wetland at the Mandan Flats, 4 November 2012. | |
Some men trolled here, including someone that left and came back, and left and then returned in his showy, black Mercedes suv, obviously hoping for something to happen ... probably seeking pleasure from a random rendezvous, based upon the reputation for Mandan Park.
Thankfully, the bicycle was still okay at the end of the jaunt, and a many-mile ride started back to Carthage. It was about ten miles away.
Eventually, along the way, the late morning ride/walk through Hanscom Park provided a few details. This was the final place visited during the autumnal survey.
Overall, at least 18 distinctive sites were visited.
There was no gasoline used to conduct any of these surveys, since they were done by walking, and mostly dependent upon pedaling a bicycle to reach the numerous places of interest.
Autumnal Variety
It is now a time of flux for bird's, as it is later in the migration season, which is an obvious influence on any occurrence in the region. Some sorts of birds are gone, with the winter cadre getting established among habitats which provide a suitable shelter. Residents continue to occur at their home spaces.
The following table provides a summary of the 56 species observed at the various districts during the period. Species are listed in an out-dated taxonomic sequence.
Common Name | Carter Lake District | Fontenelle Park District | Adams Park District | Gifford Park District | Mercer District | Memorial Park District | Elmwood District | Hanscom District | Spring Lake District | Mandan District |
Cackling Goose | 2 | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - |
Canada Goose | 50 | 127 | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - |
Wood Duck | - - | 4 | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - |
Gadwall | 2 | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - |
American Wigeon | 2 | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - |
Mallard | 85 | 1 | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - |
Northern Shoveler | 210 | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - |
Green-winged Teal | 4 | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - |
Canvasback | 2 | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - |
Redhead | 14 | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - |
Ring-necked Duck | 2 | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - |
Lesser Scaup | 2 | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - |
Bufflehead | 3 | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - |
Ruddy Duck | 14 | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - |
Wild Turkey | 10 | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - |
Pied-billed Grebe | 24 | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - |
Horned Grebe | 1 | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - |
Double-crested Cormorant | 1 | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - |
Sharp-shinned Hawk | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | 1 | - - | - - | - - |
Cooper's Hawk | 1 | - - | - - | 1 | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - |
Red-tailed Hawk | 1 | - - | 2 | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | 1 |
American Coot | 2000 | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - |
Killdeer | 9 | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - |
Ring-billed Gull | 1 | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - |
Rock Pigeon | 3 | - - | - - | - - | 1 | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - |
Mourning Dove | 5 | - - | - - | - - | - - | 1 | - - | - - | - - | - - |
Barred Owl | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | 1 | - - | - - | - - |
Red-bellied Woodpecker | 1 | 1 | 1 | - - | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
Downy Woodpecker | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | - - | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
Hairy Woodpecker | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | 1 | - - |
Northern Flicker | 1 | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | 1 | - - | 1 | 5 |
Pileated Woodpecker | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | 2 |
Blue Jay | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
American Crow | - - | - - | - - | - - | 4 | 4 | - - | - - | 2 | 12 |
Black-capped Chickadee | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 12 | 3 | 4 | 8 |
Tufted Titmouse | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | 1 | 1 |
Red-breasted Nuthatch | - - | 1 | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - |
White-breasted Nuthatch | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | - - | 3 | 4 |
Brown Creeper | - - | - - | - - | - - | 1 | 1 | 1 | - - | 1 | - - |
Carolina Wren | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | 1 | - - | 1 | 2 |
Winter Wren | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | 1 | 3 | - - | - - | - - |
Ruby-crowned Kinglet | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | 1 | - - | - - | - - |
American Robin | 29 | 15 | 22 | 28 | 34 | 78 | 71 | - - | 50 | 145 |
European Starling | 18 | 30 | - - | 14 | 26 | 80 | 7 | - - | 18 | 50 |
Spotted Towhee | 1 | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - |
American Tree Sparrow | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | 3 | 6 |
Song Sparrow | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | 1 | - - | 1 | 3 |
White-throated Sparrow | 1 | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | 4 | - - | 1 | - - |
Harris's Sparrow | 8 | - - | - - | - - | - - | 2 | - - | - - | - - | - - |
Dark-eyed Junco | 21 | 5 | 26 | 3 | 1 | 54 | 15 | 32 | 14 | 33 |
Northern Cardinal | 1 | - - | 3 | - - | - - | 1 | 10 | - - | 3 | 5 |
Red-winged Blackbird | 25 | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - |
Common Grackle | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | - - | 1 | - - | - - | - - |
House Finch | 2 | 2 | 2 | - - | - - | 4 | 7 | - - | 4 | - - |
American Goldfinch | 5 | 2 | 3 | - - | - - | 14 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 6 |
House Sparrow | - - | - - | 2 | 5 | 2 | 3 | - - | - - | 12 | - - |
Obviously waterfowl were predominant at Carter Lake, as shown by the variety of species upon the waters, especially enjoyed through a spoting scope well situated at particular places on the Nebraska side of the lake. There are those days, when the perspective is better from the Iowa side, though.
Species diversity continues to be expressive on the lake, which is in its final stages of dredging on the east side. The number of American Coot were notably fewer than last year at this period on the calendar. The west settling pond continues as a haven for many Killdeer, as regularly noted during previous bird surveys. Some waterfowl have a preference for the artificial habitat, rather than the lake environs. There were four Great Egrets photographed here in latter October, presenting the first autumn record for this species at this locale.
This season, it is harder to get depictive counts because the central part of Levi Carter Park is closed, due to "construction" which is basically the dredging effort, and an intent to keep people away from the settling ponds. The situation, based upon some perspective, is expected to continue into next year. Despite the signs, people continue to walk through the park, and bring their dogs along to do the same thing.
The Wood Duck was still lingering only at the Fontenelle Park lagoon.
Other prevalent species are indicate by an occurrence for each district. Especially numerous were the American Robin and Dark-eyed Junco. Blue Jays and Black-capped Chickadees were heard everywhere.
The Pileated Woodpeckers seen at the southeast corner of Mandan Park — along the river bluffs — were a new addition to the list of birds known to occur at this site. Carolina Wrens were always appreciated as they went about their vocal ways. The Tufted Titmouse was also notable as expressed by its seemingly metallic call.
Songbirds were prevalent since aquatic habitat occurred in only a limited extent. At Shadow Lake, Elmwood Park, there were no waterfowl, though duckweed was abundant. Kinglets were sparse. The diminutive Brown Creeper could have been expected at more sites than recorded. Sapsuckers were completely missing, though recently present at several places in the region.
Overall, the surveys indicate, further, the importance of park spaces for a large number of different birds, and species. The details as available for each site, are depictive of particular use, and though not given here, are the basis used to denote details, rather than an overall summary, perhaps, indicating that all of the records are from Douglas County. Such a broad summary is useless to evaluate occurrence, rather than vividly indicating a detailed perspective which presents the importance of particular green spaces, especially parks, as essential and important habitat. It would be rather droll to have presented these results if they were blithely designated to Douglas County. In this context, they would have just a slight expression of interest for current bird history.
If bird-use days were to be evaluated, a significant economic value could be determined. Especially if the extent of site use was extrapolated beyond the day when actual occurrence was documented. These green spaces are dramatically important for the wild birds in eastern Douglas County.
Tinge of autumn color at Spring Lake Park, 4 November 2012.
It's not clear how may bicycle miles were required for this effort, but there were a lot of blocks traveled. Thankfully, the rides were safely survived, despite traffic and moronic behavior by some drivers indifferent to a cyclist on the streets. Attitudes can be obvious, especially this morning from the cab-driver stopped across the crosswalk near the Gottschalk Freedom Center intersection. After that event, he visually expressed his attitude, twice, when seen again a short time later by the bus station. Nothing was said, but the point was apparent.
Bird Occurrence Details
The effort is done and the results into the records database. They present further details of some sort of significance. The hours provided a wonderful time to watch the special antics of live birds at places where they could find suitable habitat, and to appreciate some vivid views of the outdoors in or near the Missouri River valley.
Haven for Dark-eyed Juncos, Hanscom Park, 4 November 2012.