Nightjars During a Niobrara River Night Float

A night float on the scenic Niobrara river recorded bird species active in late evening and during the first hours of a full moon night.

The float from Berry Bridge to Brewer bridge was held June 20th and was sponsored by the National Park Service. Ten participants spent from about 9:15 p.m. to a bit after midnight traversing the river by canoe or kayak.

There were nine species noted, with the calls of the Eastern Whip-poor-will especially prominent.

The greatest variety of species was during put-in at Berry Bridge and near Berry Falls. In addition to the American Cliff Swallow associated with the bridge, there was the American Yellow Warbler, American Crow, a Double-crested Flycatcher, and with the Great Crested Flycatcher and Spotted Towhee in the woods.

Nightjars were first seen or heard a short distance east of the falls, where there was a short section of riffles in the river. Here there was a vociferous whip-poor-will in the valley near the river and a flying nighthawk.

Further along a short distance — where there is an area where steep bluffs are adjacent to the channel — there were three more whip-poor-will heard loudly expressing their presence. Each was notable heard at a distinct location.

Another of this species was heard on the north bank of the river at Allen Bridge, then again at the bit of rapids eastward of Smith Falls. While removing the watercraft at Brewer Bridge, the last whip-poor-will was heard to the north and west of the parking area, on the north side of the river valley.

Common Nighthawks were again seen at the first cliffs area east of Berry Falls and again near Allen Bridge.

It was a splendid night to enjoy a portion of the Niobrara National Scenic River. There was no appreciable wind and with comfortable temperatures. At times mist floated above the flowing waters.

This float was very helpful in establishing the relatively common extent of the Eastern Whip-poor-will. Surveys of this sort should continue next season, with additional sections of the easily floated river surveyed during early night hours when the species is readily heard.

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Other Breeding Season Occurrences

There have been two other reports of the Eastern Whip-poor-will this season in the valley associated with the scenic portion of the Niobrara River.

Clem Klaphake noted its occurrence on June 10, while visiting the Niobrara Valley Preserve, and notably on the south side of the river in Brown county. He noted it was “not uncommon in this area,” adding that “campers complained about the singing all night long,” according to a report issued on NEBirds.

More recently, a large number of this species was noted in a seven-mile stretch of county road starting at Thomas Creek WMA, then south and eastward along Riverview road. Dave Heidt, of Norfolk, took advantage of suitable weather on June 26th to do the survey, starting at 3:20 a.m. His count reached forty, when he then stopped recording numbers. “The only place that I didn’t hear Whip-poor-will’s calling in the entire seven miles stretch was where the one farm had a pump motor running that drowned out everything,” he wrote in his NEBirds post. Other species he noted were the Yellow-breasted Chat, Great Horned Owl, Brown Thrashed, Dickcissel and Western Meadowlark.

These records were in Keya Paha county.

Each of these reports contribute to a better realization of the extent of this whip-poor-will in the Niobrara valley.

June Birds Along the Niobrara Scenic River

A nice variety of mid-June birds were noted at several localities along the Niobrara National Scenic River while actually conducting surveys for the Piping Plover and Least Tern. While floating the waterway, particular records were kept for other species at different localities.

The surveys were undertaken by Gordon Warrick of the National Park Service. My participation was as a registered volunteer, and secondary canoe paddler; that would be at the front of the canoe while the other paddler is to some extent or another out of view, at the rear the involved watercraft. It's obvious that it takes two to paddle a canoe. Warrick had not previously visited this portion of the river, so there was no navigational familiarity for either canoeists. The results? Make your own guess on how to determine ample flows either visual clues such as water-top vegetation froth movement or through some other conjuring. Despite a multi-inch rainfall the night before the June 14^th there was no apparent elevational change in water levels that might have improved floating. There was also no obvious difference below the confluence of Plum Creek and Long Pine creeks, two southerly inflow tributaries.

If you want to enjoy the river, float along with someone that is not attentive to navigation. This facet of canoeing became especially obvious several years ago during previous floats, though they were on the upper portions of the scenic river, where flows were ample and constrained enough for most everyone to determine a proper route to navigate.

The time frame for these surveys were in conjunction with the dates designated for a national survey of Piping Plover. The survey was started at 6:30 a.m., and extended into the afternoon, either sooner or later. Hours were spent on the river, paddling along. Sometimes the flow was fine for floating. Other times the canoe had to be dragged across shallow water places where sand was inhibitory. One the upper portion, there were rapids to enjoy or maybe even not appreciate. Where a portage was made, they could be nicely enjoyed. When a huge splash of water drenched most everything – as my seat was in the front of the canoe – at least the heavy sun eventually dried the paper being used to denote bird observations. Nothing was lost.

This happened on the first survey date on June 7^th, and along the river from the Norden Bridge to Meadville. The second survey was from the Meadville bridge to the Highway 7 bridge. All birds heard or seen both of us as immediately adjacent to the river channel were documented to a general place name, rather than just an extent, in order to provide a broad perspective on extent of distribution. It was a team effort that meant a greater result in denoting species.

Woodland habitat in the river valley is seriously degraded in many places. Cedar trees are so pervasive that the land is seemingly useless for anything. In some places there is not even any rangeland for cattle to graze. At several places, cedar or other trees are being thrown into the river in an attempt to anchor the bank and prevent erosion. The management agency for the river is being repeatedly shown to not be able to deal with this illegal activity. A federal permit is required to place fill into waters of the United States, according to the Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. Landowners act with impunity.

An important aspect of the river avifauna, is that each bridge over the river has its own colony of nesting American Cliff Swallow. Some of these birds were actively building their nests, as small groups could be seen at moist substrate areas near the bridge, as mud was being gathered.

Spotted Sandpipers were prevalent along the river. Yellow-breasted Chat were regularly heard expressing their territorial presence at many places.

These were 51 species noted June 7^th.

Niobrara Valley Bird Tally – 7 June 2016
Common Name	Niobrara Valley Preserve	Eagle Rapids	Meadville
Canada Goose	12	- -	- -
Mallard	- -	2	1
Common Merganser	3	- -	- -
Northern Bobwhite	2	- -	- -
Wild Turkey	2	2	- -
Green Heron	- -	- -	1
Great Blue Heron	1	1	1
Turkey Vulture	1	3	- -
Bald Eagle	1	- -	1
Red-tailed Hawk	2	1	- -
Killdeer	2	- -	- -
Upland Sandpiper	1	- -	- -
Spotted Sandpiper	1	2	- -
Mourning Dove	5	12	6
Yellow-billed Cuckoo	1	- -	- -
Belted Kingfisher	2	1	- -
Red-headed Woodpecker	2	- -	1
Northern Flicker	1	- -	1
American Kestrel	1	- -	- -
Western Kingbird	1	- -	- -
Eastern Kingbird	- -	2	2
Great Crested Flycatcher	2	- -	- -
Bell's Vireo	2	- -	1
Warbling Vireo	- -	- -	1
Red-eyed Vireo	1	- -	- -
American Crow	3	1	2
Cedar Waxwing	- -	- -	6
Black-capped Chickadee	- -	- -	1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow	5	3	4
Barn Swallow	2	- -	- -
American Cliff Swallow	15	- -	40
House Wren	1	1	2
White-breasted Nuthatch	- -	- -	1
Brown Thrasher	- -	- -	1
Common Starling	- -	5	- -
Eastern Bluebird	2	- -	1
American Robin	- -	- -	2
American Goldfinch	- -	1	2
Ovenbird	1	- -	- -
Common Yellowthroat	2	2	1
American Yellow Warbler	- -	- -	2
Yellow-breasted Chat	1	- -	1
Orchard Oriole	2	- -	- -
Red-winged Blackbird	7	2	- -
Brown-headed Cowbird	4	- -	2
Common Grackle	4	2	3
Chipping Sparrow	2	2	- -
Field Sparrow	3	1	- -
Lark Sparrow	2	2	2
Spotted Towhee	3	- -	2
Blue Grosbeak	- -	1	- -

A most exciting sighting were a few Common Merganser on the river waters and associated features such as lowly sandbars. At least four of these birds were seen. They were indifferent, as expected, to getting good looks through a spotting scope. The females were prevalent, yet it was not possible to see whether or not there was a juvenile. This is a most essential sighting, as it is only one, or perhaps only, place in Nebraska where breeding season occurrence occurs. Merganser records date back several years, including some observations by Clem Klaphake, a master naturalist who has visited the Nature Conservancy property.

The initial note for these mergansers along the central Niobrara was in 1938 at the Niobrara Game Preserve, the predecessor for the Fort Niobrara NWR. Lester Short, a distinctive aficionado for distributional bird occurrence, especially hybrid occurrence, noted them in mid-June 1955 as indicated in a 1961 publication of record. The modern record starts in 1982, then circa the year 2000 there are so many more. From 2004 to 2006, my records database has records from Fort Falls to the Fred Thomas WMA and the Hutton Niobrara Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary. Several observations were during non-breeding dates. Potential breeding season occurrences have occurred repeatedly from the property owned by the Department of Interior at the Fort Niobrara NWR and eastward to the Niobrara Valley Preserve. The June 2016 sighting of several birds is indicative, while not yet authoritative as there has been no distinctive effort recently by the property owners to convey the distributional extent of wild birds on their property.

Park service personnel currently working along the Niobrara National Scenic River were not aware that these mergansers might occur, though ornithological records have indicated their occurrence for years. During the float trip, these fish-eating birds were seen several times, flying along the river, perching on sandbar features and otherwise prevalent. There were females present but the individual characteristics of all birds was not possible due to distance and lighting that did not allow a distinctive view of coloration features. Since this is one of the most unique bird situations in Nebraska, it does not make sense that there have not been any focused determination on occurrence.

This is a tally of species noted on the June 14^th outing, which includes some details from Springview, which is obviously not within the scenic river corridor. Records were made here just because they could be.

Niobrara Valley Bird Tally - June 14, 2016
Common Name	Meadville	Highway 183 Niobrara Bridge	Nowhere Bridge, Niobrara River	Fred Thomas WMA	Highway 183 Bridge to Highway 7 Bridge	Springview
Canada Goose	- -	- -	5	2	- -	- -
Green Heron	- -	- -	2	- -	- -	- -
Great Blue Heron	1	3	- -	- -	- -	- -
Turkey Vulture	- -	2	- -	- -	- -	- -
Bald Eagle	- -	4	- -	- -	2	- -
Red-tailed Hawk	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1
Killdeer	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -
Spotted Sandpiper	1	2	1	- -	- -	- -
Least Tern	- -	5	- -	- -	- -	- -
Eurasian Collared Dove	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	2
Mourning Dove	2	2	- -	2	- -	2
Yellow-billed Cuckoo	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	- -
Common Nighthawk	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -
Chimney Swift	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	3
Belted Kingfisher	1	- -	1	- -	- -	- -
Downy Woodpecker	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	- -
Northern Flicker	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -
Eastern Phoebe	- -	- -	1	2	- -	- -
Eastern Wood-pewee	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -
Eastern Kingbird	- -	- -	1	1	- -	1
Great Crested Flycatcher	1	1	- -	1	- -	- -
Bell's Vireo	- -	1	- -	2	- -	- -
Warbling Vireo	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
Red-eyed Vireo	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	- -
Blue Jay	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -
American Crow	1	2	2	1	- -	- -
Northern Rough-winged Swallow	2	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
American Cliff Swallow	35	50	- -	65	- -	- -
House Wren	1	2	3	2	- -	1
American Robin	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	5
American Goldfinch	2	- -	2	2	- -	- -
Ovenbird	1	1	- -	- -	- -	- -
Common Yellowthroat	1	3	2	2	- -	- -
American Redstart	- -	- -	2	- -	- -	- -
American Yellow Warbler	- -	2	- -	- -	- -	- -
Yellow-breasted Chat	2	3	1	1	- -	- -
Western Meadowlark	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -
Baltimore Oriole	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -
Orchard Oriole	- -	2	- -	1	- -	- -
Red-winged Blackbird	- -	- -	3	1	- -	- -
Brown-headed Cowbird	1	- -	1	- -	- -	- -
Common Grackle	5	- -	3	2	- -	3
Song Sparrow	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	- -
Chipping Sparrow	2	1	1	1	- -	- -
Field Sparrow	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -
Lark Sparrow	2	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
Spotted Towhee	2	2	1	- -	- -	- -
Dickcissel	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -
Northern Cardinal	- -	1	2	1	- -	- -
Indigo Bunting	- -	2	- -	- -	- -	- -

A special highlight included five Least Tern flying along just eastward of the Highway 183 bridge. Warrick was looking at a sandbar to the east, while my perspective caught the flighty terns flitting along in a group, they seemed to be transients, as they did not pause to exhibit foraging behavior. They were not associated with any sort of breeding habitat. On both days, though there were sandbars, none of them had what would be considered suitable for nesting by terns or plovers: the surface elevation above the water level was just an inch or two, with few spots slightly greater, but always less than six inches. The sandbar surface was generally barren, with no scattered vegetation or smallish stick features where nests are generally associated.

Along this section of the river, there were at least six bald eagles noted, including a pre-adult. The extent of this species provides an indication that they may nest along the river, though not yet documented.

While traversing further eastward along the river, Northern Cardinals became more prevalent and were more regularly heard. The occurrence of this species has long been known to indicate a biogeographic distribution, based upon the extent of suitable habitat and the changes that have dramatically occurred for decades.

Overall, when both lists of a day are combined, there were 66 species.

Residents and others familiar with variegates of the river and its feature could certainly provide some names, if asked. There should be a specific effort by staff of the park service to hold a meeting or two where people can indicate what they know about the many landmarks of the scenic river so they can be documented and appreciated. The rule for placenames is that the first officially indicated name becomes the standard name. However, any placename designation has to include comments by landowners and other long-term history. This is one of the essential criteria for documenting distribution of any fauna and flora in the river valley. It would also be a great addition to the legacy of the Niobrara.

During two days of floating, two new names were added to the lexicon, as they are hereby published in an international forum. These were the Eagle Rapids and Nowhere Bridge (where a bridge sits isolated in the river channel without any connection to either bank), both of which were derivatives based upon their previous recognition by park service staff.

There were no bird pictures taken either day. A few flora pictures were taken on the 7th, but an altitudinal perspective on the 14th meant a day of difficulty so nothing was only given to going down the indeterminate water channel. It was not easy. There were times when trying to follow a straight route didn't happen. Several times my paddle was placed crosswise on the sides of the canoe, and it was a time to settle down, or perhaps act like more notes were being made on birds seen or heard. It takes two to navigate. It was not completely possible to keep an accurate depiction on all of the birdly observations because, once again to mention the necessity for place name designations, despite aerial photographs without location names it was impossible at times to get an accurate view on location so a suitable record could be kept!

The survey results indicate a further need to survey and document bird occurrence. There are relatively few details known for the occurrence of either the Eastern Whip-poor-will of Common Poorwill. Night surveys would be required to make any determination.

After 25 years of being involved with the Niobrara National Scenic River, there is no known bird list available. Where are the details indicating the unique areas along the scenic river where people can go and expect to see some certain species. Private and public areas are present, yet there is no list of avifauna, and which is continually kept updated. The NPS has staff which could readily manage any documentary needs. Examples were contemporary birds lists should be readily available include the Niobrara Valley Preserve, Fred Thomas WMA, and Hutton Niobrara Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary. Fort Niobrara NWR at least has some sort of list.

It needs to be noted, that an additional plover survey was conducted by the NPS eastward of the Highway 7 bridge after the June 14^th survey. The federal agency has not provided any results.

A personal thanks to the NPS for allowing me to participate in this survey because of providing the proper paper work and having to drive federal vehicles as other federal employees were apparently not available.

There is so much more to learn about the avifauna of the Niobrara Valley, yet much to my disappointment, there is only a limited extent of investigations being made to gather details to better understand bird occurrence and distribution, including bird hybrid zones.

Wildlife Agency Management Practice Destroys Waterthrush Habitat

Controlled grazing by cattle recently destroyed unique seep habitat used by breeding Louisiana Waterthrush on a state wildlife management area in southeast Nebraska.

During a visit on June 3rd to Rose Creek WMA – east, Shari Schwartz observed that one of three known territories was destroyed as grazing cattle “trampled every inch of the seep stream in the heart of a territory and their hoofs left one foot deep muddy peg holes of cloudy standing water where a clear shallow stream flowed in April. I don't know if the damage to this rare excellent habitat the male waterthrush was seen defending is irreparable,” she said in an email.

The area is owned by the State of Nebraska and managed by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (NGPC). The grazing was an intentional habitat management practice.

“While there is little or nothing that can be done to prevent waterthrush habitat loss on private property, it's wrong that there is no apparent incentive in Nebraska to prevent land managers from destroying the precious little Louisiana Waterthrush habitat on lands owned and supposedly managed for the resource values appreciated by the public, including wild birds. The water-associated habitat in the Jefferson county region used by the Louisiana Waterthrush is already so denuded, more loss will undoubtedly have further negative impact on the species’ occurrence.”

“Territorial Louisiana Waterthrush – based upon multiple observations - appear to rely heavily on the small streams and dry washes that contain spring fed seeps that connect to the creeks. Unlike the larger adjoining creeks with flood plains - like Rose creek and Rock creek - the steep topography of these smaller drainages has prevented the clearing of surrounding woodlands for agricultural use. The terrain looks like a little piece of Kansas snuck across the border and there are some impressive rock cliffs along Rose Creek (reminiscent of a mini-Niobrara River valley scene).

“It's been really fascinating learning about the Louisiana Waterthrush occurring in Jefferson county and the Sandstone Prairie region habitat they utilize. The steep prairie hills have rocky drainages with seeps and springs (sometimes on streams but sometimes on dry washes) that the waterthrush incorporate into their territories,” Schwartz said. “We suspect these Louisiana Waterthrush are connected to the population in Kansas by the Blue River drainage instead of the small-sized population of this species that occur along the Missouri River drainage. The introductory notes for songs of the male birds along the Blue River drainage sound very different and may potentially be used to differentiate distinct sub-populations, if it proves to be true.”

Schwartz and John Carlini, of Lincoln, have been traveling eastern Nebraska for several years to observe and study this species of waterthrush, including multiple visits to Platte River State Park. Problems are also known to occur here as associated with management practices by the state agency. The area manager has been repeatedly “indifferent” to adapting site management to conserve waterthrush habitat at the water-based places, Schwartz said. The Louisiana Waterthrush has a very limited breeding extent along the river floodplain.

The Platte valley may be especially important in the biology of the Louisiana Waterthrush because it might provide a link between the Blue River drainage to the south and the Missouri River valley just to the east, notably at Fontenelle Forest, east of Bellevue as well as Indian Cave State Park, further south.

“What's really needed is some sort of meaningful long-term designation or protocol for breeding Louisiana Waterthrush that would prevent NGPC staff from destroying the habitat,” Schwartz said. “Jefferson county could also use some buffer restoration where waterthrush habitat edges have been cleared for agricultural fields (probably long before NGPC acquisition of any wildlife areas).

“Minnesota appears to be more on the ball about their limited number of breeding pairs and has designated the Louisiana Waterthrush as a species of special concern because their habitat of mature forest and good water quality streams is so limited and vulnerable,” Schwartz said. “I think Wisconsin has done the same, basically to keep them from becoming threatened in the future.

“I wish we could do that in Nebraska,” Schwartz said. “Our comments go in one ear and out the other likely because the Louisiana Waterthrush is only a Tier 2 species in Nebr. which doesn't seem to put them on the radar enough for any habitat protection by the state agency which is responsible for conservation of nongame wildlife.”

When officials at NGPC were asked via email about the habitat destruction at the Rose Creek WMA, the following comment was provided by Joel Jorgensen, the nongame program manager: “Louisiana Waterthrushes, while stable across their range, are relatively rare and local nesters in Nebraska. Cattle grazing is a widely accepted management strategy used to increase diversity of native forbs, control invasive species and improve overall structure of, primarily prairie, habitats. As we learn more about what areas and habitats Louisiana Waterthrushes are utilizing, we can adapt our management strategies to optimize management and protection of streams and forested areas on Nebraska Game and Parks Commission properties.”

Despite a second request for particular details, there was no information provided on how management practices may be changed to adapt to conservation of unique seep habitats, such as those used by the Louisiana Waterthrush in Jefferson county.

The initial report on this territory destruction was reported on the NEbirds online forum. The state agency comment was also subsequently posted.

This is a list of the 37 species noted at the area during the birding visit. Further details are available on Ebird [http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S30064166].

¶ Northern Bobwhite (2) ¶ Great Blue Heron(1) ¶ Turkey Vulture (1) ¶ Red-shouldered Hawk (heard with confirmation of call) ¶ Mourning Dove (nest with two eggs) ¶ Yellow-billed Cuckoo (1) ¶ Common Nighthawk (8) ¶ Red-headed Woodpecker (1) ¶ Red-bellied Woodpecker (3) ¶ Northern Flicker (1) ¶ Eastern Wood-Pewee (3) ¶ Eastern Phoebe (2) ¶ Great Crested Flycatcher (1) ¶ Bell’s Vireo (1 north of the parking lot) ¶ Yellow-throated Vireo (2) ¶ Warbling Vireo (3) ¶ Red-eyed Vireo (6) ¶ Blue Jay (2) ¶ American Crow (1) ¶ Black-capped Chickadee (3)

¶ White-breasted Nuthatch (2) ¶ House Wren (10, territorial) ¶ Carolina Wren (3) ¶ Blue-grey Gnatcatcher (2) ¶ Eastern Bluebird (1) ¶ Louisiana Waterthrush (3; three territories visited with singing males present; pictures taken and posted with bird report) ¶ Common Yellowthroat (3) ¶ Field Sparrow (3) ¶ Eastern Towhee (2) ¶ Spotted/Eastern Towhee (rufous-sided towhee) (1) ¶ Summer Tanager (2) ¶ Northern Cardinal (5, pair in suitable habitat) ¶ Rose-breasted Grosbeak (1) ¶ Indigo Bunting (1) ¶ Red-winged Blackbird (1) ¶ Brown-headed Cowbird (1, singing male) ¶ Orchard Oriole (1) ¶ Baltimore Oriole (3)

Birds of May at Valentine

May was a very active month for the variety of bird species noted in the vicinity of Valentine. Late season winter residents lingering during the early days of the month and the arrival of all breeding season residents by the last of May, all contributed to the dramatic increase in species present.

To get a greater perspective, additional locales surveyed at the end of the month were Government Canyon, the fish hatchery grounds, city of Valentine property north and each of the hatchery, and Valentine Nature Park.

The largest number of Canada Goose noted were the multiple families at the fish hatchery. Fewer numbers occurred at the Mill Pond as young of the year grew large enough to allow the family to fly away to someplace else.

The Spotted Sandpiper were prevalent at the fish hatchery ponds. Red=bellied Woodpecker present at the beginning of the month became nonexistent by the end of the month. Also missed were observations of the Hairy Woodpecker.

In addition to Purple Martin at the nest structure at the southeast portion of the city, another pair of adults was seen by one of two houses at Sixth and Valentine streets. There were two especially notable observations of swallows. There was a nesting colony of American Cliff Swallows at both the dam on the Mill Pond and at an abandoned concrete structure on the south bank of Minnechaduza Creek, on city property eastward of the water treatment plant. A colony of Sand Martin was found at the city shooting range, north of the fish hatchery. This unusual colony was protected from wanton disturbance via a communication between a federal wildlife official and the city manager of Valentine that clarified that the Migratory Bird Treaty Act protected any nests, eggs or young. Northern Rough-winged Swallow were notable in few numbers at several different places.

As for towhees, the Spotted Towhee was prevalent, with the Eastern Towhee only seen once.

There were 86 species noted, with the variety quite enjoyable and the myriad of bird songs prevalent from pre-dawn through the end of each day by the end of the month. Their occurrence on a particular day is indicated in the table, with all records Copyright 2016 James E. Ducey (All rights reserved). Also enjoyed was one hybrid species, an oriole in this vicinity where some other species are known to hybridize.

The last column represents those species seen within in the immediate setting of Valentine, or to its eastern or southern edge.

As the month progressed, several species could be seen carrying food to feed their young, especially by the American Robin and Common Grackle.

Valentine Vicinity Bird Species Summary – May 2016
Common Name	124	125	128	130	131	133	134	135	138	141	142	144	145	146	147	151	152
Canada Goose	44	-	-	-	25	-	-	-	20	-	25	-	-	51	-	8	-
Wood Duck	2	-	-	-	2	-	-	-	2	-	2	-	-	-	-	-	-
Mallard	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	2	-	-
Blue-winged Teal	3	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Northern Shoveler	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-
Wild Turkey	1	-	-	-	2	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Great Blue Heron	1	-	-	-	2	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	-	-	1	1	-
Turkey Vulture	14	-	-	-	7	-	-	-	3	-	12	-	-	6	3	10	-
Western Osprey	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Cooper's Hawk	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Red-tailed Hawk	1	-	1	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	1	-	-	2	1	-	-
Killdeer	2	-	-	-	1	-	-	2	-	-	-	-	-	3	-	-	2
Spotted Sandpiper	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	2	2	-	-
Rock Dove	-	-	10	-	-	-	-	-	16	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	15
Eurasian Collared Dove	11	-	-	-	11	-	-	-	14	-	-	-	-	-	-	8	7
Mourning Dove	2	-	-	-	2	-	-	-	4	-	3	-	-	11	13	10	-
Yellow-billed Cuckoo	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-
Black-billed Cuckoo	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-
Common Nighthawk	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	1	1	-
Chimney Swift	-	4	6	-	8	-	-	-	7	-	2	-	-	1	1	2	7
Belted Kingfisher	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-
Red-headed Woodpecker	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	2	-	7	3	2	-
Red-bellied Woodpecker	-	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Downy Woodpecker	1	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	1	-	-	1	-	1	-	2	-
Hairy Woodpecker	2	2	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Northern Flicker	-	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	1	2	-
American Kestrel	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-
Eastern Phoebe	1	1	-	-	2	-	-	-	2	-	-	-	-	2	1	3	1
Eastern Wood-Pewee	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	1	-
Least Flycatcher	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	-	-	1	1	-
Western Kingbird	-	-	2	1	4	-	-	-	3	-	2	-	-	2	-	3	4
Eastern Kingbird	-	-	1	-	-	1	-	-	1	-	2	1	-	8	6	11	-
Great Crested Flycatcher	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	2	-	-	2	-	3	3	5	-
Bell's Vireo	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	1	-
Warbling Vireo	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	-
Red-eyed Vireo	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	2	3	-
Blue Jay	1	-	-	-	2	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	-	8	3	4	2
American Crow	2	1	-	-	1	-	-	-	2	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-
Cedar Waxwing	-	-	7	-	2	-	-	-	-	4	-	-	-	5	1	16	3
Black-capped Chickadee	3	2	-	-	2	-	-	-	2	-	-	-	-	2	-	4	2
Horned Lark	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1
Sand Martin	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	20	-	-	-
Tree Swallow	-	-	-	-	2	-	-	-	2	-	-	-	-	2	-	-	-
Purple Martin	-	-	-	-	-	2	-	-	5	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	4
Northern Rough-winged Swallow	3	-	-	-	3	-	-	-	2	-	4	-	-	24	5	12	-
Barn Swallow	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-
American Cliff Swallow	3	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	65	6	-
Ruby-crowned Kinglet	-	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
House Wren	4	1	-	-	6	-	-	-	8	-	5	-	-	6	4	13	3
Red-breasted Nuthatch	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	2	-
White-breasted Nuthatch	1	2	-	-	1	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	-	1	-	4	-
Grey Catbird	-	-	-	1	2	-	-	-	1	-	1	-	-	4	-	6	-
Brown Thrasher	1	-	-	-	2	-	-	1	2	-	1	-	-	5	1	4	-
Common Starling	3	-	3	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	11	4	-	4
Eastern Bluebird	2	1	-	-	1	-	-	-	1	-	7	-	1	3	2	2	1
Swainson's Thrush	-	1	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	2	-	-	-
American Robin	10	11	-	-	10	-	-	-	13	-	8	10	-	8	6	22	20
House Sparrow	-	-	4	-	5	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	2	15
House Finch	9	-	-	-	10	-	-	-	15	-	4	-	-	-	1	6	5
American Goldfinch	4	2	-	5	4	-	10	-	5	-	10	-	-	9	2	14	5
Common Yellowthroat	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	2	-	8	3	3	-
American Redstart	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	2	4	-
American Yellow Warbler	-	-	2	5	5	-	-	-	-	-	-	2	-	11	3	7	-
Audubon's Warbler	6	15	5	-	6	-	-	-	3	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Yellow-headed Blackbird	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Western Meadowlark	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	-	5	1	1	1
Bullock's Oriole x Baltimore Oriole	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	2	-	1	-
Baltimore Oriole	-	-	1	-	2	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	2	1	-	1
Orchard Oriole	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	1	-	-	6	2	3	-
Red-winged Blackbird	20	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	20	-	12	-	-	5	2	18	-
Brown-headed Cowbird	12	1	30	-	10	-	-	-	13	-	11	-	-	7	4	13	-
Common Grackle	15	-	-	-	50	-	-	-	20	-	15	-	-	7	3	26	20
Song Sparrow	2	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Lincoln's Sparrow	1	-	-	1	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Harris's Sparrow	-	-	-	1	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
White-crowned Sparrow	2	2	12	7	7	-	3	-	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
White-throated Sparrow	-	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Chipping Sparrow	14	2	15	90	20	-	-	-	10	-	6	-	-	3	3	11	5
Field Sparrow	1	-	1	-	1	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	1	1	2	2	-
Clay-colored Sparrow	-	-	8	6	5	-	-	2	1	-	1	-	-	-	-	-	-
Lark Sparrow	2	-	2	-	4	-	-	4	2	-	2	-	-	10	3	7	-
Spotted Towhee	1	1	-	-	1	-	-	-	3	-	1	-	-	4	3	5	-
Eastern Towhee	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-
Rose-breasted Grosbeak	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	2	-
Black-headed Grosbeak	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	1	-	-	-
Northern Cardinal	2	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	1	-	-	1	1	2	-
Indigo Bunting	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	3	1	-	-

June started out with some decent temperatures to start the month. It soon became very hot, and any interest in hiking about in those conditions were very fleeting, indeed. Further details will have to be gathered on the nesting places for the Purple Martins and to present a perspective on the House Wrens at the "wren man's" place on the north side of the mill pond.