Floral Picture Project Around Valentine

After taking a few pictures of local flora during May 2016, efforts intensified in June, with an increased focus on getting quality pictures of additional blooming plants. Whenever a species was in a fine condition with flowers, pictures were taken and eventually identified, often with the assistance of Dr. David M. Sutherland, professor emeritus at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Without his assistance, this project would not have occurred. There is simply no reference available that could provide a comprehensive means to make an proper identification of the forbs and grasses.

Specimens were mostly from the North Lake Shore Hills which included the local environs of the bluebird shack, the Valentine Mill Pond with its bit of planted warm-season grass prairie and the wild-fire setting at the water tanks tract northward of the pond. A few were observed at Government Canyon. Only a very few were recorded elsewhere, at Valentine of the fish hatchery along Minnechaduza Creek.

The focus was essentially on naturally occurring species amidst wild lands, especially north of the city. A “value-added” picture included some type of insect that added to the subject of attention.

About the bluebird shack, pictures — mostly of weedy species — were taken whenever conditions were especially suitable, i.e., early morning light and no breeze, or even when dew or snow occurred. Elsewhere they were recorded while birding. Autumn leaf color provided the impetus to get views of some trees. The intent was not to get a picture of every species species that occurs in the area, but to denote a the variety.

The last species denoted — the American Elm — was in a wooded area along Lake Shore Drive.

This is a list of the species recorded, listed in the order when recorded, rather than in taxonomic sequence.

1. Yarrow — Achillea millefolium; North Lake Shore Hills; 05/05
   
2. Shell-leaf Penstemon — Penstemon grandiflorus; Water Tanks Tract; 05/29
   
3. Tall Hedge Mustard — Sisymbrium altissimun; North Lake Shore Hills; 05/31
   
4. Dames Rocket — Hesperis matronalis; North Lake Shore Hills; 06/06
   
5. Smooth Brome — Bromus inermis; North Lake Shore Hills; 06/07
   
6. Hoary Alyssum — Berteroa incana; North Lake Shore Drive; 06/08
   
7. Blue Vervain — Verbena hastata; North Lake Shore Hills; 06/18
   
8. Prickly Poppy — Argemone polyanthemos; North Lake Shore Hills; 06/18
   
9. Purple Coneflower — Echinacea angustifolia; North Lake Shore Hills; 06/18
   
10. Plains Beebalm — Monarda pectinata; North Lake Shore Hills; 06/22
    
11. Yellow Cone Flower (a.k.a Prairie Coneflower) — Ratibida columnifera; North Lake Shore Hills; 06/22
    
12. Common Nettle — Urtica dioica; North Lake Shore Hills; 06/23
    
13. Motherwort — Leonurus cardiaca; North Lake Shore Hills; 06/23
    
14. Musk Thistle — Carduus nutans; North Lake Shore Hills; 06/23
    
15. White Prairie Clover — Dalea candida var. oligophylia; North Lake Shore Hills; 06/23
    
16. White Vervain — Verbena urticifolia; North Lake Shore Hills; 06/23
    
17. Wild Four O'Clock — Mirabilis nyctaginea; North Lake Shore Hills; 06/23
    
18. Yellow Goats Beard — Tragopogam dubius; North Lake Shore Hills; 06/23
    
19. Common Mullein — Verbascum thapsus; North Lake Shore Hills; 06/24
    
20. Spiderwort — Tradescantia occidentalis; North Lake Shore Hills; 06/24
    
21. Leadplant — Amorpha canescens; North Lake Shore Hills; 06/26
    
22. Wooly Plantain — Plantago patagonica; North Lake Shore Hills; 06/26
    
23. Bush Morning Glory — Ipomoea leptophylla; North Lake Shore Hills; 06/28
    
24. Yellow Clover — Melilotus officalis; North Lake Shore Hills; 06/28
    
25. Bull Thistle — Cirsium vulgare; Valentine Mill Pond; 06/29
    
26. Giant Bur Reed — Sparganium eurycarpum; Valentine Mill Pond; 06/29
    
27. Swamp Milkweed — Asclepias incarnata; Valentine Mill Pond; 07/07
    
28. Canada Lettuce — Lactuca canadensis; North Lake Shore Hills; 07/23
    
29. Common Elderberry — Sambucus canadensis; Valentine Mill Pond; 07/23
    
30. Field Bindweed — Convolvulus arvensis; North Lake Shore Hills; 07/23
    
31. Smooth Sumac — Rhus glabra; Water Tanks Tract; 07/23
    
32. Plains Sunflower — Helianthus petiolaris; Water Tanks Tract; 07/30
    
33. Catnip — Nepata cataria; North Lake Shore Hills; 07/31
    
34. Common Yellow Primrose — Calylophus serrulatus; North Lake Shore Hills; 07/31
    
35. Golden Prairie Clover — Dalea aurea; North Lake Shore Hills; 07/31
    
36. Buffalo Bur — Solanum rostratum; North Lake Shore Hills; 08/11
    
37. Canada Goldenrod — Solidago canadensis; Valentine Mill Pond; 08/12
    
38. White Clover — Trifolium repens; North Lake Shore Hills; 08/12
    
39. Spotted Joe Pye Weed — Eupatorium maculatum; Valentine Mill Pond; 08/13
    
40. Big Bluestem — Andropogon cristatum; Valentine Mill Pond; 08/15
    
41. Common Arrowhead — Sagittaria latifolia; Valentine Mill Pond; 08/15
    
42. Common Evening Primrose — Oenothera latifolia; Valentine Mill Pond; 08/15
    
43. Gumweed — Grindelia squarrosa; Lake Shore Drive; 08/15
    
44. Indian Grass — Sorghastrum nutans; Valentine Mill Pond; 08/15
    
45. Jewelweed — Impatiens biflora; Valentine Mill Pond; 08/15
    
46. Water Hemlock — Cicuta species; Valentine Mill Pond; 08/15
    
47. Wild Bergamont — Monarda fistulosa; Valentine Mill Pond; 08/15
    
48. Annual Wild Buckwheat — Erigonum annuum; Water Tanks Tract; 08/16
    
49. Black Nightshade — Solanum interius; North Lake Shore Hills; 08/16
    
50. Purple Lovegrass — Eragrostis spectabilis; North Lake Shore Hills; 08/16
    
51. Gilia — Ipomopsis longiflora; Water Tanks Tract; 08/20
    
52. Blazing Star — Liatris glabrata; Water Tanks Tract; 08/26
    
53. Horseweed — Conyza canadansis; North Lake Shore Drive; 08/26
    
54. Prickly Pear Cactus — Opuntia humifusa; North Lake Shore Hills; 08/26
    
55. Barrel Cactus — Coryphantha vivipara or Coryphantha missouriensis, with species identification not possible as the plant pictured does not have any flowers, an essential needed to determine their coloration; North Lake Shore Hills; 08/27
    
56. Bristlegrass — Setaria species; Valentine Mill Pond; 08/27
    
57. Cocklebur — Xanthium strumarium; Water Tanks Tract; 08/27
    
58. Fringed Sage — Artemisia frigida; North Lake Shore Hills; 08/27
    
59. Prostrate Vervain — Verbena bracteata; North Lake Shore Hills; 08/27
    
60. Snakeweed — Gutierrizia sarothrae; North Lake Shore Hills; 08/27
    
61. Lamb'squarters — Chenopodium album; North Lake Shore Hills; 08/29
    
62. Broad-leaved Cattail — Typha latifolia; Valentine Mill Pond; 08/30
    
63. Bulrush — Scirpus species; Valentine Mill Pond; 08/30
    
64. Purple Loosestrife — Lythrum salicaria; Valentine Mill Pond; 08/30
    
65. Blue Cardinal Flower — Lobelia siphilitica; Valentine Mill Pond; 08/31
    
66. Boneset — Eupatorium perfoliatum; Valentine Mill Pond; 08/31
    
67. Common Duckweed — Lemna minor; Valentine Mill Pond; 08/31
    
68. Dandelion — Taraxacum officinale; Valentine Mill Pond; 08/31
    
69. Green Foxtail — Setaria viridis; North Lake Shore Hills; 08/31
    
70. Late Goldenrod — Solidago gigantea; Valentine Mill Pond; 08/31
    
71. Puncture Vine — Tribulus terrestris; North Lake Shore Hills; 08/31
    
72. Rough Barnyard Grass — Echinochloa muricata; Valentine Mill Pond; 08/31
    
73. Field Sandbur — Conchrus longispinus; North Lake Shore Hills; 09/01
    
74. Red Clover — Trifolium pratense; North Lake Shore Hills; 09/01
    
75. Bearded Flatsedge — Cyperus squarrosus or C. acuminatus; Valentine Mill Pond; 09/08
    
76. Lady's Thumb — Polygonum persicaria; Valentine Mill Pond; 09/08
    
77. Nodding Beggarticks — Bidens cernua; Valentine Mill Pond; 09/08
    
78. Pale Smartweed — Polygonum lalathifolium; Valentine Mill Pond; 09/08
    
79. Redroot Flatsedge — Cyperus erythrorhizos; Valentine Mill Pond; 09/08
    
80. Straw-colored Flatsedge — Cyperus strigosus; Valentine Mill Pond; 09/08
    

    This visit to the Mill Pond involved wading out to the terrestrial flats just west of the open water of the pond, where the beggartick plants were profuse in their blooming.

81. Siberian Elm — Ulmus pulima; Water Tanks Tract; 09/14
    
82. Aromatic Aster — Aster oblongifolius; Water Tanks Tract; 09/14; some of these were blooming late in October at the Cherry Street Nursery and were attractive to small butterflies
    
83. Catalpa — Catalpa speciosa; Valentine — 09/14
    
84. Golden Aster — Heterotheca villosa; Water Tanks Tract; 09/14
    
85. Little Bluestem — Andropogon scoparius; Water Tanks Tract; 09/14
    
86. Sand Bluestem — Andropogon hallii; Water Tanks Tract; 09/14
    
87. Sand Reedgrass — Calamovilfa longifolia; Water Tanks Tract; 09/14
    
88. Sugar Maple — Acer saccharinum; North Lake Shore Hills; 09/14
    
89. False Boneset — Brickellia eupatorioides; North Lake Shore Hills; 09/21
    
90. Heath Aster — Aster ericoides; North Lake Shore Hills; 09/21
    
91. Ponderosa Pine — Pinus ponderosa; North Lake Shore Hills; 09/21
    
92. Common Boneset — Eupatorium perfoliatum; Government Canyon; 09/28
    
93. Green Ash — Fraxinus pennsylvanica; Government Canyon; 09/28
    
94. Peach-leaf Willow — Salix amygdaloides; Government Canyon; 09/28
    
95. Riverbank Grape — Vitis riparis; Government Canyon; 09/28
    
96. Water Cress — Nasturtium officinale; Government Canyon; 09/28
    
97. Western Water-Horehound — Lycopus aster; Government Canyon; 09/28
    
98. White Aster — Aster lanceolatus; Government Canyon; 09/28
    
99. White Water-Crowfoot — Ranunculus longirostris; Government Canyon; 09/28
    
100. Woodbine — Parthenocissus vitace; Government Canyon; 09/28
     

     Wetland plants were notably gathered during this outing from the upper extent of the stream, with other distinctive plants also present in this scenic canyon.

101. Switchgrass — Panicum virgatum; Valentine Mill Pond; 09/30
     
102. Windmill Grass — Chloris verticillata; along the road at the Valentine Fish Hatchery; 09/30
     
103. Black Walnut — Juglans nigra; Valentine Mill Pond; 10/01
     
104. Box Elder — Acer negundo; Valentine Mill Pond; 10/01
     
105. Honey Locust — Gleditsia triacanthos; Water Tanks Tract; 10/02
     
106. Bur Oak — Quercus macrocarpa; Valentine Mill Pond; 10/07
     
107. Eastern Cottonwood — Populus deltoides; Valentine Mill Pond; 10/07
     
108. Small Soapweed (yucca) — Yucca glauca; North Lake Shore Hills; noted on 10/07 though obviously present throughout the season, though flowering was not noted
     
109. Skunkbrush Sumac — Rhus aromatica; Water Tanks Tract; 10/16
     
110. Northern Red Oak — Quercus rubra; Lake Shore Drive; 10/27
     
111. American Elm — Ulmus americana; Lake Shore Drive; 10/31
     

Additional early spring species could most likely be denoted if the Valentine City Park woodlands were visited early in the growing season.

Of the thousands of pictures taken, only about 10% were retained and suitably named and saved.

An Autumn Ride in the Country

A knock on the front door was the start for a Sunday ride along the Niobrara River. The outing was not much of a jaunt beyond Valentine. It was however, another visit to the distinctive Vanderploeg ranch with its great wetland where the water always flows, next to the well-known Schlagel Creek and elsewhere among places of history.

After an appreciated brief visit with Marvin Vanderploeg at his residence - which is a tribute to the enjoyment of birds - Gordon Warrick drove onward along the country trail in the valley of the L’Eau Qui Court, to use a historic name. There was no travel along any sort of hard-surface so there was a complete lack of stop signs, traffic lights or any other vehicles. The pace was slow and right pace, with regular intermittent pauses – key turned off and most times the transmission moved to the park position later - to get a better look at some birds of a sort.

A first pause to get a good look - using binoculars and a spotting scope - at a grayish bird atop a pine, initially noticed because of a glance towards the sky-scape. It was a Townsend’s Solitaire, which had not been seen for years by either of us; was also a new addition to the great variety of wild birds that appreciate the wild land habitats of this ranch.

The plant-free marsh water along the lowland of the valley next to the river was a haven for several sorts of waterfowl. Prominent were the three juvenile Trumpeter Swan raised during the past summer season, Vanderploeg said. Migrants included Green-winged Teal, with many Mallards typical for the season also present. Out vantage point was a distinctively unusual and slight promontory on the south side of the valley flat.

A bit later, four adult swans were vivid in white on a place they found suitable along the Niobrara riverway.

With two bird-men with biological interests in the cab of a pickup, the discussion along the way included words about the local land and the ongoing tree management, the attention taken to create this place of unique heritage, plants of various types and other pertinent natural history miscellany. A particular personal conjecture was being able to throw a fly-line into Schlagel creek, and perhaps fish out a trout to enjoy for a short time, before it would be placed back into the cold, flowing, piscatorial waters. That would be a magnanimous story of its own accord.

Trees were a prominent feature. Oaks had leaves of many colors. Among the mix of flora were other sorts of plant species of lesser extent. It was a cloudy day, but at some time when light and sky combined to create a picturesque view, that created the right time for a photograph by a Canon camera.

During the slowly drive, there were other typical wild birds of the fall. They included a wonderful variety of Western Meadowlark on the uplands. The few wonderfully colored Eastern Bluebird could not be ignored, so weren't.

Among the arboreal setting on the river terrace there were glimpses of the distinctive White-breasted Nuthatch and the always cheery sound of the Black-capped Chickadee. The quiet meant prominent avian sounds were heard, which helped to be certain about the identity of some species of another. We heard the always vociferous flicker among the woods!

An especially exciting sighting were three Red Crossbill perched atop the snags of a deciduous tree, by the Schlagel. During this highlight time, the trio kept their place for a relatively long time of multiple minutes, which when it comes to determining an identity derived by bird action. There was enough of an interlude to get a good look and derive a proper name, especially since their crossed bills - used to extract pine cone seeds - were obvious. Neither of us would be willing to make any effort on which subspecies was present, as there are at least a dozen to consider. This occurrence provided a view, which among this place’s chronicles, is another addition to the known bird history.

The day’s tally was 29 species of birds. This is the largest number of species denoted during a single day survey of wild birds at the Vanderploeg, Niobrara property, based upon a comparison for a multitude of details for other dates, going back to the early weeks of 2000.

During the drive across this land it was obvious how this is a special place. We were able on our Sunday sojourn to appreciate - due to a landowner’s hospitality – so many nice, dinky scenes due to the continual efforts of active conservation. A multitude of land-scape features amidst the valley, are always there though only relatively slightly known. There will hopefully be another time when the mixture of land and sun will express, once again, more vivid views, with, perhaps some time spent on contributing some work time to help a bit with the efforts done to make this such an important example of private land conservation measures.

This is a compilation of the day’s complete avian tally, as noted in variable numbers during the midday record keeping: Canada Goose, 7 standing on a river sandbar; Trumpeter Swan; Wood Duck; Mallard; Green-winged Teal; Common Pheasant; Pied-billed Grebe at the marsh; a single Great Blue Heron; Bald Eagle, soaring above the land; Cooper's Hawk; Red-tailed Hawk; Ring-billed Gull, more than 20 with some sort of a larger gull in a seasonal drab plumage which, as it flew away westward, meant no identification was not possible; Belted Kingfisher as so easily known by its distinctive call; Downy Woodpecker; Northern Flicker with its primary feather feature having a reddish tinge; Blue Jay which is blatantly expressive; American Crow; Horned Lark about the upland grassland; Black-capped Chickadee; White-breasted Nuthatch; Eastern Bluebird along the upland fence boundary; the appreciated Townsend's Solitaire; American Robin; Orange-crowned Warbler so subtle in the river-side foliage; Audubon's Warbler (a.k.a. yellow-rumped warbler); Song Sparrow; Western Meadowlark represented by about 15 birds on the upland on the ranch, with another dozen eastward along the Schlagel Creek Road; Red Crossbill; and, American Goldfinch.

There were some little brown birds that preferred to flit rather than sit, so any opportunity for identification was futile.

Children Enjoy Old West Nature Day at Valentine

Sounds of many kids having fun outdoors were obvious amidst the mighty oaks at Valentine City Park during Sunday afternoon, October 9th. Youngsters were appreciating the activities at Old West Nature Day. By walking from place to place, they could learn something about outdoor activities, and more subtly, some bit of historic lore.

A skill any of them could experience was archery, where Kim Martin, of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, was readily helpful. Most of the youngsters she helped had never before shot a bow, but were given the essentials for getting an arrow set, how to stand to aim at the apple target, and very importantly, how to do it safely. There was an obvious thrill by the archer when an arrow hit the paper apple target. Having six girls rapt in their attention, watching their friend shooting the bow as they awaited their turn, indicated the value to them of having this opportunity. One girl kept shooting because of her enjoyment, and repeatedly did so because there was no one else in line!

Similar experiences happened elsewhere beneath the colorful, autumn oaks where the winds of the season were slight and temperatures were quite nicely warm.

During this afternoon, some people walked about shaking and continuing to shake small jars they held. Why? Their arm-action was required to make themselves a sample of butter. They got the ingredients and then had to do the work to get something tasty to take home.

To create their own candle, many kids slowly dipped a short length of string into some hot wax. Their creation, once finished, was hung to cool, then retrieved later, once it was solid.

Next to the Girl Scout cabin was a dutch-oven cooking a unique batch of sweet chili made with bison meat. Anyone interested could taste a bit of the simmering food.

Close to Minnechaduza creek, Robin Roth, of Valentine, did a great job of showing the proper technique for throwing a tomahawk at a wood target. He conveyed a vital step for success, which was – well anyone with an interest will just have to get the answer from him. An adjacent tent featured his distinctive skins of plains mammals.

Acoustical music by the Roger Monroe family wafted among the arboreal setting during the afternoon event, as they created a musical theme. Near the seats where the musicians played, a tepee conveyed an essence of tribal history. Tin-stamping was another activity of the day, with a star usually made.

Westward at the Mill Pond, the National Park Service provided canoes that visitors could use to paddle around the choppy water, which was significant but not enough to be unsafe. A National Park Service ranger was on the scene to help get a watercraft afloat, and in some instances accompany someone.

Locally involved, and essential participants, were the sponsor the Niobrara Council, as well as the National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, as well as help by staff of the Middle Niobrara Natural Resources District.

Obvious during the day were efforts by volunteers, assisting and participating to accommodate the vivid interests of so many children. It was obvious, from my perspective for a while as a volunteer at the “archery range”, that the Old West Nature Day was once again a success due to community effort.

Issued in the Valentine Midland News.

Letters on Turbines Provided to Cherry Officials

The voice of the people has been conveyed to government officials of Cherry county, Nebraska. Three commissioners indicated a 60-day public comment period for a proposed wind turbine facility, and letters of many sorts arrived at the designated county office, via postal service, fax, email and more distinctly by those who walked into the proper office on Main Street, Valentine, and presented the paperwork with their view. One delivered comment was written on a paper plate.

Topics indicated by the writings vary. Some of the first opinions arrived in mid-June to ask the three deciders to remove someone from the Planning Commission that had was involved with a company promoting wind turbines while also making decisions about planning in the county. The man did publicly resign.

When the three deciders set a time frame for the public to submit comments regarding the Conditional Use Permit for the proposed Kilgore wind turbine project, there was a whole bunch of letters submitted during the sixty-day period and for some subsequent days.

Each of the letters submitted were scanned by a county employee. Each of the letters were made available via electronic media. All of the available files were acquired via a thumb drive as made available in the county office to any requester, are the basis for the following comments.

Once the public files were available and retrieved, each file was evaluated to determine the correspondence and its author. The names were written down. The composite file provided by the county official was then copied on a personal computer, with a file name associated with the author and the date when the item was received at the Cherry county office. Each file was then edited so that only the context of the sole author remained. It took dozens of hours to edit files in order to remove ancillary comments and retain only the comments associated with the primary author. Essential details were then entered into a database table. Each of the electronic records was thus available for comparative purposes and most importantly to do a query on one or another specific.

There were 252 letters considered, with this number derived from original submissions, and with duplicates combined into a single submission. In some instances, three letters were sent in order to provide a copy to each county commissioner, though each of them was a duplicate.

The primary item of interest – and comment and concern - was whether or not the writer was a proponent or opponent of wind turbines in Cherry county. The submissions were quite vivid. They varied from a scribbled sentence or two to whereas someone did research and mad comments and added ancillary material based upon their detailed research whether it was online or as seen in some reportorial article. Personal opinion reigned as it was pervasive in the verbiage, or even rarely some editorial pictures.

There were 218 submissions where a point-of-view indicated a proponent or opponent choice.

The count was 182 opponents, representing comments by 179 people, so obviously some couple of folks sent in more than one letter, to indicate something or another, or to denote further information that should be considered in regards to the CUP. Opponent letters represented ca. 83.5% of the overall number of letters.

Proponent letters numbered 36, or about 16.5%. A bit more than two-thirds of them were known or realized members of the Cherry County Wind group, based upon name associations and county records. Based upon the known letters, less than one-third of the members of the Cherry County Wind group provided a letter of support for wind turbines within the county. It was obvious while reading the letters, that numerous known members of CCW did not indicate their membership in this association. Their participation in the wind promotion group was based upon their statement of involvement, as well as ancillary research. Obviously, members of this group prefer to not disclose their paid status!

Multiple letters were received from Nebraska, and especially Cherry county places:

Valentine	39	Mullen	28	Kilgore	21
Thedford	20	Seneca	10	Cody	9
Kearney	6	Ashby	5	Crookston	5
Lincoln	5	Merriman	5	Whitman	5
Brewster	3	North Platte	3	Omaha	3
Wood Lake	3	Bristow	2	Gordon	2
Nenzel	2	Norfolk	2	Tilden	2
Brownlee	1	Burwell	1	Columbus	1
Elsmere	1	Firth	1	Gering	1
Gothenburg	1	Hyannis	1	Malmo	1
Pierce	1

Many of the letters from post-offices along the Highway 2 corridor (i.e., Thedford, Seneca, Mullen and Whitman) are actually residents within Cherry county.

Letters also came from Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Minnesota, Mississippi, many from Missouri. Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota and South Carolina. Obviously many people that are not residents, though they may be land-owners resident elsewhere or someone which has discovered the region, appreciate the region and their regular or intermittent visits, and took the time to convey that they want the current land setting to continue.

Other pertinent topics mentioned by the contributors to this public discourse were the essential need for a moratorium on issuing CUPs for wind turbine, that commissioners need to make a decision based upon a thorough evaluation of facts, that Van Winkle has a conflict of interest and is making decisions, as determined by state accountability officials, and other miscellany.

Further evaluation of letter contents would convey the reasons why someone took a particular stance regarding wind turbines.

On October 26th, the public hearing on the conditional use permit will be held, starting at 4 p.m. at the Valentine High School auditorium. Public comments will be accepted.

Woodpeckers of Rare Occurrence Seen in Niobrara Valley

Two woodpeckers of rare occurrence have recently appreciated fire-created habitat in Niobrara River valley. On September 29th, a pair of Lewis’s Woodpeckers were observed for a time on the north bank of the river at the Niobrara Valley Preserve property of The Nature Conservancy.

Mace Hack, state director of the group, reported the observation to the online NEBirds forum. A picture of one of the birds, as taken by Chris Helzer was subsequently sent. Hack reported that the pair of birds were followed for 15 minutes amidst a setting of cottonwood snags and other dead trees. "The woodpeckers were moving together ‘fly-catching’ from snag to snag," Hack indicated.

Image Chris Helzer/The Nature Conservancy

This species of woodpecker is recognized by birders for its behavior of chasing flying insects, much like other bug-chasers such as the Eastern Bluebird.

The report is especially significant since there is only one other previously known record for this species in north-central Nebraska.

It was in 1899 when a specimen was taken within the region. This happened on April 19, 1899, according to details provided by the regular reports by the Nebraska Ornithologists’ Union. There was no indicated author. In 1934 and 1944, two reports from Stapleton are the only other known occurrences within the overall sandhills region, that is unless you would care to consider a 1907 report from the southward Dismal River valley.

The habitat setting of dead tree snags is a result of the Fairfield Creek fire which started on July 19 and continued through July 29, 2012 when it was 100% contained. A great expanse of the Conservancy property was burned in both Keya Paha and Brown counties. Overall there were 43,955 acres burned in Keya Paha county; 117 square miles along the Niobrara river. Two other named blazes occurred eastward along the valley, according to "When Smoke Filled the Sky" which is a book of mostly pictures associated with the event.

Messrs. Hack and Helzer were regularly visit the preserve to monitor the vegetation following the fire occurrence.

September Bird Tally for Valentine

The tally for September in the Valentine vicinity is indicative because of notable differences and additions to the lore of the local wildbirds.

The highlight of the month was flushing and seeing in flight a Common Poorwill at the hills north of the city park on the 14th. This was not only a new addition to the local avifauna, but a significant record for the region.

Especially notable are comparative details associated with the Turkey Vulture and Common Nighthawk.

The number of vultures present during the month was significant, with the high count mid-month on the 14th. At the end of the survey period, there were 41 that counted on the north edge of the city, eastward of the city park. These birds appreciate the tree snags left standing about as a result of past wild fires, and roost overnight and were readily seen in the morning as they waited to soar during their daily search for something eatable. These birds are masters of the air and the unseen currents they convey with their flight and wing movement to propel them hither and yon. They are supreme avian aerialists.

A noticeable difference for nighthawks was the lack of migratory movements on different evenings. Though a watch was kept on multiple evenings, there were none of this birds observed. This was a dramatic difference in comparison to the numerous instances during September, 2015.

Canada Goose continued to be intermittent, with just a few seen at the Mill Pond. There arrival is usually indicated by their obvious honks, as they fly in from northward.

A family group of Wild Turkey was present during the month around the North Lake Shore Hills, and comprised a hen and her five youngsters. A couple of them walked upon the front porch, but alas, no low level turkey bell was there for them to indicate their visit. The sighting was still welcomed. There had been six juveniles, but one obviously suffered some unknown fate. One morning, there were several turkeys from elsewhere that made a visit. While bicycling to Government Canyon on the 30th, a group of eight turkeys were walking on the prairie of North Park Ridge, just northwest of the shooting range. A hen had two smaller juveniles, indicating that she nested very late in the season, but was still successful in raising some progeny.

No surveys were done for Chimney Swift that would roost within town chimneys, though they were known to have been gone by the end of the month.

By the end of the month, American Robin became numerous. Dozens were feeding on the seeds of cedar trees. Seasonal migrants that arrived included the spritely Audubon's Warbler and Lincoln's Sparrow, each with subtle feather coloration that prominently indicated features essential for their identification. A Western Osprey was being observant at the fish hatchery, looking to observe and pluck some government raised commodity for its daily meal.

There were the regularly seen residents that could be appreciated on many days. The Eastern Bluebird - vivid in cerulean colors - were not seen every day, but often enough to convey their vivid color amidst the changing greens and browns of the changing autumn season. The little House Wren continued to occur, and most often heard as they blatantly voiced their presence. The White-breasted Nuthatch and Black-capped Chickadee are always appreciated. The Red-breasted Nuthatch was very prominent at Government Canyon during the visit, and the two noted was a minimal count, as there may have been another one or two of these birds present and vocalizing.

The Valentine Livestock Auction Company facility is a haven for the Rock Dove (i.e., pigeons). These birds can be seen any day at this place. The facility also attracts some other sorts of birds, though it is obviously not a place to appreciate wild birds mostly associated with prairie and woods. Go here if you would like to perhaps see a Common Starling.

When a White-throated Sparrow arrived, it was an indication that the summer season was gone. A nice sighting was the female Indigo Bunting at the end of the month at the Valentine Mill Pond. Subtle coloration she had as foraging on the north side of the place.

Overall there were 51 species noted during the month. Add in the Chimney Swift to add another number to the tally. There were 193 individual records kept for the 30 days, which seems minimalistic, but is still was enough to be indicative. During September 2015, the tally was 45 species, with the number of recorded observations nearly 60 fewer.

Most observations occurred at the North Lake Shore Hills and the Valentine Mill Pond. An end of the month outing to Government Canyon was a great time, with some nice observations, and to add to the day, there were some new sorts of flora found, with pictures taken for documentary purposes.

Valentine Monthly Bird Tally

Julian date:	248	250	252	254	255	257	258	268	271	272	274
Canada Goose	- -	2	- -	- -	2	- -	5	3	12	2	6
Wood Duck	- -	- -	- -	- -	2	- -	- -	- -	- -	7	2
Wild Turkey	- -	7	- -	- -	8	6	- -	13	6	- -	14
Great Blue Heron	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	2	- -	- -	1
Turkey Vulture	- -	- -	60	- -	4	2	95	20	- -	41	41
Western Osprey	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -
Cooper's Hawk	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
Red-tailed Hawk	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	1	- -
Killdeer	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	11	2
Rock Dove	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	25	- -	- -	- -
Eurasian Collared Dove	- -	6	- -	- -	4	2	14	10	- -	- -	5
Mourning Dove	- -	5	- -	- -	2	5	3	3	- -	2	- -
Great Horned Owl	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	2	- -	1	- -	- -
Common Nighthawk	4	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
Common Poorwill	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	- -
Ruby-throated Hummingbird	- -	- -	1	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
Belted Kingfisher	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	1
Red-headed Woodpecker	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	2	- -
Downy Woodpecker	- -	1	- -	- -	1	- -	1	- -	- -	3	1
Northern Flicker	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	1	2	1	3	1
Eastern Phoebe	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -
Blue Jay	- -	2	- -	- -	1	- -	1	2	5	2	1
American Crow	- -	2	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	3	- -	1	1
Cedar Waxwing	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	4	- -	4	- -
Black-capped Chickadee	- -	4	- -	- -	4	- -	2	- -	- -	3	2
Marsh Wren	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	2	- -
House Wren	- -	3	- -	- -	2	- -	2	1	- -	1	- -
Red-breasted Nuthatch	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	2	- -
White-breasted Nuthatch	- -	2	- -	- -	- -	- -	2	2	1	4	1
Grey Catbird	- -	2	2	- -	- -	- -	1	1	- -	- -	- -
Brown Thrasher	- -	2	- -	- -	1	- -	2	- -	- -	1	- -
Common Starling	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	25	- -	15	45
Eastern Bluebird	- -	5	- -	- -	4	2	12	4	- -	6	3
American Robin	- -	3	- -	- -	2	- -	- -	45	65	20	15
House Sparrow	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	25	35	- -	- -	- -
House Finch	- -	34	- -	- -	5	25	- -	12	- -	3	- -
American Goldfinch	- -	4	- -	- -	3	- -	32	14	- -	9	2
Orange-crowned Warbler	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	1	- -
Common Yellowthroat	- -	- -	5	- -	- -	- -	2	- -	- -	1	- -
Audubon's Warbler	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	6	6	- -
Western Meadowlark	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	1	- -
Red-winged Blackbird	- -	- -	5	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	12
Common Grackle	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	15	- -	- -
Song Sparrow	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	3
Lincoln's Sparrow	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	2	1	2	- -	- -	2
White-throated Sparrow	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	2	- -
Chipping Sparrow	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	10	- -
Clay-colored Sparrow	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	2	2	- -	- -	- -	2
Spotted Towhee	- -	- -	- -	- -	3	- -	4	1	- -	6	1
Northern Cardinal	- -	1	- -	- -	2	- -	1	- -	1	1	- -
Indigo Bunting	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1

Any day that includes an appreciation and enjoyment of wild birds is a good day. The variety of places to go birding at Valentine means that there can and have been a lot of good days. And it is free, the only requirement is an interest and time to hike about and observe. A motto to consider about finding birds that are present: You don't know if you don't go. The birds are there and where you go will provide an opportunity to look and learn.

My current tally for Valentine and its local environs is 114 species.