Winter Season Wildbirds at Valentine – 2015 to 2018

Having gathered details for the wildbirds that occur in the immediate vicinity of Valentine, NE on a regular basis for three years, it is possible to present a summary of how they appreciate local habitats. Numbers of occurrence are indicative while some sightings of individuals can be significant and an exciting time to personally appreciate and observe basic avian activity and interactions of their nature. Especially valuable is the expression of typical species during particular times, and which conveys a “picture” of avifauna for a place and time.

Most prominent during weeks of these months were Canada Goose. Hundreds were prevalent in one manner or another. Once ice covered the surface of the Valentine Mill Pond, the flocks gathered elsewhere, notably on the nearby Niobrara River. They could regularly be seen flying northward as seen every day, though only representative counts were kept. Among the big geese there were typically a few of their smaller compatriots, the Cackling Goose.

The open waters of Minnechaduza Creek eastward of the Valentine Mill Pond and for a distance into the Valentine City Park provide a local open-water setting notably appreciated by Mallard and a single Belted Kingfisher. The time of day when viewed can make an obvious difference in seeing whether the 2-3 Mallard are floating on the water, or the kingfisher is perched at an appropriate place, waiting for a little fish to be prominent in its view. Sadly, the kingfisher was not seen in the first two months of 2018.

Notably missing were Northern Bobwhite. They were seen once during the winter months at the North Lake Shore Hills and then not noted again ... no observations nor any of their vocalizations. There are only four known records for this species in the immediate vicinity (November, 16 seen and December 2015 when 12 were seen), so this fine bird has never been common and occurs while dealing the vagaries of weather and an occurrence at the fringe of their range. Their occurrence within the sandhill region deserves further consideration.

Wild Turkey are area residents, but once they gather for the season, they have their own routine and may not be seen at sites where observations were kept on a most regular basis. An expanded sphere of observation would contribute to further notable details but cold, snow, hefty wind and lack of motorized transport had a stifling influence.

A certain occurrence has been the regularly seen pair of Red-tailed Hawk. They have selected a place to nest and raise another generation. Most prominently in 2018 they fly together above the pines where there will be a spring nest. Any intruders have been driven away. Their soaring flight as a couple became more obvious as winter somewhat receded.

A nocturnal comparison is the pair of Great Horned Owl. They have also been very expressive where they claim a place for them to have an early season nest, and where the owlets have survived the cold and snows during the first weeks of 2018.

A particular change beneficial for watching and enjoying avian activity, especially during January and February in 2018, was providing bird seeds at my residence. It is an obvious attractant, notably for the American Tree Sparrow and Dark-eyed Junco (not to mention White-tailed Deer and the resident cotton-tailed rabbit or two). Being able to stealthily look out the front door and watch the wildbirds getting regular food that helped their survival, was always a joy for each day.

Brown Creeper are undoubtedly more prevalent than indicated, but their so subtle occurrence is not very readily seen. And this adage also applies to any kinglets. A couple of species are indicated as being transients, and it was often a matter of luck to observe the Great Grey Shrike and Townsend’s Solitaire as they do not “announce” their presence. The same for Merlin.

The records used to compile this winter-season list are from regular observations kept while going about typical daily routines on 73 particular dates from December 2015 and then during the months of December, January and February through 2018.

Considering the list of 46 observed species, the following tabular summary notably indicates the species that are regular residents during the winter. Other species are present but not as obvious, though they may have a more regular occurrence, especially further to the east where there is a greater extent of deciduous woodland. Having detailed records of daily occurrence of many species can be useful to evaluate trends. Species nomenclature is that presented by the International Ornithological Council, 2018 (version 8.1). Values given are a summary for the number seen during the particular month.

Proper Name	Dec 2015	Jan 2016	Feb 2016	Dec 2016	Jan 2017	Feb 2017	Dec 2017	Jan 2018	Feb 2018
Canada Goose	2935	1140	60	718	857	6194	350	1575	495
Cackling Goose	20	6	- -	- -	5	14	- -	4	11
Trumpeter Swan	- -	2	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	7
Mallard	13	26	3	14	6	9	18	23	8
Ring-necked Duck	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	2	- -
Common Merganser	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	6	- -	- -	- -
Northern Bobwhite	12	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
Wild Turkey	1	- -	7	- -	- -	- -	2	- -	- -
Sharp-shinned Hawk	1	1	1	- -	1	- -	1	1	1
Cooper's Hawk	- -	2	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -
Bald Eagle	2	2	3	1	3	2	4	3	1
Red-tailed Hawk	3	2	- -	5	3	5	6	1	3
Rough-legged Buzzard	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	1	- -	1
Rock Dove	71	84	46	20	37	49	17	95	83
Eurasian Collared Dove	50	90	48	29	31	21	95	75	73
Great Horned Owl	2	2	3	- -	4	2	1	2	3
Belted Kingfisher	- -	2	1	- -	- -	- -	4	1	- -
Red-bellied Woodpecker	7	6	- -	3	1	2	5	3	- -
Downy Woodpecker	2	8	4	1	4	6	1	8	5
Hairy Woodpecker	6	8	3	1	2	2	7	9	1
Northern Flicker	4	12	1	1	4	6	4	6	4
Merlin	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1
Great Grey Shrike	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -
Blue Jay	5	4	1	1	4	3	6	7	4
American Crow	4	17	3	4	10	11	4	16	4
Cedar Waxwing	- -	20	6	12	27	- -	1	- -	- -
Black-capped Chickadee	16	17	20	9	16	17	25	25	30
Horned Lark	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	8	- -	109	- -
Ruby-crowned Kinglet	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	5	- -
Red-breasted Nuthatch	1	3	5	- -	5	4	1	9	2
White-breasted Nuthatch	17	18	4	12	19	12	16	33	11
Brown Creeper	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1
Common Starling	- -	27	- -	- -	27	39	19	28	11
Eastern Bluebird	- -	19	9	8	5	11	- -	13	1
Townsend's Solitaire	- -	- -	1	- -	1	- -	- -	2	- -
American Robin	37	14	52	75	305	37	198	457	520
House Sparrow	95	154	125	26	134	137	102	317	150
House Finch	3	54	14	4	41	15	6	17	6
American Goldfinch	15	18	6	21	26	24	74	84	4
Red-winged Blackbird	- -	- -	- -	2	7	245	- -	- -	- -
Song Sparrow	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	3	- -
Harris's Sparrow	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
Dark-eyed Junco	104	75	56	49	31	71	52	41	66
American Tree Sparrow	3	8	6	- -	4	4	3	- -	3
Eastern Towhee	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
Northern Cardinal	3	2	2	2	4	4	2	4	2

There have been previous observations at Valentine. Records are available for December 2004 and January 2006. The overall tally for these two historic months was 21 species.

Avifauna Taxonomy for the Great American Sand Hills

This is a list of the known species of birds that occur with the sandhills of northern Nebraska and the edge of south-central Nebraska.

It has been several years since the taxonomy has been updated, but this has been rectified by spending multiple hours to address the efforts required to compile an authoritative list, with many subtle but substantive changes made (derived from: Gill, F. and D. Donsker (Eds). 2018. IOC World Bird List (v 8.1). Doi 10.14344/IOC.ML.8.1. www.worldbirdnames.org). Multiple experts have evaluated the relationship of one bird species to others and issued scholarly papers that were evaluated by this list presented in a formal manner and following a detailed peer review.

This list for the greater sandhill region is the most up-to-date taxonomy available. It is also the most indicative list of species for the state of Nebraska as derived from an international and modern perspective. For example, gray has been updated to the proper attribution of grey. Genus attributions have been changed to add to a conformity of representation, including some revisions to Spatula from Anas. The Downy Woodpecker and Hairy Woodpecker no longer have a similar genus designation. The genus attribution has changed for the two species of waterthrush.

There are 408 official species indicated. This tally is based upon a database of multi-multiple thousands of observations that are specific records of occurrence for one-or-another particular geographic location, and which are known to occur within a specific county. There have been 309 species observed within Cherry County, based upon nearly 62,000 records associated with observations between 1888 and 2018, for example. The design of the database includes "meta-data" that allows records to be extracted for regional localities, including queries limited to sandhill sites, or for the Niobrara Valley, as examples.

Additional records for the early history of the region are also available, though not indicated here as they are in a separate database.

The numeric value shown indicates the number of records associated with the particular species as of mid-March 2018, and which is a value in constant flux as additional bird observations are made or considered.

Proper Name	Scientific Name	Number of Available Records*
Family Anatidae
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck	Dendrocygna autumnalis	5
Brant Goose	Branta bernicla	3
Canada Goose	Branta canadensis	4625
Cackling Goose	Branta hutchinsii	57
Ross's Goose	Anser rossii	29
Snow Goose	Anser caerulescens	203
Greater White-fronted Goose	Anser albifrons	83
Mute Swan	Cygnus olor	1
Trumpeter Swan	Cygnus buccinator	1048
Tundra Swan	Cygnus columbianus	35
Wood Duck	Aix sponsa	1385
Cinnamon Teal	Spatula cyanoptera	220
Blue-winged Teal	Spatula discors	5389
Northern Shoveler	Spatula clypeata	4656
Gadwall	Mareca strepera	5073
Eurasian Wigeon	Mareca penelope	1
American Wigeon	Mareca americana	2187
Mallard	Anas platyrhynchos	8328
American Black Duck	Anas rubripes	15
Mexican Duck?	Anas diazi	1
Northern Pintail	Anas acuta	3772
Green-winged Teal	Anas carolinensis	2693
Canvasback	Aythya valisineria	2385
Redhead	Aythya americana	4051
Ring-necked Duck	Aythya collaris	1394
Greater Scaup	Aythya marila	11
Lesser Scaup	Aythya affinis	2990
Harlequin Duck	Histrionicus histrionicus	1
Surf Scoter	Melanitta perspicillata	22
White-winged Scoter	Melanitta fusca	19
Black Scoter	Melanitta americana	7
Long-tailed Duck	Clangula hyemalis	32
Bufflehead	Bucephala albeola	2323
Common Goldeneye	Bucephala clangula	530
Barrow's Goldeneye	Bucephala islandica	11
Hooded Merganser	Lophodytes cucullatus	171
Common Merganser	Mergus merganser	668
Red-breasted Merganser	Mergus serrator	53
Ruddy Duck	Oxyura jamaicensis	3780
Family Odontophoridae
Scaled Quail	Callipepla squamata	1
Northern Bobwhite	Colinus virginianus	139
Family Phasianidae
Wild Turkey	Meleagris gallopavo	436
Ruffed Grouse	Bonasa umbellus	1
Sage Grouse	Centrocercus urophasianus	2
Sharp-tailed Grouse	Tympanuchus phasianellus	497
Greater Prairie-Chicken	Tympanuchus cupido	396
Chukar Partridge	Alectoris chukar	13
Grey Partridge	Perdix perdix	20
Common Pheasant	Phasianus colchicus	781
Family Gaviidae
Red-throated Loon	Gavia stellata	1
Common Loon; this attribution has been a return to a former proper name, rather than the use of great northern loon	Gavia immer	38
Family Podicipedidae
Pied-billed Grebe	Podilymbus podiceps	2356
Red-necked Grebe	Podiceps grisegena	5
Horned Grebe	Podiceps auritus	175
Black-necked Grebe	Podiceps nigricollis	2041
Western Grebe	Aechmophorus occidentalis	1393
Clark's Grebe	Aechmophorus clarkii	28
Family Threskiornithidae
Glossy Ibis	Plegadis falcinellus	2
White-faced Ibis	Plegadis chihi	292
Family Ardeidae
American Bittern	Botaurus lentiginosus	1005
Least Bittern	Ixobrychus exilis	41
Black-crowned Night Heron	Nycticorax nycticorax	1222
Yellow-crowned Night Heron	Nyctanassa violacea	4
Green Heron	Butorides virescens	63
Western Cattle Egret	Bubulcus ibis	92
Great Blue Heron	Ardea herodias	2267
Great Egret	Ardea alba	65
Reddish Egret	Egretta rufescens	2
Little Blue Heron	Egretta caerulea	14
Snowy Egret	Egretta thula	72
Family Pelecanidae
American White Pelican	Pelecanus erythrorhynchos	1680
Brown Pelican	Pelecanus occidentalis	2
Family Phalacrocoracidae
Neotropic Cormorant	Phalacrocorax brasilianus	2
Double-crested Cormorant	Phalacrocorax auritus	2361
Family Cathartidae
Turkey Vulture	Cathartes aura	489
Family Pandionidae
Western Osprey	Pandion haliaetus	106
Family Accipitridae
White-tailed Kite	Elanus leucurus	1
Golden Eagle	Aquila chrysaetos	282
Sharp-shinned Hawk	Accipiter striatus	170
Cooper's Hawk	Accipiter cooperii	136
Northern Goshawk	Accipiter gentilis	30
Northern Harrier	Circus hudsonius	788
Bald Eagle	Haliaeetus leucocephalus	491
Mississippi Kite	Ictinia mississippiensis	7
Red-shouldered Hawk	Buteo lineatus	3
Broad-winged Hawk	Buteo platypterus	39
Swainson's Hawk	Buteo swainsoni	435
Red-tailed Hawk	Buteo jamaicensis	789
Ferruginous Hawk	Buteo regalis	218
Rough-legged Buzzard	Buteo lagopus	249
Family Rallidae
Yellow Rail	Coturnicops noveboracensis	1
Black Rail	Laterallus jamaicensis	4
King Rail	Rallus elegans	9
Virginia Rail	Rallus limicola	298
Sora	Porzana carolina	219
Common Moorhen	Gallinula chloropus	7
American Coot	Fulica americana	4995
Family Gruidae
Sandhill Crane	Antigone canadensis (Linnaeus, 1758). "Move canadensis clade of Grus cranes to genus Antigone (Krajewski et al. 2010, NACC 2016-C-4)."	275
Whooping Crane	Grus americana	70
Family Recurvirostridae
Black-necked Stilt	Himantopus mexicanus	88
American Avocet	Recurvirostra americana	1166
Family Charadriidae
American Golden Plover	Pluvialis dominica	16
Grey Plover	Pluvialis squatarola	72
Semipalmated Plover	Charadrius semipalmatus	118
Killdeer	Charadrius vociferus	3501
Piping Plover	Charadrius melodus	59
Snowy Plover	Charadrius nivosus	14
Mountain Plover	Charadrius montanus	3
Family Scolopacidae
Upland Sandpiper	Bartramia longicauda	1884
Whimbrel	Numenius phaeopus	14
Eskimo Curlew; likely extinct but not indicated as such by the IOC checklist	Numenius borealis	2
Long-billed Curlew	Numenius americanus	1153
Hudsonian Godwit	Limosa haemastica	13
Marbled Godwit	Limosa fedoa	122
Ruddy Turnstone	Arenaria interpres	10
Red Knot	Calidris canutus	5
Stilt Sandpiper	Calidris himantopus	278
Sanderling	Calidris alba	60
Dunlin	Calidris alpina	16
Baird's Sandpiper	Calidris bairdii	389
Least Sandpiper	Calidris minutilla	273
White-rumped Sandpiper	Calidris fuscicollis	57
Buff-breasted Sandpiper	Calidris subruficollis	10
Pectoral Sandpiper	Calidris melanotos	133
Semipalmated Sandpiper	Calidris pusilla	226
Western Sandpiper	Calidris mauri	89
Long-billed Dowitcher	Limnodromus scolopaceus	396
Short-billed Dowitcher	Limnodromus griseus	70
American Woodcock	Scolopax minor	3
Wilson's Snipe	Gallinago delicata	579
Wilson's Phalarope	Phalaropus tricolor	1672
Red-necked Phalarope	Phalaropus lobatus	132
Red Phalarope	Phalaropus fulicarius	7
Spotted Sandpiper	Actitis macularius	379
Solitary Sandpiper	Tringa solitaria	98
Lesser Yellowlegs	Tringa flavipes	736
Willet	Tringa semipalmata	1200
Greater Yellowlegs	Tringa melanoleuca	513
Family Laridae
Black-legged Kittiwake	Rissa tridactyla	2
Sabine's Gull	Xema sabini	8
Bonaparte's Gull	Chroicocephalus philadelphia	53
Black-headed Gull	Chroicocephalus ridibundus	1
Laughing Gull	Leucophaeus atricilla	1
Franklin's Gull	Leucophaeus pipixcan	299
Ring-billed Gull	Larus delawarensis	931
California Gull	Larus californicus	41
Great Black-backed Gull	Larus marinus	4
Glaucous Gull	Larus hyperboreus	16
Iceland Gull	Larus glaucoides; includes Larus glaucoides thayeri as an indication that the Thayer's Gull, notably seen at Lake McConaughy, is now scientifically recognized as a subspecies	7
American Herring Gull	Larus smithsonianus	119
Lesser Black-backed Gull	Larus fuscus	7
Caspian Tern	Hydroprogne caspia	14
Least Tern	Sternula antillarum	39
Common Tern	Sterna hirundo	93
Forster's Tern	Sterna forsteri	1038
Black Tern	Chlidonias niger	1574
Family Stercoraiidae
Pomarine Jaeger	Stercorarius pomarinus	Cedar Point Biological Station checklist
Parasitic Jaeger	Stercorarius parasiticus	2
Long-tailed Jaeger	Stercorarius longicaudus	Cedar Point Biological Station checklist
Family Columbidae
Rock Dove	Columba livia	162
Eurasian Collared Dove	Streptopelia decaocto	402
Mourning Dove	Zenaida macroura	2246
White-winged Dove	Zenaida asiatica	2
Family Cuculidae
Yellow-billed Cuckoo	Coccyzus americanus	157
Black-billed Cuckoo	Coccyzus erythropthalmus	61
Family Tytonidae
American Barn Owl	Tyto furcata	42
Family Strigidae
Flammulated Owl	Psiloscops flammeolus	1
Eastern Screech Owl	Megascops asio	95
Snowy Owl	Bubo scandiacus	22
Great Horned Owl	Bubo virginianus	512
Barred Owl	Strix varia	3
Great Grey Owl	Strix nebulosa	1
Burrowing Owl	Athene cunicularia	145
Northern Saw-whet Owl	Aegolius acadicus	14
Long-eared Owl	Asio otus	42
Short-eared Owl	Asio flammeus	84
Family Caprimulgidae
Common Nighthawk	Chordeiles minor	720
Common Poorwill	Phalaenoptilus nuttallii	45
Chuck-will's-widow	Antrostomus carolinensis	2
Eastern Whip-poor-will	Antrostomus vociferus	30
Family Apodidae
Chimney Swift	Chaetura pelagica	261
White-throated Swift	Aeronautes saxatalis	Cedar Point Biological Station checklist
Family Trochilidae
Ruby-throated Hummingbird	Archilochus colubris	17
Broad-tailed Hummingbird	Selasphorus platycercus	3
Rufous Hummingbird	Selasphorus rufus	2
Calliope Hummingbird	Selasphorus calliope	1
Family Alcedinidae
Belted Kingfisher	Megaceryle alcyon	423
Family Picidae
Lewis's Woodpecker	Melanerpes lewis	6
Red-headed Woodpecker	Melanerpes erythrocephalus	424
Acorn Woodpecker	Melanerpes formicivorus	2
Red-bellied Woodpecker	Melanerpes carolinus	117
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker	Sphyrapicus varius	23
Downy Woodpecker	Dryobates pubescens	596
Hairy Woodpecker	Leuconotopicus villosus	298
Northern Flicker	Colaptes auratus	1392
Family Falconidae
American Kestrel	Falco sparverius	647
Merlin	Falco columbarius	65
Gyrfalcon	Falco rusticolus	12
Prairie Falcon	Falco mexicanus	186
Peregrine Falcon	Falco peregrinus	76
Family Tyrannidae
Eastern Phoebe	Sayornis phoebe	199
Say's Phoebe	Sayornis saya	84
Olive-sided Flycatcher	Contopus cooperi	23
Western Wood Pewee	Contopus sordidulus	99
Eastern Wood Pewee; for both wood pewees, a significant change has been getting rid of the hyphen in the proper name.	Contopus virens	102
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher	Empidonax flaviventris	2
Acadian Flycatcher	Empidonax virescens	1
Willow Flycatcher	Empidonax traillii	118
Alder Flycatcher	Empidonax alnorum	19
Least Flycatcher	Empidonax minimus	86
Hammond's Flycatcher	Empidonax hammondii	1
Cordilleran Flycatcher	Empidonax occidentalis	5
Vermilion Flycatcher	Pyrocephalus obscurus	2
Cassin's Kingbird	Tyrannus vociferans	8
Western Kingbird	Tyrannus verticalis	769
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher	Tyrannus forficatus	11
Eastern Kingbird	Tyrannus tyrannus	1311
Great Crested Flycatcher	Myiarchus crinitus	218
Family Laniidae
Loggerhead Shrike	Lanius ludovicianus	402
Great Grey Shrike	Lanius excubitor	105
Family Vireonidae
White-eyed Vireo	Vireo griseus	2
Bell's Vireo	Vireo bellii	190
Yellow-throated Vireo	Vireo flavifrons	12
Plumbeous Vireo	Vireo plumbeus	1
Cassin's Vireo	Vireo cassinii	2
Blue-headed Vireo	Vireo solitarius	18
Warbling Vireo	Vireo gilvus	244
Philadelphia Vireo	Vireo philadelphicus	4
Red-eyed Vireo	Vireo olivaceus	234
Family Corvidae
Grey Jay	Perisoreus canadensis	5
Blue Jay	Cyanocitta cristata	677
Steller's Jay	Cyanocitta stelleri	6
Pinyon Jay	Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus	27
Black-billed Magpie	Pica hudsonia	178
Clark's Nutcracker	Nucifraga columbiana	6
American Crow	Corvus brachyrhynchos	1303
Northern Raven	Corvus corax	7
Family Bombycillidae
Bohemian Waxwing	Bombycilla garrulus	26
Cedar Waxwing	Bombycilla cedrorum	355
Family Paridae
Tufted Titmouse	Baeolophus bicolor	2
Black-capped Chickadee	Poecile atricapillus	748
Family Alaudidae
Horned Lark	Eremophila alpestris	1059
Family Hirundinidae
Sand Martin	Riparia riparia	136
Tree Swallow	Tachycineta bicolor	758
Violet-green Swallow	Tachycineta thalassina	9
Purple Martin	Progne subis	72
Northern Rough-winged Swallow	Stelgidopteryx serripennis	257
Barn Swallow	Hirundo rustica	1203
American Cliff Swallow	Petrochelidon pyrrhonota	295
Cave Swallow	Petrochelidon fulva	2
Family Regulidae
Golden-crowned Kinglet	Regulus satrapa	65
Ruby-crowned Kinglet	Regulus calendula	82
Family Troglodytidae
Rock Wren	Salpinctes obsoletus	36
Canyon Wren	Catherpes mexicanus	4
Sedge Wren	Cistothorus stellaris	25
Marsh Wren	Cistothorus palustris	839
Bewick's Wren	Thryomanes bewickii	4
Carolina Wren	Thryothorus ludovicianus	6
Winter Wren	Troglodytes hiemalis	31
House Wren	Troglodytes aedon	703
Family Polioptilidae
Blue-grey Gnatcatcher	Polioptila caerulea	9
Family Sittidae
Pygmy Nuthatch	Sitta pygmaea	3
Red-breasted Nuthatch	Sitta canadensis	327
White-breasted Nuthatch	Sitta carolinensis	551
Family Certhiidae
Brown Creeper	Certhia americana	67
Family Mimidae
Grey Catbird	Dumetella carolinensis	272
Northern Mockingbird	Mimus polyglottos	51
Sage Thrasher	Oreoscoptes montanus	9
Brown Thrasher	Toxostoma rufum	599
Curve-billed Thrasher	Toxostoma curvirostre	8
Family Sturnidae
Common Starling	Sturnus vulgaris	842
Family Turdidae
Varied Thrush	Ixoreus naevius	5
Eastern Bluebird	Sialia sialis	525
Mountain Bluebird	Sialia currucoides	67
Townsend's Solitaire	Myadestes townsendi	197
Veery	Catharus fuscescens	21
Grey-cheeked Thrush	Catharus minimus	26
Swainson's Thrush	Catharus ustulatus	148
Hermit Thrush	Catharus guttatus	37
Wood Thrush	Hylocichla mustelina	38
American Robin	Turdus migratorius	1594
Family Cinclidae
American Dipper	Cinclus mexicanus	2
Family Passeridae
House Sparrow	Passer domesticus	496
Family Motacillidae
Buff-bellied Pipit	Anthus rubescens	83
Sprague's Pipit	Anthus spragueii	11
Family Fringillidae
Evening Grosbeak	Hesperiphona vespertinus	41
Pine Grosbeak	Pinicola enucleator	3
Grey-crowned Rosy Finch	Leucosticte tephrocotis	2
Purple Finch	Haemorhous purpureus	21
Cassin's Finch	Haemorhous cassinii	2
House Finch	Haemorhous mexicanus	346
Common Redpoll	Acanthis flammea	27
Red Crossbill	Loxia curvirostra	90
Two-barred Crossbill	Loxia leucoptera	4
American Goldfinch	Spinus tristis	1187
Lesser Goldfinch	Spinus psaltria	1
Pine Siskin	Spinus pinus	134
Family Parulidae
Ovenbird	Seiurus aurocapilla	202
Worm-eating Warbler	Helmitheros vermivorum	4
Louisiana Waterthrush	Parkesia motacilla	1
Northern Waterthrush	Parkesia noveboracensis	29
Golden-winged Warbler	Vermivora chrysoptera	2
Blue-winged Warbler	Vermivora cyanoptera	6
Black-and-white Warbler	Mniotilta varia	101
Tennessee Warbler	Leiothlypis peregrina	44
Orange-crowned Warbler	Leiothlypis celata	135
Nashville Warbler	Leiothlypis ruficapilla	18
Connecticut Warbler	Oporornis agilis	7
MacGillivray's Warbler	Geothlypis tolmiei	20
Mourning Warbler	Geothlypis philadelphia	9
Kentucky Warbler	Geothlypis formosa	4
Common Yellowthroat	Geothlypis trichas	950
Hooded Warbler	Setophaga citrina	8
American Redstart	Setophaga ruticilla	190
Cape May Warbler	Setophaga tigrina	2
Cerulean Warbler	Setophaga cerulea	1
Northern Parula	Setophaga americana	14
Magnolia Warbler	Setophaga magnolia	19
Bay-breasted Warbler	Setophaga castanea	8
Blackburnian Warbler	Setophaga fusca	8
American Yellow Warbler	Setophaga aestiva	635
Chestnut-sided Warbler	Setophaga pensylvanica	11
Blackpoll Warbler	Setophaga striata	55
Black-throated Blue Warbler	Setophaga caerulescens	6
Palm Warbler	Setophaga palmarum	9
Myrtle Warbler	Setophaga coronata	2
Audubon's Warbler	Setophaga auduboni	254
Yellow-throated Warbler	Setophaga dominica	2
Prairie Warbler	Setophaga discolor	5
Grace's Warbler	Setophaga graciae	1
Townsend's Warbler	Setophaga townsendi	11
Black-throated Green Warbler	Setophaga virens	12
Canada Warbler	Cardellina canadensis	3
Wilson's Warbler	Cardellina pusilla	87
Family Icteridae
Yellow-breasted Chat	Icteria virens	207
Yellow-headed Blackbird	Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus	1304
Bobolink	Dolichonyx oryzivorus	584
Western Meadowlark	Sturnella neglecta	2342
Eastern Meadowlark	Sturnella magna	792
Bullock's Oriole	Icterus bullockii	20
Baltimore Oriole	Icterus galbula	306
Orchard Oriole	Icterus spurius	658
Red-winged Blackbird	Agelaius phoeniceus	2804
Brown-headed Cowbird	Molothrus ater	1150
Rusty Blackbird	Euphagus carolinus	21
Brewer's Blackbird	Euphagus cyanocephalus	84
Common Grackle	Quiscalus quiscula	1085
Great-tailed Grackle	Quiscalus mexicanus	47
Family Passerellidae
Lark Bunting	Calamospiza melanocorys	226
Red Fox Sparrow	Passerella iliaca	9
Song Sparrow	Melospiza melodia	268
Lincoln's Sparrow	Melospiza lincolnii	152
Swamp Sparrow	Melospiza georgiana	177
Harris's Sparrow	Zonotrichia querula	152
White-crowned Sparrow	Zonotrichia leucophrys	239
White-throated Sparrow	Zonotrichia albicollis	97
Golden-crowned Sparrow	Zonotrichia atricapilla	4
Dark-eyed Junco	Junco hyemalis	507
Savannah Sparrow	Passerculus sandwichensis	185
Nelson's Sparrow	Ammodramus nelsoni	1
Saltmarsh Sparrow	Ammodramus caudacutus	1
LeConte's Sparrow	Ammodramus leconteii	8
Baird's Sparrow	Ammodramus bairdii	3
Henslow's Sparrow	Ammodramus henslowii	4
Grasshopper Sparrow	Ammodramus savannarum	924
American Tree Sparrow	Spizelloides arborea	378
Chipping Sparrow	Spizella passerina	546
Field Sparrow	Spizella pusilla	384
Clay-colored Sparrow	Spizella pallida	153
Brewer's Sparrow	Spizella breweri	5
Vesper Sparrow	Pooecetes gramineus	157
Lark Sparrow	Chondestes grammacus	1003
Black-throated Sparrow	Amphispiza bilineata	1
Cassin's Sparrow	Peucaea cassinii	7
Green-tailed Towhee	Pipilo chlorurus	2
Spotted Towhee	Pipilo maculatus	311
Eastern Towhee	Pipilo erythrophthalmus	159
Family Calcariidae
McCown's Longspur	Rhynchophanes mccownii	9
Lapland Longspur	Calcarius lapponicus	61
Smith's Longspur	Calcarius pictus	2
Chestnut-collared Longspur	Calcarius ornatus	63
Snow Bunting	Plectrophenax nivalis	29
Family Cardinalidae
Summer Tanager	Piranga rubra	6
Scarlet Tanager	Piranga olivacea	50
Western Tanager	Piranga ludoviciana	25
Rose-breasted Grosbeak	Pheucticus ludovicianus	69
Black-headed Grosbeak	Pheucticus melanocephalus	144
Northern Cardinal	Cardinalis cardinalis	365
Dickcissel	Spiza americana	482
Blue Grosbeak	Passerina caerulea	222
Indigo Bunting	Passerina cyanea	160
Lazuli Bunting	Passerina amoena	60
Painted Bunting	Passerina ciris	2
* Additional records (2165) are available as derived from static bird checklists.

In addition to recognized species, the taxonomy list includes other features. Notably, this included a listing for the ten following hybrids known to occur in the region, and for which there are 36 records available: Blue-winged x Cinnamon Teal; Mallard x Gadwall; Mallard x Northern Pintail; Greater Prairie-Chicken x Sharp-tailed Grouse; Western Wood Pewee x Eastern Wood Pewee; Willow Flycatcher x Alder Flycatcher; Bullock's Oriole x Baltimore Oriole; Spotted Towhee x Eastern Towhee; Rose-breasted Grosbeak x Black-headed Grosbeak; and, Indigo Bunting x Lazuli Bunting.

Fish Records from the Dismal River at Highway 83

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has indicated that it will be proposing the addition of small fish resident in the Sand Hill region to the state threatened species list, according to an online news report read on March 19, 2018. The proposal would include the Western Silvery Minnow and Flathead Chub, as well as the Sicklefin Chub and Plains Minnow.

Based upon a review of readily available and pertinent records, two of these species are known to have occurred in the Dismal River along the corridor of the proposed R-Project. When the Nebraska Public Power District issued their draft environment impact statement in 2017, they addressed only those fish already legally listed with an endangered or threatened status by the State of Nebraska. The proposal for listing indicates there are additional species of concern, whose conservation needs to be directly addressed.

In order to provide details associated with the fisheries at this locality, the following information is provided. All of these records are from an "Ambient Fish Survey" conducted by the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality.

• Bigmouth Shiner: 08/02/1988
  
• Bigmouth Shiner: 10/24/1989
  
• Creek Chub: 08/02/1988
  
• Creek Chub: 07/24/1989
  
• Creek Chub: 10/24/1989
  
• Fathead Minnow: 08/02/1988
  
• Fathead Minnow: 06/13/1989
  
• Fathead Minnow: 10/24/1989
  
• Flathead Chub: 07/24/1989
  
• Green Sunfish: 08/02/1988
  
• Longnose Dace: 08/02/1988
  
• Longnose Dace: 06/13/1989
  
• Longnose Dace: 07/24/1989
  
• Longnose Dace: 10/24/1989
  
• Mosquitofish: 08/02/1988
  
• Plains Topminnow: 08/02/1988
  
• Plains Topminnow: 06/13/1989
  
• Plains Topminnow: 07/24/1989
  
• Plains Topminnow: 10/24/1989
  
• Red Shiner: 08/02/1988
  
• River Shiner: 08/02/1988
  
• Sand Shiner: 08/02/1988
  
• Sand Shiner: 06/13/1989
  
• Sand Shiner: 07/24/1989
  
• Sand Shiner: 10/24/1989
  
• Shorthead Redhorse: 08/02/1988
  
• Western Silvery Minnow: 08/02/1988
  
• White Sucker: 08/02/1988
  
• White Sucker: 07/24/1989
  
• White Sucker: 10/24/1989
  

It needs to be realized that these items indicate details from past times. Relatively current details are not readily available. There are also additional records for other primary waterways that are associated with an industrial powerline corridor, or perhaps regional lines that would be needed to transfer power from an industrial wind project site via a connection to the national power grid.

There are other key flowing water habitats within the sandhills which are key places for distinctive fish of the region. This includes Brush Creek within Cherry county.

Personal Tribute to Marvin Vanderploeg

The local wildbirds along the Niobrara River south of Valentine have lost a great friend. Marvin Vanderploeg appreciated many sorts of wild animals and acted with his family to establish a natural lands reserve. Marvin had a personal bird refuge to traverse and notably enjoy looking about a place filled with wildlife activities. When home, he kept a watch outside some windows where he could readily see and appreciate bird activity.

A favorite spot for Marvin to watch bird activity was from a comfortable chair in the sun-room on the south side of the house, where binoculars were always close-at-hand. Notable bird books were handy and there were other mementos of the years where various pursuits associated with wildbirds were his favorite endeavor. Outside the windows was a pond and bird feeder. He could watch the colorful Wood Ducks fly into the pond, something he said he especially appreciated. Other waterfowl were seen. A local herd of White-tailed Deer were regular visitors. Near another side of the house, grain was provided to the many Wild Turkey that roamed the valley. In the marsh near the river, Trumpeter Swan were a special breeding season resident. A pair of magnificent Bald Eagle have nested for years at the haven, and they are undoubtedly now actively protecting eggs nestled deep amidst the sticks of a well-known nest atop a pine tree.

Each time when talking with Marvin, it was a pleasure to visit with a bird enthusiast, especially someone that has traveled to places around the globe just to see some new avian species. During my first visit to the ranch in June 2006, he gave a personal tour of a place where land was being managed for the benefit of so many sorts of flora and fauna. Dollars were being spent to conserve land features, notably removal of invasive cedar trees and occasional controlled burns to improve prairie conditions. There is no known comparable oak-savannah forest anywhere in the central Niobrara Valley, other than at the floodplain terrace of the Niobrara River at the Vanderploeg Ranch. That is undoubtedly why there is a NRCS conservation easement on a portion of the property.

The Vanderploeg Ranch is such a distinctly unique space. River, woods and prairie are essential habitats. Many people have recognized this and came to visit. In addition to the particular records of waterfowl at the pond as kept by Marvin in his personal hand-written words in notebooks, there are details given in various reports about the ranch flora and fauna because access was graciously provided. Many visitors have depicted significant finds. I have never heard anyone have any disparaging comments about their visit, instead they have enjoyed a distinctive visit, because Marvin was such a gracious host.

A most recent personal visit was in mid-February for the Great Backyard Bird Count. I am thankful to have had a “final” chat with Marvin as he sat comfortably, while individually battling health issues, but could still see a variety of wildbirds visiting the taken-care-of feeders, where birds actively appreciated the seed feed. The best two birds of the day were Common Redpoll, actively eating at the bird feeder.

Because of a sense of awareness this ranch grew to and became a special space. As a bird enthusiast and conservationist, Marvin Vanderploeg represents a legacy so notably unique in the Niobrara River valley. This great American may be gone but he shall not be forgotten. I will miss the man because he so much appreciated the wildbirds. His thoughts, as personally heard, resonated to features that comprise an essential core of nature within Cherry county and the Niobrara River valley.

Tree cutters the Ross Brothers and Marvin Vanderploeg at the ranch. March 15, 2016.

Birds Observed at Valentine During January-February 2018

The vagaries of winter were prominent in the vicinity of Valentine during January and February. There were bitterly cold days with wind chills that no one appreciated. There were snow events, but they meant only a few inches on the ground.

These are some note for the wildbirds seen:

• Canada Goose: regularly seen during the weeks, with an obvious increase at the end of February with many hundreds traversing the area skies; focused surveys were done and the results indicate peak counts for the area for a three year period of focused surveys. During this year, more attention was given to the goose flight, in comparison to the previous two years.
  
• Trumpeter Swan: there were seven at the Valentine Mill Pond
  
• Mallard: some drakes and a single female were present on the ice-free extent of Minnechaduza Creek below the Mill Pond dam
  
• Common Merganser: while watching the northward movement of Canada Goose from a vantage point at the west end of Lake Shore Drive, a small flock of other waterbird was seen going from west to east; with the spotting scope ready, their identity was determined.
  
• Bald Eagle: this magnificent raptor is a regular breeding season resident, notably along the Niobrara River, and can be seen occasionally on associated uplands
  
• Red-tailed Hawk: it is likely that a pair has taken up residency among the pines of the North Lake Shore hills
  
• Great Horned Owl: a couple of birds were very expressive during January and then to a lesser extent in February; this is probably because they were getting busy with their early season nesting
  
• Red-bellied Woodpecker: a pair certainly appreciated the bird feeder at the Quigley Place, and as observed during the national bird count weekend
  
• American Crow: there are a couple of these corvids which claim the area as their local territory; they were seen in flight on many days
  
• House Sparrow: during the cold times they congregate, notably at the southeast corner of the Valentine Mill Pond tract as well as in a yard at the 400 block of North Main street
  
• Red-winged Blackbird: following the arrival of a flock a fewer number were seen at the end of February at the Mill Pond, which was indicative of the arrival of territorial birds
  
• Dark-eyed Junco: occurred daily as they appreciated seeds to eat
  
• Northern Cardinal: as February ended, their voice was an indication of arrival of spring
  

There are some species that were always about and appreciated. They are the Black-capped Chickadee and White-breasted Nuthatch. Also significant is the Red-breasted Nuthatch with its distinctive voicage.

Methods of keeping a record of observed bird species was similar to the previous two years. Particular details associated with the Great Backyard Bird Count have been previously indicated in a report which includes a couple of places which are not associated with the immediate environs of Valentine.

Wildbirds at Valentine During January and February 2018

Proper Name	3	8	9	19	29	39	48	49	57	58	59
Canada Goose	- -	- -	85	60	350	850	- -	165	400	3025	1754
Cackling Goose	- -	- -	6	- -	5	5	- -	- -	2	5	2
Trumpeter Swan	- -	- -	7	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
Mallard	2	2	- -	1	3	4	- -	- -	5	- -	- -
Common Merganser	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	6
Sharp-shinned Hawk	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
Bald Eagle	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	1	- -
Red-tailed Hawk	1	- -	- -	1	1	2	1	- -	1	- -	1
Rough-legged Buzzard	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
Rock Dove	21	26	- -	36	- -	4	- -	20	- -	25	- -
Eurasian Collared Dove	3	8	24	17	21	2	- -	5	3	8	3
Great Horned Owl	1	1	- -	1	- -	2	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
Red-bellied Woodpecker	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	2	- -	- -	- -	- -
Downy Woodpecker	2	- -	- -	1	2	- -	4	1	- -	1	- -
Hairy Woodpecker	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	1	- -	- -	- -
Northern Flicker	1	- -	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	2	- -
Merlin	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
Blue Jay	1	2	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	1	- -	2	- -
American Crow	2	- -	- -	- -	2	2	2	2	1	2	2
Black-capped Chickadee	14	- -	- -	10	6	6	3	4	- -	- -	4
Horned Lark	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	8	- -	- -	- -
Red-breasted Nuthatch	1	- -	- -	1	- -	1	2	- -	1	- -	- -
White-breasted Nuthatch	3	- -	- -	7	1	3	4	2	3	- -	- -
Brown Creeper	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
Common Starling	- -	- -	11	- -	- -	- -	- -	8	- -	31	- -
Eastern Bluebird	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	6	- -	4	1	- -	- -
American Robin	- -	15	- -	475	30	4	- -	4	5	19	5
House Sparrow	85	- -	- -	50	15	37	- -	60	40	- -	- -
House Finch	5	1	- -	- -	- -	3	2	1	5	4	- -
American Goldfinch	3	- -	- -	- -	1	5	6	8	5	- -	- -
Red-winged Blackbird	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	250	45
Dark-eyed Junco	15	14	- -	14	23	14	2	14	19	10	12
American Tree Sparrow	1	- -	- -	- -	2	- -	- -	2	1	- -	1
Northern Cardinal	1	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	1	2	1	- -

There were 34 different species noted during the two months. Overall for these two months in 2015-2018, there were 44 species noted. Not recorded in 2018 was the Belted Kingfisher nor any Cedar Waxwing and Townsend's Solitaire. Wild Turkey are certainly in the vicinity but their regular activities do not occur within the places where regular bird observations occur.

My personal focus during these two months was to provide a food source for Dark-eyed Junco. They were regular and daily visitors. Some of them would arrive before sunrise and be seen busily eating outside the window. An American Tree Sparrow or two would be present at one time or another. The resident Eurasian Collared Dove eventually found the "seed buffet" and then included in their routine a visit to eat the feed. On an occasion or another, there was a transitory House Finch.