A Most Beautiful Trumpeter Swan at the Mill Pond

One of the most wonderful birds of our earthly world recently lingered at the Valentine Mill Pond. It was an adult Trumpeter Swan that was present for a few days from October 23^rd to 27^th. During its daily routine it walked about on sandy flats or stood in shallow waters just west of the pond pier. This occurrence is significant because this great swan was an adult and alone. Trumpeter Swan do not typically occur alone. They mate for life, and are very dedicated to their family. Perhaps this adult bird lost its mate and the Mill Pond was a mourning place?

The occurrence of this bird was the fifth time this species has been known to occur at the pond in the past three years. While this beautiful bird continues to survive, it has been a wonder of nature notably enjoyed at the suitable habitat of the mill pond, along with the several Canada Goose, some transitory gabbling Gadwall amidst the pondweed and a Greater Yellowlegs busy in its foraging. At least my looking around meant the Pied-billed Grebe was seen on its day. A special sighting also during the weekend was a dark-phase Red-tailed Hawk perched in a tree that was not pleased with my hiking about intrusion amidst nature lands, and then a bit later, soaring above in a cerulean autumn sky was another bird wonder, a juvenile Golden Eagle.

A swan was once again present on the morning of November 1.

Addition to Cardinal Occurrence in Niobrara Valley of Cherry County

A singular sighting of a male Northern Cardinal is indicative of further occurrence at its western range along the Niobrara River valley of Cherry county.

On October 20, 2018 a male cardinal was seen flying across the river just south of the county road bridge along the South Eli Road. This may not seem to be significant, but it is a westernmost occurrence known of this species in the Niobrara valley.

In 2004, this species was observed at the Jim Gray Place situated at the Niobrara River at the Highway 61 crossing south of Merriman.

To the eastward it was recorded at Mogle Falls, about 12 miles distance. Other previous sightings dating originally to 2004 are known for three locations on the northern side of McKelvie National Forest, including Anderson Bridge WMA with multiple dates through 2017, Chat Canyon WMA through 2010 (a.k.a. Circle J Reserve as previously designated prior to its purchase by the State of Nebraska) and the Hand Exclosure on the northern edge of the forest. The cardinal is regularly seen near Valentine.

At the Niobrara Pasture locality, along the river south of Gordon in Sheridan county, there were no cardinal seen during the mid-2000s.

It is very likely that this species has been present at this locality for some time, but just not seen since no birders have visited the locality and recorded their observations.