Distinct Bird Observations Continued at Horseshoe Lake Flats

The unusual occurrence of many birds at the Horseshoe Lake Flats - eastward of Fort Calhoun on the west side of the Missouri River valley - continued during the 2011 autumn season. This locality was a prime space for birding in 2010 with many distinctive observations. The 2011 season was vastly different, as ongoing Missouri River flooding excluded any attempts to determine what was around.

Primary to the two years was a difference in access. With a somewhat lesser extent of flooding in 2010, more visits could occur within the area. In 2011, the roads were blocked during most of the summer, preventing any attempt to record what species were present. It was a vast expanse of ongoing water in the most recent breeding season.

During the autumnal season of 2010, there were many visits which provided various details about the species present. Within much of the same date period in 2011, visits in August and until mid-October, access was available due to the road travel restrictions.

A tally of species noted during the two autumnal season, denotes the following species and numbers counted, during the period indicated:

Common Name	Sep 2010	Oct 2010	Nov 2010	Sep 2011	Oct 2011	Nov 2011
Canada Goose	57	149	-	-	16	6
Wood Duck	7	1	-	-	-	1
Gadwall	-	21	8	-	-	-
American Wigeon	-	4	-	-	-	-
Mallard	-	180	-	-	-	16
Blue-winged Teal	28	2	-	-	-	-
Northern Shoveler	16	12	4	-	32	-
Northern Pintail	-	85	-	-	-	8
Green-winged Teal	-	9	-	-	-	-
Redhead	-	6	-	-	-	-
Lesser Scaup	-	2	-	-	-	-
Common Goldeneye	-	-	-	-	-	1
Hooded Merganser	-	-	-	-	-	3
Ring-necked Pheasant	-	6	-	-	-	-
Wild Turkey	-	-	-	-	-	19
Pied-billed Grebe	14	55	-	-	10	-
American White Pelican	-	116	-	-	-	-
Double-crested Cormorant	-	4	-	-	-	-
Great Blue Heron	24	62	-	2	-	-
Great Egret	-	59	4	-	-	-
Cattle Egret	-	1	-	-	-	-
Bald Eagle	1	14	-	-	3	2
Northern Harrier	1	1	2	-	-	-
Cooper's Hawk	-	1	1	-	-	-
Red-tailed Hawk	1	1	-	-	1	1
American Kestrel	-	1	1	-	-	1
Merlin	-	-	-	-	-	1
Common Moorhen	-	-	-	-	1	-
American Coot	-	3087	72	-	1	-
Black-bellied Plover	1	-	-	-	13	-
American Golden-Plover	-	-	-	-	915	34
Killdeer	82	62	-	-	835	317
Spotted Sandpiper	2	-	-	-	-	-
Greater Yellowlegs	2	2	-	-	-	-
Lesser Yellowlegs	20	5	-	-	5	-
Upland Sandpiper	1	-	-	-	-	-
Sanderling	-	-	-	-	19	-
Semipalmated Sandpiper	5	-	-	-	26	-
Least Sandpiper	16	-	-	-	73	1
Baird's Sandpiper	-	-	-	-	21	-
Pectoral Sandpiper	6	-	-	-	10	-
Stilt Sandpiper	20	-	-	-	-	-
Short-billed Dowitcher	2	-	-	-	-	-
Long-billed Dowitcher	8	-	-	-	41	-
Wilson's Snipe	2	6	-	-	14	7
Wilson's Phalarope	22	-	-	-	-	-
Red-necked Phalarope	3	-	-	-	-	-
Bonaparte's Gull	-	-	-	-	2	-
Ring-billed Gull	-	341	-	-	113	177
Rock Pigeon	1	25	-	-	-	-
Mourning Dove	3	3	-	2	-	-
Great Horned Owl	-	1	-	-	-	-
Belted Kingfisher	-	4	-	1	1	1
Red-headed Woodpecker	1	-	-	-	-	-
Eastern Kingbird	2	-	-	-	-	-
Warbling Vireo	1	-	-	-	-	-
Blue Jay	2	1	-	1	-	-
American Crow	2	2	-	-	3	-
Horned Lark	-	3	-	-	-	-
Tree Swallow	-	1100	-	-	-	-
Bank Swallow	20	-	-	-	-	-
Cliff Swallow	10	-	-	-	-	-
Barn Swallow	10	275	-	6	10	-
Sedge Wren	3	-	-	-	-	-
Marsh Wren	-	8	-	-	-	-
Eastern Bluebird	-	1	-	-	-	-
American Robin	1	-	-	-	-	-
European Starling	135	22	-	-	23	54
American Pipit	-	-	-	-	91	1
American Tree Sparrow	-	-	0	-	-	-
Field Sparrow	1	-	1	-	-	-
Vesper Sparrow	-	0	-	-	-	-
Savannah Sparrow	-	5	-	-	-	-
Fox Sparrow	-	0	-	-	-	-
Song Sparrow	1	0	-	-	-	-
Lincoln's Sparrow	-	28	-	-	-	-
Swamp Sparrow	-	1	-	-	-	-
White-throated Sparrow	-	0	-	-	-	-
Harris's Sparrow	-	0	-	-	-	-
Snow Bunting	-	-	-	-	2	-
Red-winged Blackbird	5	4045	-	-	-	-
Common Grackle	-	25	-	-	-	-
Brown-headed Cowbird	-	7	-	-	-	-
American Goldfinch	4	16	-	5	-	-
House Sparrow	8	3	-	5	-	-

The overall tally is 85 species during the autumn at this recognized locality.

During 2010, a list derived from ten visits indicates the occurrence of 74 distinct species.

Once the roads were passable to some extent this year - after September 22nd - notable bird records resulted from eleven visits by local bird watchers. There were, however, only 39 species documented. Several species had already departed for elsewhere by this time.

Prominent was the number of American Golden-Plover, as already indicated. Killdeer were prominent, though there were fewer than last year. Many other shorebirds were present, taking advantage of the mud/sand flats with a receding extent of water on the flats. Some of the property was within the boundaries of the Boyer Chute NWR, with adjacent tracts privately owned.

Few songbirds were noted since their habitat was not accessible to walk-about for any sort of consideration.

Surprising were the two Snow Bunting noted in all their birdly splendor in late October, among the shorebirds. They were early in their arrival, according to the norm.

For many of these species, their occurrence was a result of riverine flooding during both years. Water action provided bare mud flats where many birds - especially shorebirds - found suitable habitat to forage and spend an extended period of time.

A similar situation elsewhere along the Missouri River, would have derived the same benefits. There is a dearth of details for similar conditions elsewhere along the valley.

Birdly Wonders of Saturday Morning Along Eastern Nebraska

The following notations indicate the wonderful variety of species about on the morning of Saturday on 29 October 2011. The outing started at north downtown to quickly check for bird strikes at Qwest, and then onward to the east side of Carter Lake for the 38th bird survey this year. The day provided some appreciated surprises.

The Carter Lake District includes Carter Lake, Levi Carter Park which includes the Levi Carter Pond on its west edge. The number of coots here continues be impressive as it has been since mid-October. Coots abound at the lake these days.

Common Name -- Carter Lake District -- Horseshoe Lake Flats -- Hummel Park by Ponca Creek

Canada Goose -- 15 -- --

Wood Duck -- 15 -- --

American Wigeon -- 3 -- --

Mallard -- 101 -- --

Northern Shoveler -- 14 -- --

Northern Pintail -- 1 -- --

Canvasback -- 1 -- --

Redhead -- 24 -- --

Pied-billed Grebe -- at least 33 -- 8 --

Red-tailed Hawk -- 1 -- 1 --

American Coot -- 5700 -- --

American Golden-Plover -- -- 152 going about their business --

Killdeer -- -- 332 --

Sanderling -- -- 3 splendid in their strikingly white plumage dramatic upon the drab, formerly flooded agland --

Least Sandpiper -- -- 23 --

White-rumped Sandpiper -- -- 1 --

Long-billed Dowitcher -- -- 9 poking away in the muddy substrate --

Wilson's Snipe -- -- 2 --

Ring-billed Gull -- -- 2 --

Mourning Dove -- 2 -- --

Belted Kingfisher -- 1 -- --

Red-bellied Woodpecker -- 1 -- -- 2

Downy Woodpecker -- 1 -- -- 2

Hairy Woodpecker -- -- -- 2

Northern Flicker -- 1 -- -- 1

Blue Jay -- 1 -- -- 2

American Crow -- -- -- 1

Black-capped Chickadee -- 2 -- -- 5

Tufted Titmouse -- -- -- 2

White-breasted Nuthatch -- 1 -- -- 6

Winter Wren -- 1 -- -- 1

Ruby-crowned Kinglet -- -- -- 2

Eastern Bluebird -- -- -- 2

American Robin -- 12 -- -- 3

European Starling -- 23 -- 17 --

Cedar Waxwing -- -- -- 2

Yellow-rumped Warbler -- 2 -- --

Dark-eyed Junco -- 3 -- -- 6

Snow Bunting -- -- 2 --

Northern Cardinal -- 1 -- -- 2

Red-winged Blackbird -- 22 -- --

Eastern Meadowlark -- 3 -- --

Common Grackle -- 2 -- --

House Finch -- 6 -- --

American Goldfinch -- 2 -- -- 2

Fewer than fifty species, but this number really means nothing as it was seeing the different birds and watching their antics while listening to their calls is what was most important and splendid as presented by each bird which got particular attention.

The return of the feathered mites (Winter Wrens) was the highlight of the crisp morning. Noting a Winter Wren at Levi Carter Park is the first record for this species at this locale (providing a record for the 100th species during 2011), based upon records which go back more than 125 years. The wren was first heard, then after time taken to listen closer, was heard again, and finally seen when flushed from the edge of the Levi Carter pond. This sighting also happened despite some nitwit wondering what time it was. Surprisingly seen were meadowlarks, near where some bum had parked their car and seemingly passed out some hours earlier in the drivers seat, which had to be ignored, as well as their morning routine which they though no one noticed.

The Horseshoe Lake Flats continue to convey a post-flood situation following the great flood of 2011. The variety and numbers of species is impressive and something to appreciate, preferably in a relaxed manner, where the birds get an individual focus and attention to details which convey their identity.

It was quite exciting to get exquisite views of the Snow Buntings on a bit of ground among the golden-plovers! This was the first time this species has been personally observed! It was a magnificent sight. One of the two present perched atop a relict bit of cornstalk to present a grand view of the bird and its features in the morning light. A closeup photograph could have been enjoyed for a long time.

These records continue to indicate the importance of ephemeral and conserved habitats in the Missouri River valley on the fringe of east-central Nebraska.

At the end of the outing, a rare event was noted upon the Missouri River. A tugboat was pushing four fully-laden barges up the river, as noted at the cross-river bridge northeast of Florence. This is significant as barge-traffic has been severely inhibited due to the extensive flooding in previous weeks.

Towboat Mary Lynn pushing barges up the Missouri River.
The boat is out of the port of St. Louis.

Dangerous Nature Center

While at Hummel Park, an opportunity was taken to get a close look at the recently completed nature center. Immediately noticed was the danger the glass is presenting to birds within the park. A picture indicates the reflectivity of the windows which convey that they are a part of the forest setting.

City officials had said there would be blinds placed on the windows. Obviously this is not the case! This structure is now a hazard to the many birds present in the park, and during the autumn migration, an especially dangerous time for birds as they make their way southward.

Horseshoe Lake Flats Currently a Birdlife Mecca

The Horseshoe Lake Flats is the hottest birding place - in more ways than one considering recent temperatures - during August, along the Missouri River in east-central Nebraska.

Partially inundated crop fields with what are now rapidly decreasing levels of water, still continue to provide a haven appreciated by a great diversity of shore and water birds.

One of the most distinctive features is the number of Killdeer noted on the foggy Sunday morning, August 22. Arrival was before the sun had tinged the eastern horizon, and for a suitable time afterwards, among which would - during dryer years - be fields with crops, but have been a significant field of dreams for birding enthusiasts in pursuit of rare species, among a whole plethora of bird types. Each day is different.

Ground fog conditions prevailed on the most recent Sunday morning, the subdued light expressing subtle hues of color. Views across the lowland landscape were muted, and the stately Great Blue Herons stood grandly among the wisps. Once the glowing orb of the sun moved over the eastern horizon, light and shadows tinged the wet lands where birds were involved with the first hours of their typical routine of another day.

Loudly expressive was a horde of birds appreciating wet places for them to forage - as they have for so many days - gleaning a fine morsel among the flooded fields about the the Horseshoe Lakebed. Always vocal, they flew hither and yon, stood on the adjacent roads, interspersed on the barren, yet wet, dirt as they gleaned the neccisities for a day's diet.

On the flats, the Killdeer have been all around and ever expressive. They have been standing on the county roads, for whatever reason they deem appropriate, and taking flight upon the approach of some passing vehicle. Then they land back from whence they came, looking upon the intrusion with a woeful perspective based upon a disturbance which they would have preferred never happened. Purple Martins, as well as swallows, on the hardtop certainly have a similar perspective.

Looking closely on an August morning on Sunday, there were different places, each with their own bunch. While going back-and-forth in search of fine light, notes were kept on how many of this prevalent plover could be counted when a particular space got its own close-up through a spotting scope.

The whole variety of flats about the former Horseshoe Lake had their own expressive bunch. An overall tally from the various places among the overall locality of ca. 335 was summarized as 50, 100, 33, 85, 62, and which was certainly not a count of every killdeer. This is the largest known count - ever - for this species along the Missouri River valley in the Nebraska region - including as far south as Squaw Creek NWR. This claim is based on a review of more than 1100 records with a count, and about another few hundred where no numbers were given.

Another count of 120 at the same vicinity on August 11th, is the second highest tally known. Lesser counts were for about a hundred of this plover, when apparently not enough attention was given to denoting how many of these plovers were about. It is also highly probable that more birds have arrived from elsewhere to take advantage of the situation.

About the lowlands near Horseshoe Lake on the most recent weekend now past, there were other unique occurrences that have been reported to the birding community and created a buzz of interest sufficient to attract visits by different watchers.

A particular highlight was a Red-necked Phalarope. Urban Lehner reported it to Justin Rink as they stood around on the county road west of Boyer Chute NWR. Within their view were Buff-breasted Sandpipers, Stilt Sandpipers as well as a fine variety of other shorebirds. Even a couple of Green-winged Teal were lurking among the ephemeral wetland habitat.

There have always been a fine gathering of Great Blue Herons standing or stalking about ... their prevalent calls also distinctive to this country space.

The occurrence of new species in the area can be indicated by reviewing a composite list for waterfowl, waterbirds and shorebirds in the immediate vicinity. The following is based upon available records for the three localities. The value given is a composite total for the number observed on different occasions during previous years, except only for August 2010 at what is designated as the Horseshoe Lake Flats locality, along County Road P51 and P34, basically west of the primary area of Boyer Chute NWR. Two asterisks (**) indicate an occurrence when no count was made.

Common Name	Boyer Chute NWR	Horseshoe Lake Flats	Nathans Lake
Greater White-fronted Goose	-	-	11
Snow Goose	30	-	15
Canada Goose	10	121	40
Wood Duck	15	-	63
Gadwall	-	-	497
American Wigeon	1	-	41
Mallard	15	9	532
Blue-winged Teal	107	161	93
Northern Shoveler	5	91	50
Northern Pintail	-	-	44
Green-winged Teal	16	2	383
Canvasback	-	-	48
Redhead	-	-	3
Ring-necked Duck	-	-	163
Lesser Scaup	1	-	56
Bufflehead	-	-	6
Common Goldeneye	-	-	6
Hooded Merganser	-	-	5
Common Merganser	-	-	11
Ruddy Duck	-	-	5
Pied-billed Grebe	4	11	7
American White Pelican	325	24	2
Double-crested Cormorant	279	6	36
Least Bittern	-	-	2
Great Blue Heron	9	223	84
Great Egret	1	27	31
Cattle Egret	-	318	1
Green Heron	-	-	11
Yellow Rail	-	-	1
Virginia Rail	-	-	2
Sora	1	-	5
American Coot	63	2	172
Sandhill Crane	-	-	5
Black-bellied Plover	-	3	-
Semipalmated Plover	-	8	4
Piping Plover	-	-	1
Killdeer	5	825	23
Spotted Sandpiper	4	3	3
Solitary Sandpiper	1	2	2
Greater Yellowlegs	36	17	19
Willet	-	1	23
Lesser Yellowlegs	22	29	24
Upland Sandpiper	1	3	-
Hudsonian Godwit	-	-	2
Marbled Godwit	-	1	-
Semipalmated Sandpiper	-	-	14
Least Sandpiper	-	49	15
White-rumped Sandpiper	-	-	**
Baird's Sandpiper	-	9	**
Pectoral Sandpiper	3	73	22
Dunlin	-	-	22
Stilt Sandpiper	-	14	-
Buff-breasted Sandpiper	-	9	-
Short-billed Dowitcher	-	1	-
Long-billed Dowitcher	3	1	-
Wilson's Snipe	3	10	38
Wilson's Phalarope	34	26	2
Red-necked Phalarope	-	2	-
Ring-billed Gull	-	5	-
Least Tern	-	1	-
Black Tern	-	33	126
Common Tern	-	9	-
Forster's Tern	-	18	-

Obvious differences in occurrence are quick striking. The ephemeral water habitats of the flats have been utilized by a number of species not noted previously. The numbers for some of the species is quite dramatic as well, which readily indicate the value of the ephemeral habitat.

With at least 200 Killdeer or more present each day, for at least the past two weeks, these ground gleaners obviously find the flooded fields to their liking. Add to this the many Cattle Egrets, Great Blue Herons, sandpipers, plovers, et al. and it's very obvious that high water conditions in Washington County has created a mecca for many birds that have found a suitable place to roost, forage and otherwise occur because of finding what they need to live on. It has probably been a long time since bird survival was the prominent value of the land on the Horseshoe Lake Flats on the floodplain of the nearby Missouri River.

There is no reason this situation could not occur again, but the farming interests certainly would prefer that they get a hefty crop each year. The network of ditches to remove water are the prominent feature of the lowlands, and until an equitable mix is created, the extent of places for birds will always be lesser than greater.

Wonderful Diversity of Species

There have now been 70 species observed at this locality during August, this year. New additions during the weekend were - in addition to those already indicated - Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Gray Catbird, Downy Woodpecker, Yellow-headed Blackbird, and even a couple of Ring-necked Pheasants were heard.

Some of the wet fields are drying, and will continue to do so because of temperatures in the 90s, beneath a basically cloud-free sky.

Habitat conditions are ever-changing, as is the variety and numbers of birds. It is all good and a wonder to enjoy, and appreciate. Water levels suitable for attracting this new mix of avifauna are rare occurrences.

The following is a list of species observed at the Horseshoe Lake Flats, based upon seven visits from 11 August to 22 August - by several bird watchers - as listed in a taxonomic sequence.

Canada Goose, Mallard, Blue-winged Teal, Northern Shoveler, Green-winged Teal, Ring-necked Pheasant, Pied-billed Grebe, American White Pelican, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Cattle Egret, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, American Coot, Black-bellied Plover, Semipalmated Plover, Killdeer, Spotted Sandpiper, Solitary Sandpiper, Greater Yellowlegs, Willet, Lesser Yellowlegs, Upland Sandpiper, Marbled Godwit, Least Sandpiper, Baird's Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Stilt Sandpiper, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Short-billed Dowitcher, Long-billed Dowitcher, Wilson's Snipe, Wilson's Phalarope, Red-necked Phalarope, Ring-billed Gull, Least Tern, Black Tern, Common Tern, Forster's Tern, Mourning Dove, Belted Kingfisher, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Eastern Kingbird, Blue Jay, American Crow, Purple Martin, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Bank Swallow, Cliff Swallow, Barn Swallow, Sedge Wren, American Robin, Gray Catbird, European Starling, Common Yellowthroat, Chipping Sparrow, Field Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Indigo Bunting, Dickcissel, Red-winged Blackbird, Eastern Meadowlark, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Common Grackle, Orchard Oriole, American Goldfinch, House Sparrow.

It is quite exciting to consider what other species might yet occur as autumn migration season progresses - since it is still early in the season - and how many distinctive birds may yet occur. The water habitat of the flats is slowly but steadily receding and its extent is decreasing, but the wet spaces still provide a haven on each and every day they linger.