June Birds Along the Niobrara Scenic River

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

These were 51 species noted June 7^th.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Effort Underway to Acquire Rocky Ford for Public Use

Efforts are now underway to purchase some few acres of property at Rocky Ford, along the Niobrara National Scenic River.

The National Park Service is actively working to purchase the locale from a willing seller, said Steve Thede, superintendent of the Niobrara National Scenic River.

"A key focus of our Niobrara River efforts are to provide easily available public access," Thede said about Rocky Ford. "We want to provide free access to everybody to enjoy the river, including outfitters, others enjoying a personal float, as well as people wanting to experience their time along the river."

"We are considering all options," on the purchase Thede said, including any potential partnership with the Niobrara Council, Middle Niobrara NRD, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and even private entities interested acquiring a site that would provide permanent, public access to the river.

Funds to purchase the land, buildings and business consideration associated with a 25-acre site have been requested from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund, which is derived from royalties paid to lease public lands for oil and gas extraction. There would be no tax funds used for the purchase, Thede said.

The proposal is only one of two submitted by the Midwest region of the National Park Service for the current U.S.A. fiscal year.

The property is currently the location of Rocky Ford Outfitters, owned by Kerry Kreuger, a longtime outfitter that has provided river access for decades.

There are already a few public access points along the section of the Niobrara River where most float trips occur, including at Brewer Bridge and at Meadville. Fort Niobrara NWR is a federal refuge at the western end of the section and is a popular starting point for floating the river.

Smith Falls State Park is located on property which is leased from a private landowner. Some public access points are located at Brewer Bridge and at Meadville.

"Rocky Ford is an excellent site to provide river access for Nebraskans and others," Thede said. "Visitors wanting to enjoy the Niobrara should not always have to depend on the good will of private landowners for access. Quality of life in the state includes this river. People should be able to freely visit now, as well as by future generations."

"We want to guarantee public access at this site in perpetuity," Thede said.

If Rocky Ford was publicly owned, there would be new visitor opportunities, including perpetual access during any time of the year, as well as new opportunities that could be provided by facilities where people with handicaps could get riverside to enjoy the sights and sounds of the Niobrara, in their own manner.

Thede mentioned some important features of the ford, as it is one of the unique rapids along the central portion of the river: 1) it has been called the "heart of the river," 2) Rocky Ford is the only major rapids on a miles long section of the river 3) it is an ideal takeout spot, and 4) it provides access to the most prominent last seven miles of the floatable river.

Owning a few acres would also allow an opportunity to walk about and enjoy the flora and fauna, as well as the river valley.

Information on the potential purchase has been discussed at the last two meetings of the Niobrara Council, with consideration of a draft resolution where NPS and the council would support public access distributed at the September meeting.

Thede has been superintendent of the scenic river since December, 2013, and still learning more about the special features of the Niobrara. "I look forward to visiting more sites along the scenic river, especially toward its eastern extent, and perhaps elsewhere along the Niobrara, including westward in Cherry county when not working."

Ranger Branum Leaving Niobrara River Position

After years of appreciating the Niobrara National Scenic River, Andrew "Andy" Branum is returning to the east.

As a field ranger, he’s paddled the Niobrara for seven summer seasons promoting appreciation and enjoyment of the river and its resources, notably the 20 miles between the Berry Bridge and the Rock Barn.

The Niobrara is a "river I will know the best," he said. "Every few yards brings back a memory" of past times including contact with visitors and enjoying the nature of the river. He has paddled the river during every month of the year.

"I know most every rock, swimming hole, snag tree, shallow place and deep hole along the river," Branum said. One of his last floats was during the night of 1-2 September, beneath the light of a half moon.

As a National Park Service ranger along the river, tasks included protecting people from people, protecting people from the resource, and, protecting the resource from the people, he said. Job responsibilities included public outreach, emergency assistance, crowd control, picking up litter, creating suitable trails, preventing erosion and, importantly, educating people on the value of the riverine resource.

Branum became a park service ranger in a roundabout manner.

While considering career options, he took a public service exam for a city maintenance position, and ended up being offered a job as a police officer instead!

While attending the training academy, other attendees were getting credentials to become a seasonal NPS ranger, so he did the same, and eventually received the proper accreditation. Previously, he received a degree in sociology and emergency management from an Ohio university. His background also includes having played drums semiprofessionally for a several rock bands. An appreciation of the outdoors is partially because of perch fishing with his father Joe Branum on the Great Lakes, and times at the Florida Keys. Snorkeling and ice skating on the water were other appreciated times outdoors.
Upon graduating, a decision to apply for a seasonal park ranger led to a change in career. "I applied for every job that had the word river" in the job location, he said. His first season along the Niobrara River was in 2009. I joke that I came for a six month seasonal position seven years ago and never went home.

Pictures courtesy of Ranger Branum.

He was surprised upon his arrival at Valentine, noting especially the river and being able to paddle on nationally recognized waters, the variety of the ecosystems, the McKelvie division of the Nebraska National Forest, and also, world class opportunities for mountain biking and rock climbing in the Black Hills.

After seasonal employment for two seasons, he moved to Valentine full-time and soon realized the unique character of the Niobrara River and its valley.

None of the river resources "would be worth conserving if ranchers, farmers, camp ground owners and outfitters" had not already established the values along the river, Branum said. "The scenery and quality of the land is due to the stewardship of landowners and users. Outfitters bring people that appreciate the valley."

"There are many reasons for visitation at the river," Branum said. The park service "has to accommodate different interests."

"The river gets literally wild at times," he said, as some visitors "let loose" during their float experience. "Wild life can include students letting loose." Others appreciate and enjoy a quiet time with their family.

The Park Service "takes the experience that every person has very seriously," he said during a recent interview at the scenic river office.

During weekends of the busy summer season, there are more people along the Niobrara River than within the city of Valentine, Branum said.

"It’s like a small floating city down there and we only have two pairs of rangers providing for public safety, emergency medical technicians, police work, litter clean up, and getting lost people back to their campsites each night."

During his tenure, Branum has noted changes in river use.

"While canoeing is growing in population nationwide, inner tubing continues to become more popular than canoeing and kayaking in our area, bringing in lots of visitors," Branum said. "However, people just don’t float in the water on a tube in the cooler spring and autumn weather like they used to do in a canoe or kayak. Without encouraging people to paddle a boat to enjoy the mild spring weather or to experience the changing of the leaves in fall, the busy season seems to get more condensed each year. Weekends in June-August are still just as busy, but we don’t see the amount of people paddling in the spring and fall months that we used to."

Each season, he has been involved with pre-season meetings with outfitters, but found that post-season meetings have been most important.

The Park Service focus has "changed due to comments and suggestions we’ve heard," Branum said. "We like to know what outfitter customers have said about the river season."

A primary regulation of concern for river rangers is the number of connected intertubes. The regulatory limit is ten being connected for safety and in consideration for other people floating upon the waters, Branum said.

During his time on the river, Branum has had his "moments" including canoe upsets at inopportune times.

"I only seem to flip a canoe when a bunch of people were watching," he said. Perhaps it was a scout group to whom he was explaining canoe safety or a bunch of other visitors. On occasion, the flip meant a swim from beneath a raft of inter-tubes.

Mishaps have also meant a twisted knee a couple of times.

"I’ve torn my knee over the years on a trail project and a rescue," he noted "Putting over 2000 miles a year on a canoe, I’ve also donated two rotator cuffs to the Niobrara lol. I like to say that I’ve donated most of my twenties, half of my sanity, one knee, and two rotator cuffs to the Niobrara."

Places and times he's appreciated include Eagle Rapid, fishing at Norden, swimming at the Fritz Island rapids, and minutes at little know places. A lunch break at a creek listening to the steady murmur of a nearby falls of a foot or two were also notable times, Branum said, also mentioning an appreciation for Big Cedar Falls and its creek. Other special times were hearing snow fall along the river and when valley waterfalls were completely frozen.

After being a permanent resident in Valentine for years, he found the people to be "warm and welcoming." During his residence, he helped maintain the city park trails and disc golf course, danced with the local square dancing group, played music with many local musicians and for a church, floated every small stream he could find, and biked everything there is to bicycle, with this mode used whenever possible for the ride to work from his residence east of the city by the Niobrara River.

Ranger Branum is transitioning to a NPS job at the Blue Ridge Parkway, with an office at Marion, North Carolina. "I’ll be closer to family, and can take advantage of mountain climbing opportunities and a vibrant local music scene." Within an hour’s drive is a "whitewater capitol of America" which is of particular interest.

He plans to again paddle the Niobrara, perhaps along with some nieces or nephews. Though leaving the scenic river, the place will always be a special.

Omaha Park Service Employees Strive to Reduce Bird-Strikes

Carl T. Curtis National Park Service Midwest Regional Headquarters. Though not shown, the Missouri River channel is in the foreground. The view is looking towards the southwest, showing the Omaha downtown in the background. Picture taken September 23, 2009.

In 2004, the National Park Service moved into the Carl T. Curtis National Park Service Midwest Regional Headquarters on the Omaha riverfront, leasing the facility that was certified by the U.S. Green Building Council as being "green" and conveying the structure as being environmentally responsible.

Employees, however, soon began to notice birds were striking the glass walls which comprise the exterior of the building, which had received a gold LEED certification.

Various birds struck the exterior and carcasses could be seen on some mornings, as the facility was along the Missouri River, an urbanized locale along a major flyway for migratory birds.

Following an informal effort, and "driven by employee interest," a committee of National Park Service staff was formed to look into the matter, according to Chris Holbeck, the natural resource program manager for the Midwest Region of the National Park Service.

There has been a "floor boss" responsible for shutting off interior lights and to partially close blinds so that there was a visual barrier presented, Holbeck explained. Maintenance staff were asked to turn off lights in the evening as well.

The effort continued and during the past 2-3 years, if a strike was observed, it was recorded. In the morning, a staff person would go around the building and note any bird carcasses which might be found around the building. On the upper floor, there was also an attempt to discern any birds which may have struck the structure.

Results of this multi-year effort, indicate there are typically less than ten recorded bird strikes per year, Holbeck said. There may have been more instances than noted, because predatory species such as raccoon or mink may have taken advantage of the situation over night, to utilize a readily available food source.

Morning reflection on the north side of the National Park Service Midwest Regional Headquarters. July 5, 2008.

Comparisons were done to see if there were any differences when lights were off and shades closed, in comparison to when these two steps were not done. There was no apparent difference, Holbeck said. Perhaps attributable to the low number of detected strikes.

Species noted as fatalities during the period included the European starling and northern flicker - mostly associated with the bottom floor of the structure - with no information available on any other migratory species that have struck the glass exterior building perched on the west bank of the river, and which may be among the list of birds protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

Despite the low number of instances, the employees of the National Park Service have - "a concern for wildlife and natural resources" - and were compelled to take what action they could to reduce the number of bird strikes.

Steps taken to reduce any occurrences were learned from the internet, and were options to effectively reduce the number of birds striking the building, which is leased from a local property management firm.

"We would like to learn more about how to reduce or eliminate bird strikes," Holbeck said.

Architectural Considerations

Architectural firms tour the structure due to its designation, but apparently without any notable attention being given to known aspects of bird-friendly construction. Public building tours are provided relative to the building's LEED rating, and logically focus on architectural and engineering concepts incorporated in this structure rather than on all concepts of "green" design and construction.

Architects "need to design a building that would have few bird strikes," Holbeck said. The Curtis Building the National Park Service "commissioned and had built has bird issues." Despite its status as a LEED Gold building, this designation conveys no value as being bird-friendly, Holbeck explained. The Curtis Building was 'built to suit' through the General Services Administration, not directly between the NPS and builder.

"We are continuing with an action plan," Holbeck said, and "want to know what can be effective and that we are doing the right thing. The NPS likes to be a leader in innovation" so we continue to evaluate different facets related to the ongoing occurrence of bird strikes, he said, including:

1) How big is the problem?

2) Carrying out an action plan to understand what is happening; and

3) What should be done now to address the situation?

One essential consideration is any option to retrofit the building, Holbeck said. Options include installing "fritted glass" to replace normal, reflective glass panes. Other potential options include window screens or other cost-effective measures suitable to the building architecture, and acceptable to its owner.

The Midwest Regional Office represents 56 parks in 13 states, Holbeck noted, and an interesting retrofit option might be to install 56 glass panels etched to represent the 56 parks. Besides reducing the potential for bird strikes, these could also visually inform people of the variety of National Park Service sites within the region.

"What is the trigger point to doing something like this?" Holbeck said. Questions of cost and the possibility of installing different glass are obvious considerations, especially since the building is being leased.

"We will continue doing what we are doing" to minimize bird strikes, Holbeck said.