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.