Results of Backyard Bird Count in Cherry County, Nebraska

Four participants contributed to the Great Backyard Bird Count in eastern Cherry county during the long weekend. The primary count sites were the Carolyn and LeRoy Semin ranch just west of Kilgore, the northeast side of Valentine and within Valentine as seen during a ca. three mile bicycle ride, The Quigley bird feeders as an incidental count, and then the Gallino Ranch on the southeast side of Valentine wildlife refuge.

At the Semin place, birds were primarily counted in the morning in association with bird feeders associated with the residence.

On the north side of Valentine, some sighting reports starting on Friday when junco and turkeys were prevalent at a bird seed source. The most prominent observation was five trumpeter swans - three adults and two juveniles which was the largest count for this species at this site in recent years - at the Valentine Mill Pond on Saturday morning. There was also a smaller cackling goose well seen amidst a flock of its larger conjoiners. So many Canada goose were lingering on the ice. Several other birds sorts were prevalent at the North Lake Shore Hills as well as then in Valentine.

House sparrows were busy getting ready for the pending breeding season along Main Street building facades. At least three starlings were also getting involved. A single robin stood on a yard fence post as seen while bicycling about.

More robins had been recently seen at the Semin Ranch in previous days.

From heart city, a red-breasted nuthatch was heard north of the pond on Saturday was an addition to the tally though it was not seen during a count.

Nearby on the north side of town is the well cared-for Quigley bird feeder. Incidental during the count weekend, Anne Quigley had seen chickadees, both the red-breasted and white-breasted nuthatch, downy woodpecker and juncos.

“I really enjoy the birds,” Quigley said. They become notably more prominent once more seed was placed in the feeder during the count weekend, she said.

A summary of the 27 species noted during bird count weekend. Value given is a composite total for the particular site.

Proper Name	Semin Ranch, Kilgore	North Lake Shore Hills	Valentine Mill Pond	Valentine City Park	Quigley Place, Valentine	Valentine	Gallino Ranch, Valentine Lake District
American Crow	- -	2	1	- -	- -	- -	15
American Goldfinch	58	- -	- -	- -	- -	8	- -
American Robin	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -
American Tree Sparrow	33	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
Black-capped Chickadee	5	- -	4	4	2	1	- -
Blue Jay	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	2	- -
Cackling Goose	- -	- -	4	- -	- -	- -	- -
Canada Goose	106	- -	1425	14	- -	- -	50
Common Pheasant	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	20
Common Starling	3	- -	- -	- -	- -	3	- -
Dark-eyed Junco	29	16	- -	3	3	- -	- -
Downy Woodpecker	4	- -	1	- -	1	- -	- -
Eurasian Collared Dove	- -	3	2	- -	- -	6	- -
Great Horned Owl	6	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	2
Greater Prairie-Chicken	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	20
Hairy Woodpecker	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -
Horned Lark	2	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
House Sparrow	- -	- -	20	- -	- -	56	- -
Northern Cardinal	- -	- -	2	- -	2	- -	- -
Northern Flicker	2	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -
Red-breasted Nuthatch	- -	- -	1	- -	1	- -	- -
Red-tailed Hawk	1	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
Rock Dove	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	12	- -
Sharp-tailed Grouse	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
Trumpeter Swan	- -	- -	5	- -	- -	- -	- -
White-breasted Nuthatch	- -	- -	3	4	1	1	- -
Wild Turkey	- -	5	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -

Several pictures were taken of the birds that occurred at the Semin place.

Summary of bird counts made each of the four count days at the Semin Ranch.

Proper Name	14 Feb 2020	15 Feb 2020	16 Feb 2020	17 Feb 2020
American Goldfinch	25	16	11	6
American Tree Sparrow	2	10	1	20
Black-capped Chickadee	2	- -	2	1
Canada Goose	- -	- -	106	- -
Common Starling	2	- -	1	- -
Dark-eyed Junco	10	6	5	8
Downy Woodpecker	1	1	1	1
Great Horned Owl	2	2	1	1
Horned Lark	2	- -	- -	- -
Northern Flicker	1	- -	- -	1
Red-tailed Hawk	- -	- -	1	- -
Sharp-tailed Grouse	- -	- -	- -	- -

Multitudes of other birds were present in the county during the weekend. Nearly all of them were not counted. Warming weather meant ice-free waters at a multitude of lakes where waterfowl congregate.

The bird observations in Cherry county were a small but yet still important part of the worldwide weekend count.
A newspaper article on the results of the count was issued on pages A1 and A2 in the North Platte Telegraph on February 20th, and included two pictures taken by Carolyn Semin. She also posted a few others on her facebook page.

September Survey of Lakeland Wildbirds

It had been many years since the numerous lakes and wetlands in the Lakeland district of southwest Brown county had been visited so the gathering of Nebraska birders and knowing that they would visit the district prompted a Saturday outing on September 15th. It was a morning with fog prevalent, but reaching the first locale of Clear Lake at 8 a.m., conditions for observing wildbirds on the lakes became okay. Each site was visited and records kept for each during the primary observation time of two hours. Two spotting scopes as individually used were essential for getting distant views during a fine birding outing. After noon, white cap waves and heat shimmer occurred as conditions deteriorated for bird watching activities.

This is a list of the placenames in their entirety as used for personal database record keeping. Sites are listed in the order visited:

• Clear Lake, Philbrick Lake Quadrangle; permission to take a look around provided by a cabin owner mowing the lawn as he wanted chores done before the start of the Big Red football game.
  
• Chain Lakes, Koshopah NE Quadrangle; a series of three lakes that can be readily viewed from a distance from a vantage point or two along the county road to the south of the lakes.
  
• Willow Lake Brown County WMA; numerous gulls were floating in the center of the lake but their distance made it difficult to determine identifications, but general characteristics indicated that the majority were the same species. Further observations by the NOUers added records of occurrence for additional species, during and after the lunch break. The latrine structure here was decrepit and people present had to wander into the trees and grass to take care of business. This place can be a nice place to camp or visit but the lack of attention to an essential and necessary maintenance — especially of the latrine — by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission diminishes any appreciation. At least the picnic tables were not anchored so they could be moved together so the group could congregate and talk among ourselves.
  
• Enders Lake
  
• Enders Basin; the depth of water was exceptionally greater than had ever been observed, with the usual shallow water channel between this lake and Enders Lake several feet underwater. There was no shorebird habitat present as has been appreciated during multiple previous visits.
  
• Schoolhouse Marsh; prominently open water with associated species mostly along its western upland extent.
  
  
• Long Lake, Philbrick Lake Quadrangle; along the drive along the south side of the lake and towards the recreation area, there were hundreds of Monarch butterflies gathered in the cedar trees, and were getting active in the sunshine during our passage along the trail road. It was an amazing sight to see them gathered on the foliage or as bunches in short airborne flights dramatic in contrast against the blue sky.
  
• Long Lake SRA; visited after an intrusion through the yard of the resident rancher that knows that people can drive through his yard anytime as they traverse an indicated route to the state property.
  
• Philbrick Lake; water birds not present.
  
• AGA Marsh WMA (American Game Association Marsh WMA, which is one of the earliest designated wildlife management areas in the state of Nebraska); butterflies were also prevalent and some of the NOUers took pictures but their attempt was not something of any significance but at least they tried to get a photographic memory.
  
• Philbrick Valley Meadow
  
• Clapper Lake; only very obvious species as seen from a distance.
  

There was a dearth of waterfowl with the most significant sighting being five Trumpeter Swan at AGA Marsh WMA which included a pair and a large cygnet. Ducks were most often associated with small, ephemeral wetlands alongside county roads. The big flock of Wild Turkey were at the Wales Ranch, on the southern edge of AGA Marsh WMA. Pelicans and cormorants were common, with the latter species most numerous roosting on snags at Enders Basin and Willow Lake.

The prevalence of Bald Eagle may be indicative that the species nests in the Lakeland District? A special observation was a bunch of Killdeer gathered in a small area of recently mowed meadow in Philbrick Valley. In a tree a short distance eastward, was where the many crow were gathered.

Three of the best sightings were the Common Loon, Say's Phoebe and Great Egret. There were several places were flighty sparrows provided only an instant view and then disappeared into the autumn vegetation. Tree snags at Long Lake SRA were an obvious attraction the eight flickers seen.

This is a list of the 52 species observed, with 49 observed by Gordon Warrick and myself and an additional three species subsequently reported by people on the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union outing. Place names have been condensed for space purposes.

Proper Name	Clear Lake	Chain Lakes	Willow Lake	Enders Lake	Enders Basin	Schoolhouse Marsh	Long Lake	Long Lake SRA	Philbrick Lake	AGA Marsh WMA	Phibrick Valley Meadow	Clapper Lake
Canada Goose	9	- -	9	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
Trumpeter Swan	5	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
Wood Duck	7	6	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	10	- -
Blue-winged Teal	- -	- -	- -	6	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
Mallard	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	3	- -	- -
Wild Turkey	12	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	- -
Common Pheasant	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -
Common Loon	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
Pied-billed Grebe	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
Horned Grebe	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1
Western Grebe	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	3	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	4
Great Blue Heron	3	3	- -	- -	1	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1
Great Egret	- -	- -	2	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
American White Pelican	2	28	11	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	18
Double-crested Cormorant	1	- -	- -	- -	62	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	49
Turkey Vulture	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1
Sharp-shinned Hawk	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -
Cooper's Hawk	1	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
Northern Harrier	2	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
Bald Eagle	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	1
Red-tailed Hawk	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	- -
American Coot	2	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
Killdeer	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	19	3	1
Wilson's Snipe	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	3
Franklin's Gull	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	3
Ring-billed Gull	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	35
Forster's Tern	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
Black Tern	- -	3	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1
Mourning Dove	- -	- -	5	20	- -	12	21	20	- -	1	- -	2
Great Horned Owl	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	2	- -	- -
Belted Kingfisher	- -	1	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	1
Red-headed Woodpecker	- -	3	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1
Northern Flicker	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	8	1	- -	1	- -	1
American Kestrel	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	1
Say's Phoebe	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
Eastern Kingbird	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	2	- -	- -	- -	- -
Blue Jay	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	3	- -	1	- -	- -
American Crow	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	32	- -	- -
Black-capped Chickadee	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	2	- -	- -	- -	- -
Barn Swallow	6	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	5	- -	- -	- -	- -
Marsh Wren	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -
White-breasted Nuthatch	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	- -
Common Starling	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
Eastern Bluebird	- -	- -	- -	2	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
American Robin	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
American Goldfinch	1	4	- -	2	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
Western Meadowlark	- -	5	3	2	- -	3	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	5
Red-winged Blackbird	4	75	- -	3	- -	- -	- -	10	- -	5	- -	20
Common Grackle	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	4	1	- -	- -	- -	- -
Song Sparrow	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -
Chipping Sparrow	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	6	- -	- -	- -	- -
Lark Sparrow	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	2	- -

This survey was done in conjunction with the autumn meeting of the NOU at Ainsworth. Their group arrived in the Lakeland area at 11 a.m. and then visited four particular locales within the Lakeland area: AGA Marsh, Enders Lake and Enders Basin as observed from the county road, and then lunch at Willow Lake Brown County WMA. Additional records were kept along Moon Lake Road and a wetland east of the Calamus River crossing on the county road towards Highway 7. There were many ebird checklists submitted by attendees at this meeting and the overall tally was reported as 134 species.

---

Situations Noted in Association with Lakeland Ranch

The following details were provided to officials at the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission on September 17th.

This email is in regards to several items noted during the weekend in association with the Moon Lake Wildlife Sanctuary (a.k.a. Moonlake Wildlife Ranch) at Lakeland, southwest Brown County..

Item 1:

When trying to visit South Twin Lake WMA the morning of September 15, the access road was blocked by a large gate at the boundary of the MLWS. There were two chains with a padlock on each which obviously prevented any further travel. The attached photographs show the signage on the gate and adjacent fence as well as other signs, including one indicating this was a public access trail to the WMA.

How is it that the landowner can prevent access to public property? When will this situation be changed so the WMA can be readily visited? The landowner seems to think they can keep out the public, but this is simply wrong and needs to be immediately corrected!

Also, the public access signs need to be replaced with signage in proper condition to convey that the trail is a public travelway. I have visited this area multiple times in the past, and want to visit it again in the near future.

Item 2:

In the photo showing the portion of the gate and adjacent fence, it is obvious that the wire mesh fence extends from ground level to 7 or 8 feet in height. This type of fencing extends along the entire perimeter of the MLWS here and as also noted at the primary gate to the ranch headquarters. The character of the fence does not allow any ingress or egress by larger mammals including white-tailed deer, coyote and antelope. The landowner has effectively fenced out a portion of natural range of these species, while the fence also does not allow any natural movement of these species.

How is it that the landowner can effectively "take" a public resource ... that being the large mammals trapped within the fenced ranch area?

Item 3

The landowner has introduced prairie dogs, as evident on an aerial photograph showing the large residence on the south side of the fish pond. There are multiple burrows present. Does the landowner need to have NGPC permission to introduce this species onto private property?

When Audubon of Kansas introduced prairie dogs at the Hutton Ranch, they had to go through approval by NGPC as evident by the public meeting which I attended some years ago.

Item 4

With the MLWS completely fenced and any access inhibited by locked gates, how will NGPC ensure that quick and ready access is available if there is a need to fight a prairie fire in the vicinity of the WMA. This also applies to access that would be needed by any local fire department.

Item 5

How is the NGPC making sure that livestock associated with the MLWS do not go through the South Twin WMA fencing and graze the area? There are likely bison on the adjacent range, and a barb wire fence is not sufficient to stop their movement. Is the vehicular access point to the area suitably fenced or have a barrier to make certain livestock of the adjacent property owner cannot get onto the site. It is only through agency vigilance as well as that of the public that the area can be monitored to ensure its quality.

Further Details of South Holt County Wildbirds

Another survey of distinct wetlands along the southern boundary of Holt County provide additional details on the value of these habitats for wildbirds. The observations were recorded on September 3^rd by Jason Thiele at the local wetlands, most of which are associated with the headwaters of Clearwater Creek, thus the CC designation. Each of these site names have been designated to the specific site indicated by the ebird checklists, but are a geographic locality rather than a roadway site name as originally given. Some of the wetland habitat areas are part of the same area, but were designated as different localities because they were in either of the two counties ... Holt or Wheeler. Road 846 is the county boundary.

This is the list of the 47 species observed. Note the prominence of waterfowl, including the ibis (glossy or white-faced) and the number of pelican that utilize Goose Lake WMA. Shorebirds noted were other important finds. Many of these species may forage at the smaller wetlands area and then return to the wildlife management area for an overnight stay. This survey effort was also valuable in denoting songbirds present in the area during late summer and after the breeding season.

Proper Name	Goose Lake WMA	CC Meadow	CC Wetlands	CC Wetlands North	Clearwater 502 Meadow	Clearwater 846 Meadow	Clearwater Wetlands	Clearwater Wetlands North	Deloit Meadow
Canada Goose	--	--	--	40	--	--	--	--	--
Wood Duck	--	6	9	3	--	--	--	--	--
Blue-winged Teal	--	40	30	15	--	30	10	--	--
Mallard	--	12	2	2	--	8	--	--	--
Ibis	--	15	--	--	--	--	1	--	--
Great Blue Heron	--	--	--	1	--	--	1	1	1
American White Pelican	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	150
Turkey Vulture	--	--	--	--	2	--	--	--	--
Cooper's Hawk	--	1	--	--	--	--	--	--	--
Red-tailed Hawk	1	--	--	1	--	--	--	--	1
Killdeer	1	--	--	8	--	6	--	--	--
Least Sandpiper	--	--	--	--	--	8	--	--	--
Wilson's Snipe	--	--	--	--	--	1	--	--	--
Solitary Sandpiper	--	--	--	--	--	2	--	--	--
Forster's Tern	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	2
Eurasian Collared Dove	--	--	--	2	--	--	--	--	--
Mourning Dove	2	--	--	30	--	2	1	3	1
Belted Kingfisher	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	1	--
Red-headed Woodpecker	--	--	--	3	--	--	--	--	1
Northern Flicker	--	1	--	1	--	1	--	--	1
American Kestrel	1	--	--	--	--	--	--	1	--
Eastern Kingbird	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	1	1
Warbling Vireo	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	2
Red-eyed Vireo	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	2
Black-capped Chickadee	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	2
Barn Swallow	1	--	--	30	--	2	--	--	--
Marsh Wren	--	1	--	--	--	--	--	--	--
House Wren	--	--	--	--	--	1	--	--	1
White-breasted Nuthatch	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	2
Grey Catbird	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	5
Brown Thrasher	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	1
Common Starling	10	--	11	30	--	--	20	--	--
American Robin	--	--	--	1	--	--	--	--	2
American Goldfinch	1	--	--	3	--	2	--	--	--
Nashville Warbler	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	1
American Yellow Warbler	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	2
Wilson's Warbler	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	1
Yellow-headed Blackbird	--	--	--	3	--	--	20	--	--
Bobolink	--	--	--	30	--	--	--	--	--
Western Meadowlark	3	--	--	6	--	4	--	--	--
Baltimore Oriole	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	1
Red-winged Blackbird	--	8	--	--	--	--	--	--	--
Brown-headed Cowbird	--	--	--	--	--	--	40	--	--
Common Grackle	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	5	--
Song Sparrow	--	--	--	1	--	--	--	--	1
Chipping Sparrow	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	5
Northern Cardinal	2	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--

The overall tally of 47 species for this survey effort compares to 40 species as recorded on August 12^th. The combined total is 57 species for both dates.

These records are especially valuable as they provide further details on the occurrence of a great variety of wildbirds that occur at wetlands habitat present along the proposed corridor of the r-project. This industrial powerline would bisect some of the wetland settings. It would also impose a powerline across the flight path used by wildbirds as they fly from the overnight roost at Goose Lake WMA to the wetlands just to the south.

Late Summer Birds Noted in the Valentine Vicinity

These are the various bird species noted during July and August, 2018, in the immediate vicinity of Valentine, NE.

The overall number is typical for the post-breeding season during a time of the year known as the summer doldrums. The most prominent feature of these two months was the occurrence of fledged young, most notably those that visited the bird seed buffet at the shack. Many of the species listed are year-round residents. Some notables included:

* Wild Turkey: a female with six young originally arrived in mid-July, but the number of young soon decreased to five and this number was consistent through the remainder of the period. In early august a second female was present, but it had only one youngster.

* Turkey Vulture: daily residents seen as they soared over the North Lake Shore Hills.

* Mourning Dove: the notable increase in August certainly reflects the occurrence of fledged young and as the birds gathered in post-breeding flocks.

* Western Kingbird: certainly present in Valentine during the entire period.

* Eastern Kingbird: associated with the north side of the Mill Pond and the Water Tanks Tract during the entire period.

* Yellow-headed Blackbird: a single male occurred with the many blackbirds at the seed buffet. This is the first time this species has been seen during either of these two months in recent years.

* Red-winged Blackbird: following the occurrence of many of these birds including adults and fledglings, the numbers were very reduced as the species left the area.

* Common Grackle: similar occurrence as the Red-winged Blackbird; the 35 were the last occurrence of significance at the horse pens and bird seed around the shack on August 1^st.

* Indigo Bunting: lesser occurrence than expected.

The sixty species listed are indicated in taxonomic sequence as defined by the International Ornithological Council, 2018.

Proper Name	192	199	210	213	220	230	230
Canada Goose	--	7	6	--	--	--	--
Wood Duck	--	--	1	1	--	--	2
Wild Turkey	6	10	10	16	17	14	14
Great Blue Heron	2	--	--	--	--	--	1
Turkey Vulture	10	8	28	--	5	5	9
Red-tailed Hawk	1	1	2	--	--	--	1
Killdeer	--	--	1	--	1	1	--
Spotted Sandpiper	--	--	1	--	--	--	--
Rock Dove	5	2	7	--	7	--	--
Eurasian Collared Dove	8	7	7	3	6	4	3
Mourning Dove	7	6	16	7	21	12	12
Common Nighthawk	--	1	--	--	--	--	--
Chimney Swift	5	9	26	--	--	12	--
Belted Kingfisher	--	1	2	--	--	1	1
Red-headed Woodpecker	1	1	2	--	--	--	--
Downy Woodpecker	1	1	--	--	1	1	1
Hairy Woodpecker	--	--	--	--	1	--	--
Northern Flicker	--	1	4	--	1	1	1
American Kestrel	--	--	1	--	--	--	--
Eastern Phoebe	1	2	1	--	1	--	1
Western Wood Pewee	--	--	2	--	--	--	--
Eastern Wood Pewee	--	1	5	--	1	1	--
Western Kingbird	4	--	7	--	6	--	--
Eastern Kingbird	1	2	2	--	1	2	--
Great Crested Flycatcher	3	5	6	--	--	3	--
Bell's Vireo	--	--	2	--	--	--	--
Red-eyed Vireo	1	1	3	--	--	1	--
Blue Jay	--	2	8	--	1	3	4
American Crow	--	2	2	--	--	--	--
Cedar Waxwing	4	2	4	3	2	11	3
Black-capped Chickadee	--	5	2	--	2	--	--
Purple Martin	6	6	11	21	--	--	--
Northern Rough-winged Swallow	10	5	--	2	--	--	--
American Cliff Swallow	20	--	2	--	--	--	--
House Wren	6	9	16	--	3	4	3
Blue-grey Gnatcatcher	--	--	1	--	--	--	--
White-breasted Nuthatch	--	1	2	--	1	--	--
Grey Catbird	1	2	2	--	1	1	1
Brown Thrasher	1	--	--	--	--	--	--
Eastern Bluebird	--	1	1	--	--	--	--
American Robin	5	10	14	--	6	20	15
House Sparrow	10	20	15	--	10	15	--
House Finch	3	4	4	4	3	6	4
American Goldfinch	3	3	5	--	3	4	3
Common Yellowthroat	2	2	4	2	--	--	--
American Redstart	--	1	2	--	--	--	--
American Yellow Warbler	--	--	1	--	--	--	--
Yellow-breasted Chat	--	--	2	--	--	--	--
Yellow-headed Blackbird	--	--	--	1	--	--	--
Orchard Oriole	1	--	2	--	--	--	--
Red-winged Blackbird	20	25	23	30	1	--	--
Brown-headed Cowbird	5	5	7	--	2	--	--
Common Grackle	5	10	7	35	4	--	--
Chipping Sparrow	5	4	12	--	4	6	8
Field Sparrow	1	--	2	--	--	--	--
Lark Sparrow	--	2	5	4	4	4	--
Spotted Towhee	1	1	7	--	--	--	--
Black-headed Grosbeak	--	--	1	--	--	--	--
Northern Cardinal	1	1	3	1	1	1	1
Blue Grosbeak	1	--	1	--	1	--	--
Indigo Bunting	--	--	2	--	--	--	--

New additions to the tally for these months were the American Kestrel, Western Wood Pewee, Blue-grey Gnatcatcher, American Redstart and Yellow-breasted Chat in July, most notably at Government Canyon.

The tally for 2018 differs from 2017 (70 species on 11 dates) and 2016 (70 species on 16 dates. Obviously the number of dates when records were kept can make a difference in the over number of species recorded, which totals 81 overall for these two months since August 2015.

Birds Noted in Cherry County, Nebraska in 2017

People looking to see a fine variety of wildbirds came to Cherry county during 2017 and spent time afield amidst a great diversity of natural habitats. Some visitors walked a ways carrying binoculars to look about bird activity. Others drove a route suitable to get a view fine enough to see some particular sort of bird varying in size from itty-bitty wrens to the magnificent Trumpeter Swan. There was a spotting scope used at some time or another to get a better view.

During personal time outdoors, written notes meant details were kept, with some detailed records submitted to an online bird record archive; in a few instances documentary photographs were included. Some of these contributors were submitted as the bird watchers enjoyed heart city amenities, including online access available at the Valentine Public Library. Many of the records are because of contributions by transient bird enthusiasts, though some guys working for the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies did surveys on days when they were not doing work-related tasks. At least two city residents kept watch.

Overall, there were 194 species observed by bird watchers on many days during 2017 in Cherry county.

At Valentine NWR, with its variety of habitats including various lakes and wetlands, along with grassland expanses where prairie grouse thrive, was a great space of special interest and significance. About ten reports indicate results of visits during March to November, some which were based upon a survey by a single individual, with a few others involving a small group travelling along and keeping track of observations. More than 75 species were seen during some multiple hours looking during an outing on a single day. There were even anecdotes from a county official flying over the area, and observing the situation of habitat and changes in its condition. Wetland management efforts, such as carp removal, can have a significant influence on the quality of lake waters, its vegetation, and the value of extant habitat suitable for the survival of wildbirds.

At least 144 species were noted on the refuge, based upon visits during the summer months. They provide a detailed indication of breeding and migratory birds. An especially notable spring occurrence was a Piping Plover on April 21st at the Clear Lake boat ramp, as reported by Clay Crofton. This species rarely occurs in the lake district, with a unique history during decades past. Numbers of waterfowl were especially prevalent in November, including a very distinct sighting by Joel Jorgensen, nongame biologist of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, of four Surf Scoter at Pelican Lake on November 1st and which likely represents the first sighting of this species at the refuge, while it has been seen on a few dates at other sandhill places further south; Red-breasted Merganser was another significant sighting.

Second on the list for number of species seen during the year was the immediate vicinity of Valentine, with a tally of 125 species. This is due to year-round observations kept by a resident at local sites such as the Mill Pond, city park and within the urban setting. Two visitors reported what they saw during summer-time sojourns at the park – walking the trails while looking and listening – and among the city. The observations were sublime, as within the woodland of the park, songs of the warblers and other species require a focus on songs to ensure a correct species identification.

Especially significant for the Heart City is an obvious interest in providing food for birds. Many residents have feeders – which is an obvious ongoing expense – to get proper seed situated suitably to provide something edible to help wildbirds get nourishment that helps with their survival when frigid temperatures prevail.

At Fort Niobrara NWR, 84 species were noted by six different observers that submitted reports to ebird.org. Most of the visits were during the months of May-September; there were three separate surveys in July. Refuge staff do an annual breeding bird survey in early June, but that information is not yet available for evaluation, more than six months after the survey was done.

There were four reports for places along the Niobrara National Scenic River, especially in June, with three from camp grounds or a particular place, with only one report being the result of a float trip. The species tally totaled 57. Though fewer records are available, two especially significant sightings occurred: 1) a Mississippi Kite well seen by Dave Sandahl as it sat on a fence post and chased insects at Sharp’s Campground on June 5th; and, 2) a Northern Saw-whet Owl well heard with extensive notes submitted by Matt Beisel for a nocturnal June 10th occurrence at Smith Falls State Park. These are two newly known species to have occurred in the Niobrara valley, as they have not been previously observed, based upon an evaluation of a multitude of records for many decades past. The river valley is also a haven for the Eastern Whip-poor-will as they are pervasive in the breeding season. There is nothing better than floating along the languid waters of the Niobrara while these birds are so vocal with their distinct call that indicates their territorial presence.

Additional details of birds along this river corridor will eventually become available when a terse summary report is issued, based upon contract work done annually by the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies for the National Park Service.

Other locales where birds were denoted included Elsmere where William Flack did a walk-about on April 28th (15 species at this place along Goose Creek), as well as the ranch country in the Brownlee vicinity where a roadside wetland to its east provided sightings of importance, including a Cinnamon Teal on April 17th, and then some Brewer’s Blackbird amidst a horde of Red-winged Blackbird on November 4th. Westerly along Brush Creek was a fine-looking Merlin perched on a tree.

A personal highlight for the year was observing more than 150 species in Cherry county, based upon records dutifully kept in a database. There had been an ornithological challenge issued associated with the Nebraska sesquicentennial for an individual to observe a number of species that would match the number of years since the state was organized. My tally was 157, based mostly upon the wildbirds present near Valentine, but also because of a few occasional, and appreciated forays to the south Valentine country and an appreciated visit to distinctive Anderson Bridge WMA.

A whole-bunch of bird-watching occurs each year within Cherry county. Though there are many available records – especially historic – the reality of bird occurrence within the entirety of the county is certainly lacking in regards to suitable current details. There were no survey reports for the southwest and other significant sections of the county during 2017. This is indicative of a lack of knowledge on the occurrence and distribution of important species, including those of conservation concern.

Pervasive and appreciated birds of many sorts were enjoyed in this region last year. With the new year underway, there can be many times of special occurrence for those with an interest and that keep an eye on activities of our feathered friends!

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This is a list of the species observed, and which was not submitted with the article for the newspaper. Species are listed in taxonomic sequence used by the International Ornithological Congress rather than an American association.

* Snow Goose * Canada Goose * Cackling Goose * Trumpeter Swan * Wood Duck * Gadwall * American Wigeon * Mallard * Blue-winged Teal * Cinnamon Teal * Northern Shoveler * Northern Pintail * Green-winged Teal * Canvasback * Redhead * Ring-necked Duck * Lesser Scaup * Surf Scoter * Bufflehead * Common Goldeneye * Hooded Merganser * Common Merganser * Red-breasted Merganser * Ruddy Duck * Northern Bobwhite * Wild Turkey * Sharp-tailed Grouse * Greater Prairie-Chicken * Common Pheasant * Pied-billed Grebe * Horned Grebe * Black-necked Grebe * Western Grebe * White-faced Ibis * American Bittern * Black-crowned Night Heron * Great Blue Heron * Great Egret * American White Pelican * Double-crested Cormorant * Turkey Vulture * Western Osprey * Sharp-shinned Hawk * Cooper's Hawk * Northern Harrier * Bald Eagle * Mississippi Kite * Swainson's Hawk * Red-tailed Hawk * Ferruginous Hawk * Rough-legged Buzzard * Virginia Rail * Sora * American Coot * Sandhill Crane * Killdeer * Piping Plover * Wilson's Snipe * Long-billed Curlew * Upland Sandpiper * Greater Yellowlegs * Solitary Sandpiper * Willet * Spotted Sandpiper * Stilt Sandpiper

* Wilson's Phalarope * Bonaparte's Gull * Franklin's Gull * Ring-billed Gull * American Herring Gull * Forster's Tern * Black Tern * Rock Dove * Eurasian Collared Dove * Mourning Dove * Yellow-billed Cuckoo * Eastern Screech Owl * Great Horned Owl * Burrowing Owl * Northern Saw-whet Owl * Short-eared Owl * Common Nighthawk * Common Poorwill * Eastern Whip-poor-will * Chimney Swift * Ruby-throated Hummingbird * Belted Kingfisher * Red-headed Woodpecker * Red-bellied Woodpecker * Yellow-bellied Sapsucker * Downy Woodpecker * Hairy Woodpecker * Northern Flicker * American Kestrel * Merlin * Prairie Falcon * Eastern Phoebe * Say's Phoebe * Western Wood-Pewee * Eastern Wood-Pewee * Willow Flycatcher * Least Flycatcher * Western Kingbird * Eastern Kingbird * Great Crested Flycatcher * Loggerhead Shrike * Great Grey Shrike * Bell's Vireo * Yellow-throated Vireo * Warbling Vireo * Red-eyed Vireo * Blue Jay * American Crow * Cedar Waxwing * Black-capped Chickadee * Horned Lark * Sand Martin * Tree Swallow * Purple Martin * Northern Rough-winged Swallow * Barn Swallow * American Cliff Swallow * Ruby-crowned Kinglet * Sedge Wren * Marsh Wren * House Wren * Blue-grey Gnatcatcher * Red-breasted Nuthatch * White-breasted Nuthatch * Brown Creeper

* Grey Catbird * Northern Mockingbird * Brown Thrasher * Common Starling * Eastern Bluebird * Townsend's Solitaire * Swainson's Thrush * Wood Thrush * American Robin * House Sparrow * House Finch * Red Crossbill * American Goldfinch * Pine Siskin * Ovenbird * Black-and-white Warbler * Tennessee Warbler * Orange-crowned Warbler * Connecticut Warbler * Common Yellowthroat * American Redstart * American Yellow Warbler * Blackpoll Warbler * Audubon's Warbler * Myrtle's Warbler * Wilson's Warbler * Yellow-breasted Chat * Yellow-headed Blackbird * Bobolink * Western Meadowlark * Eastern Meadowlark * Baltimore Oriole * Orchard Oriole * Red-winged Blackbird * Brown-headed Cowbird * Rusty Blackbird * Brewer's Blackbird * Common Grackle * Great-tailed Grackle * Lark Bunting * Song Sparrow * Lincoln's Sparrow * Harris's Sparrow * White-crowned Sparrow * White-throated Sparrow * Dark-eyed Junco * Savannah Sparrow * Grasshopper Sparrow * American Tree Sparrow * Chipping Sparrow * Field Sparrow * Clay-colored Sparrow * Vesper Sparrow * Lark Sparrow * Spotted Towhee * Summer Tanager * Scarlet Tanager * Dickcissel * Rose-breasted Grosbeak * Black-headed Grosbeak * Northern Cardinal * Blue Grosbeak * Indigo Bunting * Lazuli Bunting

Specifics for each of the sightings are available and there could be an individual evaluation for each species, including a presentation of numbers and the chronology of occurrence and to some extent, where they were seen.

December Birds in the Valentine Vicinity - 2017

Bird observations continued to be kept in the immediate vicinity of Valentine during December, 2017. There were fewer dates this year when observations were recorded but the overall tally does not appear to be significantly different from noted sightings during this month in two previous years.

Birds about Valentine during December 2017

Proper Name	342	348	360	362
Canada Goose	60	- -	- -	- -
Mallard	- -	3	- -	- -
Wild Turkey	- -	7	- -	- -
Sharp-shinned Hawk	- -	1	- -	- -
Bald Eagle	1	1	1	- -
Rock Dove	30	- -	- -	16
Eurasian Collared Dove	26	22	- -	- -
Great Horned Owl	2	- -	1	- -
Belted Kingfisher	- -	1	- -	- -
Downy Woodpecker	1	1	2	- -
Hairy Woodpecker	- -	- -	1	2
Northern Flicker	- -	- -	- -	1
Blue Jay	- -	1	- -	- -
American Crow	- -	1	2	- -
Cedar Waxwing	- -	6	- -	- -
Black-capped Chickadee	2	3	7	8
Red-breasted Nuthatch	3	- -	2	- -
White-breasted Nuthatch	1	1	2	- -
Eastern Bluebird	- -	5	- -	4
Townsend's Solitaire	- -	- -	- -	1
American Robin	- -	50	2	- -
House Sparrow	70	- -	55	- -
House Finch	- -	8	2	4
American Goldfinch	- -	- -	3	3
Dark-eyed Junco	8	6	24	18
American Tree Sparrow	- -	- -	6	- -
Northern Cardinal	- -	2	- -	- -

There seems to be no readily notable differences as far as occurrence or numbers present. There are the usual resident birds. It was a month of anecdotes. Perhaps hearing and seeing the Red-breasted Nuthatch once and again was appreciated, because if it wasn't heard it was always nice to hear sounds of the residential White-breasted Nuthatch.

More Dark-eyed Junco were denoted once bird seed was provided for them on Christmas eve. Their activity was readily seen outside my front door as they scurried about. More than one variation occurred subsequently, including at least the Oregon and slate-colored. More attention needs to be given to the particulars and could be an interesting pasttime when hungry deer and rabbits are being kept from the "food buffett." Juncos are disruptive foragers, as when one arrives it may chase away another already present. Sometimes there are "flight battles" as two birds alight in an obvious confrontation as to which of them will get their preferred foraging spot. It seems nonsensical as the juncos often arrive in a significant group for an interlude, and then they all depart. There are significant expanses of time when there are no birds present at the readily available edible seed. At least a Tree Sparrow found the seed and was seen actively eating on more than one occasion.

More than one bird feeder in the vicinity attracted various species, and their occurrence was a reason for some regular sightings of species that enjoyed the winter-time food source. One particularly known spot along Lake Shore Drive is a known magnet for squirrels, but it also provides for the nuthatches and chickadees. Juncos feed on the spill.

Rock Dove and Eurasian Collared Dove were prevalent within the city, and counts depended on traversing a walking route that went past where the were congregated, which was primarily near the livestock market. On the 28th, there were a bunch of juncos, and at the same time an Eastern Bluebird visited along with four House Finch and three American Goldfinch. It was an appreciated phantasmagoria of winter wildbirds.

As for the House Sparrow, they gather in a bit of shrubbery shelter at the southeast corner of the Mill Pond. Numbers vary on weather conditions, but during the winter, they are usually present to an extent of another.

Wild Turkey are more prevalent than indicated by a single occurrence at the Valentine City Park, but they are gathered in one flock or another someplace were a bird outing did not occur.

The resident Downy Woodpeckers continued to ignore the readily available suet. They made a early foray or two and knew that the food source was available, but did not return. A Northern Flicker arrived once or twice, but it also was no repeat visitor.

Canada Goose numbers took an indicative decline as waters at the Mill Pond froze. There was no open water which they appreciated. These watefowl were still in the vicinity, but were in flight so could not be associated with any particular geographic locality. They were probably roosting on the Niobrara River?

As the month ended, temperatures were frigid, and on a day or two the high temperature for more than one day was below zero ... conditions which were not conducive to riding a bicycle to some prime bird-watching place and to undertake an outdoor hike. Some wind chill temps were completely brutal and inhibited any attempt to even look upwards towards the treetops, as the face space had to be confined within the cover of an essential neck-scarf. A bit of snow cover was ongoing.

This is the third annual report for the month of December at Valentine. The number of species noted has varied, just as the occurence of any species can be different. The overall tally for the last three years is:

* 2017: 27 species based upon four dates of recorded observations

* 2016: 32 species based upon 11 dates of recorded observations

* 2015: 28 species based upon 11 dates of recorded observations

Overall for the three years, the tally is 36 species, indicating the value of keeping records that represent more than a couple of years. The only species added in 2017 was a Townsend's Solitaire in a tree-top at the east end of the Valentine Mill Pond.

A sumary of known records convey an occurrence of 144 species in the immediate vicinity of the Heart City, as derived from record keeping which started in August, 2015. Each of the sightings kept indicate the month and year when observed, and for most of them the number seen is known.