Turkey Antics Amidst Valentine Birdland

Jake turkeys are busy gobbling in the ponderosa pine clad hills north of Valentine. It is the time of their season to strut about with their particular flock of gathered hens.

The males display all of their avian splendor with tail feathers raised, wings drooping and with multihued coloration obvious on their head and neck. Their beard is obvious and well as a dangling wattle. The display is suitably impressive for the hens.

The local flock on a first couple of days this April has dwindled to 16 though it had numbered more than 20 about ten days ago. There are two jakes and the remainder females gathered until they disperse to raise a brood.

Usually the birds keep close as they walk about foraging on natural foods but some diverge to eat readily available bird seed. They especially like the sunflower seeds when more is put out for the other wildbirds such as juncos and red-winged blackbirds, because the big poultry return to eat again at least two or three times a day. In the morning they have to compete with some bigger white-tailed deer that prefer being fed rather than having to forage on a lesser growth of not yet green plants on a nearby hillside.

Breeding season antics were especially noticeable on April 2nd, a warming and sunny morning. Some hens were moving around the “top tom” and soon the king acted to interact to establish another generation. After moving around behind a particular hen ready to submit, he went into action as she crouched on the ground. The top turkey did this three times within 15 minutes. When the alternate “tom turkey” had a female showing particular interest, the “king” ran over to prevent any action by some interloper. This was very frustrating to the male lower in the hierarchy as it reacted with faux action of breeding.

After each distinct coupling, the female would walk away, shaking her feathers and then quickly getting back to the basics of finding something edible on the ground. One female ran a few circles until eventually deciding to return to the flock. The “tom turkey” is a heavy weight during its time standing atop the lesser weight females.

On some occasions a hen or two might return to the seed buffet without the flock because they know where to get something to eat without being disturbed by congeners. This is an indication of the flock already dispersing. Even on the 3rd, the males noticeably displayed less. Vocal gobbles were fewer.

Soon this particular flock – and many others of a similar ilk in the birdly wildlands – will disperse and the big toms will wander around since their time of importance is finished. They will continue to eat and thrive as part of a bachelor group while the hens will be at a nesting place where she can safely incubate eggs and then care for little turkeys in a manner to ensure their survival for many months and at least until next year after winter when the cycle of the spring will repeat.

The activities are a time of the season and this birdly behavior is a sight in many parts of the local country.

On the morning of the 4th, the flock size had returned to 24 individuals as seven hens and one jake returned. During the morning, even some of the hens were being antagonistic towards each other, and even getting in shoving matches.

Survey About Prairie Meadows Sent to Random Ranches

March 28, 2019. Grant County News 134(35): 1.

A survey asking ranchers for their response to a number of questions regarding prairie meadows was recently mailed to randomly selected ranchers in Cherry and Holt counties.

The goal of the questionnaire was to “help us to understand ranchers’ prairie haying practices and awareness of wild game birds and prairie song birds,” according to an introductory letter sent by Matthew P. Gruntorad, a human dimensions analyst at the School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

“We have been reading some papers abut hay cutting practices and we were intrigued to find more information about what hay cutting practices were in Nebraska and the views of the landowners concerning different types of birds,” Gruntorad said in a supplemental email. About 1000 surveys were mailed.

Survey questions were grouped into four categories:

1) Ranching operation: ranching background, experience with prairie meadows, including when haying was typically initiated and finished.

2) Wildlife awareness: six similar questions each about the mallard, greater prairie-chicken, western meadowlark and bobolink.

3) Standing water in prairie meadows: would the rancher be willing to retain standing water in meadows during the spring and fall migration?

4) Hunting and organization membership: what animals are hunted and has the rancher been a member in nine possible groups.

5) Willingness to adjust haying practices: a basic tenet was focused around how waiting to cut meadow hay until after July 15 would improve the survival of nesting birds. Two questions had a range of selectable answers on whether or not it would be likely the rancher would delay haying until after mid-July and what portion of meadow acreage could perhaps be cut after this date.

There were also a few blank lines where the respondent could provide comments.

“We have a deep appreciation for the Sandhills and the views of landowners there. If not for them, it would not be one of our favorite places in Nebraska,” Gruntorad said in his email.

Responses to the questionnaire will be tabulated later in spring, with the results then issued online.

Feeding Wildlife at a Valentine Shack

At a shack on the northern edge of Valentine, with its country setting, bird seed has been provided to local wildbirds since 28 December 2017. The seed has been provided year-round but the most bird visits occur during late autumn and winter months. There are no feeders but the seed is placed on a 10’ by 12’ concrete pad. A number of species have been obviously appreciating something to eat during the frigid weather at Valentine. February ended and March began with snow cover nearly everywhere.

Keeping track of the species seen has been especially easy. My front door glass is covered with a towel, so peeks can be made without disturbing the 26 species recorded.

Wild Turkey: a bunch of eight until mid-autumn when they departed to join the local winter flock. A fine flock of sixteen returned in late March and continued to be around in early April.

Eurasian Collared Dove and Mourning Dove.

Eastern Bluebird: common during the seasons, but most often seen chasing insects from atop the fence of the horse pens.

House Finch and American Goldfinch.

Yellow-headed Blackbird; Red-winged Blackbird: after breeding large numbers throughout the days, making the sacks of bird seed get emptied quickly; Brown-headed Cowbird. Rusty Blackbird: four arrived on December 5, 2018 and two continued to linger at least through mid-March. Also, Common Grackle.

Song Sparrow; Harris's Sparrow; Dark-eyed Junco: the most prevalent winter visitor; American Tree Sparrow; Chipping Sparrow; and, Clay-colored Sparrow. Northern Cardinal

Species that have shown up only once include the:

Blue Jay: permanent resident locally but apparently don’t prefer eating seeds.

Horned Lark: a rare occurrence was 21 that flew in on 40 m.p.h. winds of the blizzard on March 14th. They didn’t figure out a seed-eating routine immediately, but did soon. Prevalent snow cover meant there were few other places to eat.

Brown Thrasher: summer resident locally amidst the shrubs.

Common Starling: a discoverer eventually jumped from the porch rail to the ground and got busy eating. Though only one in front of the shack, but a flock was been seen regularly since at the west trees.

Lincoln's Sparrow; Savannah Sparrow; and Lark Sparrow. Lazuli Bunting.

Overall the local Valentine bird tally is 152 species.

Other visitors appreciating the seed buffet are roaming deer on occasion to nibble up every seed they can find. Up to six typically occur.

Cottontail rabbits busily scrounge upon any little tidbit present. There is a pair seen jumping around near the hay shed where they will certainly raise a brood. It is quite nice to see them run around outside the north window of the shack. Another rabbit stays closer to the shack and seemingly has a bonanza because of the buffet.

From the tree line to the west a squirrel occasionally ventures forth to the pad, and quickly feeds before running back to its arboreal haven.

A perfect triad is a bunny eating, some doves picking at the seeds and juncos busy getting their daily meal.

Thus is country life at Valentine, a place where many residents appreciate wildbirds and help them survive by providing food daily.

A Sunday Drive in Cherry County Country

March 20, 2019. Pre-spring visions. Valentine Midland News 47(43): 12.

Beneath a beautiful cloud-free cerulean sky and with warming temperatures, Gordon Warrick and I took a drive amidst a bit of Cherry county country on a pre-spring Sunday the 17th. During our foray, my sharpened pencil was kept busy writing notes. Then later, more time was taken later to derive a suitable geographic designation for a bunch of bird observations.

Across the land southward of Valentine, there was lots of ice but some birds were indifferent because flocks of geese arrived or were flying into local habitats as wintry conditions moderated.

During our drive, we once again focused on the spaces along the Brownlee Road, with a start at the Heart City, down Highway 97 and then beyond to see what wildbirds were present.

A great grey shrike was on a wire at the Mcsky Ranch. Merritt reservoir was nearly 100% ice-covered. Three fishermen from Nebraska county 15 were huddled aside the dam looking at their nearby gear. They gave a hearty wave as we drove quickly past because there were no birds on the ice-covered waters.

In the vicinity of Gordon Creek along Highway 97, waterfowl of the day became especially obvious. There were lots of Canada geese obvious in the meadows as flying above. Most dramatic were eight trumpeter swans at the lowlands. They were waiting for ice-free water where they might establish a home for the pending breeding season.

Near the top of a big meadow tree a pair of bald eagles built upon a seeming balcony – because they reside at a nest of historic renown – were easily seen from the highway, while being attentive to their season’s brood. What were they doing during the so recent blizzard? Hope was no choice for them but it seems they did their work well and the nest survived the blasting winds with blowing snow and frigid cold.

Eventually we reached our Brownlee Road route, a uniquely scenic drive way amidst country with lakes, valleys and high country hills. There were plowed away snow drifts at more than one place.

Another couple of trumpeter swans were seen at Packingham Lake. With the water still ice-covered, we pondered how they might avoid any nightly wanderings of coyotes looking for a meal. They certainly have the right moves to avoid that sort of trouble.

A strutting common pheasant rooster was along the road in Wamaduze Valley (isn’t that a distinct name of historic derivation). Territorial red-winged blackbirds were prevalent at many places and numerous at more than one place. Rough-legged buzzards were obvious. There was even a common pheasant that added some color to the scene.

Many meadow expanses were filled with water topped with ice that will soon melt. These places will be hay meadows later this year.

We two bird-watchers were excited upon seeing two vividly blue birds atop some fence posts in the valley. They were soon identified as mountain bluebirds. Neither of us had seen them for a long time. The last reported record of this species in the county was in 2009 at Merritt Reservoir. That is a historic matter. To actually to see these two birds togetherly active in Cherry county supersedes many things.

A bunch of birds were notably active along the North Loup River in the Brownlee vicinity. Mallards were flying around. Red-winged blackbirds were busy in moving north or selecting a territory for the season. Migratory common mergansers were lingering as the flowing river was a haven.

During our transit of more than 20 miles along the road, there was only one pickup loaded with a big round bale, and then, later, two other vehicles east of Brownlee.

We tried to visit Rat and Beaver Lake WMA but the road was too muddy, rutted and not very suitable for vehicular travel. County ranchers have to deal with this reality every day, but we experienced a single effort and turned around. Ranchers deal with these conditions know much more on how to successfully deal with any travel issues. We gave up since the pending route was so tentative even while 4x4 travel was available. It was a vivid reality associated with country life.

Northward along Highway 83 upon our travel back to the city, and just a relatively short distance south of the Y, a field usually associated with corn, many geese had congregated on ice covered. There will be no plow on this ground for a particular time.

The overall bird tally for the day was 34 species, with raptors (six species including a vivid view of a beautifully colored ferruginous hawk and a singular American kestrel), waterfowl and flocks of red-winged blackbirds being notably prevalent.

It was a quite nice drive that can be appreciated any day. Our Sunday outing was a fine time to look around for the birds of the pending spring. Various landscape features of the hard surface Brownlee Road are a certain treasure of Cherry county. Any time spent along this route is an opportunity to appreciate a special sand hills setting.

Bull Bash Saturday - Voice From the Sandhills

James E. Ducey. March 1, 2019. Bull Bash Saturday. Babbling Brook 38(3): 5. Newsletter of Wachiska Audubon.

It was another Saturday but one with special significance. One reason was a temperature not as frigid as the previous overnight low of -17o. The sky was a cerulean blue without a single cloud. There was still a chill from a southerly wind.

Juncos were busily feeding on the bird seed outside the front door upon the start of my jaunt into the Heart City. Walking along the drive, both red-breasted and white-breasted nuthatches were heard. The house sparrows were busy in their bit of shrubbery at a corner of the Mill Pond. They always chatter but once a pedestrian gets close, they are very quiet.

On Main Street, the bulls were stolid in pens on what is normally a highway. It was the 18th annual Bull Bash. Some of the finest herd sires were being shown. The Sand Hills have the best cattle and there were Herefords, Angus and others of a similar ilk. There was ag equipment parked for showing. A tent with a well-working heater was a haven.

My first stop was a regular one, providing a warm place to sit while enjoying some good conversation. There was talk about unwelcome industrial wind turbines and how to continue to work to preserve features so special to the county and region. It is always grand to visit with cattlemen and cattle women that are truly so very essential to a grassland which is unique on earth. It is actually quite unexpected to hear ranchers talk about the American burying beetle, endangered whooping crane and an appreciation for dark sky spaces.

After a stop at the grocery store, my walking route once again went along Main Street where the bash activities were actively underway. People were gathered and talking. A young girl was selling Girl Scout cookies. There was a fine quilt display in a main street furniture store. Art was on display in a bank lobby. Miss Rodeo Nebraska and her cohorts were present as the livestock industry was being celebrated.

Another fine visit was to the local bookstore. Author Bryan Jones was autographing his rendition of history associated with the Sand Hills north of the Platte River and south of the Niobrara River. It the first time he’d been in Valentine on a bull-bash day. One more of his book was bought and it had an autograph, because the copy I donated to the library and a couple others given as gifts did not have a scrawl signature.

The one day respite from previous days of bitter winterness was obviously being appreciated outside during an obvious gathering of community of Sandhillers.

Skeins of Canada goose were flying to the southeast just before the noon hour. They were likely heading to the Niobrara River from their feeding grounds.

Bull Bash events continued into the dark hours, but were well beyond my time in the city. It was another day, but special for so many reasons on February 9th.

Eminent Domain – Nebraska Legislative Bill 155

February 21, 2019. Eminent domain. Grant County News 134(30): 1, 6.

A stalwart Nebraska legislator had a bunch of concerned and supportive sandhillers in his office on February 7th. It was time for a public hearing associated with legislative action to remove the use of eminent domain by public entities to benefit private companies.

The advocate was Sen. Tom Brewer of the 43rd legislative district. More than a dozen sandhillers came driving for hours on a frigid winter day – leaving their ranch – so their voice could be heard.

Before dawn at Valentine upon one particular departure, the temperature was sub-zero. Add in the extent of wind chill and the extreme polar cold was obvious. Our group represented one of several travelers across snow swept land so we could speak to the future of the sandhills.

We went to speak at a public hearing scheduled for the Natural Resources Committee at the Nebraska capitol in Lincoln. Sen. Brewer’s request to the fine senators of this committee was to strike a single sentence from legal statutes “to eliminate provisions relating to eminent domain” as indicated in a state law.

The words are: “The exercise of eminent domain to provide needed transmission lines and related facilities for a privately developed renewable energy generation is a public use.”

The legislation was introduced by Sen. Brewer, as he stated: “Public entities using the power of government against their neighbors so they can make money.”

“It is wrong,” Brewer said. There was then a public hearing. People spoke and the state senators listened and asked fine questions.

Proponents for approval of the LB 155 spoke first, obvious in their opposition to allow a public entity to act for the benefit of private landowners. There were ca. 15 people that presented personal testimony in support. Their words were indicative and convey what sandhills residents have realized and how they want to continue the essential cattle land legacy and other special values.

“Our legacy runs really deep,” said Wayne Eatinger, a fifth generation rancher in southeast Cherry county.

Barbara Welch was so very personable in regard to making sure that landmarks continue to be special places. Her analogy was so poignant that Sen. Hughes, chairman of the committee asked her to share a key tenet that she has adhered to since her days of high school. It was the result of a bunch of mice in a box so many few years ago. She brought many smiles to those present.

Dan Welch then spoke to the heritage of his ranch unit south of Thedford. The r-project would traverse the couple’s ranch property and create a health threat and diminish the value of the rangeland which has been scientifically studied.

“Take away our property rights and you take away our dignity,” Mr. Welch said. ”NPPD has been using eminent domain as a big stick over our heads for four years.”

Mr. Welch is an outspoken advocate for private property rights and this was obvious during his more than five minute testimony on Thursday.

Barb and Dan Welch presented a late December letter that arrived in their mail-box. It was an indication from NPPD that they would use eminent domain and all of its legal conundrums to condemn Welch ranchland to construct an industrial powerline across his range for heritage cattle.

“If you do not truly own your property, you are property,” said Brett Steffen of Thedford. The proposed r-project would traverse his property south of Thedford.

Sam Sampson, of Lincoln, conveyed his personal advocacy again wind turbines based upon his appreciation of a haven for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts at Brewster. “We need to protect some of us from the tyranny of others,” he said while wearing his best suit to speak his heart-felt words to the legislators.

Dean Smith from Antelope county – a newly elected county commissioner – was supportive as he referred to the nearly 300 industrial wind turbines in the county, with more being considered. His comments indicated the negative impacts during turbine project construction.

A significant presentation was a map graphic of Cherry county that indicates the extent of land-owners opposed to wind turbines. This document of record indicated the situation to each member of the Natural Resources Committee. The extent of opposition as obvious with the color red. The presentation provided an opportunity to convey other details associated with industrial wind turbines and necessary powerlines, based upon the currently known situation in Cherry county.

Some minutes beyond the five minutes allotted was provided to speak to what is being done within Cherry county. There were questions regarding the current county commissioners. Industrial wind turbines could not be placed on lands enrolled within the for-wind land owners because their surrounding neighbors do not want industrial wind turbines on their property. This is probably the case with industrial transmission lines. There were words said in regard to the request by Wayne Eatinger to ban industrial wind turbines within the county. It was also an opportunity to discuss the importance of state-level legislation as well as actions being done by the Bureau of Educational Lands and Funds.

A detail oriented cost-analysis evaluation was provided by Douglas P. Nelson, from Wayne. The economics for establishing a wind turbine project meant a loss due to the reality of costs.

“Take care of residents first,” said Amy Ballagh, a ranch-wife from the eastern hills and a long-time opponent to the r-project. There should be no eminent domain for private gain, she said.

Dave Hutchison, operator of a bison ranch near Rose, conveyed a common theme that the r-project would threaten whooping cranes and diminish the value of visitors to the region. He provided handouts with details.

Other names associated with comments included Mike Young, Marjorie Manning Warren and Ann Manning-Warren.

The opponents to this bill wore suits and represented some group, and were paid representatives of some groups with an obvious agenda, including the Advance Power Alliance, the Center for Rural Affairs and the Nebraska Farmers Union. They talked extensively, yet when asked a particular question the answers were lacking. Supposed economic development was a primary reason to not change the current legislation.

There was no utility company or industrial wind turbine developer present at the hearing.

Sen. Brewer ended the public hearing with his passionate comments. His concern for the sandhills and its people was blatantly obvious as he has actively been working to continue appreciated values. His staff worked with the landowner map to enhance it in relation to the proposed r-project corridor.

Sen. Brewer has selected this legislative action to be his priority bill, as he and his staff, including legislative aide Tony Baker continue to strongly work for residents of the 43rd district.

“What gives developer the right to impact neighbors,” he said. There is “smoke and mirrors by big wind.”

The efforts of many meant significant words were given to support Senator Brewer’s request to revise state legislation.

This day of action started in the dark during a realized 4o upon departure a few minutes after 6 a.m. at Valentine. Cold was everywhere during the day hours during the travel time when ranch employees stayed at the ranch to do chores and take care of the stock.

Finally after a long drive and getting back to the home place the temperature – including an excessively abhorrent wind chill – was at least -8^o upon returning to Cherry county and the heart city so many hours later during one day.

Annual Banquet Held by Ducks Unlimited

The annual banquet of the Sandhills Chapter of Ducks Unlimited was a resounding success as community residents and their families gathered to support the conservation of waterfowl and their habitats.

Attendees ranged in age from infants to elders. Adults conversed while kids ran around having fun. Some participated in games – including “Duck-O bingo”  – when many smiles were obvious. The winner of “Last Duck Standing” certainly had a special day as he not only won, but he won on his birthday. The crowd gave him a rendition of the Happy Birthday song. There were raffles of many waterfowl-related items donated by businesses.

Some youngsters spent time at the Greenwing Raffle, a youth-oriented booth. One tyke present had a tiny, plastic, yellow duck held close as his expression of waterfowl. A couple of young girls with their raffle tickets all ready, bantered about ice-fishing with their dad at the Valentine lake district.

Jake Ohlmann, chair of the local chapter, was pleased with the outcome of the banquet. He was busy helping at the “Mug of Tickets” table while noticing the fine bunch of people present and appreciating the many contributors.

“There are a lot of generous people in the community,” said Ohlmann, appreciative of every donation since each of them were helpful in raising fund for waterfowl conservation. Volunteers were “essential” and helped make the banquet a success as they also do for other group projects.

“I really enjoy kids being involved,” said Ohlmann. The banquet, as well as other outreach programs are “a chance to teach them about wildfowl hunting and conservation.” Adding that DU projects conserve “resources for generations to come.” He especially appreciates the dedication of long-time members in the organization.

There were a few people at the banquet that became new members.

Funds raised at the banquet will contribute to DU projects throughout the nation.

There is a nationally significant DU and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service project currently underway at Valentine NWR, said JuanCarlos Giese, manager of Valentine National Wildlife Refuge and DU member.

Carp barriers and berms will be placed to manage wetland conditions and prohibit fish access at Sweetwater Lake, 21 Lake, Center Lake, Homestead Lake, Cow Lake, Little Hay Lake, Calf Camp Marsh (where a structure was placed in 2018) and Pony Lake, said Giese. Most of these places are east of Highway 83.

Once the “construction” phase of the project is completed, these sites will be treated to remove fish – notably invasive carp – from the lakes and wetlands. These shallow lakes and ponds will be managed for migratory birds and other wildlife, so no sport fish will be introduced into these wetlands.

About 900 acres wetlands will be restored, said Giese.

This “on the ground project will provide benefits to waterfowl and many others sorts of wildlife” as well as wetland flora. Some nongame birds that will benefit include many wildbird species, including the trumpeter swan, pied-billed grebe and marsh wren, for example. Amphibians are also expected to flourish amidst the rejuvenated wetland flora, Giese said.

Environmental improvements associated with natural land features will “attract the community and visitors to appreciate the refuge resources. It is very exciting to be involved with these landscape basis projects,” Giese said, noting the significance of being able to “work with the community and partners for the benefit of current and future generations.”

Work will be initiated once Section 404 permits are received in coming weeks from the Army Corps of Engineers, Giese said.

The FWS will continue to monitor results in order to evaluate success of the project, he said.
DU and FWS are the primary project partners. Essential funding has been provided by the Nebraska Environmental Trust and the North American Wetland Conservation Act. Also involved are the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission as well as the volunteer member-based Sandhill Prairie Refuge Association.

This project is ancillary to the lake restoration projects underway by the NGPC and FWS to remove carp and improve the fisheries at several prominent lakes of the refuge, west of Highway 83.

Two historic projects DU has been involved with in Cherry County include the Lord Lake project at the McKelvie Division of the Nebraska National Forest where water control structures and tree removal occurred, said DU member Mark Lindvall. Elsewhere, water control structures were added and a dike was rebuilt at Calf Camp Valley marsh, Valentine NWR.

Lindvall, of Valentine, has been a DU member for more than 20 years. The group “is a good conservation organization that puts projects on the ground,” he said. The local chapter was active in 1985 when he arrived to work at Valentine NWR. “I enjoy watching waterfowl in the spring a hunt in the fall which might be a time to just watch fowl in flight,” he said. “With wetland conservation projects there are more ducks and geese” for everyone to enjoy.

About 150 people attended the annual banquet held February 2nd at the 4-H building at the Cherry County fairgrounds, including Bill Stroup who started the local chapter years ago. The Sandhills chapter has about 100 members, Ohlmann said.

Any wildbird enthusiast with an interest in wetland conservation is welcome to join Ducks Unlimited, which has been active in Nebraska for many decades.