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Prairie Grouse Spring Courtship Rituals
Now through April 30 Morning and Evening
Sharp-tailed Grouse and Greater Prairie Chicken spring courtship activities peak now through the end of April. Five public locations in Nebraska offer opportunities for viewing these annual rituals: Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge near Ellsworth, Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest near Nenzel, Bessey Ranger District of the Nebraska National Forest near Halsey, Valentine National Wildlife Refuge near Valentine, and Burchard Lake Wildlife Management Area near Burchard in southeastern Nebraska, (402) 471-5415. Several privately-owned sites participating in the Nebraska Birding Trails project also offer excellent prairie grouse viewing. These include Arcadia Riverview Recreation near Broken Bow, Big Blue Ranch and Lodge near Beatrice, Burchell's White Hill Farmhouse Inn near Holdrege, Double R Guest Ranch near Mullen, EU Ranch near Bristow, and Sandhills Nature Stop near Valentine. To avoid disturbing the birds, visitors are encouraged to arrive at blinds well before sunrise.
Family Crane Carnival
March 29-30, 2008 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Rowe Sanctuary, Gibbon NE
The Family Crane Carnival is a great way to learn about sandhill cranes with your family in a fun, inviting atmosphere. Highlighted activities include: Crane Jep-Birdie; Bird Bingo; Crane Dancing Lessons; walk and talk with Candi Crane; have lunch at the Crane Café; Face Painting, Crane Photo Wall, and many more fun, educational activities. This event is free to the public, but donations are appreciated.
http://www.rowesanctuary.org/calendar.htm
International Migratory Bird Day - Lincoln
Saturday April 26 8:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Wilderness Park, Jamaica North Trail Head
Guided bird walks leave every 30 minutes starting at 8am. Walk/Run for the birds on the new 10' wide limestone trail, 1-mile or 3-mile routes. Runners start at 9am, walkers at 9:30. All participants MUST register by picking up a registration packet April 7-24 at Lincoln Parks & Recreation Office, Pioneers Park Nature Center, Nebraska Game & Parks Commission or Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center. First 100 registrants receive a pocket bird ID book and information on bird feeders and seeds. Entry fee is $5/person or $10/family before April 24 ($3 extra after 24th). Call 402-441-4895 or nfurman@lincoln.ne.gov.
http://www.lincoln.ne.gov/
Spring Warbler Migration
May
Woodlands, especially Missouri Valley
Late April through May is the best time to see migrating warblers in Nebraska. The Missouri Valley ecological region is the best area for viewing warblers, but wooded zones along the Platte and Niobrara are also good. Visitors to western sites like the Pine Ridge (NW corner of state) may see warblers not found in the east. Fontennelle Forest Nature Association in Bellevue (just south of Omaha) is one of the most popular sites for spring warbler viewing. Fourteen warbler species may be seen in wooded areas statewide, increasing to 30 or more in eastern Nebraska.
District 3 Birding Day
May 8 6:30 and 9:00 a.m.
Oak Valley and Yellowbanks Wildlife Management Areas, west of Norfolk
Enjoy a day of birding and wildlife watching, contribute to valuable research, and visit with area biologists during the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission's District III Birding Day. This event is part of the Commission's annual series that allows the public, Commission staff and agency partners to mingle and enjoy the outdoors and Nebraska's avian wildlife. Experienced guides will provide tips and help identify birds. Participants also will be contributing to the Nebraska Breeding Bird Atlas Project, which is an effort to document the breeding bird species across the state. Participants will meet at Oak Valley WMA and divide into groups to cover the area. Early birders will meet at 6:30 a.m., later birders around 9:00 a.m. Come prepared to hike off-trail, prepared for weather, rough terrain and the possibility of poison ivy and biting insects. For more information and to RSVP, please contact Jeff Borchers: jeff.borchers@ngpc.ne.gov.
Spring Creek Prairie Prairie Walk and Birdathon
Saturday May 10 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center, Denton
Join Director Marian Langan and Education Coordinator Deb Hauswald for a beautiful morning stroll at Spring Creek Prairie from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Participants will take in the sights and sounds of spring on the prairie, listening for meadowlarks and seeking out the early spring wildflowers. Meet at the new education building.
Early birders are invited to join the 8a.m. group led by biologist Kevin Poague. The focus for the trip will be finding some of the more elusive prairie birds, such as Henslow's and LeConte's sparrows. Participants can choose to stay with the birders or go back to the building at 9:00 and take part in the prairie walk. May 10 is the first day of Wachiska's Birdathon, so sightings will count toward the overall Birdathon total. For directions, check www.springcreekprairie.org or call Deb at 797-2301.
www.nebraska.audubon.org
Sandhills Birding Day
May 20 7:00 a.m.
Nebraska National Forest, Bessey District, Halsey
Enjoy a day of birding, contribute to valuable research, and visit with area biologists during the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission's District 2 Birding Day. This event is part of the Commission's annual series that allows the public, Commission staff and agency partners to mingle and enjoy the outdoors and Nebraska's avian wildlife. Great opportunities for coniferous forest birds(owls, chickadees, Red Crossbills…) in the Sandhills. Nesting species include six warblers and three vireos.
Meet at 7:00 in the 4-H campground, light breakfast provided. We'll hike the 3-mile trail to the tower, then visit a fuels reduction site. BBQ afterward. Please RSVP to Bill Vodehnal: (402) 684-2921
Experienced birders will help ID birds and collect data for the Nebraska Breeding Bird Atlas Project & the Nebraska Natural Heritage Program. Come prepared to hike off-trail, ready for weather, rough terrain and the possibility of poison ivy and biting insects.
Southeast Birding Day - Saline Wetlands
May 28 6:30 & 9:00 a.m.
Shoemaker Marsh, Lincoln
Enjoy a day of birding, contribute to valuable research, and visit with area biologists during NGPC's District 5 Birding Day. The Saline Wetland Conservation Partnership recently received the Outstanding Bird Conservation Award from the Nebraska Partnership for All-Bird Conservation in recognition of the successful restoration of this and other saline wetlands. See the results and avian response! Experienced guides will help identify birds. Participants also will be contributing to the Nebraska Breeding Bird Atlas, an effort to document the breeding bird species across the state.
Groups will leave from the Shoemaker Marsh parking lot in Lincoln, just north of Arbor Rd on 27th St (north of I-80). We'll divide into groups to cover Shoemaker Marsh, Arbor Lake WMA & Little Salt WMA. Event will conclude with brief presentations and lunch, provided for a small contribution, or feel free to bring your own.
Please RSVP to Kelly Rezac (402-471-5631).
Bald Eagle Viewing
Summer
Riparian Areas
The Bald Eagle has recently been removed from the Endangered Species Act! The linked article contains information on how and where to view nesting Bald Eagles without disturbing them.
http://www.nebraskabirds.org/Library/Issues/Bald%20Eagle%20Viewing.pdf
Central Platte Birding & Paddling Day
Monday June 2 6:45 a.m.
Bluehole Wildlife Management Area, west of Kearney
Birdwatchers of all levels are invited to enjoy a morning of birding and paddling the central Platte River. Participants will contribute to the Nebraska Breeding Bird Atlas and meet NGPC biologists.
Birders will meet at Blue Hole Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Buffalo County at 6:45 a.m. Blue Hole WMA is located south of Elm Creeks I-80 interchange, on the west side of U.S. Highway 183. From Blue Hole we'll carpool west to the Interstate 80 interchange at Overton, where the float trip will begin. A stop along the route will include birding by foot, before finishing up the float trip to Blue Hole WMA, where lunch will be provided for a small fee. Come prepared to hike off-trail, ready for weather, rough terrain and the possibility of poison ivy and biting insects.
To ensure the proper amount of food and number of canoes, participants must contact the Commissions Laurel Badura at (308) 865-5308 no later than May 28.
Southwest Birding Day
Tuesday June 3 7:00 a.m.
North River and Muskrat Run Wildlife Management Areas, west of North Platte
A day of birding and research along the North Platte River is scheduled for June 3 at the Nebraska Game and Parks Commissions Southwest District Birding Day. The public is invited. The goal is to identify bird species as well as other wildlife, plants and insects. Research also will contribute to the Nebraska Breeding Bird Atlas Project.
Birders will meet at North River Wildlife Management Area (WMA), along the river north of Hershey in Lincoln County at 7 a.m. The group later will move downstream to Muskrat Run WMA. Participants should bring binoculars, field guides, lunch, and any other appropriate gear for birding in these habitats. Camping is available at either WMA.
Interested birders must contact the Commissions T.J. Walker by May 30 at (308) 535- 8025 or thomas.walker@ngpc.ne.gov.
Northwest Birding Day - Pine Ridge
Wednesday June 4 7:30 and 8:30 a.m.
Pondersa Wildlife Management Area, Crawford
Join us for our annual District 1 Birding Day. Meet at the Ponderosa headquarters at 7:30 or 8:30AM to break into groups for birding. Bring binoculars and bird guides, or we will have some of each on hand for you to use!
Stick around for lunch at noon…… we will be having burgers and/or brats. If you are staying for lunch, we request that you bring a side or dessert and a small donation to help pay for the meat, and please RSVP so we have an idea how much food to bring. Plates, silverware and cups will be provided.
If you have any questions about birding day, need directions to the Ponderosa WMA or need to RSVP for lunch, please call Shelley Stoley, NGPC Wildlife Biologist at the Upper Niobrara-White NRD. The number is 308.432.6190.
Nebraska Rivers presentation by Dr. Paul Johnsgard
June 12, 2008 7:00 p.m.
Room 03 of Union College's Dick Administration Building, 3800 South 48th Street in Lincoln
Join Wachiska Audubon for a presentation by Dr. Paul Johnsgard, who will discuss the Republican, Platte, and Niobrara rivers, their ecologies, wildlife, and conservation issues. This will be a great opportunity to ask specific questions about Nebraska rivers and wildlife.
Both of Dr. Johnsgardl's newest books, released in May, will be available for sale and signing. One book discusses the Platte River. Another entitled "Wind Through the Buffalo Grass: a Lakota Story Cycle" is a narrative history of the Pine Ridge Lakota tribe of South Dakota, following its history from 1850 to the present day, told through actual historical events and the stories of four fictional Lakota children. The ecology of the Pine Ridge region, especially its mammalian and avian wildlife, is woven into the stories of the children."
Refreshments will be served following the program.
Dedication of Fletcher's Prairie
Wed July 2 7:00 p.m.
1900 South 105th Street, Lincoln
Join Wachiska Audubon for the dedication of Peg and Larry Fletcher's reconstructed prairie east of Lincoln along the MoPac Trail. City of Lincoln representatives including Mayor Beutler will be present. The 20 acres of restored prairie has been reseeded over 5 years and was burned this spring, so it should be at its finest for this ceremony. The prairie site is immediately adjacent to and on the south side of the MoPac Trail. To get there, take "A" Street east out of Lincoln to the intersection of 105th and "A" streets. Turn south (right) on 105th Street and travel across the MoPac Trail to the Fletcher's house. Watch for signs on the road. Parking is available at the MoPac trailhead in Walton which is 3/4 mile from the dedication site. The equestrian trail parking lot on the southwest corner of 98th and "A" streets is just 1/2 mile from the prairie.
Wachiska's signature lead plant tea will be served along with lemonade and homemade sweets.
www.wachiskaaudubon.org
Wachiska Audubon Picnic & Stargazing
Thursday July 10 6:30 p.m.
Holmes Lake by Hyde Observatory, Lincoln
Join Wachiska Audubon for a potluck picnic, guided walk and stargazing. Bring your favorite dish to share and table service. Cold drinks provided.
After dinner, the Population/Environment Committee will present its latest Lyman Award to Lincoln's Parks and Recreation Department (Director Lynn Johnson). Afterward, Lynn will lead a walk around Holmes Lake, pointing out the improvements made recently during the dredging project. This leisurely walk should take about an hour. Those preferring not to walk can remain at the picnic site where Ernie Rousek will discuss Wachiska's prairie project.
At 9pm, we'll gather inside Hyde Observatory where Jack Dunn, director of UNL's planetarium, will present a short program on stars and space. If the skies are clear that night, the roof of the observatory will be opened to use the telescopes. No RSVP required.
http://www.hydeobservatory.info/directions.html
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