Lancaster County: Lincoln. This is the oldest of Lincoln's city parks, and one of the largest. It has a few small ponds, and some native prairie, but is mostly planted to pines and other conifers. These wooded habitats support great horned owls (year-around) and long-eared owls (in winter), red-tailed and sharp-shinned hawks, and many passerines. A nature trail extends out into restored and native prairie and brushland, and through riparian wooded habitats along a branch of Salt Creek, where wood ducks are common. The Chet Ager Nature Center offers views of wintering songbirds (such as Harris' sparrows) that gather near feeders, and looks out over a pond that attracts waterfowl. The Praire Nature Center is surrounded by 40 acres of restored prairie. A checklist for the park lists 237 birds. Located off West Van Dorn and Coddington Ave.

Pioneers Park - Photo Copyright Paul Johnsgard

Pioneers Park Prairie   Photo by Paul A. Johnsgard  

Pioneers Park Geese  Photo by Paul A. Johnsgard