Saturday, 10 July 2021.

Bob & Phyllis N., Rex & Maria R., Bill & Dotty Z., Kevin & Marla K., John & Sharon P., Chuck J., Donna P., Debbie L., Randy W., Dawn S., Jon N., Leesa M., Anne S., Jan N., and Jerry V. participated in our July outing. It was great to have Kevin as a 1^st time participant and to see Marla and Debbie join us again!

Our outing started under overcast, moved to light mist, heavy mist, rain and included some thunder rumblings. Randy Williams, new members Marla and Kevin Kerr, Chuck Johnson and Donna Popp, John & Sharon Polifka, and Rex & Maria Rundquist started from Sioux City and met Bill & Dotty Zales and Deb Lewison at O’Brien Prairie, east of Hinton, IA, in Plymouth County.

O’Brien Prairie is a small patch of original tallgrass prairie. Bill Z. explained the differences based on soil type and plant species present and contrasted this prairie with the prairie we later observed in the Loess Hills of Broken Kettle Grasslands; few miles between the two but significant differences in soil and flora.

We explored the tallgrass until about 9:00 AM when the mist began and we needed to head west to the Loess Hills and Bill and Dotty’s home where we would meet other Loess Hills Audubon members and guests and reevaluate the weather conditions.

Those waiting for the O’Brien Prairie crew to arrive were busy finding bird species at various areas of the beautiful Broken Kettle Grasslands before joining together for more prairie exploration and birding. We were blessed with reasonable weather until about 11:15 when heavier rain told us it was time to head for the Zale’s guest house for shelter and lunch. The rain let up enough for a little exploring of the Zale’s homestead and taking group pictures before enjoying a delicious lunch featuring Dotty’s ham and cheese sliders complemented with other snacks, drinks, and desserts provided by others.

Highlights included 38 plant species found at O’Brien Prairie and 54 species of birds found throughout the day. A good sized herd of Bison was visible on a distant hillside as we explored the prairie at the Aalfs Prairie Preserve sight and the whole herd took off running down the hill as we left the site. Bird highlights included Upland Sandpiper, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Blue Grosbeak, Belted Kingfisher, Great-crested Flycatcher, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Grasshopper Sparrow, and 2 broods of a dozen each of Wild Turkeys scurrying through a recently baled field. It was a great day enjoying the beauty of our local prairies and the bird species that use them and the surrounding areas. Thanks to all who participated, especially our first time participant Kevin and many thanks also to the Zales for hosting us for a great lunch at their beautiful home on the prairie.

The Bird and Plant species lists are included below.

7-10-2021 Birds—O’Brien Prairie, Broken Kettle Grasslands  and related areas outing--54 species. Highlights in red.

Canada Goose

Ring-necked Pheasant

Wild Turkey

Great Blue Heron

Turkey Vulture

Red-tailed Hawk

Killdeer

Upland Sandpiper

Rock Pigeon

Eurasian Collared-dove

Mourning Dove

Yellow-billed Cuckoo

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Belted Kingfisher

Red-headed Woodpecker

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

American Kestrel

Eastern Wood-pewee

Eastern Phoebe

Great Crested Flycatcher

Eastern Kingbird

Blue Jay

American Crow

Tree Swallow

Cliff Swallow

Barn Swallow

Black-capped Chickadee

House Wren

Eastern Bluebird

American Robin

Gray Catbird

European Starling

Cedar Waxwing

Common Yellowthroat

Eastern Towhee

Chipping Sparrow

Field Sparrow

Lark Sparrow

Grasshopper Sparrow

Northern Cardinal

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Blue Grosbeak

Dickcissel

Red-winged Blackbird

Eastern Meadowlark

Western Meadowlark

Common Grackle

Brown-headed Cowbird

Orchard Oriole

Baltimore Oriole

House Finch

American Goldfinch

House Sparrow

7-10-2021 Plant Species—O’Brien Prairie,--38 species.

Plant order alphabetical by family (38 species)

Smooth scouring-rush

Poison ivy

Golden alexanders 

Common milkweed

Butterfly weed

Giant ragweed

White sage

Tall thistle 

Tickseed, Prairie coreopsis

Ox-eye

Blazing star

Gray-headed coneflower 

Cup plant

Field goldenrod

Stiff goldenrod

Yarrow

False gromwell 

Elderberry

Lead plant

Milk vetch

Round-headed bush clover

Prairie turnip

Wild bergamot

Wild four-o’clock

Flowering spurge

Prairie phlox

Fringed loosestrife

Windflower

New Jersey Tea

Prairie cinquefoil

Meadow rose

Black raspberry

Rue anemone

Scribner’s panic grass

Canada wild rye

Cord grass

Porcupine grass

Poison hemlock

Saturday, 5 June 2021.

9 Birders, including one first time participant participated in our June outing. It was a warm morning as we met at the Missouri River boat launch in Sioux City’s Chris Larsen Park at 7am. We were welcomed by a colony of Bank Swallows across the river and zooming Chimney swifts overhead. The forecast was for temps in the ninety’s but we decided to stay with the original plan to visit and explore a new area at Oak Grove State Park/Big Sioux County Park in Sioux County. The 433 acre park includes a Nature Center, picnic shelters, campground and restrooms.

We explored and birded several areas of the park and made a pit stop at their impressive two year old nature center. We recorded a total of 52 species for the day. Highlights included views of a pair of Blue-gray Gnatcatchers zooming around in the trees above us, an Eastern Towhee singing ‘Drink Your Tea’, a ‘Weeping’ Great Crested Flycatcher and Brown Thrasher, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, and American Redstart. The highlight of the day was seeing a singing Northern Parula. After a morning of birding we enjoyed a picnic lunch in one of their open shelters where a good breeze helped keep us cool. Thanks to all who participated, especially our first time participant!

6-5-2021 Birds—Oak Grove State Park/Big Sioux County Park and related areas outing--52 species. Highlights in red.

Canada Goose

Wood Duck

Ring-necked Pheasant

Turkey Vulture

Red-tailed Hawk

Killdeer

Eurasian Collared-Dove

Mourning Dove

Cuckoo Species (Heard Only)

Chimney Swift

Red-headed Woodpecker

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Downy Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Eastern Wood-pewee

Eastern Phoebe

Great Crested Flycatcher

Eastern Kingbird

Yellow-throated Vireo

Warbling Vireo

Red-eyed Vireo

Blue Jay

Bank Swallow

Barn Swallow

White-breasted Nuthatch

House Wren

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Eastern Bluebird

American Robin

Gray Catbird

Brown Thrasher

European Starling

Cedar Waxwing

American Redstart

Northern Parula

Yellow Warbler

Eastern Towhee

Chipping Sparrow

Field Sparrow

Lark Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Northern Cardinal

Dickcissel

Red-winged Blackbird

Western Meadowlark

Common Grackle                          

Brown-headed Cowbird

Baltimore Oriole

House Finch

American Goldfinch

House Sparrow

Saturday, 10 April 2021.

16 Birders, including one first time participant, participated in our April outing.

It was a cool, cloudy, breezy morning at 46 degrees but made it to the mid 50’s later in the day. Stops included Brower’s Lake, New Lake, Brown’s Lake, Snyder’s Bend, Sandhill Lake, Badger Lake, Owego Wetlands, the ‘Square’, and related areas.

Some of the surprises included 3 Cattle Egrets foraging near the parking lot as we left Snyder’s Bend (plus 1 more lone individual spotted at Owego later in the day), 18 Great Egrets at Badger Lake, and perhaps the highlight of the day was a lone Black-crowned Night-heron posing in the cattails at the ‘Square’. We recorded a total of 63 species for the day. Other highlights included Great-tailed Grackle, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Spotted Towhee, an Osprey on nest south of Sloan, and a pair of Trumpeter Swans spotted by one couple on their way to lunch. Thanks to all who participated, especially our first time participant!

4-10-2021 Birds— Brower’s L., New L., Brown’s L., Snyder’s Bend, Sandhill L., Badger L., Owego, The Square, and related areas outing--63 species. Highlights in red.

Snow Goose

Canada Goose

Trumpeter Swan

Wood Duck

Gadwall

American Wigeon

Mallard

Blue-winged Teal

Northern Shoveler

Nothern Pintail

Green-winged Teal

Redhead

Lesser Scaup

Bufflehead

Hooded Merganser

Ruddy Duck

Ring-necked Pheasant

Wild Turkey

Pied-billed Grebe

Double-crested Cormorant

American White Pelican

Great Blue Heron

Great Egret

Cattle Egret

Black-crowned Night-heron

Turkey Vulture

Osprey

Bald Eagle

Northern Harrier

Swainson’s Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk

American Coot

Killdeer

Spotted Sandpiper

Greater Yellowlegs

Lesser Yellowlegs

Least Sandpiper

Ring-billed Gull

Rock Pigeon

Eurasian Collared-dove

Mourning Dove

Northern Flicker

American Kestrel

Blue Jay

American Crow

Tree Swallow

White-breasted Nuthatch

American Robin

European Starling

Cedar Waxwing

Spotted Towhee

Chipping Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Northern Cardinal

Red-winged Blackbird

Eastern Meadowlark

Western Meadowlark

Yellow-headed Blackbird

Common Grackle                          

Great-tailed Grackle

Brown-headed Cowbird

American Goldfinch

House Sparrow

Saturday, 13 March 2021.

13 Birders, including one first time participant, participated in our March outing. Our plan was to take advantage of the spring waterfowl migration that started in early March. Goals were to see numerous species of Ducks and Geese plus additional water birds such as grebes, gulls, coots and waders. Thousands of Geese had been migrating through our area and using the many oxbows south of Sioux City so that was our destination.

Our first stops included Brower’s Lake, New Lake, Brown’s Lake, Snyder’s Bend and Sandhill Lake where most of the waterfowl had already decided to head north, but there were a large number of Bald Eagles still present at Snyder’s. So we decided to head further south to Badger Lake where we were rewarded with thousands of Greater White-fronted and Snow Geese. Numbers also included Canada, Cackling, and Ross’s Geese. Numerous Bald Eagles were also found here including one on a large nest.

We recorded a total of 56 species for the day. Highlights included over 120 Bald Eagles, 21 species of waterfowl (which included 5 species of Geese), American White Pelican, Pied-billed Grebe, Great Blue Heron, Cooper’s Hawk, and 3 Trumpeter Swans found by one party at Blue Lake. Thanks to all who participated, especially our first time participant!

3-13-2021 Birds—Brower’s L., New L., Brown’s L., Snyder’s Bend, Badger L. and related areas etc.(List includes species from Blue Lake, Owego, Kramper Lake reported by birders on way home from outing)--56 species. Highlights in red.

Greater White-fronted Goose

Snow Goose

Ross’s Goose

Cackling Goose

Canada Goose

Trumpeter Swan

Wood Duck

Gadwall

American Wigeon

Mallard

Northern Shoveler

Northern Pintail

Green-winged Teal

Canvasback

Redhead

Ring-necked Duck

Lesser Scaup

Bufflehead

Hooded Merganser

Common Merganser

Ruddy Duck

Ring-necked Pheasant

Wild Turkey

Pied-billed Grebe

American White Pelican

Great Blue Heron

Turkey Vulture

Bald Eagle

Northern Harrier

Cooper’s Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk

American Coot

Killdeer

Ring-billed Gull

Rock Pigeon

Eurasian Collared-dove

Mourning Dove

Downy Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

American Kestrel

Blue Jay

American Crow

Horned Lark

Black-capped Chickadee

White-breasted Nuthatch

American Robin

European Starling

American Tree Sparrow

Harris’s Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Northern Cardinal

Red-winged Blackbird

Western Meadowlark

Common Grackle

Brown-headed Cowbird

House Sparrow

LHAS February Outing          Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021

Twenty Chapter members counted birds during our February outing for National Audubon’s Great Backyard Bird Count. In all, over 16 sites in four states were surveyed and found to contain 101 species and over 3500 individuals…..WHAT???? 101 species??? 4 states ???

Maybe here I should explain that while 19 members searched high and low for scarce or huddled birds in sub-zero weather, the 20^th counted 61 species in 60 degree weather in AZ. But more about this fair weather birder later.

Highlights of the sub-zero effort included two uncommon dark-phase Red-tailed Hawks and the rare Pink-sided form of Dark-eyed Junco. Other less common or unseasonal species found were Brown Creeper, Lapland Longspur, 2 flocks of Rusty Blackbirds, Brown-headed Cowbird and Spotted Towhee. However, the count’s biggest surprise was a single White-winged Crossbill at a local feeder. After waiting nearly an entire winter for this species, which had been reported widely in small numbers across the region this season, we had our first crossbill of the winter.

Our list from IA, NE & SD:

Canada Goose             204      Red-bellied Woodpecker        17        House Sparrow            321

Common Goldeneye   9          Downy Woodpecker                40        House Finch                 54

Ring-necked Pheasant  48      Hairy Woodpecker                  13        Purple Finch                7

Wild Turkey                 3          N. Flicker, yellow-shafted       3          White-winged Crossbill  1

Rock Pigeon                145      Blue Jay                                   28        Pine Siskin                   40

E. Collared Dove         13        Am. Crow                                25        Am. Goldfinch             157

Mourning Dove           13        Black-capped Chickadee         37        Lapland Longspur      1

Bald Eagle                   15        Horned Lark                            932      Am. Tree Sparrow       219

Cooper’s Hawk            2          Red-breasted Nuthatch           9          Dark-eyed Junco         282

Red-tailed Hawk        3          White-breasted Nuthatch       31        Spotted Towhee        1

   Dark phase  2                      Brown Creeper                      1          W. Meadowlark          22

Rough-legged Hawk    11        European Starling                   392      Red-winged Blackbird 200

Great Horned Owl      3          Eastern Bluebird                     2          Rusty Blackbird          30

                                                                                                            Brown-headed Cowbird  1

Local Totals:  40 species, 3419 individuals                                       N. Cardinal                  70

Now, that brings us back our itinerant birder, Paul Roisen, who forwarded his list from Arizona.

Totaling 61 species, his report included some of our summer residents plus the following not to be seen in our area at any season:  Inca Dove, Gambel’s Quail, Neotropical Cormorant, Brown Pelican, Common Gallinule, Anna’s and Costa’s Hummingbirds, Monk Parakeet, Harris’s Hawk, Greater Roadrunner, Gilded Flicker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Vermillion Flycatcher, Phainopepla, Curve-billed Thrasher, Verdin, Lesser Goldfinch and Abert’s Towhee. A few lifers for some of us there!

All in all, the Count went well with very good participation, tolerable temperatures and over 3400 cooperative birds. However, data submission was a bit problematic with all data going to eBird. They did allow for individuals and groups with a leader, but did not allow, as far as I could determine, for a single compiler submitting for several groups at several different locations. So, I was not able to submit for others, as I had planned. Therefore, I urge each of you to set up an eBird account for such occasions when you are birding on your own or seeing birds the rest of us are not. I assure you it is quite painless to set up an account. In fact, an upcoming Chapter program is planned to show you the power and fun of eBird. Go to eBird.org to get started.

Bill Huser

LHAC Outings Coordinator

Saturday, 14 November 2020.

14 Birders participated in our November outing. Our objective was finding the waterfowl, gulls, grebes and loons that often frequent Lewis & Clark Lake at Gavin's Point Dam near Yankton, SD. It was a nice November day with cloudy skies, temps in the 30’s and a light breeze. The pullouts on the dam gave us some great views of some good birds and some other good species were found in the area and while traveling. Highlights included White-winged Scoter, Surf Scoter, Western Grebe, Eared Grebe, Horned Grebe, Common Loon, Greater Scaup, Belted Kingfisher, Ross’s Goose, American Kestrel, and Rough-legged Hawk. The White-winged Scoter was a life bird for some of the birders. We recorded a total of 55 species for the day which included some species found at participant’s feeders. Thanks to all who participated!

11-14-2020 Birds—Lewis & Clark Lake at Gavin's Point Dam near Yankton, SD. and related areas Etc. Outing—55 species. Highlights in red.

Greater White-fronted Goose

Snow Goose

Ross’s Goose

Canada Goose

Wood Duck

Gadwall

American Wigeon

Mallard

Northern Pintail

Canvasback

Redhead

Ring-necked Duck

Greater Scaup

Lesser Scaup

Surf Scoter

White-winged Scoter

Bufflehead

Common Goldeneye

Common Merganser

Ruddy Duck

Wild Turkey

Common Loon

Pied-billed Grebe

Horned Grebe

Eared Grebe

Western Grebe

Bald Eagle

Red-tailed Hawk

Rough-legged Hawk

American Coot

Bonaparte’s Gull

Ring-billed Gull

Rock Pigeon

Eurasian Collared-dove

Mourning Dove

Belted Kingfisher

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

Hairy Woodpecker

American Kestrel

Blue Jay

American Crow

Black-capped Chickadee

White-breasted Nuthatch

Kinglet Species

Eastern Bluebird

European Starling

White-throated Sparrow

Harris’s Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Northern Cardinal

Red-winged Blackbird

Western Meadowlark

House Finch

House Sparrow

Saturday, 10 October 2020.

9 Birders participated in our October outing. The group decided to search for migrating Shorebirds and Sparrows. It was a nice morning as our group headed for our first destination at New Lake where we found lots of shorebirds and other species. We made additional stops at Brown’s Lake, Sandhill Lake, and Owego Wetlands. We recorded a total of 44 species for the day. Highlights included Black-bellied Plover, Greater White-fronted Goose, Le Conte’s Sparrow, American Golden-Plover and Wilson’s Snipe. Thanks to all who participated!

10-10-2020 Birds—New Lake, Brown’s Lake, Sandhill L., Owego Wetlands, and related areas Etc. Outing—44 species. Highlights in red.

Greater White-fronted Goose

Canada Goose

Wood Duck

Mallard

Blue-winged Teal

Northern Shoveler

Northern Pintail

Green-winged Teal

Ring-necked Pheasant

Pied-billed Grebe

Double-crested Cormorant

American White Pelican

Great Blue Heron

Great Egret

Bald Eagle

Northern Harrier

Cooper’s Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk

Black-bellied Plover

American Golden-Plover

Killdeer

Lesser Yellowlegs

Stilt Sandpiper

Least Sandpiper

Pectoral Sandpiper

Dowitcher species

Wilson’s Snipe

American Kestrel

Blue Jay

Tree Swallow

Hermit Thrush

American Robin

European Starling

Cedar Waxwing

Chipping Sparrow

Savannah Sparrow

Le Conte’s Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Lincoln’s Sparrow

Northern Cardinal

Red-winged Blackbird

Western Meadowlark

American Goldfinch

House Sparrow

Saturday, 19 September 2020.

9 Birders participated in our September outing. The sun was coming up as we gathered for our trip and it was a cool, windy morning with clear skies and temperatures in the 50’s. Our first stop was at New Lake where we found a good variety of shorebirds including numerous Stilt Sandpipers. Several Great Blue Herons were wading in the shallow waters and small flocks of American White Pelicans glided in. Two Bald Eagles flew in and perched near the top of a large half-dead Cottonwood. We made additional stops at Brown’s Lake, Sandhill Lake, the ‘Square’, and Owego Wetlands. The best surprise of the morning was an immature Yellow-crowned Night-Heron found in the ditch at the north side of the ‘Square’.

We recorded a total of 41 species for the day. Other highlights included Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Peregrine Falcon, and Swainson’s Hawks. Most of the group enjoyed lunch at the Subway in Sloan before calling it a day. Thanks to all who participated!

9-19-2020 Birds—New Lake, Brown’s Lake, Sandhill L., the ‘Square’, Owego Wetlands, and related areas Etc. Outing—41 species. Highlights in red.

Canada Goose

Wood Duck

Mallard

Blue-winged Teal

Ring-necked Pheasant

American White Pelican

Great Blue Heron

Great Egret

Yellow-crowned Night-Heron

Turkey Vulture

Bald Eagle

Northern Harrier

Swainson’s Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk

Killdeer

Lesser Yellowlegs

Stilt Sandpiper

Sanderling

Least Sandpiper

Buff-breasted Sandpiper

Pectoral Sandpiper

Semipalmated Sandpiper

Dowitcher Species

Ring-billed Gull

Rock Pigeon

Eurasian Collared-dove

Mourning Dove

American Kestrel

Peregrine Falcon

Eastern Phoebe

Blue Jay

Tree Swallow

Barn Swallow

American Robin

European Starling

Lark Sparrow

Savannah Sparrow

Red-winged Blackbird

Yellow-headed Blackbird

American Goldfinch

House Sparrow

Saturday, 15 August 2020.

13 Birders participated in our August outing. It was a beautiful morning with clear skies, temps. in the low 60’s with calm conditions. We found a good variety of birds with stops at Dairy Ponds South, The Square and Owego. Song Sparrows, Sedge Wrens, and Blue Grosbeaks were singing for us at the Square and a variety of shorebirds were working the mud flats. Numerous Great Blue Herons flew up and some of them landed and perched at the top of the big hi-lines. They blended right in to the poles and were hard to pick out. Most of the large area of grasslands there had been baled into hundreds of big round bales and many of them had Turkey Vultures perched on them. A passing farmer stopped to say hi and explained that the area was being baled because it had been designated as a drought area. 3 Upland Sandpipers were also seen there. A Yellow-billed Cuckoo and Bell’s Vireo were heard at Owego.

We recorded a total of 55 species for the day. Some of the group enjoyed lunch at the Subway in Sloan before calling it a day. It was nice to be on an outing again with fellow birders. We drove separate cars and social distanced as much as possible and face masks were used at times also. Thanks to all who participated!

8-15-2020 Birds—Dairy Ponds South, The Square, and Owego areas Etc. Outing—55 species. Highlights in red.

Canada Goose

Wood Duck

Blue-winged Teal

Ring-necked Pheasant

Double-crested Cormorant

American White Pelican

Great Blue Heron

Turkey Vulture

Bald Eagle

Red-tailed Hawk

American Coot

Killdeer

Spotted Sandpiper

Solitary Sandpiper

Lesser Yellowlegs

Upland Sandpiper

Stilt Sandpiper

Least Sandpiper

Pectoral Sandpiper

Semipalmated Sandpiper

Rock Pigeon

Eurasian Collared-dove

Mourning Dove

Yellow-billed Cuckoo

Red-headed Woodpecker

Red-bellied Woodpecker

American Kestrel

Eastern Kingbird

Bell’s Vireo

Warbling Vireo

American Crow

Tree Swallow

Bank Swallow

Cliff Swallow

Barn Swallow

House Wren

Sedge Wren

American Robin

Gray Catbird

European Starling

Common Yellowthroat

Field Sparrow

Lark Sparrow

Grasshopper Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Blue Grosbeak

Indigo Bunting

Dickcissel

Bobolink

Red-winged Blackbird

Western Meadowlark

Orchard Oriole

Baltimore Oriole

American Goldfinch

House Sparrow

Saturday , 18 July 2020

New Lake, Woodbury County, IA

Semi-palmated Plover, 1

Killdeer, 256

Spotted Sandpiper, 4

Solitary Sandpiper, 2

Least Sandpiper, 4

Baird's Sandpiper, 1

Semi-palmated Sandpiper, many

Lesser Yellowlegs, many

Pectoral Sandpiper, many

Stilt Sandpiper, 8

Great Egret, 1

Green Heron, 1

Great Blue Heron, 24

Bill Huser

Paul Roisen

July 19, 2020, Snyder's Bend (Woodbury County portion):

Water levels are very low, exposing large mudflats across the lake from the observation deck and along that same shore further south. This area is distant and hard to access but the birds can be closely approached by kayak.

Thousands of shorebirds are present with Killdeer ubiquitous and numbering 1000 on their own. 12 species were seen:

Semi-palmated Plover, 10

Killdeer, > 1000

SpottedSandpiper, 6

Solitary Sandpiper, 4

lesser Yellowlegs, >25

Semi-palmated Sandpiper, hundreds

Least Sandpiper, 10

Baird's Sandpiper, 3

Pectoral Sandpiper, hundreds

Stilt Sandpiper, >12

Short-billed Dowitcher, 2, plus another flight of 10(?)

Wilson's Phalarope, 1 basic male

The June outing was cancelled due to the corona virus.

The May outing was cancelled due to the corona virus.

The April outing was cancelled due to the corona virus.

The March outing was cancelled due to the corona virus.

Saturday, 15 February 2020.

Ponca State Park’s Birds and Breakfast and Great Backyard Bird Count.

Seventeen LHAS members joined approximately 20 Ponca State Park guests and staff to find and count birds for the Great Backyard Bird Count on Saturday, Feb. 15. After a hearty breakfast, the Park’s feeders were monitored and were found to be hosting 10 species. The group then boarded vans and personal vehicles to tour the habitats of the Park’s North Unit, where the Missouri River, grasslands, croplands and woodlands could be surveyed. The cold wind may have grounded many birds, but the group still added 18 species to our count. The highlights included some wintering or early migrating Harris’s and White-crowned Sparrows, two Towhees, a Wood Duck and a rare rufous morph of Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis calurus).

In all we found 28 species at the Park with a couple others seen enroute.

2-15-2020 Birds—Ponca State Park GBBC Outing—28 species.

Canada Goose- 230

Mallard- 2

Wood Duck- 1

Common Merganser- 3

Wild Turkey- 8

Bald Eagle- 4

Red-tailed Hawk- 10

Rock Pigeon- 12

Downy Woodpecker- 4

Hairy Woodpecker- 1

Red-headed Woodpecker- 2

Red-bellied Woodpecker- 2

Blue Jay- 8

American Crow

Black-capped Chickadee

White-breasted Nuthatch

Eastern Bluebird- 12

European Starling- 30

Towhee Species- 2

American Tree Sparrow- 10

Harris’ Sparrow- 3

White-crowned Sparrow- 1

Dark-eyed Junco- 2

Northern Cardinal

Meadowlark Species- 2

House Finch

American Goldfinch

House Sparrow

Saturday, 09 November 2019.

Ponca State Park and Kramper Lake

Unexpectedly nice weather was on store for the 11 members participating in our November outing to Ponca State Park and Kramper Lake. The feeders at the park were attracting 13 species of our regular winter visitors with a surprising 12 Blue Jays in attendance. A drive to and through the Park’s grasslands produced another 16 species including unexpected Ring-billed Gulls and Rusty Blackbirds. 

The sunny day warmed to 59 degrees as we surveyed the waterfowl at Kramper Lake near Hubbard, NE. There we found a Western, an Eared, 3 Horned and 9 Pied-billed Grebes along with eleven species of ducks and geese. In all we found 45 species of birds before heading to lunch at the Old Dane Golf Course Clubhouse in Dakota City. Additionally, we appreciated meeting Dave and Terri Sage and James Bailey and welcoming back Teri Dolezal.

Bill Huser, Loess Hills Audubon, 712-574-3107.

11-09-2019 Birds—Ponca State Park and Kramper Lake and related areas etc. Outing—45 species.

Canada Goose

Gadwall

Mallard

Northern Shoveler

Canvasback

Redhead

Ring-necked Duck

LesserScaup

Bufflehead

Common Goldeneye

Ruddy Duck

Wild Turkey

Horned Grebe

Eared Grebe

Western Grebe

Pied-billed Grebe

Bald Eagle

Northern Harrier

Red-tailed Hawk

American Kestrel

American Coot

Ring-billed Gull

Rock Pigeon

Eurasian Collared-dove

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

Hairy Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Blue Jay

American Crow

Black-capped Chickadee

White-breasted Nuthatch

Eastern Bluebird

American Robin

European Starling

American Tree Sparrow

Harris’ Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Northern Cardinal

Red-winged Blackbird

Western Meadowlark

Rusty Blackbird

House Finch

American Goldfinch

House Sparrow

Saturday, 05 October 2019.

7 Birders participated in our October outing. It was a calm, damp morning with some light rain and a temperature of 55 degrees. The rain came to an end and we found some good birds at Graceland Cemetery including Red Crossbill, White-winged Crossbill, Pine Siskin, Yellow-rumped Warbler and a fly by Cooper’s Hawk. We made other stops at New Lake, Snyder’s Bend, Southwood Conservation Area and related areas. Most of the people had to leave early due to other commitments so we skipped lunch and some birded on the way home.

We recorded a total of 54 species for the day. Other highlights included: American Kestrel, Eastern Phoebe, Eastern Bluebird, and Northern Harrier. Thanks to all who participated.

10-05-2019 Birds—Graceland Cemetery, New Lake, Snyder’s Bend, Southwood Conservation Area, and related areas etc. Outing—54 species. Highlights in red.

Canada Goose

Wood Duck

Northern Shoveler

Pied-billed Grebe

Double-crested Cormorant

American White Pelican

Great Blue Heron

Turkey Vulture

Bald Eagle

Northern Harrier

Cooper’s Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk

American Coot

Killdeer

Rock Pigeon

Eurasian Collared-dove

Mourning Dove

Belted Kingfisher

Red-headed Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

American Kestrel

Eastern Phoebe

Blue Jay

American Crow

Tree Swallow

Barn Swallow

Black-capped Chickadee

White-breasted Nuthatch

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Eastern Bluebird

American Robin

Gray Catbird

European Starling

Cedar Waxwing

Nashville Warbler

Common Yellowthroat

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Eastern Towhee

Chipping Sparrow

Vesper Sparrow

Lark Sparrow

Savannah Sparrow

White-throated Sparrow

Red-winged Blackbird

Western Meadowlark

Common Grackle

Brown-headed Cowbird

House Finch

Red Crossbill

White-winged Crossbill

Pine Siskin

American Goldfinch

House Sparrow