1986: A Nebraska Big Year

• Main Author: Brogie, Mark A.
• Format: Text
• Language: unknown
• Published: DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln 1989
• Subjects: Ornithology; Poultry or Avian Science; Zoology; Finch; King Eider; Red Phalarope
• Online Access: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/nebbirdrev/1190; https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/context/nebbirdrev/article/2190/viewcontent/Nebraska_Bird_Review_57_3_Sep_1989_Big_Year_REV.pdf

In January of 1986 my brother, Ed M. Brogie, and I were tallying our lists for Nebraska when the question arose: "How many species of birds do you think one could see in Nebraska in one year?" The previous year (1985) had been the first year we had made a serious attempt at seeing western Nebraska species and chasing rarities in the state. Our efforts had yielded such birds as Bean Goose, Green-tailed Towhee, Black-necked Stilt, Red Phalarope, Lewis' Woodpecker, Sprague's Pipit, Cassin's Finch, Cassin's Kingbird, and King Eider. When 1985 ended, my Nebraska life list stood at 290 and I had seen 237 species in the state for the year, without any real attempt to see migrant songbirds. . . . In summary, I found all of the 197 birds I had given a Code 1, and 53 of the 54 Code 2 species (missed Hermit Thrush). Of the 40 birds I had given a Code 3 I had found 26. Included in my total were 12 Code 4 birds and 3 Code 5 species. Each species counted in the total had at least one witness or was documented with a photograph. . . . All in all, 1986 was a great year for birding and I had a fun time playing the game. One always thinks about the species he missed, but I know I'll remember for life some that I found. It was a year I learned a great deal about the birds of Nebraska, and about Nebraska as a whole. Perhaps the best part of birding in 1986 was making new acquaintances, spending time with old friends, and just sharing the joys and experiences that go with the sport.