SPRING FIELD REPORT, March-May 2020

• Main Author: Silcock, W. Ross
• Format: Text
• Language: unknown
• Published: DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln 2020
• Subjects: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; Ornithology; Population Biology; Poultry or Avian Science; Zoology; Canada; Lone; Phoebe; Woodcock; Gage; Iceland
• Online Access: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/nebbirdrev/1474; https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/context/nebbirdrev/article/2475/viewcontent/88_2_Silcock_spring_field_report.pdf

Although there were numerous early arrival dates, most were in the range of historically earliest expected dates; notable, however, was a lone record-early Whiterumped Sandpiper, nicely photographed. Record late by a month was a juvenile Redtailed (Harlan’s) Hawk, also confirmed by photo. Perhaps most prominent this spring were the large numbers of several species. Most eye-popping were record spring totals of 22 Glossy Ibises, 11 Yellow-bellied Flycatchers, 14 Veeries, including five in the Panhandle, 48 Gray-cheeked Thrushes, 20 Bay-breasted Warblers, not long ago a rare bird in spring, 45 Golden-winged Warblers and 27 Canada Warblers, both of which were about twice the previous best spring totals. Impressive single observer/singleday counts were the 14 Iceland (Thayer’s) Gulls, 9 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 81 Great Egrets, 200 Turkey Vultures, and 25 each of Eastern Wood-Pewees and Pygmy Nuthatches. In contrast, reports included notable absences and low numbers for Gray Partridge, one Black-billed Cuckoo, no Little Blue Heron, one report of the enigmatic Pinyon Jay, no Blue-winged Warbler, and one Cerulean Warbler. A notable phenomenon in recent years is the increasing number of spring reports for species traditionally expected mostly in fall. Prominent were reports of Surf and White-winged Scoters, the 12th-16th Broad-tailed Hummingbirds at two notable Panhandle feeder operations in Dawes and Scotts Bluff Cos, 7th Red-naped Sapsucker, and 7th and 8th Hammond’s Flycatcher. Nesting reports of significance were the 7th for White-winged Dove, a rangeextending American Woodcock nesting at Calamus Reservoir in Garfield Co, and another successful brood of Northern Saw-whet Owls in the Wildcat Hills of Scotts Bluff Co. Distributional sightings of interest were northerly Pileated Woodpecker, westerly Broad-winged Hawk, Barred Owl, White-eyed Vireo, and Mourning Warbler, and easterly Say’s Phoebe, Lesser Goldfinch, Yellow-breasted Chat, Bullock’s Oriole, and 11 Lazuli Buntings. Perhaps only of interest to Piping ...