2019 Outing Highlights

Red-bellied Woodpecker at Ponca State Park - 11-09-2019 by Terri Sage

Red-bellied Woodpecker at Ponca State Park - 11-09-2019 by Terri Sage

Blue Jay at Ponca State Park - 11-09-2019 by Terri Sag

Blue Jay at Ponca State Park - 11-09-2019 by Terri Sag

 

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

 

Graceland Cemetery LHAS Outing 10-5-2019

Graceland Cemetery LHAS Outing 10-5-2019

American Kestrel checking street sings - 10-5-2019 by Terri Sage

American Kestrel checking street sings - 10-5-2019 by Terri Sage

 

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 underlined

  • 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

 

Common Yellowthroats were seen at Brown's Lake - 9-07-2019 by Paul Roisen

Common Yellowthroats were seen at Brown's Lake - 9-07-2019 by Paul Roisen

2 Belted Kingfishers were seen at Brown's Lake - 9-07-2019 by Paul Roisen

2 Belted Kingfishers were seen at Brown's Lake - 9-07-2019 by Paul Roisen

 

Saturday, 7 September 2019.

9 birders participated in our September outing. It was a mostly cloudy morning with a temperature of 65 and a light breeze and temps held fairly steady through the morning. Light rain began to fall around 11:00. Our first stop was at Brown’s Lake where we searched the woods for Warblers but it was fairly quiet until we found a nice pocket of birds near the dock. They were hard to see but we did locate a few Warblers and Vireos among the group. Two Belted Kingfishers also entertained us on the lake shore. Our next stop was Sandhill Lake where we found the 3 American Avocets that had been present there the previous day.

Light rain put a damper on our birding at our next stop at Owego wetlands. We located a few more species before one car headed for home, a 2nd car made stops at ‘the Square’ and both dairy ponds while the 3rd car decided on lunch at the Crossroads Pub in Smithland. It was quiet at the Pub as we began our lunch but then about 25 motorcycles with wet riders showed up. They were enjoying their day too. We recorded a total of 58 species for the day. Other highlights included: Common Yellowthroat, Black & White Warbler, Wilson’s Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Blue-headed Vireo, and Marsh Wren. Thanks to all who participated.

 

9-07-2019 Birds—Brown’s Lake, Sandhill Lake, Owego Wetlands, the ‘Square’, Dairy Ponds south and north and related areas etc. Outing—58 species.

highlights underlined

  • Snow Goose

  • Canada Goose

  • Wood Duck

  • Mallard

  • Northern Shoveler

  • Ruddy Duck

  • Ring-necked Pheasant

  • Pied-billed Grebe

  • Great Blue Heron

  • Turkey Vulture

  • Northern Harrier

  • Cooper’s Hawk

  • Red-tailed Hawk

  • American Avocet

  • Killdeer

  • Spotted Sandpiper

  • Rock Pigeon

  • Eurasian Collared-dove

  • Mourning Dove

  • Belted Kingfisher

  • Red-headed Woodpecker

  • Red-bellied Woodpecker

  • Downy Woodpecker

  • Northern Flicker

  • American Kestrel

  • Eastern Wood-pewee

  • Eastern Phoebe

  • Western Kingbird

  • Eastern Kingbird

  • Blue-headed Vireo

  • Warbling Vireo

  • Red-eyed Vireo

  • Blue Jay

  • Tree Swallow

  • Northern Rough-winged Swallow

  • Bank Swallow

  • Cliff Swallow

  • Barn Swallow

  • White-breasted Nuthatch

  • House Wren

  • Marsh Wren

  • American Robin

  • Gray Catbird

  • European Starling

  • Cedar Waxwing

  • Black-and-White Warbler

  • Common Yellowthroat

  • Yellow Warbler

  • Wilson’s Warbler

  • Northern Cardinal

  • Blue Grosbeak

  • Dickcissel

  • Red-winged Blackbird

  • Western Meadowlark

  • Common Grackle

  • House Finch

  • American Goldfinch

  • House Sparrow

 

2018 Outing Pictures

Canada&Cackling Geese(ice skating!) at Brower's L - 11-10-2018 by Jan Null

Canada&Cackling Geese(ice skating!) at Brower's L - 11-10-2018 by Jan Null

Snowy Road and Green Bushes at Brown's Lake - by Jan Null

Snowy Road and Green Bushes at Brown's Lake - by Jan Null

Red-bellied Woodpecker & House Finch at DPNC - 11-10-2018 by Jan Null

Red-bellied Woodpecker & House Finch at DPNC - 11-10-2018 by Jan Null

Downy Woodpecker at Luton Wildlife Area North - 10-20-2018 by Jan Null

Downy Woodpecker at Luton Wildlife Area North - 10-20-2018 by Jan Null

Snow on Berries at Brown's lake - 11-10-2018 by Jan Null

Snow on Berries at Brown's lake - 11-10-2018 by Jan Null

The lunch is ready! - 10-20-2018

The lunch is ready! - 10-20-2018

Cedar Waxwing at Owego Wetlands - 10-20-2018 by Jan Null

Cedar Waxwing at Owego Wetlands - 10-20-2018 by Jan Null

Caspian Tern Foraging At Snyder's Bend (1 of 6) - 9-15-2018 by Jan Null

Caspian Tern Foraging At Snyder's Bend (1 of 6) - 9-15-2018 by Jan Null

Birders ready for lunch! - 10-20-2018

Birders ready for lunch! - 10-20-2018

Monarch Butterfly at Snyder's Bend (one of 100's) - 9-15-2018 by Jan Null

Monarch Butterfly at Snyder's Bend (one of 100's) - 9-15-2018 by Jan Null

American White Pelican (one of many seen) - 9-15-2018 by Jan Null

American White Pelican (one of many seen) - 9-15-2018 by Jan Null

Eastern Kingbird near Sandhill Lake - 8-4-2018 by Jan Null

Eastern Kingbird near Sandhill Lake - 8-4-2018 by Jan Null

2 young Osprey ready to fledge at Brown's Lake - 8-4-2018 by Jan Null

2 young Osprey ready to fledge at Brown's Lake - 8-4-2018 by Jan Null

Indigo Bunting at Owego Wetlands town site - 8-4-2018 by Jan Null

Indigo Bunting at Owego Wetlands town site - 8-4-2018 by Jan Null

Lunch at Walkers Bar and Grill in Salix - 8-4-2018

Lunch at Walkers Bar and Grill in Salix - 8-4-2018

Spectacular views at Broken Kettle Grasslands! - 7-14-2018 by Jan Null

Spectacular views at Broken Kettle Grasslands! - 7-14-2018 by Jan Null

Birders at Owego Wetlands - 8-4-2018

Birders at Owego Wetlands - 8-4-2018

Northern Bobwhite on North Ridge Road - 7-14-2018 by Paul Roisen

Northern Bobwhite on North Ridge Road - 7-14-2018 by Paul Roisen

Red Spotted Purple Butterfly near Prep. Canyon - 6-9-2018 by Carol Blair.

Red Spotted Purple Butterfly near Prep. Canyon - 6-9-2018 by Carol Blair.

Birders ready for lunch at Zale's guest house!

Birders ready for lunch at Zale's guest house!

2017 Outings

Common Redpolls - By Rusty Dungan

Common Redpolls - By Rusty Dungan

Pine Siskin at Luton Wildlife Area North - 10-14-2017 by Jan Null

Pine Siskin at Luton Wildlife Area North - 10-14-2017 by Jan Null

Birders at Luton Wildlife Area North - 9-30-2017

Birders at Luton Wildlife Area North - 9-30-2017

Merlin at Owego Wetlands - 10-14-2017 by Jan Null

Merlin at Owego Wetlands - 10-14-2017 by Jan Null

Birders at Owego Wetlands - 10-14-2017

Birders at Owego Wetlands - 10-14-2017

American Golden-plover at Sandhill Lake - 9-30-2017 by Rex Rundquist

American Golden-plover at Sandhill Lake - 9-30-2017 by Rex Rundquist

Beautiful view from 252nd street, Woodbury County - 9-30-2017

Beautiful view from 252nd street, Woodbury County - 9-30-2017

American White Pelicans at Sandhill Lake - 8-19-2017 by Jan Null

American White Pelicans at Sandhill Lake - 8-19-2017 by Jan Null

Regal Fritillary&Butterfly Milkweed-Broken Kettle - 7-08-2017 by Jan Null

Regal Fritillary&Butterfly Milkweed-Broken Kettle - 7-08-2017 by Jan Null

Birders at Broken Kettle Grasslands - 7-08-2017

Birders at Broken Kettle Grasslands - 7-08-2017

Dickcissel singing its 'dick dick dickcissel' song - 6-10-2017 by Jan Null

Dickcissel singing its 'dick dick dickcissel' song - 6-10-2017 by Jan Null

Wood Ducks (2 males and 1 female) - 3-18-2017 by Carol Blair

Wood Ducks (2 males and 1 female) - 3-18-2017 by Carol Blair

Numerous migrating Ring-billed Gull's were seen - 3-18-2017 by Carol Blair

Numerous migrating Ring-billed Gull's were seen - 3-18-2017 by Carol Blair

Snow Bunting - 1-28-2017 by Paul Roisen

Snow Bunting - 1-28-2017 by Paul Roisen

White-crowned Sparrow at Luton Wildlife Area North - 9-30-2017 by Jan Null

White-crowned Sparrow at Luton Wildlife Area North - 9-30-2017 by Jan Null

Blue Grosbeak (one of a few seen) - 8-19-2017 by Jan Null

Blue Grosbeak (one of a few seen) - 8-19-2017 by Jan Null

Great Blue Heron at Sandhill Lake - 8-19-2017 by Jan Null

Great Blue Heron at Sandhill Lake - 8-19-2017 by Jan Null

Birders at Snyder's Bend by Highbush Cranberry - 8-19-2017

Birders at Snyder's Bend by Highbush Cranberry - 8-19-2017

Bison at Broken Kettle Grasslands - 7-08-2017 by Jan Null

Bison at Broken Kettle Grasslands - 7-08-2017 by Jan Null

Birders ready for lunch at the Zales prairie home - 7-08-2017

Birders ready for lunch at the Zales prairie home - 7-08-2017

Great-tailed Grackle at Table Marsh (Posing!) - 4-22-2017 by Carol Blair

Great-tailed Grackle at Table Marsh (Posing!) - 4-22-2017 by Carol Blair

1,000's of Snow Geese were seen - 3-18-2017 by Randy Williams

1,000's of Snow Geese were seen - 3-18-2017 by Randy Williams

Some of the Geese at Blue Lake - 2-18-2017 by Jan Null

Some of the Geese at Blue Lake - 2-18-2017 by Jan Null

Merlin - 1-28-2017 by Paul Roisen

Merlin - 1-28-2017 by Paul Roisen