2022 Bird Thread (Eagles, Sandhill Cranes, Etc)

Post by **Brad** » Tue Jan 04, 2022 2:48 pm

2022 Bird Thread (Eagles, Sandhill Cranes, Etc)

Yesterday 1/3/022 had a new Daily Record Bald Eagle count at Loess Bluffs, 833
Immature = 475
Adult = 358

https://www.fws.gov/uploadedFiles/Loess ... 3_2022.pdf

Post by **Brad** » Thu Jan 06, 2022 3:12 pm

Around 3PM today there may have been a Bald Eagle near the TD Ameritrade tower. A very large bird that looked like an eagle took off, on the SW side of the tower. It circled higher and higher, ending up way higher than most hawks do around here. Once it got way up there it started drifting south, out of sight.

Post by **Brad** » Thu Jan 27, 2022 8:47 am

Up to 8,000 Sandhill Cranes have stayed in Nebraska this winter.

Why are the cranes still here in January?!

https://cranetrust.org/news-events/the- ... n-january-

Crane Trust, Amanda Medaries and Alyx Vogel wrote:The winters the cranes stayed were noted with mild conditions in Nebraska combined with severe to exceptional droughts in the southern United States, which may have been the reason for the cranes staying longer.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Fri Feb 11, 2022 7:09 pm

A Moment of Zen

Sandhill cranes in Nebraska

Post by **Brad** » Wed Feb 16, 2022 4:30 pm

Sandhill Crane Counts 2022 - Week 1 - 27,425

https://cranetrust.org/news-events/the- ... 022-week-1

Andrew Caven, Director of Conservation Research - Crane Trust wrote:On February 14th, 2022, we counted an estimated 27,425±645 Sandhill Cranes in the CPRV.

Andrew Caven, Director of Conservation Research - Crane Trust wrote:This represents one of the highest week-one Sandhill Crane counts recorded in our >20-year database.

There is a lot more information on this weeks numbers in the article linked above.

Post by **Brad** » Sat Feb 19, 2022 10:40 am

There are at least a dozen Bald Eagles at Lake Manawa today. Not sure how much longer this ice will hold on though. with a couple warm days and wind it might disappear.

Post by **Brad** » Sat Feb 19, 2022 2:44 pm

Brad wrote: Sat Feb 19, 2022 10:40 am There are at least a dozen Bald Eagles at Lake Manawa today. Not sure how much longer this ice will hold on though. with a couple warm days and wind it might disappear.

After spending more time there, probably closer to two dozen.

None at Dodge Park.

EastCB · Post by **EastCB** » Sat Feb 19, 2022 3:08 pm

Brad wrote: Sat Feb 19, 2022 2:44 pm
Brad wrote: Sat Feb 19, 2022 10:40 am There are at least a dozen Bald Eagles at Lake Manawa today. Not sure how much longer this ice will hold on though. with a couple warm days and wind it might disappear.
After spending more time there, probably closer to two dozen.

None at Dodge Park.

Yeah, I counted at least 20 there this afternoon.

Post by **Brad** » Sat Feb 26, 2022 6:04 pm

Two bald eagles at Manawa today. They were way up high, west of the lake. Lake was 99% Frozen.

Post by **Brad** » Sat Feb 26, 2022 6:08 pm

Rowe Crane Came has a lot of ice on the river tonight. A few cranes passing overhead off in the distance, but mostly ducks and geese so far.

Post by **Brad** » Sun Feb 27, 2022 1:17 pm

Made the Rounds today looking for Bald Eagles.
Manawa = 1
Mormon Bridge = 1
Dodge Park = 0
Boyer Chute = 0

Post by **Brad** » Wed Mar 02, 2022 10:55 am

Sandhill Crane Counts 2022 - Weeks 2 & 3

https://cranetrust.org/news-events/the- ... -weeks-2-3

Andrew Caven, Director of Conservation Research, Crane Trust wrote:On 23 February 2022 we counted an estimated 57,850±7,300 Sandhill Cranes in the Central Platte River Valley (CPRV) between Chapman and Overton, Nebraska, during our second survey of the year.

Andrew Caven, Director of Conservation Research, Crane Trust wrote:On 1 March we conducted the third aerial survey of the 2022 spring migration and counted an estimated 67,300±10,300 Sandhill Cranes in the CPRV, which only represented a 16% increase over survey week two.

As always, more details information in the link above

Post by **Brad** » Sun Mar 06, 2022 6:45 pm

Took a trip down to Loess Bluffs yesterday (Saturday 3/5/2022). Started seeing snow geese just south of Council Bluffs and saw them on the ground and in the air almost the whole way down. There are millions of them. The refuge itself had a dozen or so eagles, a decent number of Geese, but nothing compared to peek migration. And the refuge also had a LOT of swans. A quick drive through Manawa on the way home we saw a few eagles, but probably 50 pelicans.

Post by **Brad** » Mon Mar 07, 2022 8:53 pm

Brad wrote: Sun Mar 06, 2022 6:45 pm Took a trip down to Loess Bluffs yesterday (Saturday 3/5/2022). Started seeing snow geese just south of Council Bluffs and saw them on the ground and in the air almost the whole way down. There are millions of them. The refuge itself had a dozen or so eagles, a decent number of Geese, but nothing compared to peek migration. And the refuge also had a LOT of swans. A quick drive through Manawa on the way home we saw a few eagles, but probably 50 pelicans.

Here are some photos from that trip:

Post by **Brad** » Wed Mar 09, 2022 10:24 am

Sandhill Crane Counts 2022 - Week 4

https://cranetrust.org/news-events/the- ... 022-week-4

Andrew Caven, Director of Conservation Research, Crane Trust wrote:On March 8th we counted an estimated 365,500±29,500 Sandhill Cranes in the Central Platte River Valley between Chapman and Overton, Nebraska.

Post by **Brad** » Sun Mar 13, 2022 9:58 pm

Saturday morning Lake Manawa was about 98% frozen and I saw about a dozen Bald Eagles
Sunday afternoon Lake Manawa was about 5% frozen and I saw 6-8 Bald Eagles.

Few photos from this afternoon:

Uffda · Post by **Uffda** » Mon Mar 14, 2022 5:55 pm

Brad wrote: Sun Mar 13, 2022 9:58 pm Saturday morning Lake Manawa was about 98% frozen and I saw about a dozen Bald Eagles
Sunday afternoon Lake Manawa was about 5% frozen and I saw 6-8 Bald Eagles.

Saturday morning, I saw this video article on Bald Eagles -

New book looks at efforts being made to help bald eagles survive, thrive

Post by **Brad** » Thu Mar 17, 2022 12:05 pm

This week’s count is over 534k

https://cranetrust.org/news-events/the- ... 022-week-5

Interesting reading in the link. Talks about how some years the crane peek and some years they plateau.

Post by **Brad** » Fri Mar 18, 2022 9:11 am

Watch “Counting Cranes” on Vimeo:

Great video on how they do the crane count.

Post by **Brad** » Mon Mar 21, 2022 9:43 am

Just got back from a great 4 day weekend with the cranes! I spent most of the time on the western half the roost from Gibbon to Kearny. There were a lot of birds, but I have seen more. I'm guessing this section will peak sometime late this week or early next.

Post by **Brad** » Tue Mar 22, 2022 4:06 pm

Sandhill Crane Counts 2022 - Week 6

https://cranetrust.org/news-events/the- ... 022-week-6

Andrew Caven, Director of Conservation Research, Crane Trust wrote:On 21 March 2022 we counted an estimated 625,900±61,800 Sandhill Cranes in the Central Platte River Valley (CPRV) between Chapman and Overton, Nebraska. Cranes were predominantly east of Kearney, Nebraska, with the highest densities between Phillips and Wood River as well as Shelton and Minden, Nebraska. These likely represent peak numbers for the year.

GetUrban · Post by **GetUrban** » Wed Mar 23, 2022 12:02 am

Brad wrote: Fri Mar 18, 2022 9:11 am Watch “Counting Cranes” on Vimeo:

Great video on how they do the crane count.

Great Video! Makes me want to go see it in person one of these years. Despite my screen name, or maybe because of it, I’m a big fan of preserving the complexity of wild ecosystems as much as possible.

Post by **Brad** » Wed Mar 23, 2022 10:20 pm

GetUrban wrote: Wed Mar 23, 2022 12:02 am Great Video! Makes me want to go see it in person one of these years.

It sure is, the did a really nice job putting that together and telling a story. And yes, everyone should get out there at some point.

GetUrban wrote: Wed Mar 23, 2022 12:02 am Despite my screen name, or maybe because of it, I’m a big fan of preserving the complexity of wild ecosystems as much as possible.

Its amazing some of the areas The Crane Trust, Rowe Sanctuary, and The Nature Conservancy have protected and or completely rehabilitated. I have noticed over my 14 years of making an annual trip to photograph the cranes, a lot more wide open grasslands and the river seems wider and wider in some areas. I really wish I could have seen the Platte River 200 years ago.

Post by **Brad** » Thu Mar 31, 2022 3:52 pm

Sandhill Crane Counts 2022 - Week 7

Andrew Caven, Director of Conservation Research, Crane Trust wrote:On 29 March 2022 we counted an estimated 169,500±11,800 Sandhill Cranes in the Central Platte River Valley (CPRV) between Chapman and Overton, Nebraska. This represents a 73% decline from last week’s peak estimate of 625,900±61,800 for the 2022 spring migration. A number of birds departed early in the week with excellent conditions for migration, particularly mid-day on 28 March 2022.

Post by **Brad** » Fri Apr 08, 2022 2:49 pm

Yesterday there were a bunch of pelicans at Linoma. I also mentioned in another thread, Flanagan Lake has an active bald eagle nest.

Post by **Brad** » Sun Apr 10, 2022 5:40 pm

Lots of pelicans today in the wildlife refuge at the end of Main Street in Plattsmouth.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Sun Apr 10, 2022 7:13 pm

I have a friend that saw hummingbird birds in Oregon show up this week. Anyone with questions what could show Oregon in early April? Anna’s, Rufous, Allen’s, Black-chinned, Costa’s, or Broad-tailed Hummingbirds, but I am really thinking Calliope.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Tue Apr 12, 2022 8:01 am

Decorah Eagles - North Nest powered by EXPLORE.org

Are there any other local eagles around this are?

Post by **Brad** » Wed Apr 13, 2022 11:18 am

I didn't even know we had Ospreys in Nebraska.

Ospreys return to Fort Calhoun Station

https://oppdthewire.com/ospreys-return- ... n-station/

OPPD wrote:Following their southern winter retreat, two ospreys have returned to a refurbished home near the Missouri River at OPPD’s Fort Calhoun Station (FCS).

Ospreys – about the size of bald eagles – have certain legal protections regarding their care. The birds are protected under the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Their migratory season runs from September to March.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Wed Apr 13, 2022 11:25 am

OPPD - Omaha Public Power District
Fort Calhoun Station Osprey Watch

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Wed Apr 13, 2022 8:03 pm

National Wildlife Week 2022 | Bald Eagle

Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom

Welcome to National Wildlife Week 2022! We’re excited to partner with the National Wildlife Federation to bring you eight full days of animal facts, conservation efforts, quizzes and information on how you can help these species thrive in their environments for years to come.

Day 6 | Bald Eagle
Thanks to conservation efforts, bald eagles are officially off the endangered species list! But there’s more we can do to continue to keep this American symbol safe and healthy. Learn more from National Wildlife Federation Naturalist David Mizejewski and Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom host Peter Gros.

Take the conservation pledge: https://bit.ly/38iX0f5

Learn more about Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom, including our exciting return to TV: https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-ki...

Post by **Brad** » Fri Apr 15, 2022 10:47 am

My dad says there are hundreds of pelicans flying over today down by the Platte river, south of Bellevue.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Wed Jun 01, 2022 12:27 pm

Peregrine falcon chicks hatch atop Mutual of Omaha headquarters

New peregrine falcon chicks have hatched atop the Mutual of Omaha headquarters building. According to Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom, four falcon chicks hatched in the building’s nesting box on May 18. Mutual of Omaha’s headquarters and other tall buildings in Omaha have long been home to the peregrine falcon. Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom says the chicks’ parents have recently been seen soaring around the building.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Wed Jun 01, 2022 6:31 pm

OPPD Peregrine Falcons Need Names

The peregrine falcons family living in a nest atop a smokestack at the Omaha Public Power District’s North Omaha Power Station is expanding, and the newest chicks are in need of names. So, OPPD is enlisting the public’s help in naming the chicks. The district has narrowed down a list of employee-submitted ideas from which to choose.

To make your selection, visit oppd.com/NameTheFalcons

North Omaha Station Peregrine Falcon Watch

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Mon Jun 06, 2022 4:13 pm

Peregrine Falcon Banding at OPPD's Power Plant Stack

OPPD - Omaha Public Power District

The two newest peregrine falcon chicks at OPPD’s North Omaha Station (NOS) falcon box are sporting some new accessories – bands on their legs. Here is a close-up look at what it took to safely retrieve them from their nest atop a 200-foot smokestack and get them banded.

djc311 · Post by **djc311** » Mon Jul 18, 2022 8:28 am

So I was doing some dad stuff in my garage on Saturday and heard a few small birds squawking in the sky in front of our house so I popped out on the driveway and here comes a single crane flying over my house - this is near 185th & Giles, right in front of where they're building the bridge over BNSF rails for Giles Rd.

Last year I had sworn I saw a single crane just to the east of me along the Papio Creek that runs north/south in our neighborhood but I couldn't take a pic and thought I was seeing things. But then I saw this one and was just in awe - the wingspan had to be well over 6' across... and it was flying so low it looked like a dinosaur with its long beak and legs. And these two smaller birds kept flying around it... not sure if they were trying to irritate it or what.

In 47 years of living in Omaha the only time I recall ever seeing cranes in person was in middle school when we took a roadtrip for biology out to where the cranes typically gather. I've never seen them in Omaha - I was honestly never looking for them before, but to me it's crazy to see such a huge bird around here, especially by itself.

Is it normal for the Omaha area to see these, and if so where do they typically stay? I go to Zorinsky once in awhile... sometimes I'll look for wildlife to the south of the Walmart off 180th & Center where deer, turkeys and other animals tend to hang out in the "woods" by West Bay Woods. But I've never seen cranes around here.

I figured I'd check in and ask as I'm sure someone has a better insight into this than I do!

Post by **Brad** » Mon Jul 18, 2022 8:49 am

Are you sure its not a great blue heron?

Louie · Post by **Louie** » Mon Jul 18, 2022 9:11 am

Yeah there are loads of herons that live near the Platte and Missouri.

djc311 · Post by **djc311** » Mon Jul 18, 2022 9:13 am

Brad wrote: Mon Jul 18, 2022 8:49 am Are you sure its not a great blue heron?

Hmmm… maybe, and my pic isn’t great because I couldn’t find my phone right away.

Louie · Post by **Louie** » Mon Jul 18, 2022 9:15 am

That definitely looks like a heron. Unique looking birds for sure, especially in town like that.