2024 Bird Thread (Eagles, Sandhill Cranes, Etc)

[Brad]

2024 Bird Thread (Eagles, Sandhill Cranes, Etc)

As of yesterday, there was still a pair of Sandhill Cranes on the Platte River in Central Nebraska! Crazy.

Locally, I did see a bald eagle the other day near I680 and Maple Street,. Looked like it might have been flying towards Cunningham Lake.

[Coyote]

The Great Outdoors
January 6-7, 2024



Bald Eagle Watching in Nebraska State Parks

[Brad]

Wintering Sandhill Cranes & Whooping Cranes

This has been a very unusual fall and winter season for our North American cranes. The first Sandhill Cranes arrived in mid-October, which is fairly typical. By November 10th we had an estimated 30,000 cranes in and around Crane Trust land! Those numbers “dwindled” over the next few weeks to a “mere” 15,000. This is quite unusual. Typically during the fall migration, Sandhill Cranes spread out over space and time, using a larger region for their stopovers, only staying for a few days at most. Based on discussions with our partners in the Central Platte Valley, very few Sandhill Cranes used portions of the river outside of the 12-mile stretch around the Trust. We couldn’t be certain how long individual cranes stayed in the area. But based on anecdotal evidence and a uniquely marked leucistic* crane, some of these cranes were thought to be here for three or more weeks during the normal migration season!

However, three weeks is short in comparison to the group of 14,000-15,000 cranes that spent the holidays with us, along with two Whooping Cranes further east! It looked like these birds planned to stay in Nebraska until spring, since they stuck with us through one blizzard, and the previous weather conditions were fairly mild. Thankfully, all but around 300 Sandhill Cranes left the Platte Valley, including the two Whooping Cranes, right before the sub-zero cold front that hit the state in the second week of January. Cranes are adapted to endure cold temperatures, but the threat of their legs getting stuck in the ice or thick snow hiding their food source is real. Small groups of cranes have occasionally stayed through the winter (the largest known group being around 5,000), but we have never before seen so large a group stay here for so long.

*Leucism is a lack of pigment that occurs in some animals, resulting in white patches or spots on skin, fur, or feathers. Good to know!

[Brad]

Crane Count Week 1 - 2/14/2024

38,000

https://cranetrust.org/news-events/the- ... -2-14-2024

On February 14th, 2024, we estimated 38,000 ± 6,800 Sandhill Cranes between Chapman and Overton, NE. This is highest count during the first week of our aerial surveys that we have on record. Considering we had high numbers of fall migrators and “overwinter-ers” this high count falls right in line with patterns we have seen in the past. Crane Trust research from 2019 suggests the probable cause of this year’s copious amounts of early arrivals is because of the higher average winter temperatures. The winter of 2021-2022 was also a fairly mild winter and we had around 27,000 cranes on Valentine’s day that year. An average first week is around 6,000-8,000 cranes. Years where we see larger numbers earlier in February often result in peak numbers of cranes in early/mid-March. However, daily/weekly weather patterns still play a huge role in number of new arrivals. For example, 2022 we had an impressive first count but we did not see peak until March 21st because of cold fronts that came through the region. Cranes use the weather to their advantage, often riding the wake of winter, leaving spring behind them.

[Brad]

There’s a bald eagle flying above the Children’s Hospital area this afternoon.

[Brad]

Loess Bluffs reported a big spike in eagles yesterday. They counted 99 Bald Eagles, up from 18 the week before!

[Coyote]

Whooping Crane White Ale beer made in Hastings,
celebrates whooping crane migration

HASTINGS, Neb. -- For the second year in a row, a Hastings brewery is partnering with an area nonprofit organization on a special beverage.According to co-owner Jessie Hoeft, the Whooping Crane White Ale is meant to coincide with the whooping crane migration. The beer is brewed in Hastings and is a light beer with some slight spice and a hint of orange. “We’re just happy to be partner with this nonprofit the Crane Trust," Hoeft said. "They are just doing such good work up there and if you haven’t had the chance to go, I would just encourage you to go."

“I think it is just a good opportunity for folks to maybe experience something that they've never done before, so try a beer they have never tried before," said Matt Fong, Director of Fundraising and Outreach. "But then, also learn a little bit more about our local environment and the uniqueness of the migration, that we kind of sometimes take for granted each year." The beer will be brewed once a year and will only be available for the duration of the migration season. It can be found at First Street Brewing Company. It can also be purchased in Allen’s and Ross Market in Hastings, in Grand Island at the Wine, Beer and Spirits and in multiple locations in Lincoln and Omaha. A percentage of the sales at the First Street Brewing Company will go to the Crane Trust.

[Brad]

Crane Count Week 2 - 2/24/2024

122,700

Another record week! On February 24, 2024, we estimated 122,700 + 9,100 Sandhill Cranes between Chapman and Overton, NE. A large majority of these cranes were roosting between highway 34 and Wood River, with only a few thousand spread out throughout the remaining river valley. On average, this time of year (“week 2”) we see around 27,000 cranes. The previous record (between 2002-2023) was recorded as 82,000 in 2016. Based on the average weekly counts from 2002-2023, we don’t see these kinds of numbers till week 4, the first full week of March. With these high numbers we are likely to see an early peak season around the Crane Trust. However, cranes are not eager to migrate in less than ideal weather so a cold front or change in weather could keep these cranes here for longer and delay new arrivals.

While the large numbers are more unusual for this early, the concentration in the east is not. Our friends at Rowe will start seeing more cranes soon! However, the eastern portions of the Central Platte usually receive a larger proportion of Greater Sandhill Cranes than the west and Greaters migrate slightly earlier than Lesser Sandhill Cranes. This slight spatial-temporal discrepancy between the subspecies can sometimes cause “peak” to either be spread out over a few weeks or even result in two “sub-peaks,” an earlier one in the east and a slightly later one in the west.

[Coyote]

Crane Count Week 2 - 2/24/2024
122,700

Brad, are heading out this year?

[Brad]

Crane Count Week 2 - 2/24/2024
122,700

Brad, are you heading out this year?

Yep, every year since 2009! Going for 4 days this year and may get part of two other days if the cranes stick around long enough.

[Coyote]

Birds Return to the Rowe Sandhill Crane Sanctuary February 20, 2024



Watch & listen to the ducks, Snow Geese, and Sandhill Cranes as they return to the Platte River at the Audubon’s Sandhill Crane Sanctuary near Gibbon, Nebraska on February 20 , 2024. Seen on Explor.org.Audbon Rowe Sandhill Crane Sanctuary cam. Edited down from a longer sighting.

[ChadJK]

The Robins are definitely out and about (seems early for them, but perhaps I just noticed them sooner this year). I had two stuck in my garage this morning. I'm not sure what it is about birds in the garage, but it seems to take them forever to find their way out. They keep trying to fly between the opened garage door and the ceiling and that gets them nowhere. I'd explain it to them, but they're not in a listening mood. Oh well, birds are government drones anyway.

[Brad]

Crane Count Week 3 - 2/29/2024

272,000

https://cranetrust.org/news-events/the- ... -2-29-2024

Happy March! As everyone at the Crane Trust is bustling to welcome guests from all over the world, we had quite the influx of sandhill cranes into the Central Platte River Valley (CPRV). On February 29th we estimated 272,000 + 43,000 sandhill cranes between Chapman and Overton NE. This is over double what we had last week and is another record for the year! The last highest count recorded between February 25th and March 2nd (aka week 3) was in 2016 with 213,000 sandhill cranes

Plenty more reading in the link.

[Coyote]

SANDHILL CRANE MIGRATION
Sunset Wednesday February 28th 2024
Near Gibbon Nebraska

[Coyote]

Crane migration in central Nebraska brings record numbers of birds

[Brad]

Crane Count Week 4 - 3/5/2024

344,000

This week we estimate there are 344,000 ± 55,000 Sandhill Cranes between Chapman and Overton NE along the Platte River. The Whooping Cranes have also returned for the season as we saw 4 Whoopers on the survey. For the first time this year our weekly count is not record-breaking. In 2021, we had 460,000 cranes (March 3rd – March 9th) which still holds the record for week 4 numbers. The average for week 4 since 2002 is 133,000 cranes. 2017 was the only year we have on record where week 4 was peak for the season. Every other year peak was in between week 5 and 8 (March 10th – April 6th). We have been comparing this year to 2016 due to the similar crane and weather patterns between years. Week 4 in 2016 was 239,000 which is more of a plateau than we experienced this week but is still following a similar trend.

More info at the Link:
https://cranetrust.org/news-events/the- ... 4-3-5-2024

[Coyote]

Great Outdoors: March 16, 2024

[Brad]

Crane Count Week 5 - 3/15/2024

429,000

https://cranetrust.org/news-events/the- ... -3-15-2024

We reached halfway! Week 5 of crane season! On March 15th we estimated there are at least 429,000 +/- 81,000 Sandhill Cranes within the Central Platte River Valley (CPRV) between Chapman and Overton, NE. This is about a 25% increase from the numbers we saw last week. We saw large increases to the west and a fairly stable or slightly increasing population to the east. This is very typical of this time of year. Lesser Sandhill Cranes are arriving in the west as Greater Sandhill Cranes are likely nearing the end of their stay in the CPRV. This, of course, is an oversimplification of the dynamics between lessers and greaters and where and when they migrate and stopover.

More information in the Blog Post in the Link.

[Coyote]

Visitors watch 80,000 cranes leave at dawn from the Platte River



GIBBON, Neb. (KOLN) - Sandhill cranes stir in the darkness on the Platte River, and at Rowe Sanctuary in Gibbon, people can view these Nebraska visitors at dusk or at dawn. Visitors register and pay beforehand, and then gather in a tent illuminated by red light, which does not bother the birds as much as UV light. “Today, I am hoping to see them up closer. We were like a quarter of a mile from them yesterday with our binoculars,” said Mary. She and her husband Al drove up from Kansas to see the birds in central Nebraska.

“And hopefully, we’ll be able to see them take off from the sandbars,” Al said. Before leaving the tent, volunteers give instructions and information regarding the natural phenomenon they are about to witness. Then by starlight, the guide leads the group down a trail to the bird blinds. On March 11, about 20 visitors watched 80,000 sandhill cranes wake up with the sun.

[Brad]

Crane Count Week 6 - 3/21/2024

471,000

https://cranetrust.org/news-events/the- ... -3-21-2024

The morning of the 21st of March we estimated 471,000 +/- 118,000 Sandhill Cranes and 9 Whooping Cranes in the Central Platte River Valley. This is a slight increase from last week. Despite normal trends for this time of year, increases were actually seen in the east rather than the west.

Lots of good info in the link.

Just got back yesterday and the cranes are everywhere!

[Brad]

View from inside the blind:

[Coyote]

View from inside the blind:

Brad. Where were you here? Have I been here before? Looks life a good area.

[Brad]

View from inside the blind:

Brad. Where were you here? Have I been here before? Looks life a good area.

Yes, I took that photo, my name is on it. I just got back on Sunday afternoon.

You have been to Rowe, but not that blind. Also, all the blinds have been completely rebuilt since the last time you were there in 2018.

[Busguy2010]

Couple things -

Whats with the presence of seagulls in central Omaha? Were literally the furthest away from any coast you can get. I just find it funny.

Then, the geese are really walking around like they own the joint in the last week or so...
I even saw some young dork start to walk up to one trying to hand feed it. I knew that was a comedy show waiting to happen.

[Coyote]

Speaking of Grow Omaha and your trip to the Sandhill Cranes, Brad, you said that “all the blinds have been completely rebuilt “ since I was there last, how do the blinds in Rowe look these days? Are you going to post some more pics? What does Rowe look like recently?

[Brad]

Crane Count Week 7 - 3/28/2024

486,000

https://cranetrust.org/news-events/the- ... -3-28-2024

[quote="Bethany Ostrom, Wildlife Biologist, The Crane Trust]On March 28th, we estimated 486,000 +/- 78,000 Sandhill Cranes between Chapman and Overton along with at least 91 Whooping Cranes reported between our partners! This is the 3rd week in a row with numbers above 400,000, which has only been recorded a few times in recent years. Last week’s prediction of having a “low and slow peak” seems to be holding up. However, we still have very high numbers in the east, with a note of large concentrations between Chapman and Highway 281.[/quote]

[Brad]

Speaking of Grow Omaha and your trip to the Sandhill Cranes, Brad, you said that “all the blinds have been completely rebuilt “ since I was there last, how do the blinds in Rowe look these days? Are you going to post some more pics? What does Rowe look like recently?

I should have some video from inside. They are all "fancy" now with warming rooms and what not...

[Coyote]

Nebraska Tourism Commission talks Sandhill cranes

[Brad]

Crane Count Week 8 - 4/3/2024

392,000

https://cranetrust.org/news-events/the- ... 8-4-3-2024

This week on April 3rd, we saw 392,000 +/- 55,000 Sandhill Cranes between Overton, NE, and Chapman, NE. This is around a 24% decrease from what we saw last week. However, we saw a substantial increase in the western segments, specifically between Kearney and Gibbon.

Plenty more information in the link.

[Coyote]

Pekin Duck Release

[Coyote]

'Geese are very opportunistic nesters':
What to know before shooing them away during nesting season



Geese have been known to sometimes pick odd spots to nest, but under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, geese are federally protected no matter where they lay their eggs.

- Unusual spots to nest include on balconies, in front of businesses and in flowerpots.
- Nebraska Game and Parks shares why geese do this and how they're federally protected no matter where they nest.
- If you have an issue with a nest, you can contact Nebraska Game and Parks at 402-471-0641.

[Brad]

Crane Count Week 9 - 4/8/2024

57,000

https://cranetrust.org/news-events/the- ... 9-4-8-2024

[quote="Bethany Ostrom, Wildlife Biologist, The Crane Trust]Well, a lot has changed since the last time you’ve heard from me. On Monday we estimated 57,000 +/- 4,200 Sandhill Cranes between Overton and Chapman NE. This is a whopping (or should I say whooping) 85% decrease from last Wednesday. As those in the area know, we experienced heavy winds from the south (alternating between SW and SE) between 25-55mph from Friday evening up until Sunday. Clearly most of the cranes took advantage of these gusts and bolted out of here.[/quote]

Crane Count Week 10 - 4/17/2024

Zero

https://cranetrust.org/news-events/the- ... -4-17-2024

[quote="Bethany Ostrom, Wildlife Biologist, The Crane Trust]On Wednesday the 17th we saw 0 sandhill cranes between Overton and Chapman, NE. This is a 100% decrease from last week with our 57,000 on the 8th. However, I have gotten reports of a few stragglers still in the area (it is much easier to spot 1000s of cranes compared to 5). Some of these birds are likely sick or injured and could not continue their migration.
[/quote]

More in formation in the links.

[Coyote]

Canada geese starting family on hospital roof



Canada geese starting family on hospital roof

[Coyote]

Osprey pair return to nest in Fort Calhoun



FORT CALHOUN, Neb. (WOWT) - Fifty feet above ground, as the wind whips, two adult Ospreys are extremely busy. They’ve made a huge nest, on a power pole, their annual Spring and Summer migratory home on the grounds of the de-commissioned Fort Calhoun Nuclear Station. “The chances are it is the same pair returning to the same site,” said Joel Jorgensen, bird program manager for Nebraska Game and Parks.

In addition, workers hooked up a camera, linked it to YouTube and are streaming the raptors daily actions, in the nest, for anybody with an internet connection to see.

[Coyote]

Ducks stolen from Papillion's Halleck Park, poultry farm says



People have been missing the ducks at Halleck Park in Papillion. “I noticed there’s only two left right at the front entrance when we came in,” said Michelle Abernathy of Bellevue. She said she comes about three times a week. “I didn’t see very many," Abernathy said.

Those two ducks had been the only two domesticated ducks left at the park until 11 more were added on Sunday morning. The pair were the only remaining of a total of a dozen birds placed at the park this spring: 11 ducks and a goose. Papio Poultry has placed ducks at Halleck Park for three years now. But this year, the owner says they're being stolen.

[ChadJK]

I never noticed before that we had bird threads in this forum. This makes me happy.

I was driving across Sarpy County the third week of October and saw a Bald Eagle just standing in a recently harvested field near 60th & Capehart Rd. It was very close to the road and I got a great extended look. That was my impressive bird sighting of 2024.