2023 Bird Thread (Eagles, Sandhill Cranes, Etc)

Post by **Brad** » Wed Jan 11, 2023 1:32 pm

This morning I saw a Bald Eagle flying really low, like 20 or 30 feet above the ground, along the Papio Creek on the east side of Happy Hollow Country Club. This is between Pacific St and West Center Road.

Post by **Brad** » Mon Jan 23, 2023 9:29 am

Bald eagle flew across Dodge Street this morning near 150th St. about 9:30 AM.

Post by **Brad** » Tue Jan 24, 2023 12:15 pm

Today at noon there is a Bald Eagle a little north of Dodge along the creek sitting in a tree. It would have been on the east side of Miracle Hills Golf Course, right across from that rehab facility where Papillion Parkway and Mill Valley Road come together, or just north of the Huber Chevy property.

Post by **Brad** » Sun Feb 05, 2023 9:56 pm

Few Bald Eagles over at Manawa today:

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Mon Feb 06, 2023 10:03 am

Brad wrote: Sun Feb 05, 2023 9:56 pm Few Bald Eagles over at Manawa today:

Wow- Great photos Brad

…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

Post by **Brad** » Mon Feb 06, 2023 10:42 am

Omaha Cowboy wrote: Mon Feb 06, 2023 10:03 am Wow- Great photos Brad …

Thanks!

Post by **Brad** » Wed Feb 08, 2023 9:32 pm

About 300 cranes showed up at the crane trust this week. Not one of their official counts, those haven’t started yet.

Candleshoe · Post by **Candleshoe** » Sat Feb 11, 2023 5:54 pm

Cranes are staging at Quivira Nat'l Wildlife Refuge in South Central Kansas right now. I spotted maybe 2,000 or so on the ground with more in the sky.

Post by **Brad** » Sat Feb 11, 2023 10:32 pm

Candleshoe wrote: Sat Feb 11, 2023 5:54 pm Cranes are staging at Quivira Nat'l Wildlife Refuge in South Central Kansas right now. I spotted maybe 2,000 or so on the ground with more in the sky.

Cool, thanks for the update!

Post by **Brad** » Fri Feb 17, 2023 9:14 am

Sandhill Crane Aerial Survey – Week 1- 2/13/23

https://cranetrust.org/news-events/the- ... -1-2-13-23

Bethany Ostrom, Wildlife Biologist, Crane Trust wrote:On February 13th 2023, we counted an estimated 6,400±900 Sandhill Cranes in the Central Platte River Valley

Reading the full article linked above, these numbers are very typical for the first week count.

Post by **Brad** » Fri Feb 24, 2023 8:20 am

Sandhill Crane Aerial Survey – Week 2- 2/20/23

https://cranetrust.org/news-events/the- ... -2-2-20-23

Bethany Ostrom, Wildlife Biologist, Crane Trust wrote:On Monday, February 20th, we estimated 27,400±6,000 Sandhill Cranes in the Central Platte River Valley between Chapman and Overton, NE. This was a 428% increase from last week. Most of the cranes were within bridge segment 3 (Highway 281 to Alda, NE), but there was one roost in segment 4 (Alda to Wood River, NE) and a few small flocks flying in segment 5 (Wood River to Shelton, NE).

Bethany Ostrom, Wildlife Biologist, Crane Trust wrote: Other species note:

We also observed 25,600 dark geese, 29 Trumpeter Swans, and 36 Bald Eagles. While we don’t count Snow Geese, we did anecdotally notice a massive increase in Snow Geese in the area compared to last week.

Reading the full article linked above, these numbers are very typical for the second week count.

Post by **Brad** » Wed Mar 01, 2023 2:37 pm

Just saw a bald eagle circling above dodge street and the TD Ameritrade Tower in Old Mill. After a few min he moved further south, probably back down by Happy Hollow CC now.

Post by **Brad** » Fri Mar 03, 2023 8:13 am

Sandhill Crane Aerial Survey – Week 3- 2/27/23

https://cranetrust.org/news-events/the- ... -3-2-27-23

Bethany Ostrom, Wildlife Biologist, Crane Trust wrote:On Monday, Feb 27th, we counted an estimated 69,100±12,000 Sandhill Cranes in the Central Platte River Valley between Chapman and Overton which is a 250% increase from last week. The count is very comparable to last year's week 3 count (67,300±10,300). Large majority of the cranes are still between Highway 281 and Wood River (bridge segments 3 and 4) but we saw multiple mid-sized flocks in the fields and meadows between Shelton and Kearney. Sandhill Cranes are often "lazy migrators," relying on favorable weather conditions to help ease their long journey. Large flocks continue to pour in each day even with the wind coming from every direction but south this week. Sunday currently looks like a prime migration day!

Post by **Brad** » Sun Mar 05, 2023 4:28 pm

Saw several Bald Eagles and a couple Pelicans today about by Linoma.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Tue Mar 07, 2023 7:28 am

Sheriff: Men who killed bald eagle in Stanton, Nebraska could face federal charges

The bald eagle has long been a symbol of American freedom. The raptor was removed from the endangered species list in 2007, but they remain protected - meaning hunting and shooting them is still illegal. “In 40 years of law enforcement, I’ve never dealt with the actual killing of a protected species such as the bald eagle,” says Stanton County Sheriff Mike Unger. That changed for Unger last week. He tells 6 News he received a personal phone call from a resident saying a suspicious car was on private property.

Unger dispatched two deputies, who later found two men at a recreational area just outside of Stanton. The men, who turned out to be Honduran and spoke limited English, eventually communicated with deputies that they shot a vulture with a high-powered air rifle. “[The deputies] asked if they would be able to see the vulture, and without any hesitation, the gentleman took them to the trunk of the vehicle and inside was a North American bald eagle that had obviously been recently killed,” Unger says. Further communication with the men indicated the shooting was intentional.

Post by **Brad** » Tue Mar 07, 2023 9:03 am

Saw quite a few Bald Eagles over at lake Manawa yesterday afternoon.

Brad wrote: Wed Mar 01, 2023 2:37 pm Just saw a bald eagle circling above dodge street and the TD Ameritrade Tower in Old Mill. After a few min he moved further south, probably back down by Happy Hollow CC now.

I forgot to mention last week that I saw this bald eagle again and it was circling about the I680 and Pacific. It was really close to that big hawks nest that is on the west side of the southbound I680 exit ramp. The Eagle was just circling and circling but the Hawk was above it and actively attacking the eagle. I wish I had my camera gear on Friday because you could have got some cool photos or video of the air to air combat!

Post by **Brad** » Wed Mar 08, 2023 12:45 pm

The Crane Trust reported the first Whooping Crane sighting of the season yesterday.

Post by **Brad** » Fri Mar 10, 2023 9:49 am

Sandhill Crane Aerial Survey – Week 4- 3/7/23

https://cranetrust.org/news-events/the- ... k-4-3-7-23

Bethany Ostrom, Wildlife Biologist, The Crane Trust wrote:Despite the low cloud ceilings on Tuesday 3/7/23, we were able to get our flight in. We estimated 225,000 +/- 72,000 Sandhill Cranes within the Central Platte River Valley between Chapman and Overton, NE. This is more than 3 times the amount that were here last week as the warmer spring weather this past week must have pushed them through.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Thu Mar 16, 2023 6:47 am

Nebraska sees peak of annual Sandhill Crane migration

ALDA, Neb. — One of nature’s wonders is taking place right now in central Nebraska. And Sharon Fisher got a front row seat to the annual Sandhill Crane migration Wednesday morning. "It's phenomenal to know what these birds are doing and to be able to be this close and experience it,” Fisher said.

The 70-year-old Virginia woman was hidden in Crane Trust blind along the Platte River near Alda as the sun came up. This is her third trip to this special place where tens of thousands of cranes come to roost, rest and fuel up on their long journey north. One flock was just 25 yards away from the blind. "I've seen all sorts of different crane behavior, everything from dancing to going up in the air with some an object and throwing it," Fisher said.

Post by **Brad** » Fri Mar 17, 2023 8:56 pm

Sandhill Crane Aerial Survey – Week 5 - 3/14/23

https://cranetrust.org/news-events/the- ... -5-3-14-23

Bethany Ostrom, Wildlife Biologist, Crane Trust wrote:We are in the thick of it here! This week on Tuesday 3/14/23, we estimated 457,800 +/- 28,600 Sandhill Cranes within the Central Platte River Valley between Chapman and Overton, NE. We saw Sandhill Cranes in every bridge segment this week as the total number of Sandhill Cranes doubled. The western stretch of the river is definitely filling up more readily now as numbers between Wood River to Overton increased 370% from last week. Whereas the numbers in the river between Chapman to Wood River are beginning to plateau. We estimate that next week will be peak Sandhill Crane migration for the Platte River as a whole.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Sun Mar 19, 2023 5:41 pm

Sandhill Cranes return to Nebraska

Sandhill Crane Viewing in Lincoln County

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Sun Mar 19, 2023 5:52 pm

We saw a ton of them on our way back from Denver yesterday

Post by **Brad** » Sun Mar 19, 2023 8:02 pm

skinzfan23 wrote: Sun Mar 19, 2023 5:52 pm We saw a ton of them on our way back from Denver yesterday

The peak is any day now. Could have been as many as 600,000 when you went through yesterday.

Post by **Brad** » Sun Mar 26, 2023 9:45 pm

Sandhill Crane Aerial Survey – Week 6 - 3/23/23

https://cranetrust.org/news-events/the- ... -6-3-23-23

Bethany Ostrom, Wildlife Biologist, Crane Trust wrote:On Monday March 20th, we estimated 378,000 +/- 40,500 Sandhill Cranes around the Platte River between Chapman to Overton, NE, which appears to be a 17% decrease in numbers from last week. This is slightly surprising as we were expecting an increase from last week. However, there are many plausible reasons to lead us to believe we may have had a lower than average detection rate this week.

See article for more information.

Post by **Brad** » Sun Mar 26, 2023 9:46 pm

Couple from this morning!

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Mon Apr 03, 2023 1:11 pm

Falcon that lives in OPPD's North Omaha nesting box lays two eggs

OMAHA, Neb. (KPTM) — One of the Peregrine falcons that live in OPPD's North Omaha nesting box laid two eggs - less than a year after having two female chicks, Thunder and Lightning, according to tweets from OPPD. Mom, Clark, has been living atop the station since 2015, and dad, Lewis, arrived a little later. The two have had 12 chicks between 2016 and 2022.

North Omaha Station Peregrine Falcon Watch
https://www.youtube.com/live/3TFcYtjLhSA?feature=share

Post by **Brad** » Tue Apr 04, 2023 2:39 pm

Sandhill Crane Aerial Survey – Week 7 - 4/1/23

https://cranetrust.org/news-events/the- ... k-7-4-1-23

Bethany Ostrom, Wildlife Biologist, Crane Trust wrote:On Saturday, 4/1/23, we counted an estimated 261,300 +/- 28,500 Sandhill Cranes in the Central Platte River Valley. It does appear we are on the decline of Sandhill Cranes in the area. However, in biology numbers only tell a portion of the story. Our week 6 count was lower than expected, especially in the western segments of the river (Wood River to Overton).

Read the link for more detail on why this week's crane numbers were low again.

Post by **Brad** » Thu Apr 20, 2023 3:28 pm

Strange year for crane counting, but here are the final numbers from the Crane Trust:

Crane Trust wrote:Week 1: 6,400
Week 2: 27,400
Week 3: 69,100
Week 4: 225,000
Week 5: 457,800
Week 6: 378,000
Week 7: 261,000
Week 8: 228,000
Week 9: 3,500

Bethany Ostrom, Wildlife Biologist, The Crane Trust wrote:It is most likely that we did not capture peak abundance with our flights this year due to weather, variable crane behavior, and crew availability. Peak most likely occurred sometime between our week 6 and week 7 flights. Despite having a decrease from week 5 to week 6, we weren’t seeing notable decreases in the eastern portions of the river till after week 6 which is more typical after or right around when peak occurs.

As always, see the Crane Trust website for more detailed information.

https://cranetrust.org/news-events/the- ... 2023-recap

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Mon Apr 24, 2023 5:13 pm

Ospreys return to Fort Calhoun Station

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

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Fri Apr 28, 2023 10:00 pm

Ospreys nest on decommissioned Nebraska nuclear facility

FORT CALHOUN, Neb. (WOWT) – Just about a half-hour drive north from downtown Omaha at the now shut-down Fort Calhoun nuclear power plant, something fascinating is happening. It has nothing to do with nuclear waste. Instead, there are signs of a growing family of Ospreys, a science and nature lesson that is no longer a top secret. Two adult ospreys, believed to be the same two each year for the past few years, are perched high atop a 50-foot power pole on the grounds of what was the Fort Calhoun Nuclear Generating Station. It closed in 2016.

Post by **Brad** » Fri Nov 17, 2023 1:55 pm

Crane Trust wrote:Crane Trust Supporters and Friends -

In the Central Platte River Valley, we are in the midst of fall migration when cranes usually fly over Nebraska with barely a glance on their way south. Some might stop for 1-2 days and in small numbers compared to the spring migration.

Currently, there are an unprecedented number of Sandhill Cranes in the area. Thousands of cranes are enjoying the warm weather on the Platte River.

Post by **Brad** » Mon Dec 18, 2023 10:26 pm

At least a dozen, probably closer to 20 Bald Eagles over at Manawa right now.

12/17/2023

1.

881A1843.jpg

2.

881A1868.jpg

Post by **Brad** » Mon Dec 18, 2023 10:28 pm

Back over today. Still thinking at least a dozen, little harder to spot today, but 20 Bald Eagles isn't out of the question.

12/18/2023

1.

881A1912.jpg

2.

881A1883.jpg

Mang · Post by **Mang** » Wed Dec 20, 2023 3:31 pm

Fantastic shots.

Post by **BRoss** » Fri Dec 22, 2023 1:18 pm

I've been seeing an eagle recently flying around the 150th and Dodge area. I've seen it multiple days while walking around the neighborhood.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Fri Dec 22, 2023 7:22 pm

BRoss wrote: Fri Dec 22, 2023 1:18 pm I've been seeing an eagle recently flying around the 150th and Dodge area. I've seen it multiple days while walking around the neighborhood.

My brother lives on 156th & W Dodge and he hasn’t seen eagle’s lately, but he has seen hawks out there…

Post by **BRoss** » Fri Dec 22, 2023 7:48 pm

Coyote wrote: Fri Dec 22, 2023 7:22 pm
BRoss wrote: Fri Dec 22, 2023 1:18 pm I've been seeing an eagle recently flying around the 150th and Dodge area. I've seen it multiple days while walking around the neighborhood.
My brother lives on 156th & W Dodge and he hasn’t seen eagle’s lately, but he has seen hawks out there…

I certainly do not know birds very well, so that could be. It is bigger with a white head and darker body like an eagle would have. If I see it again, I should try to get a picture.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Fri Dec 22, 2023 8:10 pm

BRoss wrote: Fri Dec 22, 2023 7:48 pm
Coyote wrote: Fri Dec 22, 2023 7:22 pm
BRoss wrote: Fri Dec 22, 2023 1:18 pm I've been seeing an eagle recently flying around the 150th and Dodge area. I've seen it multiple days while walking around the neighborhood.
My brother lives on 156th & W Dodge and he hasn’t seen eagle’s lately, but he has seen hawks out there…
I certainly do not know birds very well, so that could be. It is bigger with a white head and darker body like an eagle would have. If I see it again, I should try to get a picture.

Pics please…

Post by **Brad** » Fri Dec 22, 2023 9:57 pm

Mang wrote: Wed Dec 20, 2023 3:31 pm Fantastic shots.

Thanks!

BRoss wrote: Fri Dec 22, 2023 1:18 pm I've been seeing an eagle recently flying around the 150th and Dodge area. I've seen it multiple days while walking around the neighborhood.

I haven't seen it yet this year, but I did see one flying over Dodge by Baker's last winter. Wonder what lake its hanging out at to be in your neighborhood?

Here is another from the other day. Some day I'll get a photo of an eagle catching a fish.

881A1888.jpg

Post by **BRoss** » Fri Dec 22, 2023 10:53 pm

Brad wrote: Fri Dec 22, 2023 9:57 pm I haven't seen it yet this year, but I did see one flying over Dodge by Baker's last winter. Wonder what lake its hanging out at to be in your neighborhood?

I know there have been some at Flanagan Lake, but this is the first time I've seen any around my area this year and I've been out there a lot. Both times recently were in Seville around 149th and Cuming.