North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas and Oklahoma
Sebastian T. Patti
As is so often the case in the winter, the weather was a major factor in this season's CBCs, especially in the northern reaches of the Great Plains. A very cold period settled into the Dakotas in mid-December and accompanying heavy snows served to add another dollop of misery. While the situation ameliorated throughout the remainder of the season, and while the southern Great Plains were not as dramatically impacted, the damage was done, and some counts were cancelled, and many had access severely reduced.
Interestingly, this was not a banner year for northern irruptive species; both White-winged Crossbill and Hoary Redpoll went unreported region wide.
Sixteen counts were completed and submitted this year from North Dakota. As mentioned, bitter cold descended early: the high temperature on the Valley City count was -9F! Additionally over 50 inches of snow fell in the state in December, thus reducing circle access by both car and foot. Fargo-Moorhead led the pack this year taking the high total species award with 59; Garrison Dam took the silver place award with 50 species recorded on count day. Both counts produced respectable numbers of waterfowl.
This was not a great year for northern finches, and Snowy Owls were few-and-far-between, as well. On the other hand, Common Ravens are expanding quite noticeably in the state,
and were recorded, as follows: Denbigh, Des Lacs N.W.R., Fargo-Moorhead (CW), Garrison Dam (NC), Grand Forks-East Grand Forks, Jamestown, J. Clark Salyer N.W.R., Minot (HC) and
Upper Souris (HC). Better species recorded state-wide were the Long-eared Owl at Grand Forks, and the Rose-breasted Grosbeak (PS, AF) on the Jamestown count. Snowy Owls were only reported at Denbigh, Fargo (2 birds), Grand Forks (CW), Long Lake N.W.R. (CW), Minot (CW), and Upper Souris N.W.R. Bohemian Waxwings were located at Denbigh, Fargo, Grand Forks, Medora, Minot, and the only crossbills, Reds at that, were on the Denbigh count. This year's only redpolls were Commons, and they were seen at Fargo, Garrison Dam, Grand Forks, Jamestown, and Minot, while Purple Finches were seen on nine out of the 16 counts.
South Dakotans participated on 18 CBCs this year. Three counts reported 70 species or more on count day: Pierre recorded 77 species, Shadehill 75, and Yankton 72. No real rarities were found this year, although the Gray Catbird (CW) from Rapid City would have provided a nice record. Pierre produced six gull species on count day, including Great Black-backed, as well as a nice assortment of waterfowl, while Canton observers tallied five owl species, including FIVE Northern Saw-whets. Saw-whets were also found at Pierre and Rapid City. Snowy Owls were only found on count day at Waubay N.W.R., while Pierre had the species as CW only. Bohemian Waxwings were located at Badlands N.P., Pierre, Shadehill, and Spearfish. The only crossbills found this year were Reds, and they were reported from Pine Ridge and Sturgis. Purple Finches were observed at Aberdeen, Brookings, Canton, Mitchell, Pierre, Sioux Falls, Waubay, and Yankton.
In Nebraska, 12 counts were submitted by Cornhuskers this season with the Lake McConaughy count reporting 90 count day species to take first prize. Harlan County birders tallied a very respectable 85 species. This season Lake McConaughy reported, as usual, a nice assortment of waterfowl and gulls; a Rock Wren was a bonus. No real rarities were found this year, although the Gray Catbird at Omaha was a nice surprise. The Scottsbluff count provided this year's only crossbills, Reds, and Purple Finches were reported from six of the 12 counts.
Kansas birders participated in, completed and submitted 30 CBCs this past season. Lawrence led the reported counts tallying 100 species on count day, the only count in the state to reach the century mark for the 117th count. A state-wide survey confirms that some nice birds were spotted on the Kansas counts this year. Arkansas City recorded California Gull, Cheyenne
Bottoms W.M.A. had American Bittern, Cimarron N.G. had Common Raven, while Lawrence birders found White-winged Scoter and Baltimore Oriole. Elsewhere, the out-of-range
Lewis's Woodpecker at Manhattan was CW only, Quivira N.W.R. participants found lingering White-faced Ibis, and the Wilson Reservoir count produced the always nice Black Scoter and also a Northern Goshawk. Several late/uncommon species were notably reported from multiple locations, for example Greater Roadrunners were found at Arkansas City, Dodge City,
Red Hills, and Sawyer, while Sedge Wren was reported from both Linn County and Red Hills. Additionally, Gray Catbirds were found and well-documented at Lawrence and Wilson Reservoir while tardy Common Yellowthroats were seen at Cimarron N.G., Parsons, Red Hills, and Wilson Reservoir. Finally, the Ladder-backed Woodpecker at Sawyer was an unexpected treat, for sure.
Oklahoma participants conducted 20 counts this season and submitted data from 19; Sequoyah N.W.R. was run, but the data curiously was not submitted. (By the way, compilers, it is never too late to submit data for the historical data base). Over half of the counts broke the century mark, but Tishomingo N.W.R. bested the field by recording 120 species on count day. Even the most cursory of surveys confirms lots of interesting finds, some reflecting the relatively mild nature of this year's winter in the southern reaches of the Great Plains. Hulah Reservoir reported Northern Goshawk and Evening Grosbeak (71 individuals), Kenton recorded the western specialties Western Screech-Owl, Pinyon Jay, Juniper Titmouse, Sage Thrasher, and Canyon Towhee, while OKC birders tallied six wader species including Stilt Sandpiper (GD) and Baltimore Oriole (PH). Red Slough reported White Ibis (CW), King Rail (HO but GD—possibly the best species reported in the state this season), Common Ground-Dove (PH), and Henslow's Sparrow; Sooner Lake had a CW American Bittern; Tishomingo N.W.R. recorded Blue-headed Vireo (PH); Tulsa had Brown Pelican; and rounding out the list of rarities for the 117th count, Spotted Sandpiper was at Wichita Mountains W.R. Purple Finches were seen on seven of the counts.
As a final matter, let me thank each of the many compilers in this region who devote their time and energy to edit each of their counts. Not only do their efforts ensure the underlying accuracy of the reported data for each count, but their efforts also ensure the long-time utility of the CBC data base itself by injecting quality assurance and quality control when no one else can.
Thank you again!
<<(((MARTHA—I DON’T SEE A BYLINE FOR SEBASTIAN, SO HERE’S HIS INFO IF YOU NEED IT)))>>
sebastianpatti@hotmail.com
Sebastian T. Patti
552 W. Belden
Chicago, ILLINOIS 60614-3354
PHONE: 312/325-9555 (o)
CELL: 773/304-7488
FAX: 312/325-9017(o)