New online gallery helps Nebraska birders know what to look for
Red Crossbill female
photo by Don Brockmeier
One of the frustrations of bird watching, especially for the novice or casual birder, is knowing what to look for. A new feature on ChickenDanceTrail.com is a photo gallery of birds visiting the area in each season, often accompanied by a helpful caption that will help locate or identify a particular species.
Called, “What to Look for on the Chicken Dance Trail”, the new feature is the work of naturalist and photographer Don Brockmeier of Eustis.
“We think experienced birders are going to love this feature as well,” said Nancy Herhahn, one of the founders of the ChickenDanceTrail.com Website. “Don’s pictures are absolutely amazing – some of the finest bird and wildlife photography you’re likely to see anywhere.”
The gallery contains about ten photographs which will change as the seasons change and different birds come to the region in southwest and south central Nebraska. Currently featured are the Horned Lark, Red Crossbill, Red-Breasted Nuthatch and Blue Jay among several other birds that winter in Nebraska.
In addition to the new gallery, ChickenDanceTrail.com has a number of features of interest to bird watchers, including a monthly newsletter, an interactive birding chart, a forum where birders can post sightings, and a series of five mapped “adventures” designed to introduce birders to the best sites and locales in a particular area.
“Our whole purpose is to make bird watching in southwest and south central Nebraska more accessible to more people,” Herhahn said. In addition to suggesting specific birding and wildlife habitats, the site details available food, lodging and attractions.
To see “What to Look for on the Chicken Dance Trail”, visit the website at www.chickendancetrail.com.
About the Chicken Dance Trail
The Chicken Dance Trail is actually a collection of great bird watching locations in southwest and south central Nebraska, between the Platte and Republican Rivers. Because the area includes the narrowest section of the hourglass-shaped Central Flyway, the Chicken Dance Trail is uniquely situated for birders. Millions of different birds come through here during spring and fall migrations, making the Chicken Dance Trail one of the best places in the country to see a wide variety of species in a relatively small area.
Our bird watching sites were developed by local naturalists and birding experts and are collected into a series of bird watching “adventures” which are described in detail, along with interactive maps, on our Web site at www.chickendancetrail.com. Other resources include a birding chart, useful birding links, and guides to restaurants, lodging and activities in the area.
Our wildlife and bird watching sites were developed by local naturalists and are collected into a series of “adventures” which are described in detail, along with interactive maps, on our Web site at www.chickendancetrail.com. Other resources include a birding chart, useful links, and guides to restaurants, lodging and activities in the area.
Come and visit and learn why we say, “Birds love this part of Nebraska...and you will too!”
Special Thanks to:
Nebraska Game and Parks, Birds of Nebraska
www.ngpc.state.ne.us/wildlife/guides/birds/findbirds.asp