The Republican River Adventure

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Click to Enlarge "Ivar sat down on the floor and tucked his feet under him. ‘See little brother, they have come from a long way, and they are very tired. From up there where they are flying, our country looks dark and flat. They must have water to drink and to bathe in before they can go on with their journey. They look this way and that, and far below them they see something shining, like a piece of glass set in the dark earth. That is my pond. They come to it and are not disturbed. Maybe I sprinkle a little corn. They tell the other birds, and next year more come this way. They have their roads up there, as we have down here.’”
—O Pioneers!

Willa Cather was one of the most eloquent writers about the beauty – even majesty – of the Nebraska prairie and the Republican River Valley, and somehow, starting this adventure at the Willa Cather Memorial Prairie seems the right thing to do.

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Approximate GPS Coordinates:
40.008651 N
-98.522944 S
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Willa Cather Memorial Prairie

Click to Enlarge The view of what Cather called “this hairy landscape” from the parking area alone is worth the drive, a vast undulating vista of prairie and sky, dropping away to a little pond, “shining like a piece of glass set in the dark earth.” As we gather our gear, a Western Meadowlark voices his approval of a fine spring day, and then another joins him, and a third, faint but distinct. Redwing blackbirds are in abundance, and one perches on a nearby fence inviting us to admire his bright red bars.

A path mowed in the long grass leads off across the pasture and down to the pond. As we approach, a pair of mallards explode from the water and when we get under the giant old cottonwoods, the air is dense with tree swallows. Down here you don’t see the trappings of modern civilization, and it’s possible to imagine the world Cather wrote about and to think, despite the hardships, that it wouldn’t have been that bad.

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Approximate GPS Coordinates:
40.083161 N
-98.597317 S
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A pre-adventure soiree

Click to Enlarge We had actually arrived in Red Cloud, the town where Willa Cather came of age and gathered material for her seminal novels, My Antonia and O Pioneers! the previous afternoon. But before settling in for the evening, we decided to take the advice of a local naturalist and locate the Narrows Wildlife Management Area (WMA) 4 miles west of town on Hwy 136.

We stopped in a grove of trees where the road crosses a former railroad grade bed, the tracks ripped out and stacked in an unruly pile and the resulting trail disappearing in both directions. In the lengthening shadows, the air was filled with a symphony of birdsong and we are once more confronted with that frustration common to all birders: hearing birds is one thing and seeing them quite another. We still ourselves and our impatience and in time we are rewarded with sightings of a warbling vireo, a black-headed grosbeak and a yellow warbler.

When the road becomes rougher, we continue on foot down to the river. Massive old cottonwoods form a deep glade with dense undergrowth and it’s a surprise when we break free of it and almost stumble into the river. This is just the kind of place where if you had a lawn chair, a good pair of binoculars, and plenty of bug spray and time you could make a good dent in any birding list. Especially during the migration season, this part of Nebraska enjoys visits from a wide variety of shorebirds native to other climes, and it’s not uncommon to see black neck stilt, Hudsonian godwit and phalaropes. On this evening, however, hunger limits our patience, and after spotting a wood duck and a blue-winged teal, we return to Red Cloud for a hot meal and a good bed.

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Approximate GPS Coordinates:
40.062373 N
-98.519554 S
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The River Road

Click to Enlarge In the morning, we hit the trail early, arriving at the Willa Cather Memorial Prairie while the dew is still heavy on the long grass. We’ve planned to cover a lot of ground today, from Red Cloud along the south side of the Republican River to the Harlan County Dam which forms Nebraska’s second largest body of water, along the north side of the lake to Methodist Cove, then on to Oxford, where we’ve heard Thelma Lou’s restaurant is the place for prime rib on a Saturday night.

From U.S. 281, a well-paved gravel road leads west through the trees lining the river. This is beautiful country, and one can see where the pioneers of Cather’s novels might choose to carve out a life here. We pass neat farmyards tucked beneath green hills and tan bluffs. Above, the sky is dotted with clouds, with the threat of rain gathering in the west.

Abruptly, we turn a corner and come upon a broad field of alfalfa, a distinctly deeper green than the surrounding crops. As we watch, we become aware of kingbirds and bobolinks fluttering a few feet above the plants then dropping into them. There are dozens of them, popping up at intervals all over the field like some crazy 3D game of Whack-a-Mole.

We argue a little over whether they are finding a breakfast of insects or engaging in some courting ritual, but when similar fields have no such activity we conclude the breakfast theory was probably the best one and speculate that the field we had seen may have been organic and thus not sprayed with pesticides.

A bit farther along, we see three hen turkeys feeding unconcernedly at the edge of the road, but when we stop, they amble away into the trees before we can bring the camera to bear. Although we didn’t see the Tom, he was almost certainly nearby, keeping an eye on his harem.

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An unexpected treat

Click to Enlarge Baltimore orioles are not native to Nebraska, but they occur in large numbers during the migration season. Their school-bus yellow and black bodies make them relatively easy to identify, and we aren’t too surprised to see one perched in a row of bushes along the fence line.

As we slow the car to a crawl, and roll down the windows, we spot another...and another...and another. In a moment, we realize the bushes are full of orioles – two dozen at least – fluttering nervously from branch to branch like jeweled, mobile flowers. We are enthralled. They are made nervous by our presence, but don’t take flight; we stay in the car and they give us a floor show for several minutes.

Click to EnlargeWe do get out of the car to walk across a picturesque old bridge over the Republican River at E-F Road, abandoned when the new replacement was built immediately adjacent. It gives us an excellent view of an entire neighborhood of mud swallow dwellings. By now the sun is high, though, and there is no activity to be seen. We hear the distinctive knock of woodpeckers in the trees lining the river and wish we had the skill – as some people do – to distinguish the species by the sound.

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Approximate GPS Coordinates:
40.05403 N
-99.209976 S
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Harlan County Dam

Click to Enlarge The steep wall of the Harlan County Dam has been an increasingly prominent feature of the landscape as we travel west, and as we round the south end of it, the reservoir comes intensely into view as a broad, glistening gem almost surreal in the vast panorama. As we drive across the top of the dam, we get a seldom-glimpsed perspective of a turkey vulture, one that gives us renewed appreciation for these maligned creatures. On the passenger side, just at eye level and not ten yards away, a vulture glides, perfectly matching our speed for several long seconds, allowing us to admire his effortless flight before he banks away.

The Harlan County Dam and resulting reservoir are under the jurisdiction of the Army Corps of Engineers, and they maintain a small visitors center at the north end of the dam. Here you can see displays of some of the local bird and wildlife and talk to people who know a little something about birds and can tell you what’s been seen in the neighborhood lately. One species we didn’t see but are told are common in January and February is the American bald eagle which stops over at Harlan County Lake in large numbers to dine on ducks and geese in the open water.

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Approximate GPS Coordinates:
40.086412 N
-99.328873 S
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Methodist Cove

Click to Enlarge If you’re a birder with an RV, the Harlan County Lake has six campgrounds and hundreds of appealing campsites. We took a quick drive through the North and South Outlet Parks immediately below the dam, then skirted around the north side of the lake, through the village of Republican City, which, we are told has not one but two good Mexican restaurants and a summer repertory theater called the Theater of the American West that puts on plays and musicals all summer long.

Methodist Cove Park is a beautiful wooded park with 155 campsites overlooking the lake about two miles West of Alma. As we sat on the bank in the sun, we saw a number of fishermen – Harlan County Lake is reputed to be one of the best fishing spots in the state – and numerous pelicans, pintails, pied-billed grebe and horned greebes paddling in the sparkling water.

We notice our binoculars are getting heavier and realize it’s been a long time since breakfast and begin to think a steaming latte and a snack might be just the thing to tide us over.

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Approximate GPS Coordinates:
40.097599 N
-99.362508 S
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Joe Camera

Click to Enlarge As we drive on into the charming town of Alma, we stop to admire the Pheasant Ridge Trail, a three-mile paved and lighted trail along the shoreline. This trail is a favorite among local bikers and hikers, and we comment that it’s an ideal bird watching venue for handicapped or wheelchair-bound birders as well.

On the main street we find the perfect spot for a midday pick-me-up – Joe Camera, an appealing, friendly spot with lots of exposed brick, a full menu of coffee and other drinks, and enough sweets to restore our energy. We chat with a few of the locals who gather there throughout the day and learn that in addition to coffee, Joe Camera does custom film processing and provides services and supplies to professional photographers all around the region.

Our coffee, cookies and brownies consumed, we get back in the car and head north out of Alma on U.S. 183, then west on U.S. 136 through Orleans and on to Oxford.

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Approximate GPS Coordinates:
40.246892 N
-99.636984 S
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The Village of Oxford

Click to Enlarge A number of small towns dot this region of Nebraska and although they all have their individual character, they share a calm, relaxed feel. Drivers drive slow, children play and ride bikes in the streets. The trees are big and shady, the porches broad and inviting.

One of the appealing spots around Oxford – to birders and local residents alike – is a large park at the south end of town. The north end has the requisite playground, picnic tables, ball field and bleachers – a little league game was in progress as we drove by – but the south end is left a little more wild. We park beside a small pond in the shade of towering cottonwoods and sit on a log to enjoy the last remnants of the day.

Sitting still and not talking, we take in the sound of the wind in the leaves, the distant crowd at the ballgame, the chatter of a squirrel, and a chorus of songbirds. We pick out the clear whistle of a Northern cardinal and soon spot his bright red body in the branches above us. Just sitting still for fifteen minutes, we saw many species of birds, including blue-gray gnat catcher, Eastern wood peewee, downey woodpecker, brown thrasher, and spotted towhee.

We’ve had a fine day with a fine ending. We reflect on the marvels we’ve seen and the adventure we’ve had. Spring and fall are fabulous times for watching birds in Nebraska, but even the native species are worth seeking out in their native habitat. We agree we aren’t finished until we’ve done all the adventures along the Chicken Dance Trail.

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The Birds of Central and Western Nebraska

  Spring Summer Fall Winter
  Avocet, American spring summer fall  
photo Bittern, American spring   fall  
photo Blackbird, Brewer's spring   fall  
photo Blackbird, Red-winged spring summer fall  
  Blackbird, Rusty spring   fall winter
photo Blackbird, Yellow-headed spring summer fall  
photo Bluebird, Eastern spring summer fall winter
  Bluebird, Mountain spring     winter
photo Bobolink   summer fall  
photo Bufflehead spring   fall  
photo Bunting, Indigo spring summer fall  
photo Bunting, Lark spring summer fall  
  Bunting, Painted spring      
  Bunting, Snow       winter
photo Bunting,Lazuli spring      
photo Canvasback spring   fall  
  Cardinal, Northern spring summer fall winter
  Catbird, Gray spring summer fall  
  Chat, Yellow-breasted spring summer fall  
photo Chickadee, Black-capped spring summer fall winter
photo Coot, American spring summer fall  
photo Cormorant, Double-crested spring   fall  
photo Cowbird, Brown-headed spring summer fall  
photo Crane, Sandhill spring   fall  
  Crane, Whooping spring   fall  
  Creeper, Brown spring   fall winter
  Creeper, Brown spring summer fall winter
  Crossbill, Red spring     winter
  Crossbill, White-winged spring   fall  
photo Crow, American spring summer fall winter
  Cukoo, Black-billed spring summer fall  
  Cukoo, Yellow-billed spring summer fall  
photo Curlew, Long-billed spring summer fall  
  Dickcissel spring summer fall  
  Dove, Eurasian Collared spring summer fall winter
photo Dove, Mourning spring summer fall winter
photo Dove, Rock spring summer fall winter
  Dowitcher, Long-billed spring   fall  
photo Dowitcher, Short-billed spring   fall  
  Duck, American Black spring   fall  
  Duck, Black-bellied Whistling     fall  
photo Duck, Gadwall spring summer fall  
  Duck, Garganey spring   fall  
photo Duck, Mallard spring summer fall winter
  Duck, Ring-necked spring   fall  
  Duck, Ruddy spring summer fall  
photo Duck, Wood spring summer fall  
  Dunlin spring   fall  
photo Eagle, Bald spring   fall winter
photo Eagle, Golden spring   fall winter
  Egret, Cattle spring   fall  
  Egret, Great spring   fall  
  Egret, Snowy        
photo Falcon, Peregrine spring   fall winter
  Falcon, Prairie spring   fall winter
photo Finch, House spring summer fall winter
photo Finch, Purple spring   fall winter
  Finch, Rosy       winter
photo Flicker, Northern spring summer fall winter
  Flycatcher, Alder spring      
  Flycatcher, Great Crested spring summer fall  
  Flycatcher, Least spring   fall  
  Flycatcher, Olive-sided spring   fall  
  Flycatcher, Scissor-tailed spring summer    
  Flycatcher, Willow spring summer fall  
  Flycather, Yellow-bellied spring      
  Gallinule, Purple spring      
  Gnatcatcher, Blue-gray spring   fall  
  Godwit, Hudsonian spring      
photo Godwit, Marbled spring   fall  
  Goldeneye, Barrow's spring   fall winter
photo Goldeneye, Common spring   fall winter
photo Goldfinch, American spring summer fall winter
  Goose, Brant spring   fall  
  Goose, Cackling spring      
photo Goose, Canada spring summer fall  
  Goose, Emperor spring      
  Goose, Great White Fronted spring   fall  
  Goose, Ross' spring   fall  
photo Goose, Snow spring   fall  
photo Grackle, Common spring summer fall  
  Grackle, Great-tailed spring summer    
  Grebe, Clark's spring   fall  
  Grebe, Eared spring   fall  
  Grebe, Horned spring   fall  
photo Grebe, Pied-billed spring summer fall  
photo Grebe, Western spring   fall  
  Grosbeak, Black-headed spring summer fall  
  Grosbeak, Blue spring summer fall  
photo Grosbeak, Evening       winter
  Grosbeak, Pine       winter
photo Grosbeak, Rose-breasted spring   fall  
photo Grouse, Sharp-tailed spring summer fall winter
  Gull, Bonaparte's spring   fall  
photo Gull, California spring      
photo Gull, Franklin's spring summer fall  
  Gull, Herring spring   fall winter
  Gull, Lesser Black-backed     fall  
photo Gull, Ring-billed spring   fall  
  Gull, Thayer     fall  
  Gyrfalcon       winter
  Harrier, Northern spring summer fall winter
  Hawk, Broad-winged spring      
photo Hawk, Cooper's spring summer   winter
  Hawk, Ferruginous spring   fall winter
photo Hawk, Red-tailed spring summer fall winter
photo Hawk, Rough-legged spring   fall winter
photo Hawk, Sharp-shinned spring summer fall winter
photo Hawk, Swainsons's spring summer fall  
photo Heron, black-crowned night spring   fall  
photo Heron, Great blue spring summer fall  
  Heron, Green spring   fall  
  Heron, Litttle Blue spring summer fall  
  Heron, Tri-colored spring      
  Heron, Yellow-crowned Night spring   fall  
photo Hummingbird, Broad-tailed     fall  
  Hummingbird, Ruby-throated spring summer fall  
photo Hummingbird, Rufous     fall  
  Ibis, Glossy spring   fall  
  Ibis, White spring   fall  
photo Ibis, White-faced spring   fall  
photo Jay, Blue spring summer fall winter
  Jay, Pinyon spring summer fall winter
photo Junco, Dark-eyed spring   fall winter
photo Kestrel, American spring summer fall winter
photo Killdeer spring summer fall winter
  Kingbird, Cassin's spring summer fall  
photo Kingbird, Eastern spring summer fall  
photo Kingbird, Western spring summer fall  
photo Kingfisher, Belted spring summer fall winter
  Kinglet, Golden-crowned spring   fall  
photo Kinglet, Ruby-crowned spring   fall  
  Kite, Mississippi spring summer    
  Kite, White-winged   summer    
  Kittiwake, Black-legged     fall  
photo Lark, Horned spring summer fall winter
  Least Bittern spring summer fall  
photo Lesser Scaup spring   fall  
  Longspur, Chestnut-collared spring     winter
  Longspur, Lapland     fall winter
  Longspur, McCown's spring     winter
photo Loon, Common spring summer fall  
photo Magpie, Black-billed spring summer fall winter
  Martin, Purple spring summer fall  
  Meadowlark, Eastern spring summer fall  
photo Meadowlark, Western spring summer fall winter
photo Merganser, Common spring     winter
photo Merganser, Hooded spring   fall  
  Merganser, Red-breasted spring   fall  
photo Merlin spring   fall winter
  Mockingbird, Northern spring summer fall winter
  Moorhen, Common spring   fall  
photo Nighthawk, Common spring summer fall  
  Northern Bobwhite spring summer fall winter
  Northern Goshawk spring   fall winter
  Nuthatch, Pygmy spring summer fall winter
photo Nuthatch, Red-breasted     fall winter
photo Nuthatch, White-breasted spring summer fall winter
  Oriole, Baltimore spring summer fall  
  Oriole, Bullock's spring   fall  
  Oriole, Northern   summer    
  Oriole, Orchard spring summer fall  
photo Osprey spring   fall  
  Ovenbird spring   fall  
photo Owl, Barn spring summer fall winter
  Owl, Barred spring summer fall winter
  Owl, Boreal     fall  
photo Owl, Burrowing spring summer fall  
photo Owl, Eastern screech spring summer fall winter
photo Owl, Great Horned spring summer fall winter
  Owl, Long-eared spring summer fall winter
  Owl, Northern saw-whet       winter
photo Owl, Short-eared spring summer fall winter
photo Owl, Snowy       winter
  Parula, Northern spring   fall  
photo Pelican, American white spring   fall  
photo Pewee, Eastern Wood spring summer fall  
  Pewee, Western Wood   summer    
  Phalarope, Red     fall  
  Phalarope, Red-necked spring   fall  
photo Phalarope, Wilson's spring summer fall  
photo Pheasant, Ring-necked spring summer fall winter
photo Phoebe, Eastern spring   fall  
  Phoebe, Say's   summer    
photo Pintail, Northern spring summer fall  
  Pipit, American spring   fall  
  Pipit, Sprague's spring   fall  
photo Plover, American spring   fall  
  Plover, Black-bellied spring   fall  
  Plover, Mountain spring   fall  
  Plover, Piping spring summer fall  
  Plover, Semipalmated spring   fall  
  Plover, Snowy spring   fall  
  Poorwill, Common spring   fall  
photo Prairie Chicken, Greater spring summer fall winter
  Rail, King spring summer    
  Rail, Virgina spring summer fall  
  Rail, Yellow   summer fall  
  Red Knot spring   fall  
photo Redhead spring   fall  
photo Redpoll, Common spring     winter
  Redstart, American spring summer fall  
photo Robin, American spring summer fall winter
  Ruff spring   fall  
photo Sanderling spring   fall  
  Sandpiper, Baird's spring   fall  
  Sandpiper, Buff-breasted spring      
  Sandpiper, Curlew   summer    
  Sandpiper, Least spring   fall  
  Sandpiper, Pectoral spring   fall  
photo Sandpiper, Semi-palmated spring   fall  
  Sandpiper, Solitary spring   fall  
photo Sandpiper, Spotted spring summer fall  
  Sandpiper, Stilt spring   fall  
  Sandpiper, Upland spring summer fall  
  Sandpiper, Western spring summer fall  
  Sandpiper, White-ruped spring      
photo Sapsucker, Red-breasted spring   fall  
  Sapsucker, Williamson's spring      
  Sapsucker, Yellow-bellied       winter
  Scaup, Greater spring   fall  
  Scaup, Lesser spring   fall  
  Scoter, White-winged spring   fall  
photo Shoveler, Northern spring summer fall  
photo Shrike, Loggerhead spring   fall winter
  Shrike, Northern     fall winter
photo Siskin, Pine spring summer fall winter
  Snipe, Wilson spring summer fall  
  Solitaire, Townsend's spring     winter
  Sora spring summer fall  
photo Sparrow, American Tree spring   fall winter
  Sparrow, Baird's spring   fall  
photo Sparrow, Chipping spring summer fall  
  Sparrow, Clay-colored spring   fall  
  Sparrow, Field spring summer fall  
  Sparrow, Fox spring   fall  
  Sparrow, Grasshopper spring summer fall  
  Sparrow, Harris spring   fall winter
  Sparrow, Henslow's spring summer    
photo Sparrow, House spring summer fall winter
photo Sparrow, Lark spring summer fall  
  Sparrow, LeConte's spring   fall  
  Sparrow, Lincoln's spring   fall  
  Sparrow, Nelson's Sharp-tailed spring   fall  
photo Sparrow, Song spring   fall winter
  Sparrow, Swamp spring   fall  
  Sparrow, Vester spring   fall  
photo Sparrow, White-crowned spring     winter
photo Sparrow, White-throated spring   fall  
  Spoonbill, Roseate   summer    
photo Starling, European spring summer fall winter
  Stilt, Black-necked spring summer fall  
  Swallow, Bank spring summer fall  
photo Swallow, Barn spring summer fall  
photo Swallow, Cliff spring summer fall  
  Swallow, Rough-winged spring summer fall  
  Swallow, Rough-winged   summer    
  Swallow, Tree spring summer fall  
  Swallow, Violet-green   summer    
  Swallow, Violet-green   summer fall  
photo Swan, Trumpeter spring   fall  
  Swan, Tundra spring   fall  
  Swift, Chimney spring summer fall  
  Swift, White-throated   summer    
  Tanager, Scarlet spring      
  Tanager, Summer spring summer    
photo Tanager, Western spring      
photo Teal, Blue-winged spring summer fall  
photo Teal, Cinnamon spring summer fall  
photo Teal, Green-winged spring   fall  
  Tern, Black spring summer fall  
photo Tern, Common spring      
  Tern, Forester's spring summer fall  
  Tern, Least spring   fall  
  Tern. Caspian spring   fall  
  Thrasher, Brown spring summer fall  
  Thrush, Gray-necked spring      
  Thrush, Hermit spring   fall  
photo Thrush, Swainson's spring   fall  
  Thrush, Varied     fall  
  Thrush, Wood spring summer fall  
  Titmouse, Tufted spring   fall winter
  Towhee, Spotted spring   fall  
photo Turkey, Wild spring summer fall winter
  Turnstone, Ruddy spring      
  Veery spring      
  Vireo, Bells spring summer fall  
  Vireo, Blue-headed spring      
  Vireo, Philadelphia spring   fall  
photo Vireo, Red-eyed spring summer fall  
  Vireo, Solitary   summer    
photo Vireo, Warbling spring summer fall  
  Vireo, Yellow-throated spring   fall  
  Virginia Rail   summer    
photo Vulture, Turkey   summer    
  Warbler, Bay-breasted spring      
  Warbler, Black-and-white spring      
  Warbler, Blackburnian spring   fall  
  Warbler, Blackpoll spring   fall  
  Warbler, Black-throated Blue spring      
  Warbler, Black-throated Green spring   fall  
  Warbler, Blue-winged spring      
  Warbler, Canada spring   fall  
  Warbler, Cape May spring      
  Warbler, Cerulean spring   fall  
  Warbler, Chestnust-sided spring      
  Warbler, Connecticut        
  Warbler, Golden-winged spring      
  Warbler, Hooded spring   fall  
  Warbler, Kentucky spring      
  Warbler, MacGillivray's spring      
  Warbler, Magnolia spring   fall  
  Warbler, Mourning spring summer    
  Warbler, Nashville spring   fall  
  Warbler, Orange-crowned spring   fall  
  Warbler, Palm spring   fall  
  Warbler, Pine spring      
  Warbler, Prairie spring   fall  
  Warbler, Prothonotary spring   fall  
  Warbler, Tennessee spring   fall  
photo Warbler, Wilson's spring   fall  
  Warbler, Worm-eating spring      
photo Warbler, Yellow spring summer fall  
photo Warbler, Yellow-rumped spring   fall  
  Warbler, Yellow-throated spring      
  Waterthrush, Louisiana spring   fall  
  Waterthrush, Northen spring   fall  
  Waterthrush, Northern spring   fall  
  Waxwing, Bohemian spring   fall  
photo Waxwing, Cedar spring   fall  
  Whimbrel spring   fall  
photo Wigeon, American spring summer fall  
  Willet spring   fall  
  Woodcock, American spring summer fall  
photo Woodpecker, Downy spring summer fall winter
photo Woodpecker, Hairy spring summer fall winter
  Woodpecker, Lewis'   summer    
photo Woodpecker, Red-bellied spring summer fall winter
photo Woodpecker, Red-headed spring summer fall winter
  Wren, Carolina     fall winter
  Wren, Bewick's spring      
photo Wren, House spring summer fall  
photo Wren, Marsh spring summer fall  
  Wren, Rock     fall  
  Wren, Sedge spring summer fall  
  Wren, Winter     fall winter
  Yellowlegs, Greater spring   fall  
photo Yellowlegs, Lesser spring   fall  
  Yellowthroat, Common spring summer fall  

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Yellow warbler.
The Republican River Trail.
The Nebraska Prairie Chicken. Photo courtesy of Don Brockmeier.
Willa Cather memorial Prairie.
Narrows Wildlife Management Area.
McFarland Hotel room.
Kingbirds and bobolinks in alfalfa field.
Baltimore orioles
View of mud nests from abandoned RR bridge.
Harlan County Dam.
Pied-billed grebe.
Pheasant Ridge trail head.
Oxford park.
Thelma Lou's.
American Bittern.
Brewer's Blackbird
Red-winged Blackbird. Photo courtesy of Don Brockmeier.
Yellow-headed Blackbird.
Eastern Bluebird. Photo courtesy of Don Brockmeier.
Bufflehead Duck
Indigo Bunting.
Lark Bunting
Lazuli Bunting.
Canvasback.
Black-capped Chickadee.
American Coot.
Double-crested Cormorant.
Sandhill Crane.
American Crow.
Long-billed Cerlew.
Mourning Dove. Photo courtesy of Don Brockmeier.
Rock Dove.
Short-billed Dowitcher.
Gadwall Duck.
Mallard.
Wood Duck.
Bald Eagle. Photo courtesy of Don Brockmeier.
Golden Eagle.
Peregrine Falcon.
House Finch.
Purple Finch.
Northern Flicker.
Marbled Godwit.
Common Goldeneye.
Goldfinch. Photo courtesy of Don Brockmeier.
Canada Goose.
Snow Goose. Photo courtesy of Don Brockmeier.
Common Grackle.
Pied-billed Grebe.
Western Grebe.
Evening Grosbeak.
Rose-breasted Grosbeak.
Sharp-tailed Grouse.
California Gull.
Franklin's Gull.
Ring-billed Gull.
Cooper's Hawk.
Red-tailed Hawk. Photo courtesy of Don Brockmeier.
Rough-legged Hawk.
Sharp-shinned Hawk.
Swainsons's Hawk
Black-crowned Night Heron.
Blue Heron. Photo courtesy of Don Brockmeier.
Broad-tailed Hummingbird.
Rufous Hummingbird.
White Ibis.
Blue Jay. Photo courtesy of Don Brockmeier.
Dark-eyed Junco.
American Kestrel.
Killdeer. Photo courtesy of Don Brockmeier.
Eastern Kingbird.
Western Kingbird.
Belted Kingfisher.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet.
Horned Lark
Lesser Scaup.
Common Loon.
Black-billed Magpie.
Western Meadowlark. Photo courtesy of Don Brockmeier.
Merganser.
Hooded Merganser.
Merlin.
Nighthawk.
Red-breasted Nuthatch.
White-breasted Nuthatch.
Osprey.
Barn Owl.
Burrowing Owl.
Eastern Screech Owl.
Great Horned Owl.
Short-eared Owl.
Snowy Owl.
American White Pelican. Photo courtesy of Don Brockmeier.
Eastern Wood Pewee.
Wilson's Phalarope. Photo courtesy of Don Brockmeier.
Ring-necked Pheasant. Photo courtesy of Don Brockmeier.
Eastern Phoebe.
Northern Pintail.
Plover
Greater Prairie Chicken. Photo courtesy of Don Brockmeier.
Redhead.
Redpoll.
American Robin.
Sanderling.
Semi-palmated Sandpiper.
Spotted Sandpiper.
Red-breasted Sapsucker.
Northern Shoveler.
Loggerhead Shrike
Pine Siskin.
American Tree Sparrow.
Chipping Sparrow.
House Sparrow.
Lark Sparrow.
Song Sparrow.
White-crowned Sparrow.
White-throated Sparrow.
European Starling.
Barn Swallow. Photo courtesy of Don Brockmeier.
Cliff Swallow.
Trumpeter Swan.
Western Tanager.
Blue-winged Teal. Photo courtesy of Don Brockmeier.
Cinnamon Teal.
Green-winged Teal.
Common Tern.
Swainson's Thrush.
Wild Turkey. Photo courtesy of Don Brockmeier.
Red-eyed Vireo.
Warbling Vireo.
Photo courtesy of Don Brockmeier.
Wilson's Warbler.
Yellow Warbler.
Yellow-rumped Warbler.
Cedar Waxwing.
American Wigeon.
Downy Woodpecker.
Hairy Woodpecker.
Red-bellied Woodpecker. Photo courtesy of Don Brockmeier.
Red-headed Woodpecker. Photo courtesy of Don Brockmeier.
House Wren.
Marsh Wren.
Lesser Yellowlegs.