Date: 4/13/26 7:14 pm From: Dan office mac 2025 <editor...> Subject: BB Whistling Duck in City of Linn, Washington County
I saw a couple photos and tracked down information on a Black-bellied Whistling Duck in the City of Linn in Washington County. This would be a county record.
It was spotted and photographed at 4:33 p.m. today as it stood in a driveway and walked into a yard.
The photographer, Marcia Richardson of Linn, took a couple pictures of the duck in her neighbor’s yard. She said it looked like a statue at first, but then she saw its head move. She approached it to take pictures and it walked a bit. A car went by and flushed it and she didn't see it again.
I didn’t hear about it until a couple hours later when I was on my way to a meeting. On my way home, I stopped by the Linn Lagoons and drove around Linn, but saw nothing of interest.
I’ll submit info to Chuck for the county record.
-Dan
Dan Thalmann
• Owner – Washington County News, Washington, Kansas www.backroadsnews.com
785-747-6980 (cell, feel free to text me)
<editor...>
“Faith, Family, & the Freedom to keep it that way."
Date: 4/11/26 6:09 pm From: Chris H <chobbs.f1...> Subject: Re: Linn area water birds after 8" of rain in Washington County
The playa / sewage pond combo should yield some county records! Enjoy!!
Chris Hobbs
Lenexa
Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
Get Outlook for Android<https://aka.ms/AAb9ysg> ________________________________
From: Birds & Their Habitats in Kansas <KSBIRD-L...> on behalf of Dan office mac 2025 <editor...>
Sent: Saturday, April 11, 2026 2:38:41 PM
To: <KSBIRD-L...> <KSBIRD-L...>
Subject: Linn area water birds after 8" of rain in Washington County
Saturday, Apr. 11, 2026
Much of Washington County received over 8 of rain the last two days and we're having significant flooding this morning. Some of the flooding will go down Mill Creek on its way to the Little Blue and Tuttle. Some will go down Peats Creek to the Republican to Milford.
There is a playa wetland northeast of Linn that hasnt had water in it the last couple years, but filled up well this year, and it is a mile from the Linn city lagoons, just north of Linn, which are always good for waterfowl and shorebirds during migration.
Linn seasonal wetlands
17 American Avocet
10 White-faced Ibis
Northern Shoveler
Blue-winged Teal
Unidentified shorebirds beyond the view of my binoculars (I dont own a spotting scope), but I believe there were dowitchers out there among them based on feeding style.
Got home in Palmer and a Swainsons Hawk flew over my yard.
Date: 4/11/26 12:39 pm From: Dan office mac 2025 <editor...> Subject: Linn area water birds after 8" of rain in Washington County
Saturday, Apr. 11, 2026
Much of Washington County received over 8” of rain the last two days and we're having significant flooding this morning. Some of the flooding will go down Mill Creek on its way to the Little Blue and Tuttle. Some will go down Peats Creek to the Republican to Milford.
There is a playa wetland northeast of Linn that hasn’t had water in it the last couple years, but filled up well this year, and it is a mile from the Linn city lagoons, just north of Linn, which are always good for waterfowl and shorebirds during migration.
Linn seasonal wetlands
17 American Avocet
10 White-faced Ibis
Northern Shoveler
Blue-winged Teal
Unidentified shorebirds beyond the view of my binoculars (I don’t own a spotting scope), but I believe there were dowitchers out there among them based on feeding style.
Got home in Palmer and a Swainson’s Hawk flew over my yard.
-Dan
Dan Thalmann
• Owner – Washington County News, Washington, Kansas www.backroadsnews.com
785-747-6980 (cell, feel free to text me)
<editor...>
“Faith, Family, & the Freedom to keep it that way."
I took advantage of a cold, dreary, misty Friday to get the current round of county check-list updates posted to the web. It's been a pretty light go since the last updates from last October. Not sure what that means for the coming seasons, but anyway. All the county check-lists that had updates are now posted and all the associated pages, maps, tables, etc. are updated as well. The main index page is found at:
Following is a list of the counties that had updates, the number currently on each county's check-list and then a list of the updates for each county. Any species name marked with an asterisk (*) indicates a new confirmed breeding record (I believe that there are only two).
As always, if you have any questions, or problems accessing these pages please drop me a message! And now I'm ready for northbound migration to get cranked up!
Date: 4/8/26 7:27 am From: Malcolm Gold <malcolmgold...> Subject: BAS April 11th field trip cancelation
I need to cancel the previously schedule BAS fieldtrip to Marais des Cygnes this weekend. I offer my sincere apologies to anyone previously planning to attend.
Date: 4/4/26 2:53 pm From: Malcolm Gold <malcolmgold...> Subject: Johnson County singing winter visitors
I am thankful for almost another month to get back into the swing of being
up and out for dawn chorus. Fortunately at this time of year we get the
winter visitor starting to sing with the warmer weather.
Late this morning I got out for a short walk at Corporate Woods in Overland
Park. There were plenty of birds with a strong lineup of singing
Yellow-rumped Warblers (Myrtle), Ruby-crowned Kinglets, and a Winter Wren
among the usual local species.
But the headline? Three Peregrine Falcons over the Morton signs of the tall
building — two adults and an immature. This is the first time I’ve seen
them at this location, as they are not common along the Indian Creek Trail.
I guess a reminder should go out for for pigeons, starlings, doves… and the
occasional distracted commuter.....to be wary or potentially be on their
menu
Date: 4/3/26 1:45 pm From: Chuck Otte <00001b0b31b1d152-dmarc-request...> Subject: KOS Award Nominations Now Open
Every year members of the Kansas Ornithological Society (KOS) have the opportunity to nominate individuals for one of two awards.
The Avian Conservationist of the Year can be given to an individual for making significant contributions to bird conservation and/or education. The recipient does not need to be a member of KOS but the nominator does need to be a KOS Member. Information on past winners, as well as nomination forms can be found at:
The Dr. Ivan L. Boyd Award can be given to a member(s) of the Kansas Ornithological Society (KOS), for outstanding contributions and service to the society. The nominator and the recipient must both be members of KOS. Information on past winners and the nomination forms can be found online at:
Some years nominations are received for both awards and some years no nominations are received. If you have someone in mind that you'd like to nominate but are not a KOS Member, there is still time to join. You can join on line at: https://ksbirds.org/kos/kos_member.html
As always, if you have any questions on either of these awards, or joining KOS, please contact me!
Date: 4/2/26 7:29 am From: LuAnn Cadden <luann.cadden...> Subject: Vultures Want Information
About 25 Turkey Vultures have gathered in the tops of 4 huge bur oak trees adjacent to the parking lot of the Mr. & Mrs. F.L. Schlagle Library at the Wyandotte County Lake Park this misty dark morning. Although they've been out here for a few weeks now, we've not seen this kind of committee yet. Very foreboding. Perfect for a scary story.
In one of the same trees, we saw an Osprey perch both yesterday and the day before. Last year in April, an Osprey also called that branch their own. Perhaps the same one returning?
Other than that, our woods are noisy with the calls of Tufted Titmice, Cardinals, Red-winged Blackbirds, various woodpeckers, and more. Saw a Ruby-Crowned Kinglet last week.
We're anxiously awaiting the return of our nesting Prothonotary Warblers. Should be soon!
Date: 3/25/26 2:22 pm From: Mark Mayfield <markherb...> Subject: Re: Looking For Breeding Bird Survey volunteers
Hey Chuck,
Id love to do one more but Im away a lot this year during the window. I hope I can get the two I have done. Maybe next yr?
Best, Mark
Mark H Mayfield
Division of Biology
Kansas State University
________________________________
From: Birds & Their Habitats in Kansas <KSBIRD-L...> on behalf of Chuck Otte <00001b0b31b1d152-dmarc-request...>
Sent: Monday, March 23, 2026 11:41:27 AM
To: <ksbird-l...> <ksbird-l...>
Subject: Looking For Breeding Bird Survey volunteers
A few years ago I "inherited" the job of Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) state
coordinator from Bill Busby. Since that time weve been through a pandemic
and the passing or "retirement" of some long time BBS route volunteers. As a
result, we do have about half of the routes in the state that are currently
available for assignment.
The BBS is a long-term, large-scale, international avian monitoring program
initiated in 1966 to track the status and trends of North American bird
populations. Each year during the height of the avian breeding season, June
for most of the U.S. and Canada, participants skilled in avian identification
collect bird population data along roadside survey routes. Each survey route
is approximately 24.5 miles long with stops situated ideally 0.5-mile apart. At
each stop, a 3-minute point count is conducted. During the count, every bird
seen within a 0.25-mile radius or heard is recorded. Surveys start one-half
hour before local sunrise and take about 5 hours to complete. In Kansas
routes can be run mainly in June but in reality its from Memorial Day to the
4th of July.
If you go to: https://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/BBS/RouteMap/Map.cfm you can
work your way through and find a map and listing of Kansas BBS routes.
Routes in red are routes that are currently vacant. Theres a box you can
check to see the path that the route is assigned to.
If, after reading this information, you think you want to participate, send me
your contact and mailing information at <cotte...> I will enter you
into the database and assign you to the route that you are interested in. You
will need to successfully complete an online methodology training session. It
really is important that you can identify bird songs from the breeding season
as many of the individuals you will be recording will be heard not seen (Id
say about 3/4 heard and 1/4 seen. As we get closer to survey time you will
receive a packet of information and a map - Id strongly recommend you
drive the route prior to doing your first survey so you know the road
conditions and where to stop. I have a few stops where I adjust my stopping
point a hundred yards so that Im not stopping right in front of someones
house or near a barking/mean dog! One last thing, if you arent an early riser
- this probably isnt a volunteer job for you!!
Date: 3/23/26 2:16 pm From: Merry Bower <mdbower53...> Subject: Announcement of NFHAS Monthly Bird Walk (Manhattan, KS)
The Northern Flint Hills Audubon Society hosts a monthly bird walk on the last Sunday of each month. Please join us at Anneberg Park (3801 Anderson Ave, Manhattan, KS) on March 29th at 1 pm. We will meet at the picnic pavilion near the lake, then walk around the perimeter trail looking and listening for birds. Beginning birders and children are especially welcome. Binoculars are helpful but not essential. Please, no dogs other than service animals. This event is cancelled if it is raining steadily or the temperature with wind chill is less than 40 degrees.
Date: 3/23/26 9:41 am From: Chuck Otte <00001b0b31b1d152-dmarc-request...> Subject: Looking For Breeding Bird Survey volunteers
A few years ago I "inherited" the job of Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) state coordinator from Bill Busby. Since that time weve been through a pandemic and the passing or "retirement" of some long time BBS route volunteers. As a result, we do have about half of the routes in the state that are currently available for assignment.
The BBS is a long-term, large-scale, international avian monitoring program initiated in 1966 to track the status and trends of North American bird populations. Each year during the height of the avian breeding season, June for most of the U.S. and Canada, participants skilled in avian identification collect bird population data along roadside survey routes. Each survey route is approximately 24.5 miles long with stops situated ideally 0.5-mile apart. At each stop, a 3-minute point count is conducted. During the count, every bird seen within a 0.25-mile radius or heard is recorded. Surveys start one-half hour before local sunrise and take about 5 hours to complete. In Kansas routes can be run mainly in June but in reality its from Memorial Day to the 4th of July.
If you go to: https://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/BBS/RouteMap/Map.cfm you can work your way through and find a map and listing of Kansas BBS routes. Routes in red are routes that are currently vacant. Theres a box you can check to see the path that the route is assigned to.
If, after reading this information, you think you want to participate, send me your contact and mailing information at <cotte...> I will enter you into the database and assign you to the route that you are interested in. You will need to successfully complete an online methodology training session. It really is important that you can identify bird songs from the breeding season as many of the individuals you will be recording will be heard not seen (Id say about 3/4 heard and 1/4 seen. As we get closer to survey time you will receive a packet of information and a map - Id strongly recommend you drive the route prior to doing your first survey so you know the road conditions and where to stop. I have a few stops where I adjust my stopping point a hundred yards so that Im not stopping right in front of someones house or near a barking/mean dog! One last thing, if you arent an early riser - this probably isnt a volunteer job for you!!
Date: 3/18/26 9:52 am From: Chuck Otte <00001b0b31b1d152-dmarc-request...> Subject: Milford Lake Bird Walk this Saturday
The first Milford Lake Bird Walk of 2026 will be this Saturday, March 21 at 8:00 am. Meet at the parking lot at the south end of Milford Lake Dam (5203 North K-57 Junction City, KS). Walks last 2 to 3 hours (depending on the birds and the weather) and usually involve moderate walking.
As a reminder, all the walks for 2026 are listed at:
Date: 3/16/26 7:54 pm From: Chris H <chobbs.f1...> Subject: Re: Rose-breasted Grosbeak female in Pittsburg, KS
Good sighting, Bob. Similar latitude in CO has a Rose-breasted visiting a feeder. Might be something or just a coincidence.
Chris Hobbs
Lenexa
Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
Get Outlook for Android<https://aka.ms/AAb9ysg> ________________________________
From: Birds & Their Habitats in Kansas <KSBIRD-L...> on behalf of Robert Mangile <rmangile...>
Sent: Monday, March 16, 2026 7:46:19 PM
To: <KSBIRD-L...> <KSBIRD-L...>
Subject: Rose-breasted Grosbeak female in Pittsburg, KS
Hello Birders,
Not sure how my sighting of a female Rose-breasted Grosbeak at my
sunflower seed feeder today (March 16, 2026) ranks with regards to early
migrants. I did not bother to grouse out early arrivals but felt
compelled to report this sighting. The cold temperatures brought in a
Purple Finch male yesterday - not a regular here.
Date: 3/16/26 5:46 pm From: Robert Mangile <rmangile...> Subject: Rose-breasted Grosbeak female in Pittsburg, KS
Hello Birders,
Not sure how my sighting of a female Rose-breasted Grosbeak at my sunflower seed feeder today (March 16, 2026) ranks with regards to early migrants. I did not bother to grouse out early arrivals but felt compelled to report this sighting. The cold temperatures brought in a Purple Finch male yesterday - not a regular here.
