I love this string discussing Merlin's great attributes and also its downfalls. The discussion on mimicry of American Goldfinches was very enlightening. I had no idea they did that! As with Merlin, I am always careful to be sure I am not hearing a Northern Mockingbird, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, or even European Starling mimicking other species' calls or songs. Though I dislike seeing them in the US where they don't belong and are problematic, European Starlings are, in my estimation, underappreciated for their mimicry. I most often seem to hear them imitating Killdeer but also have heard them admirably imitate more complex songs like Common Nighthawks and Western Meadowlarks. As for Merlin, I too, have seen instances when it has misidentified a song, call, or even a mammal! In SD Black Hills one fall, I was hearing an elk bugling, and Merlin identified it as a Common Loon! I guess I can see some similarity but would love to see those spectographs side by side! I have several times seen Merlin identify singing Rose-breasted Grosbeaks as Black-headed Grosbeaks, especially if I am in an area where RBGR are less common and BHGR are common. I have noticed that sometimes when I pish, Merlin will identify a Bewick's Wren, and that several times, it has identified young Robin calls as Cedar Waxwings, which can sound somewhat similar. Another thing I have noticed is that sometimes the louder songs are not "heard" by eBird, but it ALWAYS seems to pick up on Cedar Waxwings, though their song is faint and wispy. On my last trip through Montana, Merlin several times showed Blue Grosbeak, though I am not sure what song/sound was signaling that...so, user beware, but what a powerful tool Merlin can be when used correctly! I find that turning it on while I bird when there is a lot of activity helps me keep track of the species so I can just listen and look...then, when I enter them into the eBird app, if there is one I did not see or hear, I can pay attention and see if I missed it or if it was likely a misidentification. I never just trust Merlin without verifying. Thanks for the great discussion!
Diane T in Laramie, WY
On Tuesday, July 21, 2026 at 02:48:59 PM MDT, Mary Clausen via groups.io <mkclausen...> wrote:
This would be very good to add to the NE Discord app. However, it is too long and I cannot add it.
Mary Clausen La Vista, NE
On Tue, Jul 21, 2026, 10:11 AM Kathy DeLara via groups.io <renosmom...> wrote:
Hi , I thought you all might be interested in Cheryl's post about her Merlin experiences this summer. I had no idea that goldfinches would mimic other birds. I find that very interesting. Kathy DeLaraMicthell, NE
----------Forwarded Message----------
From: "Ricky Olson via groups.io" <olsonr088...>
Reply-To: <olsonr088...>
To: <killdeer54...>
Cc: "SDOU Listserv (groups.io)" <sd-birds...>
Sent: July 20, 2026 at 2:54 PM MDT
Subject: Re: [sd-birds] TLDR: Am. Goldfinches mimic Ovenbirds Thanks for sharing the interesting information.
On Mon, Jul 20, 2026 at 3:52 PM Cheryl Vellenga via groups.io <killdeer54...> wrote:
The admonition to "trust but verify" when using either the Merlin app or our own ear-birding skills is as important as ever and even more challenging when a myriad of new bird sounds bombard us during this period of the breeding season. I'll share a few of my own recent experiences to underscore this reminder. In the past couple of weeks I've been hearing clear, emphatic, perfectly rendered ovenbird songs in my yard. Initially, I was confused because if there were breeders in the yard I would've been hearing them all summer, which I hadn't this year since spring migration. That alone was enough to keep me from reporting it until I could verify the observation. In the ensuing days, amidst the cacophony, I would hear the song on occasion, always out of nowhere, sung once (TEACHer repeated 5-7x), and that was it, so there was no chance of getting a recording. Yesterday, I finally caught an American Goldfinch belting out the song and immediately going into typical Goldfinch song. A Google search on the phenomenon schooled me on the talented mimicry of American Goldfinches and that one of their favorite birds to mimic is the Ovenbird because of the song's simplicity and clarity. The last 2 weeks of July are when the breeding season (and thus the singing) of Ovenbirds is ending but the Goldfinch breeding season (and their singing) is at its peak. There've been several House Wren pairs nesting around the yard as usual, and one couple nested in a large wiring conduit elbow that goes to the transformer near the deck, making it easy to watch the family's progress. When the nestlings began vocalizing their raspy, ardent begging calls, Merlin always, and I mean always, called them Marsh Wrens. It had done this off and on throughout the summer but I ignored the ID when it was in the yard. For the past several days, I've been hearing and recording calls that I couldn't place and Merlin absolutely will not ID. Days of sleuthing revealed finally that the calls are coming from the many Rose-breasted Grosbeak fledglings that were being fed in the surrounding trees by the parents, but are now coming to the feeders themselves. The Sibley app lists the calls as "teeyoo calls (immature)" and "turlee calls (immature)". Merlin does not recognize these calls even when I play them right on my phone with Merlin listening. This morning, Merlin ID'd an American Robin in the yard as a Northern Flicker because the cadence was correct. I love using Merlin as an aid, especially in alerting me that certain birds may be nearby. I can listen for them myself to verify its findings or I can look for the birds if need be. Knowing that Merlin uses spectrograms to ID bird sounds reminds us that a matching spectrogram, if made by a skilled mimic (or even baby House Wrens), will be matched to a corresponding graph in Merlin's database. Cheryl Vellenga
Sisseton, SD
This would be very good to add to the NE Discord app. However, it is too
long and I cannot add it.
Mary Clausen
La Vista, NE
On Tue, Jul 21, 2026, 10:11 AM Kathy DeLara via groups.io <renosmom=
<charter.net...> wrote:
> Hi ,
> I thought you all might be interested in Cheryl's post about her Merlin
> experiences this summer.
> I had no idea that goldfinches would mimic other birds. I find that very
> interesting.
>
> Kathy DeLara
> Micthell, NE
>
> ----------Forwarded Message----------
>
> From: "Ricky Olson via groups.io" <olsonr088...>
> Reply-To: <olsonr088...>
> To: <killdeer54...>
> Cc: "SDOU Listserv (groups.io)" <sd-birds...>
> Sent: July 20, 2026 at 2:54 PM MDT
> Subject: Re: [sd-birds] TLDR: Am. Goldfinches mimic Ovenbirds
> Thanks for sharing the interesting information.
>
> On Mon, Jul 20, 2026 at 3:52 PM Cheryl Vellenga via groups.io <killdeer54=
> <yahoo.com...> wrote:
>
>> The admonition to "trust but verify" when using either the Merlin app or
>> our own ear-birding skills is as important as ever and even more
>> challenging when a myriad of new bird sounds bombard us during this period
>> of the breeding season. I'll share a few of my own recent experiences to
>> underscore this reminder.
>>
>> In the past couple of weeks I've been hearing clear, emphatic, perfectly
>> rendered ovenbird songs in my yard. Initially, I was confused because if
>> there were breeders in the yard I would've been hearing them all summer,
>> which I hadn't this year since spring migration. That alone was enough to
>> keep me from reporting it until I could verify the observation. In the
>> ensuing days, amidst the cacophony, I would hear the song on occasion,
>> always out of nowhere, sung once (TEACHer repeated 5-7x), and that was it,
>> so there was no chance of getting a recording. Yesterday, I finally caught
>> an American Goldfinch belting out the song and immediately going into
>> typical Goldfinch song. A Google search on the phenomenon schooled me on
>> the talented mimicry of American Goldfinches and that one of their favorite
>> birds to mimic is the Ovenbird because of the song's simplicity and
>> clarity. The last 2 weeks of July are when the breeding season (and thus
>> the singing) of Ovenbirds is ending but the Goldfinch breeding season (and
>> their singing) is at its peak.
>>
>> There've been several House Wren pairs nesting around the yard as usual,
>> and one couple nested in a large wiring conduit elbow that goes to the
>> transformer near the deck, making it easy to watch the family's progress.
>> When the nestlings began vocalizing their raspy, ardent begging calls,
>> Merlin always, and I mean always, called them Marsh Wrens. It had done
>> this off and on throughout the summer but I ignored the ID when it was in
>> the yard.
>>
>> For the past several days, I've been hearing and recording calls that I
>> couldn't place and Merlin absolutely will not ID. Days of sleuthing
>> revealed finally that the calls are coming from the many Rose-breasted
>> Grosbeak fledglings that were being fed in the surrounding trees by the
>> parents, but are now coming to the feeders themselves. The Sibley app
>> lists the calls as "teeyoo calls (immature)" and "turlee calls
>> (immature)". Merlin does not recognize these calls even when I play them
>> right on my phone with Merlin listening.
>>
>> This morning, Merlin ID'd an American Robin in the yard as a Northern
>> Flicker because the cadence was correct.
>>
>> I love using Merlin as an aid, especially in alerting me that certain
>> birds may be nearby. I can listen for them myself to verify its findings
>> or I can look for the birds if need be. Knowing that Merlin uses
>> spectrograms to ID bird sounds reminds us that a matching spectrogram, if
>> made by a skilled mimic (or even baby House Wrens), will be matched to a
>> corresponding graph in Merlin's database.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> *Cheryl VellengaSisseton, SD*
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
Thank you Kathy for sharing. That was very informative.
Mary Clausen
La Vista, NE
On Tue, Jul 21, 2026, 10:11 AM Kathy DeLara via groups.io <renosmom=
<charter.net...> wrote:
> Hi ,
> I thought you all might be interested in Cheryl's post about her Merlin
> experiences this summer.
> I had no idea that goldfinches would mimic other birds. I find that very
> interesting.
>
> Kathy DeLara
> Micthell, NE
>
> ----------Forwarded Message----------
>
> From: "Ricky Olson via groups.io" <olsonr088...>
> Reply-To: <olsonr088...>
> To: <killdeer54...>
> Cc: "SDOU Listserv (groups.io)" <sd-birds...>
> Sent: July 20, 2026 at 2:54 PM MDT
> Subject: Re: [sd-birds] TLDR: Am. Goldfinches mimic Ovenbirds
> Thanks for sharing the interesting information.
>
> On Mon, Jul 20, 2026 at 3:52 PM Cheryl Vellenga via groups.io <killdeer54=
> <yahoo.com...> wrote:
>
>> The admonition to "trust but verify" when using either the Merlin app or
>> our own ear-birding skills is as important as ever and even more
>> challenging when a myriad of new bird sounds bombard us during this period
>> of the breeding season. I'll share a few of my own recent experiences to
>> underscore this reminder.
>>
>> In the past couple of weeks I've been hearing clear, emphatic, perfectly
>> rendered ovenbird songs in my yard. Initially, I was confused because if
>> there were breeders in the yard I would've been hearing them all summer,
>> which I hadn't this year since spring migration. That alone was enough to
>> keep me from reporting it until I could verify the observation. In the
>> ensuing days, amidst the cacophony, I would hear the song on occasion,
>> always out of nowhere, sung once (TEACHer repeated 5-7x), and that was it,
>> so there was no chance of getting a recording. Yesterday, I finally caught
>> an American Goldfinch belting out the song and immediately going into
>> typical Goldfinch song. A Google search on the phenomenon schooled me on
>> the talented mimicry of American Goldfinches and that one of their favorite
>> birds to mimic is the Ovenbird because of the song's simplicity and
>> clarity. The last 2 weeks of July are when the breeding season (and thus
>> the singing) of Ovenbirds is ending but the Goldfinch breeding season (and
>> their singing) is at its peak.
>>
>> There've been several House Wren pairs nesting around the yard as usual,
>> and one couple nested in a large wiring conduit elbow that goes to the
>> transformer near the deck, making it easy to watch the family's progress.
>> When the nestlings began vocalizing their raspy, ardent begging calls,
>> Merlin always, and I mean always, called them Marsh Wrens. It had done
>> this off and on throughout the summer but I ignored the ID when it was in
>> the yard.
>>
>> For the past several days, I've been hearing and recording calls that I
>> couldn't place and Merlin absolutely will not ID. Days of sleuthing
>> revealed finally that the calls are coming from the many Rose-breasted
>> Grosbeak fledglings that were being fed in the surrounding trees by the
>> parents, but are now coming to the feeders themselves. The Sibley app
>> lists the calls as "teeyoo calls (immature)" and "turlee calls
>> (immature)". Merlin does not recognize these calls even when I play them
>> right on my phone with Merlin listening.
>>
>> This morning, Merlin ID'd an American Robin in the yard as a Northern
>> Flicker because the cadence was correct.
>>
>> I love using Merlin as an aid, especially in alerting me that certain
>> birds may be nearby. I can listen for them myself to verify its findings
>> or I can look for the birds if need be. Knowing that Merlin uses
>> spectrograms to ID bird sounds reminds us that a matching spectrogram, if
>> made by a skilled mimic (or even baby House Wrens), will be matched to a
>> corresponding graph in Merlin's database.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> *Cheryl VellengaSisseton, SD*
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
I expected thisHere in Mesa, AZ Merlin consistly ID America Robin but I never seen them.I have set up a procalal. before i record what Merlin tells me what it’s hearing..Sometimes we trust technology to much.Don MaasMaricopa County, AZOklahoma County, OKDouglas County, NE
“If you do not take an interest in the affairs of your government then you are doomed to live under the rules of fools. Plato“You can ignore reality, but you cannot ignore the consequences of reality.”
Don & Shirley MaasThe Maas’s have migrated to the Valley of the Sun in Mesa, AZ from Choctaw, Ok for the winter.
On Tuesday, July 21, 2026, 8:50 AM, Rick Wright via groups.io <birdaz...> wrote:
Our yard in Tucson hosted a particularly talented lesser goldfinch, whose repertoire within a single song included ladder-backed woodpecker rattles, kestrel chants, and curve-billed thrasher whistles. Going to have to listen more closely now to our American goldfinches here in New Jersey, where song and nest-building are nearing a frenzy.
Rick Wright, Birds and Art tours with Victor Emanuel Nature Tours
Books and book chapters
AMERICA 250 🇺🇸 We almost made it.
On Tue, Jul 21, 2026 at 11:11 AM Kathy DeLara via groups.io <renosmom...> wrote:
Hi , I thought you all might be interested in Cheryl's post about her Merlin experiences this summer. I had no idea that goldfinches would mimic other birds. I find that very interesting. Kathy DeLaraMicthell, NE
----------Forwarded Message----------
From: "Ricky Olson via groups.io" <olsonr088...>
Reply-To: <olsonr088...>
To: <killdeer54...>
Cc: "SDOU Listserv (groups.io)" <sd-birds...>
Sent: July 20, 2026 at 2:54 PM MDT
Subject: Re: [sd-birds] TLDR: Am. Goldfinches mimic Ovenbirds Thanks for sharing the interesting information.
On Mon, Jul 20, 2026 at 3:52 PM Cheryl Vellenga via groups.io <killdeer54...> wrote:
The admonition to "trust but verify" when using either the Merlin app or our own ear-birding skills is as important as ever and even more challenging when a myriad of new bird sounds bombard us during this period of the breeding season. I'll share a few of my own recent experiences to underscore this reminder. In the past couple of weeks I've been hearing clear, emphatic, perfectly rendered ovenbird songs in my yard. Initially, I was confused because if there were breeders in the yard I would've been hearing them all summer, which I hadn't this year since spring migration. That alone was enough to keep me from reporting it until I could verify the observation. In the ensuing days, amidst the cacophony, I would hear the song on occasion, always out of nowhere, sung once (TEACHer repeated 5-7x), and that was it, so there was no chance of getting a recording. Yesterday, I finally caught an American Goldfinch belting out the song and immediately going into typical Goldfinch song. A Google search on the phenomenon schooled me on the talented mimicry of American Goldfinches and that one of their favorite birds to mimic is the Ovenbird because of the song's simplicity and clarity. The last 2 weeks of July are when the breeding season (and thus the singing) of Ovenbirds is ending but the Goldfinch breeding season (and their singing) is at its peak. There've been several House Wren pairs nesting around the yard as usual, and one couple nested in a large wiring conduit elbow that goes to the transformer near the deck, making it easy to watch the family's progress. When the nestlings began vocalizing their raspy, ardent begging calls, Merlin always, and I mean always, called them Marsh Wrens. It had done this off and on throughout the summer but I ignored the ID when it was in the yard. For the past several days, I've been hearing and recording calls that I couldn't place and Merlin absolutely will not ID. Days of sleuthing revealed finally that the calls are coming from the many Rose-breasted Grosbeak fledglings that were being fed in the surrounding trees by the parents, but are now coming to the feeders themselves. The Sibley app lists the calls as "teeyoo calls (immature)" and "turlee calls (immature)". Merlin does not recognize these calls even when I play them right on my phone with Merlin listening. This morning, Merlin ID'd an American Robin in the yard as a Northern Flicker because the cadence was correct. I love using Merlin as an aid, especially in alerting me that certain birds may be nearby. I can listen for them myself to verify its findings or I can look for the birds if need be. Knowing that Merlin uses spectrograms to ID bird sounds reminds us that a matching spectrogram, if made by a skilled mimic (or even baby House Wrens), will be matched to a corresponding graph in Merlin's database. Cheryl Vellenga
Sisseton, SD
Date: 7/21/26 8:50 am From: Rick Wright via groups.io <birdaz...> Subject: Re: [NEBirds] FW: Re: [sd-birds] TLDR: Am. Goldfinches mimic Ovenbirds
Our yard in Tucson hosted a particularly talented lesser goldfinch, whose
repertoire within a single song included ladder-backed woodpecker rattles,
kestrel chants, and curve-billed thrasher whistles. Going to have to listen
more closely now to our American goldfinches here in New Jersey, where song
and nest-building are nearing a frenzy.
On Tue, Jul 21, 2026 at 11:11 AM Kathy DeLara via groups.io <renosmom=
<charter.net...> wrote:
> Hi ,
> I thought you all might be interested in Cheryl's post about her Merlin
> experiences this summer.
> I had no idea that goldfinches would mimic other birds. I find that very
> interesting.
>
> Kathy DeLara
> Micthell, NE
>
> ----------Forwarded Message----------
>
> From: "Ricky Olson via groups.io" <olsonr088...>
> Reply-To: <olsonr088...>
> To: <killdeer54...>
> Cc: "SDOU Listserv (groups.io)" <sd-birds...>
> Sent: July 20, 2026 at 2:54 PM MDT
> Subject: Re: [sd-birds] TLDR: Am. Goldfinches mimic Ovenbirds
> Thanks for sharing the interesting information.
>
> On Mon, Jul 20, 2026 at 3:52 PM Cheryl Vellenga via groups.io <killdeer54=
> <yahoo.com...> wrote:
>
>> The admonition to "trust but verify" when using either the Merlin app or
>> our own ear-birding skills is as important as ever and even more
>> challenging when a myriad of new bird sounds bombard us during this period
>> of the breeding season. I'll share a few of my own recent experiences to
>> underscore this reminder.
>>
>> In the past couple of weeks I've been hearing clear, emphatic, perfectly
>> rendered ovenbird songs in my yard. Initially, I was confused because if
>> there were breeders in the yard I would've been hearing them all summer,
>> which I hadn't this year since spring migration. That alone was enough to
>> keep me from reporting it until I could verify the observation. In the
>> ensuing days, amidst the cacophony, I would hear the song on occasion,
>> always out of nowhere, sung once (TEACHer repeated 5-7x), and that was it,
>> so there was no chance of getting a recording. Yesterday, I finally caught
>> an American Goldfinch belting out the song and immediately going into
>> typical Goldfinch song. A Google search on the phenomenon schooled me on
>> the talented mimicry of American Goldfinches and that one of their favorite
>> birds to mimic is the Ovenbird because of the song's simplicity and
>> clarity. The last 2 weeks of July are when the breeding season (and thus
>> the singing) of Ovenbirds is ending but the Goldfinch breeding season (and
>> their singing) is at its peak.
>>
>> There've been several House Wren pairs nesting around the yard as usual,
>> and one couple nested in a large wiring conduit elbow that goes to the
>> transformer near the deck, making it easy to watch the family's progress.
>> When the nestlings began vocalizing their raspy, ardent begging calls,
>> Merlin always, and I mean always, called them Marsh Wrens. It had done
>> this off and on throughout the summer but I ignored the ID when it was in
>> the yard.
>>
>> For the past several days, I've been hearing and recording calls that I
>> couldn't place and Merlin absolutely will not ID. Days of sleuthing
>> revealed finally that the calls are coming from the many Rose-breasted
>> Grosbeak fledglings that were being fed in the surrounding trees by the
>> parents, but are now coming to the feeders themselves. The Sibley app
>> lists the calls as "teeyoo calls (immature)" and "turlee calls
>> (immature)". Merlin does not recognize these calls even when I play them
>> right on my phone with Merlin listening.
>>
>> This morning, Merlin ID'd an American Robin in the yard as a Northern
>> Flicker because the cadence was correct.
>>
>> I love using Merlin as an aid, especially in alerting me that certain
>> birds may be nearby. I can listen for them myself to verify its findings
>> or I can look for the birds if need be. Knowing that Merlin uses
>> spectrograms to ID bird sounds reminds us that a matching spectrogram, if
>> made by a skilled mimic (or even baby House Wrens), will be matched to a
>> corresponding graph in Merlin's database.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> *Cheryl VellengaSisseton, SD*
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
Date: 7/21/26 8:11 am From: Kathy DeLara via groups.io <renosmom...> Subject: [NEBirds] FW: Re: [sd-birds] TLDR: Am. Goldfinches mimic Ovenbirds
Hi , I thought you all might be interested in Cheryl's post about her Merlin experiences this summer. I had no idea that goldfinches would mimic other birds. I find that very interesting. Kathy DeLaraMicthell, NE ----------Forwarded Message----------
From: "Ricky Olson via groups.io" <olsonr088...> Reply-To: <olsonr088...> To: <killdeer54...> Cc: "SDOU Listserv (groups.io)" <sd-birds...> Sent: July 20, 2026 at 2:54 PM MDT Subject: Re: [sd-birds] TLDR: Am. Goldfinches mimic Ovenbirds Thanks for sharing the interesting information. On Mon, Jul 20, 2026 at 3:52 PM Cheryl Vellenga via groups.io <killdeer54...> wrote:
The admonition to "trust but verify" when using either the Merlin app or our own ear-birding skills is as important as ever and even more challenging when a myriad of new bird sounds bombard us during this period of the breeding season. I'll share a few of my own recent experiences to underscore this reminder. In the past couple of weeks I've been hearing clear, emphatic, perfectly rendered ovenbird songs in my yard. Initially, I was confused because if there were breeders in the yard I would've been hearing them all summer, which I hadn't this year since spring migration. That alone was enough to keep me from reporting it until I could verify the observation. In the ensuing days, amidst the cacophony, I would hear the song on occasion, always out of nowhere, sung once (TEACHer repeated 5-7x), and that was it, so there was no chance of getting a recording. Yesterday, I finally caught an American Goldfinch belting out the song and immediately going into typical Goldfinch song. A Google search on the phenomenon schooled me on the talented mimicry of American Goldfinches and that one of their favorite birds to mimic is the Ovenbird because of the song's simplicity and clarity. The last 2 weeks of July are when the breeding season (and thus the singing) of Ovenbirds is ending but the Goldfinch breeding season (and their singing) is at its peak. There've been several House Wren pairs nesting around the yard as usual, and one couple nested in a large wiring conduit elbow that goes to the transformer near the deck, making it easy to watch the family's progress. When the nestlings began vocalizing their raspy, ardent begging calls, Merlin always, and I mean always, called them Marsh Wrens. It had done this off and on throughout the summer but I ignored the ID when it was in the yard. For the past several days, I've been hearing and recording calls that I couldn't place and Merlin absolutely will not ID. Days of sleuthing revealed finally that the calls are coming from the many Rose-breasted Grosbeak fledglings that were being fed in the surrounding trees by the parents, but are now coming to the feeders themselves. The Sibley app lists the calls as "teeyoo calls (immature)" and "turlee calls (immature)". Merlin does not recognize these calls even when I play them right on my phone with Merlin listening. This morning, Merlin ID'd an American Robin in the yard as a Northern Flicker because the cadence was correct. I love using Merlin as an aid, especially in alerting me that certain birds may be nearby. I can listen for them myself to verify its findings or I can look for the birds if need be. Knowing that Merlin uses spectrograms to ID bird sounds reminds us that a matching spectrogram, if made by a skilled mimic (or even baby House Wrens), will be matched to a corresponding graph in Merlin's database. Cheryl Vellenga Sisseton, SD
View/Reply Online (#43165) | Reply to Group | Reply to Sender | Mute This Topic | New Topic Your Subscription | Contact Group Owner | Unsubscribe [<lists...>] _._,_._,_
Date: 7/19/26 12:25 pm From: Robin Harding via groups.io <pine2siskin4...> Subject: [NEBirds] Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks
Nebraska birders,
I went in search of Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks on Sunday, July 19. I left my home in Shelton early to take advantage of the cool morning. I drove to Kenesaw, pausing to look at a reuse pit just north of town. I didn't see anything there so I moved on to the sewage pond. Not much there either. I paused at the Thirty-two Mile Reservoir east of town. Nothing there. I stopped at the Juniata sewage ponds but there wasn't much there either. I drove to Hastings Lake and looked from the northwest parking area and the southeast parking. I saw Mallards and Canada Geese.
I drove to Theesen WPA, parked in the shade at the cemetery and walked west along the highway about a quarter mile and back. I drove west slowly along the highway and saw waterfowl in the wetland just west of Theesen. I didn't want to stop on the highway so I parked in the shade on the next county road. I walked east along the highway about a quarter mile and spotted two Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks. They were standing on the mud beside a shallow pool. Success! Although I've seen the species once before in Clay County. Now I need to coax them into going just a little bit to the west so that I can add them to my Adams County list. Thanks to E. R. for reporting them.
The weather was still tolerable in the shade so I drove to Crystal Lake near the town of Ayr. As soon as I drove through the entrance, I heard an Indigo Bunting singing. I stopped the car and started an ebird list. Then I heard a Yellow-billed Cuckoo calling. I saw and heard several more species including a Red-headed Woodpecker chasing a Red-bellied Woodpecker. I don't recall seeing that before.
I didn't add any new county birds to my lists today but it was good to get out for a while.
Date: 7/19/26 7:11 am From: Shirley Maas via groups.io <dtmsem2006...> Subject: Re: [NEBirds] Interesting Article from The Atlantic
Great article. Why this 90 year birds 🦅 and enjoyed the birding revolution.Don MaasMesa, Arizona - Maricopa County Choctaw, OK - Oklahoma CountyOmaha, NE - Douglas County
“If you do not take an interest in the affairs of your government then you are doomed to live under the rules of fools. Plato“You can ignore reality, but you cannot ignore the consequences of reality.”
Don & Shirley MaasThe Maas’s have migrated to the Valley of the Sun in Mesa, AZ from Choctaw, Ok for the winter.
On Sunday, July 19, 2026, 6:33 AM, Mary Clausen via groups.io <mkclausen...> wrote:
Steve,
Thanks for sharing this very interesting article. I've encountered many new, younger birders since covid. I love spending time with them as they are energetic, vibrant and conservation minded.
Mary Clausen La Vista, Nebraska
On Fri, Jul 17, 2026, 2:27 PM Steve McIlree via groups.io <smcilree...> wrote:
Date: 7/19/26 6:33 am From: Mary Clausen via groups.io <mkclausen...> Subject: Re: [NEBirds] Interesting Article from The Atlantic
Steve,
Thanks for sharing this very interesting article. I've encountered many
new, younger birders since covid. I love spending time with them as they
are energetic, vibrant and conservation minded.
Mary Clausen
La Vista, Nebraska
On Fri, Jul 17, 2026, 2:27 PM Steve McIlree via groups.io <smcilree=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
Date: 7/17/26 12:27 pm From: Steve McIlree via groups.io <smcilree...> Subject: [NEBirds] Interesting Article from The Atlantic
I thought you might find this article about young people birding to be of interest. Don't worry about not having a subscription to The Atlantic, the link is a freebie under my subscription.
Date: 7/15/26 9:10 am From: Gordon Warrick via groups.io <prubinus...> Subject: Re: [NEBirds] I like behavior
Thanks Rick. So the birds were "sunning" but we are still not sure to what evolutionary-directed purpose - certainly not to warm up or get a tan. At least we have a name for the behavior!
On Tuesday, July 14, 2026, 12:24:23 PM MDT, Rick Wright via groups.io <birdaz...> wrote:
On Tue, Jul 14, 2026 at 1:51 PM Gordon Warrick via groups.io <prubinus...> wrote:
It is not just about names and lists. I encourage people to post photos or other evidence of bird behavior. What were these bank swallows near Valentine doing this morning? They lean over on their side with their wings out to their sides on a bright, hot slope in the middle of their nesting colony. Is the UV and/or heat ridding them of lice or other parasites?
Joel
___________________________________________________________________
Joel Jorgensen | Nongame Bird Program Manager | Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
2200 N 33rd St. | Lincoln, NE 68503 | <joel.jorgensen...><mailto:<joel.jorgensen...> | 402-471-5440
From: <NEBirds...> <NEBirds...> On Behalf Of Gordon Warrick via groups.io
Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2026 12:32 PM
To: Nebirds <nebirds...>
Subject: [NEBirds] I like behavior
It is not just about names and lists. I encourage people to post photos or other evidence of bird behavior. What were these bank swallows near Valentine doing this morning? They lean over on their side with their wings out to their sides on a bright, hot slope in the middle of their nesting colony. Is the UV and/or heat ridding them of lice or other parasites?
[Inline image]
[Inline image]
Date: 7/14/26 2:24 pm From: Robin Harding via groups.io <pine2siskin4...> Subject: [NEBirds] Towhee
Nebraska birders,
I was birding at Mormon Island Recreation Area in Grand Island this morning when I heard a towhee that sounded like a Spotted but it was not exactly what I usually hear. I played an Eastern Towhee song and an adult male towhee immediately flew into the trees above me and acted very agitated. All I could see was his underside. I paused for a while then played Spotted Towhee songs and calls. I presume that the same bird flew into the trees above me again and acted just as agitated as earlier. Once again, I could only see his underside. I could see a little bit of his wings and I didn't see any white at all. No wing bars, no white wing patch. I assume that this bird is a hybrid, as many are in this part of the State. I entered this bird on my ebird list along with some comments.
On Tue, Jul 14, 2026 at 1:51 PM Gordon Warrick via groups.io <prubinus=
<yahoo.com...> wrote:
> It is not just about names and lists. I encourage people to post photos
> or other evidence of bird behavior. What were these bank swallows near
> Valentine doing this morning? They lean over on their side with their
> wings out to their sides on a bright, hot slope in the middle of their
> nesting colony. Is the UV and/or heat ridding them of lice or other
> parasites?
> [image: Inline image]
> [image: Inline image]
>
>
>
Date: 7/14/26 10:51 am From: Gordon Warrick via groups.io <prubinus...> Subject: [NEBirds] I like behavior
It is not just about names and lists. I encourage people to post photos or other evidence of bird behavior. What were these bank swallows near Valentine doing this morning? They lean over on their side with their wings out to their sides on a bright, hot slope in the middle of their nesting colony. Is the UV and/or heat ridding them of lice or other parasites?
Date: 7/12/26 10:21 am From: Robin Harding via groups.io <pine2siskin4...> Subject: [NEBirds] Adams County
Nebraska birders,
It has been hot but I did a bit of birding in the morning on July 12 in Adams County near Hastings. On Google maps, I saw Willow Lake Fish Hatchery northwest of Hastings. I had never heard of a fish hatchery near Hastings so I was curious. I drove to the place at the intersection of county roads 70 and N Highland. I saw raised banks along the roads like impoundments but I couldn't see over the top. I don't think that there's water in them. It looks like the place has been abandoned. At the north end of the property, there's an old sign that says "Willow Lake Fish Hatchery" and right beside it is a "No Trespassing" sign. I ebirded from the county roads and saw or heard eleven species. Nothing unusual.
I revisited a flood control wetland that I drove by the last time I was in Adams County. It's located on Marion Road between 26th and 42nd Roads. I parked and walked along the road. It's a nice wetland that's worth checking once in a while. I submitted an ebird list with eighteen species. I needed to add details for the Swainson's Hawk, Wood Ducks and American Coot. Not far from there, I saw a large flock of about eighty Mourning Doves.
The weather was getting too warm for me so I headed for Prairie Lake Recreation Area southwest of Hastings. I parked in the shade and submitted an ebird list including seventeen species. There was nothing unusual but it was good to be out birding.
Date: 7/8/26 3:48 pm From: Theresa Pella via groups.io <pella_t...> Subject: [NEBirds] Tobin Brown presentation Thursday at Wachiska Audubon meeting
If you missed Tobin’s talk at the recent NOU meeting or would like to hear it again, please come to the Unitarian Church, 6300 A St., Lincoln on Thursday, July 9th. The program begins at 7:00 pm.
Date: 7/5/26 11:52 am From: Scott Seier via groups.io <spseier...> Subject: [NEBirds] 2026 Humboldt Breeding Bird Survey Results
Nebraska Birders:
I am pleased to share the results of this year's Humboldt breeding bird
survey.
This is my fifth year running the Humboldt BBS route. It starts south of
Humboldt, at the intersection of Highway 8 and 634th Avenue in Richardson
County, and ends west of Auburn, in Nemaha County. It appears that the
route was started in 2018, with data available for both 2018 and 2019. It
also appears that the route was not run in 2020 or 2021, as no data is
available for either year. I started running the route in 2022. This year
I observed 56 species, which is typical for the route, and 695 total
individuals, which is an all-time high.
A few observations from this year's route:
1. In general, there were no real surprises; it was overall a typical
survey outcome, based on my experience with the route.
2. Notable high counts this year include Canada goose (30, from one group
I encountered in Nemaha County), turkey vulture (22), barred owl (2, only
second time observed on the route), Eastern phoebe (6), black-capped
chickadee (6), European starling (31), lark sparrow (5, tied with 2022),
common yellowthroat (11), and rose-breasted grosbeak (4).
3. The only notable low count this year was blue grosbeak (1).
4. Surprising misses this year were Eastern kingbird and Northern
mockingbird.
5. The previously mentioned barred owl was a new species for me
(previously observed by someone else in 2018).
6. I observed signs of breeding for the following species: Eastern phoebe
and American robin.
A move changes everything. I in 7th heaven in my back yard in Choctaw, OK. Monday back to Mesa where our park bans bird feeders.I have over come this with plantings . The park has been doing a lot of landscaping so is habitat.
We alll need to work with had we have
We can all create some bird friendly areas
Don MaasChoctaw, OkOklahoma County (Temporarily?
“If you do not take an interest in the affairs of your government then you are doomed to live under the rules of fools. Plato“You can ignore reality, but you cannot ignore the consequences of reality.”
Don & Shirley MaasThe Maas’s have migrated to the Valley of the Sun in Mesa, AZ from Choctaw, Ok for the winter.
The sentence "you don't know what you have until it's gone" means a lot to me since we moved from a large acreage near a river surrounded by trees to a small town with only 1 stubby weird looking tree in the front yard. When living in the country, I would often report seeing 12-15 species of birds within 20 minutes to Cornell FeederWatch. Before snowstorms it was common to see 15-30 or more Northern Cardinals taking turns at the feeders. We've been in town for 3 months now and have installed a few birdfeeders. After a few weeks, they started trickling in. It's so exciting to see a pair of Cardinals, several Goldfinches, Downys and Flickers, a Hummingbird on the feeders, and today we had an oriole on our patio pecking around in a planter. The excitement had never left even after seeing them regularly in the country. But now it's doubled because the common birds have become rare. I'm sure with our continued welcomes they will become more frequent and tell their friends where they can go to get the good stuff. At least that's the hope.
Thank you for bringing that sentence to my attention.
Rita Jensen Wahoo, NE Saunders County
On 2026-07-01 11:41, Gordon Warrick via groups.io wrote: > Thanks for reminding us. > > On Tuesday, June 30, 2026, 05:48:32 PM MDT, Shirley Maas via > groups.io <dtmsem2006...> wrote: > > Food for thought > > Don Maas Former Ne > Choctaw , Ok > Oklahoma County > > Mess, Az > Maricopa County > > “If you do not take an interest in the affairs of your government > then you are doomed to live under the rules of fools. > Plato > “You can ignore reality, but you cannot ignore the consequences of > reality.” > > Don & Shirley Maas > The Maas’s have migrated to the Valley of the Sun in Mesa, AZ from > Choctaw, Ok for the winter. > Begin forwarded message: > > On Tuesday, June 30, 2026, 5:02 PM, <jwdavis...> > <jwdavis...> wrote: > >> Thanks for your help and support for our birds and othe wildlife. >> “The wildlife and its habitat cannot speak, so we must and we >> will. ” — Theodore Roosevelt. I had this quote on my emails >> for 20 years as a reminder for me and others. How many >> ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerStart >> >> External Email >> >> ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerEnd >> >> Thanks for your help and support for our birds and othe wildlife. >> “The wildlife and its habitat cannot speak, so we must and we >> will.” — Theodore Roosevelt. I had this quote on my emails for >> 20 years as a reminder for me and others. >> >> How many people on this list serve are speaking out for wildlife >> and its habitat, or are you sitting in apathy and indifference as >> they disappear? >> >> Jerry >> >> ------------------------- >> >> From: okbirds <OKBIRDS...> on behalf of Susanne Lutze >> <eztuls46...> >> Sent: Tuesday, June 30, 2026 1:40 PM >> To: <OKBIRDS...> <OKBIRDS...> >> Subject: Re: [OKBIRDS] Birds and Our Hedonic Adaptation >> >> You are correct to call attention to the process of almost erasing >> our common birds to an unseeing public. Nature, especially birds, >> help keep me balanced in a world of chaos, greed and distractions. I >> try to both start and end each day with >> ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerStart >> >> External Email >> >> ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerEnd >> You are correct to call attention to the process of almost erasing >> our common birds to an unseeing public. Nature, especially birds, >> help keep me balanced in a world of chaos, greed and distractions. I >> try to both start and end each day with nature ….my birds, >> bunnies, insects, coyotes, reptiles are my truth. My soul when given >> this beginning and end to each day…feels in balance. >> Watching young House Finches, young Bue Jays, teen Mockingbirds, >> yearly juvenile Brown Thrashers, and lots of Mourning Doves, Robins, >> Sparrows, hawks, and this rear’s family of five Crows….gives me >> smiles when so much going on in the world is sad. >> Thanks for your insights. >> >> "Carry a heart that never hates, a smile that never fades, and a >> touch that never hurts." >> >> On Tue, Jun 30, 2026 at 2:16 PM <jwdavis...> >> <jwdavis...> wrote: >> >>> Birds and Our Hedonic Adaptation “You don’t know what you >>> have until it is gone” is something that all are aware of. That >>> is a characteristic of humans to fail to appreciate what they have >>> while they have it. Humans become insensitive to stimuli >>> ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerStart >>> >>> External Email >>> >>> ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerEnd >>> >>> Birds and Our Hedonic Adaptation >>> >>> “You don’t know what you have until it is gone” is >>> something that all are aware of. That is a characteristic of >>> humans to fail to appreciate what they have while they have it. >>> Humans become insensitive to stimuli and environmental factors >>> with repeat exposure. Birders are not immune to this factor and >>> take for granted the birds they see around them. Yes, you may have >>> been excited about having a bird in your yard the first time but >>> as time wears on, this becomes a common place, and the excitement >>> diminishes just as buying a new object from the store. The hedonic >>> adaptation is a psychological process where people tend to return >>> to a relatively stable baseline level after having positive or >>> negative life events. When something good happens like seeing a >>> new bird or adding a bird to your life lists, you have a boost of >>> happiness, but the feeling fades as your brain adjusts to the >>> experience. This natural and often unconscious process helps keep >>> life stable but can cause you to ignore or become complacent to >>> the treasures and the birds that you have around you. I have been >>> on birding trips with some birders referring to a species seen so >>> often that they call them “trash birds”. There are no trash >>> birds regardless of how often they are seen. You need to regain a >>> gratitude and appreciation for what you have. Find joy in seeing >>> your American Robins, Northern Cardinals, Blue jays, Eastern >>> Bluebirds, and others that you see so often that you ignore their >>> presence and the beauty they hold. By understanding the hedonic >>> adaptation process that is at work in your crinkled cranium you >>> can focus on strategies that promote sustainable well-being, >>> cultivate gratitude, meaningful engagement, and mindful awareness, >>> rather than relying solely on new external circumstances and birds >>> to provide a lasting happiness. >>> >>> You need to remember that we have lost 3 billion birds since 1970 >>> and four percent (4%) fewer birds are crossing the Gulf each year. >>> In just one decade, we have 40% fewer birds crossing the Gulf. >>> Even what we call our common birds is in steep decline. You need >>> to find a mental way of renewed and sustainable joy and >>> appreciation for our birds and see and experience each one while >>> we still have them. >>> >>> Jerry Wayne Davis >>> June 30, 2026 >>> Hot Springs, AR >> >>> > > > > Links: > ------ > [1] https://groups.io/g/NEBirds/message/43149 > [2] https://groups.io/mt/120056528/3005744 > [3] https://groups.io/g/NEBirds/post > [4] https://groups.io/g/NEBirds/editsub/3005744 > [5] https://groups.io/g/NEBirds/leave/5806104/3005744/144787468/xyzzy
Date: 7/1/26 9:41 am From: Gordon Warrick via groups.io <prubinus...> Subject: Re: [NEBirds] Fw: [OKBIRDS] Birds and Our Hedonic Adaptation
Thanks for reminding us.
On Tuesday, June 30, 2026, 05:48:32 PM MDT, Shirley Maas via groups.io <dtmsem2006...> wrote:
Food for thought
Don Maas Former NeChoctaw , OkOklahoma County
Mess, AzMaricopa County
“If you do not take an interest in the affairs of your government then you are doomed to live under the rules of fools. Plato“You can ignore reality, but you cannot ignore the consequences of reality.”
Don & Shirley MaasThe Maas’s have migrated to the Valley of the Sun in Mesa, AZ from Choctaw, Ok for the winter.
Begin forwarded message:
On Tuesday, June 30, 2026, 5:02 PM, <jwdavis...> <jwdavis...> wrote:
Thanks for your help and support for our birds and othe wildlife. “The wildlife and its habitat cannot speak, so we must and we will. ” — Theodore Roosevelt. I had this quote on my emails for 20 years as a reminder for me and others. How manyZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerStart External Email ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerEndThanks for your help and support for our birds and othe wildlife. “The wildlife and its habitat cannot speak, so we must and we will.” — Theodore Roosevelt. I had this quote on my emails for 20 years as a reminder for me and others.
How many people on this list serve are speaking out for wildlife and its habitat, or are you sitting in apathy and indifference as they disappear?
JerryFrom: okbirds <OKBIRDS...> on behalf of Susanne Lutze <eztuls46...>
Sent: Tuesday, June 30, 2026 1:40 PM
To: <OKBIRDS...> <OKBIRDS...>
Subject: Re: [OKBIRDS] Birds and Our Hedonic Adaptation You are correct to call attention to the process of almost erasing our common birds to an unseeing public. Nature, especially birds, help keep me balanced in a world of chaos, greed and distractions. I try to both start and end each day withZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerStartExternal Email ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerEndYou are correct to call attention to the process of almost erasing our common birds to an unseeing public. Nature, especially birds, help keep me balanced in a world of chaos, greed and distractions. I try to both start and end each day with nature ….my birds, bunnies, insects, coyotes, reptiles are my truth. My soul when given this beginning and end to each day…feels in balance.Watching young House Finches, young Bue Jays, teen Mockingbirds, yearly juvenile Brown Thrashers, and lots of Mourning Doves, Robins, Sparrows, hawks, and this rear’s family of five Crows….gives me smiles when so much going on in the world is sad. Thanks for your insights.
"Carry a heart that never hates, a smile that never fades, and a touch that never hurts."
On Tue, Jun 30, 2026 at 2:16 PM <jwdavis...> <jwdavis...> wrote:
Birds and Our Hedonic Adaptation “You don’t know what you have until it is gone” is something that all are aware of. That is a characteristic of humans to fail to appreciate what they have while they have it. Humans become insensitive to stimuliZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerStartExternal Email ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerEndBirds and Our Hedonic Adaptation“You don’t know what you have until it is gone” is something that all are aware of. That is a characteristic of humans to fail to appreciate what they have while they have it. Humans become insensitive to stimuli and environmental factors with repeat exposure. Birders are not immune to this factor and take for granted the birds they see around them. Yes, you may have been excited about having a bird in your yard the first time but as time wears on, this becomes a common place, and the excitement diminishes just as buying a new object from the store. The hedonic adaptation is a psychological process where people tend to return to a relatively stable baseline level after having positive or negative life events. When something good happens like seeing a new bird or adding a bird to your life lists, you have a boost of happiness, but the feeling fades as your brain adjusts to the experience. This natural and often unconscious process helps keep life stable but can cause you to ignore or become complacent to the treasures and the birds that you have around you. I have been on birding trips with some birders referring to a species seen so often that they call them “trash birds”. There are no trash birds regardless of how often they are seen. You need to regain a gratitude and appreciation for what you have. Find joy in seeing your American Robins, Northern Cardinals, Blue jays, Eastern Bluebirds, and others that you see so often that you ignore their presence and the beauty they hold. By understanding the hedonic adaptation process that is at work in your crinkled cranium you can focus on strategies that promote sustainable well-being, cultivate gratitude, meaningful engagement, and mindful awareness, rather than relying solely on new external circumstances and birds to provide a lasting happiness.You need to remember that we have lost 3 billion birds since 1970 and four percent (4%) fewer birds are crossing the Gulf each year. In just one decade, we have 40% fewer birds crossing the Gulf. Even what we call our common birds is in steep decline. You need to find a mental way of renewed and sustainable joy and appreciation for our birds and see and experience each one while we still have them.
Jerry Wayne DavisJune 30, 2026Hot Springs, AR
Date: 6/30/26 4:48 pm From: Shirley Maas via groups.io <dtmsem2006...> Subject: [NEBirds] Fw: [OKBIRDS] Birds and Our Hedonic Adaptation
Food for thought
Don Maas Former NeChoctaw , OkOklahoma County
Mess, AzMaricopa County
“If you do not take an interest in the affairs of your government then you are doomed to live under the rules of fools. Plato“You can ignore reality, but you cannot ignore the consequences of reality.”
Don & Shirley MaasThe Maas’s have migrated to the Valley of the Sun in Mesa, AZ from Choctaw, Ok for the winter.
Begin forwarded message:
On Tuesday, June 30, 2026, 5:02 PM, <jwdavis...> <jwdavis...> wrote:
Thanks for your help and support for our birds and othe wildlife. “The wildlife and its habitat cannot speak, so we must and we will. ” — Theodore Roosevelt. I had this quote on my emails for 20 years as a reminder for me and others. How manyZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerStart External Email ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerEnd#yiv2384427697 #yiv2384427697pfptBannerekf4mwx {display:block !important;visibility:visible !important;opacity:1 !important;background-color:#d04b4c !important;max-width:none !important;max-height:none !important;}#yiv2384427697 .yiv2384427697pfptPrimaryButtonekf4mwx:hover, #yiv2384427697 .yiv2384427697pfptPrimaryButtonekf4mwx:focus {background-color:#e9797a !important;}#yiv2384427697 .yiv2384427697pfptPrimaryButtonekf4mwx:active {background-color:#d89d9d !important;}#yiv2384427697 html:root, #yiv2384427697 html:root>body {display:block !important;visibility:visible !important;opacity:1 !important;}#yiv2384427697 P {margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;}Thanks for your help and support for our birds and othe wildlife. “The wildlife and its habitat cannot speak, so we must and we will.” — Theodore Roosevelt. I had this quote on my emails for 20 years as a reminder for me and others.
How many people on this list serve are speaking out for wildlife and its habitat, or are you sitting in apathy and indifference as they disappear?
JerryFrom: okbirds <OKBIRDS...> on behalf of Susanne Lutze <eztuls46...>
Sent: Tuesday, June 30, 2026 1:40 PM
To: <OKBIRDS...> <OKBIRDS...>
Subject: Re: [OKBIRDS] Birds and Our Hedonic Adaptation <!--#yiv2384427697 #yiv2384427697x_pfptBannero9celtz {display:block!important;visibility:visible!important;opacity:1!important;background-color:#d04b4c!important;max-width:none!important;max-height:none!important;}#yiv2384427697 html:root, #yiv2384427697 html:root > div {display:block!important;visibility:visible!important;opacity:1!important;}-->You are correct to call attention to the process of almost erasing our common birds to an unseeing public. Nature, especially birds, help keep me balanced in a world of chaos, greed and distractions. I try to both start and end each day withZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerStartExternal Email ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerEndYou are correct to call attention to the process of almost erasing our common birds to an unseeing public. Nature, especially birds, help keep me balanced in a world of chaos, greed and distractions. I try to both start and end each day with nature ….my birds, bunnies, insects, coyotes, reptiles are my truth. My soul when given this beginning and end to each day…feels in balance.Watching young House Finches, young Bue Jays, teen Mockingbirds, yearly juvenile Brown Thrashers, and lots of Mourning Doves, Robins, Sparrows, hawks, and this rear’s family of five Crows….gives me smiles when so much going on in the world is sad. Thanks for your insights.
"Carry a heart that never hates, a smile that never fades, and a touch that never hurts."
On Tue, Jun 30, 2026 at 2:16 PM <jwdavis...> <jwdavis...> wrote:
Birds and Our Hedonic Adaptation “You don’t know what you have until it is gone” is something that all are aware of. That is a characteristic of humans to fail to appreciate what they have while they have it. Humans become insensitive to stimuliZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerStartExternal Email ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerEndBirds and Our Hedonic Adaptation“You don’t know what you have until it is gone” is something that all are aware of. That is a characteristic of humans to fail to appreciate what they have while they have it. Humans become insensitive to stimuli and environmental factors with repeat exposure. Birders are not immune to this factor and take for granted the birds they see around them. Yes, you may have been excited about having a bird in your yard the first time but as time wears on, this becomes a common place, and the excitement diminishes just as buying a new object from the store. The hedonic adaptation is a psychological process where people tend to return to a relatively stable baseline level after having positive or negative life events. When something good happens like seeing a new bird or adding a bird to your life lists, you have a boost of happiness, but the feeling fades as your brain adjusts to the experience. This natural and often unconscious process helps keep life stable but can cause you to ignore or become complacent to the treasures and the birds that you have around you. I have been on birding trips with some birders referring to a species seen so often that they call them “trash birds”. There are no trash birds regardless of how often they are seen. You need to regain a gratitude and appreciation for what you have. Find joy in seeing your American Robins, Northern Cardinals, Blue jays, Eastern Bluebirds, and others that you see so often that you ignore their presence and the beauty they hold. By understanding the hedonic adaptation process that is at work in your crinkled cranium you can focus on strategies that promote sustainable well-being, cultivate gratitude, meaningful engagement, and mindful awareness, rather than relying solely on new external circumstances and birds to provide a lasting happiness.You need to remember that we have lost 3 billion birds since 1970 and four percent (4%) fewer birds are crossing the Gulf each year. In just one decade, we have 40% fewer birds crossing the Gulf. Even what we call our common birds is in steep decline. You need to find a mental way of renewed and sustainable joy and appreciation for our birds and see and experience each one while we still have them.
Jerry Wayne DavisJune 30, 2026Hot Springs, AR
While doing a bird count along the gravel roads near where we live, we found a kestrel nest high in a dead tree. There were two adults and two young kestrels. The young birds were making short flights from one branch to another and around the tree. Another young one was still in the nest and was being brought food by an adult.
Kathy and Duane Schwery
Cass County
Date: 6/27/26 6:45 pm From: Paul L. Pearson via groups.io <Propearson...> Subject: [NEBirds] UNK Cuckoo Surveys-6/27 Burt, Thurston Counties
I had the opportunity to join Dr Jacob Cooper on Sat June 27 for some 2026 cuckoo surveys being conducted by the UNK Ornithology Program in Burt and Thurston Counties. Protocol was stopping at pre-selected locations with presumed suitable habitat and playing a 6 minute recording of calls (with interspersed pauses) from both species.
We started at spots near/in Summit Lake SRA (Burt). We had one Yellow-billed call at our first stop, but unfortunately I didn’t catch it. After a few more stops in Burt without any cuckoos, we proceeded to Middle Decatur Bend, an historic oxbow on the Eastern side of the Missouri River across from Decatur but part of Nebraska. After our playback loop, a Black-billed Cuckoo called once distinctly from a fair distance south of our location through tick and poison ivy infested weeds that prohibited trying to search for it. This was only the 2nd BBCU found (so far) in the statewide survey. Per eBird and NOU county records, this is a Burt county FIRST record! Personally this was my first BBCU in the 21st century and only my second (June 1983). We celebrated with some (unexpectedly) great brisket for lunch at the Hillbilly Smokehouse in Decatur.
We then proceeded north into Thurston County and the Omaha Tribe Reservation (with prior permission) and tried various locations that we were able to access until it became too windy to reasonably continue.At Big Elk Wildlife Park in Thurston we heard our second and last YBCU of the day. A final stop at Pelican Point SRA (Burt Co) on the Missouri river was our last attempt and we saw 2 Least Terns on the Iowa side of the river in Monona County. Along with our 3 cuckoos, we both added county ticks in Washington, Burt and Thurston (Jacob-59 in Burt and 27 in Thurston!), as well as attracting several actual ticks.
On Saturday, June 27, 2026 at 02:32:12 PM CDT, Ruth Stearns via groups.io <ruthstearns...> wrote:
Mike and I tried out luck Friday to find the kite. I think the experience alone would have been worth it, driving down that two lane sandy road (Circle Road) through the Sandhills of Bessey National Forest, listening to Ovenbirds, Brown Thrashers, Field Sparrows, Bell's Vireo's, Western Meadowlarks, Lark Sparrows, Northern Bobwhite, Chipping Sparrows, and perhaps we'll say there were Spotted Towhees. We could find some birds easily as they perched on the dead trees from the fires of a few years back, less so once we got into wooded areas. We found the parking area by the gate, and successfully figured out how to open it, and close it, and we headed east beyond the gate. Stomped through deep sand, poison ivy and cowpies...then headed up a hill after traveling about 1/4 of a mile. We scoped those hills to the north a billion times, and headed further east along the ridge and scoped some more, memorizing every dead tree we saw but never finding the kite that sat so nicely for others who had come earlier in the week. We scoped every distant soaring raptor. We figured out where the red threshing machine was that some would mention. But an hour and a half seemed long enough, and it was time for lunch, so we headed back to the car, vowing to head back out once we'd eaten. But after we ate, I said, lets just drive down Circle road and see what happens. We'd driven about 1/4 mile, I was scanning every dead tree I'd see along my side of the road. I hollared to Mike to stop...and back up, keep backing up...stop. And I looked up the hill at what must have caught my eye. And there it was. just 100 yards or so up the ridge, sitting in a dead tree tucked between two living cedars. A small white bellied raptor, hooked beak, gull gray back and wings and those black shoulder patches. It let me take pictures, It let Mike get out to see. And I got out, and got the scope out, and fiddled with the phone and the digiscoping attachment and took pictures and videos, and we just marveled at our unbelieveable luck to have seen this bird.
Ruthie Stearns and Mike MattsonLincoln, NE
Date: 6/27/26 12:32 pm From: Ruth Stearns via groups.io <ruthstearns...> Subject: [NEBirds] White-tailed Kite Thomas County
Mike and I tried out luck Friday to find the kite. I think the experience alone would have been worth it, driving down that two lane sandy road (Circle Road) through the Sandhills of Bessey National Forest, listening to Ovenbirds, Brown Thrashers, Field Sparrows, Bell's Vireo's, Western Meadowlarks, Lark Sparrows, Northern Bobwhite, Chipping Sparrows, and perhaps we'll say there were Spotted Towhees. We could find some birds easily as they perched on the dead trees from the fires of a few years back, less so once we got into wooded areas. We found the parking area by the gate, and successfully figured out how to open it, and close it, and we headed east beyond the gate. Stomped through deep sand, poison ivy and cowpies...then headed up a hill after traveling about 1/4 of a mile. We scoped those hills to the north a billion times, and headed further east along the ridge and scoped some more, memorizing every dead tree we saw but never finding the kite that sat so nicely for others who had come earlier in the week. We scoped every distant soaring raptor. We figured out where the red threshing machine was that some would mention. But an hour and a half seemed long enough, and it was time for lunch, so we headed back to the car, vowing to head back out once we'd eaten. But after we ate, I said, lets just drive down Circle road and see what happens. We'd driven about 1/4 mile, I was scanning every dead tree I'd see along my side of the road. I hollared to Mike to stop...and back up, keep backing up...stop. And I looked up the hill at what must have caught my eye. And there it was. just 100 yards or so up the ridge, sitting in a dead tree tucked between two living cedars. A small white bellied raptor, hooked beak, gull gray back and wings and those black shoulder patches. It let me take pictures, It let Mike get out to see. And I got out, and got the scope out, and fiddled with the phone and the digiscoping attachment and took pictures and videos, and we just marveled at our unbelieveable luck to have seen this bird.
Ruthie Stearns and Mike MattsonLincoln, NE
Date: 6/25/26 7:36 pm From: Jason Thiele via groups.io <jasonthiele...> Subject: [NEBirds] Madison BBS results
And, finally, I completed the Madison BBS route on June 22. This is a newer route (started in 2018), and this was only my second time completing it. The route starts just east of Madison and takes a meandering course through Madison County, ending several miles south of Meadow Grove. This year's species total and total number of birds were the highest recorded for this route. A Wood Duck and two Great Horned Owls were also observed between points.
I'm sounding like a broken record, but just like my previous two routes, Northern Bobwhite numbers were substantially higher than previous years (0 in 2018, 3 in 2019, 22 in 2025). Purple Martin and Rose-breasted Grosbeak were recorded for the first time. Otherwise, there weren't a lot of surprises.
Date: 6/25/26 7:34 pm From: Jason Thiele via groups.io <jasonthiele...> Subject: [NEBirds] Wheeler County BBS Results
I completed the Wheeler County BBS route on June 16. This route starts in the Sandhills northwest of Bassett and then follows county roads and Highway 70 to the Antelope/Wheeler county line. This route has been run off and on since 1978; I took over the route in 2019. This year has to be the driest I have seen on this route, with very few marshes having open water. As a result, I missed some expected species and had below-average counts for others. The total species count and the total number of birds is right in line with what I've had in recent years, though. Turkey Vulture was the only other species observed during the route but not captured at a stop.
As was the case on my other BBS routes, the Northern Bobwhite count was way above average. This area isn't exactly "quail country," but 13 was a pretty good count considering there had never been more than 5 recorded on this route. I usually have a few lingering Greater Prairie-Chickens on leks for this route, but since I ran it about a week later than usual, the Lonely Hearts Club must have broken up for the year. That was certainly the biggest miss. Wilson's Snipe numbers fluctuate a lot on this route, presumably due to changes in habitat conditions on the meadows. 16 isn't bad, but I've had 40 on this route before. Finding two cuckoos was a bit of a surprise; it had been many years since either species was recorded on this route.
Date: 6/25/26 7:28 pm From: Jason Thiele via groups.io <jasonthiele...> Subject: [NEBirds] Tilden BBS results
Good evening. I have just finished data entry for three Breeding Bird Survey routes completed this month, so I thought I would take a few minutes to share results and thoughts.
I completed the Tilden route on June 6. The Tilden BBS route starts in Tilden and goes north and east through portions of Madison, Antelope, and Pierce counties, ending in the Plainview area. This route was run for the first time in 2019. I will probably never top the results of that first year, when the abundance of water on the landscape from the spring flood produced species that would not be expected in most years. This year's run was slightly below average with 58 species recorded, but total birds were right around the 1000-1100 mark that has been typical. A White-breasted Nuthatch was also encountered on the route between stops.
The Northern Bobwhite tally was the highest for this route by far. The previous high was 27 last year. Two straight years with mild winters and good nesting conditions have been kind to this species. I have seen the same trend on my other BBS routes and throughout my travels around northeast Nebraska. Counts for other species generally fell within the observed ranges over the past few years. Probably the biggest misses were waterfowl (first year I haven't recorded at least one duck or goose species) and Willow Flycatcher (first time missed on this route).
Date: 6/25/26 1:25 pm From: Jacob C. Cooper via groups.io <cooperj2...> Subject: Re: [NEBirds] Dickcissels
It does seem like its been a good couple of years for them down in the southwest. We have had good numbers of them in Colfax County, New Mexico the past two yearsincluding several up to about 7,000 ft in elevation in the wider canyons.
Might be a bit early to tell- usually westward incursions are in years of high numbers in the regular range in June (I haven't taken a look at June yet).
Definitely something to keep an eye on, especially knowing about those Colorado sightings.
Ross
BONO co-editor
________________________________
From: <NEBirds...> <NEBirds...> on behalf of Robin Harding via groups.io <pine2siskin4...>
Sent: Thursday, June 25, 2026 12:55
To: <NEBirds...> <NEBirds...>
Subject: [NEBirds] Dickcissels
Nebraska birders,
I've read the chapter on Dickcissels in the Birds of Nebraska Online. Could this be an incursion year for them in western Nebraska or are they expanding their range? I traveled through southwestern Nebraska on my way to Colorado Springs recently. I recorded two singing male Dickcissels in Hayes County at Hayes Center WMA on June 16.
In Colorado, I attended a bird walk led by a local birder. South of Colorado Springs, in Aiken Canyon Preserve on June 20, we saw two male Dickcissels. The guide was excited to see them because he said they are rare at that location. Near the Grandview Cemetery at Wray, Colorado on June 22, I heard four singing males. Nearby, at Stalker Lake, I heard four more singing males. I saw at least one at each location.
In Dundy County, near Haigler, on June 23, I heard one singing male Dickcissel. On the same day, in Chase County, at the Frenchman Valley Produce pond, I heard one singing male. Personally, the one in Dundy County was a new county bird for me. I entered all of these sightings onto ebird.
Looking at ebird, I see many reports of Dickcissels in western Nebraska and into Wyoming and Colorado. Many of them are recent reports. Incursion or expanding their range?
Date: 6/25/26 11:39 am From: Ross Silcock via groups.io <silcock...> Subject: Re: [NEBirds] Dickcissels
Hi Robin,
Might be a bit early to tell- usually westward incursions are in years of high numbers in the regular range in June (I haven't taken a look at June yet).
Definitely something to keep an eye on, especially knowing about those Colorado sightings.
Ross
BONO co-editor
________________________________
From: <NEBirds...> <NEBirds...> on behalf of Robin Harding via groups.io <pine2siskin4...>
Sent: Thursday, June 25, 2026 12:55
To: <NEBirds...> <NEBirds...>
Subject: [NEBirds] Dickcissels
Nebraska birders,
I've read the chapter on Dickcissels in the Birds of Nebraska Online. Could this be an incursion year for them in western Nebraska or are they expanding their range? I traveled through southwestern Nebraska on my way to Colorado Springs recently. I recorded two singing male Dickcissels in Hayes County at Hayes Center WMA on June 16.
In Colorado, I attended a bird walk led by a local birder. South of Colorado Springs, in Aiken Canyon Preserve on June 20, we saw two male Dickcissels. The guide was excited to see them because he said they are rare at that location. Near the Grandview Cemetery at Wray, Colorado on June 22, I heard four singing males. Nearby, at Stalker Lake, I heard four more singing males. I saw at least one at each location.
In Dundy County, near Haigler, on June 23, I heard one singing male Dickcissel. On the same day, in Chase County, at the Frenchman Valley Produce pond, I heard one singing male. Personally, the one in Dundy County was a new county bird for me. I entered all of these sightings onto ebird.
Looking at ebird, I see many reports of Dickcissels in western Nebraska and into Wyoming and Colorado. Many of them are recent reports. Incursion or expanding their range?
Date: 6/25/26 10:56 am From: Robin Harding via groups.io <pine2siskin4...> Subject: [NEBirds] Dickcissels
Nebraska birders,
I've read the chapter on Dickcissels in the Birds of Nebraska Online. Could this be an incursion year for them in western Nebraska or are they expanding their range? I traveled through southwestern Nebraska on my way to Colorado Springs recently. I recorded two singing male Dickcissels in Hayes County at Hayes Center WMA on June 16.
In Colorado, I attended a bird walk led by a local birder. South of Colorado Springs, in Aiken Canyon Preserve on June 20, we saw two male Dickcissels. The guide was excited to see them because he said they are rare at that location. Near the Grandview Cemetery at Wray, Colorado on June 22, I heard four singing males. Nearby, at Stalker Lake, I heard four more singing males. I saw at least one at each location.
In Dundy County, near Haigler, on June 23, I heard one singing male Dickcissel. On the same day, in Chase County, at the Frenchman Valley Produce pond, I heard one singing male. Personally, the one in Dundy County was a new county bird for me. I entered all of these sightings onto ebird.
Looking at ebird, I see many reports of Dickcissels in western Nebraska and into Wyoming and Colorado. Many of them are recent reports. Incursion or expanding their range?
Date: 6/23/26 9:39 pm From: Don and Shirley Maas via groups.io <snowbirds2012...> Subject: Re: [NEBirds] Chasing birds in Chase Co.
Thanks for the report Robin
Don MAAS
>
> On Jun 23, 2026 at 9:42 PM, <Robin Harding via groups.io (mailto:<pine2siskin4...>)> wrote:
>
>
>
>
> Nebraska birders,
>
> I took a little detour on my way to Colorado last week. My total number of bird species in Hayes County was at 123. I wanted to get it up to that magic number 125. I birded a dead end road near Hamlet on June 15 in the evening. It was a location that Lanny and I had been to many years ago and marked it on our map as a good birding spot. Shortly after I arrived on this daye, I heard a Field Sparrow singing. That was a new county bird. Other highlights included a Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Bell's Vireo, Yellow-breasted Chat and Black-headed Grosbeak but none of them were new county birds. Further down the road, I heard an unfamiliar song. I finally got my eyes on the songster and it was a Towhee. It was not a typical Towhee song, although it was two identical notes and then a trill, like a Spotted Towhee. It probably was a weird Spotted Towhee but I wasn't sure if I should count it as a new county bird.
>
> The next morning, I went to Hayes Center WMA. It was a beautiful, cool and calm morning. I walked along the road on the east side of the lake. I heard a Northern Bobwhite, which was a new county bird. Other highlights included a Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Great Crested Flycatcher, Orchard Oriole, Northern Cardinal and Dickcissel. I also saw an Eastern Bluebird which was another new county bird. My new Hayes County total is 127. It's nice to have a little cushion.
>
> In the afternoon of June 16, I drove to Imperial to try my luck at locating the Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks. The weather was sunny and hot. I couldn't find the right pond and was not able to find the ducks. Oh well. It was worth a try.
>
> On my way back from Colorado on June 23, I did a little more birding in Chase County. As I was driving from Haigler to Benkelman it rained hard. By the time I got to Imperial, the rain had stopped. I finally found the Frenchman Valley Produce pond but the only ducks I saw were Mallards. I was disappointed but I thought that I might as well look at the other ponds in the area. I checked a couple other nearby ponds but found no ducks. It was getting late and I needed to head for home. I stopped at the intersection of highway 61 and 3rd Street, looked to the right and saw a couple ducks in the flooded ditch. I took a quick look with my binoculars and, WOW, there were two Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks. I carefully moved the car into a parking lot and got out to get a better view. Beautiful ducks and not shy. They didn't fly away.
>
> Robin Harding
> Shelton, Nebraska
>
>
>
Date: 6/23/26 7:42 pm From: Robin Harding via groups.io <pine2siskin4...> Subject: [NEBirds] Chasing birds in Chase Co.
Nebraska birders,
I took a little detour on my way to Colorado last week. My total number of bird species in Hayes County was at 123. I wanted to get it up to that magic number 125. I birded a dead end road near Hamlet on June 15 in the evening. It was a location that Lanny and I had been to many years ago and marked it on our map as a good birding spot. Shortly after I arrived on this daye, I heard a Field Sparrow singing. That was a new county bird. Other highlights included a Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Bell's Vireo, Yellow-breasted Chat and Black-headed Grosbeak but none of them were new county birds. Further down the road, I heard an unfamiliar song. I finally got my eyes on the songster and it was a Towhee. It was not a typical Towhee song, although it was two identical notes and then a trill, like a Spotted Towhee. It probably was a weird Spotted Towhee but I wasn't sure if I should count it as a new county bird.
The next morning, I went to Hayes Center WMA. It was a beautiful, cool and calm morning. I walked along the road on the east side of the lake. I heard a Northern Bobwhite, which was a new county bird. Other highlights included a Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Great Crested Flycatcher, Orchard Oriole, Northern Cardinal and Dickcissel. I also saw an Eastern Bluebird which was another new county bird. My new Hayes County total is 127. It's nice to have a little cushion.
In the afternoon of June 16, I drove to Imperial to try my luck at locating the Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks. The weather was sunny and hot. I couldn't find the right pond and was not able to find the ducks. Oh well. It was worth a try.
On my way back from Colorado on June 23, I did a little more birding in Chase County. As I was driving from Haigler to Benkelman it rained hard. By the time I got to Imperial, the rain had stopped. I finally found the Frenchman Valley Produce pond but the only ducks I saw were Mallards. I was disappointed but I thought that I might as well look at the other ponds in the area. I checked a couple other nearby ponds but found no ducks. It was getting late and I needed to head for home. I stopped at the intersection of highway 61 and 3rd Street, looked to the right and saw a couple ducks in the flooded ditch. I took a quick look with my binoculars and, WOW, there were two Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks. I carefully moved the car into a parking lot and got out to get a better view. Beautiful ducks and not shy. They didn't fly away.
Date: 6/23/26 10:55 am From: Paul Roisen via groups.io <roisenp1950...> Subject: Re: [NEBirds] White-tailed Kite
The white tailed kite was seen by Bill Huser, Jerry Probst and Paul Roisen
several times today first was seen from the Hills, where Thane and Justin
and those guys had viewed it From the red thrashing machine site way south
closer to where Tobin‘s pin was it then flew further south and we got some
decent pictures in the end. It was very skittish today probably due to the
rain and a truck driving down the road where Justin and Teagan had been and
where the red thrashing machine was as a matter of fact, the guy power that
up and roared away doing some whatever he was doing with it. Just letting
you know that it is around and moving around quite a bit seen on the top of
dead trees most of the time.
God Bless
*Paul O. Roisen*
*Sioux City, IA 51106 **Woodbury County, IA*
*Mobile 712-301-2817 **<roisenp1950...> <roisenp1950...>*
On Mon, Jun 22, 2026 at 9:34 PM Paul L. Pearson via groups.io <Propearson=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> Keegan Brown and Justin Rink found it this afternoon close to the
> original pin and Eli Weber found it just a little bit ago.
>
> Great bird! Be prepared to hike in at ~ a mile RT through ticks, poison
> ivy, and up and down Sandhills slopes.
>
> Paul P
> [image: logo-ebird-1200.png]
>
> eBird Checklist - 22 Jun 2026 - Nebraska NF--Circle Road (Northwest) - 12
> species (+1 other taxa) <https://ebird.org/checklist/S361886843> > ebird.org <https://ebird.org/checklist/S361886843> > <https://ebird.org/checklist/S361886843> > Q
>
>
> Paul L. Pearson, Ph.D.
> President, Nebraska Ornithologists’ Union
>
>
> --
> Paul L. Pearson, PhD
> President-Nebraska Ornithologists’ Union
> Omaha, NE
>
>
>
On Mon, Jun 22, 2026 at 7:35 PM, Tobin Brown via groups.io<tobinjbrown...> wrote: Keegan, Justin, Eli, and Connor all found the kite today!
It's about a 1/2 mile hike east down the 2-track from Circle road, then 1/4 mi north to the ridge where you can see the tree it has been roosting in.
Good luck!
- Tobin Brown
On Mon, Jun 22, 2026, 8:09 PM Paul Roisen via groups.io <roisenp1950...> wrote:
Did anyone go looking for the White-tailed Kite today June 22? Bill Huser, Jerry Probst, and I are heading out very early tomorrow AM with hopes of seeing it. If anyone looked for it today and either did not find it or found it and have not report it yet, we would very much appreciate and info regarding either sighting OR failure to sight the bird.
God Bless.Paul O. RoisenSioux City, IA 51106 Woodbury County, IAMobile 712-301-2817 <roisenp1950...>
Date: 6/22/26 6:35 pm From: Tobin Brown via groups.io <tobinjbrown...> Subject: Re: [NEBirds] White-tailed Kite
Keegan, Justin, Eli, and Connor all found the kite today!
It's about a 1/2 mile hike east down the 2-track from Circle road, then 1/4
mi north to the ridge where you can see the tree it has been roosting in.
Good luck!
- Tobin Brown
On Mon, Jun 22, 2026, 8:09 PM Paul Roisen via groups.io <roisenp1950=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> Did anyone go looking for the White-tailed Kite today June 22? Bill
> Huser, Jerry Probst, and I are heading out very early tomorrow AM with
> hopes of seeing it.
> *If anyone looked for it today and either did not find it or found it
> and have not report it yet, we would very much appreciate and info
> regarding either sighting OR failure to sight the bird.*
>
> God Bless.
> *Paul O. Roisen*
> *Sioux City, IA 51106 **Woodbury County, IA*
> *Mobile 712-301-2817 **<roisenp1950...> <roisenp1950...>*
>
>
Date: 6/22/26 6:09 pm From: Paul Roisen via groups.io <roisenp1950...> Subject: [NEBirds] White-tailed Kite
Did anyone go looking for the White-tailed Kite today June 22? Bill Huser, Jerry Probst, and I are heading out very early tomorrow AM with hopes of seeing it. *If anyone looked for it today and either did not find it or found it and have not report it yet, we would very much appreciate and info regarding either sighting OR failure to sight the bird.*
God Bless. *Paul O. Roisen* *Sioux City, IA 51106 **Woodbury County, IA* *Mobile 712-301-2817 **<roisenp1950...> <roisenp1950...>*
