Date: 6/17/25 9:04 pm From: Donna and Bruce Walgren via groups.io <Piranga...> Subject: Re: [NEBirds] Hay Springs USGS BBS Summary
It’s been a while, but during really wet springs, There would be water on both sides of the Lake Road just west of the lake . Lots of waterfowl and shorebirds. Even Eastern Meadowlarks. The prairie dog town just south of the lake used to have Burrowing Owls, but we haven’t seen them for years. During one Fall migration we had Rusty Blackbirds in with some Red-wings along the lake road.
Thanks again!
Bruce
From: <NEBirds...> [mailto:<NEBirds...>] On Behalf Of David Cunningham via groups.io
Sent: Tuesday, June 17, 2025 9:32 PM
To: <NEBirds...>
Subject: Re: [NEBirds] Hay Springs USGS BBS Summary
The route is on Walgren Lake Rd. There is a road to the east, then the Lake. BBS has specific process controls including distance. The lake is too far i.e., outside the stop box. Unless the species at the lake fly within the stop box, I can't count them.
As a native of Hay Springs, I’m wondering where this route is. I lived 8 miles south of Hay springs on a farm and now live in Casper WY. It’s fun to see your results-reminds me of home. The BBS website doesn’t show the route – just the approximate site of the route. I was wondering if you would mind sharing the start point and the approximate route.
I completed the Hay Springs BBS on 7 Jun 2025. The biggest missing species was Bobolink. I paused on 3 stops to use the binoculars and specifically listen for them, but none heard or seen. This is the fastest I completed the route, mostly due to the good weather. This year's counts are consistent with past years going back to 2018 (first year). The average number of species is approximately 42 with about 985 for the individuals count. The lone Blue Jay and Common Yellowthroat were the only non-breeders observed.
