Subject: Birding areas of Nebraska
Date: Mon, 18 Jan 1999 15:15:35 -0600 (CST)
From: Paul Johnsgard <pjohnsga@unlinfo.unl.edu
Reply-To: NeBirds@rip.physics.unk.edu
To: NeBirds@rip.physics.unk.edu

                 BIRDING AREAS IN NEBRASKA
       The following guide to bird-finding locations in the state
represents an effort to identify and describe nearly all of the
public-access sites in the state of Nebraska of special interest to
birders and other naturalists. It includes all of the state's national
wildlife refuges, federal waterfowl production areas and national
monuments. It also includes all the state parks, most state historical
parks and state recreation areas, and all of the larger wildlife
management areas. Municipal and county parks are usually not included
unless they are of particular biological interest. For most efficient use
the guide should be used in conjunction with an annotated checklist of
Nebraska birds, such as my privately printed booklet "The Birds of Nebraska"
(see NOU website for an on-line version). Rare bird sightings should
be reported to the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union, whose official journal
is the Nebraska Bird Review (editor William Clemente, Dept. of English,
Peru State College, Peru, NE  58421 (clemente@bobcat.peru.edu). Rare bird
records are considered by a committee chaired by Mark Brogie, Box 316,
Cheighton, NE 68729-3016. The "supplemental" checklist of bird species
 reported from major bird areas referred to in the text is NOT included in
this on-line version of my "Bird-finding Guide to Nebraska", nor are any
maps.
        The guide is organized into four general regions (Far Western,
West-central, East-central, and Eastern, and within each of these four
regions individual counties are sequentially discussed in a generally
west-to-east and north-to-south sequence, as indicated on the accompanying
map of Nebraska counties (NOT included). For each Nebraska county, federal
and state-owned public-access locations are initially described, followed
by
any additional sites under other kinds of ownership or control, such as by
municipalities, private landowners, the National Audubon Society and the
Nature Conservancy. Most federally-owned areas in Nebraska consist of
national historic sites, national wildlife refuges and national monuments.
Federally owned areas also include waterfowl production areas (WPAs).
State owned sites include state parks, state recreation areas (SRAs), and
wildlife management areas (WMAs). Typically no permit is needed to enter
WPAs or WMAs, but annual (or daily) state park entry permits are needed
for SRAs and all state parks and state historical parks. At least one
national wildlife refuge (DeSoto) also charges a daily entry fee. All
state wildlife management areas offer unrestricted birding or other nature
study opportunities. They usually provide only primitive camping
facilities, and most are open to seasonal hunting and fishing. State
recreation areas usually have more highly developed recreational
facilities for water sports and modern camping. Annual park entry permits
can be obtained from the Parks Division, Game and Parks Commission , PO
Box 30370, Lincoln, NE 68503). Rivers are publicly owned, but the
adjoining shorelines are usually in private ownership. Birding from a
canoe is possible on several rivers (Niobrara, Dismal, Calamus, Missouri,
Platte, Republican), but access points are often limited and fences often
cross some of the smaller streams.. Some refuge lakes such as Watts, Duck,
West Long, Hackberry, Dewey and Clear lakes at Valentine National Wildlife
Refuge offer wonderful birding opportunities as well. However, harassing
wildlife from a boat or canoe is illegal, as is disturbing them at their
nests.
       The primary purpose of this booklet is to describe and help locate
those sites in every county that are most desirable and potentially
rewarding to birders and naturalists, including more than 400 public
access sites scattered throughout the state.   Maps showing specific
locations (and approximate geographic limits in most cases) for major
birding sites in 43 counties of the state are cited but NOT provided in
this on-line guide, but are included in my booklet.  The remaining 50
Nebraska counties are ones with few or no public access sites of special
interest to naturalists, and the sites mentioned are accompanied with
location descriptions that should suffice for finding them with the use of
a good state highway map. Sets of individual county road maps (available
from the Nebraska Roads Department, 1500 Highway N-2, Lincoln 68509;
402/471-4567) and also extremely useful when exploring back-country areas.
Topographic maps of the entire state (scale 1:200,000) are available for
$16.95  in the Nebraska Atlas and Gazetteer, published by  DeLorme, PO Box
298, Freeport, ME 04032 (027/865-4171). This atlas also shows state parks
and recreation areas, national lands, campgrounds, wildlife viewing areas,
and other attractions. A similar book showing individual counties, with
descriptions of hunting, fishing, camping and related outdoor attractions
is the Nebraska Sportsman's Atlas, available for $18.75 from Sportsman's
Atlas Company, PO Box 132, Lytton, Iowa 5056 (800/568-8334).


I. THE FAR WESTERN  REGION: PINE-RIDGE COUNTRY

       This beautiful part of Nebraska, its geographic "Panhandle," is
largely a ridge-and-canyon region, interspersed with High Plains
topography and steppe vegetation. It is the land that Crazy Horse died
trying to protect for his people, the Oglala Sioux or Lakotas, and one
laced with the bitter history of these people and Cheyennes as they
fruitlessly fought to maintain their sacred lands. The pine-covered hills
and escarpments remind one of the Black Hills, and several pine-dependent
species that are common in the Black Hills occur only in the northwestern
corner of Nebraska, such as Lewis' woodpecker, pinyon jay, dark-eyed
junco, sage thrasher, western tanager, yellow-rumped warbler, Swainson's
thrush, solitary vireo, pygmy nuthatch, red crossbill, and the
canyon-adapted cordilleran (previously called "western") flycatcher. It
also supports a few quite localized short-grass plains species such as
McCown's and chestnut-collared longspurs and mountain plovers. It is also
a land rich in the fossil remains of early Cenozoic mammals, as well as an
eight-million-year-old fossil bird bone that appears to be identical to
that of a modern sandhill crane. This would make the sandhill crane the
most archaic of all known extant birds, and provides another reason for
considering it a very special if not sacred bird. Sandhill cranes by the
tens of thousands still pass through this region each spring and fall, but
their major migratory pathway lies to the east, in the central Platte
Valley.
       The major birding attractions in this part of the state include the
topographical diverse and highly  scenic Pine Ridge area (a bird checklist
representing "northwest Nebraska," based on observations of Richard
Rosche, is in the supplement (NOT INCLUDED HERE). The area around Lake
McConaughy is the most bird-rich location in the state, and a mecca for
birders from all over the country. Not far from there is Crescent Lake
National Wildlife Refuge, a wilderness jewel in the western Sandhills,
with the second-largest bird list for the state (also summarized in the
supplement--NOT in on-line version). To the north of Crescent Lake, in
northern Garden County and southern Sheridan County, are hundreds of
relatively saline Sandhills marshes that abound with waterfowl and
marshland birds..

1. SIOUX COUNTY (Map 1)
       Sioux County is in the heart of the Pine Ridge region, an area of
ridge-and-canyon topography that is a southern outlier of the Black Hills
region of South Dakota, and is a north-facing escarpment largely covered
by ponderosa pine forest and streamside deciduous forests.   As such, it
has several species that occur rarely if at all elsewhere in Nebraska,
such as the cordilleran flycatcher (in Sowbelly Canyon). There also
extensive areas of short-grass plains, much of which is included in the
Oglala National Grasslands, and which support a typical high plains
avifauna (Boyle & Bauer, 1994) .

A. Federal Areas
 1. Oglala National Grasslands (Map locations 1,3). Area 93,344 ac.
     The area around Sugarloaf Butte offers Brewer's sparrows,
     sage thrashers, long-billed curlews, Swainson's and ferruginous
     hawks, and chestnut-collared longspurs (Map location 3). Otherwise,
     horned larks, western meadowlarks and lark buntings are common
     breeders in this vast region, which extends into Dawes County. Hawks
     are common here (red-tailed, Swainson's and ferruginous), and
     golden eagles are also frequent. For information contact the Forest
     Service office at HC 75, Box 13A9, Chadron NE 69337(308/432-4475).
 2. Soldier Creek Wilderness (Map location 7). Area 9,600 ac. This is a
     large roadless area that has an extensive hiking trail network, as well
     as bridle trails. Water must be carried in, and facilities are lacking.
     Much of the area was burned in a 1989 fire.  An 8-mile loop trail over
     ridges and canyons has its trailhead at the picnic area. For information
     contact the Forest Service office mentioned above.
 3. Agate Fossil Beds National Monument. Not shown; see a state
     highway map for location. Includes nearly 2,000 acres of shortgrass
     plains. No official bird checklist is yet available, but 156 species have
     been reported for the site, including ferruginous hawk, mountain
     plover, burrowing owl, saw-whet owl, white-throated swift, Cassin's
     kingbird, pinyon jay, Townsend's warbler, western tanager, black-
     headed grosbeak, lazuli bunting, and three species of longspurs
     including both McCown's and chestnut-collared. For information
     call the National Park office at 308/668-2211.
 4. Toadstool Geologic Park (Map location 2). This area of badlands
     (ca. 300 acres) supports rock wrens, Say's phoebes, golden eagles
     and prairie falcons, and sometimes also rosy finches during winter.
     A one-mile loop trail through part of the park that begins at the picnic
     area should turn up rock wrens and other topography-dependent birds.
     Water is at a premium here, and a canteen should be carried in hot
     weather. A small campground is present (call 308/432-4475).
 5. Nebraska National Forest, McKelvie District  (Map location 10).  Area
     comprises  about 5l,000 acres,  including holdings in Dawes County.
     This area is much like the Pine Ridge Unit, and most or all of the
     same birding opportunities should exist (see Dawes County).
 B. State Areas
1. Fort Robinson State Park (Map location 9). Area 22,000 ac. Although
    still proving good pine habitat, a forest fire in 1989 destroyed much
    of the best sections of the park, which does offer lodging and eating
    facilities (Rosche, 1990). A nesting area for white-throated swifts
    occurs six miles west of headquarters (Pettingill, 1981). For information
    call 308/665-2900.
2. Gilbert-Baker WMA (Map location 4), Area 2,457 ac. This is an area of
    ridges covered with ponderosa pines, with scattered areas of grassland
    at the forest fringes. Monroe Creek traverses the area and is a trout
    stream. Located three miles north of Harrison, via an oil-surfaced road.
    While in the area, a gravel road going south along the Wyoming border
    (turn 8 miles west of Harrison)  crosses the Niobrara River and passes
    into ridge-and-valley topography that supports McCown's longspurs,
    Say's phoebes and rock wrens, as well as Brewer's sparrows,
    ferruginous hawks and long-billed curlews, plus chestnut-collared
    longspurs farther south. At about 8 miles south of the turning a road
    goes east and back to state highway 29 (Rosche, 1990). Hiking trails
    penetrate the area; for information call 308/668-2211.
3. Peterson WMA (Map location 6). Area 2,460 ac. This are consists of
    habitats alternating between mature ponderosa pine forests  and
    grasslands in  typical ridge-and canyon topography. Two streams bisect
    the area, There are no camping facilities.
4. James Ranch SRA (Map location 8).
C. Other  Areas
1. Sowbelly Canyon (Map location 5). Although privately owned, a county
   road northeast from Harrison passes through  a creekbottom area where
   on-foot birding  can be done, about five miles from town . Many
   distinctly western species occur here, including not only the very local
   cordilleran flycatcher, but also white-throated swift, violet-green
   swallow, common poorwill, Say's phoebe, rock wren, western tanager,
   Bullock's oriole, prairie falcon, and other western and eastern species
   (Rosche, 1990).

2. DAWES COUNTY (Map 2)

A. Federal Areas
1.  Pine Ridge National Recreation Area and Nebraska National Forest,
     Pine Ridge Unit (Map location 2). Recreation Area 50,803
     ac., mostly of ponderosa pine forest and intervening grasslands.
    The topography of this area is often rugged, and the roads may not be
     in good condition, so it is well to check with the ranger office on
     US highway 385 before venturing far from the main road. Cattle
     grazing is permitted here, so attention to gates is needed. There is a
     4-mile fairly difficult trail starting at the Iron Horse Road meadow,
     and a less difficult 3-mile hiking trail with its trailhead at East Ash
     road. A fairly difficult  8-mile trail leading to Chadron State Park
     begins at a gravel road off US highway 85.  For more information
     contact the Forest Supervisor at 270 Pine St., Chadron (308/432-4475).
2. Oglala National Grasslands (Map location 1. Note that fine lines enclose
    actual holdings; broad lines show maximum limits of grassland district.)
    Area 94,394 ac.  See Sioux County account.
B. State Areas
1. Fort Robinson State Park (Map locations 5, 8). Area 20,000 ac.
    See also Sioux County account.. State park entry permit required;
    call 308/665-2900 for information.
2. Chadron State Park (Map location 7). Area 80l ac.  This is the best place
    in the region to see Lewis' woodpecker, and it also supports pygmy
    nuthatches, western tanagers and common poorwills (Rosche, 1990).
    On the way to the Black Hills lookout watch for Lewis' woodpeckers
    perched on the tops of snags. At the lookout one should see pinyon jays,
    yellow-rumped warblers, western tanagers and mountain bluebirds, as
    well as raptors (Boyle & Bauer, 1994). Pettingill (1981) has described
    birding opportunities in this park, and provides a list of nesting
species.
    The Spotted Tail hiking trail extends for 8 miles from the park
     boundary through the Nebraska National Forest, and the Black Hills
     Overlook trail extends for 4 miles from the park campground. State
     park entry permit required; call 308/432-6167 for information.
3. Ponderosa WMA (Map location 6). Area 3,659 ac. Located southeast of
    Crawford, this area is largely covered by ponderosa pine forests, with
    grasslands on level areas and also some deciduous trees lining Squaw
    Creek. There is a hiking trail starting at parking area 5 that provides an
    excellent panorama, and may offer views of such raptors as prairie
    falcons. National Forest land adjoins the area to the south and southwest.
    About ten miles south of Crawford along state highway 2 are ridgetop
    pine woodlands where Cassin's kingbirds are rather easily seen,
    especially during September (Rosche, 1990).
4. Box Butte SRA (Map location 3). Area 612 ac. Includes a 20-ac.
    reservoir. This is an outstanding birding area in the Panhandle; Richard
    Rosche (personal communication) has observed over 200 species in a 20-
    year span. Rock wrens, Say's phoebes and ferruginous hawks are among
    the more interesting western species, and probable eastern breeders
    include eastern bluebird, eastern wood-pewee, and wood thrush. Small
    passerines such as warblers and vireos are abundant during migration.
5. Whitney Lake WMA. Area 900 ac. Located  2 miles northwest of
    Whitney.

3. BOX BUTTE COUNTY
A. Federal Areas: None
B. State Areas: None
C. Other Areas
  1. Kilpatrick Lake. Located about 20 miles west of Alliance (west on
       10th St. for 15 mi. then south 1 mi., west for 5 more mi.) A trail
       at a sign indicating the Snake Creek Ranch goes left and leads to the
       dam. This small reservoir is a major stopover point for snow geese
       and a few Ross' geese in spring. The meadows to the south of the dam
       around Snake Creek support willets, long-billed curlews, common
       snipes, eastern meadowlarks  and savannah sparrows, and the drier
       areas should be scanned for Cassin's sparrows (rare in Nebraska).
       These birds inhabit sandsage grassland, and their vocalizations help
       locate them (Rosche, 1994).

4. SHERIDAN COUNTY (Map 3)
A. Federal Areas. None.
B. State Areas
 1. Metcalf WMA. Area 3068 ac. Located about ten miles north of Hay
     Springs. It has typical Pine Ridge habitat, which is most pine-covered,
     but with some open grasslands present. There are no camping facilities.
 2. Smith Lake WMA. Area 640 ac.  Located 20 miles south of Rushville.
    The area has a 222 acre lake, surrounding marshy and grasslands, and
    some woodlands. There are primitive camping facilities and toilets.
    Fishing is permitted.  Between Lakeside and Rushville, 50 miles
    apart, excellent birding opportunities exist, and nesting records
    for the long-eared owl, black-necked stilt, piping plover and
    even the northern parula have been obtained (Rosche, l990).
 3.Walgren Lake WMA. Area 130 ac.  Located near Hay Springs; see
    state highway map for  exact location. There are primitive camping
    facilities. A great variety of migrant species are attracted to this lake
    including such rarities as Sabine's and black-headed gulls, and
   Townsend's warbler. Just a mile south of Walgren Lake is a prairie dog
    town with nesting burrowing owls and occasional chestnut-collared
    longspurs. The latter are more common along the first road going east
    to the north of the colony (Rosche, 1990).
C. Other Areas
 1. Sandhills marshes near Lakeside. (Map location 2). This area, extending
    west and east from Lakeside on US highway  2, and north on state
    highway 250, provides views of many highly alkaline marshes that
    attract waterfowl such as trumpeter swans and many shorebirds such
    as breeding black-necked stilts, American avocets, willets, Wilson's
    phalaropes, and others. Taking the gravel road south from Lakeside
    takes one (28 miles, no gas or facilities) through Sandhills country
    to Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge (see Map 3, and Garden
    County account ), and past many wet meadows and highly saline
    marshes (those wetlands north of the dashed line on Map 3) that are
    highly attractive to shorebirds and waterfowl. Sandhills roads are
    narrow, hilly  and sometimes slippery; careful driving is mandatory.
   The road (state route 250) north from Lakeside is just as attractive;
    after about 20 miles an unimproved road going east connects with state
    route 27 and returns one to US highway 2 at Ellsworth. However, it
    might be better to backtrack from Smith Lake to Lakeside and make
    a similar two-way run north from Ellsworth for about 15 miles, where
    the marshy wetlands gradually peter out..

5. SCOTTS BLUFF COUNTY (Map 4)
A . Federal Areas
 1. North Platte National Wildlife Refuge, including Lake Minatare
     State Recreation Area (Map location. 2). Area  5047 ac. The best
     part of this refuge is the 500-acre Winters Creek Lake Unit northwest
     of Lake Minatare, where a marshy lake attracts a large number
     of migratory and breeding water birds, including western grebes.
     There is a bird list for the entire refuge (a major basis for the
     list of North Platte Valley birds in the supplemental checklist--NOT
INCLUDED).
     The checklist includes 181 species, with 32 known nesters and
     20 additional possible breeders. For information contact the local
     Fish and Wildlife Service office at 308/635-7851.
 2. Scotts Bluff National Monument (Map location 1). Area 3,000 ac.
     This famous bluff along the Oregon Trail is capped by ponderosa pine
     woodland, and has steep sides that are used as nesting sites by white-
     throated swifts. At least 100 species have been reported for the area,
     including prairie falcons, burrowing owl, common poorwill, pinyon
     jay, both cuckoos, rock wren, yellow-rumped warbler, Baltimore and
     Bullock's orioles, blue and black-headed grosbeaks, green-tailed and
     spotted towhees, three races of dark-eyed juncos, and lazuli buntings
     (unpublished staff records). There is a 3-mile nature trail leading from
     the summit parking lot to the visitor center. For information contact the
     superintendent at Box 427, Gering NE 6934l (308/436-4340).
B. State Areas
 1. Nine Mile Creek Special Use Area (Map location 3). Area 178
     ac. Located north and east of Minatare, and consisting of grasslands
     plus a trout stream.
 2. Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area  and Buffalo Creek WMA (Map
     location 4). Area  3935 ac. Buffalo Creek WMA consists of typical
    Wildcat Hills ridge-and-canyon habitats, covered by pines and junipers
    It is nearly all wooded, but has a seven-acre pond. Primitive camping
    facilities are present. Pygmy nuthatches evidently nest here, and violet-
    green swallows are fairly common. Several raptors, such as golden
    eagles, prairie falcons and several buteos are good possibilities.
    Pettingill (1981) listed 11 species that should potentially  be seen here,
    including common poorwill and white-throated swift. A new
    nature center is present at the SRA, with a two-mile nature trail, bird-
    viewing windows, and many ecological exhibits. Winter birds attracted
    to feeders include mountain chickadee, Cassin's finch, evening grosbeak,
    red crossbill, pygmy nuthatch, and pinyon jay.  There is a rather
    challenging 3.5-mile trail starting at the Buffalo Creek parking lot.
    For information call 308/436-3777.

6. BANNER COUNTY
A . Federal Areas : None
B. State Areas
 1. Buffalo Creek WMA. See Scotts Bluff County.
 2. Wildcat Hills SRA. See Scotts Bluff County

7. KIMBALL COUNTY (Map 5)
A. Federal Areas:  None
B. State Areas
 1. Oliver Reservoir SRA (Map location 1). Area 1,187 ac. This reservoir
     is an excellent birding location, attracting many migrant passerines
     during spring and fall, especially warblers. Common snipe have been
     reported to nest here (west end marshes), and a population of song
     sparrows is the only one known for western Nebraska (Rosche, 1994).
C. Other Areas
 1. Tri-state corner (Map location 2, highest point in Nebraska,). This
     remote area can be reached by driving south from Bushnell (south
     12.5 mi., west 4.2 mi., south 1 mi., west 2 mi., south 2 mi. to
     nearly the Kansas line. Just past the H. Constable home there is a right
     turn with a cattle guard, and a sign reading "Panorama Point, Highest
     Point in Nebraska." After a mile there is another cattle guard, and
     another right turn (going north).  It is then 0.3 mi. to the high point.
     In this area there are lark buntings, horned larks and McCown's
     longspurs,  plus occasional mountain plovers (Rosche, 1994).
 2. Lodgepole Creek (Map location 3). This creek should attract warblers
     and other passerine migrants.

8. MORRILL COUNTY (Map 6)
A. Federal Areas
  l. Chimney Rock National Historic Site.(Map location 1). Area 83 ac.
     Chimney Rock is located near Bayard,  and is worth investigating
     for nesting golden eagles (either on the column itself or on the eroding
     escarpment to the north). An old cemetery lies to the northwest of
     Chimney Rock (see map), and burrowing owls are often found in a
     nearby prairie dog colony. Lazuli buntings are common in brushy
     areas too.
B. State Areas
 1. Bridgeport SRA. Area 128 ac. In. Bridgeport.
 2. Facus Springs WMA (Map location 2).  This recently established
     WMA preserves one of the best saline marshes in the North Platte
     Valley. It is a major stopover point for migrant shorebirds, and also
     attract ducks during migration. Some shorebirds such as American
     avocets and Wilson's phalaropes also nest, and the cinnamon teal,
     rare in Nebraska, has also nested here (Rosche, 1994)..
 3. Bridgeport SRA (Map location 4). Area 126 ac.
C. Other Areas
 1. Saline marsh near Bridgeport  (Map location 3).  Like Facus Springs,
     this saline marsh near Bridgeport attracts great numbers of shorebirds
     during migration. In wet years other marshes may occur here too.
 2. Courthouse Rock and Jail Rock (Map location 6). These famous Oregon
    Trail landmarks often have nesting golden eagles (on Jail Rock), and
     breeding rock wrens  are common. By driving west on state route 88 to
     Redington one can take the Redington gap road to Facus Springs and
     Bridgeport, or go south from Redington (see below).
 3. Redington Gap road (Map location 5) and road south of Redington
    (Map location 7). By driving south past Facus Springs one passes over
    a long, eroded line of hills (Redington Gap), and many western species
    typical of the high plains may be seen. Within a mile of turning south
    off US routes 26/92 one passes a meadow that supports a good
    population of savannah sparrows (rare in Nebraska). By continuing to
    Redington and going south from there (4.5  mi. S, then take a left fork,
    and go more 3 mi. S.) until pines appear on a north-facing slope.
    This area supports a good population of Cassin's kingbirds, plus the
    easternmost known pinyon jay population, and such western birds as
    western wood-pewees and common poorwills (Rosche, l994).

9. CHEYENNE COUNTY
A .Federal Areas:  None.
B. State Areas: None

10. GARDEN COUNTY (Maps 3, 7)
A .Federal Areas
 l. Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge. (Map 3, location  1). 40,900
    ac. This is one of the great wilderness refuges in America, and it
    supports a greater bird diversity than any other Nebraska site except
    the Lake McConaughy area (See checklist in supplement-NOT INCLUDED). It
    is about 30 miles from the nearest source of gas, food, or lodging, and
    one must plan accordingly, taking a tow rope if possible, and never
    parking on bare sand. Rather, park or turn around on level, grassy
    meadows if possible. Water and a toilet are available at the refuge
    headquarters.  Goose Lake near the headquarters is excellent for eared
    grebes, and both Crescent Lake and Smith Lake have good populations
    of western grebes (plus some Clark's grebes). Rush Lake (not within the
    refuge) has breeding ruddy ducks, canvasbacks, redheads and black-
    crowned night herons. The area near Border Lake is best for avocets,
    black-necked stilts, cinnamon teal, Wilson's phalaropes and other
    shorebirds attracted to saline water conditions; Border Lake marks the
    boundary of such hypersaline conditions. On most visits no other people
    will be seen, but the birding will be spectacular, and well worth the long
    ride over sand roads.  Rosche (1994) and Pettingill (1981) provide good
    descriptions. For maps, a bird checklist or other information call the
    refuge office at 308/635-785l or 308/762-4893.
B. State Areas
 1. Ash Hollow State Historical  Park (Map 7, locations 1 & 3). This
     historically interesting park has a wide variety of habitats, from
     exposed rocky bluffs that are used by great horned owls, American
     kestrels, and sometimes prairie falcons, through grassy wet meadows
     where bobolinks and eastern meadowlarks are present, to riparian
     woodland used by warbling vireos and other woodland songbirds.
     There is also upland grassland, with blue grosbeaks and spotted towhees
     in shrubby areas, and scattered yuccas where field and grasshopper
     sparrows sometimes perch. An air-conditioned interpretive center
     provides welcome relief from oppressive summer temperatures. The
     nearby bridge across the North Platte provides views of many
     marshland species, including least bitterns on rare occasions. A 1-mile
     trail leads from the parking lot off US highway 26 to Windlass Hill.
 2. Clear Creek Waterfowl Management Area (Map 7, location  2). See
    Keith County.
C. Other Areas
 1. Oshkosh Sewage Lagoons (Map location 7). These lagoons are
     reached by driving south on Route 27 for 0.5 mi. from Oshkosh,
     turning east, and driving until the lagoons appear on the south side of
     the road. Three lagoons are accessible by walking. They attract a
     surprising array of waterfowl, including breeding wood ducks and
     ruddy ducks (Rosche, l994).

11. DEUEL COUNTY (Map 7)
A .Federal Areas: None
B. State Areas
  1. Bittersweet WMA. (Map location 6). Area 76 ac. Consists of river
      frontage along the South Platte River.
  2. Goldeneye WMA.  (Map location 5). Area 25 ac. Includes ll ac. of
      wetland.
  3. Goldenrod WMA. (Map location 4). Area 97 ac., all upland habitat.



II.  THE WEST-CENTRAL REGION:  SANDHILLS COUNTRY

     This portion of the state includes two of the very best bird-finding
localities in the state, namely Valentine and Fort Niobrara National
Wildlife Refuges. These two locations have bird lists that are among the
largest in the state (see supplement checklists-NOT INCLUDED). It includes
those portions of the Niobrara and Platte Valleys that lie in the middle
of the transition zone between the Rocky Mountain coniferous forest and
eastern deciduous forest biogeographic regions. These transition or
"suture zones" include areas of hybridization between several species or
nascent species pairs of birds that are now in secondary contact, after
having been isolated geographically for much or all of the Pleistocene
geologic period. This transition zone is very wide in the Platte Valley,
but is compressed to a distance of less than 100 miles in the Niobrara
Valley, most of which is now included within the boundaries of the Fort
Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge and the Nature Conservancy's wonderful
Niobrara Valley Preserve.
       Beyond these regions, and lying directly between them, the region
mostly consists of the Nebraska Sandhills. This region represents the
largest natural ecosystem in the state, covering nearly 19,000 square
miles, or almost a quarter of the state. It is also the largest remaining
grassland ecosystem in the country that is still virtually intact both
faunistically and floristically. It is a land with far fewer people than
cattle, where the roads are few and where tourist facilities and
accommodations are almost non-existent. Those roads that do exist are
little-traveled and often consist of only slightly improved sandy trails.
But the region is filled with breathtaking vistas, spectacular bird
populations in the hundreds of lakes and marshes, and a pioneer spirit
that requires everyone to help his neighbor, or indeed any stranger who
happens to fall afoul of trouble while on the road. It is a land designed
for naturalists who would like to study virtually unaltered prairie
ecosystems, and who are prepared to deal with nature on its own terms. A
summary of the natural history of the Nebraska Sandhills, along with an
annotated bird checklist and lists of its fishes, amphibians, reptiles,
and mammals, as well as nearly all of its vascular plants, is found in
This Fragile Land: A Natural History of the Nebraska Sandhills, by P. A.
Johnsgard (see references for complete citation).

1. CHERRY COUNTY (Map 8)
A. Federal Areas
  1. Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge (Map location 1). Area
     19,122 ac. This refuge, originally established to protect bison and other
      large game animals, lies on the western edge of the east-west ecological
      transition zone between forest types, and thus has a fine mixture of
      eastern and western avifauna. Western-eastern species pairs that occur
      and may hybridize include such forms as western and eastern
      wood-pewees, black-headed and rose-breasted grosbeaks, eastern and
      spotted towhees, and Bullock's and Baltimore orioles. A checklist of
      the refuge's bird species (excepting accidentals) may be found in the
      supplement (NOT INCLUDED).  Over 200 species (76 breeders) have been
reported
      here. About two-thirds of the refuge consists of Sandhills prairie, and
      the rest is mostly of mixed  riparian hardwoods. There is a good
      population of sharp-tailed grouse, and wild turkey viewing blinds are
      available. There are also breeding burrowing owls, yellow-breasted
      chats, American redstarts, grasshopper and savannah sparrows, and
      both meadowlarks. The refuge manager's address is Hidden Timber
      Star Rte., Valentine, NE., 6920l (402/376-3789).
  2. Valentine National Wildlife Refuge (Map location  7). Area 71,516 ac.
      This is Nebraska's largest national wildlife refuge, and one that rivals
      Crescent Lake in its bird diversity, with 221 species (93 breeders)
      reported. A checklist (excluding accidentals) is in the  supplement
(NOT   INCLUDED).  Most of the refuge consists of Sandhills prairie, with
      dunes from 40 to 200 feet high, and intervening interdune depressions
      that often contain shallow, marshy lakes. Driving on the sandy trails
      requires care; a supply of water and a tow rope are recommended.
      Several prairie-chicken and sharp-tailed grouse leks are present in the
      refuge, and the numerous marshes and shallow lakes offer breeding
      habitat for eared, western and pied-billed grebes, a dozen species of
      waterfowl, and shorebirds such as soras, common  snipes, and
      American avocets. The higher grasslands offer views of long-billed
      curlews, upland sandpipers, and Swainson's hawks. The refuge
      manager's address is the same as that of the Fort Niobrara refuge
      (402/376-3789).
  3. Samuel R. McKelvie District,  Nebraska  National Forest (Map location
     2). Area 115,703 ac. This section of forest is similar to that of the
     Bessey District, but is not so rich in migrants. The adjoining Merritt
     reservoir might also be visited. There is a sharp-tailed grouse blind
     available in spring that accommodates four people on a first-come basis.
     For information phone 308/533-2257.
B. State Areas
  1. Schlegel Creek WMA. (Map location 3). Area 600 ac. Consists of
      Sandhills grassland including two miles of Schlegel Creek. No
      facilities for camping are present.
  2. Big Alkali WMA.(Map location 5). Area 842 ac. Consists of
      47 lakeside acres plus a 842-acre Sandhills lake. Campground present.
  3. Ballard's Marsh WMA. (Map location 6). Area 1,561 ac. Includes
      a large marsh and adjoining Sandhills grasslands. Campground present.
  4. Smith Falls State Park. Location: 3 mi. west and 4 mi. south of Sparks.
     Area 244 ac.
  5. Merritt Reservoir WMA(Map location 4).Located 26 miles southwest
      of Valentine. Area, 2,906 ac. reservoir, 350 ac. upland Sandhills. This
      area abuts National Forest land to the north. The reservoir attracts
      migrant waterfowl, pelicans, western grebes, and other species.
  6. Rat & Beaver Lake WMA. Located 29 miles south of Valentine on US
      20, 6 miles west on Sandhills trail.  Consists of 240 acres of Sandhills
      grassland and parts of two marshy lakes.
  7. Willow Lake WMA. Located 22 miles south of Valentine and 2 miles
      west on Sandhills trail. Includes 440 ac., with 240 acres of marsh,
      bordered by Valentine NWR.
  8. Shell Lake WMA. Located 14 miles northeast of Gordon. Consists of
     640 acres of Sandhills grassland and a 162-acre lake.
  9. Bowman Bridge WMA. Located l.5 miles southeast of Valentine.
     Consists of 159 ac. of bottomland along  the Niobrara River in
     transition east-west forest.
l0. Anderson Bridge WMA. Located 10.5 miles south, 2 miles east of
     Kilgore. Consists of 137 acres of river valley bottomland forest and a
     mile of river frontage.
11. Cottonwood Lake SRA.  Area 180 land ac., 60-ac. lake. Located 1
     mile southeast of Merriman. Camping facilities present. Canada geese
     breed here. Five miles east of Merriman is a marsh where trumpeter
     swans have nested, off the north side of US highway 20.
12. Bowring Ranch State Historical Park. Located 1 miles north of
     Merriman. Trumpeter swans forage on a marsh just north of this
     park, which is a working cattle ranch. Park entry permit required.

2. KEYA PAHA COUNTY (Map 9)

A. Federal Areas: None.
B. State Areas
  1. Cub Creek Recreation Area. (Map location 2). Area 300 ac.
  2. Thomas Creek WMA. (Map location 3). Area 692 ac.  Steep
      topography around Thomas Creek, with grassland on the hills and
      wooded creek-bottom vegetation.
C. Other Areas
  1. Niobrara Valley Preserve. See Holt County.

3. BROWN COUNTY (Map 10)
A. Federal Areas: None
B. State Areas
  1. Bobcat WMA (Map location 3). Area 893 ac. Nearly 90 percent of
      this area consists of steep pine- and cedar-covered canyons. Plum
      Creek passes through. The remainder is Sandhills grassland.
  2. School Land WPA & Keller Park SRA (Map location 4). Area
     836 ac (WMA 640 ac., SRA 196 ac.).  These areas  consist of native
     prairie, wooded canyons, Bone Creek,  and five small fishing
     ponds stocked with trout and other game fish. The ponds attract
     ducks, eagles, and other water birds, the prairies support grassland
     sparrows, and the mixed woodlands have a variety of both coniferous
     and deciduous forest birds including wild turkeys, scarlet tanagers and
     American redstarts.
  3. Pine Glen WMA (Map location 5).  Located 7 miles west and 6.5 miles
      north of Bassett.  It consists of 960 acres of canyons, a trout stream,
      and mixed grasslands and woodlands. No facilities.
  4. Long Pine WMA. (Map location 6). Area 160 ac. Consists of about 85
      percent pine and red cedar woodlands, and the rest is native Sandhills
      grassland. Long Pine Creek bisects it . The terrain  is steep and
      camping facilities are primitive. Located just off Highway 20 near
      the town of Long Pine.
  5. South Twin Lake WMA. (Map location 7). Area 160 ac. Consists
     a 60-acre lake and Sandhills grassland. This and the next three
     WMAs are similar, and should offer birders some excellent views
     of Sandhills wildlife.
  6. American Game Marsh WMA (Map location 8). Area 160 ac. Consists
      of a large Sandhills  marsh and surrounding grassland. No facilities.
  7. Long Lake WMA (Map location 9). Area 30 ac. upland, 50 ac.
      Sandhills lake.
  8. Willow Lake WMA (Map location 10). Area 511 ac. A Sandhills
       lake and surrounding grassland.
C. Other Areas
 1. Niobrara Valley Preserve (Map location 1; headquarters at location
     2).  Area ca. 55,000 ac. including about 70 miles of the Niobrara
     River, in the heart of the transition zone between western coniferous
     and eastern deciduous forest types. There is no complete bird checklist,
     but a list of 105 possibly breeding species has been published (Brogie &
     Mossman, l983). Among the breeding birds of special interest are the
     eastern and western forms that hybridize here, such as the Baltimore
     and Bullock's orioles, the lazuli and indigo buntings, and the rose-
     breasted and black-headed grosbeaks. The eastern and western wood-
     pewees may also hybridize here. Two trails radiate out from the
     headquarters that pass through  several forest types and the Sandhills
     prairie vegetation on the uplands. Each trail has a short loop and a long
     loop; the northern one is somewhat longer (3-miles) and steeper. For
     information phone 402/722-4440. The preserve lies within the Niobrara
     National Scenic River District, which extends for 76 miles and is a
     popular canoeing attraction (call 402/376-324l for information.).

4. ROCK COUNTY
A. Federal Areas: None
B. State Areas
   1. Twin Lakes WMA. Located 18 miles south an 2 miles east of Bassett.
      It includes 113 acres of surface water (two lakes) and 30 acres
      of grassland.


5. GRANT COUNTY
A. Federal Areas: None
B. State Areas: None

6. HOOKER COUNTY
A. Federal Areas: None.
B. State Areas: None


7. THOMAS COUNTY (Map 11)
A. Federal Areas
  l. Bessey Division, Nebraska National Forest (Map location 1; locations 2
     and 3 indicate traditional lek locations, with blinds usually present
     at arrowhead points marked 2. Area 90,445 ac. Grasslands around and
     in this planted "forest" support greater prairie-chickens, sharp-tailed
     grouse, upland sandpipers, horned larks, and western meadowlarks.
     The conifers provide habitat for great horned owls, black-capped
     chickadees, and sometimes red crossbills. Brushy and riparian thicket
     areas attract several woodpeckers, brown thrashers, towhees, chipping
     sparrows and Baltimore orioles. At least six warbler species nest here,
     including yellow, black-and-white, American redstart, ovenbird,
     common  yellowthroat, and yellow-breasted chat. Three vireos (Bell's,
     warbling and red-eyed) also nest here. There is a field checklist of 95
     summer bird species (36 breeders) available at the headquarters, where
     information on the grouse blinds is also available (Boyle & Bauer,
    1994). Pettingill (1981) lists 29 species that breed here. A fire in the
    1960s burned much of the forest, but 20,000 out of 25,000 acres
    still survive.  There is a 6-mile hiking trail that begins at the
parking lot
    off state highway 2. For information contact the Forest Service office at
    PO Box 38, Halsey, NE 691142 (308/533-2257).
B. State Areas: None

8. BLAINE COUNTY (Map 11)
A. Federal Areas: None
B. State Areas
  1. Bessey Division, Nebraska National Forest (Map location 1). See  also
     Thomas County.
  2. Calamus Reservoir SRA/WMA. Area l0,312 ac. total, including  5,124
     ac. reservoir. Developed for fishing, with no hiking trails.
  3. Milburn Dam WMA. Located 14 miles southeast of Brewster. Consists
     of 672 ac. of Middle Loup River Valley, with extensive mud flats
     present around the reservoir.

9. LOUP COUNTY
A. Federal Areas: None
B. State Areas
  1. Calamus Reservoir SRA/WMA. Area 10, 312 ac. total; reservoir
       5,124 ac. Located near Garfield County boundary area; see Blaine
       County.

10. ARTHUR COUNTY (Map 12)
A. Federal Areas: None
B. State Areas: None
C. Other Areas
  1. Marshes near McPherson County border (Locations  of better
      marshes shown by arrowheads). These Sandhills marshes are often
      used by trumpeter swans during summer.

11. MCPHERSON COUNTY
A. Federal Areas: None
B. State Areas: None
C. Other Areas
   1. Marshes near Arthur County border. See Arthur County.

12. LOGAN COUNTY
A. Federal Areas: None
B. State Areas: None

13. CUSTER COUNTY
A. Federal Areas:  None
B. State Areas
  1. Victoria Springs SRA. Area 60 ac.
  2. Pressey WMA. Area 1,640 ac.  Located 5 miles north of Oconto.
      Consists of South Loup Valley lands, hills and steep canyons
      mostly covered by grasslands. Toilets and a campground are present,
      as are hiking trails. There are sharp-tailed grouse on the area, as well
      a great blue heron rookery.
  3. Arcadia Diversion Dam SRA. Area 925 ac.  This area consists of
      Middle Loup River Valley, mostly of grasslands and tree plantings,
      but with  deciduous  woodlands lining the river. There are some
      campgrounds on both sides of the river. Located 8.5 miles northwest
      of Arcadia.

 14. KEITH COUNTY (Map 13)
A. Federal Areas: None
B. State Areas
   l. Clear Creek WMA. (Map location 1). Area 5,709 ac. Partly developed
     as Clear Creek Refuge (2,500-acres, west half), and also as a controlled
     hunting area.  The latter includes the west end of Lake McConaughy
     and the Platte River inflow area. The low meadows support nesting
     bobolinks and probably breeding common snipes, and the tall tree
     groves hold many breeding passerines. White pelicans are common,
     and least bitterns have been sighted. One of the state's best birding
     areas, but mosquitoes can be a problem during summer. Barn-owl nest
     cavities usually can be seen in the cutbanks at the turnoff from the main
     highway; nests in this part of the state are usually in such excavated
     sites rather than in old buildings. Rosche (l994) has described this area
     and its birds very well, which is the state's only known nesting area for
     Clark's grebe.
  2. Lake McConaughy SRA (Map location 2). Area 6,492 ac. Occupies
      much of the north side of this reservoir, the largest body of water in
      Nebraska. A small area on the south side is also included (Map location
      6). This area has the largest bird list of any location in the state,
      including 305 species, with 104 known breeders, 17 additional possible
      breeders, and 184 transients (Brown et al., 1996). The large water area
      attracts vast numbers of migrant waterfowl, grebes (especially western
      grebes), gulls (including many rarities) and shorebirds (Rosche, 1994).
      A good spotting scope is needed to cover this vast reservoir, and
      many of the waterfowl congregate near the spillway during winter, or
      (in the summer) toward the western end of the lake (see Clear Creek
      WMA account). Large numbers of  bald eagles also build up in
      winter, attracted by dead fish and the  wintering  duck and goose
      populations. The checklist for the North Platte Valley in the
      supplement  (NOT INCLUDED) is largely based on the Lake McConaughy
checklists             by Rosche (1994) and Brown et al. (1996). Well over
100 miles of
      shoreline are present along the lake, with the southern shoreline rocky
      and steep, and the northern shore sandy, and supporting nesting piping
      plovers and least terns.
  3. Kingsley Dam and Lake Ogallala SRA (Map location 3). Area  339 ac.
      Kingsley Dam offers a good vantage point for birds both on the deeper
      end of Lake McConaughy and on the shallower and much smaller Lake
      Ogallala located at the base of the dam. Lake Ogallala (and its eastern
      end, often called Lake Keystone) receives the spillway water from
      Lake McConaughy, and its level fluctuates greatly. However, it is very
      attractive to migrant ducks, ospreys, Caspian terns, cliff swallows,
      American white pelicans, double-crested cormorants and other
      summering species, and is used by Canada geese and by numerous bald
      eagles in winter. An eagle-watching blind is available during peak
      periods, when 200-300 eagles are sometimes present. Camping is
      possible along the western and northern shorelines of Lake Ogallala,
      where the deciduous woodland offers a rich array of nesting
      passerines, but lake fluctuations limit nesting for aquatic species.
  4. Cedar Point Biological Station (Map location 4). Although an extension
      of the University of Nebraska and a summer field station, and thus
      not open to the public, ornithological research here has made its
      avifauna the best-known of any area in the state. Ornithology courses
      have been taught here on a regular basis since 1977, and studies on
      species such as the cliff swallow and orchard oriole have been of
      national significance.
  5. Ogallala Strip WMA (Map location 5). Area 453 ac., includes 2.5 miles
      of river frontage. This stretch of riparian woodland supports many of
      the same species found around Lake Ogallala, such as house wren,
      yellow warbler, common yellowthroat, eastern and western kingbirds,
      killdeer, and others. Mississippi kites now breed in nearby Ogallala.
  6. Lakeview SRA. Area (Map location 6).The road leading down the
      canyon to Lakeview, and a similar road leading Eagle Canyon some 6
      miles farther west, may offer views of rock wrens, rough-winged
      swallows and, with luck, occasional prairie falcons or ferruginous
      hawks. Turkey vultures nest along the south side of the reservoir,
      usually in eroded crevices or recesses well out of view. These roads
      are often in poor condition, and caution must be exercised when
      considering driving over them.

15. PERKINS COUNTY
A. Federal Areas: None
B. State Areas: None

16. LINCOLN COUNTY (Map 14)
A. Federal Areas: None
B. State Areas
  1. Sutherland Reservoir SRA. (Map location 1). Area 3,020 ac. reservoir,
     37 ac. upland. Rosche (1994) refers to this site as "the gull capitol of
     western Nebraska," with ten species having been observed. These
     include such rarities as Thayer's, glaucous, great and lesser black-
     backed, and even Ross' gull. There are often large flocks of wintering
     grebes, diving ducks, double-crested cormorants, and American white
     pelicans during mild winters. During spring large flocks of snow,
     greater white-fronted and occasional Ross' geese stop here.
 2. Malony Reservoir SRA (Map location 2). Area 1,600 ac. reservoir,
     1,732 ac. upland. This lake is used during spring by American white
     pelicans and double-crested cormorants, and many shorebirds when
     the water levels subside (Pettingill, 1981).
 3. Jeffrey Canyon WMA and Reservoir. (Map location 3). Area 900 ac.
     reservoir, 35 ac. upland.  This area consists of canyon-and-upland
     topography, with grasses and scattered deciduous trees and cedars.
 4. North River Wildlife WMA (Map location 4). Area 68l ac., 2 mi. river
     frontage. There are woods along the river, and grassland beyond that is
     used by sandhill cranes. This is one of the westernmost crane roosting
     sites; the birds use the southeastern part of the area, in
less-than-ideal
     roosting habitat.
 5. Muskrat Run WMA. (Map location 5), Area 224 ac. Mostly riparian
     woodland and marshy areas.
 6. East Sutherland WMA (Map location 6). Area 27 ac. upland, 8 ac.
     lake.
 7. Hershey WMA (Map location 7). Area 53 ac. upland, 80 ac.
     lake.
 8. East Hershey WMA (Map location 8). Area 20 ac. upland, 20 ac.
     lake.
 9. Birdwood Lake WMA. (Map location 9). Area 20 ac. upland, 13 ac.
     lake.
10. Fremont Slough WMA.(Map location 10). Area 30 ac. upland, 11 ac.
      lake.
11. Platte WMA (Map location 11). Area 242 ac upland, 0.5 mi. river
      frontage. Mostly riparian woodland.
12. Ft. McPherson WMA (Map location 12). Area 30 ac., with pond.
13. West Brady WMA (Map location 13). Area 10 ac upland, 6 ac.
      lake.
14. Chester Island WMA (Map location 14). Area 69 ac., ponds. Includes
      0.3 mile of river frontage.
15. Box Elder Canyon WMA. Not shown, located 3 miles south and
     2.5 miles west of Maxwell. This 20-ac. site consists of native
     grasslands and deciduous woodlands along the Tri-County Supply
     Canal.
16. Cottonwood Canyon WMA. Not shown, this small (15.4-ac) site is
     much like the previous nearby WMA, and is 4.5 miles south of
     Maxwell.
17. Wellfleet WMA. Not shown, this area is just west of the village of
     Wellfleet. or 20 miles south of North Platte. Comprising only 65 acres
     along Medicine Creek, it provides a diversity of habitats that usually
     attract a wide variety of small passerines and water birds (Rosche,
     1994).
C. Other Areas
  1. North Platte vicinity. Sewage lagoons (Map location 15) are reached
      by leaving I-80 at exit 179, and going north on spur road L56G. Cross
      the South Platte River and turn east on a dead-end gravel road that will
      take you to the lagoons. These lagoons attract many water birds during
      migration.  Pettingill (1981) described several wetlands to the north of
      North  Platte (Whitehorse Marsh, Jackson Lake, and Ambler Lake)
      that support typical Sandhills marsh birds and waterfowl.

17. DAWSON COUNTY (Map 15)
A. Federal Areas: None
B. State Areas
  1. Willow Island WMA (Map location 1). Area 45 ac. upland, 35 ac.
      lake. Mostly riparian woodland.
  2. East Willow Island WMA (Map location 2).  Area 16 ac. upland, 2l ac.
      wetland. Includes 0.3 mile river frontage; mostly riparian woodland.
  3. West Cozad WMA (Map location 3). Area 19 ac. upland, 29 ac.
      lake.
  4. Cozad WMA (Map location 4). Area 182 ac. upland, 16 ac. wetland.
     Includes 0.5 mile of river frontage.
  5. East Cozad WMA (Map location 5). Area 18 ac.; all upland.
  6. Darr Strip WMA (Map location 6). Area 976 ac.;  767 ac.  land, 2.5
      miles of river frontage.
  7. Dogwood WMA (Map location 7). Area 402 a., 10 ac. lake, 1.5 miles
      of river frontage.
  8. Midway Lake WMA (Map location 8). A reservoir near the Tri-
      County Canal; at its upper (southern) end is Midway Canyon, an
      eroded area of loess hills.
  9. Gallagher Canyon SRA (Map location 9). Area 400 ac. reservoir, 424
      ac. upland. Another canyon in the loess hills and associated reservoir.
      Park entry permit required.
 10. Plum Creek WMA (Map location 10). Area 152 ac., 320 ac. reservoir.
 11. Johnson Lake SRA (Map location 11) . Area 2,06l ac. reservoir, 81
      ac. upland. This lake is rather highly developed, which might reduce
      its attractiveness to birds somewhat, but it should hold bald eagles
      during winter. Elwood Reservoir (1,330 acres) is nearby
 12. Bittern's Call WMA. Located about 10 miles north of Lexington
      on highway 2l.  Consists of 80 ac. of mixed upland and wetland habitat.

18. CHASE COUNTY (Map 16)
A. Federal Areas: None
B. State Areas
  1. Enders Reservoir SRA (Map location 1). Area 3,643 ac. upland,
     reservoir 2,146 ac. Nearly all open grassland, with rolling to rugged
     topography. Developed facilities. This large reservoir attracts large
     numbers of mallards and Canada goose; most of the western half
     of the reservoir and surrounding land is a wildlife refuge.
 2. Enders Reservoir WMA (Map location 2). Area 3,643 ac. This
     area to the west of the reservoir  refuge area is managed for big game
     and upland game hunting.
 3. Wannamaker WMA  (Map location 3). This area of 160 acres,
     located about one mile west of Imperial, is mostly comprised
     of planted grasslands and shelterbelts.
 4. Champion Lake SRA (Map location 4). Area 13 ac. Park entry permit
     required.

19. HAYES COUNTY
A. Federal Areas: None
B. State Areas
  1. Hayes Center WMA. Area 78 ac. Located 12 miles northeast of Hayes
     Center. It consists of native high plains grasslands, scattered
woodlands,
     and a 40-acre reservoir.  There is a campground, well and toilets.  This
     area is a migration trap for waterfowl, and wood ducks are notably
     common in spite of its western location. The shrubby riparian
     vegetation attracts many passerines, and some eastern  species such as
     eastern phoebes, red-bellied woodpeckers and northern bobwhites breed
     here. To the north, along state highway 25, western birds such as Say's
     phoebe, rock wren and ferruginous hawk may at times be seen.

20. FRONTIER COUNTY (Map 17)
A. Federal Areas: None
B. State Areas
  1. Red Willow Reservoir SRA/WMA (Map location 1). Area 1,628 ac.
      reservoir, 4320 ac. upland. Modern camping facilities are present.
      This reservoir in a water-poor region attracts good numbers of
      migratory water birds, including many geese and ducks. Burrowing
      owls should be searched for in the prairie dog town near Spring
      Creek.  Park entry permit required for the SRA. See also Red Willow
      County.
  2. Medicine Creek Reservoir & Medicine Creek SRA/WMA
     (Map location  2). Area of WMA 6,726 ac., SRA area 1,768 ac.
     reservoir & 1,200 ac. upland. There are 17 hiking trails present and
     both primitive and modern camping facilities. Wood ducks are
     surprisingly common here, and barn-owls breed on the area.
     About 5,000 ac. are managed for upland habitat, and over 50,000
     trees and shrubs have been planted. Park entry permit required for
     the SRA.

21. GOSPER COUNTY (Map 18)
A. Federal Areas
  1. Victor Lake Federal Waterfowl Area (Map location 2). Area 174 ac.
      wetland, 64 ac. upland.
  2. Elley Lagoon Federal Waterfowl Area (Map location 6). Area 33 ac.
     wetland, 29 ac. upland.
  3. Peterson Basin Federal Waterfowl Area (Map location 7). Area 527
     ac. wetland, 627 ac. upland.
B. State Areas
  1. Johnson Lake SRA (Map location 1, main lake not shown). Area 2,06l
      ac lake, 8l ac. upland. See also Dawson County.
  2. Elwood Reservoir WMA. Located 2 miles north of Elwood. Consists
      of a l,330-acre reservoir and 900 adjacent ac. of grassland and some
      wooded sites. No camping facilities.

22. PHELPS COUNTY (Map 18)
A. Federal Areas
  1. Cottonwood Basin WPA (Map location 3). Area 79 ac. wetland, 16l
      ac. upland.
  2. Linder WPA (Map location 4).  Area 2 ac. wetland, 79 ac. upland.
  3. Johnson Lagoon WPA (Map location 5), Area 252 ac. wetland, 326 ac.
      upland.
  4. Funk Lagoon WPA (Map location 8). Area 1,163 ac. wetland,  826 ac.
     upland. This is the largest of the lagoons in the western Rainwater
     basin, and perhaps the best. During spring it supports amazing numbers
     of geese (especially greater white-fronted), and some 20 species of
     ducks. Breeding birds include great-tailed grackles, yellow-headed
     blackbirds, and both eared and pied-billed grebes. The main parking
     area has an information kiosk and a nearby observation blind looking
     out over the marsh. A variety of herons, egrets, and white-faced ibis
     visit the area in spring and fall.
  5. Atlanta Marsh WPA (Map location 9). Area 453 ac. wetland, 659 ac.
     upland.
  6. Jones Marsh WPA (Map location 10). Area 90 ac. wetland, 76 ac.
      upland.
B. State Areas
  1. West Sacramento WMA (Map location  11). Area 200 ac. wetland, 188
      ac. upland.
  2. Sacramento-Wilcox WMA (Map location 12). Area 1,050 ac. wetland,
      1263 ac. upland.

23. DUNDY COUNTY
A. Federal Areas: None
B. State Areas
  1. Rock Creek Lake SRA. Area 165 ac. Located 10 miles west and 4 miles
     north of Benkelman, l mile south of fish hatchery.  According to
     Rosche (personal communication), this may be the best birding area in
     southwestern Nebraska. There is a 54-ac. reservoir that is one of the
    few locations in the region where migrating water birds can settle, thus
    it attracts ducks, shorebirds and other water-adapted birds during spring
    and fall. It also attracts many passerine migrants, especially in autumn.
   The nearby fish hatchery often attracts ospreys. Park entry permit
    required.

24. HITCHCOCK COUNTY (Map l9)
A. Federal Areas: None
B. State Areas
  1. Swanson Reservoir WMA (Map location  1), Area 1,157 ac. upland,
     4,973 ac. reservoir. Primitive and modern camping facilities are
     present, and there are 13 hiking trails. Swanson Reservoir attracts many
     migrant water birds, some of which might overwinter. The wet
     meadows south of Stratton also attract many water birds during
     migration, including sandhill cranes and white-faced ibis (Rosche,
     1994). About 3,000 acres are open to hunting and other public use;
     this is the largest of the areas reservoirs and has a large fish
     population, which should attract eagles and other fish-eating birds.

25. RED WILLOW COUNTY
A. Federal Areas: None
B. State Areas
  1. Red Willow SRA. Area includes 5,948 acres, including a  1,628 ac.
      reservoir. Located 12 miles north and 2 miles west of McCook on US
      Highway 83. It consists mostly of high plains grasslands. Complete
      camping facilities are present. The associated reservoir ("Hugh Butler
      Lake") extends into Frontier County (see further information there).
      Park entry permit required.

26. FURNAS COUNTY
A. Federal Areas: None
B. State Areas
    l. Cambridge Diversion Dam. Located 2 miles east of Cambridge.
       Includes 2l ac. of grassland bordering the Republican River and
       brushy bottomland.
    2. Bartly Diversion WMA. One mile south and l.5 miles east of
       Indianola. A small area of grasslands, rolling hills and scattered
trees,
       around a campground.

27. HARLAN COUNTY (Map 20)
A. Federal Area
  1. Harlan County Dam (Map location 1). Upland area 17, 278 ac.,
     reservoir 3,338 ac. This large reservoir in south-central Nebraska
     attracts bald eagles, geese (especially Canada geese), some sandhill
     cranes during fall, and has a population of greater prairie-chickens
     (on the south side of the reservoir) as well. At the south end of the dam
     an eagle roost is located
B. State Areas
  1. South Sacramento Wildlife Area (Map location 2). Area 77 wetland
      ac., 90 upland ac.
 2. Southeast Sacramento Wildlife Area (Map location 3). Area 140 ac.
     wetland, 45 ac. upland.


III. THE EAST-CENTRAL REGION: SANDHILL CRANE COUNTRY

       Introduction to the Platte River Valley and Birding Opportunities
in the Rainwater Basin Wetland Management District.

       The central Platte Valley and nearby Rainwater Basin provides some
of the best spring birding opportunities in all of North America; for most
of March about seven million waterfowl and nearly half a million sandhill
cranes pour into the region, remaining until late March in the case of the
waterfowl and about the second week of April in the case of the sandhill
cranes. As the last sandhill cranes are leaving, whooping cranes begin to
arrive, as do the earlier shorebirds, continuing the amazing  spring
spectacle until about the end of April. Early May represents the actual
peak of spring migration in terms of species diversity, for by then the
warblers and other songbirds are appearing.
       Birding in the central Platte Valley during March is a chancy
affair in terms of weather; late winter snowstorms may blanket the entire
area in a foot of snow, which when melting leaves country roads slippery
at best, and thus driving requires a good deal of care. This is especially
true in the Rainwater Basin, an area of clay soils that prevent water from
percolating down, and thus is rich in temporary wetlands (locally called
"lagoons") just at the peak of spring waterfowl populations. This is only
true during years when winter snowfalls or spring rains allow the basins
to fill; in drier years only the deepest lagoons or those that are kept
wet by pumping (Harvard, Massie's, Smith, etc.) can accommodate the hordes
of ducks and geese passing through. During such years the stresses caused
by bad weather and overcrowding can set off outbreaks of fowl cholera, and
kill tens of thousands of birds in only a short time. Some of these birds
are consumed by wintering bald eagles, hundreds of which occur along
ice-free areas of the Platte from late fall until early spring. A good
viewing area for these birds is at the J-2 Hydro Plant near Lexington.
This area is open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 2
p.m. with weekday reservations possible for groups ( call 308/995-860l for
information). To reach it drive south from Lexington, and soon after
crossing the Platte the road will swing west. Take the gravel road that
continues south near this turn,, and follow signs to the plant.
       The best way to watch cranes during the day is observing them
field-feeding  from a  parked car, with observers remaining quiet and
inside the car. Opening a door and leaving the car will guarantee a rapid
departure of the birds. Gravel roads on the south side of the Platte River
are usually better than those on the north side of Interstate 80. The
way to watch cranes is from riverside blinds near roosting locations (see
Figure 2). Such blinds are maintained by the Whooping Crane Trust on
Mormon Island (reservations required; cost $15 per person, contact Crane
Meadows Nature Center (308/382-1820), at the  Audubon Society's Lillian
Rowe Sanctuary near Gibbon (cost $15 per person, for reservations phone
303/468-5282), and Fort Kearney State Historical Park near Kearney (no
charge, but reservations required, 308/865-5305). If it is not possible to
arrange a blind viewing, several bridges such as the hike-bike trail
bridge near Fort Kearney or the bridge over the middle Platte channel
south of Alda (see maps 26 & 27) provide a less thrilling but still
exciting view, both at sunset and sunrise. Information on crane viewing
and accommodations can be obtained from the Kearney Visitors Center
(308/652-9435 in state; 800/227-8340 out-of-state), the Grand Island
Visitors Bureau (800/658-3178 or 308/382-4400), or the Adams County
Visitors Bureau in Hastings (800/967-2189 or 402/461-2370).  The Hastings
Museum (14th St. & Burlington Highway, 402/46l-4629) and the Stuhr Museum
at the southern edge of Grand Island along US Route 34 (308/385-5316) both
provide tourist information and sell informative books or pamphlets on
local tourist attractions.
       An  excellent source of both general and specific information on
birding in the Platte Valley is available in Gary Lingle's book Birding
Crane River : Nebraska's Platte,  which is locally available for $11.95 in
many stores and the just-mentioned museums. It also includes complete
county maps and detailed bird-finding advice for seven Platte Valley
counties. Other ecological and historical  information on the river and
its natural history exists in the University of Nebraska Press book The
Platte: Channels in Time  by P. A. Johnsgard. Also of possible interest is
the Smithsonian Institution Press book Crane Music: The Natural History of
American Cranes ,  and the more popular Those of the Gray Wind: The
Sandhill Cranes, University of Nebraska Press reprint, by P.A. Johnsgard.
The Nebraska Game & Parks Commission  (308/865-5308 in Kearney,
402/471-0641 in Lincoln, or PO Box 30370, Lincoln  68503) can provide free
informative materials, including an excellent 8-page "Spring Migration
Guide" that centers on Platte Valley birding. A map (Figure 3) showing
wildlife viewing areas and information centers in the Platte Valley is
based on that guide and is reproduced by permission. The Game and Parks
Commission has also recently (1997) published a 96-page booklet by Joseph
Krue, titled "Nebraskaland Magazine Wildlife Viewing Guide, which includes
descriptions of 68 sites in the state. It should be available soon from
bookstores or the Game and Parks Commission in Lincoln (see address above)
for $8.95. As mentioned earlier, sets of county maps of varied scale are
also available from the Nebraska Dept. of Roads in Lincoln (402/471-4567),
and bound sets of maps covering the entire state can be found in  the
Nebraska Sportsman's Atlas  and the Nebraska Atlas and Gazetteer. Both
describe and list local tourist attractions, offer camping information,
and provide other similar information; the latter book being of contour
maps and the former emphasizing hunting and fishing sites.
        The Rainwater Basin area is just as attractive as the Platte
Valley during early spring, when an estimated 7-9 million ducks and 2-3
million geese pass through. These flocks include 90 percent of the
mid-continental greater white-fronted goose population, 50 percent of the
mid-continental mallard population, and 30 percent of the entire
continent's northern pintail population. Areas such as Funk, Harvard,
Massie's  and Smith's Lagoons, and Mallard Haven, are of special value to
these birds. Increasing numbers of snow geese also use the more easterly
parts of the area each spring, the numbers recently exceeding a million
birds, and some of the wetlands (such as Sandpiper WPA) are of great
importance to migrant shorebirds. A suggested loop tour (ca. 135 miles) is
shown  by arrows
on Maps 28 and 29, starting from I-80 exits at either York or Aurora, and
returning to the opposite exit. This route over generally improved roads
includes the most important wetlands of the eastern Rainwater Basin.
       Visitors to the Platte Valley are urged to dress warmly, drive
carefully over the narrow and sometimes slippery roads, and be prepared
for rain, snow, and possibly even tornadoes, In recent years tornadoes
have struck as early as mid-March, and in one case killed an estimated
80,000 snow geese near York. Sick or dead birds found in the field should
never be handled, as they possibly have become infected with  diseases
such as fowl cholera or botulism. This is especially true in the Rainwater
Basin, where these diseases sometimes constitute a special problem.
Further information on the Rainwater Basin management district, which
comprises about 84 wetlands occupying 28,600 acres (including 2l,742 acres
federally owned, 6,900 acres state-owned, and about 2,000 acres owned by
the Nature Conservancy), can be obtained from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, Federal Bldg., Fort
Schnelling, Twin Cities, Minnesota 55ll, or Federal Bldg., PO Box 250,
Pierre, So. Dak. 5750l. The regional U.S.F.W.S. office at PO Box  25486,
Denver Federal Center, Denver, CO 80225 (303/236-7905) might also be
contacted. Contacting  Nebraska's local Fish & Wildlife Service office
(308/236-50l5) or the Rainwater Basin Joint Venture office (308/385-6465)
may also be helpful. The annual Audubon Spring River Conference, held in
Kearney during mid-March of every year, has many expert speakers and field
trips, and is also a highly educational event (call for information at
308/468-5282). A similar but less formally structured event is the Wings
over the Platte celebration, held in the Holiday Inn near Grand Island the
third weekend in March (call 800/658-3178 or 308/385-5316 for
information).

1. BOYD COUNTY
A. Federal Areas: None
B. State Areas
  1. Parshall Bridge WMA. Area 230 ac. Located 5 miles south of Butte.
      Riparian woodlands along the Niobrara River.
  2. Hull Lake WMA. Area 36 ac. Located three miles south and one
      mile west of Butte. Hilly uplands, with oaks, conifers and grasslands
      around 3-ac. lake.

2. HOLT COUNTY
A. Federal Areas: None
B. State Areas
   l. Atkinson Lake SRA. Area 54 ac. Located at northwest edge of
      Atkinson. Includes a 14-acre reservoir of the Elkhorn River.
      State park entry permit required.
  2. Goose Lake WMA. Area 349 ac. Located 4 miles west of highway
      28l and two miles north of Wheeler Co. boundary (23 miles south
      and four miles east of O'Neill). Mostly lake; also grassy and woodland
      uplands.
  3. Redbird WMA. Area 433 ac. Located one mile south of highway
     28l bridge over Niobrara.  Most bur oak and cedar; bisected by
     Louse Creek, with steep wooded slopes and rolling grasslands.
  4. Spencer Dam WMA. Located 23 miles north of O'Neill on US 83.
     Includes 9 miles of Niobrara River Valley.

3. KNOX COUNTY (Map 21)
A. Federal Areas: None
B. State Areas
 1. Gavin's Point Dam,  Lewis & Clark Lake SRA (Map location 1). Area
      32,000 ac. reservoir & 1,227 ac. SRA. See Cedar County account.
 2. Bazille Creek WMA (Map location 2). Area 4,500 ac. Bordered for 9
     miles by the Missouri River and Lewis & Clark Lake; mixed woods,
     grasslands and marshy areas. This area is extensively marshy, as it
     includes the area where the Missouri River is impounded to form the
     upper end of Lewis and Clark Lake, so many wetland birds are present.
     In recent years flooding has made access limited.
 3. Niobrara State Park (Map location 3). Area 1,632 ac. This state park
     is located at the confluence of the Niobrara River and the backwaters
     of the Missouri River. It is mostly grassland, but also has riparian
     woodlands. There are more than 12 miles of hiking trails, and a new
     two-mile hike-bike trail extends along the park's northern boundary.
     Woodland birds include whip-poor-wills, and both bald eagles and
     ospreys are seasonally present  There is also an interpretive center,
     and both modern cabins and primitive camping facilities are present.
     State park entry permit required; phone 402/857-3373 for further
     information..
 4. Bohemia Prairie WMA (Map location 4). Area 680 ac. Mainly
     grasslands, with some woods and two ponds.
  5. Greenville WMA. Located 10 miles west and 3 miles south of
     Verdigre. Area 200 ac., mostly wooded, and bisected by Middle
     Verdigre Creek.


4. ANTELOPE COUNTY (Map 22)
A. Federal Areas: None
B. State Areas
  1. Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park. (Map location 1). Area 360
     ac. This extremely important paleontological site preserves the fossils
     of horses, rhinos, camels. and other animals (including crowned cranes)
     killed and interred under a thick layer of volcanic dust that settled
     here about nine million years ago. The center is open from Memorial
     Day through Labor Day, 9-5 on weekdays and 11-5 on Sundays. There
     are shorter hours during May and September.  The area is mostly
     rugged range country, with grassland species most common. However,
     rock wrens often can be seen near the excavation site. Admission fee.
 2. Grove Lake WMA (Map location 2). Area 1,746 ac., 35 ac. reservoir.
     Mainly mixed hardwoods and grasslands along Verdigre Creek.  This
     is rolling grassland, with scattered trees along East Verdigre
     Creek. There is also a small reservoir and a trout-rearing facility.
     Most of the birds are grassland forms, but ospreys and belted
     kingfishers are also possible. Phone 402/370-32374 for information..
 3. Hackberry Creek Public Use Area (Map location 3).  Area 180 ac.
     Includes a mile of Elkhorn River frontage, several marshy oxbows,
     and mixed woods and grassland.
 4. Redwing WMA (Map location 4). Area 320 ac. Includes l.5 miles of
     Elkhorn River frontage. Mostly riparian woodlands, some grasslands
     and marshes.


5. PIERCE COUNTY (Map 23)
A. Federal Areas: None
B. State Areas
 1. Willow Creek SRA. (Map location 1). Area 1,600 ac., with a
     700-acre reservoir. A fishing and camping area. State park entry
     permit required.

6. GARFIELD COUNTY
A. Federal Areas: None
B. State Areas
  l. Calamus Reservoir SRA (10,312 ac., including 5,123 ac. reservoir).
     Includes several modern camping facilities, boating  and related
     facilities, plus a fish hatchery. No good information on the birds
     is available. See state highway map for location; see also Loup
     County. State park entry permit required.

7. WHEELER COUNTY
A. Federal Areas: None
B. State Areas
  1. Pibel Lake SRA. Area 42 ac, plus a 45 ac. lake. Located 7 miles east
      and two miles south of Ericson; see state highway map. This is a
      beautiful Sandhills lake with a variety of water birds present during
      spring and summer. State park entry permit required.

8. VALLEY COUNTY
A. Federal Areas: None
B. State Areas
  1. Fort Hartsuff State Historical Park. Located about 3 miles north
      and one mile west of Elyria. See state highway map for exact location.
      Mainly of interest for historical reasons, but passerines should be
      present seasonally. Open from April through October (308/346-4715).
      State park entry permit required.
  2. Davis Creek WMA and SRA. Located  about three miles south of
     North Loup. Mostly grassy areas surrounding a  1,145-acre reservoir.
     The WMA includes about 2,000 acres exclusive of the recreation area.
  3. Scotia Canal WMA. Located 4.5 miles north of North Loup. Near
     North Loup River, and mostly covered by grassy uplands and mixed
     woodlands.

9. GREELEY COUNTY
A. Federal Areas: None
B. State Areas
  1. Davis Creek SRA. Area 2,000 ac., plus a 1,145 ac. reservoir.
      See Valley County description.

10. BOONE COUNTY
A. Federal Areas: None
B. State Areas
  1. Beaver Bend WMA. Area 27 ac. Located one mile northwest
      of St. Edward. See state highway map. An area located
      along Beaver Creek, with riparian woodland habitat.

11. MADISON COUNTY (Map 23)
A. Federal Areas: None.
B. State Areas
  1. Yellowbanks WMA (Map location  2). Area 680 ac. Includes 1.5 mile
      frontage of the Elkhorn River. Includes steep riverine bluffs
      supporting mature hardwood forest, some grassy uplands.
  2. Oak Valley WMA (Map location 3). Area 640 ac. Includes a hardwood
      bottomland forest, bisected by Battle Creek; otherwise grassy uplands.

12. PLATTE COUNTY (Map 25)
A. Federal Areas: None
B. State Areas
 1. George Syas WMA (Map location 4). Area 917 ac. Includes 1.5 miles of
     Loup River frontage. About half wooded, the rest grasses, crops and
     planted shrubs.
C. Other Areas
  1. Lake Babcock Waterfowl Refuge and Lake Babcock (Map location  6).
      Area 600 ac.  A reservoir on Shell Canal, just outside of Columbus.
  2. Lake North (Map location 7). Area  200 ac. A city lake developed for
      fishing and swimming; probably of limited birding potential.
  3. Looking Glass Creek WMA. Located l1 mile south of Monroe.
     About half wooded, the rest grassland, with two small lakes.

13. SHERMAN COUNTY (Map 24)
A. Federal Areas: None
B. State Areas
  1. Sherman Reservoir SRA/WMA (Map location 1). Area 3,382 ac., plus
     2,845 ac. reservoir. Mostly rolling prairie grasslands, with woody
     growth along creeks.  Includes 10 hiking trails. State park entry
     permit required.
  2. Bowman Lake SRA (Map location 2). Area 23 ac. A small SRA
      just outside Loup City. State park entry permit required.


14. HOWARD COUNTY
A. Federal Areas: None
B. State Areas
  1. Harold W. Anderson WMA. Area 272 ac. Located 4 miles south
      and two miles west of St. Paul. Consists of about 12 miles of Loup
      River frontage, with bottomland timber and a marshy oxbow.
  2. Loup Junction WMA. Area 328 ac. Located three miles north
      and two miles east of St. Paul. Bordered on the north by the
      North Loup and on the south by the Middle Loup; mostly riparian
      woodland, with marshes and grassy areas.

15. NANCE COUNTY (Map 25)
A. Federal Areas: None
B. State Areas
  1. Loup Lands WMA (Map locations 1, 2). Area  485 ac.
  2. Prairie Wolf WMA (Map location 3). Area 3l4 ac. Mainly bottomlands
      along the Loup River, with some open grasslands and marshes.
  3. Sunny Hollow WMA (Map  location 5) .Area 160 ac. Mostly grassy
     uplands, with two marshes and a "dugout" wetland.

16. POLK COUNTY
A. Federal Areas: None.
B. State Areas: None

17. BUFFALO COUNTY (Map 26)
A. Federal Areas: None
B. State Areas
  1. Ravenna Lake SRA (Map location 1). Area 53 ac. Situated along
      the South Loup River, with a small reservoir. State park entry permit
      required.
  2. Blue Hole WMA (Map location 2). Area 530 ac., plus 30 ac. pond and
     two miles of river frontage. Mostly riparian woodland
  3. Sandy Channel SRA (Map location 3). Area 133 ac, ll small lakes and
      ponds, totaling 47 ac. State park entry permit required.
  4. Union Pacific SRA (Map location 4). Area 26 ac., plus l5 ac. pond.
      State park entry permit required.
  5. East Odessa SRA (Map location 5). Area 7l ac., plus 7 ac. pond.
      State park entry permit required.
  6. Cottonmill Lake Public Use Area.(Map location 6). A hike-bike trail
      extends six  miles from this area to the outskirts of Kearney.
  7. Bassway Strip WMA (Map location 10). 636 ac., 4 ponds and 7 miles
      of river frontage. Includes 90 ac. of lakes and sandpits; mostly
     wooded. In spite of the river frontage, this area is not used by
      sandhill cranes to any great extent.
  8. War Axe SRA (Map location 8). Area 9 ac. plus 12 ac. pond. State
       park entry permit required.
  9. Windmill SRA (Map location 9). Area 168 ac., 5 ponds. State park
       entry permit required.
C. Other Areas
  1. Lillian Annette Rowe Sanctuary (Map location 7). Area 2,200 ac. This
      area, the largest Audubon refuge in the region, protects prime sandhill
      and whooping crane habitats near Kearney, and includes nearly six
      miles of river frontage, plus about 260 acres of native prairie. Several
      riverside blinds are located on the property, and spring sunrise or
      sunset excursions to the blinds can be arranged between March 10 and
      April 6.($15.00 per person, reservations are needed). There is
      also a self-guided hiking/birding trail. The sanctuary headquarters
      provides information and sells books and other bird-related materials.
      Summer breeding birds include dickcissel, upland sandpiper and
      bobolink, as well as riparian woodland species such as rose-breasted
      grosbeak and willow flycatcher. Least terns and piping plovers often
      nest on barren sandbars that are also used by roosting cranes (Lingle,
      1994). A birding trail begins at the office; no checklists are available
      but the list shown for the Platte Valley in the supplement (NOT
INCLUDED) should
      suffice. The sanctuary's address is  Rte 2,  Box 146, Gibbon, NE.
      68840 (308/468-5282). Office hours are 9-5 from Monday through
      Friday. No admission charge, but permission is needed.
  2. Grandpa's Steakhouse. This is located at the south end of Kearney, just
       north of the Platte River bridge, on the east side of the road. It
is at
       the edge of a sandpit lake that attracts tens of thousands of Canada
       geese from late fall through early spring.

18. HALL COUNTY (Map 27)
A. Federal Areas
B. State Areas
  1. Cornhusker WMA (Map location 2). Area 840 ac. All upland habitats
      with various planted cover types. The birds include such brush-loving
       species as Harris' sparrows and American tree sparrows.
  2.  Mormon Island SRA (Map location 10). Area 152 ac., 6l ac. lake. This
       area is a popular fishing spot just off I-80, and rarely attracts many
       waterfowl because of the high disturbance level.
  3. Martin's Reach WMA. Located l mile south and 3 miles west of
      Wood River Exchange. Includes 89 acres, with about 0.7 mile of river
      frontage of the middle channel of the Platte River.
C. Other Areas
  1. Taylor Ranch road (Map location 1). The road along the perimeter of
       this ranch provides a chance to watch displaying greater prairie-
       chickens from a parked car. By driving this area before sunrise and
       stopping ever hundred yards to so to listen it should be possible to
       locate a lekking ground. The arrowhead on the map shows one such
       location where a lek usually is located. Farther north in the Sandhills
       sharp-tailed grouse outnumber the greater prairie-chickens.
  2. Mormon Island Whooping Crane Meadows Preserve (Map location 3).
      This preserve of about 2,500 acres was the first Platte Valley crane
      sanctuary to be established, and along with the Rowe Sanctuary farther
      west is the most important. More than 70,000 cranes have been seen
      on its pristine wet meadows, and nearly 80,000 birds roost along its
      river shorelines. Nearly 220 bird species have been reported here; the
      Platte Valley bird list in the supplement (NOT INCLUDED) is largely
based on these
      records. A large crane-observation blind is operated from March 5 to
      April , and admission ($15.00 per person, reservations usually needed)
      is obtained by calling or visiting the Crane Meadows Nature Center
     (see below). Parking  along the narrow road is possible, but requires
      care because of traffic Leaving the road without permission is not
      allowed.  For information call 308/384-4633.
  3. Shoemaker Island road. (Map location 4). This gravel road traverses
      the length of Shoemaker Island, where many wet meadows attract
      foraging flocks of cranes. The entire area is privately owned, so
      birding away from the road requires landowner permission.
  4. Crane Meadows Nature Center (Map location 5). This small nature
      center is located between the Alda interstate exit and the "Alda Road
      Bridge" (see below), and is the place where reservations to visit the
      crane blind on Mormon Island must be made. There are about 240
      acres of meadows and woodlands, bird feeders, and nearly five miles
      of hiking trails. The trails are open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The
      Center's address is 9775 South Alda Road, Wood River, NE. 68883
      (308/382-1820). Admission charge.
  5. Alda Road Bridge (Map location  6). This bridge over the middle
      Platte channel provides a place where people can watch the sunrise
       and sunset roosting flights of cranes. It is very near a sandpit
lake that
       may attract up to 40,000 geese, but this lake is on private
property and
       can only be viewed from the highway.
  6. Platte River Road.  (Map location 7) . This paved road going west
      from Doniphan is a good route for observing field-feeding cranes
      during the daytime. It continues west to the Kearney area, but the
      density of crane use varies with location and disturbance. Generally
      the cranes are best seen from the road nearest the south shore of the
      Platte River, especially in early morning and late afternoon, among
      cornfields or the occasional wet meadows that still exist.
  7. Amick Acres road. (Map location 8). This small subdivision has several
      sandpit lakes that attract large flocks of Canada geese in early March.
      Do not stray from the road, as the area is entirely private property.
  8. Nine-mile Bridge. (Map location 9). This narrow bridge north of
      Doniphan provides views of a small crane flock on the downstream
      side. However, no parking is allowed near the bridge, and so some
      walking is necessary.
  9. Hall County  Park & Stuhr Museum (Map location 11). This county
      park allows free entry, and offers wooded trails for birding. It is just
      south of the Stuhr Museum, whose gift shop sells books of interest to
      naturalists, and has a good exhibit of pioneer artifacts. The
surrounding
      moat sometimes attracts wild ducks. The museum has an admission
      charge, but there is free access to the museum shop. For information
      call 308/385-5316.

l9. MERRICK COUNTY (MAP 25)
A. Federal Areas: None
B. State Areas: None
C. Other Areas
   1. Bader Memorial Park Natural Area. Located three miles south of
       Chapman. Area 80 ac.  A stretch of Platte River woodlands and
       adjacent native prairie, with trails through all of the local habitat
       types. American woodcocks occur here, and sandhill cranes sometimes
       visit during spring. Ducks, geese, marsh birds and shorebirds are
       abundant during migration.

20. HAMILTON COUNTY (Map 28)
A. Federal Areas:
  1. Springer WPA.( Map location 3). Area 266 wetland ac., 134 ac.
      upland.
  2. Troesler Basin WPA (Map location 4 right). Area 123 wetland ac.,
       37 upland ac.
  3. Nelson WPA (Map location 5).Area 143 wetland ac., 17 ac. upland.
B. State Areas
  1. Pintail WMA (Map location 4 left). Area 190 wetland ac., 94 upland
     ac.  Includes a shallow seasonal pond and mixed upland and lowland
     habitats. In wet springs this shallow marsh may attract up to 100,000
     snow geese, and large numbers of mallards, pintails and other dabbling
     ducks. In the morning the east side provides best viewing; during
     afternoon the west side is better and the road is closer to the marsh.
  2. Gadwall WMA (Map location 1). Area 90 ac., with 70 ac. wetlands
     (two "dugout" wetlands and narrow slough).
  3. Deep Well WMA (Map location 2). Area 78 ac., with 35 ac. of
     semi-permanent wetlands and 25 ac. of permanent wetlands.

21. YORK COUNTY (Map 29)
A. Federal Areas
  1. County Line Marsh WPA (Map location 8). Area 232 ac. wetland, 176
     ac. upland.  The county road leads to this marsh, which usually floods
     the road in spring. Usually large flocks of dabbling ducks gather here
     in early March.
  2. Waco Basin WPA (Map location  3). Area 159 ac. Adjoins Spikerush
      WMA, and has a 15-acre lake stocked with fish.
  3. Sinninger Lagoon WPA (Map location 7). Area 37 wetland ac., 123
      upland ac.
B. State Areas
  1. Spikerush WMA (Map location 4). Area 194 ac. Consists of mixed
     marsh and upland habitats.
  2. Kirkpatrick Basin WMAs. (Map location 5 & 6). Area 615 ac. Contains
      70 ac. of semi-permanent wetlands, l75 ac. of seasonal wetlands, and
      the rest upland grasses in the north area, and the southern WMA
      consists of a shallow wetland of 305 ac. This is an excellent area in
      spring for seeing migrating ducks and geese, especially snow geese,
      and slightly later it attracts a host of shorebirds, including American
      avocets and long-billed dowitchers. The north area is visible from
      I-80.
  3. Hidden Marsh WMA (Not identified on map, located 2 mi. east
     of Spikerush WMA).  Area 120 ac.
  4. Renquist Basin WMA. Area 107 ac. Consists of mixed upland and
     marshland.
C. Other Areas
  1. Recharge Lake NRD Recreation Area.  Area 120 ac., with 50-ac.
      reservoir. Developed for fishing, there are also hiking trails.

22. KEARNEY COUNTY (Map 30)
A. Federal Areas (all the following sites are temporary wetlands
     of fairly small size, but might be attractive to migrant water
     birds during wet springs).
  1. Bluestem Basin WPA (Map location 4). Area 44 wetland ac.,
      32 upland ac.
 2. Gleason Lagoon WPA (Map location 5). Area 197 wetland ac.,
     372 upland ac.
 3. Prairie Dog Marsh  WPA (Map location 6). Area 430 ac. wetland,
     382 ac. upland.
 4. Lindau Lagoon WPA (Map location 7). Area  105 ac. wetland,
    47 ac. upland.
 5. Clark Lagoon WPA (Map location  12). Area 227 wetland ac.,
     222 ac. upland.
 6. Youngson  Lagoon WPA (Map location 8). Area 113 ac. wetland,
      70 ac. upland.
 7. Frerichs Lagoon WPA (Map location 10). Area 33 ac. wetland,
     10 ac. upland.
 8. Killdeer Basin WPA (Map location 11). Area 36 ac. wetland, 2 ac.
     upland.
 9. Jensen Lagoon WPA (Map location 9). Area  187 ac. wetland,
     278 ac. upland.
B. State Areas
  1. Hike-Bike bridge (Map location 1). This is a very good area for
     watching sandhill cranes at sunset and sunrise. Sometimes American
     woodcocks can be seen displaying near the north end of the bridge at
     sunset. Stop at the Fort Kearney State Historical Park for information
     and a park permit. The 4-mile trail leads to Bassway Strip WMA
     along the two northernmost channels of the Platte (see Buffalo County).
  2. Fort Kearney SRA. (Map location 2). Area 163 ac. This area has
     primitive camping facilities and provides nearby parking for the hike-
     bike bridge.
  3. Fort Kearney State Historical Park. This park has a restored version
     of Fort Kearney, and is also a place from which one can watch field-
     feeding sandhill cranes. Arrangements for blind visits can be made here
     (see introduction to region). Park entry permit required. Phone
     308/865-5305 for information.
  4. Northeast Sacramento WMA (Map location 7). Area 30 wetland ac.,
     10 ac. upland.

23. ADAMS COUNTY (Map 31)
A. Federal Areas: None
B. State Areas
  1. Prairie Lake Public Use Area (Map location 3). Area 125 ac.,
      30 ac. lake. Mainly a fishing lake, with limited attractiveness
      to birds.
  2. Crystal Lake SRA (Map location 4). Area 33 ac. Mostly
      developed for fishing; state park entry permit required.
  3. DLD SRA (Map location 6). Area 7 ac. Primitive camping
     facilities; state park entry permit required.
C. Other Areas (see also Lingle, 1994)
  1. Kenesaw Lagoon (Map location 1). A private wetland that attracts
      many water birds during spring. It is best observed from the
      south or west side along county roads.
  2. Little Blue River (Map location 2).  The wooded riparian zone
      of this river should be searched for passerines during migration
      periods.
  3. Hastings Museum and Lake Hastings (Map location 7). The
      Hastings Museum has a notable exhibit area for a small-town
      museum, including a diorama with ten whooping cranes.
      It sells materials of interest to naturalists, has an IMEX theater
      and planetarium, and provides advice on local attractions. Phone
      402/461-4629 for information. Lake Hastings is a city-owned
      lake that might seasonally attract some birds, and is a short distance
      north of the Museum on routes 281 and 34. The Adams County
      Visitors Bureau (402/461-2370)  might also be of assistance.
  4. Air Lake (Map location 5). This is a privately owned seasonal wetland
      that sometimes attracts good numbers of migrating water birds.

24. CLAY COUNTY (Map 28)
A. Federal Areas (All of these are Waterfowl Production Areas that
     vary greatly in size and in relative wetland permanence).
  1. Sandpiper WPA (Map location 6). Area 226 ac. wetland, 214
     ac. upland. One of the best sites for seeing migrating shorebirds
     in the region, especially during late March and April.
  2. Hultine WPA (Map location 7). Area 164 ac. wetland, 74 ac.
     upland.
  3. Harvard Marsh WPA (Map location  8). Area 760 ac. wetland, 724
      ac. upland.  A deep, permanent marsh that attracts tens of thousands of
      snow, Canada and greater white-fronted geese each March. Access
      from the east  is via a narrow, often slippery road, but is better from
      the south, at least to the railroad tracks. Driving beyond is not
      recommended. There is also a parking area on the north side,
      but it is located quite far from the nearest water or marshy areas.
      Later on in spring this area is used by many shorebirds, including
      several sandpipers and piping plovers, and breeders include northern
      harriers and short-eared owls. Occasional flocks of sandhill cranes
      stop, and eagles are regular in early spring. Altogether one of the
      best birding wetlands in the entire region; up to 500,000 waterfowl
      have been seen here at the peak of spring migration.
  4. Lange Lagoon WPA (Map location 10). Area 56 ac. wetland, 104
      ac. upland.
. 5. Theesen Lagoon WPA. (Map location 11). Area 46 ac. wetland,
     34 ac. upland.
  6. Massie's Lagoon WPA. (Map location 12). Area 494 ac. wetland,
     359 ac. upland.  One of the best of the Clay County lagoons for
      waterfowl and shorebirds. An observation blind is located close
      to the parking lot on the south side of the lagoon; this access point
      is recommended over the others. Water levels in spring are
      maintained by pumping.
  7. Glenvil Basin WPA. (Map location 13). Area 83 ac. wetland, 37
      ac. upland.
  8. Kissinger Basin WPA. (Map location 14). Area 342 ac.
  9. Meadowlark WPA. (Map location 15). Area 45 wetland ac., 35
     upland ac.
10. Harms WPA. (Map location 16).Area 34 wetland ac., 25 upland ac.
11. Moger WPA. (Map location 17). Area 72 wetland ac., 125 upland ac.
12. Shuck WPA. (Map location 18). Area 56 ac. wetland, 24 upland ac.
13. Green Acres WPA. (Map location 19). Area 24 ac. wetland, 9
      ac. upland.
14. Eckhart Lagoon WPA. (Map location 20). Area 66 ac. wetland,
      108 ac. upland.
15. Smith Lagoon WPA. (Map location 21). Area 226 ac. wetland,
      224 ac. upland.  Another excellent waterfowl site during spring
      migration.
16.Greenhead WPA. (Map location 22). Area 60 ac. Includes a
      dugout pond and mainly marshy habitats. .
17. Hansen Lagoon WPA. (Map location 23). Area 205 wetland ac.,
     115 upland ac.
18. Greenwing WPA. (Map location 24). Area 80 ac. Includes marsh,
      uplands, and scattered thickets.
B. State Areas
  1. McMurtry Refuge (Map location 9). Area 1,07l ac. No public
      access, and closed to hunting.
  2. Bluewing WMA. Located 4 miles west, 0.5 mile south of Edgar.
     Includes 160 acres of lowland and seasonal wetland habitat.
  3. Bullrush WMA. Located 3 miles west of Edgar. Includes
     160 acres of upland and marshy habitats.

25. FILMORE COUNTY (Map 29)
A. Federal Areas
  1.  County Line Marsh WPA (Map location 8). Area 408 ac.
  2. Real WPA (Map location 9). Area 121 wetland ac., 39 upland ac.
  3. Bluebill WPA (Map location 10 right) & Marsh Hawk WPA
     (Map location 10 left). Areas  60 ac. and 173 ac. Bluebill includes
     two marshes separated by higher ground. Marsh Hawk is mostly
     comprised of seasonal wetlands, with some trees and shrubs.
  4. Wilkins Lagoon WPA (Map location 11). Area 370 ac. wetland,
     160 ac. upland.
  5. Murphy Lagoon WPA (Map location  12). Area 76 wetland ac.,
     12 upland ac.
  6. Rolland Lagoon WPA (Map location 13). Area 53 wetland ac.,
     76 upland ac.
  7. Rauscher Lagoon WPA (Map location 15). Area 140 ac. wetland,
     111 ac. upland.
  8. Sandpiper WPA (Map location 16). Area 160 ac. Includes 56 ac. of
      marsh, with plum, willow, cottonwood and osage orange also
     present.
  9. Weiss Lagoon WPA (Map location 18). Area 40 upland ac.,120
      wetland ac.
10. Krause Lagoon WPA.(Map location  17). Area 303 wetland ac.,
      224 upland ac.
11. Mallard Haven WPA (Map location 18).  Area 626 ac. wetland,
      411 ac. upland. One of the best marshes for waterfowl during spring
      and many wetland birds remain to breed, including northern harriers,
      great-tailed grackles, and yellow-headed blackbirds. There are several
      parking lots at access points, and an information kiosk at the south-
      eastern corner parking area.
B. State Areas: None


26. FRANKLIN COUNTY  (Map 30)
A. Federal Areas
  1. Ritterbush Marsh WPA (Map location 13). Area 49 ac. wetland,
       32 ac. upland.
  2. Quadhammer Marsh WPA (Map location 14). Area 308 wetland
      ac., 286 ac. upland.
  3. Macon Lakes WPA (Map location 15). Area 498 ac. wetland,
     466 ac. upland.
B. State Areas
  1. Ash Grove WMA. Area 74 ac. Includes rolling hills with
      grasses, rock outcrops, and a spring-fed stream.
  2. Limestone Bluffs WMA. Area 479 ac. Includes rolling hills
      with grasses, rock outcrops, and wooded ravines with a spring-
      fed stream.

27.. WEBSTER COUNTY
A. Federal Areas: None
B. State Areas
  1. Elm Creek WMA. Area 120 ac. Located three miles south of Cowles.
      Mostly wooded, with a creek and slough at one end.
  2. Indian Creek WMA. Area 114 ac. Located one mile south of
      Red Cloud, containing riparian woods along the Republican River.
      Wood ducks, ospreys and eagles might be seen, plus woodland
      woodpeckers and passerines.

28. NUCKOLLS COUNTY
A. Federal Areas: None.
B. State Areas
  1. Smartweed Marsh WMA. Area 74 ac. wetland, 6 ac. upland.
.     Located two miles south and two miles west of Edgar. Mostly
      grassy lowlands, but with  some marshy areas.
  2. Smartweed Marsh West WMA. Area 38 ac. Located one mile
      south and three miles west of Edgar. Mostly grassy lowlands, but
      with some upland habitats.

29. THAYER COUNTY
A. Federal Areas: None
B. State Areas
  1. Little Blue WMA. Area 303 ac. Located three miles east of Hebron.
      Mostly flat, wooded bottomland of the Little Blue River, with some
      grasslands and croplands,
  2. Prairie Marsh WMA. Area 160 ac.  Located two miles west of
      Bruning. Consists of seasonal wetlands and adjoining uplands.


IV. THE EASTERN REGION: LOWER PLATTE AND MISSOURI  RIVER VALLEYS

       This region is a land that once was ruthlessly scraped-over by
glaciers, and which later was mantled by tall-grass prairies and riparian
deciduous forests with eastern biogeographic affinities. It is bounded to
the east by the Missouri River, which  is now mostly channeled and much
degraded as far as wildlife habitat is concerned. However, some stretches,
such as around Ponca Park, provide a faint idea of what the river once was
like. The Missouri Valley is still a  migratory pathway not only for
arctic-breeding waterfowl such as snow geese, which alone now number about
a million  birds using this narrow flyway, but also myriad's of
forest-adapted Neotropic migrants, especially warblers and vireos. Remnant
stands of mature deciduous forest still exist at Rulo Bluffs Preserve and
Indian Cave State Park in Richardson County, Fontenelle Forest and Neale
Woods in the Omaha area, DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge near Blair, and
Ponca State Park in Dixon County. These are among the best places that can
be visited in early May to see such wonderful birds as they journey north
to breeding grounds in the Upper Midwest and southern Canada.
 The area is the most heavily populated part of the state, and thus
has the fewest areas of native prairie vegetation persisting, but in such
areas grassland species such as greater prairie-chickens still gather at
sunrise every spring, on traditional display grounds made sacred by
decades if not centuries of use. Similarly, other prairie species such as
long-billed curlews and upland sandpiper rarely occur here any more, but
grassland sparrows still announce their territories from fenceposts, and
house wrens, gray catbirds and brown thrashers sing from plum thickets
along roadside ditches.  Many other eastern or southeastern species occur
and presumably breed here, including Henslow's sparrow, Kentucky, parula,
and prothonotary warblers, as well as red-shouldered and broad-winged
hawks. Furthermore, chuck-will's-widows certainly must nest in the
woodlands bordering the southeastern corner of the state (although no
nests of this species have been found), and pileated woodpeckers are
sometimes also seen here, making it an area of special interest to birders.

1. CEDAR COUNTY
A. Federal Areas.
   1. Gavin's Point Dam. See state highway map for location. Birding from
       the dam should offer views of gulls, waterfowl, and other birds
       including numerous bald eagles during migration periods. A nature
       trail is present, as well as an aquarium, in the associated Lewis and
       Clark Recreation Area.
   2. Lake Yankton. Located just below Gavin's Point Dam; partly in
       South Dakota.  A relatively small reservoir below the spillway at
       Gavin's Point Dam that offers good birding along its wooded
       shoreline.
B. State Areas
  1. Chalkrock WMA. Area 130 ac. Located four miles south of Missouri
     River bridge on Highway 8l and l.5 miles west of highway.  Consists of
     90 upland ac. and a 45-ac, reservoir.
  2. Wiseman WMA. Area 365 ac.  Located one mile north and 5 miles
      east of Wynot.  Just south of the Missouri River, this area includes
     steep wooded bluffs, and grassy ridges. The woods are mostly bur
     oak, cedar, hackberry and ash.

2. DIXON COUNTY (Map 32)
A. Federal Areas: None
B. State Areas
  1. Ponca State Park. (Map location 1). Area 830 ac. This park is mostly
      forested with stands of bur oak, walnut, hackberry and elms; one of
      the oaks is more than 300 years old. There are 17 miles of hiking trails
      and modern cabins are available, as is an undeveloped campground.
      Whip-poor-wills are common in summer, and bald eagles are present
      during winter months. Snow geese migrate past the area in spring and
      fall, and the nearby Missouri River is still unchanneled here, thus
      resembles its original state. State park entry permit required.
  2. Buckskin Hills WMA. Located 2 miles west and 2 miles south of
      Newcastle.  Consists of 340 acres of grasslands and woods around a
     75-acre reservoir.

3. DAKOTA COUNTY (Map 32)
A. Federal Areas: None.
B. State Areas
  1. Basswood Ridge WMA (Map location 2). Area 360 ac. Consists of
     very rugged and heavily wooded uplands, with some Indian
     petroglyphs near the north end.
  2. Omadi Bend WMA (Map location 3). Area 33 ac. Consists of
     bottomland forest along an oxbow lake.


4. WAYNE COUNTY
A. Federal Areas: None
B. State Areas
  1. Sioux Strip WMA. Area 25 ac.  Located at western edge of Scholes.
      Consists of upland grasses along an old railroad bed.
.
5. THURSTON COUNTY
A. Federal Areas
  1. Missouri River Federal Access Areas. Numerous access points for
      boats, as posted.
B. State Areas: None

6. STANTON COUNTY
A. Federal Areas: None.
B. State Areas
  1. Red Fox WMA. Area 363 ac. Located one mile south of Pilger.
     Includes a wooded remnant oxbow, a 25-ac. sandpit lake, 0.6 mile of
     Elkhorn River frontage, and 163 ac. of grassland.
  2. Wood Duck WMA. Area 668 ac.  Located about two miles south and
      four miles  west of Stanton. Consists of riparian woodlands bordering
      the Elkhorn River, with several oxbow lakes and a stream. Many
      eastern songbirds nest here, and the marshy lakes are used by large
      numbers of geese, ducks, pelicans, cormorants and occasional swans.
     The perimeter roads are often wet and sometimes even flooded during
     wet springs, so caution is needed when driving.

7. CUMING COUNTY
A. Federal Areas: None
B. State Areas
  1. Black Island WMA. Area 240 ac. Located one mile north and
      four miles west of Wisner .This area is a mixture of woods and
      grassland along 0.75 mile of the Elkhorn River.
C. Other Areas
  1. Elkhorn River. This river is bounded by deciduous riverine forest
      along most of its length, and should provide for good birding
      opportunities.

8. BURT COUNTY
A. Federal Areas: None
B. State Areas
  1. Decatur Bend WMA. Area 133 Ac.  Located three miles east of
      Decatur. Accessible only by river.
  2. Pelican Point SRA. Area 36 ac.  Located along Missouri River, three
     miles north and six miles east of Tekama. Consists of riverine
     woodlands. Accessible only by river. State park entry permit required.
  3. Summit Reservoir SRA. Area 535 ac.  Located three miles west and
      one mile south of Tekama. The 190-acre reservoir is developed for
      fishing.  State park entry permit required.


9. COLFAX COUNTY
A. Federal Areas: None
B. State Areas
  1. Whitetail WMA. Area 216 ac. Located two miles south and one
      mile west of Schuler. Consists of 93 ac. of Platte River bottomland
      forest and 123 ac. of islands and river.

10. DODGE COUNTY (Map 33)
A. Federal Areas: None
B. State Areas
  1. Dead Timber SRA (Map location 1, right). Area  150 ac., 50 ac. lake.
      A recreational facility developed for fishing. State park entry permit
      required.
  2. Powder Horn WMA (Map location 1, left). Area 289 ac. Consists of
      riparian woodlands bounding the Elkhorn River, plus adjoining
      grasslands, marshes and croplands.
  3. Fremont Lakes SRA (Map location 2). Area 670 ac. Includes 20
      small sandpit lakes totaling 280 acres, with many recreational
      facilities. State park entry permit required.


11. WASHINGTON COUNTY (Map 34)
A. Federal Areas
  1. DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge. (Map location 1). Total area
      7,823 ac.  This important national wildlife refuge is located around
     an old oxbow of the Missouri River, and consists mostly of riverine
     deciduous forest, an 8-mile oxbow lake, and croplands. It supports an
     enormous fall population of snow geese (and some Ross' geese), which
     may reach peak numbers of about 800,000 birds in late October
     or early November. There is a superb interpretive center, whose large
     windows face a 788-acre lake, allowing wonderful views of the geese,
     other waterfowl, and numerous bald eagles in late fall and early spring.
     There are also outdoor viewing platforms for close viewing.  There is a
     bird checklist of 240 species, including 8l breeders. Peak populations of
     ducks, mostly mallards, may reach 125,000.  There is a twelve-mile
     drive around the refuge, and four hiking trails. A summary checklist of
     the refuge's birds is NOT included here The mailing address
     for the refuge is Rte.1, Box 114, Missouri Valley, Iowa 51555 (712/
     642-4121). The interior refuge roads are closed during some periods;
     inquire at the interpretive center (9 A.M. to 4 p.m. daily) for schedule.
     Daily admission fee charged.
  2. Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuge (Map location 3). Located
      along the Missouri River, this brand new refuge of about 2,000 acres
      is a cooperative project involving the U.S. Corps of Engineers and
      several state agencies. There are currently several access points, with
      two miles of roads and about five miles of trails, including a mile of
      paved trail. The area is being managed from DeSoto National Wildlife
      Refuge, which should be contacted for information.
B. State Areas
  1. Fort Atkinson State Historic Park. (Map location 2). Probably mainly
      of interest for historical reasons, but no doubt migrating passerines
      use the area to some degree. State park entry permit required.

12. BUTLER COUNTY
A. Federal Areas: None
B. State Areas
  1. Redtail WMA. Area 320 ac., 17 ac. reservoir. Located one mile east
      of Dwight.  Includes grassland, wooded draws, and a pond.
  2. Timber Point Public Use Area. Area 160 ac.  Located one mile
      south and two miles east of Brainard. A 28-acre lake is present.

13. SAUNDERS COUNTY (Map 35)
A. Federal Areas: None
B. State Areas
  1. Jack Sinn WMA (Map location 7). See Lancaster County.
  2. Red Cedar Public Use Area (Map location 2). Area 175 ac.,
      with a 50-acre lake.
  3. Larkspur WMA (Map location 3). Area 160 ac. Includes 37 ac.
      of bur oak woodland, plus areas of native prairie and seeded
      grassland.
C. Other Areas
   1. Pahuk Natural Area. (Map location 1). A privately owned
       area of riparian woodland considered sacred by the Pawnee.
      There is a trail through the woods and adjoining grasslands.
      Permission to visit is needed from the local landowners.

14. DOUGLAS COUNTY (Map 36)
A. Federal Areas: None
B. State Areas
  1. Two Rivers  SRA (Map location 1). SRA area 643 ac., WMA
     312 ac. The SRA is developed for recreational purposes. Located
     just south of the SRA, the WMA consists of timbered riverbottom
     forest, marshes, and croplands. State park entry permit required for
     the SRA.
C. Other Areas
  1. Neale Woods Nature Center (Map location 7). Area 554 ac.
     This privately owned nature center includes nine miles of trails
     through hardwood forests, prairie uplands, and riverine woodlands.
     Open weekdays 8-5, and on Sunday afternoons. A checklist of 190
      species either seen or expected in the area is available. There are 57
     likely breeders, including barred owl, whip-poor-wills, ruby-throated
     hummingbird, eastern wood-pewee, American redstart, scarlet
     tanager, rose-breasted grosbeak, and indigo bunting. The address is
     14323 Edith Marie Ave., Omaha 68112 (402/453-5615). Admission fee.
  2. Standing Bear Lake (Map location 5). Reservoir area 135 ac. A flood-
      control lake that attracts migrant shorebirds and waterfowl seasonally.
  3. Glenn Cunningham Lake (Map location 6). Reservoir area 390 ac.
      A flood-control reservoir that is the largest in the Omaha
      area, and as such is important for migrating waterfowl and shorebirds.
  4. Papio D-4 Lake. Located just east of Glenn Cunningham Lake.
     A 30-ac. reservoir, which sometimes attracts migrant gulls and
     waterfowl.
  5. Zorinsky Lake  (Map location 9). A flood-control reservoir of about
      250 acres on a branch of Papillion Creek. Native prairie present.
  6. N.P. Dodge Park. Located at 1200 N, River Road. Lowland forest,
      hiking trail to Missouri River. Good for migratory passerines.
  7. Hummel Park. North of N.P.Dodge Park. Hilly, with mature forest.
      Hiking trail at north edge of park, good for migrant passerines.

15. SARPY COUNTY (Map 36)
A. Federal Areas: None
B. State Areas
  1. Chalco Hills Recreation Area (Map location 2). Area 1200 ac;
     Wehrspan Reservoir 245 ac.  This developed area has boating, an
      arboretum, a nature trail and natural  resource center, a wildlife
      observation blind, and a hike-bike trail.
  2. Schramm Park Recreation Area (Map location 3). Area 340 ac
     This area includes the Ak-Sar-Ben aquarium, and some excellent
     woodlands that teem with warblers during spring migration.
     There are five miles of trails, and an educational center at the
     aquarium. Whip-poor-wills can be heard here, and Kentucky
     warblers may breed. There is 3-mile loop trail leading from the
     parking area. State park entry permit required. Phone 402/332-390l
     for information.
C. Other Areas
  1. Fontenelle Forest Preserve (Map location 4). Area 1300 ac. This
     large area of mature riverine hardwood forest includes 17 miles of
     footpaths, as well as a mile-long boardwalk and a small combined
     nature center and museum. There is a bird checklist of 246 species that
     have been reported in the past decade, and more than 100 of these
     are summering species that potentially breed. The "Omaha" checklist
     in the supplement section (NOT INCLUDED)  is mostly based on
checklists for         Fontenelle  Forest and Neale Woods. Summer species
of special interest include
     American woodcock,  broad-winged and red-shouldered hawks,
     whip-poor-wills, Acadian flycatcher, Carolina wren, yellow-throated
     vireo, wood thrush, American redstart, cerulean, prothonotary  and
     Kentucky warblers, brown creeper, and the scarlet and summer
     tanagers. The yellow-throated warbler has been reported to perhaps
     nest here too, a location well to the north of its known breeding
     range. An observation blind overlooks a marsh, and there are
     organized bird or nature hikes, plus many other programs. The
     center is open 8-5 daily; admission fee.  The address is 1111 N
     Bellevue Blvd., Omaha 68005. Call 402/73l-3140 for information.
  2 .Gifford Point (Map location 8). A l,300-ac. area of riverbottom forest,
     and a 400-ac, farm (advance reservations needed for farm). Dedicated
     to environmental education, and located just east of Fontenelle Forest.
     Call 402/292-4l00 for information.
  3. Neale Woods Nature Center. See Douglas County.

16. SEWARD COUNTY (Maps 29, 37)
A. Federal Areas: None
B. State Areas
 1. Meadowlark NRD Recreation Area. (Map 37, location 1). Area 55  ac
 2. Oak Glen WMA (Map 37,  location 2). Area 632 ac. Consists of 260 ac.
     of mature oak woodland, with some grassland including native prairie.
 3. Branched Oak SRA (Map  37, location 3). See Lancaster County.
 4. Bur Oak WMA (Map 37, location 4). Area 143 ac. Located along
    US 84, and comprised of mature bur oak woodland, with some green
    ash and native grassland.
 5. Twin Lakes WMA. (Map 37, location 5). Area l,300 ac. Includes 255-
     and 50-acre reservoirs, plus marshes, wooded bottomlands, upland
     prairie, grasslands, and small ponds. Although part of the prairie
     has been re-seeded, other portions are of native prairie. Dickcissels,
     eastern and western meadowlarks, sedge wrens, eastern bluebirds,
     and other prairie or forest edge species occur here. The two lakes do
     not allow fishing with motors other than electric ones, and no
    waterfowl hunting is permitted, so undisturbed birding is possible.
    The area is closed to public access from October 15 to the end of the
     hunting season for "dark" geese.
 6. North Lake Basin WMA (Map 29, location 2). Located 1 mile north
     of Utica. Contains 364 ac. of marsh and adjoining uplands. Usually
     this area attracts large numbers of waterfowl during spring migration.
 7. Freeman Lakes WMA Map 29, location 1)  Located northwest of
     Utica. Includes 42 upland ac. and 146 ac. of wetland. Similar to
     North Lake Basin.


17. LANCASTER COUNTY (Map 35, 38)
A. Federal Areas: None
B. State Areas (Most of the following are flood-control reservoirs built
    in the 1960s to control flooding in the Salt Creek Valley. Silting-in
    has affected all of these reservoirs, producing marsh-like habitats
    at the places where creeks feed into the reservoirs, and such areas
    usually provide the best birding sites. Flooded trees are also usually
    present, providing perching sites for eagles and cormorants.)
  1. Pawnee Lake SRA (Map 38, location 4). Area 1906 ac., reservoir 740
      ac. This fairly small reservoir attracts good numbers of migrant
      waterfowl during spring, and also has many nesting prairie species.
  2. Conastoga Lake SRA (Map 38, location 8). Area 486 ac., reservoir
      230 ac. Similar to Pawnee Lake in its bird life, this lake is also
      surrounded by grasslands and some woodlands.
  3. Yankee Hill Lake SRA (Map 38, location 9). Area 728 ac. Includes a
       210-acre reservoir surrounded with rolling grassland and wooded
      bottomland.
  4. Killdeer WMA (Map 38, location 10). Area 69 ac. Contains a 20-acre
      reservoir, with surrounding marsh. wooded draws, and uplands.
  5. Bluestem Lake SRA (Map 38, location 11),.Area 483 ac., reservoir
      325 ac. The silted-in upper (northern) end of this reservoir is
      quite marsh-like, and is good for finding marsh birds.
  6. Olive Creek SRA  (Map 38, location 12). Area 438 ac., reservoir 145
      ac. For some unknown reason this small lake seems to attract rare
      waterfowl, especially scoters, which turn up there almost every year.
  7. Teal WMA (Map  38, location 13). Area 66 ac. Contains a 27-ac.
       reservoir, with surrounding wooded bottomland and rolling upland.
  8.  Stagecoach Lake SRA (Map 38, location 15). Area 412 ac., reservoir
      120 ac.
  9. Cottontail Public Use Area (Map 38, location 14). Area 148 ac.
      Includes a 28-acre reservoir.
10. Wagontrain Lake SRA (Map 38, location 17). Area 750 ac., reservoir
       315 ac.
1l. Hedgefield Lake WMA (Map 38,  location 18). Area 114 ac. Contains a
      44-acre reservoir with surrounding rolling upland with some wooded
      vegetation.
12. Branched Oak Lake SRA (Map 35, location 5). Area  4,406 ac.,
      reservoir 1,800 ac. This is the biggest of the reservoirs in the county,
      and one that seem to attract many rare birds (gulls, waterfowl, loons)
      during  fall, winter and early spring. Vast flocks of snow geese visit
      it in early March, as well as Canada and greater white-fronted geese.
     Eagles are common during the spring when the ice is breaking up,
     and ospreys may also be seen on migration. Many species of ducks
     and white pelicans are common during migration. The shorebirds are
     best during fall, and flooded timber at the northern end of the lake
     attracts cormorants too. Snowy owls and black-billed magpies often
     turn up here, and the brushy vegetation supports wintering American
     tree sparrows and Harris' sparrows among many others. State park
     entry permits are needed for some parts of the area.
13. Wildwood Lake WMA  (Map 35, location 4). Area 49l ac. Includes a
     107-acre reservoir surrounded by native woodland,  hilly grassland and
      crops. This is a little-visited lake, and an unusually beautiful one.
14. Jack Sinn WMA (Map  35, location 6 & 7). Area 632 ac. Consists of
      mostly seasonally wet lowlands that occur along a creek drainage, and
      include some beaver ponds up to six feet deep approximately. Some of
      the best rail and marsh bird habitat in the county occurs here; some
      of the best saline wetlands in eastern Nebraska are found here. There is
      an old railroad bed that provides dry walking opportunities in this
      usually wet environment.
C. Other Areas
  1. Arbor Lake (Map 38,  location 1). Area 63 ac. Consists of a 63-ac.
      saline and semi-permanent wetland that seasonally supports great-tailed
      grackles,  migrant ducks and shorebirds, and prairie passerines.
  2. Lagoon Park (undeveloped; Map 38,  location 2). This little-visited
      part of Lincoln can only be reached by following 48th Street north
      to the city landfill, and stopping there for permission to go on to the
      marshes (Roper's Lake) andwoodlands a short distance beyond. It is
      worth the effort; this area is perhaps the best place in Lincoln for
      seeing large numbers of species. Red-tailed hawks and great horned
      owls nest here, coyotes and deer are regularly seen, and the marshy
      areas attract rails, ducks, geese, cormorants, yellow-headed
       blackbirds, black-crowned night herons, and many other species.
Care must be
      taken in walking through the area, which is partly landfill, and
      sometimes has ground irregularities that one can easily fall into or
      trip  over. Ospreys and shorebirds are sometimes seen along Salt Creek,
      which borders the area on the north and west.
  3. Nine Mile Prairie (Map 38, location 3).  One of the few remaining
      native tall-grass prairies in the county, and a classic site of early
      ecological research by university personnel such as John Weaver.
      Only a small amount of water exists on the prairie, so the species
      are mostly upland passerines, such as grasshopper sparrows and
      dickcissels. The area occupies 240 ac., and is open year-around.
  4. Oak Lake Park (Map 38, location 5). Area 47 ac.  A small park
      around two lakes that attract gulls, cormorants, geese, ducks, and
      other waterbirds during migration.
  5. Capital Beach (Map  38, location  6).  The remains of a once-saline
      lake, the undeveloped east side still supports a good marsh habitat that
      is now being preserved, and has provided records of king rails and
      other uncommon to rare water-dependent birds.
  6. Pioneer's Park  (Map 38, location 7). Area 606 ac. This is the oldest of
     Lincoln's city parks, and one of the largest. It has a few small ponds,
     and some native prairie, but is mostly planted to pines and other
     conifers. These woodlands support great horned owls (year-around)
     and long-eared owls (in winter), red-tailed and sharp-shinned hawks,
     and many passerines. A nature trail extends out into prairie and
     brushland, and through riparian woodland along a branch of Salt
     Creek, where wood ducks are common. A nature center offers views of
     wintering songbirds (such as Harris' sparrows) that gather near feeders,
     and looks out over a pond that attracts waterfowl. A checklist for the
     park lists 237 bird species and 49 mammal species.
  7. Holmes Lake  (Map  38, location 7). Area 555 ac. A city park around
      a  small reservoir that has a resident flock of Canada geese. In some
      winters ducks such as goldeneyes, scaup and sometimes hooded
      mergansers can be seen among the geese.
  8. Wilderness Park (Map  38, location 14). Area 1455 ac. This long and
     narrow park follows the Salt Creek for about seven miles, and has
     about 20 miles of hiking and horseback trails. There are good stands
     of mature bur oak and riparian forest, and several species of owls are
     common (barred, eastern screech-owl and great horned owl), as well
     as several woodpeckers including red-bellied. It is probably the best
     Lincoln location for migrant warblers, and breeding songbirds include
     common house wren, rose-breasted grosbeak, brown thrasher, indigo
     bunting, field sparrow, tufted titmouse (near its western limits),
    eastern bluebird, orchard and Baltimore oriole, Carolina wren (also
near its
     northwestern limits) and many others.
  9. Wyuka Cemetery. Not shown; entrance at 37th & O St., Lincoln.
     Another excellent location for migrant songbirds such as vireos and
     warblers.
10. Spring Creek (O'Brien) Ranch (not shown). Acquired in 1998 by the
      Audubon Society . Three miles south of Denton (1/2 mi. west). This
600+ ac.
      and  still-undeveloped nature sanctuary is the largest area of unbroken
       prairie in Lancaster County. It includes some small wetlands including
       a spring, riparian woodlands, and hilly prairie uplands. No bird list
       yet exists.


18. CASS COUNTY (Map 39)
A. Federal Areas: None
B. State Areas
  1. Eugene T. Mahoney State Park (Map location  1) Area  574 ac. This is
      a highly developed park, with lodging, cabins, eating facilities, and
      other popular attractions. It has an excellent population of eastern
      bluebirds, and borders the Platte River, where riparian deciduous
      forest is well developed. There is a very tall observation toward built
      among a stand of bur oaks, and a 6-mile network of trails.  State park
      entry permit required. Phone 402/944-2523 for information.
  2. Platte River State Park (Map location 2). Another popular park, this
      area is quite similar to the last-named park, and also to Louisville
      Lakes State Park. Migrant warblers are abundant, and Kentucky
      warblers may breed here, as do scarlet and summer tanagers. There
      are two observation towers. Cabins are available; no camping is
      allowed. State park entry permit required. Phone 402/234-2217
  3. Louisville Lakes State Park (Map location 3). Area 142 ac. Much like
      the two previous parks, with both primitive and modern camping and
      various concessions. The nearby Schramm Park is less crowded and
      probably offers better birding  Requires state park entry permit..
  4.  Randall W. Schilling WMA. A 1,500-ac. managed waterfowl area,
      with 25 acres of water and nearby cropland, mainly designed to attract
      snow geese. Open to the public from April 1 to September 30, and
      used for controlled-access goose hunting during the fall season.
      Shorebirds are often excellent here in spring and fall..
  5. Rakes Creek WMA. Located 8 miles east and 1 mile south of Murray.
     Consists of 316 ac. of mixed upland habitats.

19. OTOE COUNTY
A. Federal Areas: None
B. State Areas
  1. Triple Creek WMA. Area 80 ac. Located 3 miles south  and 1 mile
      west of Palmyra. Contains 2 intermittent streams and 16 acres of
      woodlands.
  2. Walnut Creek WMA. Area 41 ac.  Located one mile south and 3
      miles east of Otoe. Includes a 14-ac. reservoir and surrounding grasses
      and shrubs.
  3. Arbor Lodge State Historical  Park. Located just west of Nebraska
     City. There are hundred of planted but mature trees in the arboretum,
     and a 0.5-mile "tree trail." with identification tags. Worth visiting
     for historical reasons as well as for learning tree identification.
     State park entry permit required.

20. SALINE COUNTY
A. Federal Areas: None
B. State Areas
  1. Swan Creek WMA. Area 160 ac.  Located 9 miles south and one
      mile east of Friend. Consists of a 27-acre lake, marshland, native
      prairie, woodland and cropland.
  2. Walnut Creek Public Use Area. 64 ac. Located three miles north
      and two miles east of Crete. Various upland habitats are present.

21. JEFFERSON COUNTY
A. Federal Areas: None
B. State Areas
  1. Alexandria Lakes SRA /WMA. Area 778 ac.  Located nine miles
      west and six miles north of Fairbury, or 4 miles east of Alexandria.
      Consists of a 43-ac. lake, marshes, streams, ponds and woodlands.
  2. Rock Creek Station State Historical Park. Area 393 ac.  Located
     about two miles north and three miles east of Endicott; see
     state highway map for location. State park entry permit required.
  3. Rock Glen WMA. Located 7 miles east and 2 miles south of
     Fairbury. Includes 706 ac. of rolling native upland and tree-lined
     drainages.
  4. Jefferson WMA. Located 3 miles east and 1 mile south of Diller.
     Consists of 306 acres of woodlands and grassy uplands surrounding a
     77-acre reservoir.


22. GAGE COUNTY (Map 40)
A. Federal Areas
  1. Homestead National Monument  of America (Map location 2).
      This monument celebrates the Homestead Act. It includes a 2.5 mile
      trail passing through riparian woodlands and restored prairie. There
      is a bird checklist of more than 150 species, a plant list, and an
      interesting educational exhibit that features pioneer history and
      related artifacts. Phone 402/223-3514 for information.
B. State Areas
  1. Claytonia Public Use Area (Map location 1). Area 115 ac., with
      a 40 ac. reservoir.
  2. Iron Horse Trail (Map location 3). Several units, varied areas. There
      are more than 20 such sites in Gage and Pawnee counties, ranging
      from 1-19 acres.
  3. Rockford Lake SRA (Map location 4). Area 436 ac., with a 150-ac.
      reservoir. State park entry permit required.
  4. Wolf Wildcat Public Use Area (Map location 5).  Area 160 ac.,
       with a 42-ac. reservoir.
  5. Arrowhead WMA (Map location 6). Area 320 ac. Upland habitats.
  6. Diamond Lake WMA (Map location 7). Area 320 ac., including
      lakes. Diamond Lake consists of open grasslands and hardwood stands
      around a  33-acre reservoir. The adjoining Donald Whitney Memorial
      WMA is much smaller, and also includes a reservoir.
  7. Big Indian Public Use Area. (Map location 8). Area 77 ac.,
      including a 77-acre lake.

23. JOHNSON COUNTY (Map 41)
A. Federal Areas: None
B. State Areas
  1. Osage WMA (Map locations 1-3). Area 778 ac. Mostly comprised of
     woodland and intervening grassland habitats, plus tree plantings and
      crops.
  2. Hickory Ridge WMA (Map location 4). Area 250 ac. Includes 60 ac.
      of timber, a small pond, and fairly steep grassland and creek-bottom
      habitat.
  3. Twin Oaks WMA. (Map locations 5-7). Area 795 ac. Mostly
      woodlands, with some grassland and food plots.

24. NEMAHA COUNTY (See Map 43)
A. Federal Areas: None
B. State Areas
  1. Indian Cave State Park (Map location 1).  See Richardson County.
  2. Brownville SRA. Area 220 ac. Located at southeastern edge of
      Brownville, and provides boating access to the Missouri River.
      State park entry permit required..

25. PAWNEE COUNTY (Map 42)
A. Federal Areas: None
B. State Areas
  1. Iron Horse Trail (Map location 1). Many short sections of railroad
      bed that are being used as a hike-bike trail. See also Gage County.
  2. Burchard Lake WMA (Map location 2, plus enlarged inset). Area
      560 ac., with a 150 ac. reservoir, surrounded by native grasslands
      and some hardwoods. There