The Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) is a long-term, volunteer-driven bird monitoring program conducted throughout North America. BBS data are used widely by wildlife agencies, researchers, birders and conservation planners. The program began in 1966 and more information about the BBS can be found HERE. I am the state BBS coordinator and perhaps my principal duty […]
Was 2024 the worst spring migration for warblers of all time?
By Joel G. Jorgensen – Nebraska Game and Parks Commission & Stephen J. Brenner – Audubon Great Plains Late April through May is perhaps the most anticipated time of year for birders in Nebraska and elsewhere. After months of cold, slow, and uneventful winter birding, most birders relish the opportunity to witness the northward push of […]
BONO updated following release of the 64th AOS supplement
The American Ornithological Society released its 64th Supplement to the Check-list of North American Birds today. As usual, the supplement includes some changes in taxonomy that will force birders and ornithologists to make some minor adjustments to their vernacular. This time around, though, there are only two primary changes that will directly affect Nebraska birders. […]
Making sense of eBird’s Canada Goose subspecies
Joel Jorgensen | 8 January 2020 | joel.jorgensen@nebraska.gov eBird (eBird.org), the dominant platform used by birders these days, provide birders the opportunity to report certain birds to recognized subspecies. Birds of Nebraska – Online (BONO) provides detailed information about recognized subspecies in the taxonomy section of each species account. In some instances, though, eBird merges […]
Harlan County CBC – 2019 recap
Joel Jorgensen | 17 December 2019 | joel.jorgensen@nebraska.gov The 12th Harlan County Christmas Bird Count (CBC) took place 14 December 2019. Before going any further, it is important to mention the big change in conditions that took place between the 2018 and 2019 editions of the CBC. Harlan County Lake had been chronically below its […]
The summer of Redheads
Joel Jorgensen | 8 August 2019 | joel.jorgensen@nebraska.gov As the species account on the Birds of Nebraska – Online states, Redheads have been uncommon, albeit casual, summer visitors away from their Nebraska breeding range in the Sandhills. This species has also bred a handful of times in the Rainwater Basin (RWB) in south-central Nebraska. Thus, […]