Nebraskaland

64 Nebraskaland • June 2022 MIXED BAG Birding opportunities are nearly endless in the expansive and diverse state of Nebraska. From the spring and fall stream of massive flocks of waterfowl to cranes and shorebirds within the heart of the Central Flyway, to the multiple contact zones where eastern and western bird species meet, Nebraska is the perfect birding destination with over 400 species to observe. Trying to decide where that next adventure will be can be difficult with so many places to explore across the state. Let the revamped Nebraska Birding Guide website help you decide. This new website features detailed looks at 80 locations, each offering excellent birding and other outdoor recreation opportunities for the whole family to enjoy. Explore the common and notable birds of the parks you visit this summer, such as the Kentucky warbler at Platte River State Park or black-billed magpies at Fort Robinson State Park. Those new or getting back into birding can find tips, tools and resources on the website to hone their birding skills. Heading east? Visit the wooded Missouri River corridors of Indian Cave or Ponca State Park and be immersed in the beautiful music coming from colorful songbirds hiding in the tree canopies. Discover more birding opportunities at locations across the state by visiting NEBirdingGuide.org. Moving west across Nebraska are unique wetlands brimming with life. In June, the Rainwater Basin in south central Nebraska is coming down from the large flocks of waterfowl in early spring and peak shorebird migration in May, but still, many birding opportunities are to be had in this unique wetland system. Curious about what birds you can expect to see in the Rainwater Basin? Want to find new spots to visit, or curious about best ways to access these sites? Refer to the Nebraska Birding Guide website for answers. The website can help you keep track of where and when to enjoy the many peak birding opportunities across the state, like the waterfowl and shorebird migrations. In north-central Nebraska lies the expansive Sandhills covering 19,300 square miles. Over 300 birds have been observed in this important ecological region that supports both grassland-dependent and wetland species. Traveling through this rolling landscape, you are bound to see a variety of species, including upland sandpipers, trumpeter swans, common nighthawks or maybe even a short-eared owl. Discover on the website several birding locations in the Sandhills that offer free opportunities to view greater prairie-chicken and sharp-tailed grouse from viewing blinds in the spring. Any nature enthusiast will appreciate the vast and untouched beauty of the Sandhills ecological region. To learn more about this fascinating landscape and other ecological regions and habitats across the state, visit the Nebraska Birding Guide website. Summer is the perfect time to explore the Panhandle with cool nights offering reprieve from the hot summer heat. Use the Nebraska Birding Guide website to discover the top birding locations in the Panhandle that offer chances of seeing unique birds that are found nowhere else in the state, such as western tanagers and cordilleran flycatchers. Learn more about these and other top birding locations, the trails to explore and the amenities they offer through the interactive map on the website. Wherever you are in Nebraska, amazing birding is not far away. Explore the songbirds of the eastern tallgrass prairie, the Central Platte Valley where over half a million sandhill cranes congregate each spring, the Sandhills where greater prairie-chickens display and the unique topography and raptors in the west. There is such a diversity of birds and landscapes for everyone to enjoy. Let NEBirdingGuide.org inspire and help you plan your next birding adventure. NEBRASKA BIRDING GUIDE WEBSITE LAUNCHES By Olivia DaRugna, Watchable Wildlife Biologist Upland sandpiper. OLIVIA DARUGNA, NGPC

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