Nebraskaland

October 2022 Nebraskaland

NEBRASKAland Magazine is dedicated to outstanding photography and informative writing with an engaging mix of articles and photos highlighting Nebraska’s outdoor activities, parklands, wildlife, history and people.

Issue link: http://mag.outdoornebraska.gov/i/1480008

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October 2022 • Nebraskaland 45 Lincoln Saline Wetlands As songbirds start to migrate south, they rely on a good tail wind and favorable weather conditions to make their fl ight south as easy as possible. If the weather conditions turn bad, the birds will often land in the nearest area with suitable foraging habitat. When areas are dominated by development and agricultural fi elds, parks can be a little oasis for birds as they wait for the weather to turn favorable for their next leg of their journey. The Lincoln Saline Wetlands Nature Center can often act as this stopover oasis for many songbirds during their migration south. The availability of water and shrubby habitat attracts a variety of fl ycatchers, warblers and sparrows to this location. Many of the shrubs along the path are no more than 8 feet high, off ering chances to view migrants near eye-level. At the adjacent Capitol Beach, hundreds to thousands of Franklin's gulls congregate and can often be viewed fl ying over the saline wetland. Oliver Reservoir Nestled in the southwestern part of the Nebraska panhandle, Oliver Reservoir and the nearby town of Kimball stand out as a beacon of vegetation and water among the vast, semi-arid grassy landscape of the Great Plains. For birds, this is like coming across the only gas station for hundreds of miles during a long family road trip. It is an essential place to stop, eat and rest before continuing through the expansive landscape. Not only does this relatively small area attract solid numbers of expected migrants, but this site also hosts some uncommon species for Nebraska. Have a fi eld guide ready as many similar-looking fl ycatchers and sparrows visit this location in late August and early September. A variety of vireos, swallows and warblers, like MacGillivray's warbler, also can be observed here. Not every day in the fall can include early morning trips to migrant hotspots. For birders interested in catching a glimpse of migration as it happens in real time, raptors are the perfect species to watch. Raptors migrate during the day, relying on tail winds and thermals to help them conserve energy as they migrate. Raptor migration can be enjoyed almost anywhere, but it is especially good on cloudier days when their silhouettes can stand out. Lay back in a camp lounge chair and look to the sky on days with north winds, and try to fi nd a stream of raptors fl ying by. Throughout Nebraska, watch for Swainson's hawks as there will usually be multiple birds soaring together in what is called a kettle. They will soar in circles as they rise to the top of a thermal before gliding out to catch the next thermal. Fall migration is a thrilling time for all birders to view a variety of species as they make their way back south. For more ideas on places to enjoy fall migration, visit NEBirdingGuide.org. Happy birding! N Olivia DaRugna is a watchable wildlife biologist for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission at Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area and Nature Center in Gering. Swainson's hawk in Garden County. STEPHEN BRENNER

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