MARCH 2015 • NEBRASKAland 37
Red-winged blackbird
Yellow warbler
American kestrel
Eastern towhee
•
Interior least tern (Missouri
River)
•
Bald eagle
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Whip-poor-will (calling at
night)
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Ruby-throated hummingbird
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Eastern bluebird
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House wren
•
Rose-breasted grosbeak
•
Eastern towhee
Ponca State Park
Wooded bluff s, unchannelized Missouri River and fl oodplain prairie
all in close proximity provide opportunities to see a diversity of
species in a small area. Watch for interior least terns fi shing in the
Missouri River and if you are spending the night in one of the parks
cabins, open up the windows and be serenaded by whip-poor-wills
and possibly barred owls.
Chadron State Park
e parks fi ne forests provide habitat for many western species
which have a very limited distribution in the state. Western
Tanager is a show-stopper. Do not discount "burns" as being
productive areas to fi nd birds. Woodpeckers, nuthatches and other
cavity nesting species o en prefer burned areas.
•
American kestrel
•
Common nighthawk
•
Hairy woodpecker
•
Western wood-pewee
•
Pygmy nuthatch
•
Violet-green swallow
•
Western tanager
•
Spotted towhee
Fort Robinson State Park
e mix of open high-plains prairie, escarpments, upland pine and
riparian forests provide ample opportunities to see a diversity of
species. Be sure to check out Carter P. Johnson Lake for waterbirds.
•
Western kingbird
•
Lazuli bunting
•
Black-billed magpie
•
Mountain bluebird
•
Yellow warbler
•
Western meadowlark
•
House fi nch
•
Bullock's oriole
Niobrara State Park
From rivers to rolling hills, the park's
diverse habitats provide ample
opportunities to see various birds. e
small number listed here are merely a
few of the many resident species.
PHOTO
BY
ROB
PALMER
PHOTO
BY
JUSTIN
HAAG
PHOTO
BY
RICK
RASMUSSEN
PHOTO
BY
LUKE
KATHOL
•
Downy woodpecker
•
White-breasted nuthatch
•
Field sparrow
•
Red-winged blackbird
•
Orchard oriole
•
American goldfi nch
