Notable avian nesting · 2019. 10. 4. · Notable avian nesting records from the Rainwater Basin,...

Notable avian nesting records from the Rainwater Basin, Nebraska – 2019

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Notable avian nesting

records from the

Rainwater Basin,

Nebraska — 2019

Joel G. Jorgensen & Stephen J. Brenner

Nongame Bird Program

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission


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Notable avian nesting records from the Rainwater

Basin, Nebraska — 2019

Joel G. Jorgensen* and Stephen J. Brenner

Nongame Bird Program

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

2200 N. 33rd

Lincoln, NE 68503

*Corresponding author: [email protected]

Recommended citation

Jorgensen, J.G., and S.J. Brenner. 2019. Notable avian nesting records from the Rainwater Basin,

Nebraska — 2019. Nongame Bird Program of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Lincoln,

Nebraska, USA.

mailto:[email protected]


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The Rainwater Basin is a relatively flat to gently rolling landscape in south-central Nebraska (Figure 1) that

historically was a prairie plain containing as many as 11,000 playa wetlands (RWBJV 2013). Most of the

landscape has been converted to row crop agriculture. The majority of the wetlands have been destroyed

and remaining wetlands are hydrologically impaired (RWBJV 2013, LaGrange 2005). The remaining

wetlands in the Rainwater Basin are collectively recognized as a key migratory stopover site, primarily in

spring, for waterfowl and shorebirds in North America (Gersib 1989, 1992, Jorgensen 2004, LaGrange

2005, Webb et al. 2010a, 2010b, Gillespie 2015).

The Rainwater Basin is not considered a major breeding area for wetland birds because the natural

hydrology of wetlands, along with human alterations, limits habitat availability and suitability. Many

wetland birds require water levels of certain depths that are relatively stable during the breeding cycle

(Lor and Malecki 2006). Water levels of wetlands that define the Rainwater Basin are variable because

they are primarily dictated by precipitation. Wetlands may pond water during any period when there is

adequate run-off, but this process typically occurs in late winter/early spring due to snowmelt and in

spring and early summer from increased precipitation. On average, precipitation decreases and

evaporation/transpiration increases in mid- to late summer, which often results in decreasing water levels

at wetlands. It is not unusual for wetlands to dry completely by mid-summer. In addition to natural

hydrology, many wetlands have accumulated culturally-accelerated sediment in the hydric footprint due

to increased sediment run-off caused by anthropogenic changes to surrounding watersheds (LaGrange et

al. 2011). Increased sedimentation negatively affects wetlands, reducing water depth and hydroperiod

(LaGrange et al. 2011). Rainwater Basins have also been colonized by invasive plants, such as reed canary

grass (Phalaris arundinacea), which further limits their function (LaGrange 2005, LaGrange et al. 2011).

Figure 1. Location of the Rainwater Basin study area (green) in Nebraska.

Even though natural hydrology, along with human alterations, typically limits the diversity and numbers

of wetland bird species breeding in Rainwater Basin wetlands, occasional periods of increased

precipitation and run-off create conditions in which wetlands possess abundant water. During such

periods, bird species that rarely breed in the region may opportunistically colonize wetlands. Such a


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period occurred in 2019 when the Rainwater Basin experienced exceptional run-off from melting snow

and rain during March 2019. Generous precipitation continued throughout the spring and summer (Figure

2) and the result was that most of the region’s wetlands possessed water levels above average from early

spring through early fall. During 2019, it was unusual that high water levels were present at most wetlands

throughout the region rather than being limited to a small area. Furthermore, water levels at many

wetlands declined little, if any, during the summer. A number of farmed wetlands that infrequently pond

water but are usually cultivated and planted to row crops most growing seasons possessed water

throughout the warmer months in 2019.

During May through September 2019, we opportunistically searched for nesting birds at Rainwater Basin

wetlands. In this report, we summarize our findings and place observations in context with species’ known

breeding status.

Figure 2. Precipitation (in inches) in Nebraska from 1 January to 19 September 2019. Most areas of the

Rainwater Basin received between 27-33 inches (68.6-83.8 cm) of rain during the period. The average

annual precipitation is 28 inches (71 cm) at Hastings. Map generated from the High Plains Climate Center

using provisional data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (https://hprcc.unl.edu)

METHODS

We opportunistically surveyed for nesting birds at wetlands in the eastern portion of the Rainwater Basin

west to Ayr Lake Wildlife Mangement Area near Hastings, Adams County. Sites were surveyed using

binoculars and spotting scopes from fixed locations around perimeters of wetlands or from roads. We


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also accessed the interior of larger wetlands using kayaks. In addition to surveys, incidental observations

were made while recreationally birding at various sites.

To avoid confusion, we define terms used frequently in this report as follows:

Nest building: A bird or pair of birds building a nest in which no eggs have been laid.

Nesting: A bird or pair of birds occupying and defending a nest in which at least one egg has

been laid.

Successful nesting: A nest with eggs in which at least one egg hatches.

Successful breeding: A breeding attempt that results in the fledging of young. In this report, we

consider young that appear to have fledged or appear to be near fledging to represent

successful breeding.

Unsuccessful nesting: A nest with eggs in which no eggs hatched.

Unsuccessful breeding: A breeding attempt that does not result in the fledging of young.

Farmed wetland: A hydric footprint identified by soil type that is routinely cultivated and

planted to row crop agriculture but which occasionally ponds water.

Private wetland: A wetland located on privately-owned property.

In addition, we use the following abbreviations:

WMA: Wildlife Management Area

WPA: Waterfowl Production Area

Below, we summarize observations using individual species accounts. For each species, we provide a brief

summary of existing information to describe each species’ status in the Rainwater Basin prior to 2019 in

order to provide context for the significance of the recent observation(s).

RESULTS

Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata)

A.M. Brooking considered this species a common breeder at what is now Harvard WPA (Swenk 1925).

Now it is generally rare in summer and a casual breeder (Jorgensen 2012), although earlier studies (Evans

and Wolfe 1967, Harding 1986) suggest it was a low-density breeder during the mid- to late 20th Century.

In 2019, small numbers were observed at various wetlands. The only observation of nesting was a hen

flushed off a nest a Krause WPA, Fillmore County on 31 May 2019.

Redhead (Aythya americana)

This species is a rare to fairly common summer visitor and a casual breeder (Jorgensen 2012) with seven

breeding records total. During the summer of 2019, large numbers (100s) of Redheads were found across

the region from late spring into early August. By mid-August, most of the Redheads disappeared with

only a few remaining in the region. One instance of successful breeding was observed in 2019 when a

hen and brood was found at a private wetland (40.457, -97.823) in Fillmore County on 17 August (Figure

3).


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Figure 3. Redhead hen and brood at a private wetland in Fillmore County on 17 August 2019.

Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis)

This species is a rare summer visitor and breeder. Evans and Wolfe (1967) found five broods in Clay County

1958–62, but since then there are only about fourteen additional nesting or breeding records (Jorgensen

2012, 2016). Four of these records were hens with broods observed in 2015 (Jorgensen 2016). In 2019,

four instances of successful nesting were observed in late summer or early fall. Hens with broods were at

Mallard Haven WPA and a private wetland (40.457, -97.823) in Fillmore County on 17 August (Figure 4).

A third hen with a brood was observed at the same private wetland on the rather late date of 13

September (Figure 5). Finally, a hen with a brood was found in early September at Funk WPA, Phelps

County (Jeff Drahota, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, personal communication).

Figure 4. Ruddy Duck hen and brood at Mallard Haven WPA on 17 August 2019.


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Figure 5. Ruddy Duck hen and brood at a private wetland in Fillmore County on 13 September 2019.

Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps)

An uncommon summer visitor and breeder (Jorgensen 2012), multiple nests and young were observed

in the region in 2019.

Eared Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis)

Eared Grebes were reported to be a “fairly common summer resident and breeder” in the early 1900s at

what is now Harvard WPA, Clay County and apparently “bred abundantly” there in 1915 (Swenk 1925).

Since then, nesting was unrecorded in the Rainwater Basin until “confirmed breeding” was reported from

Clay County during the first Nebraska Breeding Bird Atlas (BBA) which covered the period 1984-89

(Mollhoff 2001). “Confirmed breeding” during the second BBA (Mollhoff 2016) apparently involved nest

building by a pair at Harvard WPA on 27 May 2007. On 22 June 2008, 12 birds and at least two active

nests were found at Kirkpatrick Basin North WMA (Jorgensen 2012). The first modern record of successful

breeding for the Rainwater Basin occurred in 2015 at Marsh Hawk WMA, Fillmore Co. On 3 Jul 2015, 11

nests with eggs were discovered there, but by 9 August most nests were abandoned and only one pair

with fledged or nearly-fledged young was seen (Jorgensen 2016).

In 2019, Eared Grebes were discovered nesting at six sites, with successful breeding documented at four

sites (Table 1). The first observation of breeding involved adults sitting on two nests at Sinninger WPA,

York County on 31 May. Both nests were no longer active by 13 June on a date when no Eared Grebes

were observed and a Great Egret (Ardea alba) was observed standing on one of the nests. The second

observation of nesting was discovered at Mallard Haven WPA on 13 June when the senior author surveyed

the wetland by kayak. On that date, a large colony of Eared Grebes totaling approximately 35 pairs/nests

was discovered in an area interspersed with bulrush (Scirpus spp., Figures 6, 7). Subsequent visits showed

that breeding was successful as several pairs were observed with young (Figure 8), including young birds

that were near fledging. An estimate of the number or proportion of nests that were successful is beyond

the scope of this report. Additional breeding activity involved an adult accompanying two nearly young


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juveniles at a private wetland (40.465, -98.053) southeast of Massie WPA in Clay County on 11 and 14

July. Three nests were found at Greenhead WMA on 11 July, but they were not relocated on 24 July. We

concluded the nesting attempt was unsuccessful. A pair with nearly fledged young was observed at

Hansen WPA, Clay County on 24 July.

At Harvard WPA, Clay County surveys were mostly conducted by kayak because of the wetland’s large

size. On 17 June, five nests were located in the middle of the wetland in an area interspersed with bulrush.

On 24 July, we attempted to relocate these nests without success and concluded the nesting attempt

failed. On 20 August, the wetland was surveyed a final time and 13 adults or adult pairs with broods were

observed (Figures 10, 11). All broods were near fledging or had recently fledged and included 6 broods

with 1 chick/juvenile, 3 broods with 2 chicks/juveniles and 4 broods with 3 chicks/juveniles. Finally, in

addition to nesting activity, a leucistic adult was observed at Harvard WPA on 17 June (Figure 12).

Table 1. Summary of Eared Grebe breeding records in the Rainwater Basin in 2019.

Species Dates observed # of nests Outcome

Sinninger WPA 5/31, 6/13 2 Failed

Harvard WPA 6/17, 7/24, 8/20 See text Successful

Mallard Haven WPA 6/13, 7/11, 7/24 35 Successful

Private wetland (40.465, -98.053) 7/11, 7/24 1 Successful

Greenhead WMA 7/11, 7/24 3 Failed

Hansen WPA 7/24 1 Successful

Figure 6. Adult Eared Grebes near their nesting colony at Mallard Haven WPA, Fillmore County on 13

June 2019


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Figure 7. Eared Grebe nest at Mallard Haven WPA on 13 June 2019.

Figure 8. Adult Eared Grebe with three chicks at Mallard Haven WPA on 11 July 2019.


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Figure 9. Adult Eared Grebe with two chicks at a private farmed wetland in Clay County on 11 July 2019.

Note that the dead vegetation in the foreground consists of soybeans. This site was one of several

farmed wetlands that possessed water throughout the summer of 2019.

Figure 10. Adult Eared Grebe with a chick at Harvard WPA, Clay County 20 August 2019.


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Figure 11. Two juvenile Eared Grebes at Harvard WPA on 20 August 2019.

Figure 12. Leucistic adult Eared Grebe at Harvard WPA on 17 June 2019.


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Common Gallinule (Gallinula galeata)

This species is a rare visitor and casual breeder in eastern Nebraska, with three breeding records from the

Rainwater Basin (Silcock and Jorgensen 2018b). The sole observation in 2019 was a single adult bird at

Troester WPA, Hamilton Co on 17 June (Figure 13).

Figure 13. Common Gallinule at Troester WPA, Hamilton County on 17 June 2019.

American Coot (Fulica americana)

American Coots are uncommon regular breeders in the Rainwater Basin (Jorgensen 2012). In 2019, the

species was a common breeder with dozen of nests and broods observed at various wetlands throughout

the region. It was by far the most prolific nesting season for the species observed by the senior author in

25 years.

Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis)

Sandhill Crane has been a rare summer visitor and casual breeder in the Rainwater Basin since the mid-

1990s (Jorgensen 2012). Overall, there are seven nesting and/or breeding records from the Rainwater

Basin with six of those records during the period 1994-2003. The only other record was in 2010 when Jeff

Drahota observed a family group at County Line WPA, Fillmore and York Counties. In 2019, family groups

consisting of two adults and two juveniles were observed at County Line WPA on 12 July (Figure 14) and

Harvard WPA on 17 August. We concluded both observations indicated local breeding. These are now

the eighth and ninth breeding records for the Rainwater Basin.


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Figure 14. An adult pair and two juvenile Sandhill Cranes at County Line WPA, Fillmore County.

American Avocet

American Avocets were first reported nesting in the Rainwater Basin in 1974 when two nests and young

were reported (Bennett 1975, Silcock and Jorgensen 2018a). There were two reports of “confirmed

breeding” from two Clay County breeding bird atlas blocks during the first Nebraska BBA project, which

occurred during the period 1984-89 (Mollhoff 2001). One of these records was presumably the three

nests discovered at Harvard WPA, Clay County in 1989 (Labedz 1989; Jon Farrar, personal communication

to JGJ). C. McCartney reported that the eggs from this nesting attempt had hatched successfully after

visiting Harvard WPA 25 June 1989, but no other details were provided (Labedz 1989). In 2005, two pairs

were at Harvard WPA with one of the pairs apparently tending to a nest without eggs on 30 May 2005

(Jorgensen 2012). In 2018, Paul Dunbar found two pairs, each with a nest containing 4 eggs, at Hultine

WPA, Clay County on 31 May 2008. The 2008 nesting attempts apparently were not successful, however,

and are likely the same “confirmed breeding” reported from Clay County by Mollhoff (2016).

On 18 May 2019, the senior author found eight adult American Avocets that included two pairs tending

nests with four eggs each at Avocet WMA, Fillmore County (Figure 15, 16). This site was revisited on 31

May; no avocets were present and nest locations were inundated with water following heavy rains. On

13 June, an American Avocet pair was tending a nest with four eggs at a private farmed wetland (40.467,

-97.762; Figure 17). This wetland was visited on 11 July and no avocets were observed and it was

concluded the nesting attempt failed. Finally, six American Avocets and at least two nests were discovered

at a private farmed wetland located about a mile south of Harvard WPA, Clay County (Figure 18). Both

nests remained active when the wetland was visited on 21 June and 11 July. On 24 July, the wetland was

almost completely dry following a brief period of hot, dry weather (the wetland refilled with water in

August). No avocets were observed on this date and we concluded the nesting attempts failed.


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Table 2. American Avocet nests discovered in the Rainwater Basin in 2019.

Species Dates observed # of nests Outcome

Sora WMA 5/18, 5/31 2 Failed

Private wetland (40.467, -97.762) 6/13, 7/11 1 Failed

Private wetland (40.593, -98.166) 6/19, 6/21, 7/11/, 7/24 2 Failed

Figure 15. American Avocet nest at Sora WMA on 18 May 2019.


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Figure 16. American Avocet nest at Sora WMA on 18 May 2019. The tracks near the nest are from cattle.

Figure 17. American Avocet sitting on a nest with four eggs at a private farmed wetland in Fillmore County

on 13 June 2019.


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Figure 18. American Avocet sitting on a nest with four eggs at a private farmed wetland in Clay County

on 13 June 2019. Note that the bird is nesting among corn stalks from the previous growing season.

American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus)

This species is a rare to uncommon summer visitor or resident (Jorgensen 2012). In 2019, the species was

observed on numerous occasions and presumably nested, but no nests or young were observed.

Least Bittern (Ixobrychus exilis)

The Least Bittern is generally a rare summer visitor or resident (Jorgensen 2012). Despite excellent habitat

conditions, only two single individuals were observed in 2019. One was found by the senior author at

North Lake Basin WMA on 25 June and the other was discovered by Sam Manning at Troester WPA on 5

July.

Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis)

The species is a rare to uncommon summer visitor in the Rainwater Basin (Jorgensen 2012). There are

only seven records of breeding in Nebraska but none from the Rainwater Basin (Silcock and Jorgensen

2018c).

During most of the summer of 2019, we observed small numbers (6-22) of Cattle Egrets at Harvard and

Mallard Haven WPAs with smaller numbers occasionally observed elsewhere in the region. On 24 July,

we observed multiple Cattle Egrets individually flying into and out of an area of cattails (Typha spp.) in the

interior of the wetland at Harvard WPA. On 17 August, the senior author observed this behavior again

and suspected the birds were nesting. On 20 August, we surveyed Harvard WPA by kayak specifically to


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search for evidence of nesting by this species. On that date, we observed up to 80 Cattle Egrets and

multiple nests containing eggs and young (Figure 19-21). Some chicks were approximately 2-3 weeks old.

The nests were located in an area of very dense cattails that was difficult to navigate by kayak. This is the

first nesting record for the species in the Rainwater Basin and only the eighth for Nebraska.

Figure 19. Cattle Egret nest in cattails at Harvard WPA on 20 August 2019.


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Figure 20. Cattle Egret nest with eggs at Harvard WPA on 20 August 2019.

Figure 21. Cattle Egret nest with young at Harvard WPA on 20 August 2019.


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White-faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi)

White-faced Ibis is increasing in Nebraska and the Great Plains (Silcock and Jorgensen 2018d, Jorgensen

and Dinsmore 2001). Other than an old nesting record from what is now Harvard WPA in 1916, breeding

was not known from the Rainwater Basin until 2001 when 25 nests were discovered at Kissinger Basin

WMA, Clay Co on 15 June. There were at least nine breeding attempts in the Rainwater Basin between

2001 and 2015. Successful breeding likely occurred at Harvard WPA in 2013, but successful breeding was

not confirmed until 2015 when fledged young were observed at Harvard WPA and North Kirkpatrick Basin

WMA (Jorgensen 2016).

In 2019, nesting was observed only at Harvard WPA where up to 70 adult birds were present and multiple

nests with eggs and/or young were observed on 17 Jun and 24 July (Figure 22). At least two nearly fledged

young were observed on 24 July and 10-20 fledged birds were observed on 20 August. We suspect

Harvard WPA will continue to be a regular nesting site as long as the wetland possesses adequate water.

Figure 22. White-faced Ibis nest with eggs and young at Harvard WPA on 24 July 2019.

Say’s Phoebe (Sayornis saya)

Even though this species is not associated with wetlands, nesting was discovered incidentally while

scanning a wetland. Therefore, we include the record in this report. Say’s Phoebe is a rare migrant and

summer resident in the region, becoming very rare eastward. There were a handful of breeding records

during the middle part of the 20th Century from eastern portions of the region, but none since the late

1980s (Jorgensen 2012). In 2019, an adult and a nest with young was found on private property


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immediately north of Kissinger Basin WMA on 11 July. This area is a cattle yard and the nest was located

on the underside of a semi-trailer used to transport cattle (Figures 23-25). The adult was again observed

on 24 July.

Figure 23. Adult Say’s Phoebe near nest site in Clay County on 11 July 2019.

Figure 24. Adult Say’s Phoebe flying up to its nest located on the underside of a cattle trailer on 11 July

2019.


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Figure 25. Say’s Phoebe nest and young in Clay County on 11 July 2019.

Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus)

This species is an uncommon summer resident that breeds locally at wetlands with emergent vegetation

and standing water. Thus, observations of nesting during a year with abundant water were not

unexpected. However, the one notable and unusual observation from 2019 involved Great-tailed Grackles

apparently using corn stalks from the previous growing season in standing water as nesting sites on private

property immediately west of Hansen WPA, Clay County in May and June. Males were observed calling

and defending sites and females were observed disappearing into the interior of the vegetation (Figure

26). Additional investigations were not pursued because permission was not acquired to access the

property, but the observations are suggestive of nesting.


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Figure 26. Great-tailed Grackles atop standing corn stalks from the previous growing season at a private

farmed wetland in Clay County on 13 June 2019. A small number of Great-tailed Grackles appeared to

be using the corn stalks as nesting sites.

DISCUSSION

We documented a number of notable nesting/breeding records in the Rainwater Basin in 2019. Among

the most significant was a first nesting record for Cattle Egret, unprecedented numbers of nesting

attempts by American Avocets and exceptional numbers of nesting Eared Grebes. Even though what we

observed was noteworthy, we also noted a few species that were not found nesting in 2019 despite

favorable conditions. We found no evidence of nesting by Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus),

Wilson’s Phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor), Black-crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax), or Least

Bittern. All of these species have nested in the Rainwater Basin in recent decades. In addition, White-

faced Ibis has nested at a number of sites in the Rainwater Basin since 2001, but nesting occurred at only

one site (Harvard WPA) in 2019 even though apparently suitable habitat existed at a number of wetlands.

We suspect wet conditions throughout the Great Plains in 2019 translated into limited dispersal by some

species from their traditional nesting areas outside of the Rainwater Basin.

Wetland dependent birds are capable of locating and colonizing wetlands in the Great Plains shortly after

they appear (pond water) on the landscape even after a period in which they were dry or unsuitable for

breeding (Smith 1970, Austin 2002, Niemuth and Solberg 2003). Thus, we expected to find some species

breeding in Rainwater Basin wetlands that do not do so regularly during 2019 when suitable habitat was

available. It remains important to document significant records when they occur because climate patterns


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are shifting in the Great Plains (McIntyre et al. 2014, Rashford et al. 2016). Thus, the breeding distributions

of some avian species may also shift in response to these changes. If the Rainwater Basin experiences

climate patterns similar to what occurred in 2019 more frequently, the notable species found nesting in

2019 (Eared Grebe, American Avocet, Cattle Egret, etc.) may also breed more regularly in the future

compared to the past. This includes a few species whose breeding ranges are primarily north of the

Rainwater Basin. Thus, increased precipitation patterns over time may actually result in the southward

expansion of breeding ranges for some wetland birds contrary to the typical projected patterns of species

moving north in response to changes in climate.

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