10,000 Birds

APRIL 9, 2019

A while back, I wrote about an under-appreciated part of the National Wildlife Refuge System : Waterfowl Production Areas (WPAs). Dozens of WPAs are located in the Rainwater Basin , a region south of the Platte River in south-central Nebraska, at the narrowest point of the Central Flyway.

Nebraska 113

Nebraska Dissection Geese Ducks 113

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 18, 2015

They are not working for people or wildlife. Couple that with the fact that Greater Prairie Chickens are either holding on or in decline in all states except Nebraska and the national picture becomes clear. This is a moment when birders will need to begin to pay attention to our choices if we want to have certain birds to watch.

Chickens 255

Chickens Illinois Nebraska Iowa 255

10,000 Birds

MARCH 20, 2011

Fish and Wildlife Service tells states when they may propose a hunting season on cranes, and has ultimate jurisdiction over whether the states get their seasons. So we can squawk at the state wildlife departments all we want, but the USFWS has the final say. Now, it’s time to go to the top. Street, N.W. Mail Stop 7060 Washington, D.C.

2011 244

2011 Hunting Kentucky Hunters 244

10,000 Birds

MAY 26, 2015

Kelly Preheim was talking about the large numbers of Snowy Owls on the nearby National Wildlife Refuge. Tyson looked forlorn and Samantha had moved to her Grandparents house in Nebraska, at least for now. About 4 years ago, I met a kindergarten teacher in Armour, SD, about 10-12 air miles away from Delmont. So I had one pair to give.

South Dakota 266

South Dakota Nebraska Missouri Killing 266

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 10, 2019

Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) that the coastal subspecies was actually a subspecies. The petition relied on a genetic and ecological analysis by Dr. Robert Zink, a biologist at the University of Nebraska (the “ Zink study ”). Initially identified as a candidate for listing in 1982, it was ultimately listed as “threatened” in 1993.

California 214

California District of Columbia Los Angeles San Diego 214

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 13, 2018

Some states have no species at all, not even a pigeon, crow, or sparrow: Hawaii , Utah , Nebraska , Oklahoma , Minnesota , Iowa , Wisconsin , Kentucky , West Virginia , Mississippi , Alabama , Connecticut , and Rhode Island. Even the nation’s capital has been ignored.

Rhode Island 117

Rhode Island United States West Virginia Puerto Rico 117

10,000 Birds

MARCH 14, 2011

of Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Jon Gassett has indicated that if enough people write in protest, the proposed hunting season–due to start this December– will be reconsidered. Hunting is on a steady downturn, and nonconsumptive wildlife pursuits are on a tremendous upswing. We can fight them back in Kentucky, too.

2011 263

2011 Kentucky Tennessee Hunting 263

10,000 Birds

MARCH 8, 2017

Birders are familiar with the National Wildlife Refuge System, which consists of more than 550 units distributed through all fifty states. National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs), which are managed by the U.S. FWS calls WPAs the “Prairie Jewels of the National Wildlife Refuge System.”. Ding” Darling NWR in Florida. million acres.

Factory 131

Factory Ducks North Dakota Nebraska 131

10,000 Birds

MARCH 8, 2012

It’s a real shame, though, because these battlefields can be a real haven for wildlife and are often located in parts of the country that don’t otherwise have a lot of preserved land. Government to set up several forts, including Fort Mitchell in western Nebraska.

Mississippi 196

Mississippi Vermont Birds Maryland 196

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 23, 2019

My profile page identifies the states that I have not eBirded, including Nebraska, North Dakota, Michigan, Mississippi, and Vermont. And I will continue my quest to see all of my Top 25 National Wildlife Refuges for Birding too. Ten years seems like a good time to look forward as well.

Puerto Rico 194

Puerto Rico Virgin Islands Michigan Washington 194

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 13, 2018

I haven’t even been to all of the best national wildlife refuges for birding. I particularly enjoy birding national wildlife refuges, so I try to include at least one on each trip. There are a number of trips on my bucket list, but here are three: Platte River, Nebraska.

San Francisco 100

San Francisco Portland United States Puerto Rico 100

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 10, 2017

Please consider sending a public comment opposing the Keystone Pipeline to the Nebraska Public Service Commission, no later than 5pm Friday Central time via the Sierra Club. Recently the Republican lead House of Representatives has released their proposed 2108 budget which would allow drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR).

North Korea 114

North Korea Mountain Lions Legislation Nebraska 114