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Big increase of Northern and mountain birds possible at Nebraska bird feeders

For those who feed birds along the Chicken Dance Trail in southwest and south central Nebraska, the winter months are always a treat. Snow and cold temperatures often lead to high concentrations of common winter birds at feeders...along with a few other surprises. This winter, people should watch bird feeders more closely than before.

In ecology, an irruption is a sharp, sudden increase in the relative population of a species. A partial pine cone crop failure throughout much of Canada and the Rocky Mountains this year means we could see an irruption of northern and mountain birds at feeders this winter. Pine grosbeaks, evening grosbeaks, white-winged crossbills, red crossbills, purple finches, common redpolls, mountain chickadees and possibly even things like Stellar's jays might be spotted at feeders in Nebraska this winter.

Keep your eye out for crossbills

Crossbills are one of the more unique birds on that list, because as their name implies, their bills are crossed at the tip and curved sharply. They generally live in areas of coniferous forests and their bills are used to pry the seeds out of pine cones, which is not an easy task. Fortunately for them, their crossed bill allows them to pry the seeds out and eat them. In Nebraska, they seem to be fond of various pine and spruce seeds but will also take advantage of black oil sunflower seeds at bird feeders. At times they can actually be heard feeding on the seeds of coniferous cones, with each little "click" sound showing that they have successfully removed another seed from the cone. So if you hear clicking in your pine tree, take a close look – there just might be a crossbill up there somewhere.

- T.J. Walker
Naturalist, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

Don't forget to post your sightings

A new feature of the Chicken Dance Trail Web site is an interactive bulletin board where birders can post their sightings...and if you’re lucky enough to get a digital photo of the bird in question, you can add those, too.

Posting your sightings is a great way to help others enjoy your sport, and it’s easy to do Just go to www.chickendancetrail.com and click on the Bulletin Board button, or use the links to the site in this email. Then just follow the simple instructions to post your sighting and upload your pictures.

About the Chicken Dance Trail

Not exactly a trail as you might say, the Chicken Dance Trail is actually a collection of great bird watching locations in southwest and south central Nebraska, between the Platte and Republican Rivers.

Because the area includes the narrowest section of the hourglass-shaped Central Flyway, the Chicken Dance Trail is uniquely situated for birders. Millions of different birds come through here during spring and fall migrations, making the Chicken Dance Trail one of the best places in the country to see a wide variety of species in a relatively small area.

Our bird watching sites were developed by local naturalists and birding experts and are collected into a series of bird watching "adventures" which are described in detail, along with interactive maps, on our Web site at www.chickendancetrail.com. Other resources include a birding chart, useful birding links, and guides to restaurants, lodging and activities in the area.

Come and visit and learn why we say, "Birds love this part of Nebraska...and you will too!"

Special Thanks to:

Nebraska Game and Parks, Birds of Nebraska