Summer Field Report, June-July, 1998

First, some housekeeping is in order. . . . You will also notice the new order of species (AGAIN!!), reflecting the latest American Ornithologists\u27 Union Checklist, published this spring. The most noticeable change concerns the placement of shrikes and vireos between flycatchers and corvids; but the order of species within some genera also differs, especially among the waterfowl, where, for instance, swans now follow the geese. And now let\u27s turn to the birds! As in most summers, many species went about their business in routine fashion, hence the notation Routine Reports for many. We encourage observers to note and to forward evidence of breeding for all species, including dates for nests, eggs, and young. These data help us document changing patterns for various species. Interesting developments this summer in terms of breeding populations include the expansion of the Eurasian Collared-Dove colony at the Newcomb residence in Kearney; the continued presence of an outlying population of Chuck-will\u27s-widow at Morse Bluff; further evidence of the northward spread of Acadian Flycatcher in the Missouri Valley; expansion of the Cordilleran Flycatcher population in the western Pine Ridge; continuation of the outlying Say\u27s Phoebe group in Dixon Co; an increased population of Cassin\u27s Kingbird and Blue-gray Gnatcatcher in the Panhandle, and expansion (probably temporary) of Cassin\u27s Sparrow into the southwest Sandhills. In addition, three species of shorebirds arrived early: Baird\u27s Sandpiper, Greater Yellowlegs, and Buff-breasted Sandpiper. A noticeable number of warblers also migrated late, including Orange-crowned and Nashville (both 2nd latest ever), Blackpoll, Black-and-white (possibly breeding), and Wilson\u27s. While few rarities reached us, those that did were of interest: the 3rd documented White-winged Dove at Dove City (Kearney), and the 3rd record Cave Swallow--all banded by Charles Brown in the Keith Co area--as well as a Laughing Gull at Keystone L, Nebraska\u27s 8th documented record