Northern Saw-whet Owl banner image copyright 2024 by Don Poggensee, used with permission.

Ponca State Park

Saturday, 14 December 2024

Thank you to Ponca personnel and count participants!

Ponca State Park's 20th Official Christmas Bird Count was held on Saturday, December 14 as part of the Park's Winterfest weekend. In spite of the dire weather forecast, road conditions were good, and participants from Sioux City, IA; South Sioux City, Wayne, Norfolk, and Lincoln, NE; and nearby South Dakota were present and searching for birds. However, the foggy conditions negatively impacted both bird activity and viewing conditions.

Though the official list is not yet complete, at least 54 species were recorded with highlights being Golden Eagle, Pileated Woodpecker, Long-eared Owl, Merlin, Northern Shrike, Winter Wren, Purple Finch and both Rusty Blackbird and Brewer's Blackbirds. Additionally, more common birds not expected on CBC's included Great Blue Heron, Eastern Bluebird, Golden-crowned Kinglet and Harris's Sparrow that persevered in the cold temperatures rather than leaving for milder climates.

There were 16 participants: 7 - Park volunteers, staff or administrators; 4 - Loess Hills Audubon members; and 5 - Nebraska Ornithologists' Union members from Norfolk and Wayne.

Thank you to Ponca State Park from all participants for hosting the count and providing a warm meeting place, a hot lunch, warm rest rooms, bird feeding stations, rescue services (none needed this year) and a compiler to crunch our data.

Bill Huser, Loess Hills Audubon Society

Total Individuals: 4243

Total Species: 59

Yankton Christmas Bird Count

Sunday, 15 December 2024

Thirty-one people from Yankton, Vermillion, and Sioux Falls, South Dakota; South Sioux City, Omaha, and Wayne, Nebraska; and Sioux City, Iowa enjoyed a cool and partly cloudy day to be out counting birds. A total of 22,022 birds of 76 different species of birds were found. That is the same number of species as last year but just a slightly different mix of species and not as high as the 82 species record set in 2012 and recorded again in 2020.

Highlights of the day were three Trumpeter Swans, one Lesser Yellowlegs, thirteen Long-tailed Ducks, three Song Sparrows, and one Yellow-rumped Warbler.

Record high counts of the following species were found:

• Ring-necked Duck - 86

• Greater Scaup - 350

• Lesser Scaup - 985

• Long-tailed Duck - 13

• Bufflehead - 44

• Common Goldeneye - 9,000

• Double-crested Cormorant - 11

A Lesser Yellowlegs was only seen one other time on this count and that was back in 1995 and the Trumpeter Swans were recorded for the first time on the count. Two interesting hybrids were also observed: Common Goldeneye x Hooded Merganser hybrid and a Trumpeter Swan x Whooper Swan hybrid or perhaps the bird could be just an aberrant Trumpeter or some other hybrid.

One additional species that we did not find on Sunday but was observed for “Count Week” (three days before and three days after our Sunday count day): Canvasback.

Species expected to be found that were missed this year include: Ruddy Duck, Blue-winged Teal, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Carolina Wren, Horned Lark, White-throated Sparrow, Merlin, Prairie Chicken, Hermit Thrush, Brown-headed Cowbird, and Snow Bunting.

The next Audubon Christmas Bird Count will be held on December 14, 2025. If you have any questions about the 2024 or 2025 Christmas Bird Counts contact Roger Dietrich at 1947rogerd@gmail.com.

Total Birds: 22,022

Total Species: 76

Westfield Christmas Bird Count

tuesday, 17 December 2024

Final Westfield CBC numbers:

• 64 species, highest ever!

• 8570 birds, 2nd highest!

There were 19 observers in the field and one feeder watcher!

Dotty Zales, Compiler

Above images copyright 2024 by the respective photographers as listed below, used with permission.

Sharon Polifka

• Sunrise on Count Day

Jan Null

• We thought it was a Deer!

• Black-capped Chickadees were active!

• Northern Cardinal hiding in a bush.

• Rough-legged Hawk perched on a steel post.

• A much better view up here!

Maria Rundquist - Lunch Break! - four images

Randy Williams

• Power lines over Joy Hollow

• Power Pattern

• Technology at the Primitive Campsite

• Purple Finch

• Red-tailed Hawk

• Intersection of Joy Hollow and Butcher Road

Top video by Maria Rundquist; Bottom video by Jan Null. Videos copyright 2024 by the respective videographers, used with permission.

Sioux City Christmas Bird Count

saturday, 21 December 2024

We had a total of 62 species and a total of 5,376 birds due to the help of 25 observers in field parties by foot, by car, at feeders and even one crazy person on a bicycle. This person traveled 20 miles by bicycle! Observers traveled 17.5 miles by foot, 517 miles by car. This year’s count includes three hours of owling - walking 2 miles. There were four feeder parties, accounting for 5.5 hours of feeder watching. Temperatures ranged during the day from 8-26 degrees F.

Jerry Probst, Compiler, South Sioux City, NE

All above images copyright 2024 by the respective photographers as listed below, used with permission.

Kevin Kerr

• Cold Pigeon

• River Ice

• Double-crested Cormorant

• Female Common Mergansers

Jan Null

• American Robin in a Pear Tree (But no Partridge!)

• Canada Geese hiding behind Walmart

Randall Williams

• Flatwater Crossing

• Bald Eagle on the Missouri River

• Red-tailed Hawk Front

• Red-tailed Hawk Back

• Cone Crest Trail, Cone Park

• Rough-legged Hawk, Prairie Park

• Red-tailed Hawk, Prairie Park

• Bald Eagle on the Big Sioux River

Ida Grove Christmas Bird Count

sunday, 22 December 2024

We had a total of 55 species discovered by 15 participants for a total of 3, 695 birds due to great help from Akron, Sioux City, Storm Lake, and local birders.

Don Poggensee, Ida Grove, IA

Above images copyright 2024 by Jan Null, used with permission.

• Great View on way to Ida County CBC!

• CBC’s are more than just counting Birds!

• Looking for Birds.

• This Bald Eagles nest had 2 Adults present.

• Can we count this one??

• Belted Kingfisher was a good find!

• No one can see me here.

 Ponca State Park Christmas Bird Count

thursday, 14 December 2023

THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE ponca state park CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT.

Nineteen years ago, 2004, the first Ponca State Park Christmas Bird Count was held. Though it was an unofficial trial count, as required to register for official National Audubon Society status the following year, it was an effort of six participants that found 43 species. This trial count was to grow to official status in December, 2005, and would be sponsored by Ponca State Park and the Loess Hills Audubon Society. Eight birders found 46 species then.

Ponca’s twentieth count took place on Thursday, December 14, 2023 and included the work of 21 participants: 10 Audubon birders and 11 park managers and staff. The challenge of this count, like the 19 before it, was to find as many species as possible and count or estimate their numbers and enter both into the scientific record. Nearly all the common and expected species, such as, Black-capped Chickadees, Downy Woodpeckers, Canada Geese, Red-tailed Hawks and Blue Jays, were found by the teams covering several sites within the official 7.5 mile radius circle.

In addition to those expected, several uncommon species were found. At Buckskin Hills WMA Fox Sparrows and Red Crossbills were in the pine plantings.

Along the river downstream from the park, a Winter Wren and a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers were found. River bluffs upstream from the park contained weeds with feeding American Goldfinches and a single Common Redpoll. In the park a Carolina Wren and Brewer’s Blackbirds were counted. Up to three Golden Eagles were reported by 3 teams at 3 sites. Rusty Blackbirds were also found by three teams.

However, the most rare species found was a northern gull called a Black-legged Kittiwake that was agressively hunting the open water of the Missouri River near large flocks of Canada Geese, mallards and other waterfowl. This rare gull has never been recorded in the park or even Dixon County previously, but has appeared at Gavin’s Point Dam on a few occasions in winter. Flying back and forth, low to the water, this active white gull searched for fish or other prey. Such an unexpected occurrence can give a thrill to experienced and beginning birders alike.

Though still unofficial, over 70 species were recorded thanks to the great wildlife habitat, fair weather, lingering waterfowl and the committed teams of observers in the field. This total is very near the record 71 found in 2020 and far surpasses the early counts. A complete, official list will be forthcoming.

Be sure to watch for announcements of the 20th official Ponca Count scheduled for December, 2024. Its very unlikely another Kittiwake will show but maybe something just as unexpected will.

Bill Huser, Ponca CBC Coordinator.

Total species: 72

Total birds: 6046

All above images copyright 2023 by Jan Null and Jerry Von Ehwegen, used with permission.

Top Row:

• Harris’s Sparrow in early morning sunshine.

• Hairy Woodpecker way up high!

• Red-tailed Hawk drifting by!

• The Calves got out!

• Red-bellied Woodpecker wondering what looks best?

Bottom Row:

• Downy Woodpecker, I prefer the suet!

• House Sparrow, can I swallow this??

• Smart Squirrel, Nothing can stop me!!

• Sharp-shinned Hawk--Where did all the birds go??

• I’m not here for seeds!

 Westfield Christmas Bird Count

friday, 15 December 2023

Thanks to everyone who participated in the westfield Christmas Bird Count.

This year we had 18 birders out riding and walking, counting birds! Four parties were watching their bird feeders. Forty-nine species totaling 9529 birds were compiled Friday evening. That is highest total count since we began in 2016! There were 1.5 hours owling. Walking miles: 12.5 miles, 16 hours. Car miles: 226 miles, 28.5 hours.

Dotty & Bill Zales, count compilers, Westfield, IA

Total species: 49

Total birds: 9529

All above images copyright 2023 by the respective photographers, as listed below.

Nate DeJong

• Purple Finch (3 images)

Jan Null and Jerry Von Ehwegen

• Westfield CBC in the beautiful Loess Hills

• A distant Cooper’s Hawk

• A Downy Woodpecker hard at work!

• A pair of Eastern Bluebirds

• Feasting Cedar Waxwings

• Female Purple Finch

• Plenty of Berries!

• Lunch with a view!

• Happy, hungry birders!

Randy Williams

• Along Butcher Road

• Power lines across Joy Hollow

• Nate (left) and Bill (right) in discussion

• Along the trail through Joy Hollow

• More power lines

• Female Purple Finch

• Male Purple Finch

• Nate (left) and Bill (right) discussing prairie management

All below video copyright 2023 by Jan Null and Jerry Von Ehwegen, used with permission.

 Sioux City Christmas Bird Count

Saturday, 16 December 2023

Thanks to everyone who participated in the Sioux City Christmas Bird Count.

The weather was great but the birds not so much.

Without freezing temperatures and no ice we were not able to bird the Synder Bend Refuge completely due to limited access. The lack of ice and abundant open water allowed the birds to disperse throughout the count area. It made out work a bit more difficult. Past counts with colder temperatures and more ice concentrated birds into available habitat, small areas of open water.

We had 20 observers in nine field parties and three groups of feeder watchers. Count highlights include Northern Bobwhite, a Prairie Falcon, and a Winter Wren.

Jerry Probst, compiler, South Sioux City, NE

Total species: 51

Total birds: 14,918

All above images copyright 2023 by the respective photographers as listed below, used with permission.

Marla Kerr

• Two images from inside Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center.

• Merlin — 2 images from along the Perry Creek trail.

• Red-tailed Hawk along the Perry Creek Trail.

• A Cooper’s Hawk was terrorizing the birds in my backyard.

Jan Null and Jerry Von Ehwegen

• Red-bellied Woodpecker searching for prey.

• That tasted good!

• American Tree Sparrows out there someplace!

• Wild Turkeys!

• Blue Jay—King of the hill!

• Surprise! Sharp-shinned Hawk!

• See my pretty, long Accipiter Tail??

• It kind of itches!

Randy Williams

• City lights on an overcast morning

• Chris Larsen Park expansion

• Harris’s Sparrow near the Railroad Museum

• Bald Eagle near Riverside Park

• Eagles along the Missouri River

• Two images of an immature Bald Eagle at Chris Larsen Park

• Greater White-fronted Geese in the Missouri

All below videos copyright 2023 by Jan Null and Jerry Von Ehwegen, used with permission.

 Yankton Christmas Bird Count

Sunday, 17 December 2023

Thanks to everyone who participated in the Yankton Christmas Bird Count.

The Yankton Christmas Bird Count (CBC) took place on Sunday, December 17, 2023. Twenty-six people from Yankton, Vermillion, Armour, and Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and South Sioux City, Norfolk, Gretna, and Wayne, Nebraska enjoyed a cool but sunny day to be out counting birds.

A total of 8,626 birds of 76 different species of birds which is a little lower 79 species seen last year and not as high as the 82 species record set in 2012 and recorded again in 2020.

Highlights of the day were five Long-tailed Ducks, nine Fox Sparrows, and fourteen Yellow-rumped Warblers.

Record high counts: Ring-necked Duck-19; Lesser Scaup-726; Bufflehead-11; Hooded Merganser-168; Fox Sparrow-9; and Yellow-rumped Warbler-14.

Additional species observed for “Count Week” (three days before and three days after our Sunday count day): White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Double-crested Cormorant, and Pine Siskin.

Roger Dietrich, compiler, Yankton, SD

Total Species: 76

Total Birds: 8626

Ida Grove Christmas Bird Count

SaturDAY, 23 DECEMBER 2023

THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE ida grove CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT.

Fourteen observers tallied 3859 birds of 50 species for the Ida Grove Christmas Bird Count on Saturday, December 23, 2023. There was one group out owling in the fog. The fog cleared and resulted in an extraordinary weather day of light winds with a high temperature of 56F.

It should be noted that 2 Northern Saw-whet Owls were found on Friday, 12/22/23 but could not be relocated on count day.

Don Poggensee, compiler, Ida Grove, IA

Total Species: 50

Total Birds: 3859

All above images copyright 2023 by Randall D. Williams, used with permission.

• Two images of the elusive Killdeer

• Pete E. looking for nuthatches

• Rural bridge on the southeast corner of Ida Grove.

• Two views from the bridge

• Ida County rural road

• Fog with wind turbines

• Closer view of the fog around the turbines

• Small creek south of Ida Grove, there was a beaver swimming in the creek

• The Maple River upstream and downstream.

Hermit Thrush banner image copyright 2022 by Marla and Kevin Kerr, used with permission.

Ponca State Park Christmas Bird Count

wednesday, 14 December 2022

The Ponca State Park area count had 17 participants either watching their feeders or traveling (walking or driving) around the count area. Temperature varied from 29F to 34F with light snow showers and an East wind at 10mph to 15mph.

Thank you to everyone who helped with our count!

Compilers: Bill Huser and Katie Leware

Total Species: 59

Total Birds: 8411

Above images copyright 2022 by Marla and Kevin Kerr, used with permission.

• Rough-legged Hawk (left)

• Northern Shrike (right)

Westfield Christmas Bird Count

Thursday, 15 December 2022

The Westfield count had 21 participants either watching their feeders or traveling (walking or driving) around the count area. Thank you to everyone who helped with our count!

Compiler: Dotty Zales

Total Species: 57

Total Birds: 4285

 Sioux City Christmas Bird Count

saturday, 17 December 2022

The Sioux City count had 25 participants either watching their feeders or traveling (walking or driving or bicycling) around the count area. Temperature varied from 12F to 22F. Wind was Northwest from 5 mph to 29mph! Thank you to everyone who helped with our count!

Compiler: Jerry Probst

Total Species: 61

Total Birds: 14,375

Hermit Thrush banner image copyright 2022 by Marla and Kevin Kerr, used with permission.

All slide show images copyright 2022 by Randall D. Williams, used with permission.

• Bald Eagle soaring over the Riverside area of Sioux City

• Big Sioux River near Riverside Park

• Cackling Geese and Canada Geese along the Big Sioux River

• Common Mergansers and Canada Geese along the Big Sioux River

• Red-tailed Hawk near Riverside Park

• Snow Geese and Canada Geese along the Missouri River

• Missouri River and Highway 20 bridge near Chatauqua Park

 Yankton Christmas Bird Count

sunday, 18 December 2022

The Yankton Christmas Bird Count (CBC) took place on Sunday, December 18, 2022. Thirty-two people, from teenagers to seniors, from Yankton, Vermillion, and Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and South Sioux City, Norfolk, and Wayne, Nebraska enjoyed a cold but sunny day to be out counting birds. A total of 16,351 birds of 79 different species of birds which is better than the 78 species seen last year but not quite as high as the 82 species record set in 2012 and recorded again in 2020.

Highlights of the day:

• Yellow-headed Blackbirds were observed for the first time ever on the Yankton CBC.

• Tundra Swan observed for just the second time ever.

Record high counts: Tundra Swan-2; Northern Shoveler-11; Lesser Scaup-500; Greater Prairie Chicken-12; Sharp Shinned Hawk-7; Eastern Screech-Owl-13; Long-eared Owl-2; Northern Saw-whet Owl-2; Red-breasted Nuthatch-20; Red-winged Blackbird-6,302; and Yellow-headed Blackbird-100.

Two additional species that we did not find on Sunday but were observed for “Count Week” (three days before and three days after our Sunday count day): Wood Duck & Harris's Sparrow.

Species expected to be found that were missed this year include Cooper’s Hawk, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Hermit Thrush, Great Blue Heron, Lapland Longspur, and Snow Bunting.

Compiler: Roger Dietrich, Yankton, South Dakota; email: 1947rogerd@gmail.com. Image web site: https://www.flickr.com/photos/yanktonbirds/

Total Species Counted: 79

Total Birds Counted: 16,351

Ida County Christmas Bird Count

Saturday, 31 December 2022

What a great day to count birds with 19 great observers.  At this time we have 44 species of birds and total bird numbers of 2,125.  With ponds mostly all frozen over, duck numbers were low.

Highlights of the Day: 15 bald eagles, two screech owls, three Great Horned Owls, one Barred Owl,  eight Long-eared Owls, two Belted Kingfishers, six Kestrel, 450 Lapland Longspur, three Red Crossbills, and a Townsend’s Solitaire.

Biggest miss today: no Saw-whet Owls.

Count Week birds: quail and two Barred Owl pair.

Compiler: Don Poggensee, Ida Grove, IA; talk/text: 712-369-3454

Total Species Counted: 44

Total Birds Counted: 2125

Ponca State Park Christmas Bird Count

Tuesday, 14 December 2021

The park hosted its 18th official CBC on Tuesday, December 14, 2021. A record 22 participants in 8 teams were able to cover the count circle as never before. With such effort, 69 species were found making it the second most productive count to date. Although it was behind the record shattering 70 species found in 2020, it still greatly surpassed the previous best of 59 species recorded in 2013.

The highlights included Townsend’s Solitaire (2), Pileated Woodpecker (2), Golden Eagle, the rare light phase of the Harlan’s Red-tailed Hawk, Red-headed Woodpecker, Winter Wren, both Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned Kinglets and Spotted Towhee.

Compiler: Katie Leware, Ponca State Park; Reporter: Bill Huser, Loess Hills Audubon

Total Species Counted: 69

Total Birds Counted: 11522

 Westfield Christmas Bird Count

Thursday, 16 December 2021

Eighteen hearty birders drove, walked, or watched bird feeders on Thursday, December 16, 2021, the sixth Westfield Christmas Bird Count! Skies were cloudy, the wind blew from 10 to 15 mph, and temperatures ranged from 18 degrees to about 41 degrees by afternoon when the sunshine appeared.

Two of those 18 birders, drove 3 hours in the morning and watched their bird feeders in the afternoon for 2 hours. Two other participants watched their feeders in the morning and afternoon for 1 hour each.

Forty-two species were identified this year, the same low count as in 2018. Our highest count was in 2020 with 57 bird species!

5933 total birds were counted, our third highest total. We had 7211 in 2017 and 6841 in 2018.

A Golden Eagle, an unusual species for our area, was seen flying over Broken Kettle Grasslands. Details and documentation have already been written. Other birds of significance were Northern Shrike, Ring-necked Duck, Lesser Scaup, and Common Goldeneye.

Lunch was served at 12:30 PM. Some birders had other afternoon commitments, while others continued birding until sunset.

It was a grand day!

Compiled and reported by Dotty Zales

Total Species Counted: 42

Total Birds Counted: 5933

All above images copyright 2021 by Jan Null, used with permission.

A few pictures from Westfield CBC. It was a difficult day for photography.

• Northern Shrike

• American Robin

• Cedar Waxwings

• Eastern Bluebird

• Beautiful Westfield Sunset

• Beautiful Westfield Scenery

Sioux City Christmas Bird Count

saturday, 18 December 2021

Loess Hills Audubon Society hosted the National Audubon Society’s annual Christmas Bird Count on December 18th 2021. Sioux City has participated in this activity since 1909, a 112 year history! In our 2021 edition we had 22 participants in 12 teams and 3 feeder watchers. We had cool breezy conditions (31 degree high) which helped us to find 58 species. Our highlight birds were Winter and Carolina Wrens, Hermit Thrush, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Common Redpoll, Yellow-rumped Warbler, and Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. The best non bird was a moose. The count officially closed on Tuesday December 21.

Compiled and reported by: Jerry Probst

Total Species Counted: 58

Total Birds Counted: 6798

All above images copyright 2021 by the respective photographers as listed below.

Rhonda Hogan

• Yellow-bellied Sapsucker at a private residence in Sioux City (with a House Sparrow)

Rex Rundquist

• Brown Creeper at Bacon Creek

• Three Merlin images all from Bacon Creek

• Common Mergansers in the Missouri River from the Chataqua Bike Trail

• Red-tailed Hawk from the Chataqua Bike Trail

Randall D. Williams

• White-breasted Nuthatch from Stone Park

• Bald Eagle from the Big Sioux River near Stone Park

• Red-winged Blackbirds near Stone Park

Marla Kerr

• Red-breasted Nuthatch

Jan Null

• Northern Cardinal

Below video copyright 2021 by Jan Null, used with permission.

Yankton Christmas Bird Count

sunday, 19 December 2021

The Yankton Christmas Bird Count took place on Sunday, December 19, 2021. Thirty-two people, from teenagers to seniors, from Yankton, Vermillion, Armour, and Sioux Falls, South Dakota; South Sioux City and Wayne, Nebraska; and Sioux City, Iowa enjoyed a cool but sunny day to be out counting birds. A total of 112,056 birds of 78 different species of birds which is not quite as good as the 82 species seen last year which had tied the all-time species number high of 82 set in 2012.

Highlights of the day: Golden Eagle, Bobwhite Quail, Glaucous Gull, and Western Grebe.

Record high counts: Snow goose-100,000; Ross’s Goose-200; Hooded Merganser-12; Rock Pigeon-1,020; American White Pelican-3 (injured wings); Rough-legged Hawk-20; and Yellow-rumped Warbler-14

Species missed this year that are frequently seen include: Northern Shoveler, Blue-winged Teal, Lesser Scaup, Ring-necked Duck, Ruddy Duck, Great Blue Heron, Brown-headed Cowbird, Lapland Longspur, and Snow Bunting.

Compiled and reported by Roger Dietrich

Total Species Counted: 78

Total Birds Counted: 112,056

Ida Grove Christmas Bird Count

sunday, 2 january 2022

The Ida Grove Christmas Bird Count took place on Sunday, January 2, 2022. Ten people in the field and one at their home participated in the count this year. Notable observations include: Northern Bobwhite, Gray Partridge, Northern Shrike, Winter Wren, Gray Catbird, and Rusty Blackbird. One Snowy Owl was seen during Count Week and later found deceased.

Compiled and Reported by: Don Poggensee

Total Species Counted: 56

Total Birds Counted: 4722

All above images copyright 2022 by Jan Null, used with permission.

Ida Grove CBC January 2,2022

• Common Redpoll

• Northern Saw-whet Owl

• Observing the Northern Saw-whet Owl

Below video copyright 2022 by Jan Null, used with permission.

Things Were Different This Year … .

Due to Covid restrictions, several normal traditions were not done this year. This included morning assembly for territory assignments and instructions (performed previous to the count by email and text message), no noon gathering for lunch to discuss how count was going (birders brought lunches for eating in the field), no social gathering for data compilation and refreshments at end of day (birders received instructions from compiler on how to submit lists and numbers to the compiler), teams were not assigned for purposes of mixing experience levels or social mixing; rather teams consisted of household members, others with low risk and wearing masks or those traveling in separate vehicles). But the participants were grateful that this annual event was able to be held and that they were able to bird much as usual, though the camaraderie was missed.

Westfield Christmas Bird Count

The Westfield CBC was held as scheduled on Wednesday, 16 December 2020. Eleven teams of 22 birders recorded 57 species and counted 5806 birds. Highlights included Trumpeter Swan, Long-tailed Duck, Northern Goshawk, Belted Kingfisher, Carolina Wren, Townsend’s Solitaire, Brewer’s Blackbird, Gray Partridge, and Northern Shrike. A huge round of applause for all you birders that survived the cold, the boring harvested corn and soybean fields, gravel roads, and still had FUN! Obviously COVID did not affect the birds! Your patience and persistence paid off!! THANK YOU EVER SO MUCH! A listing of the species seen and counted can be found below.

Compiler: Dotty Zales, Reporter: Jerry Von Ehwegen

Total Species Counted- 57

Total Birds Counted- 5,806

Ponca State Park Christmas Bird Count

The Park hosted its 17th official CBC on Friday, 18 December 2020. Eighteen participants in 10 teams were able to locate and identify 70 species and 16,485 individual birds. These 70 species smashed the record of 59 species found in 2013!!! The highlights included Greater Prairie-Chicken, Golden Eagle, all 5 forms of Red-tailed Hawk, Long-eared Owl, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-shafted Flicker, Winter Wren, Hermit Thrush, Townsend’s Solitaire and Brewer’s Blackbird.

Compiler: Katie Leware, Ponca State Park     Reporter: Bill Huser

Total Species Counted: 70

Total Birds Counted: 16,485

Sioux City Christmas Bird Count

The Sioux City CBC was held as scheduled on Saturday, 19 December 2020. Temperatures ranged from 9 degrees F to 35 degrees F under clear skies. Twenty-one birders found 58 species and counted 22,291 total birds. One amazing highlight is the fact that Sioux City birder Bob Nickolson has been working this count since 1947 or 74 counts! A listing of the species counted is below.

Compiler: Jerry Probst, Reporter: Jerry VonEhwegen

Total Species Counted: 58

Total Birds Counted: 22,291

Yankton Christmas Bird Count

The Yankton CBC was held as scheduled on Sunday, 20 December 2020. Thirty-one people, from teenagers to seniors, from Yankton, Vermillion, Armour, Sioux Falls, SD, South Sioux City, NE, and Sioux City, IA enjoyed a beautiful day to be out counting birds. A total of 13,282 birds of 82 different species of birds were counted which is better than the 75 species recorded last year and ties the highest species total of 82 ever which was tallied in 2012.

Highlights of the day: Lesser Black-backed Gull and Tundra Swan observed for the first time, Peregrine Falcon observed for just the second time on the count, the other time being in 1993; Townsend’s Solitaire also observed for the second time, previously in 2012.

Record high counts: Greater Scaup-60, Lesser Scaup-500, Common Goldeneye-3500, Ruddy Duck-17, Red-breasted Nuthatch-18, Spotted Towhee-2.

Species missed this year include: Northern Shoveler, Blue-winged Teal, Hooded Merganser, Great Blue Heron, Killdeer, Brown-headed Cowbird, Northern Harrier, Lapland Longspur, and Snow Bunting. A listing of the species counted can be seen below.

Compiler: Roger Dietrich, Reporter: Jerry VonEhwegen

Species Counted: 82

Total Birds Counted: 13,282

Ida Grove Christmas Bird Count

The Ida County CBC was held as scheduled on Saturday, 2 January 2021. Beginning temperatures were in the low teens with foggy conditions but the fog lifted later in the day. Fourteen birders found 48 species and counted 2,908 total birds. Some of the better finds were Ross’s Goose, Greater White-fronted Goose, Green-winged Teal, Purple Finch, Bald Eagle, Eastern Screech-Owl, Great Horned Owl, Long-eared Owl, Belted Kingfisher, Cooper’s Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Winter Wren, Northern Shrike, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Lapland Longspur and Pine Siskin. A couple of misses were Northern Saw-whet Owl which was seen 2 days prior to count day and our resident Barred Owl. The counters enjoyed a lunch of chili and other goodies around noon plus pie and ice cream later in the day at the compile! A listing of the species counted can be seen below.

Compiler: Don Poggensee, Reporter: Jerry Von Ehwegen

Species Counted: 48

Total Birds Counted: 2,908

120th Christmas Bird Count

The 120th CBC was held from December 14th 2019 through January 5th 2020. Information and results of the local counts are below.

Sioux City Cbc

Saturday, December 14, 2019. Temperatures ranged from the teens to the low 20’s under partly cloudy skies with a light breeze. Twenty-four birders in the field and 4 feeder watchers found 59 species and counted 7,161 total birds. A Red-breasted Nuthatch was also recorded as a Count Week bird. Some of the highlights included Belted Kingfisher, Winter Wren, Carolina Wren, Spotted Towhee, Red Crossbill, Common Redpoll, Eastern Screech Owl, Great Horned Owl, Barred Owl, Northern Pintail, and Green-winged Teal. Another amazing highlight is the fact that Sioux City birder Bob Nickolson has been working this count since 1947 or 73 counts! The compilation of species and numbers was preceded with chili and soup and other delicious goodies. A listing of the species counted can be seen below.

Westfield CBC

Tuesday, December 17, 2019. The Westfield CBC was held as scheduled on 12-17-2019. 25 birders recorded 45 species and counted 3257 birds. Highlights included 6 species of waterfowl, Eastern Screech Owl, Barred Owl, and Carolina Wren. A delicious lunch of Chili and Soup and numerous other treats, desserts, and beverages were enjoyed at the Zale’s home before we compiled the morning results. Some of the birders searched for additional birds after lunch to add to the count before calling it a day. A listing of the species seen and counted can be found below. Compilers: Bill and Dotty Zales

Ponca State Park CBC

Wednesday, December 18, 2019. Ponca State Park had a successful Christmas Bird Count. Fourteen people participated and were divided into six groups. One party spent the early morning owling. We found 52 species and counted 6,732 total birds. Highlights included Snow Bunting, Rusty Blackbird, Long-eared Owl, Golden Crowned Kinglet, Harris's Sparrow, Merlin, Rough-legged Hawk, and a number of Northern Shrikes. We added our first Hooded Merganser to our cumulative Christmas Bird Count list and had a record number of 114 Blue Jays. The most numerous bird counted was the 3000 Snow Geese. In the future, we hope to continue tracking bird species during the Christmas Bird Count at Ponca State Park. A listing of the species seen and counted can be found below. Compilers Maria Korver and Bill Huser

Ida County CBC

Saturday, January 4, 2020. The Ida County CBC was held under sunny skies and cool temperatures. Seven parties of 14 birders from Ida, Woodbury and Carroll Counties found 39 total species and counted 5,028 total birds. Many thanks for all who helped. Highlights included 6 Long-eared Owls, Great Horned Owl, Northern Saw-whet Owl, 9 free-flying Trumpeter Swans, 1 male Wood Duck hanging out with a small flock of Mallards, 2 Eastern Bluebirds, 20 Bald Eagles, and 3,681 Canada Geese. Three species not found on count day but seen during count week included Barred Owl, Short-eared Owl, and a pair of Northern Pintails. One Sioux City birder got to see a Northern Saw-whet Owl as a life bird. The counters enjoyed a lunch of chili and other goodies around noon plus pie and ice cream later in the day at the compile! Compiler: Don Poggensee.

A listing of the species counted can be seen below.

• Canada Goose- 3,681

• Mallard- 45

• Trumpeter Swan- 9

• Wood Duck- 1

• Ring-necked Pheasant- 398

• Bald Eagle- 20

• Cooper’s Hawk- 1

• Red-tailed Hawk-14

• Rough-legged Hawk- 1

• Rock Pigeon- 16

• Eurasian Collared-dove- 71

• Mourning Dove- 10

• Great Horned Owl-1

• Long-eared Owl- 6

• Northern Saw-whet Owl- 1

• Red-bellied Woodpecker- 5

• Downy Woodpecker- 6

• Hairy Woodpecker- 1

• Northern Flicker- 1

• American Kestrel- 2

• Blue Jay- 86

• American Crow- 58

• Horned Lark- 25

• Black-capped Chickadee- 3

• White-breasted Nuthatch- 9

• Eastern Bluebird-2

• American Robin- 12

• European Starling- 118

• Cedar Waxwing- 4

• House Sparrow- 214

• House Finch- 51

• American Goldfinch- 1

• American Tree Sparrow- 13

• Harris’s Sparrow-2

• Dark-eyed Junco- 114

• Western Meadowlark- 4

• Red-winged Blackbird- 7

• Brown-headed Cowbird- 5

• Northern Cardinal- 10

Yankton CBC

Sunday, December 15, 2019. Twenty-seven people participated in the Yankton Christmas Bird Count on an overcast day. The day started at 13 degrees and there were snow flurries most of the day. Twenty-three people worked as field observers while four counted birds at their feeders. People who worked the count came from Vermillion, Sioux Falls, and Yankton, South Dakota; Sioux City, Iowa; and South Sioux City and Wayne, Nebraska. The group found a total of 75 species of birds with a total number of 6945 total birds. The highest species count was 82 in 2012 followed by 80 in 2013 and 79 in 2018.

 Highlights of the day were Ruby-crowned Kinglet recorded for the fourth time ever, Northern Saw-whet Owl recorded for the third time, Ross’s Goose for the fourth time, Greater Scaup for the sixth time, Pied-billed Grebe for the eighth time, Lapland Longspur for the fourteenth time, and Northern Goshawk for the seventeenth time. Highest count ever for Horned Larks of 719, previous high was 679 in 2010. The most Ring-necked Pheasants we have seen at sixty compared to the previous three years of six, three, and five. Last time we had near this year’s number was 58 in 2013. Surprisingly, the numbers of the invasive Eurasian- Collared-Dove are trending downward from 381 in 2015 to 141 this year. A listing of the species counted can be seen below. Compiler: Roger Dietrich.

119th Christmas Bird Count

The 118th CBC was held from December 14th 2018 thru January 5th 2019. Information and results of that count are shown below.

Sioux City CBC

Saturday, December 15, 2018. Contact Jerry Probst at: probsthoney@aol.com or 712-490-8256 for information. Plan to eat lunch and assess progress at noon at Culver’s on Singing Hills. At 5:00pm we meet at Jerry's house to eat the mandatory chili and other goodies and compile the results. Jerry’s address is: 3817 Park Place in South Sioux City, NE.

The Sioux City CBC was held as scheduled. It was a beautiful day with clear skies and temps ranging from 18 to 42 with little wind. 23 birders found 63 species and counted a total of 12,152 birds. Highlights included Great Blue Heron, Belted Kingfisher and Red-headed Woodpecker. The compilation at Jerry’s house was preceded with chili and soup and other delicious goodies.

A listing of the species counted can be seen below.

Compiler: Jerry Probst

• Snow Goose- 2

• Ross’s Goose- 4

• Greater White-fronted Goose- 34

• Cackling Goose- 110

• Canada Goose- 8,218

• Northern Shoveler- 4

• Gadwall- 1

• Mallard- 255

• Green-winged Teal- 3

• Redhead- 4

• Ring-necked Duck- 2

• Common Goldeneye- 66

• Hooded Merganser- 2

• Common Merganser- 6

• Ring-necked Pheasant- 5

• Wild Turkey- 84

• Great Blue Heron- 1

• Sharp-shinned Hawk- 1

• Cooper’s Hawk- 1

• Bald Eagle- 11

• Red-tailed Hawk- 93

• Rough-legged Hawk- 10

• Rock Pigeon- 915

• Eurasian Collared-Dove- 37

• Mourning Dove- 22

• Eastern Screech Owl- 2

• Great Horned Owl- 3

• Barred Owl- 5

• Belted Kingfisher- 1

• Red-headed Woodpecker- 1

• Red-bellied Woodpecker- 37

• Downy Woodpecker- 44

• Hairy Woodpecker- 3

• Northern Flicker- 14

• American Kestrel- 5

• Merlin- 3

• Northern Shrike- 1

• Blue Jay- 50

• American Crow- 43

• Horned Lark- 9

• Black-capped Chickadee- 66

• Red-breasted Nuthatch- 4

• White-breasted Nuthatch- 57

• Brown Creeper- 1

• Eastern Bluebird- 16

• American Robin- 1

• European Starling- 607

• Cedar Waxwing- 37

• American Tree Sparrow- 166

• Dark-eyed Junco- 279

• White-crowned Sparrow-2

• Harris’s Sparrow- 1

• White-throated Sparrow- 1

• Song Sparrow- 2

• Northern Cardinal- 62

• Western Meadowlark- 60

• Red-winged Blackbird- 450

• Rusty Blackbird- 1

• House Finch- 17

• Purple Finch- 3

• Pine Siskin- 16

• American Goldfinch- 22

• House Sparrow- 169

Total Birds Counted: 12,152

Total Species Counted: 63

Westfield CBC

Thursday, December 20, 2018. Plan to arrive at Zales mailbox at 15384 North Ridge Road at 8:00 am and we will divide into groups and “bird” until 1:00 pm when we will serve a hearty and hot lunch at our home and tabulate our group counts. Those wanting to bird afterwards may do so. Contact Dotty Zales at 712-540-0952 or zales66@hotmail.com for more information.

The Westfield CBC was held as scheduled. Temperatures were in the lower 30’s with cloudy skies and windy conditions. 10 birders recorded 42 species and counted 6841 birds. Highlights included Belted Kingfisher, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk, Merlin, Eastern Screech Owl, Eastern Bluebird, and a male Purple Finch which came to the Zale’s feeder to join us for lunch! The delicious lunch of Chili, Chicken Noodle Soup, and numerous other treats, desserts, and beverages really hit the spot after a cold morning in the field!

A listing of the species seen and counted can be found below.

Compilers Bill and Dotty Zales

• Snow Goose- 15

• Cackling Goose- 2500

• Canada Goose- 3,643

• Mallard- 30

• Common Goldeneye- 1

• Common Merganser- 13

• Ring-necked Pheasant- 3

• Wild Turkey- 42

• Bald Eagle- 11

• Northern Harrier- 6

• Sharp-shinned Hawk- 1

• Cooper’s Hawk- 1

• Red-tailed Hawk- 21

• Rough-legged Hawk- 7

• American kestrel- 4

• Merlin- 1

• Rock Pigeon- 33

• Eurasian Collared-dove- 68

• Mourning Dove- 7

• Eastern Screech Owl- 1

• Great Horned Owl- 1

• Barred Owl- 1

• Belted Kingfisher- 1

• Red-bellied Woodpecker- 16

• Downy Woodpecker- 15

• Hairy Woodpecker- 4

• Northern Flicker- 1

• Blue Jay- 21

• American Crow- 19

• Horned Lark- 1

• Black-capped Chickadee- 10

• White-breasted Nuthatch- 21

• Eastern Bluebird- 4

• European Starling- 122

• American Tree Sparrow- 21

• Dark-eyed Junco- 39

• Northern Cardinal- 11

• Red-winged Blackbird- 1

• Common Grackle- 2

• Purple Finch- 1

• American Goldfinch- 6

• House Sparrow- 115

Total Species Counted: 42

Total Birds Counted: 6,841

Ponca State Park CBC

Friday, December 14, 2018. Those interested in participating should meet at the Park’s Resource Center at 7:30 that morning or call Bill Huser at 712-574-3107 for more information.

The Ponca State Park CBC was held as scheduled on December 14, 2018. Ponca State Park had a very successful Christmas Bird Count this year. We had 12 people divided into 5 teams participate. We added four new species to the cumulative Christmas bird count list for Ponca State Park; Pied-billed Grebe, Trumpeter Swans, Snowy Owl, and Yellow-headed Blackbird. The total bird count for our group was 3268 individuals and 53 species. The most numerous bird was Red-winged Blackbirds at 1500 individuals. Other species that were high in numbers included Canada Goose, Mallards, and America Tree Sparrows. This year there were noticeable fewer Screech Owls(1) and more Great Horned Owls(5). Many of the locations where we had recorded Screech Owls in the past had Great Horned Owls present. In the future we hope to locate more habitat to record Screech Owls and continue to find new species in our circle. The birders enjoyed a delicious lunch of Soup and other goodies at the Park’s Resource Center at noon.

A listing of the species seen and counted can be found below.

Compilers Maria Korver and Bill Huser

• Snow Goose- 14

• Cackling Goose- 50

• Canada Goose- 95

• Trumpeter Swan- 4

• American Wigeon- 1

• Mallard- 301

• Common Goldeneye- 47

• Common Merganser- 25

• Ring-necked Pheasant- 30

• Wild Turkey- 34

• Pied-billed Grebe- 2

• Northern Harrier- 6

• Cooper’s Hawk- 2

• Bald Eagle- 9

• Red-tailed Hawk- 22

• Rough-legged Hawk- 19

• Rock Pigeon- 64

• Eurasian Collared-Dove- 19

• Mourning Dove- 3

• Eastern Screech-owl- 1

• Great Horned Owl- 5

• Snowy Owl- 1

• Barred Owl- 4

• Red-bellied Woodpecker- 19

• Downy Woodpecker- 13

• Hairy Woodpecker- 4

• Northern Flicker- 9 (8 Yellow-shafted-1 Red-shafted)

• American Kestrel- 3

• Northern Shrike- 1

• Blue Jay- 39

• American Crow- 17

• Horned Lark- 8

• Black-capped Chickadee- 37

• Red-breasted Nuthatch- 4

• White-breasted Nuthatch- 25

• Eastern Bluebird- 53

• American Robin- 58

• European Starling- 245

• Cedar Waxwing- 15

• American Tree Sparrow- 156

• Fox Sparrow- 1

• Dark-eyed Junco- 94

• White-crowned Sparrow- 11

• Harris’s Sparrow- 2

• Song Sparrow- 3

• Northern Cardinal- 6

• Red-winged Blackbird- 1,500

• Western Meadowlark- 72

• Yellow-headed Blackbird- 1

• House Finch- 8

• Pine Siskin- 4

• American Goldfinch- 16

• House Sparrow- 86

Total Birds Counted: 3,268

Total Species Counted: 53

Ida County CBC

Saturday, January 5, 2019. Our Christmas Bird Count is set for January 5, starting at 7:30 a.m. at the Education Center in Moorehead Park. Dinner at 12 p.m. until 1:30 or so, if you are running late getting back from your areas. Wrap-up and adding up the numbers starts at 3:30 or so. Hope to see all of you and our thanks in advance. Contact Don Poggensee at donpog@netllc.net or 712-369-3454.

The Ida County CBC was held as scheduled on 1-05-2019. We had a great day for our count with a total of 40 species found and 1,872 birds counted. With great weather at 58 degrees, sunny, and calm conditions, the birds seemed to be scattered in the open fields. Highlights included Great Blue Heron, Wilson’s Snipe, Long-eared Owl, Short-eared Owl, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Belted Kingfisher, Merlin, Brown Creeper, Purple Finch and Common Redpoll. A special thanks to the 15 counters, Danielle for her great help, & with the food, as well as Synda. My thanks to all of you for a great day. Eleven people got to see our Saw-whet Owl, found after three tries to locate one. Four of the eleven people had never seen a Saw-whet Owl before, and now could add it to their life list. As a note, last year we had a total of 54 species and 7,752 total birds. With great weather, usually the birds are indeed scattered and hard to locate and our results today show that in our totals. The counters enjoyed a lunch of chili, brownies and other goodies around noon.

A listing of the species seen and counted can be found below.

Compiler: Don Poggensee

• Canada Goose- 162

• Mallard- 27

• Ring-necked Pheasant- 88

• Wild Turkey- 11

• Great Blue Heron- 1

• Cooper’s Hawk- 3

• Bald Eagle- 7

• Red-tailed Hawk- 22

• Rough-legged Hawk- 3

• Wilson’s Snipe- 1

• Rock Pigeon- 219

• Eurasian Collared-dove- 22

• Mourning Dove- 4

• Barred Owl- 1

• Long-eared Owl- 1

• Short-eared Owl- 1

• Northern Saw-whet Owl- 1

• Belted Kingfisher- 1

• Red-bellied Woodpecker- 7

• Downy Woodpecker- 9

• Hairy Woodpecker- 1

• Northern Flicker- 4

• Merlin- 1

• Blue Jay- 75

• American Crow- 66

• Horned Lark- 12

• Black-capped Chickadee- 12

• White-breasted Nuthatch- 4

• Brown Creeper- 1

• European Starling- 408

• Cedar Waxwing- 25

• American Tree Sparrow- 158

• Dark-eyed Junco- 124

• Northern Cardinal- 24

• Red-winged Blackbird- 1

• House Finch- 13

• Purple Finch- 1

• Common Redpoll- 1

• American Goldfinch- 21

• House Sparrow- 329

Total Species Counted: 40

Total Birds Counted: 1,872

Yankton CBC

Sunday, December 16, 2018. Contact Roger Dietrich at 605-660-6247 for information.

The Yankton CBC was held as scheduled. Thirty people participated in the 2018 Christmas Bird Count in Yankton on a beautiful day, Sunday, December 16, 2018. Twenty-one people worked as field observers while nine counted birds at their feeders. People who worked the count came from Vermillion, Armour, Sioux Falls, Pickstown, and Yankton, South Dakota; Sioux City, Iowa; and South Sioux City and Wayne, Nebraska. The group found a total of 79 species of birds. The highest species count was 82 in 2012 followed by 80 in 2013.

Highlights of the day were Barrow’s Goldeneye recorded for the first time since the count started in 1916. Northern Saw-whet Owls recorded for the second time, Long-eared Owls and Ross’s Goose for the third time, Fox Sparrow for the fourth time, Greater Scaup for the fifth time; and Prairie Falcon for the sixth time. Highest count ever of the following species: common Goldeneye, Eastern Screech-Owl, White-throated Sparrow, and Common Grackle.

A listing of the species counted can be seen below.

Compiler Roger Dietrich

• Great Blue Heron- 3

• Canada Goose- 731

• Cackling Goose- 2

• Greater White-fronted Goose- 1

• Ross’s Goose- 2

• Snow Goose- 74

• Wood Duck- 8

• Mallard-469

• Gadwall- 31

• Northern Pintail- 8

• Redhead- 6

• Ring-necked Duck- 11

• Greater Scaup- 1

• Lesser Scaup- 14

• Long-tailed Duck- 1

• Common Goldeneye- 1,333

• Barrow’s Goldeneye- 1

• Bufflehead- 1

• Hooded Merganser- 1

• Common Merganser- 26

• Red-breasted Merganser- 1

• Ruddy Duck- 1

• Northern Harrier- 2

• Sharp-shinned Hawk- 4

• Cooper's Hawk-1

• Red-tailed Hawk- 54

• Rough-legged Hawk- 7

• Bald Eagle- 26

• Prairie Falcon- 1

• Merlin- 1

• American Kestrel- 1

• Ring-necked Pheasant- 5

• Wild Turkey- 40

• American Coot- 68

• Ring-billed Gull- 5

• Herring Gull- 2

• Mourning Dove- 38

• Eurasian-collared Dove- 189

• Rock Pigeon- 362

• Long-eared Owl- 2

• Great Horned Owl- 5

• Eastern Screech-Owl- 13

• Northern Saw-whet Owl-2

• Belted Kingfisher- 4

• Red-headed Woodpecker- 1

• Red-bellied Woodpecker- 19

• Downy Woodpecker- 37

• Hairy Woodpecker- 12

• Northern Flicker- 25 (Yellow Shafted)

• Northern Shrike- 2

• Blue Jay- 62

• American Crow- 33

• Horned Lark- 14

• Black-capped Chickadee- 36

• Red-breasted Nuthatch- 9

• White-breasted Nuthatch- 43

• Brown Creeper- 11

• Winter Wren- 1

• Golden-crowned Kinglet- 6

• Eastern Bluebird- 28

• American Robin- 769

• European Starling- 2,869

• Cedar Waxwing- 133

• Yellow-rumped Warbler- 3

• Northern Cardinal- 32

• American Tree Sparrow- 180

• Harris’s Sparrow- 14

• White-throated Sparrow- 12

• Fox Sparrow-1

• Song Sparrow-1

• Dark-Eyed Junco (Slate-colored)- 213

• Western Meadowlark- 68

• Red-winged Blackbird- 1

• Common Grackle- 27

• Purple Finch- 6

• House Finch- 125

• Pine Siskin- 10

• American Goldfinch- 81

• House Sparrow- 235

CW - American White Pelican

CW - Snow Bunting

Total Species: 79

Total Birds: 8,677

118th Christmas Bird Count

The 118th CBC was held from December 14th 2017 thru January 5th 2018. Information and results of that count are shown below.

Sioux City CBC

The Sioux City CBC was held as scheduled. It was a beautiful day under partly cloudy to clear skies with temps ranging from the 20’s to the 40’s and little wind. 20 birders found 68 species and counted a total of 14,064 birds. Highlights included Carolina Wren, Killdeer and Common Redpoll. The compilation at Jerry’s house was preceded with chili and soup and other delicious goodies. A listing of the species counted can be seen below.

A listing of the species counted can be seen below.

Compiler: Jerry Probst

• Greater White-fronted Goose- CW

• Snow Goose- 12

• Cackling Goose- 141

• Canada Goose- 8,236

• Wood Duck- 1

• Gadwall- CW

• Mallard- 1,136

• Northern Shoveler- CW

• Green-winged Teal- CW

• Redhead- 1

• Common Goldeneye- 30

• Hooded Merganser- CW

• Common Merganser- 20

• Red-breasted Merganser- 1

• Ruddy Duck- 6

• Ring-necked Pheasant- 12

• Wild Turkey- 538

• Northern Harrier- 5

• Sharp-shinned Hawk- 1

• Cooper’s Hawk- 2

• Bald Eagle- 10

• Red-tailed Hawk- 78

• Rough-legged Hawk- 11

• American Coot- 10

• Killdeer- 1

• Rock Pigeon- 801

• Eurasian Collared-Dove- 191

• Mourning Dove- 5

• Eastern Screech Owl- 1

• Great Horned Owl- 4

• Barred Owl- 2

• Belted Kingfisher- 1

• Red-bellied Woodpecker- 33

• Yellow-bellied Sapsucker- 2

• Downy Woodpecker- 60

• Hairy Woodpecker- 15

• Northern Flicker- 31

• American Kestrel- 5

• Northern Shrike- 1

• Blue Jay- 111

• American Crow- 65

• Black-capped Chickadee- 106

• Red-breasted Nuthatch- 5

• White-breasted Nuthatch- 60

• Brown Creeper- 6

• Carolina Wren- 2

• Eastern Bluebird- 12

• American Robin- 55

• European Starling- 987

• Cedar Waxwing- 51

• Yellow-rumped Warbler- 2

• American Tree Sparrow- 455

• Dark-eyed Junco- 220

• White-crowned Sparrow-7

• Harris’s Sparrow- 8

• White-throated Sparrow- 7

• Song Sparrow- 5

• Lincoln’s Sparrow- 1

• Swamp Sparrow- 1

• Northern Cardinal- 65

• Red-winged Blackbird- 49

• Western Meadowlark- 8

• House Finch- 32

• Purple Finch- 15

• Common Redpoll- 2

• Pine Siskin- 27

• American Goldfinch- 82

• House Sparrow- 214

Total Birds Counted: 14,064

Total Species Counted: 68

Westfield CBC

The Westfield CBC was held as scheduled. Temperatures were in the lower 30’s and continued to drop to the lower 20’s during the morning. The skies were cloudy and the breezy conditions added to the wind chill. There was no snow on the ground but the predicted snow did arrive after lunch. Waters were mostly frozen. 8 teams of 19 birders recorded a total of 50 species for the day and 1 Count Week (CW) bird for a total of 51 species and counted 7,211 birds.

Highlights included Ross’s Goose, Northern Pintail, Sharp-shinned Hawk (it came to the Zale’s Feeders at lunch to give us all a good show), Mourning Dove, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Shrike, Brown Creeper, Lapland Longspur, Brown-headed Cowbird, Common Redpoll, and the CW bird found on the preceding Tuesday was a Pileated Woodpecker which was a first for the count! The delicious lunch of Chili, Venison Sausage, and numerous other treats, desserts, and beverages really hit the spot after a cold morning in the field!

A listing of the species seen and counted can be found below.

Compilers Bill and Dotty Zales

• Snow Goose- 181

• Ross’s Goose- 1

• Greater White-fronted Goose- 4

• Cackling Goose- 40

• Canada Goose- 4,170

• Mallard- 85

• Northern Pintail- 1

• Lesser Scaup- 2

• Common Goldeneye- 1

• Hooded Merganser- 1

• Common Merganser- 75

• Ring-necked Pheasant- 5

• Wild Turkey- 38

• Northern Harrier- 3

• Sharp-shinned Hawk- 1

• Cooper’s Hawk- 1

• Bald Eagle- 25

• Red-tailed Hawk- 16

• Rough-legged Hawk- 31

• Rock Pigeon- 115

• Eurasian Collared-dove- 11

• Mourning Dove- 5

• Eastern Screech Owl- 1

• Great Horned Owl- 2

• Barred Owl- 1

• Belted Kingfisher- 1

• Red-bellied Woodpecker- 19

• Downy Woodpecker- 27

• Hairy Woodpecker- 4

• Northern Flicker- 5

• Pileated Woodpecker- CW

• Northern Shrike- 3

• Blue Jay- 17

• American Crow- 126

• Black-capped Chickadee- 32

• White-breasted Nuthatch- 32

• Brown Creeper- 2

• Eastern Bluebird- 17

• American Robin- 13

• European Starling- 504

• Cedar Waxwing- 49

• Lapland Longspur- 275

• American Tree Sparrow- 238

• Dark-eyed Junco- 160

• Northern Cardinal- 18

• Red-winged Blackbird- 710

• Brown-headed Cowbird- 1

• House Finch- 27

• Common Redpoll- 45

• American Goldfinch- 46

• House Sparrow- 23

Total Species Counted: 50 plus 1 CW = 51

Total Birds Counted: 7,210 plus 1 CW= 7211

Ponca State Park CBC

Friday, December 14, 2018. Those interested in participating should meet at the Park’s Resource Center at 7:30 that morning or call Bill Huser at 712-574-3107 for more information.

The Ponca State Park CBC was held as scheduled on December 14, 2018. Ponca State Park had a very successful Christmas Bird Count this year. We had 12 people divided into 5 teams participate. We added four new species to the cumulative Christmas bird count list for Ponca State Park; Pied-billed Grebe, Trumpeter Swans, Snowy Owl, and Yellow-headed Blackbird. The total bird count for our group was 3268 individuals and 53 species. The most numerous bird was Red-winged Blackbirds at 1500 individuals. Other species that were high in numbers included Canada Goose, Mallards, and America Tree Sparrows. This year there were noticeable fewer Screech Owls(1) and more Great Horned Owls(5). Many of the locations where we had recorded Screech Owls in the past had Great Horned Owls present. In the future we hope to locate more habitat to record Screech Owls and continue to find new species in our circle. The birders enjoyed a delicious lunch of Soup and other goodies at the Park’s Resource Center at noon.

A listing of the species seen and counted can be found below.

Compilers Maria Korver and Bill Huser

• Snow Goose- 14

• Cackling Goose- 50

• Canada Goose- 95

• Trumpeter Swan- 4

• American Wigeon- 1

• Mallard- 301

• Common Goldeneye- 47

• Common Merganser- 25

• Ring-necked Pheasant- 30

• Wild Turkey- 34

• Pied-billed Grebe- 2

• Northern Harrier- 6

• Cooper’s Hawk- 2

• Bald Eagle- 9

• Red-tailed Hawk- 22

• Rough-legged Hawk- 19

• Rock Pigeon- 64

• Eurasian Collared-Dove- 19

• Mourning Dove- 3

• Eastern Screech-owl- 1

• Great Horned Owl- 5

• Snowy Owl- 1

• Barred Owl- 4

• Red-bellied Woodpecker- 19

• Downy Woodpecker- 13

• Hairy Woodpecker- 4

• Northern Flicker- 9 (8 Yellow-shafted-1 Red-shafted)

• American Kestrel- 3

• Northern Shrike- 1

• Blue Jay- 39

• American Crow- 17

• Horned Lark- 8

• Black-capped Chickadee- 37

• Red-breasted Nuthatch- 4

• White-breasted Nuthatch- 25

• Eastern Bluebird- 53

• American Robin- 58

• European Starling- 245

• Cedar Waxwing- 15

• American Tree Sparrow- 156

• Fox Sparrow- 1

• Dark-eyed Junco- 94

• White-crowned Sparrow- 11

• Harris’s Sparrow- 2

• Song Sparrow- 3

• Northern Cardinal- 6

• Red-winged Blackbird- 1,500

• Western Meadowlark- 72

• Yellow-headed Blackbird- 1

• House Finch- 8

• Pine Siskin- 4

• American Goldfinch- 16

• House Sparrow- 86

Total Birds Counted: 3,268

Total Species Counted: 53

Ida County CBC

The Ponca State Park CBC was held as scheduled on December 14, 2017. Seventeen birders enjoyed the count and they collectively counted 57 species of birds and 4055 individuals. The 57 species was above average but below the record of 59, but the 17 participants was probably a record. Highlights of the day included the sighting 2 Townsend's Solitaires, 1 Prairie Falcon, 4 Fox Sparrows, 1 Long-eared Owl, 1 Rusty Blackbird, 1 Long-eared Owl, 2 small flocks of Purple Finches, and a lingering Gadwall and Ring-necked Duck. Our most numerous species included European Starlings (887), American Robins (632), Red-winged Black Birds (245), and Canada Geese (213). Three teams of 2-4 individuals participated in Owling in the early morning and six teams participated during the daytime hours. The birders enjoyed a delicious lunch of Chili and other goodies at the Park’s Resource Center at noon. Ponca State Park plans to participate next year in the Christmas Day Bird Count.

A listing of the species seen and counted can be found below.

Compiler: Don Poggensee

• Snow Goose- 2

• Cackling Goose- 120

• Canada Goose- 1,685

• Mallard- 388

• Ruddy Duck- 1

• Northern Bobwhite- 12

• Ring-necked Pheasant- 107

• Wild Turkey- 52

• Northern Harrier- 4

• Sharp-shinned Hawk- 2

• Cooper’s Hawk- 1

• Bald Eagle- 4

• Red-tailed Hawk- 14

• Rough-legged Hawk- 7

• Wilson’s Snipe- 1

• Rock Pigeon- 32

• Eurasian Collared-dove- 43

• Mourning Dove- 2

• Great Horned Owl- 1

• Barred Owl- 1

• Long-eared Owl- 4

• Short-eared Owl- 1

• Northern Saw-whet Owl- 2

• Belted Kingfisher- 1

• Red-bellied Woodpecker- 11

• Downy Woodpecker- 22

• Hairy Woodpecker- 5

• Northern Flicker- 10

• American Kestrel- 9

• Merlin- 1

• Northern Shrike- 3

• Blue Jay- 178

• American Crow- 127

• Horned Lark- 10

• Black-capped Chickadee- 1

• White-breasted Nuthatch- 16

• American Robin- 84

• European Starling- 785

• Cedar Waxwing- 31

• Lapland Longspur- 3,080

• American Tree Sparrow- 332

• Dark-eyed Junco- 338

• White-throated Sparrow- 3

• Vesper Sparrow- 1

• Song Sparrow- 45

• Northern Cardinal- 28

• Meadowlark Species- 8

• Red-winged Blackbird- 9

• Brown-headed Cowbird- 1

• Common Grackle- 1

• House Finch- 28

• Common Redpoll- 1

• American Goldfinch- 26

• House Sparrow- 71

Total Species Counted: 54

Total Birds Counted: 7,752

Yankton CBC

The Yankton CBC was held as scheduled. 19 birders recorded 73 species and counted 24,117 total birds. There were also 4 Count Week (CW) birds. Temperatures ranged from the 20’s to the 40’s under clear skies.

A listing of the species counted can be seen below.

Compiler Roger Dietrich

• Greater White-fronted Goose- 3

• Snow Goose- 54

• Cackling Goose- 209

• Canada Goose- 4,670

• Wood Duck- 13

• Gadwall- 150

• American Wigeon- 1

• Mallard-244

• Blue-winged Teal- 1

• Northern Shoveler- 2

• Canvasback- 30

• Redhead- 47

• Ring-necked Duck- 14

• Greater Scaup-CW

• Lesser Scaup- 388

• Long-tailed Duck- 3

• Bufflehead- 4

• Common Goldeneye- 18

• Hooded Merganser- 2

• Common Merganser- 101

• Ring-necked Pheasant- 3

• Wild Turkey- 66

• Double-crested Cormorant- 1

• Great Blue Heron- 2

• Northern Harrier- 3

• Sharp-shinned Hawk- 4

• Cooper's Hawk-1

• Bald Eagle- 25

• Red-tailed Hawk- 42

• Rough-legged Hawk- 3

• American Coot- 486

• Wilson’s Snipe- 1

• Ring-billed Gull- 63

• Herring Gull- 15

• Rock Pigeon- 262

• Eurasian-collared Dove- 333

• Mourning Dove- 5

• Eastern Screech-Owl- 9

• Great Horned Owl- 18

• Snowy Owl-CW

• Long-eared Owl- 1

• Northern Saw-whet Owl-2

• Belted Kingfisher- 4

• Red-headed Woodpecker- 2

• Red-bellied Woodpecker- 23

• Yellow-bellied Sapsucker- 3

• Downy Woodpecker- 37

• Hairy Woodpecker- 11

• Northern Flicker- 42 (Yellow Shafted)

• Northern Flicker- 1 (Intergrade)

• American Kestrel- 4

• Northern Shrike- 3

• Blue Jay- 63

• Black-billed Magpie- 3

• American Crow- 31

• Black-capped Chickadee- 59

• Red-breasted Nuthatch- 14

• White-breasted Nuthatch- 48

• Brown Creeper- 5

• Golden-crowned Kinglet- 2

• Eastern Bluebird- 4

• American Robin- 347

• European Starling- 15,083

• Cedar Waxwing- 43

• Snow Bunting-CW

• Yellow-rumped Warbler- 1

• American Tree Sparrow- 319

• Dark-Eyed Junco (Slate-colored)- 232

• Dark-Eyed Junco (Oregon)- 2

• Harris’s Sparrow- 1

• Song Sparrow-CW

• Northern Cardinal- 26

• Red-winged Blackbird- 16

• Western Meadowlark- 14

• House Finch- 102

• Purple Finch-4

• Pine Siskin- 2

• American Goldfinch- 71

• House Sparrow- 196

CW- Song Sparrow

CW - Snow Bunting

CW- Greater Scaup

CW- Snowy Owl

Total Species: 73

Total Birds: 24,117