Early Spring migration continues.

Several “first of season birds” have been reported in the last couple weeks, including Ruddy Duck, Double-crested Cormorant, American Golden Plover, American Avocet, Western Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Stilt Sandpiper, Wilson’s Phalarope, and Yellow-headed Blackbird. 

Sandhill cranes continue to move in the area, and 4 Whooping Cranes were observed at Quivira NWR during the evening of March 22 and through the morning of March 23.  

Duck numbers and diversity remain excellent at Cheyenne Bottoms.  Numbers of American White Pelicans are in the thousands this week.

Water levels continue to be low in most pools of Cheyenne Bottoms.  Many mudflats are available for hungry shorebirds.  We hope that water will remain available as we reach peak shorebird migration in about a month.  

Give us your reports.  We rely heavily on other birders to know what is being seen at Cheyenne Bottoms.  Submit reports to Ebird, or email your observations to wetlandscenter@fhsu.edu.

Here is a list birds that have been reported over the last couple weeks:

• Greater White-fronted Goose–many have headed north but a few stragglers around
• Snow Goose–Still a couple hundred birds in the area.  A decent sized group in Pool 4b on 3/22
• Canada Goose–quite a few pairs area-wide;  probably on or near nesting time 
• Gadwall–probably the 3rd most abundant duck
• American Wigeon–just a few noted on 3/22
• Mallard–quite a few pairs seen 
• Blue-winged Teal–increasing numbers
• Northern Shoveler–probably 2nd most abundant duck species
• Northern Pintail–not nearly as many here now as 2-3 weeks ago, but still some pintails to be seen
• Green-winged Teal–probably the most numerous duck species right now
• Redhead
• Lesser Scaup–just a couple.  Not great diving duck habitat right now
• Bufflehead–a couple pairs still being seen
• Ruddy Ducks–increasing numbers
• Ring-necked Pheasant
• Double-crested Cormorant–increasing numbers.  Mostly in Pool 4a
• American White Pelican–huge numbers in large flocks area-wide this week 
• Great Blue Heron
• Sandhill Crane–Still some groups seen flying overhead. A group of 14 seen on 3/22 in Pool 1C
• American Coot–Increasing in number
• American Golden Plover
• Killdeer–Many area-wide
• American Avocet–3 individuals seen 3/22-first of season
• Greater Yellowlegs–Many on most shorelines
• Lesser Yellowlegs–check shorelines.  mixed nicely with Greater Yellowlegs for nice comparisons
• Semipalmated Sandpiper
• Western Sandpiper
• Least Sandpiper
• Baird’s Sandpiper
• Pectoral Sandpiper
• Stilt Sandpiper
• Long-billed Dowitcher
• Wilson’s Phalarope–First of season
• Bald Eagle–not as readily seen but still around
• Northern Harrier
• Red-tailed Hawk
• Ring-billed Gull
• Northern Flicker   
• Eastern Meadowlark
• Western Meadowlark 
• Red-winged Blackbird
• Great-tailed Grackle
• Common Grackle