New spring migrants are arriving regularly.  Waterfowl still dominate the Cheyenne Bottoms scene, and duck diversity is still great, but has changed over the last week or so.  Compositions of species continue to change as new birds arrive and some birds head on north.  Ducks can be seen area wide, but the largest concentrations remain in Pools 4A and 4B.

Sandhill Crane migration is on the downswing, with most cranes seemingly have passed through the area already.  A couple small groups were observed on the Nature Conservancy property on 3/19 and 3/20, but very few are being seen.  This is the prime time to be seeing migrating Whooping Cranes, however, so birders are encouraged to keep their eyes peeled to see these majestic birds and to report any observations.

A few new shorebirds have been observed in the last few days, including Greater Yellowlegs, Long-billed Dowitchers, and Baird’s Sandpipers.  Other species should be showing up soon.

Other common birds being seen on most trips through the area include American White Pelicans, Great Blue Herons, Double-crested Cormorants, Northern Harriers, Ring-billed Gulls, Canada Geese, and American Coots.

Water levels remain good area wide at Cheyenne Bottoms. KDWPT staff continue to pump excess water from Pools 3 and 4 into the Pool 1 storage pools most days.  Pools range in average depth from 11-17 inches.

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
• Snow Goose-still a group of maybe 500 that can be seen most afternoons in Pool 1A
• Canada Goose
• Gadwall
• American wigeon
• Mallard
• Blue-winged Teal–probably the most abundant duck on the area now
• Cinnamon Teal–a couple reported
• Northern Shoveler–very abundant
• Northern Pintail
• Green-winged Teal–also very abundant
• Canvasback
• Redhead
• Lesser Scaup
• Bufflehead
• Hooded Merganser–1 pair observed in Inlet Canal on 3/20
• Ruddy Duck–very abundant
• Ring-necked Pheasant
• Wild Turkey
• Mourning Dove
• American Coot
• Sandhill Crane
• Killdeer–numerous birds being observed all over
• Baird’s Sandpiper–just a few observed
• Long-billed Dowitcher–several 100 observed in Inlet Canal
• Greater Yellowlegs
• Lesser Yellowlegs
• Ring-billed Gull
• Herring Gull
• Double-crested Cormorant
• American White Pelican
• Great Blue Heron
• Northern Harrier
• Sharp-shinned Hawk
• Red-tailed Hawk
• Barn Owl–1 individual seen several times around KWEC Nature Trail
• Great Horned Owl
• Northern Flicker
• American Kestrel
• Horned Lark
• Eastern Bluebird
• American Robin
• Brown Thrasher
• European Starling
• House Sparrow
• American Goldfinch
• American Tree Sparrow
• Song Sparrow
• Dark-eyed Junco
• Northern Cardinal
• Eastern Meadowlark
• Western Meadowlark
• Red-winged Blackbird
• Great-tailed Grackle
• Brown-headed Cowbird