Subtle changes to bird activity can be seen in this time of the Spring migration.  Waterfowl still dominate the Cheyenne Bottoms scene with pretty much all species of ducks possible being observed most days.

Snow geese numbers have drastically declined; however, groups of a few hundred are still being seen in the area most days.  Groups tend to loaf in Pool 1a during the day and go out to feed in fields in the morning and evening.  Greater white-fronted, Canada, and Cackling geese are seen but in much reduced numbers compared to a few weeks ago.

Duck numbers and diversity are impressive especially in Pools 4A and 4B.

Groups of Sandhill Cranes have been observed variably.  On Friday (Mar 3), there were many groups coming off the Bottoms during the morning.  We have not seen many over the last few days.  Quivira NWR is still seeing some nice groups west of the Wildlife Loop most days.

Quite a few Great Blue Herons are at Cheyenne Bottoms, especially around the Inlet Canal.

The only shorebirds that we have observed are Killdeer and Lesser yellowlegs, but other species should be showing up soon.

American White Pelican numbers can be quite large.  A large congregation can be seen almost daily in  the east side of Pool 1C, near the vault toilet.

Water levels remain good area wide at Cheyenne Bottoms. Pools 2, 3a, 4a, and 4b range from 15-20″ depth.  KDWPT staff are pumping excess water from Pools 3 and 4 into the Pool 1 storage pools most days.  Water levels and waterfowl reports are updated weekly on the KDWPT website:  http://ksoutdoors.com/KDWPT-Info/Locations/Wildlife-Areas/Southwest/Cheyenne-Bottoms

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-not many here now
• Snow Goose-groups of several hundred
• Ross’s Goose-mixed in with Snows
• Canada Goose
• Cackling Goose
• Gadwall
• American wigeon
• Mallard
• Blue-winged Teal
• Cinnamon Teal–2 reported in Pool 3a on 3/7
• Northern Shoveler
• Northern Pintail
• Green-winged Teal
• Canvasback
• Redhead
• Ring-necked Duck
• Lesser Scaup
• Bufflehead
• Common Goldeneye
• Hooded Merganser
• Ruddy Duck
• Ring-necked Pheasant
• Wild Turkey–large flock just east of Cheyenne Bottoms along NE 100Ave most days
• Eared Grebe
• Mourning Dove
• American Coot
• Sandhill Crane
• Killdeer–numerous birds being observed all over
• Lesser Yellowlegs
• Ring-billed Gull
• Herring Gull
• Double-crested Cormorant
• American White Pelican
• Great Blue Heron
• Bald Eagle
• Northern Harrier
• Sharp-shinned Hawk
• Red-tailed Hawk
• 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
• Meadowlark Sp.
• Red-winged Blackbird
• Great-tailed Grackle
• Brown-headed Cowbird