Spring Migration is definitely happening!

It is the time of year, when bird communities at Cheyenne Bottoms can change frequently.  We encourage you to make multiple trips to the wetlands, as it is fun to see the bird diversity change from day to day.

Several “First of Season” birds were reported this past week, including: Long-billed dowitchers, Dunlin, Baird’s Sandpipers, Double-crested cormorant, and Blue-winged and Cinnamon Teal.

Other common birds to see right now include: Many ducks, Hooded mergansers, American coots, Sandhill cranes, various raptors (Bald Eagles, Northern Harriers, Red-tailed Hawks), a few geese, Great Blue Herons, gulls, pelicans, black-birds, and Killdeer.

Water levels at Cheyenne Bottoms remain fair, with water in most pools.  KDWPT staff have been bringing in water from the Arkansas River diversion for the last week.  They are also dewatering Pool 3a, by pumping water into Pool 1c.  Staff hopes to be able to burn off residual vegetation in Pool 3a this spring in order to control cattails.  Pool depths and water fowl reports are updated weekly and can be followed on the KDWPT website at:   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
• Snow Goose–fewer than a couple weeks ago, but there was still a good sized flock in Pool 1a on 3/3
• Cackling Goose
• Canada Goose
• Gadwall–excellent numbers throughout
• American Wigeon–excellent numbers throughout
• Mallard
• Blue-winged Teal
• Cinnamon Teal–at least 7 drakes observed in Pool 2 on 3/3
• Northern Shoveler–excellent numbers throughout
• Northern Pintail–excellent numbers throughout
• Green-winged Teal–excellent numbers throughout
• Redhead
• Ring-necked Duck
• Bufflehead
• Common Goldeneye
• Hooded Merganser
• Common Merganser
• Ruddy Duck
• Ring-necked Pheasant
• Wild Turkey
• Mourning Dove
• American Coot
• Sandhill Crane
• Killdeer
• Greater Yellowlegs
• Baird’s Sandpiper
• Dunlin
• Long-billed Dowitcher
• Ring-billed Gull
• Double-crested Cormorant
• American White Pelican–variable numbers day to day
• Great Blue Heron
• Bald Eagle
• Northern Harrier–quite numerous area-wide
• Sharp-shinned Hawk
• Red-tailed Hawk
• Rough-legged Hawk
• Snowy Owl–one observed infrequently for last month typically around Pool 1c
• Downy Woodpecker
• Northern Flicker
• American Kestrel
• Merlin
• Horned Lark
• American Robin
• European Starling
• House Sparrow
• American Goldfinch
• Dark-eyed Junco
• Red-winged Blackbird
• Eastern Meadowlark
• Western Meadowlark
• Common Grackle
• Great-tailed Grackle
• Brown-headed Cowbird