Strong cold fronts over the previous 2 weeks have brought in good numbers of birds.  Large flocks of Geese (mostly White-fronts and Snows), Ducks (mixed species), Pelicans, Coots, Gulls, Grebes, and Blackbirds are fun to watch.  The morning and evening flight of geese going to and from surrounding fields to eat is impressive to watch.  Other common species to see include Cormorants, Harriers, and Herons.  We also have had reports of late shorebirds, including good numbers of Wilson’s Snipe, Least Sandpipers, Killdeer, American Avocets, and Ibis.  Flocks of Sandhill Cranes continue to be heard flying over.  Several reports of whooping cranes have occurred over the last couple weeks, and the likelihood of Whoopers is increased this time of year.

Good water levels are in all pools of Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area and the permanent marshes of the Cheyenne Bottoms Preserve.  Good shorebird viewing has been reported in Pool 4a and in the outlet canal. 

Duck hunting season began at Cheyenne Bottoms and the Low Plains Early Zone on October 10.  The first split of the season will remain open until December 6.  Duck season in the late zone (including Quivira NWR) begins October 31 and remains open through January 3.  Goose season begins statewide October 31.

KDWPT has been working on many of the roads throughout the state Wildlife Area and are much improved.  The main road through the Nature Conservancy’s Preserve (“Crooked Road” or NE 90 Rd) was recently improved and is now open.

Water levels and waterfowl count reports are updated weekly and can be viewed at: https://ksoutdoors.com/KDWPT-Info/Locations/Wildlife-Areas/Southwest/Cheyenne-Bottoms

Birding at Quivira NWR has remained excellent as well.  The area around the Wildlife Driving Loop (Big Salt Marsh) have been very good.  Check out http://fws.gov/refuge/Quivira.

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:

• Snow Goose
• Greater White-fronted Goose
• Canada Goose
• Blue-winged Teal
• Northern Shoveler
• Gadwall
• American Wigeon
• Mallard
• Northern Pintail
• Green-winged Teal
• Canvasback
• Redhead
• Ring-necked Duck
• Lesser Scaup
• Ruddy Duck
• Northern Bobwhite
• Ring-necked Pheasant
• Pied-billed Grebe
• Eared Grebe
• Western Grebe
• Eurasian Collared Dove
• Mourning Dove
• American Coot
• Sandhill Crane
• American Avocet
• Killdeer
• Stilt Sandpiper
• Baird’s Sandpiper
• Least Sandpiper
• Long-billed Dowitcher
• Wilson’s Snipe
• Greater Yellowlegs
• Lesser Yellowlegs
• Franklin’s Gull
• Ring-billed Gull
• Herring Gull
• Double-crested Cormorant
• American White Pelican
• Great Blue Heron
• Great Egret
• Snowy Egret
• Black-crowned Night Heron
• White-faced Ibis
• Northern Harrier
• Red-tailed Hawk
• Great Horned Owl
• Northern Flicker
• American Kestrel
• Barn Swallow
• Sedge Wren
• Marsh Wren
• European Starling
• American Robin
• House Sparrow
• American Pipit
• Pine Siskin
• American Goldfinch
• Chipping Sparrow
• Dark-eyed Junco
• White-crowned Sparrow
• Vesper Sparrow
• Savannah Sparrow
• Yellow-headed Blackbird
• Meadowlark Sp.
• Red-winged Blackbird
• Brown-headed Cowbird
• Rusty Blackbird
• Common Grackle
• Great-tailed Grackle
• Yellow-rumped Warbler
• Northern Cardinal