Fall migration continues, as we get closer to settling into the winter birding activity at Cheyenne Bottoms.  Variable weather so far this season has created some interesting birding, and has presented some very interesting (and rare) migrants to the area, including a Magnificent Frigatebird that was spotted at Cheyenne Bottoms on Nov. 8.  Large flocks of Geese (mostly Snows and White-fronts) and Ducks (mixed species) predominate the bird community at Cheyenne Bottoms.  A large flock of Snow Geese are typically gathering in Pool 1a during most afternoons.  However, Herons, Hawks, Coots, Gulls, Cormorants, and Grebes can be seen on most trips.  There have also been relatively common observations of Pelicans, Ibis, American Avocets, and Long-billed Dowitchers.  Flocks of Sandhill Cranes continue to be heard flying over, and large flocks have been reported in fields near Quivira NWR.  Several reports of whooping cranes have also occurred over the last couple weeks at Quivira.

Good water levels persist in all pools of Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area and the permanent marshes of the Cheyenne Bottoms Preserve.  Large groups of waterfowl are congregating in Pool 5 of the Wildlife Area and on the marshes of the Preserve.  Good shorebird viewing has been reported in Pool 4a and in the outlet canal. 

Waterfowl seasons are open statewide.  The first split of the season at Cheyenne Bottoms will remain open until December 6.  Duck season in the late zone (including Quivira NWR) remains open through January 3; however, hunting has been closed at Quivira for several weeks due to Whooping Crane presence.  Upland bird hunting is also open statewide. 

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
• Ross’s Goose
• Greater White-fronted Goose
• Cackling Goose
• Canada Goose
• Blue-winged Teal
• Northern Shoveler
• Gadwall
• American Wigeon
• Mallard
• Northern Pintail
• Green-winged Teal
• Canvasback
• Redhead
• Ring-necked Duck
• Lesser Scaup
• Bufflehead
• Common Goldeneye
• Ruddy Duck
• Northern Bobwhite
• Ring-necked Pheasant
• Pied-billed Grebe
• Mourning Dove
• American Coot
• Sandhill Crane
• American Avocet
• Black-bellied Plover
• American Golden-Plover
• Killdeer
• Dunlin
• Baird’s Sandpiper
• Least Sandpiper
• Long-billed Dowitcher
• Wilson’s Snipe
• Greater Yellowlegs
• Lesser Yellowlegs
• Franklin’s Gull
• Ring-billed Gull
• Herring Gull
• Lesser Black-backed Gull
• Double-crested Cormorant
• American White Pelican
• American Bittern
• Great Blue Heron
• Black-crowned Night Heron
• White-faced Ibis
• Northern Harrier
• Sharp-shinned Hawk
• Cooper’s Hawk
• Bald Eagle
• Red-tailed Hawk
• Rough-legged Hawk
• Great Horned Owl
• Short-eared Owl
• Northern Flicker
• American Kestrel
• Horned Lark
• Marsh Wren
• European Starling
• American Robin
• House Sparrow
• American Pipit
• Pine Siskin
• American Goldfinch
• American Tree Sparrow
• Dark-eyed Junco
• White-crowned Sparrow
• Savannah Sparrow
• Song Sparrow
• Lincoln’s Sparrow
• Yellow-headed Blackbird
• Meadowlark Sp.
• Red-winged Blackbird
• Brown-headed Cowbird
• Rusty Blackbird
• Brewer’s Blackbird
• Common Grackle
• Great-tailed Grackle
• Northern Cardinal