Cheyenne Bottoms has finally experienced winter over the last couple weeks with several cold spells.  However, temperatures have fluctuated greatly even within the same week.  Due to the cold temperatures and much of Cheyenne Bottoms icing over, the bird communities being observed have been relatively scarce.

The big birding news from Cheyenne Bottoms over the last couple weeks has been Snowy Owls.  As many as 10 Snowy Owls have been reported at one time at Cheyenne Bottoms, but 2-5 Snowy Owls have commonly been reported most days.  They have been observed in various locations across the area, but the best locations for seeing them has been in Pool 3b looking from the “Claflin dike road” that separates Pools 3b and 4a or in Pool 3a from the “Redwing dike road” that separates Pools 2 and 3a.  Please be kind to these birds and do not walk out to them and flush them.  Keep your distance and enjoy seeing this arctic visitor.

Goose numbers are fluctuating widely day to day at Cheyenne Bottoms.  Snow geese are the most abundant species; however, numbers vary from 10,000 to 100,000 from one day to the next.  Canada and Cackling Geese are also being seen in greater numbers, and only a few Greater White-fronted Geese remain.  The geese can typically be seen in Pool 1 during the afternoons.  Duck numbers have been relatively scarce, but some ducks are being seen around the area, and we should see more ducks return as the ice melts and opens up. 

Raptor numbers have continued to be excellent with numerous Bald Eagles, Northern Harriers, Red-tailed Hawks, and Rough-legged Hawks present throughout the area.  Bald eagles can be seen standing on the ice during the day in Pool 1.  

Other common birds being seen right now include Great Blue Herons, Gulls (Ring-billed and Herring), and some Coots.

All roads are currently open through Cheyenne Bottoms.

Only one pools is currently dry in Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area (Pool 3b).  All other pools have water in them, but water depths in these pools are lower than most years.  Several construction projects on the Wildlife Area continue.  The permanent marshes on the Nature Conservancy property have been holding water and birds as well and is worth a drive through Crooked Rd (NE 100 Rd and NE 90 Rd).

Duck hunting season is now Closed for the season in the Low Plains Early Zone, which includes Cheyenne Bottoms.  Goose seasons are still open statewide.  Duck season in the Low Plains Late Zone, which includes Quivira NWR, will reopen on January 22 and remains open until January 30.

There have been good birding reports from Quivira NWR over the last couple weeks.  800-1,000 Sandhill cranes have remained at Quivira NWR this Winter.  The most activity has been on the north end of the refuge around NE 170^th St and the Wildlife Driving Loop.  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
• Mallard
• Northern Pintail
• Green-winged Teal
• Common Merganser
• Northern Bobwhite
• Ring-necked Pheasant
• American Coot
• Ring-billed Gull
• Herring Gull
• Iceland Gull
• American White Pelican
• Great Blue Heron
• Northern Harrier
• Cooper’s Hawk
• Bald Eagle
• Red-tailed Hawk
• Rough-legged Hawk
• Great Horned Owl
• Snowy Owl
• Downy Woodpecker
• Northern Flicker
• American Kestrel
• Merlin
• Prairie Falcon
• Horned Lark
• European Starling
• American Robin
• House Sparrow
• American Goldfinch
• Lapland Longspur
• American Tree Sparrow
• Dark-eyed Junco
• White-crowned Sparrow
• Harris’s Sparrow
• Song Sparrow
• Meadowlark Sp.
• Red-winged Blackbird
• Common Grackle
• Northern Cardinal