Spring bird migration has really switched on in the last week or so.  We have started seeing many “First of seasons” in the last few weeks.  It seems as though many species are about 2 weeks early.

We are often asked when we expect to see certain species show up at Cheyenne Bottoms.  KDWP has kept records of bird migration phenology at Cheyenne Bottoms and has an average first date of observation for many species.  That list can be accessed by clicking on the “Interesting Facts” button at this page:  https://ksoutdoors.gov/KDWP-Info/Locations/Wildlife-Areas/Public-Wildlife-Areas-in-Southwest-Kansas/Cheyenne-Bottoms

Currently, ducks are the predominant bird group to see.  Numbers of ducks have been about as high as we remember for quite some time.  Most species of waterfowl are present, with several species being very abundant.  Northern Pintails are very abundant.

Sandhill cranes have been flying over the area for several weeks now, with large flocks on some days.  There was one Whooping Crane observed flying with Sandhill Cranes on February 24.

There are a few early shorebirds that have been observed, and we suspect those numbers to start increasing soon.

Water conditions at Cheyenne Bottoms should be very good for the Spring migration.  There is water in all pools except one, with Pool 1a holding quite a bit of stored water.  Other pools are at varying depths, which should provide some great habitat for a variety of birds.  There is also water available in the permanent marshes on TNC’s Preserve. 

Waterfowl and water level reports are updated occasionally at https://ksoutdoors.gov/KDWP-Info/Locations/Wildlife-Areas/Public-Wildlife-Areas-in-Southwest-Kansas/Cheyenne-Bottoms

Quivira NWR water levels remain very good as well, and bird activity has been great.  Check out http://fws.gov/refuge/Quivira or call the Quivira NWR Headquarters at 620-410-4011 for updated conditions.

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 of birds that have been reported over the last couple weeks:

• Snow Goose
• Ross’s Goose
• Greater White-fronted Goose
• Cackling Goose
• Canada Goose
• Wood Duck
• Blue-winged Teal
• Norther Shoveler
• Gadwall
• American Wigeon
• Mallard
• American Black Duck
• Northern Pintail
• Green-winged Teal
• Canvasback
• Redhead
• Ring-necked Duck
• Lesser Scaup
• Bufflehead
• Common Goldeneye
• Hooded Merganser
• Common Merganser
• Red-breasted Merganser
• Ruddy Duck
• Northern Bobwhite
• Wild Turkey
• Ring-necked Pheasant
• Eurasian Collared-Dove
• Mourning Dove
• American Coot
• Sandhill Crane
• Whooping Crane
• Killdeer
• Ling-billed Dowitcher
• Wilson’s Snipe
• Greater Yellowlegs
• Ring-billed Gull
• American Herring Gull
• Lesser Black-backed Gull
• Pied-billed Grebe
• Double-crested Cormorant
• White-faced Ibis
• Great Blue Heron
• American White Pelican
• Golden Eagle
• Cooper’s Hawk
• Northern Harrier
• Bald Eagle
• Red-tailed Hawk
• Rough-legged Hawk
• American Barn Owl
• Great Horned Owl
• Short-eared Owl
• Red-bellied Woodpecker
• Downy Woodpecker
• Hairy Woodpecker
• Northern Flicker
• American Kestrel
• Prairie Falcon
• American Crow
• Horned Lark
• Marsh Wren
• European Starling
• Eastern Bluebird
• American Robin
• Cedar Waxwing
• House Sparrow
• House Finch
• American Goldfinch
• American Tree Sparrow
• Fox Sparrow
• Dark-eyed Junco
• White-crowned Sparrow
• Harris’s Sparrow
• Savannah Sparrow
• Song Sparrow
• Yellow-headed Blackbird
• Western Meadowlark
• Eastern Meadlowlark
• Red-winged Blackbird
• Brown-headed Cowbird
• Common Grackle
• Great-tailed Grackle
• Northern Cardinal