Birding

Due to habitat diversity, Keith County, Nebraska is considered “the best place in the state and the third best in the country to go birding,” according to noted ornithologist and author Dr. Paul Johnsgard, UNL Professor Emeritus. Our location on the Central Flyway and proximity to large bodies of water add up to ideal conditions for birds.

With the largest bird list in the state, Lake McConaughy is an important viewing area in western Nebraska’s Shortgrass Prairie Ecoregion.  More than 340 species have been identified in the area, with over 140 known breeding species and about 200 transients. Spring and fall migration time are especially good opportunities to spot Sandhill cranes, white pelicans, ducks, geese, and shore birds. Check the Lake McConaughy Birding Trails Map and Bird Species Checklist to get started.

The lake region is also the best place in the state to view America’s national bird, the bald eagle. Eagles gather in large numbers during the winter months below Kingsley Dam on Lake Ogallala.  They can generally be seen during January and February.  The Kingsley Hydroplant creates open water, which allows the eagles to fish for food. Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District maintains a public eagle viewing facility on below the south end of Kingsley Dam. Vehicle permits are required within the state recreation area, and they may be purchased at the Visitors Center, several local vendors, or online at outdoornebraska.gov.)

Each March and early April, over 20,000 Sandhill Cranes visit a 15 mile portion of the North Platte River between Lake McConaughy and Oshkosh, NE on their way north for nesting season.  They roost overnight on the sandbars and islands, and the evening fly-in on the river can often be viewed south of Lewellen.  During the day, the cranes feed in cornfields and meadows north of the river.  They can generally be spotted from county roads north of HW 92 from Lemoyne to Lewellen. Please be careful not to startle the birds, and remember to be respectful of private property.

Dances of Cranes, Lewellen is now offering viewing opportunities during March.  Click here for more information.

When birdwatching on public lands where hunting is permitted, officials recommend wearing bright colors like blaze orange.

Clear Creek Wildlife Management Area
Clear Creek WMA offers excellent birdwatching.  It is located at the west end of Lake McConaughy, south of State Highway 22, about 8 miles east of Lewellen in both Garden and Keith Counties.  According to the Nebraska Ornithologists’ Union (noubirds.org) Bobolinks and Clark’s Grebes nest here and Least Bitterns have been spotted. Barn Owl nest cavities usually can be seen in the cutbanks at the turnoff from Highway 22.

Wherever you are in Nebraska, amazing birding is never far away!  Check the Nebraska Birding Guide to learn more about great birding opportunities across the state:
https://birdtrail.outdoornebraska.gov

(Eagle photo courtesy of Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigiation District.  Crane photo courtesy of photographer Teri Elmshaeuser)

For more information about the Nebraska Wildlife Conservation fund, see NebraskaWildlifeFund.org.