By Jeff Kurrus The majority of the turkeys I’ve shot have come between 10 AM and 2 PM. Lunchtime is primetime, that time of the day when more than a few gobblers find themselves alone and insecurity begins to creep in. Sometimes, though, it’s hard to stay in the woods that long. From real-world obligations to simple impatience, it’s easy to leave the woods and re-enter normal life during some of the most productive turkey hunting hours of the day. …

By Monica Macoubrie, Outdoor Educator In the United States, biologists recognize three snapping turtle species — the common snapping turtle, native to Nebraska, the alligator snapping turtle and the Suwannee alligator snapping turtle, which is native to the southeastern portion of the United States. Both species of alligator snapping turtle are not found in Nebraska, yet common snapping turtles and the two alligator snapping turtles are distant cousins and look oddly similar to each other. Upon further inspection, however, you’ll …

  By Olivia DaRugna, Watchable Wildlife Biologist May in Nebraska is a bird watcher’s paradise. Endless birding opportunities abound, from colorful warblers, to unique shorebirds, to interesting breeding behaviors. It is no wonder May is Nebraska Bird Month. No matter where you are located in the state, you can bet that there will be variety of birds to spot. Shorebirds Late April to mid-May is peak shorebird migration as 30 species and about 300,000 to 500,000 shorebirds stopover in the …

By Olivia DaRugna, Watchable Wildlife Biologist We are kicking off Nebraska Bird Month (May) with a new event: The Nebraska Birding Bowl! This free event is open to anyone who enjoys observing birds in Nebraska. Whether you just started birding, are an avid backyard birder or a competitive lister, you can participate in the Nebraska Birding Bowl and win prizes. That’s right — win prizes just for observing birds! Enter in one of several categories: Fledgling Flock is for youth …

Connecting to Urban Wildlife Through the City Nature Challenge By Brianna Nugent, Educator Urban growth, agricultural expansion and other human activities have forced most of Nebraska’s wildlife into small remnants of their once extensive habitats. If that is the case, why are rabbits nibbling on our flower beds, foxes roaming the streets and racoons rummaging through our trash cans? These clever animals have found ways to coexist with us and adapt to life in the big city. For example, animals …

By Monica Macoubrie, Wildlife Education Specialist Alien invaders have inhabited Nebraska for quite some time. Have you seen them? I’m not referring to the green little Martians that come to mind when the word “aliens” is mentioned. I’m thinking a little less extraterrestrial and spaceships, and a bit more grounded and sprawling. An invasive species can be any type of organism. It can be an amphibian, plant, fungus, bacteria, mammal, seed, egg, insect, fish, etc., that is non-native to a …

By Olivia DaRugna, Watchable Wildlife Biologist Spring choruses are in full swing, and while birds may dominate the daytime soundscape, the night is for the frogs and toads. As temperatures warm, frogs and toads emerge after a long, cold winter and begin their annual serenade. Males call out into the darkness, advertising their fitness to females and to defend their territory from nearby males. In Nebraska, there are 11 species of frogs and toads. Four are listed as at-risk of …

By Monica Macoubrie, Wildlife Education Specialist If you’ve ever seen large, wobbly-looking black birds flying overhead, congratulations! You were witnessing one of Nebraska’s most efficient cleaning companies at work: Not “buzzard,” not “chicken hawk” — but the turkey vulture. Identification When describing the physical appearance of a turkey vulture, you probably wouldn’t call them “beautiful.” These birds are easily recognizable by their large size, black-brown plumage and yellow feet. And you couldn’t forget their naked — some would say creepy-looking …

April Wildlife Viewing: For most of the year, prairie grouse are inconspicuous, but come mid-March through early May, male birds are ready to perform. By Olivia DaRugna, Watchable Wildlife Biologist The iconic greater prairie-chicken dances in Nebraska may only be second to the sandhill crane migration. Photos and art of the dancing chickens can be found on postcards, in shops and museums throughout the state, and it’s no surprise among those who have witnessed this natural phenomenon unfold before their …

By Monica Macoubrie, Wildlife Education Specialist If wild kangaroos are on your bucket list of animals to see, why travel 17 hours on a plane when you could spot one right here in Nebraska? I’m serious. With long tails, pouches and large back feet, watch for these creatures leaping across the road while you’re driving down a two-lane road at night. Though, now might be the time to mention that these Nebraska kangaroos are only about 8 inches long — …