Flora & Fauna

Still have an open spring turkey permit?  Me, too.  But with the season running until May 31 (what I believe to be the longest spring turkey hunting season in the U.S.) there is still plenty of time to get out and find a Nebraska gobbler or two.  In fact, I think the best of the season is just getting started.  Here’s why… The spring hunting trips I have been on this year have been filled with talkative toms. Even when …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Join the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission for the Citizen Science Series and help contribute to scientific understanding. This series of workshops will take place at the northeast district office of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, 2201 N. 13th St., Norfolk. Each workshop will begin with an instructional segment before heading outdoors to make observations. The series topics and dates are: eBird – May 2, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. This is an online real-time checklist measuring …

When out and about capturing photos and stories for NEBRASKAland and other Commission materials, my mind frequently wanders to what the region we now know as Nebraska’s Panhandle looked like long ago. While at Fort Robinson State Park, I cannot help but think about how it must have appeared as an active military post in the 1800s — lively with U.S. Cavalry soldiers instead of today’s tourists. A drive through the ghost town of Orella on the serene and scenic …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Birders of all experience levels are invited to join the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission for the Northeast District Birding Day on May 16 at Keller Park State Recreation Area (SRA). Flights of birders will depart from the SRA picnic shelter at 5 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. Coffee and rolls will be served at 9 a.m. and a lunch will be served at noon for a small fee. Participants should bring binoculars, camera, field guide, insect repellant, …

LINCOLN, Neb. – It is natural for some people who see a young wild animal apparently abandoned by its mother to want to rescue it. The correct course of action is to leave it alone. Here are some rules of thumb from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission regarding wildlife babies: — A lone fawn, or other young bird or mammal, may appear to be abandoned or injured, but the mother frequently is off feeding or drinking. Do not move …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Learn more about how to feed birds and view them with binoculars at the Birding at the Fort event at Fort Hartsuff State Historical Park on May 6. Guest speaker Dave Titterington of Lincoln’s Wild Bird Habitat Store will share his knowledge of the different types of feed and feeders to attract a variety of birds. Amy Hughes of Loup Rivers Scenic Byways will present Binoculars 101. Door prizes and fun bird giveaways will be offered during …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Birders of all ages are invited to join the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission for Southeast District Birding Day on May 10 in the Rainwater Basin wetlands of Seward and York counties. Birders will meet at 7:30 a.m. in Utica at the city park before splitting into groups and hiking sites. Lunch and presentations by speakers will be at 11 a.m. Participants should bring lunch, binoculars, camera, field guide, insect repellant, chair, and appropriate clothing and footwear …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Join fellow bird lovers in celebrating Nebraska Bird Month in May at birding events across the state. Those living in western Nebraska can enjoy a birding hike at Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area (SRA) on May 20, as well as an evening of painting birds at Lake McConaughy SRA on May 25. Eastern Nebraska events include a day of bird observation and identification at Indian Cave State Park on May 27, a Mothers’ Day breakfast and bird …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Wildlife viewers can observe the courtship ritual of the greater prairie-chicken in southeastern Nebraska. Twenty birds have been using a lek at Burchard Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Pawnee County. A lek is a specific area where the birds gather to display their mating rituals year after year. The public is invited to view the spectacular mating rituals of the male prairie-chickens. Viewers will be able to interact in the bird’s environment and see the importance for …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is hoping to raise awareness for the state’s reptile species by encouraging all citizens to vote for a state reptile. Nebraska’s state symbols include western meadowlark, white-tailed deer, goldenrod, honeybee and cottonwood. The state lacks a designated state reptile, however. Nebraska is home to 48 species of reptiles, including snakes, turtles and lizards. That list has been narrowed to six species: ornate box turtle, common snapping turtle, bullsnake, western hognose snake, …