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Flora & Fauna

Confessions of a Recreational Birdwatcher

I am a recreational birdwatcher, and proud of it! Even if I could get organized enough to keep a life list of birds I’ve seen, I simply enjoy just watching them and attempting to get some decent photos of them to share with you. Birders, or avid birders, as I call them, are easy to identify. They each keep a remarkable log of bird sightings to include the description of the species, numbers of them, date and time seen, as well as habitat and weather conditions along with any bird …

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Statewide Events in May to Help Celebrate Nebraska Bird Month

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LINCOLN – Bird lovers across the state will be congregating in May in dozens of get-togethers to celebrate International Migratory Bird Month, better known as Nebraska Bird Month. “The goal of Nebraska Bird Month is to help Nebraskans learn about and protect our feathered friends,” said Nebraska Game and Parks wildlife educator Lindsay Rogers. “Public awareness and concern are crucial components of migratory bird conservation.” Several Nebraska state parks and recreational areas will be hosting events: • Ponca State Park, …

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Southeast District Birding Day Set for May 11 at Burchard WMA

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LINCOLN – Bird watchers of all ages are invited to join the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission for Southeast District Birding Day on May 11 at Burchard Wildlife Management Area (WMA). This event is a great opportunity to get into the field, learn a bit about birds and local resource areas, and visit with agency staff and partners. Participants will meet at the WMA parking area at 7:30 a.m. Lunch and presentations are at 11 a.m. Participants should bring binoculars, …

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6 reasons to hunt turkeys in Nebraska

By Adam Kester Nebraska Game and Parks Wildlife Biologist Anyone who has hunted turkeys in Nebraska knows that it’s one of the best turkey hunting states around. Why? There are plenty of reasons. Following are just six. Turkeys are everywhere. Literally, you can find turkeys in every county in the state! Some counties in Nebraska even rank within the top 10 counties in the nation for turkey abundance. There are plenty of places to go. Turkey hunting opportunities on public …

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BioBlitz Walks on May 14 and 21 to Benefit Wildlife Conservation

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LINCOLN – Ordinary people become “citizen scientists” during a BioBlitz walk, four of which are being held for the first time in Nebraska this May. During a BioBlitz event, participants find and identify as many species of plants, animals, fungi, and other organisms as possible in a specific area. The information collected is passed on to wildlife biologists and conservationists, who use it to track populations of different species. “Participating in these hands-on studies is a fun and exciting way …

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Saturday Fun Day April 23 at Ponca State Park

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LINCOLN – Learn more about the wildlife of Ponca State Park during Saturday Fun Day on April 23. The event, which is suited for all ages, focuses on education about the various animal and bird species that live in the park and along the Missouri River. “Ponca has a diverse range of wildlife,” says event coordinator Lynn Mellick. “We have an abundance of songbirds, as well as beavers, turkeys, and raccoons, to name a few. This event is an exciting …

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Goose Lake WMA Closed Because of Invasive Plant Infestation

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LINCOLN – Goose Lake Wildlife Management Area, located southeast of Chambers in southern Holt County, is closed to public access until further notice. The closure by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is necessary because of an infestation of the invasive aquatic plant Eurasian watermilfoil. Eurasian watermilfoil can spread rapidly because a single fragment of stem or leaf can take root and form a new colony, and plants can grow up to 2 inches per day. Once established, the plant …

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It’s Not Too Late to Donate to Wildlife, Habitat Conservation

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LINCOLN – There still is time for Nebraskans to contribute to wildlife and habitat conservation. Line 42 on 2015 state income tax Form 1040N allows individuals to donate all or a part of their tax refund to the Nebraska Wildlife Conservation Fund, which focuses on saving Nebraska’s wildlife and wild places. The tax check-off is an important funding source for implementation of Nebraska’s Natural Legacy Project. This plan was developed to conserve wildlife before they become rare and more costly …

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The Calls of Spring

Spring turkey hunting is all about communication.  You make the sounds of a sexy hen and the interested toms gobble back.  Quite simply you are talking to that bird.  Now what you are saying and when you say it is the source of much discussion at turkey camp.  But what you use to make the talk of the turkey can be an important part of the hunt, too. Walk into the turkey call department of any sporting goods store and …

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Master Naturalist Training Scheduled Across Nebraska

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LINCOLN – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln have scheduled training so that individuals may become certified master naturalists. The Nebraska Master Naturalist Program is an adult education program focused on providing volunteers with hands-on experiences in Nebraska’s natural resources. Participants will undergo hours of in-depth training, led by experts in their fields. They will learn about Nebraska’s flora and fauna, native ecosystems and much more. Following training, participants have the opportunity to contribute to …

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