Marshes in the northeast corner of the county near the McPherson County border, including Swan Lake and Three Mile Lake, are wonderful for many waterfowl, including Trumpeter Swans.

Since there are not many public areas, the best strategy is to bird along public roadways. The county road that goes east from Purdum follows the North Loup River. Another county road that goes east from Dunning along the Middle Loup River has some good birding areas along it. It is critical to get permission from local landowners if you wish to leave the public roadways.

Access to riparian wooded habitats along the Niobrara River is the highlight of this WMA, located 5 miles south of Butte.

Owned by The Nature Conservancy, this large area north of Johnstown includes a portion of the Niobrara River, Sandhills prairie, western coniferous forest and eastern deciduous forest. A wide variety of wildlife inhabits the area.

Located two miles west and eight miles north of Long Pine along Highway 183, this habitat-rich site allows camping, picnicking, fishing and hunting.

Located 20-30 miles south of the town of Valentine, this vast area contains many lakes and marshes in the heart of Nebraska's Sandhills.  During migration, many thousands of ducks, geese and other waterfowl stop here.  The Refuge has a bird list of over 260 species.

Cross the Niobrara River on a footbridge and walk through the wooded canyon on a boardwalk to the falls in this park located 3 miles west and 4 miles south of Sparks.  It has excellent riverside woodland birding.  

This small state area located about 6 miles east of Anselmo on Highway S21A gets its  name from the mineral springs found here.  It has a nice small lake surrounded by woodland; camping and picnicking facilities are available.

This 5124-acre reservoir is located northwest of Burwell on the Calamus River in the heart of the Sandhills and straddles Garfield and Loup County line. The dam was completed in 1986 so it is a relatively new lake. It has 31 miles of shoreline. It is a great area for water-loving birds such as pelicans, cormorants, herons, geese, ducks and gulls and for shorebirds when the water is low. Greater Prairie-Chickens, Sharp-tailed Grouse, shrikes and Bell's Vireo have been found here.

This is another lake along scenic Highway 2  which can be seen from the road.  It is located 1 mile west of Whitman.

Wolbach has a small lake in a park near the grain elevators on the west edge of town.

There can be some good birding at the county road bridges over the Cedar River in the northeast corner of the county.

Most of the dam and a portion of the lake is in Greeley County, but the lake extends to the west in to Valley County.  The area is 3 miles south of North Loup. You can walk along the entire length of the dam and the view is excellent.

This 349-acre lake is located 4 miles east of Highway 281 and 2 miles north of the Wheeler Co. line.

On Highway 97 2 miles north of Mullen where the road drops down through the Middle Loup River bottom, there is good habitat and a good variety of birds. This area is a likely migrant trap during fall migration as birds drop in after crossing the mostly-treeless Sandhills from the north.

Also, where Highway 97 crosses the Dismal River, 13 miles south of Mullen, is another interesting area, with broken country and some trees forming another possible migrant trap.

Located 3 miles west of Stapleton on the south side of Highway 92, this wet area of ponds and marshes alond the South Loup River can be excellent for waterfowl, shorebirds, and raptors.

Go 18 miles west of Tryon on Highway 92, then turn south and go 3 miles.  The lake is on the west side of the road.  Trumpeter Swans can often be found here, and the lake is good for ducks and geese.

This pair of Sandhills lakes is located 18 miles south and 2 miles east of Bassett. There are 113 acres of surface water and 30 acres of grassland.

This 90,445-acre area located 2 miles west of Halsey is composed of grasslands in and around a planted, mostly pine forest. In the surrounding sand dunes, Greater Prairie-Chickens, Sharp-tailed Grouse, and Upland Sandpipers can be found, while the conifers provide habitat for Great Horned Owls and Red Crossbills. Warblers, vireos and towhees nest here. Headquarters personnel can provide information on the locations of  two grouse blinds, where Sharp-tailed Grouse display primarily late March to late April.

Located about 1 mile southeast of the town of Ericson, this is a man-made lake with residential area on the northeast side and an undeveloped area on the southwest side. There is a trail through the undeveloped area and a marshy area at the northwest end of the lake.

Fossils of mammals covered by ash 12 million years ago may be seen here.  Of birding interest, a Bewick's Wren was seen here in the spring and summer of 1999.

Located east of Clearwater on Highway 275

The east end of Beaver Valley Road, located in Sandhills habitat in the northwest corner of the county, starts four miles west of Petersburg just past the end of the pavement. The road goes through Sandhills prairie along the Beaver Creek and includes dry upland grassland, marshy lowland, shelterbelts and creek habitat. It is a great area for prairie birds.

This park is 5 miles east and 4 miles north of Tekamah and includes a small, peaceful, primitive campground and access to the Missouri River. The campground and surrounding area is dominated by large cottonwoods with some shrubby understory. This is a good place to see migratory and breeding bird species including warblers, vireos, thrushes, orioles, flycatchers, woodpeckers, and other passerines as well as larger birds that tend to follow the river during migration.

This is a church camp 6 miles north and 1 mile east of Richland. Ask permission to enter at the office by the gate. They are cordial to birders. It is about 200 acres of grassland and wooded areas with a spring-fed lake.

From the intersection of Highways 275 and 15 (just north of Pilger in Stanton County) go 1 mile east, 1/2 mile south, 1-1/2 east, then south on entrance road. This area consists of woodland (primarily cottonwoods), grassy/weedy vegetation, and some wet grassy area.  It also has access to the Elkhorn River.  There are possibilities for migrating, breeding and wintering passerines as well as waterfowl, shorebirds and other water birds.  This is not a 'go out of your way' type of area, but if making a trip along highway 275, it might be a nice side stop. The area is open to public hunting and fishing; use caution during hunting seasons.  It is reported to have a Bank Swallow colony and impressive numbers of wood ticks.

This is a city park with a small lake and some woodland habitat just northeast of the Highway 77/129 interchange in South Sioux City.  It may be reached from Highway 77 or from Highway 20 (to the east).

This 1921-acre, lushly forested park located on the bluffs above the Missouri River is 2 miles north of the town of Ponca and has modern cabins and 21 miles of hiking trails.  Whip-poor-wills are common in summer and there is a rich variety of passerines which pass through in migration.  The Missouri National Recreational River Resource and Education Center is located here and  provides information on river ecology and associated animal life.  

This is a group of 20 sandpit lakes on highway 30, 3 miles west of Fremont. It is a popular recreational site, and the birding is usually unremarkable.

This is a wooded city park west of Fremont. It has trails through the trees which eventually lead down to the Platte River. It also has several small ponds and some marshy areas. On a good day in the spring, the warblers can be impressive. A Worm-eating Warbler was seen here in the spring of 1999. From highway 77 just north of the Platte River bridge south of Fremont, go west at the Wooden Windmill restaurant for 2 miles.

Surrounded by the city of Omaha, the area inside this oxbow lake is really in Iowa. The lake can be good for ducks and other waterbirds. It is immediately west of the Omaha airport.

Hummel Park is a wooded area just west of the Missouri River where Cerulean Warblers have been seen and heard in spring and summer. Take Pershing Drive (which becomes North River Drive) north under the Mormon Bridge past N P Dodge Park (see above) and you will come to two entrances to Hummel Park on your left. If you pass up both entrances and turn left on Ponca Road, after about a block there is a small parking lot on your left. This is the area where the Cerulean Warblers have been seen.  Walk over the bridge and take the trail to your right for a short distance.

This urban lake can have good ducks. It is between 84th and 96th Streets, mostly south of Highway 36.

Although developed for recreational purposes, this area, consisting of timbered river bottom forest and marshland, and has a potential for good birding.  It is located in western Douglas Co just south of Highway 92.

This is Nebraska's second largest lake, straddling the South Dakota border along the Missouri River.  Birding from the dam (which is in Cedar County) offers good views of eagles and waterfowl.  A nature trail is also available.

This state park is located at the confluence of the Niobrara River and the impounded backwaters of the Missouri River. It is mostly hilly grassland, but also has riparian wooded habitats. There are more than 12 miles of hiking trails, and a 2-mile hike/bike trail that extends along the park's northern boundary.  Woodland birds include Whip-poor-wills, and both Bald Eagles and Ospreys are seasonally present.

Open to the public and located in Norfolk 0.8 mile north of Norfolk Ave. on 25th Street, this small lake is one of the largest bodies of water in Madison County, so it plays host to uncommon waterfowl or waders every once in a while.

This is a hilly area with thick oak woods and some prairie on the hilltops. There is a parking lot and primitive trails. Located 7 miles west of Genoa (T 17 N, R 5 W, northwest quarter of section 23), it is a good area to find woodland birds.

Also known as the Loup Public Power District Wildlife Management Area, the ponds in this area along the Loup River can be good for ducks and other waterfowl.  It is located 5 miles southwest of Genoa on Highway 22.

Located 3 miles south and 4 miles west of Monroe, this 917-acre tract includes 1.5 miles of Loup River frontage.

Located 0.5 mile south of Monroe, this wooded area beside the Loup River includes a small fishing lake.

Owned and maintained by the Loup Power District, this 9-acre park is located where the Loup Canal joins the Platte River, 3 miles east of Columbus and 1 mile south.  

This 1300-acre tract of mature riverine hardwood forest includes 17 miles of trails, including some boardwalks, running through both upland and floodplain forests.  It is one of the best warbler spots in eastern Nebraska.  There is a bird checklist of 246 species that have been reported in the past decade, and more than 100 of these are summering species that potentially breed.  Summer species of special interest include American Woodcock, Broad-winged and Red-shouldered Hawks, Whip-poor-will, Acadian Flycatcher, Carolina Wren, Yellow-throated Vireo, Wood Thrush, American Redstart, Cerulean, Prothonotary and Kentucky Warblers, Brown Creeper, and Scarlet and Summer Tanagers.  Yellow-throated Warblers and Pileated Woodpeckers have nested here recently.  An observation blind overlooks a marsh, and there are organized bird or nature hikes, plus many other programs at the visitor’s center. The forest, located in Bellevue at 1111 Bellevue Blvd. North, is open 8-5 daily; admission fee.

(1200 acres, Wehrspann Lake 245 acres) This area features an arboretum and a blacktopped hiking/biking trail beside the lake. Some of the grassy areas can be good for sparrows. It is bounded by 168th Street, Giles Road and I-80.

Located 1 mile south of Pilger on Highway 15, this small lake and the private sand pit on the west side of the highway can be a draw for waterfowl.

From Stanton go 2 miles south on Highway 24, at highway marker #8 go 2 miles west on a county road, then 1 mile north.  It consists of riparian wooded habitats bordering the Elkhorn River, with several oxbow lakes and a stream. Many eastern songbirds nest here, and the marshy lakes are used by large numbers of geese, ducks, pelicans, cormorants and occasional Trumpeter Swans. It is a good spot for Woodcock in spring.

This Winnebago Tribal park is open to the public and is 6 miles east and 2 miles north of Winnebago. It has Missouri River frontage, with oak woodland to the west and some nice hiking trails.

This refuge is located around an old oxbow of the Missouri River, and consists mostly of riverine deciduous forest, a large oxbow lake, and croplands. The bulk of the refuge is on the east side of the Missouri River in Iowa, accessed from Highway 30 east of Blair, although the inside of the oxbow lake is considered Nebraska. There is also a Nebraska side of the refuge on the west side of the Missouri River.

There is an interpretive center whose large windows face the 788-acre lake, allowing wonderful views of waterfowl and Bald Eagles in late fall and early spring. There are also outdoor viewing platforms for close viewing. There is a twelve-mile drive around the refuge and four hiking trails.  The interior refuge roads are closed during some periods; inquire at the interpretive center for a schedule.  Also in the visitors' center is an impressive display of the contents of the riverboat Bertrand, which sank here in 1864.

This 297-acre area is owned by Fontenelle Forest Nature Association and is a combination of wooded hills and hilltop meadows with views of the river valley to the east and of Omaha to the south. There is a small stream along the north boundary and 5 miles of trails. The tract straddles the Washington-Douglas Co. line and can be reached by following North River Road 3 miles north of the Mormon Bridge. Turn left on White Deer Lane and then turn left on Edith Marie Ave.

This privately-owned 160-acre tract is northwest of the town of Wayne: 5 miles north of highway 35 and 2.5 miles west of highway 15 on the north side of Road 861 between Roads 573 and 574.  It is comprised mostly of grass interspersed with rows of mature trees.  Mowed paths allow easy access to good sparrow habitat.  The area is open from March 1 to Nov 1.

This is a private lake located about 20 miles west of Alliance (west on 10th St. for 11 miles, then south 1 mile and west for 5 more miles). A trail at a sign indicating the Snake Creek Ranch goes left and leads to the dam. This small reservoir is a major stopover point for Snow Geese and a few Ross's Geese in spring. The meadows to the south of the dam around Snake Creek support Willets, Long-billed Curlews, Wilson's Snipes, Eastern Meadowlarks and Savannah Sparrows.  Stay on the road. The lake has been dry in recent years.

This city park in Sidney has a stream running through it with a pond on the west edge and another at the northeast corner.  In this water-challenged county, these may be worth checking.

About 6 miles north of Lodgepole there is a medium-small marsh on the east side of County Road 149 just south of County Road 34.   It's on private land, but quite close to the road.  There's a "Wetlands for Wildlife" sign there.  Since it's on the east side, don't hit it in the early morning of a clear day.  There are some additional wetlands along CR 34 west of CR 149, but there's nothing to indicate that they're perennial.  The lat-long coordinates of the "Wetlands for Wildlife" spot are (41.234165, -102.626002).

This is a city park in Chadron with a nice arboretum.  It has been highly recommend for songbirds.

Goldenrod is located where Interstate 80 and Highway 385 intersect. Access from Chappell is about three miles southeast of town along Highway 385. The area includes mixed grass prairie and open woods. There are no facilities.

This 40,900-acre refuge is located about 28 miles north of Oshkosh, or 26 miles south of Lakeside, via county roads and (especially from Lakeside) unimproved single-lane Sandhills roads.

This is one of the great wildlife refuges in America, and it supports a greater bird diversity than any other Nebraska site except the Lake McConaughy area. However, it is about 30 miles from the nearest source of gas, food, or lodging, and one must plan accordingly.

Goose Lake near the headquarters is excellent for Eared Grebes, and both Crescent Lake and Smith Lake have good populations of Western Grebes. Rush Lake  has breeding Ruddy Ducks, Canvasbacks, Redheads and Black-crowned Night-Herons. The area near Border Lake is best for American Avocets, Black-necked Stilts, Cinnamon Teal, Wilson's Phalaropes, White-faced Ibis and other shorebirds attracted to saline water conditions.

This is one of the state's best birding areas, and 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.  Bobolinks and Clark’s Grebes nest here and Least Bitterns have been found. Barn owl nest cavities usually can be seen in the cutbanks at the turnoff from Highway 22.

Located 8 miles west of Kimball along Highway 30, this small area is fast becoming known as a premier birding locale in western Nebraska, especially for western migrants. The reservoir is the largest in the southern Panhandle, and the combination of water and trees attracts a wide range of migrants. The best times to visit are during spring (late March through early June) and fall (late August through early November); winter birding is very slow and the area is a popular recreational spot in summer. The area is a particularly good spot to see western specialties such as Dusky Flycatcher (May and Aug-Sep), Cassin's Vireo (Aug-Sep), and Townsend's Warbler (Aug-Oct). More than 210 species have been seen here including rarities such as Pacific Loon, White-winged Scoter, Mississippi Kite, Sabine's Gull, Gray Flycatcher, Red-naped Sapsucker, Black-throated Gray and Pine Warblers, and Lesser Goldfinch.

Chimney Rock is located 3 miles south of Bayard and is worth investigating for nesting Golden Eagles (either on the column itself or on the eroding escarpment to the north). An old cemetery lies to the northwest of Chimney Rock, and Burrowing Owls are often found in a nearby prairie dog colony. Lazuli Buntings are common in brushy areas.

Yellow-breasted Chat, Western Tanager, Lazuli Bunting, Blue Grosbeak and Bullock's Oriole can be seen in the spring and summer in this cemetery on the road to Scotts Bluff National Monument.

Part of the North Platte National Wildlife Refuge, Lake Minatare can be a little crowded in summer but has good habitat on Lighthouse Point on the north side of the lake.  It is located 5 miles east and 4 miles north of Scottsbluff.

Part of the North Platte National Wildlife Refuge, Lake Alice has great mudflats for shorebirds in July.  Access to north end of lake with mudflats is from a north-south gravel road west of the lake via a gravel track along the south side of the irrigation canal. Drive in and onto the dam for good scope viewing. Bald Eagles have nested here recently.  From US Highway 26, travel north on Sugar Factory Road to County Road C (approximately 7 miles). Turn east on County Road C approximately 2 miles to the Lake on the left side of the road.

This canyon is located south west of Gering. Go 2 miles south on Highway 71 to Carter Canyon Road and then west. The canyon is approximately 8 miles long, but there is good birding as soon as you leave the pavement.  Cassin's Kingbirds, Say's Phoebes, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, and Pygmy, Red-breasted and White-breasted Nuthatches can be seen here. Red Crossbills are sometimes seen or heard in the tree tops. Best viewing is where the creek crosses under the road near the bottom of the canyon.

Located 3 miles south and 3 miles east of Hay Springs, this lake attracts a great variety of migrant species, including such rarities as Sabine's and Black-headed Gulls, and Townsend's Warbler. Just a mile south of Walgren Lake is a black-tailed prairie dog town with nesting Burrowing Owls and occasional Chestnut-collared Longspurs.

This canyon is located northeast of Harrison and is a good location for Rocky Mountain birds like Western Tanager, Western Wood-Pewee, Plumbeous Vireo, Cordilleran Flycatcher, Dark-eyed (White-winged) Junco, Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warbler, Pygmy Nuthatches and Red-breasted Nuthatches.  Turn right on the gravel road a half mile north of highway 20 in Harrison and follow the road to the northeast.

Fort Robinson State Park is a 22,000-acre area located on the Pine Ridge in Sioux and Dawes Counties 3 miles west of Crawford, on Highway 20. Although still providing good pine habitat, a forest fire in 1989 destroyed much of the best sections of the park.  White-throated Swifts nest 6 miles west of the park headquarters.    

Located 2 miles east and 3 miles south of Hastings.

Private property across the road to the west of Theesen Waterfowl Production Area (Clay County).  Usually good mudflats for shorebirds in spring and late summer.

Located between Interstate 80 and the Platte River between the Minden and Gibbon exits, this area is a long narrow strip of woodland habitat. It includes several small lakes surrounded mostly with trees and bushes. It is a good area for woodland birds. There is a road through most of it with primitive picnic areas along the way.

This area includes a hike/bike trail and is located 2 miles west of Kearney on Highway 30.

The Fort Kearny Hike/Bike Trail is a well-maintained, handicapped-accessible trail across the Platte River on a former railroad bridge. It provides an excellent view of the river and the woods along its banks and islands. Birds that can be seen along the trail include Bald Eagles, geese and ducks in January and February; Sandhill Cranes and American Woodcock in March; warblers and other passerines in April, May and June. It is one of the few public areas where hunting is not allowed so there are birds there in the fall.

Located on the south side of the Platte River a couple of miles south of the Elm Creek Interstate 80 exit, this area is an old sand and gravel operation. There are several small lakes with some trees, bushes and sandy beaches. The area is good for fish-eating birds, such as grebes, herons and gulls, and also open woods type birds, such as bluebirds and kingbirds.

This WPA features an observation blind close to the parking lot on the south side of the lagoon for easy viewing of the wetland.  Located 2 miles south of Clay Center, it is a great spot for waterfowl and shorebirds.

Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District has provided a public area with bleachers situated in front of large windows which look out over the supply canal where Bald Eagles swoop to capture fish and rest in the trees along the banks. Spotting scopes are provided and attendants are available to answer questions. J-2 is located about seven miles south of Lexington. Signs along area roads help guide visitors to the plant. There is no charge to visit the facilities.  Open late December to early February.  Call for info: (308) 324-2811. In addition to eagles, this is a good place for mergansers and goldeneyes.

Gallagher Canyon includes a 400-acre lake and a primitive campground in an area of steep canyons. It is located 8 miles south of Cozad.

Located on the Kansas border six miles south and three miles east of Franklin, this is a hilly prairie with wooded ravines and limestone outcropings. There are no services and no trails, but it is good habitat for prairie birds and some woodland birds.

This 600-acre WPA is located three miles west and one mile south of Hildreth. It is a flat prairie and marsh with a little woodland.

These are located on the south edge of town, on the west side of highway 283. There is a road to a gate on the north side of the lagoons that goes between a home and a business. It is a good spot to check for waterfowl, gulls and swallows.

The park is located on the south edge of town just west of Highway 46. There is a large mature deciduous woodland on the south and west sides with primitive trails through it, and it is a great place for woodpeckers, flycatchers, vireos, wrens, kinglets, thrushes, warblers, grosbeaks, buntings and orioles. All services are available in Oxford.

There are two largish ponds, easily visible from the road, on the south side of CR748 just east of CR427.  This is approximately 1/2 mile south of Johnson Lake and 1 mile west of highway 283 (lat-long coordinates are 40.6685, -99.8486).

Located 1/4 mile north of I-80 at Grand Island (Exit 312), the habitat includes 3 lakes which occasionally attract large concentrations of waterfowl in the spring.  Because of its depth, the main lake sometimes hosts loons, pelicans, mergansers and a variety of grebes. The slough running through the area is a good place to search for Wilson’s Snipe. Cedar Waxwings, woodpeckers and Brown Creepers are common in the surrounding riparian woodlands.  Camping, restrooms, swimming, shelters and an office are on site.

Located near the Highway 34 and Highway 14 intersection in Aurora, this park has a stream and lots of mature trees.

There are lots of big old trees in and around this cemetery, located five miles east of Stockham beside the West Fork of the Big Blue River.

This is a flat prairie and marsh with a little woodland located 3 miles north of Stockham which provides good habitat for prairie and marsh birds.  There are parking lots but no services or trails.

This is located at the point where Hamilton, Hall and Merrick Counties meet. There is enough room at both ends of the bridge to pull off of the highway and park and there is a good view of the river from the highway right-of-way.  Many species of waterfowl, shorebirds and raptors can be seen along the river.

Located 6 miles west and 1 mile south of Aurora, this is another rainwater basin: flat prairie and marsh with a little woodland. There are parking lots but no services or trails. It is excellent habitat for prairie and marsh birds.

This 13,000-acre lake on the Republican River between Alma and the Kansas border is a winter haven for large numbers of Bald Eagles, gulls and waterfowl, depending upon how much open water is there.  The trees on the north side of the lake provide good habitat for woodland birds.  Look for Burrowing Owls in the prairie dog colony between Republican City and the administration area. There has been a Double-crested Cormorant rookery at the western end of the lake since 1995 and a Great Blue Heron rookery downstream from the dam. With lake levels at record lows in recent years, mudflats have provided tremendous shorebird viewing especially on the western end south of Alma. There are 2 nature trails in the area, one passing through native prairie and the other through woodland.

Located along the northwest bank of the Loup River about 2 miles west and 4 miles south of St. Paul, this area features primitive trails through the flooded woods to the river. Access is from the gravel road just northwest of the river.

This WMA is located along the south bank of the North Loup River about 2 miles east and 1 mile south of Elba. There is a primitive trail through a marshy area to the flooded woods along the river and a small lake beside the river. Access is from the gravel road just south of the river between Highways 11 and 281.

Located in Kearney County, 4 miles south and 4 miles west of Minden, this area offers good waterfowl and shorebird viewing during spring migration, depending upon water conditions.  White-faced Ibises, Pectoral Sandpipers, American Bitterns, Black-crowned Night-Herons, and Whooping Cranes have been reported here in recent years.

Located 2 miles east of Wilcox, this area has both wetland and upland acres.

There is a privately-owned wetland 2 miles east of the northeast corner of Funk WPA (Phelps County) that is usually good for shorebirds, waterfowl and sometimes raptors. View from the county road.

This private area (admission fee) is located 3 miles south of Chapman and north of the Platte River Bridge on the east side of road.  It is a stretch of Platte River wooded habitat and adjacent native prairie, with trails through all of the local habitat types.

The two sections of this WMA are located 3 miles east of highway 14 and 1 mile south of the Clay Co. line (Smartweed Marsh) and 1.5 miles east of highway 14 and 0.5 miles south of the Clay Co. line (Smartweed Marsh West).  Habitat includes wetland, marsh, and grassy lowlands.

Located 4 miles south of Funk, “Sac” offers a nice variety of habitat types, including freshwater marsh, prairie, creek and woodlands.  There is a recently-constructed viewing blind which overlooks a good waterfowl and shorebird area when water is present.  Intensive habitat development, including planting and managing trees, shrubs and grasses, has provided a wealth of cover diversity.

This wetland is located 9 miles south and 2.5 miles east of the Elm Creek I-80 exit. The view is best from the east side looking west. The mudflats on the west side are excellent for shorebirds. Whooping Cranes and Peregrine Falcons have been seen here in recent years during spring migration.

This is an area of mostly rolling prairie grasslands with woody growth along creeks, located 4 miles east and 1 mile north of Loup City, on Highway 92. It features several hiking trails through various types of habitat surrounding the 2548-acre lake.

Owned by the Big Bend Chapter of the National Audubon Society, this small, heavily-wooded area is across the highway from the Loup City sewage settling ponds on the bank of the Middle Loup River.

The city park has three nice small ponds, plus large trees and is worth a look in the spring for warblers, vireos, etc.

This is a 12-mile hike/bike trail on an old railroad right-of-way between Brainard and Valparaiso.

This  320-acre WMA is located one mile east of Dwight on the north side of the county road.  There is a 26-acre lake not visible from the parking area which may be reached by a walk north through the grassland.  It is good for prairie birds, waterfowl, etc.  The T intersection east of the parking area where the wooded creek crosses the road can also be a good spot.

This NRD park is located one mile south and two miles east of Brainard and features a 30-acre reservoir with a marshy area at the upper end. It is surrounded by prairie and some woodland and has a 2-mile hiking trail. Services include tent camping area, picnic area, outhouse and boat ramp.

This park has 10 miles of hiking trails through woodlands and grasslands. The trail along Stone Creek is especially good. There is an 85-foot tower with an observation deck providing an excellent view of the area. The park is 418 acres and is located two miles west of Louisville.

This park has 5 sandpit lakes and access to the Platte River.  Birding can be good, but the campground and lakes are very popular in good weather.

Located four miles west of Beatrice on Highway 4, this area includes a 2.5 mile trail passing through riparian wooded habitats and restored prairie. There is a bird checklist of more than 150 species, a plant list, and an educational exhibit that features pioneer history and related artifacts.

The area is 4 miles east of the town of Alexandria (Thayer County) on a paved road and includes several lakes with woodland, stream, upland habitats and hiking trails.

Located about 6 miles east and 1 mile south of Fairbury, this site includes woodlands, uplands and the creek. There is a visitors' center, picnic grounds, camping areas, and wildlife management areas. There are trails for hiking and horseback riding.

This 1800-acre lake is great for ducks, gulls, loons and grebes, but bring your scope. It's a big lake. The area also has lots of grassy and shrubby areas which are good for sparrows and other passerines. If the water level is low, shorebirds can be abundant. It is 3 miles west of Raymond. A park permit or entry fee is required.

This 100-acre undeveloped area east of Capitol Beach Lake in northwest Lincoln has a wood-chipped loop trail around the salt marsh, where rails have been seen. From Sun Valley Blvd. (Highway 6), go northwest on Westgate Blvd., then west on Lake Drive, which winds around. Eventually you will come to a parking area and a wooden blind on a mound on the south side of the water.

This 740-acre lake is good for ducks and geese in migration and prairie species in the surrounding area. It is one mile north of I-80 at NW 112th St.

This Audubon sanctuary encompasses 800 acres of native tallgrass prairie, as well as ponds, wetlands, natural springs, and a bur oak riparian woodland. The new education building opened in September 2006 and houses an exhibit hall, education room, and gift shop. The Center is located three miles south of Denton on SW 98th Street.  Admission charged.

Some of the best remaining saline wetlands in eastern Nebraska are found in this Saunders-Lancaster County area along Highway 77 just south of Ceresco.  It consists of mostly seasonally wet lowlands that occur along a creek drainage.

This 21-mile hike-bike trail extends from 6 miles south of Nebraska City south though Peru to Brownville, following an old railroad bed through Missouri Valley riparian hardwood forest and uplands.  It is an excellent place to view migratory passerines.

This park, just west of Nebraska City on Highway 2, is home to the estate of J. Sterling Morton, founder of Arbor Day.  The 52-room mansion is surrounded by an arboretum which features 250 varieties of trees and shrubs and a nature trail.

This is a Missouri River Mitigation habitat restoration project of the U.S. Corps of Engineers located on a bend of the Missouri River about 10 miles southeast of Nebraska City.

Located 3 miles east and 1.5 miles north of Burchard, this native grass area has a 150-acre reservoir. There are several Greater Prairie-Chicken leks in the area, and 2 permanent blinds have been erected here for viewing the leks. The prairies to the south and east of Burchard Lake WMA are good areas for Scissor-tailed Flycatcher and Northern Mockingbird.

Straddling the Nemaha-Richardson County line, this mostly-forested park is 9 miles south and 5 miles east of Brownville along the Missouri River.  Its 20 miles of hiking trails are good places to find southern woodland species such as Chuck-will’s-widow, Acadian Flycatcher and Summer Tanager. Pileated Woodpeckers have nested here in recent years.

Also known as Swan Lake, this Lower Big Blue Natural Resources District lake is located 3 miles east and 2 miles north of Tobias. The area includes a lake with some trees around it and some upland prairie. There is a marshy area at the north end of the lake. Facilities include camping, picnic area and boat ramp.

Some of the best remaining saline wetlands in eastern Nebraska are found in this Saunders-Lancaster County area along Highway 77 just south of Ceresco.  It consists of mostly seasonally wet lowlands that occur along a creek drainage.

Located a half mile north of Utica near the western edge of the county, this WMA is at the eastern edge of the Rainwater Basin so it includes prairie and marsh habitats. Least Bitterns have been seen here in the summer.

Located just over one mile south of Tamora, this WMA is another Rainwater Basin and includes wetlands and upland prairie.

Located in the north central part of the county, a little more than 2 miles west of Bruning, this Rainwater Basin marsh includes wetland and upland prairie habitats. It is only a quarter section in size; however, the private property adjacent to it also has wetland habitat. Most of the marsh is visible from the county road and from the parking lot on the hill to the west.

This area, located 4 miles east and 1 mile north of Henderson, is similar to Kirkpatrick Basin North. It is a good place in spring to find migrating ducks, geese and shorebirds.

This large lake and the surrounding marsh features a variety of habitats for birds and birders. The reservoir itself is good for migratory waterbirds including grebes, ducks, geese, and pelicans.  Depending upon lake levels, the upper end of the lake ranges from a weedy area to a large marsh. White-faced Ibis, American Avocets and Virginia Rails have been found in the marsh (May 2003). The riparian woodlands around the reservoir are good for migrating and breeding passerines (several Yellow-breasted Chats were found there in May 2003).  Beyond the lake edge are areas of sandsage prairie, rock outcrops and prairie dog towns.

Located on the west edge of the small town of Champion, this is another nice side trip from Enders Reservoir and a good place to look for Cassin's Sparrows. It includes a small reservoir, large cottonwoods and other woody habitats, and a historic mill that is open to the public.

Located northwest of Parks, this SRA consists of a small reservoir, deciduous woodland, shrubby and wetland habitats, and is surrounded by sandsage and shortgrass prairie. It is a good site for a variety of migratory and breeding bird species including waterfowl, shorebirds, herons, raptors, and passerines. As a little oasis in the middle of a fairly dry prairie area, this is a good spot to find warblers as well as eastern and western migrants of many kinds.

Located 2 miles west and 7 miles north of Cambridge, this 1768-acre reservoir and the surrounding upland grassy areas interspersed with stands of mature trees provide a good habitat variety.  Barn Owls are known to nest here.

The northeast portion of the county has some good birding, especially at Hayes Center WMA. It is a small forested/shrubby/grassland area with a 40-acre reservoir and a good wetland at the upper end of the lake.
June sightings include Wood Duck, Green Heron, Virginia Rail, Yellow-breasted Chat, Black-headed and Blue Grosbeaks, and Warbling and Bell's Vireos.

At nearly 36,000 acres, this is the largest body of water in Nebraska. The lake is nestled along the southern edge of the Sandhills, and much of it is buffered by a narrow fringe of cottonwoods and mid-grass prairie. Lake levels fluctuate annually, and during drier periods the west end of the lake may contain vast mudflats.  The shoreline of the entire lake is rimmed by sandy beaches.  Because of its size, the lake often remains ice-free during all but the coldest winters. The diversity of birds seen in this relatively small area is amazing: nearly 340 species. Birding is good year-round, although February (gulls and waterfowl), May (shorebirds, migrant passerines), and August-December (migrant waterbirds) are probably the best times to visit. Waterfowl may be seen anywhere on the lake in season, although they tend to concentrate at the west end during migration and off the dam in winter. All of Nebraska's regularly-occurring waterfowl may be seen here, including Trumpeter Swan (winter) and Cinnamon Teal (spring). The east end of the lake, especially near the dam, is excellent for migrant loons (all 4 species have been seen, and Pacific Loon is annual in fall), grebes (Clark's from spring through fall, Red-necked in fall and sometimes winter), and gulls. In Sep-Oct scan the lake for jaegers, Sabine's Gull, and Common Tern, all of which probably occur annually. Shorebirds may be found anywhere there is suitable habitat, especially at the west end of the lake in low water years. Piping Plover and Least Tern nest on the sandy beaches, and a few pairs of Snowy Plovers have nested in recent years.  Sanderlings are regular on the lake's beaches, especially in May and early June. Osprey and Peregrine Falcon are regular spring and fall migrants. In addition to the typical breeding birds, this area is good for east-west species pairs like the wood-pewees (Eastern and Western) and the grosbeaks (Rose-breasted and Black-headed).

This cemetery, dating from the late 1800s, is a reliable place to find Mississippi Kites in summer.  It is located in Ogallala on West 10th and Parkhill Drive (west of the Mansion on the Hill).

Located 2 miles south of the town of Sutherland, this is a large lake made to serve a coal-burning power plant.  The main lake rarely freezes, even in the harshest winters.  The cooling pond, on the southeast side of the main lake, freezes even less often, as warm water from the power plant goes directly into it.  Large numbers of ducks and geese along with some gulls and Bald Eagles usually winter there.

This 1,600-acre reservoir is located 6 miles south of North Platte on the west side of Highway 83. The lake is used during spring by White Pelicans and Double-crested Cormorants and by many shorebirds when the water levels is low.

Located 5 miles south and 1 mile west of Brady, the lake is man-made, part of the Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District's canal system. The lake is relatively small and in a steep canyon area. There are
many trees, both deciduous and evergreen, around the lake.

At the north edge of Perkins County and just to the east of Highway 61, there are seasonal pools which can be good for waterfowl.  These can be found along County Road 770 (1 mile south of the Perkins/Keith County line) and also along the county line road for 3 miles east of Highway 61.