Kansas byway travelers can win one of five Flip HD video camcorders by entering their favorite Kansas byway story now through December 31, 2010, online at www.mykansasbywaystory.com. Share your story about the Kansas Wetlands & Wildlife Byway!
The Great Bend USD 428 Education Day at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center was fantastic! The Second Grade Classes all participated at the various educational learning centers made for the event!
Throughout the day, we have been watching the progression of killdeer hatch from a nest along the side driveway at the KWEC. We have watched the nest of 4 eggs for a couple weeks now. This morning, one puff-ball killdeer was seen scurrying from the nest. Then, we saw a second juvenile in the nest. Finally, at the end of today, there is one egg yet to be hatched, 2 juveniles in the nest, and one running around. Keep your eyes open for the little guys! See Recent Photos!
First oil-covered bird spotted at the Cheyenne Bottoms. First observed by Kim and Jerry Schneweis, and then confirmed by Karl Grover, (Cheyenne Bottoms Refuge Manager) and Charlie Swank on 6-8-10. It was a Great Blue Heron and was able to fly.
I make a quick swing through the Big Salt Marsh of Quivira this morning on the way to work and found a few birds of interest. The most unexpected bird was a female BLACK SCOTER, seen along the east side of the Wildlife Drive, just north of the east low-water crossing, on the inside of the loop. I saw it on the water for a few seconds and then watched it as it flew in circles for a couple of minutes, until it landed a few hundreds yards north of me behind some cattails. I saw the two-colored head, with no bill bump and saw it well in flight. It had all dark wings on top and silvery primaries contrasting with dark below on the underwings. I have seen Surf Scoter in spring before at Quivira, but this was new for me there.
Mike Rader
The Whooping Cranes have landed at Quivira! On March 31, there were 66 confirmed sightings. This morning, April 1, there were 74 in the Little Salt Marsh, Big Salt Marsh and Unit 14a!
Several long-billed dowitchers and a horned grebe were spotted at the Kansas Wetland Education Center. Sandhill cranes continue to move through the area during spring migration!
A group of 3 whoopers were observed with sandhill cranes in a corn field north west of Quivira, just south of the Barton County line. This was a family group of 2 adults and 1 juvenile.
Barry Jones, Visitor Services, Quivira
A whooping crane visited the Big Salt Marsh at Quivira on March 18, 2010!
Spring migration is beginning at both Cheyenne Bottoms and at Quivira. There are exceptional birding opportunities at both refuge sites!
Submit Cheyenne Bottoms & Quivira Bird Sightings on E-Bird!
The Kansas Wetlands Education Center at Cheyenne Bottoms is open for visitors! Please plan to stop at the Center during your drive of the Kansas Wetlands and Wildlife National Scenic Byway! A great spring vacation stop!