Niobrara Valley Preserve

Site Description:

The Nature Conservancy owns and manages this pristine 56,000-acre property encompassing majestic pine-clad canyons and extensive grasslands. It includes 25 miles of the Niobrara River in the heart of the transition zone between western coniferous and eastern deciduous forest types, an area known as the "biological crossroads" of the Great Plains. The Preserve lies within the Niobrara National Scenic River district.

Ornithological Summary:

There is a bird checklist of 213 species, among them 75 definite and 30 more possible breeding species. The preserve has been identified as a Globally Important Bird Area by the American Bird Conservancy. Among the breeding birds of special interest are the eastern and western forms that hybridize here, such as the Baltimore and Bullock's orioles, the lazuli and indigo buntings, and the rose-breasted and black-headed grosbeaks. The eastern and western wood-pewees may also hybridize here. Other state species of concern present are piping plovers, least terns, least and American bitterns, short-eared owls, yellow- and black-billed cuckoos, Bell’s vireos, dickcissels, and lark buntings

Links:

http://nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/nebraska/preserves/art9162.html
http://snr.unl.edu/wedin/nefieldsites/Niobrara/niobrara_valley_preserve.htm
http://www.nps.gov/niob/pphtml/subanimals6.html
http://www.nebraskabirdingtrails.com/trail.asp?trail=4
http://www.nebraskabirdingtrails.com/site.asp?site=51
http://www.nps.gov/niob/pphtml/animals.html

For more information, call or write Kevin Poague, Important Bird Areas Coordinator, Audubon Nebraska, P.O Box 117, 11700 SW 100th Street, Denton, NE 68339 402-797-2301, Fax: 402-797-2304; Email.