Date: 8/20/26 10:49 am From: Dan Mulhern <browndog06...> Subject: Mississippi Kites in Manhattan
I've not yet seen any large groups or "kettles", but there has been a noticeable increase in MIKI activity in my neighborhood. Numerous individuals and pairs seen anywhere from treetop height to elevations barely perceptible to the naked eye.
Dan Mulhern ManhattanÂ
Date: 8/16/26 7:43 pm From: Malcolm Gold <malcolmgold...> Subject: KBRC and eBird filters - Empid Flycatchers in western Kansas and Ravens
Hello Birders,
The Kansas Bird Records Committee (KBRC) decided earlier this spring to
investigate Empidonax flycatcher migration in western Kansas. This venture
is primarily to clarify the status and timing of Empidonax flycatchers
through that area of the state. To understand these patterns, eBird filters
for western counties (defined as Norton down to Clark and westward) have
been set to zero for the following species: Yellow-bellied, Alder, Willow,
Acadian, Hammond's, Gray, Dusky, and Western Flycatchers. The only Empid
flycatcher that is not flagged in eBird and not on the KBRC review list in
the westward third of the state is the Least Flycatcher.
KBRC also decided to continue the investigation into the status and
distribution of ravens statewide. Because of the identification difficulty
involved, Chihuahuan and Common Raven filters in eBird have been set to
zero statewide.
Documentation of the above species as well as other species on the KBRC
review list is critical. Please photograph all Empidonax flycatchers of the
above species especially in the westerly third of the state and equally
important, please attempt to audio record vocalizations using Merlin (don't
forget to immediately save a file!). Please *add* these to your eBird
checklists. Additionally, please photograph and audio record all ravens.
You can submit a KBRC report or send an eBird checklist with documentation.
If you have photographs and documentation of past observations, this
evaluation will also consider looking at past records. As is the case with
any rare or high count observation in eBird, proper documentation is
requested. Here is an article from Cornell describing “documentationâ€
which includes expectations if a clear photo or recording isn’t possible.
Please do not fret if you receive an inquiry from any state eBird reviewer
or member of the KBRC committee asking for additional clarification, your
sightings and information are extremely helpful to further the
understanding of status and timing.
I would appreciate any comments from birders who use hearing aids (brands, success, problems, Costco, other businesses). Reply off the listserv to the address linked to this email (not KSbirds).
In bird news, Mississippi Kites are bunching up in Newton and making a lot of racket.
Date: 8/10/26 4:20 pm From: Jeff Keating <jffkeats...> Subject: Lark Bunting, Geary County
I saw 3 lark buntings right before sunset standing on Milford Lake Road, just south of Highway 18, Geary County, Sunday, August 9. Poor light, but one male still flashed obvious white wing patches as I approached.
Date: 8/10/26 1:40 pm From: Chuck Otte <00001b0b31b1d152-dmarc-request...> Subject: Milford Lake Bird Walk on Saturday
The monthly Milford Lake Bird Walk will be this Saturday, August 15th, starting at 8:00 a.m. We meet in the parking lot at the south end of Milford Lake Dam, across the highway from the Corps of Engineer's Office, 5203 North K-57 Junction City, Kansas 66441. Walks usually last 2 to 3 hours, weather and birds dependendent. If you have any questions, contact me!!
Date: 8/6/26 6:06 am From: Pete Janzen <pete.janzen...> Subject: Wichita Audubon Second Saturday bird walk
This is a reminder that the monthly Wichita Audubon Society Second Saturday bird walk will be this coming Saturday, August 8 at Chisholm Creek Park. Meet at 8 am in the parking lot of the Great Plains Nature Center. The walk typically covers about 1.5 miles and lasts for about 90 minutes. Birders of all experience levels are welcome to join us. Please be aware that the Great Plains Nature Center building is closed for 12-18 months due to significant structural repairs and renovations. As far as I know the restroom building near the parking lot remains open.
Date: 8/2/26 10:00 am From: Jeff Keating <jffkeats...> Subject: Re: Upland Sandpipers
Not necessarily heading south yet. From the satellite transmitter data I
have seen, upland sandpipers do a fair amount of post-breeding movements
before heading south. Maybe checking out alternatives for next breeding
season? I've not seen a paper discussing that data, so I throwing it out
there speculating.
Jeff Keating
On Sat, Aug 1, 2026, 9:18 AM G & J Fenton Friesen <friesen.fenton...>
wrote:
> With a NW wind and cooler temps this AM I was not too surprised to hear at
> least 4 Upland Sandpipers flying overhead I assume heading south.
>
> Gregg Friesen
> Harvey County, KS
>
> --
> Gregg & Joanna Fenton Friesen
> Newton, KS
>
> For KSBIRD-L archives or to change your subscription options, go to
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> mailto:<ksbird-l-request...> >
Date: 7/27/26 9:15 am From: Carolyn A. Schwab <caschwab3591...> Subject: Re: Duck on church roof
Jim
I think it will be an event you see repeated in the future. I anticipate seeing one on my roof someday.
Carolyn Schwab
On 7/27/26 6:43 AM, Daniel Larson wrote: > In central Kansas driving down a highway I saw one on top of a power pole. Interesting bird. > Thanks > Dan Larson > Sent from my iPhone > >> On Jul 26, 2026, at 6:47 PM, Henry Armknecht <armknecht...> wrote: >> >> The first one observed in Scott County was on a church roof in Scott City. I recognized what it was from 2-3 blocks away and it stayed long enough for a photo. >> >> Henry A >> >> Hays >> >>> On 7/26/2026 7:11 PM, James Nickel wrote: >>> I was in Elbing this morning. Someone told me there was a duck on the church roof. I went over to look and discovered a Black-bellied Whistling Duck! Then I was talking with someone under a shade tree, and the duck flew up and landed in the tree. I didn’t know that this species liked to land in elevated places. I don’t think I will see this sequence of events again in my life. Jim Nickel Peabody, Ks >>> Sent from my iPad >>> For KSBIRD-L archives or to change your subscription options, go to >>> https://listserv.ksu.edu/ksbird-l.html >>> For KSBIRD-L guidelines go to >>> http://www.ksbirds.org/KSBIRD-LGuidelines.htm >>> To contact a listowner, send a message to >>> mailto:<ksbird-l-request...> >> For KSBIRD-L archives or to change your subscription options, go to >> https://listserv.ksu.edu/ksbird-l.html >> For KSBIRD-L guidelines go to >> http://www.ksbirds.org/KSBIRD-LGuidelines.htm >> To contact a listowner, send a message to >> mailto:<ksbird-l-request...> > For KSBIRD-L archives or to change your subscription options, go to > https://listserv.ksu.edu/ksbird-l.html > For KSBIRD-L guidelines go to > http://www.ksbirds.org/KSBIRD-LGuidelines.htm > To contact a listowner, send a message to > mailto:<ksbird-l-request...>
Date: 7/27/26 4:47 am From: Daniel Larson <birdkansa...> Subject: Re: Duck on church roof
In central Kansas driving down a highway I saw one on top of a power pole. Interesting bird.
Thanks
Dan Larson
Sent from my iPhone
> On Jul 26, 2026, at 6:47 PM, Henry Armknecht <armknecht...> wrote:
>
> The first one observed in Scott County was on a church roof in Scott City. I recognized what it was from 2-3 blocks away and it stayed long enough for a photo.
>
> Henry A
>
> Hays
>
>> On 7/26/2026 7:11 PM, James Nickel wrote:
>> I was in Elbing this morning. Someone told me there was a duck on the church roof. I went over to look and discovered a Black-bellied Whistling Duck! Then I was talking with someone under a shade tree, and the duck flew up and landed in the tree. I didn’t know that this species liked to land in elevated places. I don’t think I will see this sequence of events again in my life. Jim Nickel Peabody, Ks
>> Sent from my iPad
>> For KSBIRD-L archives or to change your subscription options, go to
>> https://listserv.ksu.edu/ksbird-l.html >> For KSBIRD-L guidelines go to
>> http://www.ksbirds.org/KSBIRD-LGuidelines.htm >> To contact a listowner, send a message to
>> mailto:<ksbird-l-request...> >
> For KSBIRD-L archives or to change your subscription options, go to
> https://listserv.ksu.edu/ksbird-l.html > For KSBIRD-L guidelines go to
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> mailto:<ksbird-l-request...>
Owner/Publisher, Washington County News
Owner, Backroads News& Media
(C) 785-747-6980 - text me
(W) 785-325-2219
> On Jul 26, 2026, at 8:56 PM, <chobbs.f1...> wrote:
>
> Your assumption is correct. Anyone who supports the current administration should turn in their bino's and do the walk of shame outta here.
>
> Chris Hobbs
> Lenexa
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Birds & Their Habitats in Kansas <KSBIRD-L...> On Behalf Of Kenneth Kinman
> Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2026 11:41 AM
> To: <KSBIRD-L...>
> Subject: Re: Lesser Prairie-Chicken
>
> Hi All,
> First, the Lesser Prairie-Chicken was delisted earlier this year. And now (last Friday) the Federal Government "moved to open the habitats of imperiled animals to farming, drilling, mining, real estate development and other activities in what environmentalists characterized as the most severe erosion of protections for wildlife in half a century." (see weblink below).
> I assume this will further threaten lesser prairie-chicken habitat in Kansas and elsewhere. Or is this move subject to challenges in the courts?
> -----------Ken Kinman (Hays, Kansas)
> https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/10/climate/endangered-species-act-harm.html?campaign_id=60&emc=edit_na_20260710&instance_id=178543&nl=breaking-news®i_id=293000524&segment_id=222895&user_id=954a10be04d94d8be54ae6117a68e4d9 >
> ________________________________
> From: Birds & Their Habitats in Kansas <KSBIRD-L...> on behalf of Jackie Augustine <jackie...>
> Sent: Friday, February 27, 2026 9:53 AM
> To: <KSBIRD-L...> <KSBIRD-L...>
> Subject: Re: Lesser Prairie-Chicken
>
> With my 25 years of experience working with prairie-chickens (first, as an academic biologist, and now, as a conservationist), I wanted to clarify a few things.
>
> A federal court in Texas vacated the ruling last August. Yesterday's delisting is just a formalization of that decision.
>
> The USFWS not only published the delisting yesterday, they also published a 'status review' with a 30-day public comment period. This is the first step in getting the bird re-listed. The USFWS is requesting information about any changes that have occurred since the 2022 listing. If you have seen lesser prairie-chickens disappear from an area (or expand into a new area), or if you have seen energy development in the historical range of the lesser prairie-chicken, please submit a comment. I would also like to know your observations to incorporate into a larger-picture comment to be submitted by Audubon of Kansas.
>
> Regarding hunting and state protections - There are two areas where lesser prairie-chickens' range in Kansas has expanded into areas where prairie-chicken hunting is allowed. Because a person cannot differentiate between greater and lesser in flight without binoculars while holding a gun, there is a possibility that lesser prairie-chickens are harvested in these areas.
>
> There are no protections for lesser prairie-chickens under state law. They are not listed as state threatened, endangered, or SINC (species in need of conservation).
>
> If the lack of state protection concerns you like it concerns me, kindly tell the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Commissioners. Their next meeting is April 9 https://ksoutdoors.gov/KDWP-Info/Commission/Upcoming-Meeting-Information >
> For more information about the prairie-chicken ruling, and ways to help, sign up for Audubon of Kansas newsletters HERE <https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/GUaEwOL>.
> An article on that topic will be in the upcoming newsletter, published in early March.
>
> Please reach out if you have any other questions about prairie-chickens.
>
> -Jackie Augustine
> Prairie-Chicken Geek & Executive Director, Audubon of Kansas
>
>
>> On Fri, Feb 27, 2026 at 8:36 AM Roger Ellis <roger...>
>> wrote:
>>
>> Hunting is still not allowed and protected under state laws.
>> Sent from my iPad
>>
>>> On Feb 27, 2026, at 8:16 AM, Sebastian Patti
>>> <sebastianpatti...>
>> wrote:
>>>
>>> So sad.
>>>
>>> <sebastianpatti...>
>>> Sebastian T. Patti
>>> 552 W. Belden Ave.
>>> Chicago, ILLINOIS 60614-3354
>>> CELL: 773/304-7488
>>> ________________________________
>>> From: Birds & Their Habitats in Kansas <KSBIRD-L...>
>>> on
>> behalf of Max Thompson <maxt...>
>>> Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2026 5:13 PM
>>> To: <KSBIRD-L...> <KSBIRD-L...>
>>> Subject: Lesser Prairie-Chicken
>>>
>>> The Lesser Prairie-Chicken has now lost its protected status in
>>> Kansas
>> New Mexico and Colorado. The Trump administration took it off the
>> threatened list. Kansas Senators were elated.Max Thompson
>>>
>>> For KSBIRD-L archives or to change your subscription options, go to
>>> https://listserv.ksu.edu/ksbird-l.html< >> https://listserv.ksu.edu/ksbird-l.html> >>> For KSBIRD-L guidelines go to
>>> http://www.ksbirds.org/KSBIRD-LGuidelines.htm< >> http://www.ksbirds.org/KSBIRD-LGuidelines.htm> >>> To contact a listowner, send a message to
>>> mailto:<ksbird-l-request...> >>>
>>> For KSBIRD-L archives or to change your subscription options, go to
>>> https://listserv.ksu.edu/ksbird-l.html >>> For KSBIRD-L guidelines go to
>>> http://www.ksbirds.org/KSBIRD-LGuidelines.htm >>> To contact a listowner, send a message to
>>> mailto:<ksbird-l-request...> >>
>> For KSBIRD-L archives or to change your subscription options, go to
>> https://listserv.ksu.edu/ksbird-l.html >> For KSBIRD-L guidelines go to
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>> mailto:<ksbird-l-request...> >>
>
> For KSBIRD-L archives or to change your subscription options, go to https://listserv.ksu.edu/ksbird-l.html > For KSBIRD-L guidelines go to
> http://www.ksbirds.org/KSBIRD-LGuidelines.htm > To contact a listowner, send a message to mailto:<ksbird-l-request...> >
> For KSBIRD-L archives or to change your subscription options, go to https://listserv.ksu.edu/ksbird-l.html > For KSBIRD-L guidelines go to
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> mailto:<ksbird-l-request...>
Date: 7/26/26 4:50 pm From: Henry Armknecht <armknecht...> Subject: Re: Duck on church roof
The first one observed in Scott County was on a church roof in Scott City. I recognized what it was from 2-3 blocks away and it stayed long enough for a photo.
Henry A
Hays
On 7/26/2026 7:11 PM, James Nickel wrote: > I was in Elbing this morning. Someone told me there was a duck on the church roof. I went over to look and discovered a Black-bellied Whistling Duck! Then I was talking with someone under a shade tree, and the duck flew up and landed in the tree. I didn’t know that this species liked to land in elevated places. I don’t think I will see this sequence of events again in my life. Jim Nickel Peabody, Ks > Sent from my iPad > For KSBIRD-L archives or to change your subscription options, go to > https://listserv.ksu.edu/ksbird-l.html > For KSBIRD-L guidelines go to > http://www.ksbirds.org/KSBIRD-LGuidelines.htm > To contact a listowner, send a message to > mailto:<ksbird-l-request...>
Date: 7/26/26 2:37 pm From: bobgress <bobgress...> Subject: Re: Duck on church roof
They used to be called Black-bellied Tree Ducks for that reason. And they nest in cavities like Wood Ducks.
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone
On Sunday, July 26, 2026, 3:17 PM, Sue Newland <newlandsue60...> wrote:
A friend of mine in Louisiana has 50 or more of these ducks descend on her
roof, surrounding trees and yard every year. I have photos of the ones on
top of her roof. Apparently they do like high places, at least at times.
Sue Newland
On Sun, Jul 26, 2026, 3:12 PM James Nickel <jbnickelk2a...> wrote:
> I was in Elbing this morning. Someone told me there was a duck on the
> church roof. I went over to look and discovered a Black-bellied Whistling
> Duck! Then I was talking with someone under a shade tree, and the duck flew
> up and landed in the tree. I didn’t know that this species liked to land in
> elevated places. I don’t think I will see this sequence of events again in
> my life. Jim Nickel Peabody, Ks
> Sent from my iPad
> For KSBIRD-L archives or to change your subscription options, go to
> https://listserv.ksu.edu/ksbird-l.html > For KSBIRD-L guidelines go to
> http://www.ksbirds.org/KSBIRD-LGuidelines.htm > To contact a listowner, send a message to
> mailto:<ksbird-l-request...> >
Date: 7/26/26 1:19 pm From: Sue Newland <newlandsue60...> Subject: Re: Duck on church roof
A friend of mine in Louisiana has 50 or more of these ducks descend on her
roof, surrounding trees and yard every year. I have photos of the ones on
top of her roof. Apparently they do like high places, at least at times.
Sue Newland
On Sun, Jul 26, 2026, 3:12 PM James Nickel <jbnickelk2a...> wrote:
> I was in Elbing this morning. Someone told me there was a duck on the
> church roof. I went over to look and discovered a Black-bellied Whistling
> Duck! Then I was talking with someone under a shade tree, and the duck flew
> up and landed in the tree. I didn’t know that this species liked to land in
> elevated places. I don’t think I will see this sequence of events again in
> my life. Jim Nickel Peabody, Ks
> Sent from my iPad
> For KSBIRD-L archives or to change your subscription options, go to
> https://listserv.ksu.edu/ksbird-l.html > For KSBIRD-L guidelines go to
> http://www.ksbirds.org/KSBIRD-LGuidelines.htm > To contact a listowner, send a message to
> mailto:<ksbird-l-request...> >
Date: 7/26/26 1:15 pm From: James Nickel <jbnickelk2a...> Subject: Duck on church roof
I was in Elbing this morning. Someone told me there was a duck on the church roof. I went over to look and discovered a Black-bellied Whistling Duck! Then I was talking with someone under a shade tree, and the duck flew up and landed in the tree. I didn’t know that this species liked to land in elevated places. I don’t think I will see this sequence of events again in my life. Jim Nickel Peabody, Ks
Sent from my iPad
For KSBIRD-L archives or to change your subscription options, go to
https://listserv.ksu.edu/ksbird-l.html For KSBIRD-L guidelines go to
http://www.ksbirds.org/KSBIRD-LGuidelines.htm To contact a listowner, send a message to
mailto:<ksbird-l-request...>
Date: 7/24/26 1:51 pm From: James Miller <jbmillerster...> Subject: Egg ID
This nest is in a yard in Wakarusa, IN (Northern Indiana). Does anyone have an Idea what kind of eggs these are.
Jim & Bonnie Miller
<millbonnie...>
24 Lakewood Cr
North Newton, KS 67117
620 755 4159
The planning meeting for Wichita Audubon field trips will be held at 7 pm on Thursday, August 6. It will be at a member's home near 37th St. N and Meridian. In general we prefer that you be a member of WAS to be a part of this process. The big agenda item is always the extended field trip that we do once a year. In the past these trips have visited locations throughout the U.S. We have about 8 other monthly day trips closer to Wichita to places like Quivira. The Second Saturday Bird walks at Chisholm Creek Park will continue next year, every month except for December. I have already established firm dates for the ten or so Christmas Bird Counts in the south-central KS area, so we won't have to spend any time on that. If you want the meeting address let me know. I didn't want to put in a message that reaches however many members this listserv still has..
