hey, let’s see what other species we can find.” Not all birds can be caught in traps or nets so the brothers started looking for other birds in Nebraska. But it didn’t stop there. Their hobby saw them travel all over the US and Canada. Mark’s love for birds led him to now hold a position of Rare Birds Birders at Union Grove looking for warblers. Records Committee Chairman for the Nebraska Ornithologists Union. “So not only do I keep records of rare bird sightings in Nebraska, when someone sees something rare, I go looking for all the rare sightings, too,” Mark said. The brothers try to travel in all the counties in Nebraska, keeping track of records across Nebraska in order to increase the knowledge of birds of Nebraska. But Ed and Mark are not the only birdwatchers traveling the state, keeping track of birds. Mark said the Nebraska Ornithologists Union has meetings and plan field trips. He estimates a couple hundred people across the state who are passionate about birdwatching. If a species is sighted in say, for instance, Cherry County, Mark will probably head to the coordinates to see if he can catch a sighting, too, and add it to his list of bird sighting. Both Mark and Ed are in the top 100 list on eBird for bird sightings for the year and the all-time list. Actually, both men are in the top ten for Nebraska bird sightings. “It’s kind of a little competition game to see who can see the most in a year or different counties,” Mark said. “So, besides the scientific reason for doing it, there’s a little competition, too.” It’s all on an honesty policy but people can cheat. Where’s the fun in that though Mark said. “People see they’re only a little bit behind someone they know and after they see other’s numbers on eBird, it motivates them to get out,” Mark said. In addition, there are people working for the Game & Parks Commission who run routes across the state to monitor breeding bird activities for a survey. They run these routes year after year to monitor bird population. Issues they keep track of are increases or decreases in certain species or the condition of bird habitats – are they declining or deteriorating. One major survey conducted every year is the Christmas Bird Count which can be traced back to the early 1900s. This survey happens all over the state of Nebraska and around the world. Mark said there will be designated areas near larger communities and it usually covers a 15-mile radius around a community like Norfolk. Birders survey that area for a period of about two weeks and it helps keep track of bird populations trends in the winter months. Obviously, there will be different birds in these areas in the winter months than summer months. Just because it is called the Christmas bird count does not mean it is done on Christmas day. Communities can designate when their count is held and birders often travel around to several Christmas Birds Counts in different Ed Brogie with family on a birdwaching trip areas of the state. Since Mark is snow birding in Arizona at this time of year, he will help with Christmas Bird Counts in that area this year. He is fortunate to be able to sight birds in Arizona he would never see in Nebraska. vBIRD WATCHING continued on page 13 A beatuiful smile is a gift to cherish at any age. Count on us for a lifetime of quality dental care. 1101 Broadway Ste. 105, Morgen Square 605.665.2448 www.scottfamilysmiles.com Experience Gentle, Personalized Dental Care For Your Entire Family! 12vHERVOICEvJANUARY/FEBRUARY 2019