The 100th Meridian

Although the 100th Meridian may be an imaginary line on a map, it represents the crossover from the moist and humid woodsy East to the semi-arid West. To the east of the 100th Meridian, the atmosphere receives moisture from the Gulf of Mexico while to the West drier shortgrass prairies with a scarcity of trees predominate. Also, generally speaking, most of the land to the west of the line is above 2,000 feet, and most of the land to the east is below 2,000 feet. Shortgrass prairie of the Niobrara Wildlife Refuge

This interface of eastern and western landscapes at the 100th Meridian has created a unique biological corridor along the Niobrara River in north central Nebraska. Western and eastern species of plants, animals and birds are on the far edges of their ranges and intermingle with prairie species from the south and boreal floral and fauna from the north. A lively mix from all directions! This has been a delight for us birders. We have enjoyed seeing the horned lark, upland sandpiper, and burrowing owls. The melodious song of the meadow lark has thrilled our ears. Meanwhile the antics of the prairie dogs busy in their prairie dog towns have entertained us.

The Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge supports a herd of 30 buffalo...a tiny remnant of the massive herds the used to range from Northwest Canada all the way south to Mexico and east to the western edge of the Appalachian Mountains.