Birding Ash Spring
Birding Around Las Vegas,
Outside the Las Vegas Valley - Northeast,
Pahranagat Valley
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Description
Ash Spring is a riparian area in the desert with water, trees,
lots of vegetation, and easy access. The spring produces lots of water
that flows through a small riparian area with a long, narrow
springpool. Aquatic vegetation, including filamentous algae and
emergent species, is abundant during the spring and summer. The
shoreline vegetation includes grasses, shrubs, rushes, and cattails;
and the trees include ash, cottonwood, and willow.
The site has warm, clear water, trees, shrubs, grasses, and aquatic
vegetation, all of which is surrounded by the vast Mojave Desert. Like
other little spots of green in the desert, this area is a magnet for
birds, especially during migration. However, much of this part of the
Pahranagat Valley has cottonwoods and other trees, so the birds here
are not as concentrated here as they are in parts of the valley farther north. |
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Ash Springs is not a wilderness area. The spring is located in
the small town of Ash Springs, the riparian area mainly is on private
property, and the site is fenced off with big "no trespassing" signs,
but birders can look over or through the fence. This area once was
developed as a trailer park, the remains of which still are present.
This is a nice little place to stop and bird, but please
respect the property owner. In addition, and this is extremely
important, this spring supports the White River springfish (Crenichthys baileyi), a federally
endangered species of fish. This species only occurs in the water that
emerge from Ash Spring. Be careful here and don't trash the place.
Ash Springs is not a destination, but rather one of several
birding sites in the Pahranagat Valley to visit as a group or on the
way to somewhere else.
The site is right along the highway, so be careful of the traffic. |
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Location
Ash Springs is located in the Pahranagat Valley, about 102 miles north of Las Vegas.
From town, drive north on Interstate 15 to Highway 93. Turn
left on Highway 93 and drive north past the town of Alamo (73 miles) to
Ash Springs (80 miles). Park on the east side of the highway under the
trees, but stay outside the fence (Table 1, Site 444).
Hours
Always open, but stay outside the fence.
Fees
None. |
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Specialties
This is a good birding area for passerines, especially migrant warblers, wrens, sparrows, swallows,
and towhees. Look the endangered
fish too, although you are most likely to see the nonnative species
that were released into the springs (e.g., convict cichlids, sailfin
and shortfin mollies, mosquitofish, bullfrogs, and crayfish). |
Table 1. GPS Coordinates for Highway Locations (NAD27; UTM Zone 11S).
| Site # |
Location |
Latitude (°N) |
Longitude (°W) |
UTM Easting |
UTM Northing |
Elevation (feet) |
Verified |
| 444 |
Highway 93 at Ash Spring |
37.4609 |
115.1930 |
659818 |
4147331 |
3,700 |
Yes |
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