Birding Key Pittman Wildlife Management Area
Birding Around Las Vegas,
Outside the Las Vegas Valley - Northeast
Pahranagat Valley


Dam and cottonwood trees at the south end of Nesbitt Lake (view south).
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Description
Key Pittman Wildlife Management Area includes two small lakes
near the town of Hiko. The town and the lakes are located in a broad
valley with mountain ranges on both sides. In the bottom of the valley,
farmers use spring water to maintain fields that attract a variety of
waterfowl, shorebirds, cranes, hawks, and other birds. Beyond the farm
fields, the desert rises gradually to the west and more abruptly to the
east. The desert vegetation is composed largely of saltbush,
blackbrush, desert thorn, with some yucca and a bit of cactus mixed in.
This is the edge of the Great Basin Desert, so vegetation common just a
few miles to the south (e.g., creosote bush and Joshua trees) is rare
or absent here.
Key Pittman is a Nevada State Wildlife Management Area, which
means that it is managed for hunting. If you visit during hunting
season, be careful and read the signs before entering. It is possible
that the area is closed to non-hunters during the hunts. |

East side of Nesbitt Lake (view south towards the cottonwood trees on the dam).
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Nesbitt Lake, the northern of the two lakes, is a broad,
moderately deep lake with open water all year. There are cottonwood
trees on the south end, shrub and willow thickets on the southwest
side, and an extensive marshy area at the northern end. Most of the
edge of the lake is bordered by cattail and reeds, and vegetation from
the surrounding desert (e.g., saltbush, desert thorn, and rabbitbrush)
grows down to the water in some places. Trees are also starting to grow
along the east side of the lake. A good dirt road runs across the dam
(just a low dike) at the south end of the lake and heads north along
the east side of the lake to a gate. During the breeding season
(February to August), the gate is locked and access to the marshy area
beyond is prohibited. I've never been here when the area was open.
Restroom facilities are available along the access road on the
southwest corner of Nesbitt Lake.
Frenchy Lake, the southern lake, is broad and very shallow,
with open water only during some years. When it is wet, an extensive
marsh surrounds almost the entire lake. A road from the south runs up
along the east side of the lake, providing access to the water and
views of the islands, plus access to the cottonwood grove at the
northeast corner of the lake. |

Northern end of Nesbitt Lake (view west).
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Location
Key Pittman is located in the Pahranagat Valley, about 110 miles north of Las Vegas.
From town, drive north on Interstate 15 to US Highway 93. Turn
left onto Highway 93 and drive north past the towns of Alamo (95 miles) and
Ash Spring (102 miles) to the intersection of Highways 93 and 318
(107 miles) (Table 1, Site 677).
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East side of Nesbitt Lake (view north).
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Nesbitt Lake Unit. From the
intersection of Highways 93 and 318, drive north on Highway 318 for a
couple of miles. Access Nesbitt Lake from Highway 318, just south of
Hiko (Site 678), but just north of the Hiko Post Office. Watch for a
wide dirt parking area on the east side of the road with "Wildlife
Management Area" signs. The gate is always closed, but open the gate,
drive in, and close the gate behind you. Drive down the dirt road to
the dam (Site 679), then drive or walk the road on the east side of the
lake. You can also walk up behind the willow thickets on the southwest
corner of the lake. The outhouse is near the entrance gate. |

Frenchy Lake (view southeast).
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Frenchy Lake Unit. From the
intersection of Highways 93 and 318, drive north on Highway 318 for
about a half-mile. Access Frenchy Lake from Highway 318, just west of
Highway 95 (Site 680). Watch for a wide gravel area on the north side
of the road with Wildlife Management Area signs. Drive north on the
dirt road that leads out of the parking area to another parking area
with more signs and a closed gate (Site 681). Open the gate, drive in,
and close the gate behind you. Drive up to the southeast corner of the
lake, and then continue northward along the east side of the lake to a
parking area behind the grove of cottonwood trees (Site 636). The road
loops around the north side of the lake, but it is washed out and
impassable for vehicles. The road to the cottonwood grove is a bit
rough, but it should be OK for a sedan if the road is dry. Use your own good judgment. |

Cattail marsh and cottonwood trees on the northeast corner of Frenchy Lake (view southwest).
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Hours
The Wildlife Management Area is always open, but it probably should be considered day-use only.
There are "no camping" and "no fires" signs at the entrance to both lakes.
Fees
None. |

Map of Key Pittman Wildlife Management Area.
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Specialties
Surrounded by seemingly endless miles of dry desert terrain,
these lakes provide habitat for waterfowl, wading birds, shorebirds,
pelicans, cranes, hawks, and even elk. During migration, watch for
swallows, nighthawks, flycatchers, and warblers. During summer, the
willow thickets on the west side of Nesbitt Lake are said to provide
nesting sites for Western Willow Flycatchers and Yellow-billed Cuckoos.
Turkey Vultures roost in the cottonwood trees along Nesbitt Dam, and on
summer evenings you can watch dozens of them flying in to roost.
Be sure to bring a spotting scope. |
Table 1. GPS Coordinates for Highway Locations (NAD27; UTM Zone 11S).
| Site # |
Location |
Latitude (°N) |
Longitude (°W) |
UTM Easting |
UTM Northing |
Elevation (feet) |
Verified |
| 636 |
Frenchy Lake NE corner |
37.5446 |
115.2197 |
657276 |
4156569 |
3790 |
yes |
| 677 |
Highway 93 at Highway 318 |
37.5289 |
115.2191 |
657363 |
4154834 |
3831 |
yes |
| 678 |
Nesbitt Lake entrance |
37.5632 |
115.2294 |
656385 |
4158625 |
3846 |
yes |
| 679 |
Nesbitt Lake dam |
37.5633 |
115.2250 |
656766 |
4158640 |
3830 |
yes |
| 680 |
Frenchy Lake entrance |
37.5304 |
115.2247 |
656866 |
4154990 |
3810 |
yes |
| 681 |
Frenchy Lake gate |
37.5323 |
115.2247 |
656862 |
4155201 |
3810 |
yes |
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