Description

The Wetlands Park Nature Preserve is a work in progress that shows great promise for urban birding ( bird list). In time, the birding could rival Corn Creek, but for now, birding at the Wetlands Park isn't very good. This isn't to say that there are no birds or that it isn't a nice place to walk; it just isn't very good for birding. The ponds and creeks do attract birds, but the vegetation (cattail, common reed, and bulrush) is so overgrown that it blocks most of the views of the water. The staff is trying to manage the overgrown vegetation, so there are at least a few places to look over the ponds. The staff is actively planting the area trying to reestablish semi-native conditions.

Link to Wetlands Park Nature Preserve map.

This said, the Wetlands Park is a nice place to go for a quiet walk and watch a few birds. It's out on the edge of town (at least for today), so if you mostly look north or east, you can almost forget that you are in Las Vegas. There is little shade, so walking in the morning or evening probably is best, although there are some taller Saltcedar "trees" and a few covered picnic tables that provide relief from the sun. Over time, the planted Cottonwood and Willow trees growing into nice shade trees and warbler magnets.

Some published maps of the Wetland Park are artist's renditions of concepts that conflict with reality and cause confusion as people try to find the places marked on the maps. After you find it, the Visitor Center is a good source of current information.

In the main Wetlands Preserve area (behind the Visitor Center), there are about 2.5 miles of paved (concrete) trails, and probably about that much more in unpaved trails. A paved 1.8-mile loop trail runs around the perimeter of the Preserve. Again, a good walk, but not good birding. For birds, it is better to shortcut the perimeter trail using the paved trail that winds around the lower pond (Vern's Pond) near the main entrance.

The paved trails are suitable for wheelchair access, but stop at the Visitor Center to check on current conditions. The paved trails are nice for birding because they are quiet (no crunch of gravel under your feet so it is easier to hear the birds).

A number of gravel and dirt trails wind through the main Preserve area, and another runs south to the Duck Creek area. In the Preserve, these trails generally follow creeks or connect to the ponds.

When I was last in the Duck Creek area (October 2003), it was a total bust for birds. I haven't stopped since, but my impression looking at it (June 2008) is that things haven't changed much. This might be a nice place to walk a dog or ride a mountain bike, but it is not yet a good place to bird. However, construction has begun for wetland restoration in the area, so there is hope for the future.

Location

First off, discard any map that shows a Visitor Center on Broadbent Road. Don't look for a Visitor Center on Broadbent Road because it isn't there. The temporary Visitor Center is located on a dirt road off the far east end of Tropicana (7050 Wetlands Park Lane).

Link street to map.

Hours

The Wetlands Park Nature Preserve is open dawn to dusk, 7 days per week. The Visitor Center is supposed to be open from 9 AM to 3 PM, and they lock the gate at 6 PM. If you want to stay until dusk, park outside the gate and walk into the Preserve.

Fees

Free admission, but please sign in at the Visitor Center so the park gets credit for your visit.

Specialties

I've only birded here a few times, so it is hard to say what to expect. There is water and brush, and it is on the edge of the desert, so there are several species of wetland birds (ducks, grebes, herons) and desert dickey birds (sparrows, warblers, Verdins, thrashers, House Finches). The sky was wide open and there was a good view to the southeast along the wash, and we saw several raptors hunting over the shrub thickets. Listen for rails calling from the reeds, and quail call from the shrubs. Keep an eye out for raccoons and beaver too -- this is the only place around Las Vegas to find these species.

For More Information

Visit the Wetlands Park Nature Preserve website. Dogs and bicycles are not permitted in the Nature Preserve.