Birding Around Las Vegas
Urban birding can be good for desert species and the many western species that are not necessarily tied to the desert. For the most part, these places are good to check early in the day or when you want to get outside for a few minutes.
The suburban portions of the Las Vegas Valley, full of parks, golf courses, and back yards, act like a giant oasis in the middle of the Mojave Desert, attracting migrants and residents species from far and wide. Although they are widely dispersed, many desert species can be found in parks and yards; for example, I often see Verdins, Inca Doves, Anna's Hummingbirds, and Say's Phoebes in my yard. During winter, golf courses attract large numbers of waterfowl, and wading birds can be found throughout the year on urban ponds. Some of the older city parks have old cottonwood trees and ponds that offer good birding all year.
While locals can take advantage of casual birding around neighborhood lakes and while traveling about town, visitors should focus their efforts on public parks and wildlife areas.
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Floyd Lamb Park at Tule Springs. Groves of trees, lakes, desert areas, and the typical grassy urban-park areas surrounded by new subdivisions. Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve. Paved and dirt trails lead among shrub-lined tertiary treatment ponds that are part of the sewage treatment system. As the vegetation develops, the birding gets better and better. Las Vegas Springs Preserve. An urban "Visitor Attraction" to teach people about desert-sustainable lifestyles and the human and natural history of Las Vegas. The site protects Mojave Desert Scrub and riparian areas. Lorenzi Park. An urban park with grassy fields, a fishing pond, rose gardens, and old cottonwood trees. Sunset Park. An urban park with grassy fields, a fishing pond, and old cottonwood trees. The south and east edges of the park have remnants of the mesquite--sand dune system that once covered much of the Las Vegas Valley. Wetlands Park Nature Preserve. Wetlands along Las Vegas Wash are being rehabilitated. Two miles of paved trail wind through the area, but it isn't quite ready for prime time. |
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© Jim Boone; Last updated 080717
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