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Updated on Monday, February 8 at 06:37 PM ET
The most recently received Mail is at the top.


Robins,©Julie Zickefoose

8 Feb Rancho San Rafael Park (Reno) birds [Rick/Meg Andrews ]
8 Feb Sandhill Crane Band Resightings Solicited [Chad August ]
8 Feb Duck Creek-Clark County Wetlands Park 2-7-2010 [Randall Michal ]
8 Feb Pahranagat Upper Lake Reopens (no sightings) [Carl Lundblad ]
8 Feb FW: Pahranagat Area [Bird Preserve ]
8 Feb FW: Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve Located Near Las Vegas [Bird Preserve ]
7 Feb GW gull (continues), Virginia Lake; Reno (2/7/10) [Fred Petersen ]
7 Feb Yellow Rumped Warbler - Spanish Springs [M Robards ]
7 Feb Leconte's Thrasher RFI [Tom Kelly ]
7 Feb Willow Creek Golf Course: Pahrump: Nye County [Darlene Feener ]
7 Feb Bird Report - Pruess Reservoir, Millard County, Utah 2/5/10 [Melissa Renfro ]
6 Feb Northern Mockingbird [Cynthia Goddard ]
6 Feb Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve Friday 2-5-2010 [Randall Michal ]
5 Feb Laughlin Area [Carl Lundblad ]
5 Feb Sparks Marina (2/5/10) [Fred Petersen ]
5 Feb Rough-legged Hawk at Damonte Wetlands (Reno) [Martin Meyers ]
5 Feb Waterfowl banding in Fallon area [Chris Nicolai ]
5 Feb Clark Co. Wetlands Park.....Mergansers [Aaron Ambos ]
5 Feb COMMON GRACKLE in Beatty [Greg Scyphers ]
5 Feb Virginia Lake; Reno (2/4/10) [Fred Petersen ]
4 Feb mystery bird Reno 2/3/10 - possibly Leach's Storm-Petrel [ann murphy ]
4 Feb Pahranagat Valley, 1/31-2/1/10 []
3 Feb Cackling Goose, Barrow's Goldeneyes, Western and Glaucous-winged Gulls in Reno/Sparks [Martin Meyers ]
2 Feb Nevada birds in Moscow [Jim Diane ]
2 Feb Cackling Goose, Tundra Swans, Virginia Lake; Reno (2/2/10) [Fred Petersen ]
2 Feb Rhodes Ranch Las Vegas [Bob Gotschall ]
2 Feb Re: Swans at DaMonte Wetlands, Reno NV 1/31/10 [Judy Phoenix ]
2 Feb Swans at DaMonte Wetlands, Reno NV 1/31/10 [SAMARENO ]
2 Feb Corn Creek (Golden-crowned Sparrow continues) [Greg Scyphers ]
1 Feb Lemmon Valley (2/1/10) [Fred Petersen ]
1 Feb Willow Creek Golf Course: Pahrump: Nye County [Darlene Feener ]
31 Jan Amargosa Valley: Sandhill Cranes and Long-eared Owl [Carl Lundblad ]
31 Jan Willow Creek Golf Course [Darlene Feener ]
31 Jan Willow Creek Golf Course [Darlene Feener ]
31 Jan Carson Valley/Topaz Lake [Gerrad Jones ]
31 Jan Swan Lake NSA [Bob Goodman ]
31 Jan FW: Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve Located Near Las Vegas [Bird Preserve ]
30 Jan Reno and Carson City Area [Je Anne ]
30 Jan Pretty day at Pyramid Lake, but very few birds [Martin Meyers ]
30 Jan Great Reno Caper Audubon Trip [Dennis & Becca Serdehely ]
30 Jan Swifts Over Amargosa [Carl Lundblad ]
30 Jan Swan Lake NSA [Bob Goodman ]
30 Jan White River Valley [David Worley ]
29 Jan Floyd Lamb/Bristlecone Trail [Carl Lundblad ]
29 Jan Slow day at the Sparks Marina (1/29/10) [Fred Petersen ]
28 Jan Reducing aircraft-wildlife strikes at airports [Matt Kennedy ]
28 Jan Fallon Area [Dennis & Becca Serdehely ]
28 Jan UNR Manzanita Pond birds 1/28/10 [ann murphy ]
28 Jan Cackling Goose, a few gulls in Reno/Sparks [Martin Meyers ]
28 Jan GW, LBB gulls, Virginia Lake; Reno (1/28/10) [Fred Petersen ]
27 Jan Sandhill Crane in Pahrump [Carl Lundblad ]
26 Jan Gulls again, Virginia Lake; Reno (1/26/10) [Fred Petersen ]
26 Jan Great Backyard Bird Count [Jill Neumann ]
25 Jan Re: Baird's Sandpiper at Pyramid Lake [Joel Geier ]
26 Jan Wildlife (birds/animals) safari in Minden area [Michael M ]
25 Jan Slight correction on Baird's Sandpiper post [Martin Meyers ]
25 Jan Baird's Sandpiper at Pyramid Lake [Martin Meyers ]
24 Jan Re: Willow Creek Golf Course: Pahrump: Nye County [Carl Lundblad ]
25 Jan Greater White-Fronted Geese, Rosewood Lakes Golf Course [Rob Lowry ]
24 Jan Willow Creek Golf Course: Pahrump: Nye County [Darlene Feener ]
24 Jan Oasis Valley [Laura Cunningham ]
24 Jan FW: Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve Located Near Las Vegas [Bird Preserve ]
23 Jan Reno and Sparks - A 7Gull Day [Dennis & Becca Serdehely ]
23 Jan Red-shouldered Hawk & Merlin, west Reno, Jan. 23, '10 [Alan Wallace ]
23 Jan Montello Snow Sparrow (Bunting) [Jill Neumann ]
23 Jan Re the Virginia Lake Wood Duck/Mallard pair (1/22/10) [Fred Petersen ]
22 Jan Re: Wood Duck-Mallard pair?, Barrow's Goldeneye at Virginia Lake [Bob Goodman ]
22 Jan Wood Duck-Mallard pair?, Barrow's Goldeneye at Virginia Lake [Alan de Queiroz ]
22 Jan Re: Snow bunting (house sparrow in disguise) [Jill Neumann ]
22 Jan Sparks Marina, Sparks, Washoe Co (1/22/10) [Fred Petersen ]
22 Jan The Montello "bunting" [Martin Meyers ]
22 Jan Snow bunting (house sparrow in disguise) [Aaron Ambos ]
22 Jan Montello Snow Bunting (Sparrow?) [Jill Neumann ]
22 Jan leucistic house sparrow [Elisabeth Ammon ]
21 Jan Snow bunting? [Aaron Ambos ]
21 Jan Merlin and others-- Old NW Reno [Wendy Broadhead ]

Subject: Rancho San Rafael Park (Reno) birds
From: Rick/Meg Andrews <andrews2727 AT ATT.NET>
Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 16:31:02 -0800
I walked around Herman's Pond and the arboretum at lunch today.  The pond is 
finally thawed-1 week ago it was still completely frozen over.  The only birds 
on the pond were 5 mallards, 20 Canada geese, and 1 coot.  Also 1 kestrel on 
the west side of the pond. 

 
The woods around the creek coming out of the pond were pretty birdy, as was the 
arboretum.  I saw 1 cooper's hawk, 2 red tail hawks, 2 n. flickers, 1 downey 
woodpecker, an Audubon's warbler, a brown creeper, at least 14 robins, 2 
steller's jays, 1scrub jay, a hermit thrush, mourning doves, starlings, Oregon 
juncos, and some quail.  The trees around the ranch buildings were full of 
birds, but I didn't have time to look at them very carefully.  I believe they 
were mostly lesser goldfinch and house finch, but I did see 1 American 
goldfinch and 1 cedar waxwing. 

 
Note:  for the last several weeks I have only seen red tail hawks on the light 
poles at the ballfields.  Today, 1 of the hawks was in the songbird garden 
(only about 10 feet above my head, so we got a good look at each other); the 
other hawk was in the oak grove in a tree near last year's nest. 

 
Meg Andrews
Subject: Sandhill Crane Band Resightings Solicited
From: Chad August <c.w.august AT GMAIL.COM>
Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 11:36:40 -0800
Hello NV Birders,

I am currently a graduate student at the University of Nevada-Reno working
on a project studying the demography of greater sandhill cranes breeding in
northeastern Nevada. Cranes that breed in northeastern Nevada, south-central
and southwestern Idaho, and extreme northwestern Utah are assigned to the
Lower Colorado River Valley (LCRV) population and are the least abundant of
any migratory population of sandhill cranes (~2500 birds). They spend the
winter at the Gila River, Cibola NWR, Imperial NWR, Havasu NWR, and Colorado
River Indian Reservation in Arizona and at Salton Sea NWR and Brawley in
California. Although their migration path is unknown, it is possible they
will travel through Pahranagat Valley, Kirsh WMA, Key-Pittman WMA, and
additional valleys and agriculture areas throughout eastern Nevada. We marked
several adults and juveniles with white PVC auxiliary markers with blue
two-digit alpha-numeric codes placed above the tibiotarsus ('knee') to
determine survival rates. I would appreciate any birders that come
across sandhill cranes in the state to check for these bands. You can report
resightings directly to me and I can provide you with any information I have
on the individuals.


-- 
Chad W. August
Master's Student, Wildlife Ecology
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science
University of Nevada, Reno
Office: 775-784-6558
Cell: 515-368-3135
caugust AT cabnr.unr.edu
Subject: Duck Creek-Clark County Wetlands Park 2-7-2010
From: Randall Michal <rmichai637 AT AOL.COM>
Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 11:15:11 -0500
Hello all, on Sunday morning Babette and I took a walk out at the Duck 
Creek area of the Clark County Wetlands Park during a break in the rain.
We were able to walk around the southernmost Duck Creek Pond to the east 
side and back north a ways until our path was blcoked by a 40 foot wide 
stream of water spilling from the pond.
We also spent a short time near the main Wetlands Park Visitor's Center to 
see if we could find the male Vermillion Flycatcher (We did).

Here is the complete list of observed birds:

Eared Grebe
Western Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Egret
Great Blue Heron
Black-crowned Night-heron
White-faced Ibis ( 6 in a drainage channel next to Wetlands park Dr. near 
the VC)
Canada Goose
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Gadwall
Northern Shoveler
Green-winged Teal
Lesser Scaup
Ring-necked Duck
Bufflehead
Ruddy Duck
Cinnamon Teal
Northern Harrier
Gambel's Quail
American Coot
Ring-billed Gull
California Gull
Herring Gull (Immature)
Mourning Dove
Belted Kingfisher (Just west of the VC)
Northern Flicker (Red-shafted)
Black Phoebe
Say's Phoebe
Tree Swallow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Vermillion Flycatcher (Male working the trees directly next to the north 
side of Wetlands Park Dr.west of the VC)
Marsh Wren
White-crowned Sparrow
Great-tailed Grackle
Red-winged Blackbird
Western Meadowlark
Abert's Towhee

Randy Michal
Subject: Pahranagat Upper Lake Reopens (no sightings)
From: Carl Lundblad <carl.lundblad AT GMAIL.COM>
Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 08:04:46 -0800
The Upper Lake/Campground area at Pahranagat NWR reopened this weekend
according to a USFWS news release.  The area had beel closed for replacement
of the water control structures in the dam.

Carl Lundblad
Ash Meadows, NV
Subject: FW: Pahranagat Area
From: Bird Preserve <Bird.Preserve AT CITYOFHENDERSON.COM>
Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 08:02:18 -0800



Saturday, February 6th, Marcy, Rita and I birded the Pahranagat Valley
area.  Temp. 42 to 45, calm wind and rain in the afternoon.



The following fifty-three (53) species were seen.





Snow Goose (4 white and 1 blue phase)

Canada Goose

Tundra Swan (1 adult & 1 juvenile)

Gadwall

Eurasian Wigeon (1 male)

American Wigeon  (lots)

Mallard

Cinnamon Teal

Northern Shoveler

Northern Pintail

Green-winged Teal

Canvasback

Redhead (mating)

Ring-necked Duck

Lesser Scaup

Bufflehead

Common Goldeneye

Ruddy Duck

Gambel's Quail

Pied-billed Grebe

Great Blue Heron

White-tailed Kite (1 Middle Marsh)

Bald Eagle (2 adults, upper lake)

Northern Harrier

Cooper's Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk

Rough-legged Hawk

American Kestrel

American Coot

Killdeer

Rock Pigeon

Eurasian Collared Dove

Mourning Dove

Red-shafted Flicker

Common Raven

Black-tailed Gnatcatcher

Western Bluebird

Mountain Bluebird

American Robin

European Starling

Fox Sparrow (possible we would have liked a better look)

Lincoln's Sparrow

Song Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Oregon Junco

Red-winged Blackbird

Western Meadowlark

Brewer's Blackbird

Great-tailed Grackle

Brown-headed Cowbird

House Sparrow



Best in birding,

Je Anne Branca


Subject: FW: Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve Located Near Las Vegas
From: Bird Preserve <Bird.Preserve AT CITYOFHENDERSON.COM>
Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 07:37:06 -0800

STARTING DECEMBER 1ST THROUGH FEBRUARY 28TH THE HOURS WILL BE FROM 7:00
AM TO 2:00 PM.



________________________________

The following birds were seen or heard this week by staff and visitors
from February 1st, 2010 thru February 7th, 2010.  We had Sixty-six  (66)
species recorded this week.





Greater White-fronted Goose (2/3 4 on pond 9)

Snow Goose

Canada Goose

Wood Duck

Gadwall

Mallard

Cinnamon Teal

Northern Shoveler

Northern Pintail

Green-winged Teal

Redhead

Ring-necked Duck

Lesser Scaup

Bufflehead

Ruddy Duck

Gambel's Quail

Pied-billed Grebe

Eared Grebe

Double-crested Cormorant

Least Bittern (heard)

Great Egret

Snowy Egret

Green Heron

Black-crowned night Heron

White-faced Ibis

Northern Harrier

Red-tailed Hawk

Peregrine Falcon

Common Moorhen

American Coot

Killdeer

Greater Yellowlegs

Least Sandpiper

Ring-billed Gull

California Gull

Rock Pigeon

Mourning Dove

Greater Roadrunner

Anna's Hummingbird

Costa's Hummingbird

Red-shafted Flicker (heard)

Black Phoebe

Say's Phoebe

Cassin's Kingbird

Loggerhead Shrike

Common Raven

Tree Swallow

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Verdin

Bushtit

Cactus Wren (2/1 near pond 3)

Marsh Wren

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Black-tailed Gnatcatcher

Crissal Thrasher

European Starling

American Pipit

Orange-crowned Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's and Myrtle's)

Abert's Towhee

Song Sparrow

Lincoln's Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Red-winged Blackbird

Great-tailed Grackle

House Finch





DON'T FORGET YOUR HAT, SUNSCREEN AND WATER!!!!

Open 7:00 am to 2:00 pm, last entry is at 1:30 pm.  You need about two
hours to bird the Preserve.

Directions from the I515 (US 93 & 95), take exit 64A, Sunset Road east.
Follow the signs (blue signs with white letters), turn left (north) on
Moser.

For more information call 702-267-4180.



Best in birding,

Je Anne Branca


Subject: GW gull (continues), Virginia Lake; Reno (2/7/10)
From: Fred Petersen <fugle AT AOL.COM>
Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 23:17:26 -0500
Virginia Lake, Reno, Washoe Co (2/7/10)

When I arrived at the lake this morning (11:15), the 
first-year Glaucous-winged Gull was roosting with c.350 other
 gulls (Ring-bills & Californias in about equal numbers) in 
the big expanse of exposed muddy lake bottom at the north 
end, & it was still there when I left about 45 minutes later.
  O/w nothing much to report.  The male Lesser Scaup 
continues, but there was no sign of the Cackling Goose, Wood 
Duck or Lesser Black-backed Gull.

Fred Petersen
Subject: Yellow Rumped Warbler - Spanish Springs
From: M Robards <pezealogy AT GMAIL.COM>
Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 15:35:29 -0800
We've had a YR-Warbler hanging around the suet feeder on our peach
tree for the last two days, not a regular in our yard.  In fact I
haven't noticed one for maybe at least a year.  I wasn't sure at
first, but this tree is right out a window so I did get a couple of
pix which I'll put up as time permits during football.   I was hoping
to get a  view of his 'under' side but I think I've ID'd it without
that (I hope!)



melissa
Spanish Springs
Subject: Leconte's Thrasher RFI
From: Tom Kelly <tkelly_1 AT HOTMAIL.COM>
Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 16:37:35 -0500
I am going to be in Las Vegas for work in early March for a couple of days,
and would like to try for LeConte's Thrasher.  I know last year I was out
that way , but it was late April, so my attempt for Leconte's at Corn Creek
was unsuccessful.

Was that too late in the year, or are they sparse at Corn Creek?  Is Corn
Creek my best shot within a reasonable drive?

Thanks,


Tom Kelly
Chicago
Subject: Willow Creek Golf Course: Pahrump: Nye County
From: Darlene Feener <robertfeener AT ATT.NET>
Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 16:37:59 -0500
Birding from 8 a.m. to noon 
40 species seen

1.Red-shouldered Hawks: 2
2.Dark-eyed Juncos: 24 (18 were Slate colored and 6 were Oregon)
3.Rock Doves: 32
4.Mourning Doves: 17
5.Red-winged Blackbirds: 3
6 American Crows: 5
7.Mallards:91
8.American Wigeons: 80
9.White-crowned Sparrows: 15
10. Northern Flickers: 3 together
11. Great-tailed Grackes: 16
12. American Coots: 43
13. Ruddy Ducks: 2
14. Ring-necked Ducks: 3
15. Northern Pintail: 1
16. Gambel's Quail: 46
17. Raven's: 2
18. Northern Mockingbird: 1
19. House Sparrows: 45
20. Phainopepla: 1
21. House Finches: 6
22. Song Sparrows: 2
23. Yellow-rumped Warblers: 4
24. Western Bluebirds: 6
25. Eurasian-collared Doves: 3
26. Red-naped Sapsucker: 1
27. Say's Phoebe: 1
28. Anna's Hummingbird: 1
29. Chipping Sparrows: 2
30. Lesser Goldfinch: 2
31. Northern Shoveler: 1
32. Black Phoebe: 1
33. Mountain Bluebirds: 10
34. Red-tailed Hawk: 1
35. Ruby-crowned Kinglet: 1
36. American Robin: 1
37. Brewer's Blackbirds: 2
38. Northern Harrier: 1
39. Verdin: 1
40. Cooper's Hawk: 1
Subject: Bird Report - Pruess Reservoir, Millard County, Utah 2/5/10
From: Melissa Renfro <melsyurt AT WIRELESSBEEHIVE.COM>
Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 10:59:47 -0800
> Sent: Saturday, February 06, 2010 10:33 PM
> To: 
> Subject: eBird Report - Pruess Reservoir , 2/5/10
>
> Location:     Pruess Reservoir Inlet (Pruess South)  (Millard County, UT 
> ..... 2 miles East of Garrison, UT, 10 miles east of Baker, Nevada)
> Observation date:     2/5/10
> Observers:  Melissa Renfro and John B. Free
> Conditions:  Overcast, 40 deg, winds 4 to 5.  Reservoir was mostly frozen, 
> Inlet near shore and open and flowing.  Over all
> lake levels are higher than 1 month ago.
> Number of species:     7

> Canada Goose     56     Easily spooked, but returned to inlet
> American Wigeon     41     Feeding flock in inlet
> Mallard     100     Feeding flock in inlet
> Green-winged Teal     50     Feeding flock in inlet
> HOODED MERGANSER     2    - a Pair ... unusual sighting  at Pruess Res. 
> ... feeding in inlet
> Northern Harrier     2     Pair hunting over shores near inlet
> California Gull     2     Winter plumage adults, feeding in inlet
>
> ************
>
> Location:     Marshes & Clay Spg  Millard County, UT ..... 4 miles East of 
> Garrison, UT, 14 miles east of Baker, NV)
> Observation date:     2/5/10
> Notes:     Observers: John B. Free and Melissa Renfro
> Conditions: Overcast, winds 5-6, 40 deg
> Number of species:     9
>
> Canada Goose     20
> Mallard     1000     Numerous throughout the marshes
> Bufflehead     2
> Common Goldeneye     6
> American Coot     2
> Great Horned Owl     2     In cottonwoods on same branch
> Common Raven     1
> Mountain Bluebird     1
> European Starling     12
>
>
>



>
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> Version: 8.5.435 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2673 - Release Date: 02/07/10 
> 07:22:00
> 
Subject: Northern Mockingbird
From: Cynthia Goddard <cynthiagoddard AT MAC.COM>
Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 08:33:51 -0800
After a long dull period for Fallon backyard birds we were visited  
Friday Feb. 5th by a Northern Mockingbird, who came in for water at  
our feeding station.  Mockingbirds aren't very common for our area,  
and surely this is the first I've seen in our yard at this time of year.
        Cindy Goddard
Subject: Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve Friday 2-5-2010
From: Randall Michal <rmichai637 AT AOL.COM>
Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 07:32:38 -0500
Hello all,

I apent a couple of hours birding the Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve, east 
of Las Vegas, on Friday morning. Nothing particularly special except 
perhaps for some early returning Northern Rough-winged Swallows.
Here is the complete list of observed birds:

Eared Grebe
Pied-billed Grebe
Green Heron
Black-crowned Night-heron
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Gadwall
Northern Shoveler (I estimate about 1200-1500, roughly)
Cinnamon Teal
Green-winged Teal
Lesser Scaup
Ring-necked Duck
Redhead
Bufflehead
Ruddy Duck
Red-tailed Hawk
Cooper's Hawk (Adult)
Northern Harrier (2 adult females, 1 juvenile)
Gambel's Quail
Common Moorhen
American Coot
Greater Yellowlegs
California Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Greater Roadrunner
Costa's Hummingbird
Black Phoebe
Say's Phoebe
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Tree Swallow
Verdin
Marsh Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Black-tailed Gnatcatcher
Crissal Thrasher
American Pipit
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's)
European Starling
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
House Finch

Randy Michal
Subject: Laughlin Area
From: Carl Lundblad <carl.lundblad AT GMAIL.COM>
Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 20:45:08 -0800
I birded in the Laughlin area for a few hours today.  At Davis Dam there was
a female BARROW'S GOLDENEYE below the dam with 6 Common Goldeneyes, a drake
GREATER SCAUP, and 8 Hooded Mergansers.  A RED-BREASTED MERGANSER drake was
above the dam in AZ waters.  Additional birds on the AZ side of Lake Mohave
included a Herring Gull at Katherine Landing, 4 COMMON LOONS and a HORNED
GREBE at Cabinsite Point.

I birded most of the river cooridor south to Avi where AZ, NV, and CA meet.
An additional 35-40 female Common Goldeneyes were along the river well south
of Laughling, closer to Avi.  This area had another dozen Hooded Mergansers
and 50+ Buffleheads.  Lots of mallards, wigeons, and an assortment of other
ducks.  Gulls were numerous with about 2000 along the entire stretch
including the occasional California and 2 HERRING GULLS.  A SNOWY EGRET was
just south of the Big Bend.  A single unidentified Swallow flew over between
Laughlin and Avi.  Yesterday I had a MERLIN at the ag. fields north of Avi.

Carl Lundblad
Ash Meadows, NV
Subject: Sparks Marina (2/5/10)
From: Fred Petersen <fugle AT AOL.COM>
Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 23:32:00 -0500
Sparks Marina, Sparks, Washoe Co (2/5/10)

We ended up spending almost 4 hours at the marina today, 
mostly in the cove gull watching, though we also walked 
around the lake & took a longish lunch break.  Here’s 
the species total for the day (16 species).

Canada goose—?100
Gadwall—?10
Mallard—?10
Lesser Scaup—1 male
Ruddy Duck—c.30
Pied-billed Grebe—4-5
Eared Grebe--3
Black-crowned Night Heron—1
American Coot—c.100
Ring-billed Gull
California Gull
Herring Gull—12-15
Thayer’s Gull—1 1st-winter
Western Gull—1 subadult
Rock Dove
Brewer’s Blackbird

And now, here is more about gull movements at the marina 
than some people may wish to know.  When we arrived at 
11:00am, there were about 100 gulls in the cove, all as far
 as I could tell Ring-bills (just a few as usual) & 
Californias; there were no gulls anywhere else at the marina.  
This changed at 12:45 when additional gulls started drifting 
into the cove, joining the existing flock on the beach and 
in and around the pontoons.  There were now about 600 gulls 
in the cove, the Thayer’s, Western & Herring Gulls all coming 
in with the new arrivals.  At 1:35, there was a sudden panic
 (cause unknown) with the entire flock taking to the air.  
After a few minutes , about half the birds were back in the 
cove, & half had settled in a large raft in the middle of 
lake, & this was still the situation when we left for home an
 hour later.  The Western Gull was among the birds that 
returned to the cove, first landing on the pontoons and then
 on the beach where I managed to snap a few photos before it 
moved back to the pontoons.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fugl/ (Western Gull)

Fred Petersen
Subject: Rough-legged Hawk at Damonte Wetlands (Reno)
From: Martin Meyers <martin AT SIERRABIRDBUM.COM>
Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 20:10:57 -0700
My wife (Barb) and I walked around Damonte Ranch Wetlands today.  Bird
activity was moderate, and included one Rough-legged Hawk who hung in
the air for several minutes, posing for photographs.  I can't help
wondering if this is the same bird that posed for many photos last year
at the same location.

Ducks included Canvasbacks, Ring-necks, Green-winged Teal, two Cinnamon
Teal, Bufflehead, Gadwall, Mallard, and Ruddy Duck.  Two immature Tundra
Swans were a pleasant surprise.  (I saw a Mute Swan at the large
impoundment last October and was afraid the swans today were more of the
same, but fortunately, these were "real" birds.)

Approximately 300 Canada Geese were at the south end.

The rest of the birds included one Greater Yellowlegs, American Kestrel,
Northern Harrier, American Coot, California Gull, Rock Pigeon, Mourning
Dove, five Northern Flickers, some European Starlings, one White-crowned
Sparrow, numerous Red-winged Blackbirds, six Western Meadowlarks, and
some House Finches and Lesser Goldfinches.

The weather was wonderful, too.

Martin



---------------
 Martin Meyers
 email: Martin  (...AT...) SierraBirdbum.com
 Photo website: http://SierraBirdbum.com
 Truckee, CA
Subject: Waterfowl banding in Fallon area
From: Chris Nicolai <nicolai AT UNR.NEVADA.EDU>
Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 16:12:40 -0800
Hello all-
Just wanted to get the word out if anyone would be interested in assisting
us banding waterfowl.

We have 2 projects going on right now.  The first is the long-term study of
wood ducks.  The second is post-season banding of waterfowl.  We are just
getting things started for the year.  We have caught about 80 woodies so far
and read another 50 bands or so.  As for the effort at Carson Lake, we have
birds beginning to feed on bait piles and hope to start catching ducks early
this next week.  So, if you happen to see wire or corn while birding at
Carson Lake, we ask to not disturb them, they are getting checked daily.

Below is a link for a semi-blog I will be posting.  It will be the primary
way I will provide dates, times, and directions for when banding will be
occurring.  This will cut down on my cell phone and emailing time.  No
experience is necessary and we welcome anyone interested in banding
waterfowl.
http://www.nevadawaterfowl.org/volunteer/volunteer-to-band.html

Chris

Chris Nicolai
Contract Waterfowl Biologist 
1000 Valley Rd.
Reno, NV 89512
NEW PHONE NUMBER EFFECTIVE JANUARY 20, 2010
Office :(775)784-6558
Subject: Clark Co. Wetlands Park.....Mergansers
From: Aaron Ambos <aambos AT COX.NET>
Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 15:36:22 -0500
I made a quick trip along the Duck Creek trail at the Clark Co. Wetlands Park 
this morning. Had 

about 37 species with the highlights including a female Red-breasted merganser, 
a female hooded 

merganser, a male vermillion flycatcher, and a merlin.
Subject: COMMON GRACKLE in Beatty
From: Greg Scyphers <scyph AT SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 11:17:20 -0800
Yesterday February 4, 2010, I found a male bronze form COMMON GRACKLE in
Beatty.  The bird was with a large flock of Blackbirds at the end of E.
Amargosa St. along the river.  This may be the same bird I viewed in the
area last winter.  I thought last year's bird may have been a female, but I
guess it could have been a first year bird.  This bird was clearly an adult
male and even gave one of the Sibley guide identified male calls.  I did get
some photos of the bird to compare to last year's bird.  Common Grackle is a
NBRC review species so I will be submitting written and photo documentation.

Other stops and birds:

Peregrine Falcon - HWY 95 & the 215 at the north end of Las Vegas (diving on
and harassing another bird on the ground)

Vanderbuilt road Pond, Beatty
-Canvasback
-Redhead (6)

Lida
-Mountain Bluebirds (8)

Lida Summit
-Juniper Titmouse

Single Row Trees, Dyer
-Brewer's Sparrow - seems out of season but I don't know for sure.  I will
need to consult resources.
-Mountain Bluebirds (~15)
-Ferruginous Hawk - dark morph

Circle L Ranch, Dyer
-Another winter tree loss.  The large tree in front of the ranch house has
been cut mostly down.  I don't know if it broke and the workers then cut it
or if it was just cut down.  There is still enough of a tree left that it
will still grow back, but it will be many years before it is as big as it
used to be.  Many rarities have been found in this tree over the years so it
is sad to see it reduced to almost nothing.

Greg Scyphers
Subject: Virginia Lake; Reno (2/4/10)
From: Fred Petersen <fugle AT AOL.COM>
Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 00:56:30 -0500
Virginia Lake, Reno, Washoe Co (2/4/10)

The drake Wood Duck & his “mate” were back at the lake again
 today after several days absence.  When I first spotted the
 pair they were roosting at the water’s edge at the N end.  
15 minutes later the drake (& doubtless the duck also) was 
in the scrum of geese, ducks & other birds scrabbling for 
bread on the west side.  

Otherwise, it was very quiet.  I didn’t get to the lake until
 3:30 when many of the gulls & geese may have already left for
 the night.  In any case, numbers were low with nothing 
unusual--no Cackling Goose or Glaucous-winged or Lesser
 Black-backed Gull.  

Here’s a photo of theWood Duck:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fugl/4331218045

Fred Petersen
Subject: mystery bird Reno 2/3/10 - possibly Leach's Storm-Petrel
From: ann murphy <amurphy0607 AT YAHOO.COM>
Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 20:44:53 -0800
Submitted on behalf of Ed Kurtz:

There was a very unusual bird yesterday (2/3/10) flying at about 25 feet above 
the Diamonds Casino on Sutro St. Ed Kurtz relayed his impressions of this bird 
to me in a phone conversation. He did not have binoculars at the time of the 
sighting. His first idea was that it was somewhat like a nighthawk but larger. 
It had sickle-shaped wings, bent at the wrist, and was flying back and forth 
erratically in a mothlike way. It had a squarish-appearing tail, no obvious 
white rump. Yet it seemed like a Leach's Storm-Petrel in its behavior. He 
observed it for about 30 seconds. Then it suddenly flew south and into the sun 
and was gone. It was a very windy day. Afterwards Ed researched it in 5 field 
guides. The Smithsonian guide mentions that a LSP's forked tail can appear 
square. This is the identification he is leaning toward. He asked me to put 
this sighting on the list as a "possible". If it is still in the area it would 
probably be in a lake south of Reno. 


Posted for Ed Kurtz by Ann Murphy
Subject: Pahranagat Valley, 1/31-2/1/10
From: ammon AT GBBO.ORG
Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 08:16:42 -0600
Hello all -

I just did our biweekly water/shorebird counts in Pahranagat Valley,  
and here are the highlights:

Key Pittman WMA:
Tundra Swans (160)
Snow Goose (5)
Cackling Goose (6)
the usual assortment of wintering ducks (heavy on the Ruddy Ducks and  
Redheads, but nice diversity; ~1500 ducks total)

Pahranagat NWR: Middle Marsh
Sandhill Crane (1 - out of season)
Cackling Goose (2)
Bald Eagle (1 immature)
again, nice variety of wintering ducks

Lower Lake: not much happening (the usual winter ducks)

Upper Lake/Marsh (closed to the public due to construction)
Tundra Swan
Snow Goose
Cackling Goose
deep-diving ducks, incl. Canvasback, Ring-necked Duck, Common  
Goldeneye, plus the usual shallow divers and dabblers; overall ~3000  
ducks
Golden Eagle

The ducks were still spooked from the hunting season that just ended  
the day before, so if you go, don't expect to get close-up looks for a  
little while. The Middle Marsh area was recently burned to open up the  
wetlands. Should be a good shorebird migration out there in a couple  
of months. Lots of Mountain Bluebirds.

Otherwise in the Valley: Ferruginous Hawk, and a nice variety of  
resident raptors.


-- 
Elisabeth M. Ammon
Executive Director
Great Basin Bird Observatory
1755 E. Plumb Lane #256
Reno, NV 89502
c (775) 722-9116
fx (775) 323-4226
ammon AT gbbo.org
www.gbbo.org
Subject: Cackling Goose, Barrow's Goldeneyes, Western and Glaucous-winged Gulls in Reno/Sparks
From: Martin Meyers <martin AT SIERRABIRDBUM.COM>
Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2010 22:38:57 -0700
I visited Virginia Lake around noon today.  The continuing
Glaucous-winged Gull was present, as was the continuing tiny Cackling
Goose (at the far south end.)  There was also a very strange Canada
Goose, with some sort of abnormality causing a massive bulge beneath the
breast.  Tumor?  It can't be just something he swallowed, it's way too
big.  If anyone sees this critter and can figure out what's going on,
I'd be interested. (I did get a photo -- I guess I could put it up on my
website, but it's not a pleasant sight.  Maybe it would be better for me
to send it to anyone interested.  Send me an email if you want a copy.)

I then walked from Idlewild Park upstream to the condominiums.  There
was a mixed flock of Goldeneyes including one adult male and three
female Barrow's Goldeneyes.  There was also a first year male with a
face sort of resembling Barrow's, but I think it was a young Common
Goldeneye, based on head shape.  (The Barrows have been around, off and
on, since before Christmas.)

Finally, a walk around Sparks Marina provided opportunities for
full-frame photos of the continuing Western Gull, who bathed near shore
and then walked up onto the beach (north end.)  Four adult and one
first-cycle Herring Gulls were the only other non-California/Ring-bills
present.

Today was the first day I've walked around the marina and not seen a
single Black-crowned Night-heron. Did the cold, stormy weather drive
them away?

Martin

---------------
 Martin Meyers
 email: Martin  (...AT...) SierraBirdbum.com
 Photo website: http://SierraBirdbum.com
 Truckee, CA
Subject: Nevada birds in Moscow
From: Jim Diane <woobib AT CHARTER.NET>
Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 21:20:38 -0800
I recently spent a hectic 2-1/2 hrs guiding a Russian engineer around the
Carson Valley with the intention of photographing as many Nevada birds or
wildlife as we could find. It is a pleasurable feeling knowing that the
images of our common birds and Genoa's Mule Deer are now in the Russia being
shown as trophies to the Moscow birders. Our photo list included, Am and
Lesser Goldfinch, Cedar Waxwing, Am Robin, Dark-eyed Junco, Yellow-rumped
warbler, Downey WP, N. Flicker, Say's Phoebe, Calif. Quail, Song Sparrow,
Spotted towhee, W Scrub Jay, Steller's Jay, Mt Chickadee, Barn Owl, Mallard,
Gadwall, Ring-neck, Red head, Widgeon, Canvas Back Ducks and one
White-fronted Goose. The raptors were the show: Shape-shinned Hawk- ad and
im, Cooper's Hawk -ad and im, Light and dark form Red-tailed Hawks -ad and
im, Red-shouldered Hawk - ad and Im, Am Rough-leg Hawk -ad, Prairie Falcon -
ad, Kestrel-ad and Im, Bald Eagles- 1yr to ad.  A thermal built over the
Dangburg Home ranch and 5 Bald Eagles and 4 Red tails soared from 200ft to
4500ft above us, it was just spectacular  to see. But true to western
hospitality, in the final sun rays, an full blown adult Golden come by and
circled for some photos. There is a fellow in Russia who would not surprise
me if he came back for more Nevada birds. For the rest of us: Eagles and Ag
is just around the corner. 

 

 

Jim Woods

775-720-7009

Jim AT birdingnevada.com 

www.birdingundernevadaskies.com 

 
Subject: Cackling Goose, Tundra Swans, Virginia Lake; Reno (2/2/10)
From: Fred Petersen <fugle AT AOL.COM>
Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 23:24:25 -0500
Virginia Lake, Reno, Washoe Co (2/2/10)

The highlight today was a tiny Cackling Goose, doubtless the
 same bird reported by Martin Meyers on 1/28.  When I first 
spotted it (1:45pm), it was with Canadas at the outlet 
culvert at the south end.  It subsequently swam back & forth
 with its flock mates between the outlet & the island, 
sometimes following the Canadas onto the shore for short 
periods.  A little after 2:00, it suddenly took wing for 
no apparent reason, giving its high-pitched flight calls 
as it headed west over the suburbs.  This was a was a 
very small goose, hardly if at all larger than a Mallard:
 stubby-billed & dark breasted with a broad dusky chin 
strap & slight traces of a white neck-ring. 

The other interesting sighting this afternoon was a pair 
of Tundra Swans which flew over the south end of the lake 
while I was photographing the Cackling Goose.  I heard 
them before I saw them; they were heading east.

Gulls.  Nothing unusual today, not even the first-year 
Glaucous-winged Gull which has been more or less resident
 at the lake the last few weeks.  Gulls numbers in general
 were low.  The lake was completely ice-free today for the
 first time in about 2 months, so the principal roosting 
area far out on the frozen surface no longer existed.

Photos: here’s a couple of photos of the Cackler: 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fugl/4326373175/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fugl/4327100930/in/photostream/

Fred Petersen
Subject: Rhodes Ranch Las Vegas
From: Bob Gotschall <gotschall_robert AT YAHOO.COM>
Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 20:57:44 -0500
On a casual walk at the Rhodes Ranch golf course in Southwest Las Vegas I  
finally saw something besides Mallard, Dark-eyed Junco, Great Tailed Grackle, 
Robin, Northern Mockingbird, Rock Dove, House Sparrow, House Finch and Coot:

Common Merganser 12 male and female

Double-crested Cormorant  1

Anna's Hummingbird male 1 (no feeder).

This weekend sounds equally slow with rain forcast (not that I'm complaining, 
the birds can use a break).

Bob Gotschall
Las Vegas (temp) 
Subject: Re: Swans at DaMonte Wetlands, Reno NV 1/31/10
From: Judy Phoenix <jphoenix AT PYRAMID.NET>
Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 17:08:47 -0800
And in the ponds on the path west of the Damonte High School - all the 
others plus red heads (20 male and female), and green-winged teal (10 
male and female).  Lovely day.
Judy


SAMARENO wrote:
> Hi, we went for a walk to celebrate the sun on Sunday. 
>  
> Just wanted to mention there were 2 swans ("Tundra?) on the large wetland 
"lake". 

>  
> We turn off DaMonte at the McDonalds and go down to Peri (?) Landscaping.
>  
> The "lake" is past the creek that runs along the walking path that starts 
there. 

>  
> Anyway, some nice birds and sun make a great weekend.
>  
> No Harrier
> Red Tailed Hawk
> Great Blue Heron
> Yellowlegs
> Tundra(?) Swans-2
> Canada Geese-present
> Bufflehead-4+?
> Gadwalls-present
> Mallards-present
> Ruddy Ducks-8+
> Goldeneye(sp)-2+
> No Shovelers-6+
> Red-winged Blackbirds-20+
> Song Sparrows-2
> Eu Starlings-2
>  
> I think I heard a Snipe.
>  
>
> Sue Anne Marshall
> a.k.a. samareno "at" yahoo.com
>
>
>       
>
>
>   
Subject: Swans at DaMonte Wetlands, Reno NV 1/31/10
From: SAMARENO <samareno AT YAHOO.COM>
Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 10:42:21 -0800
Hi, we went for a walk to celebrate the sun on Sunday. 
 
Just wanted to mention there were 2 swans ("Tundra?) on the large wetland 
"lake". 

 
We turn off DaMonte at the McDonalds and go down to Peri (?) Landscaping.
 
The "lake" is past the creek that runs along the walking path that starts 
there. 

 
Anyway, some nice birds and sun make a great weekend.
 
No Harrier
Red Tailed Hawk
Great Blue Heron
Yellowlegs
Tundra(?) Swans-2
Canada Geese-present
Bufflehead-4+?
Gadwalls-present
Mallards-present
Ruddy Ducks-8+
Goldeneye(sp)-2+
No Shovelers-6+
Red-winged Blackbirds-20+
Song Sparrows-2
Eu Starlings-2
 
I think I heard a Snipe.
 

Sue Anne Marshall
a.k.a. samareno "at" yahoo.com



Subject: Corn Creek (Golden-crowned Sparrow continues)
From: Greg Scyphers <scyph AT SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 10:25:49 -0800
This morning February 2, 2010, I visited Corn Creek more to give my dog a
walk than really birding, but I certainly looked over the area pretty good.
The adult Golden-crowned Sparrow was still present and there were eight
Western Bluebirds, lots of Phainopeplas (at least 20-25), lots of Robins
(nothing good mixed in), a Crissal Thrasher, a couple Townsend's Solitaires,
a Marsh Wren and 18 other regularly occurring species.

Greg Scyphers
Subject: Lemmon Valley (2/1/10)
From: Fred Petersen <fugle AT AOL.COM>
Date: Mon, 1 Feb 2010 18:48:49 -0500
Lemmon Valley, Washoe Co (2/1/10)

Encouraged by Bob Goodman’s report on birds & conditions 
yesterday, we headed out to Lemmon Valley this morning, first 
to the sewage ponds, then on to Pompe Road & the SLNR 
boardwalk.  The road in to the sewage ponds was muddy but 
passable & there was lots of open water in the ponds & playa,
 though still some ice.  Here are the highlights.

Tundra Swan—37 scattered over the playa
Cinnamon Teal—1 male (sewage ponds)
Northern Shrike—1 adult (Pompe Road)

Otherwise, lots of  ducks & Canada geese in the sewage 
ponds/playa as Bob said, but apart from the Cinnamon Teal 
nothing even a little unusual—no White-fronted, Snow or 
Ross’s geese, Eurasian Wigeons, Greater Scaup (as far as 
I could tell) or Barrow’s Goldeneyes (though good numbers
 of  Common Goldeneyes).

Rails.  For the first time I can remember we failed to 
encounter any rails—Soras or Virginias—along the boardwalk.
 No only did we not see any rails or hear any spontaneous 
calling, but there was zero response to playbacks of the 
calls.  There was plenty of open water of suitable depth 
& my guess is that the local population has been driven 
out or extirpated by the big January freeze-up.  If so, it
 will be interesting to see how long recolonizaton takes. 

Fred Petersen
Subject: Willow Creek Golf Course: Pahrump: Nye County
From: Darlene Feener <robertfeener AT ATT.NET>
Date: Mon, 1 Feb 2010 18:20:44 -0500
Listing of species seen on January 31, 2010 was 43.
After sending photo onto Carl Lundblad and having him look at what I 
thought might be a Cackling Goose, it  turned out to be a subspecies 
varation of Canada Goose. I was hesistant to identify the goose by its 
size alone and I never got close enough to get pictures of its face. Thank 
you Carl and others that looked at photo. I learned a lot about the 
Cackling Goose this weekend.
Listing of species seen on January 31, 2010 should be 42 not 43.
Subject: Amargosa Valley: Sandhill Cranes and Long-eared Owl
From: Carl Lundblad <carl.lundblad AT GMAIL.COM>
Date: Sun, 31 Jan 2010 19:41:14 -0800
I birded mostly on private property (with permission, of course) in Amargosa
Valley this morning where the best birds were 2 additional SANDHILL CRANES
and a LONG-EARED OWL.  The ponds at the dairy had a grand total of zero
waterbirds.

Carl Lundblad
Ash Meadows, NV
Subject: Willow Creek Golf Course
From: Darlene Feener <robertfeener AT ATT.NET>
Date: Sun, 31 Jan 2010 19:55:43 -0500
Forgot to put where Willow Creek Golf Course is located.
It is in Pahrump, Nevada (Nye County)
Subject: Willow Creek Golf Course
From: Darlene Feener <robertfeener AT ATT.NET>
Date: Sun, 31 Jan 2010 19:53:12 -0500
Birding from 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

A beautiful day to bird.(43 species)

1.American Wigeons: 95
2.Mallards: 55
3.Black-crowned Night Heron: 1
4.Common Ravens: 2
5.American Crows: 6
6.Mourning Doves: 16
7.Anna's Hummingbirds: 2
8.Costa's Hummingbird: 1
9.Great Blue Heron: 1
10. Red-winged Blackbirds: 12
11. House Sparrows: 15
12. Sharp-shinned Hawk: 1
13. Eurasian-collared Doves: 5
14. House Finches: 8
15. Ruddy Ducks: 3
16. Dark-Eyed Juncos: 5 (Slate colored)
17. American Coots: 32
18. Northern Shovelers: 45
19. Green-winged Teals: 10
20. Ring-necked Ducks: 6
21. Great-tailed Grackles: 8
22. American Pipit: 1
23. Say's Phoebes: 3
24. Red-Shouldered Hawk: 1
25. Gambel's Quail: 17
26. White-crowned Sparrows: 9
27. Phainopepla: 1
28. Verdin: 3
29. Northern Harrier: 1
30. Song Sparrow: 1
31. Yellow-rumped Warbler: 1
32. Pied-billed Grebe: 1
33. Canada Goose: 27
34. Unknown smaller goose with Canada: possible Cackling Goose? 1(pictures)
35. Northern Mockingbird: 1
36. Ruby crowned Kinglet: 1
37. Mountain Bluebirds: 4
38. Prairie Falcon: 1
39. Brewer's Blackbird: 1
40. Ladder-backed Woodpecker: 1
41. American Kestrel: 1
42. Ferruginous Hawk: 1
43. Red-tailed Hawk: 1
Subject: Carson Valley/Topaz Lake
From: Gerrad Jones <gdjones831 AT CHARTER.NET>
Date: Sun, 31 Jan 2010 19:09:36 -0500
On Saturday, January 30th, My dad (Ron Jones) and I went to Topaz Lake for
the afternoon (3-5 pm).  There weren't too many birds on the lake but it was
still a good trip.  This is what we saw on the lake.

Canada goose (20) 
mallard (2)
common goldeneye (1)
common merganser (25)
ruddy duck (2)
ring-billed gull (3)
golden eagle (1)
common raven (1)

The highlight was definitely the bald eagles in Carson Valley.  Although we
didn't drive around the valley, we did see 2 adults and 2 juveniles in some
of the fields.  At the moment, the cows are calving and it is a good time to
drive around the valley to see eagles.

Gerrad Jones
Subject: Swan Lake NSA
From: Bob Goodman <Pandion36 AT AOL.COM>
Date: Sun, 31 Jan 2010 17:41:31 EST
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Swan Lake NSA, North valleys Reno
 
The openings in the ice across the playa area have enlarged, and are  
occupied by a host of Canada Geese and many species of ducks. They are pretty 

far out from any land except for some of the ducks and gulls near the end  of 
Pompe Way.  Today there are more Tundra Swans, numbering around 30, also  
very far out.  The only sewer pond with any open water is the largest, most  
northern, and there were ducks of all makes and models huddled throughout 
the  open water and the ice.
 
Cheers, Bob Goodman
Subject: FW: Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve Located Near Las Vegas
From: Bird Preserve <Bird.Preserve AT CITYOFHENDERSON.COM>
Date: Sun, 31 Jan 2010 13:43:40 -0800

STARTING DECEMBER 1ST THROUGH FEBRUARY 28TH THE HOURS WILL BE FROM 7:00
AM TO 2:00 PM.



________________________________

The following birds were seen or heard this week by staff and visitors
from January 25th, 2010 thru January 31st, 2010.  We had Fifty-seven
(57) species recorded this week.



Snow Goose

Canada Goose

Wood Duck

Gadwall

American Wigeon

Mallard

Cinnamon Teal

Northern Shoveler

Northern Pintail

Green-winged Teal

Ring-necked Duck

Lesser Scaup

Bufflehead

Common Goldeneye

Ruddy Duck

Gambel's Quail

Pied-billed Grebe

Eared Grebe

Double-crested Cormorant

Great Egret

Black-crowned night Heron

White-faced Ibis (1/28, pond 9)

Northern Harrier

Cooper's  Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk

Peregrine Falcon

Common Moorhen

American Coot

Killdeer

Greater Yellowlegs

Least Sandpiper

Ring-billed Gull

California Gull

Rock Pigeon

Mourning Dove

Greater Roadrunner

Anna's Hummingbird

Costa's Hummingbird

Red-shafted Flicker (heard)

Black Phoebe

Say's Phoebe

Cassin's Kingbird

Loggerhead Shrike

Common Raven

Tree Swallow

Verdin

Bushtit (heard)

Marsh Wren

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Black-tailed Gnatcatcher

Crissal Thrasher

American Pipit

Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's)

Abert's Towhee

Song Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Red-winged Blackbird

Great-tailed Grackle

House Finch





DON'T FORGET YOUR HAT, SUNSCREEN AND WATER!!!!

Open 7:00 am to 2:00 pm, last entry is at 1:30 pm.  You need about two
hours to bird the Preserve.

Directions from the I515 (US 93 & 95), take exit 64A, Sunset Road east.
Follow the signs (blue signs with white letters), turn left (north) on
Moser.

For more information call 702-267-4180.



Best in birding,

Je Anne Branca


Subject: Reno and Carson City Area
From: Je Anne <gann2 AT COX.NET>
Date: Sat, 30 Jan 2010 21:14:59 -0800
Rita and I enjoyed nice weather while birding the Reno and Carson City area on 
Thursday and Friday. We had 62 species for the trip. 


Pied-billed Grebe
Great Blue Heron
Canada Geese (lots)
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Green-winged Teal
Redhead (Jack's Valley road)
Ringed-necked Duck (Jack's Valley Road)
Common Goldeneye
Barrow's Goldeneye (Oxbow along with a Beaver)
Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Bald Eagles (several on Jack's Valley Road)
Northern Harrier
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper's Hawk
Red-shoulder Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk (lots)
American Kestrel
Merlin (Verdi)
California Quail
American Coot
Lesser Black-back Gull
Ring-billed Gull
California Gull
Herring Gull
Thayer's Gull
Rock Dove
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Mourning Dove
Great Horned Owl
Belted Kingfisher
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
White-headed Woodpecker (Jim E. yard)
Red-shafted Flicker
Steller's Jay
Western Scrub Jay (Costal sub species)
Common Raven
Bushtit (Verdi)
Bewick's Wren
American Dipper (pair in Verdi)
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (with his crown up)
American Robin
European Starling
Audubon's Yellow rumped Warbler
Spotted Towhee (Jim's yard)
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Slate-colored Junco
Oregon Junco
Red-winged Blackbird
Brewer's Blackbird
House Finch
Lesser Goldfinch
House Sparrow
Best in birding,
Je Anne
Subject: Pretty day at Pyramid Lake, but very few birds
From: Martin Meyers <martin AT SIERRABIRDBUM.COM>
Date: Sat, 30 Jan 2010 19:59:40 -0700
The broken cloud cover with beams of sunlight breaking through made for
some wonderful scenery today at Pyramid Lake. Good thing, as there
wasn't much birdlife to keep my attention.  In fact, I've never been to
Pyramid Lake and seen fewer birds (I'm talking about total number, not
just species.)

I had hoped I might see the Baird's Sandpiper (who should be in South
America), but I was not successful. Of course, there is nothing
restricting that bird from wandering along the entire shoreline (all of
which looks like nice shorebird habitat right now).  I started at "The
Willows" and walked north a while, then south awhile.  I came across all
of one Killdeer (in about two miles of walking.)  (In fact, if you
include all my stops along the shoreline plus an additional walk down at
the delta, my total count for all forms of shorebird was, well, one
Killdeer!)

Duck numbers were very low, although a flock of 30 Greater Scaup near
the end of the pavement was nice.  A few dozen Bufflehead were seen at
various locations between The Willows and the delta.  There were a few
Mallards at the delta.  And I saw eighteen Tundra Swans at the delta.

Even Coots were relatively scarce -- I expect I saw no more than a
hundred all afternoon.

Three Common Loons, a few (really just a few) Western-type Grebes, one
Pied-billed Grebe, and maybe a dozen Eared Grebes.

There was a congregation of gulls at Sutcliffe, maybe 35 California
Gulls and four adult Herring Gulls.

At The Willows, I had a small flock of Bushtits, but absolutely nothing
else.  The trailer park at Sutcliffe was the most "birdy" spot of the
day, with American and Lesser Goldfinches, a half-dozen Eurasian
Collared-doves, one American Robin, and numerous House Sparrows, House
Finches, and Starlings.

Add in the occasional Common Raven and that about wrapped it up.

Sure glad it was pretty!

Martin



---------------
 Martin Meyers
 email: Martin  (...AT...) SierraBirdbum.com
 Photo website: http://SierraBirdbum.com
 Truckee, CA
Subject: Great Reno Caper Audubon Trip
From: Dennis & Becca Serdehely <birders AT ATT.NET>
Date: Sat, 30 Jan 2010 17:18:48 -0800
Fifteen birders joined my wife Becca and me at various times during the day
as we explored the various birding spots in the Reno-Sparks Area. The day
started out with some light snow flurries at Virginia Lake but turned into a
beautiful and for the most part sunny day.

 

We started out at Virginia Lake at 9:00 am with both the adult Lesser
Black-backed and  the first year Glaucous-winged Gull that have been present
most of the winter. The other highlight here was a Red-naped Sapsucker in
the trees at the north-east corner of the lake. The usual collection of
ducks and gulls were also present as well as 3 Black-crowned Night-Herons.
The Lesser Scaup and Wood Duck however were not to be found. 

 

Our next stop was the Sparks Marina. We arrived there around 11:00 am. There
were only a couple of dozen Ring-billed and California Gulls present with no
Western, Herring or Thayer's.  A single cormorant and a single Eared Grebe
were also present. 

 

We then went on to the Rosewood Lakes area and hit pay dirt at the pond on
Hidden Valley Road. On this pond we had 6 Greater White-fronted Geese, 5
Cackling Geese and the male Eurasian Wigeon. We then walked the slough
behind Mira Loma Park. Highlights here included 4 Greater Yellowlegs and a
single Great-tailed Grackle. A return to the Sparks Marina late in the
afternoon only added a single Herring Gull to our list for the day.

 

Our total species count for the day was 52.

 

Dennis Serdehely
Subject: Swifts Over Amargosa
From: Carl Lundblad <carl.lundblad AT GMAIL.COM>
Date: Sat, 30 Jan 2010 16:54:56 -0800
Scott Page and colleagues led a UNLV Educational Outreach birding trip to
Ash Meadows today.  Things were a little slow overall, but things that got
me mildly excited included a large flock (30+) of apparent white-throated
swifts circling the Carson Slough, as distantly viewed from Peterson
Reservoir, and a female HOODED MERGANSER (rare on Ash Meadows) at Crystal
Reservoir.

Has anyone seen any northbound cinnamon teal yet?

Carl Lundblad
Ash Meadows, NV
Subject: Swan Lake NSA
From: Bob Goodman <Pandion36 AT AOL.COM>
Date: Sat, 30 Jan 2010 16:56:07 EST
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Swan Lake NSA, north valleys of Reno
 
Late this morning I went to check out the conditions at Swan Lake.   The 
sewer ponds were still frozen over for a large part, but the road in is very  
muddy, so didn't go all the way in.
 
At the interpretive area the road is muddy but passable.  From there I  
could see some open water in a few places across the main body of the area, and 

 an adult Bald Eagle landing on the ice quite a ways to the east.  From the 
 end of Pompe I scoped the playa area and relocated the Bald Eagle, now 
eating a  morsel, and a small group of Tundra Swans along the eastern shore 
where there  appears to be some open water.  Canada Geese and many ducks were 
flocked to  each of the open lenses of water.  Right at the end of Pompe was 
a  Loggerhead Shrike calling incessantly.
 
Sky Vista pond is still completely frozen over, so no activity there.
 
Cheers, Bob Goodman
Subject: White River Valley
From: David Worley <daveworl AT SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Date: Sat, 30 Jan 2010 13:05:09 -0500
I spent most of last week doing some work in the White River Valley south 
of Lund.  After ravens, the most common large birds were golden eagles, 
with about six observed.  Other raptors included two prairie falcons, at 
least two northern harriers, and one merlin (richardsonii).  Horned larks 
were the main passerines observed, but a few sage and white-crowned 
sparrows were also present.
Subject: Floyd Lamb/Bristlecone Trail
From: Carl Lundblad <carl.lundblad AT GMAIL.COM>
Date: Fri, 29 Jan 2010 20:30:48 -0800
After a quiet stop in Indian Springs I went to Floyd Lmab Park in north
Vegas this morning which was similarly quiet except for some interesting
waterbird sightings and counts including 3 Hooded Mergansers, 136 Common
Mergansers, 54 Double-crested Cormorants, and a Great Egret.  In the
afternoon I snow shoed the Bristlecone Trail at the top of Lee Canyon.  Most
notable were quite a few Red Crossbills (20+) including a singing male.

Carl Lundblad
Ash Meadows, NV
Subject: Slow day at the Sparks Marina (1/29/10)
From: Fred Petersen <fugle AT AOL.COM>
Date: Fri, 29 Jan 2010 22:24:56 -0500
Sparks Marina, Sparks, Washoe Co (1/29/10)

We took our weekly stroll around the marina today.  Duck  
numbers & variety continue to decline—only 4 species total
 & only 10 Northern Shovelers.   We checked out the cove 
twice, at 10:50am & at 12:15.  On both occasions there were
 only about 80 gulls, all Ring-billed or Californias as 
usual, plus a single adult Herring Gull at 10:50, & 2 
adult HGs at 12:15.  Here’s the list (15 sps).

Canada goose—c.15-20
Gadwall—10-12
Mallard—c.15
Shoveler—10
Ruddy Duck—?75
Pied-billed Grebe—6-8
Double-crested Cormorant—1
Black-crowned Night Heron—1
American Coot
Ring-billed Gull
California Gull
Herring Gull—2
Rock Dove
European Starling
Brewer’s Blackbird

*Including a very small Canada-type goose, but certainly not
 a minima (breast too light, bill not stubby enough) & 
probably not any kind of cackler (head-shape wrong). 

Fred Petersen
Subject: Reducing aircraft-wildlife strikes at airports
From: Matt Kennedy <kennedym2009 AT YAHOO.COM>
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2010 21:33:04 -0800
Dear fellow birding enthusiasts,
 
As a lifelong birder and professional aviator for over 16 years, I am 
conducting a nation-wide study on the level of community support for the 
mitigation measures used at airports to reduce the wildlife strike hazard to 
commercial aircraft.  Getting input from different regions of the country is 
necessary to gauge whether there are regional differences due to varying bird 
populations or possible high profile incidents involving wildlife strikes on 
aircraft.  

 
Responses are submitted electronically to a database that does not identify 
users, so your answers will be completely confidential.  Findings will be 
released only as analyzed data or summaries in which no individual’s answers 
can be identified.  Please take a few moments to share your opinions and 
experiences.  I appreciate you taking time from your busy schedule to 
contribute toward this important research about community views on wildlife 
mitigation measures at airports. 

 
The survey can be accessed at:   https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/XTVS225
 
If you would like a summary of my findings, please send me your e-mail address 
at kennedym2009 AT yahoo.com.  Once the study is complete, I will e-mail the 
summary to you. 

Best Regards,

Matt Kennedy
Graduate student in Aeronautical Science
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University



Subject: Fallon Area
From: Dennis & Becca Serdehely <birders AT ATT.NET>
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2010 19:59:18 -0800
I birded Fallon and vicinity today. My first stop was at the St. John's Room
to Grow Day Care Center at Mertin and Taylor to see the Western Screech-Owl
and it was still there. I then went to Carson Lake but did not stay long as
it was a muddy mess. I did see a Rough-legged Hawk before leaving and a
Prairie Falcon along US 95 on the way there. Continuing along Pasture Road
east and north of Carson Lake I had a second Prairie Falcon as well as a
flock of 10 Great-tailed Grackles. I then birded some of the irrigation
ditches south of Fallon where I had a single Common Moorhen at Drumm and
Testolin Roads. Testolin Road has been very reliable for this species for
the last few years, including up to 8 during the Fallon CBC two years ago. 

 

Not having spent much time at Carson Lake I decided to check Harmon Lake and
Stillwater NWR. Both of these locations were still frozen over and there
were no birds. S-line Reservoir east of Fallon had open water but only a few
Canada Geese and Ring-billed Gulls. A quick check of Soda Lake on the way
back to Fernley produced only some coots and a single Ruddy Duck.

 

Dennis Serdehely
Subject: UNR Manzanita Pond birds 1/28/10
From: ann murphy <amurphy0607 AT YAHOO.COM>
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2010 19:16:29 -0800
Submitted on behalf of Ed Kurtz:

The following birds were at Manzanita Pond on the UNR campus on Thursday 
Jan.28, 2010: 

2 Ring-necked Ducks (male)
2 Redheaded Ducks (1 male, 1 female)
2 Am. Coots
2 Mute Swans
5 Oregon Juncos
1 Common Merganser (male)

Posted for Ed Kurtz by Ann Murphy
Subject: Cackling Goose, a few gulls in Reno/Sparks
From: Martin Meyers <martin AT SIERRABIRDBUM.COM>
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2010 19:00:12 -0700
I had may first chance to get out for a little birding since returning
from southern California. I went down to Reno around 3:00 and visited
Virginia Lake and Sparks Marina.  At Virginia Lake, I found a really
tiny Cackling Goose along the south shore.  The Glaucous-winged Gull
reported by Fred was present, but the Lesser Black-backed Gull was not. 
All other gulls at Virginia Lake were California or Ring-billed.

At Sparks Marina, there were several hundred gulls, with a few Herring
Gulls (one first-cycle, one second-cycle, two adults) and the continuing
Western Gull.  

I'm hoping for time to get out to Pyramid Lake within the next couple of
days to see if the very out-of-season Baird's Sandpiper has hung around,
and to see what else might have been blown in by the storms.

Martin
---------------
 Martin Meyers
 email: Martin  (...AT...) SierraBirdbum.com
 Photo website: http://SierraBirdbum.com
 Truckee, CA
Subject: GW, LBB gulls, Virginia Lake; Reno (1/28/10)
From: Fred Petersen <fugle AT AOL.COM>
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2010 17:26:31 -0500
Virginia Lake, Reno, Washoe Co (1/28/10)

We visited the lake this morning between 10:30 & 11:15.  At
 10:35, both the Glaucous-winged (1st-year immature) & 
Lesser Black-backed (adult) gulls were in their usual places
 among the California & Ring-billed gulls roosting on the ice
 at the N end.  At 10:40 a bunch of these gulls (100 or so), 
including the Lesser Black-back, took off to the northeast, 
leaving 150 or so behind; a few minutes later, gulls--maybe 
the same ones that had left, maybe not--started drifting in
 from the northeast & the numbers on the ice began building 
up again, but the LBB Gull was not among them.  The GW Gull 
never budged during any of this, but remained dozing & 
preening on the ice throughout.  

The LBB Gull was in direct sun for a change, & it wasn’t too 
far out, so I had an unusually good view of it.  Apart from 
its comparatively large size & dark mantle, the most salient 
feature to my eyes were the bright chrome-yellow legs.

Other birds
Green-winged Teal—1 male (an uncommon bird at VL)
Lesser Scaup—1 male (continues)
Steller’s Jay—none today, but 1 yesterday

After finishing up at the lake, we went on to the Nevada 
Museum of Art to see the Raphael exhibition.  Nothing to do 
with birds, I know, but very impressive & highly recommended.

Fred Petersen
Subject: Sandhill Crane in Pahrump
From: Carl Lundblad <carl.lundblad AT GMAIL.COM>
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 2010 19:47:35 -0800
Today a single first-year SANDHILL CRANE was in Pahrump.  The bird was in a
field of the Pahrump Dairy, easily visible from Irene St. just west of Blagg
St.

Carl Lundblad
Ash Meadows, NV
Subject: Gulls again, Virginia Lake; Reno (1/26/10)
From: Fred Petersen <fugle AT AOL.COM>
Date: Tue, 26 Jan 2010 22:20:22 -0500
Virginia Lake, Reno, Washoe Co (1/26/10)

I birded VL this afternoon where gull movements continue 
to puzzle.  When I arrived (2:30) there were about 200 gulls
 roosting on the shore & ice at the N end, all Ring-bills & 
California’s.  At 3:20 another bunch (?100) came drifting 
in from the N, including a first-year Glaucous-winged Gull 
(doubtless the same bird that’s been at VL off & on for the
 last couple of weeks), & settled down among the other gulls.
  Ten minutes later, as I was leaving for home, about the 
same number (I don’t know if the Glaucous-winged was with 
them or not) suddenly took wing & flew off to the SE. 

The presumed Canada Goose/Swan Goose hybrid was present 
again today (on the W side with Canadas as usual) and there
 was a lone Double-crested Cormorant on the island, the first
 that I’ve seen at the lake since the big freeze. There was 
no sign of the drake Wood Duck (I wonder where it is, when 
it’s not at the lake?).

Northern Shovelers.  There were about 100 shovelers, mostly 
in 2 big “rotating cells” at the edge of the ice at the N end.
  As always when I see these cells I wonder what the ducks are
 feeding on.  Whatever it is, it thrives in cold water since 
in my experience the more frigid the conditions the more 
prevalent the cells.

Fred Petersen
Subject: Great Backyard Bird Count
From: Jill Neumann <jill AT PENALTYSHOT.COM>
Date: Tue, 26 Jan 2010 18:44:41 -0800
Hi everyone, I just wanted to let everyone know that the Great Backyard Bird 
Count is coming soon. The dates are February 12 through the 15th. You can find 
out more information on it by going to WWW.Birdcount.org. or WWW.gbbc.org. It 
is a lot of fun and it helps with bird research. Please check out the website 
and do what you can to help the research on birds in your area. Thank you Jill 
Neumann Montello NV 

Subject: Re: Baird's Sandpiper at Pyramid Lake
From: Joel Geier <joel.geier AT PEAK.ORG>
Date: Mon, 25 Jan 2010 21:44:45 -0800
Hi Martin & All,

Curiously enough, a wintering Baird's Sandpiper has been seen a couple
of times around the Astoria area in coastal Oregon, within the past 3-4
weeks -- also far north of this species' normal wintering range. Not
that two dots on the graph make a trend, but it's enough to make one sit
up and take notice.

Happy birding,
Joel

--
Joel Geier
Corvallis, Oregon
Subject: Wildlife (birds/animals) safari in Minden area
From: Michael M <alucard2100 AT MAIL.RU>
Date: Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:27:44 -0500
Hi, everybody.

My name is Michael, I'm from Russia.

I'm now in Minden, Nevada, for a couple of weeks on a business trip and I 
was thinking about photographing some wildlife in the area on my free 
weekend (January 30-31).

Is there any company around which can arrange widlife watching tour/safari? 
I'm interested both in birds (owls, etc.) and in mammals (deers, bears, 
badgers, etc.)

Or, alternatively, is there any recommended place to go to see such animals?

Please advise.

Thanks a lot.
Subject: Slight correction on Baird's Sandpiper post
From: Martin Meyers <martin AT SIERRABIRDBUM.COM>
Date: Mon, 25 Jan 2010 17:58:59 -0700
Clay and Bruce saw the Baird's at Pyramid Lake on Sunday, 1/24, not
Saturday. Sorry.

Martin
---------------
 Martin Meyers
 email: Martin  (...AT...) SierraBirdbum.com
 Photo website: http://SierraBirdbum.com
 Truckee, CA
Subject: Baird's Sandpiper at Pyramid Lake
From: Martin Meyers <martin AT SIERRABIRDBUM.COM>
Date: Mon, 25 Jan 2010 00:14:40 -0700
I just received a report from Bruce Webb, a very talented California
birder I know well.  He and Clay Taylor (from Swarovski optics) birded
Pyramid Lake on Saturday.  Along the shoreline near the Willows, Clay
spotted a Baird's Sandpiper with a couple of Killdeer!  While Baird's
Sandpipers are regular at Pyramid in migration, a midwinter sighting is
astounding. (I haven't done any serious research as to whether or not it
is unprecedented, but I've certainly never encountered, or heard of, one
in midwinter up here before. Anybody?)

Martin 


---------------
 Martin Meyers
 email: Martin  (...AT...) SierraBirdbum.com
 Photo website: http://SierraBirdbum.com
 Truckee, CA
Subject: Re: Willow Creek Golf Course: Pahrump: Nye County
From: Carl Lundblad <carl.lundblad AT GMAIL.COM>
Date: Sun, 24 Jan 2010 20:59:02 -0800
Only thing I can add to Darlene's Willow Creek list this week is 1 CHIPPING
SPARROW, I think my first in mid-winter in Nye Co., on 1/22.  I've not seen
the broad-billed hummingbird this month (2 visits), but it could still be
around.

Carl Lundblad
Ash Meadows, NV

On Sun, Jan 24, 2010 at 4:43 PM, Darlene Feener wrote:

> Birding from 7 a.m. to noon today. 35 degrees at 7a.m.Movement was slow at
> first then picked up at 9:30a.m. 39 species seen today.
>
> 1.Red-winged Blackbirds: 41
> 2.Canada Geese: 32
> 3.Mallards: 78
> 4.American Wigeons: 217
> 5.Mourning Doves: 62
> 6.Great Blue Heron: 1
> 7.House Finches: 10
> 8.Common Raven: 1
> 9.Green-winged Teals: 15
> 10. Northern Shovelers: 38
> 11. Ruddy Ducks: 3
> 12. Ring-necked Ducks: 2
> 13. American Coots: 23
> 14. Northern Flicker: 1
> 15. Common Raven: 1
> 16. Great-tailed Grackles: 12
> 17. American Pipits: 6
> 18. White-crowned Sparrows: 11
> 19. Gambel's Quail: 16
> 20. House Sparrows: 9
> 21. Phainopepla: 1
> 22. Red-shouldered Hawks: 2
> 23. Say's Phoebes: 2
> 24. Dark-eyed Juncos: 39 Oregon & 16 Slate colored
> 25. Eurasian-collared Doves: 7
> 26. Rock Doves: 52
> 27. Verdins: 2
> 28. Western Bluebirds: 14
> 29. Mountain Bluebirds: 36
> 30. Northern Mockingbird: 1
> 31. Anna's Hummingbird: 1
> 32. Brewer's Blackbirds: 2
> 33. Western Meadowlarks: 41
> 34. Yellow-rumped Warblers: 5
> 35. Ladder-backed Woodpeckers: 2
> 36. American Kestrel: 1
> 37. Sharp-shinned Hawk: 1
> 38. Crissal Thrasher: 1
> 39. Song Sparrow: 1
>
Subject: Greater White-Fronted Geese, Rosewood Lakes Golf Course
From: Rob Lowry <rlowry517 AT AOL.COM>
Date: Mon, 25 Jan 2010 00:56:18 +0000
Hello!

I just observed six of the referenced geese feeding in the grass near a large 
flock of Canada Geese in the Rosewood Lakes golf course. The GWFG can be 
observed from Hidden Valley Drive near its intersection with Carnoustie Drive, 
but they can be better observed from Carnoustie Drive. 


Rob Lowry
Carson City
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Subject: Willow Creek Golf Course: Pahrump: Nye County
From: Darlene Feener <robertfeener AT ATT.NET>
Date: Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:43:24 -0500
Birding from 7 a.m. to noon today. 35 degrees at 7a.m.Movement was slow at 
first then picked up at 9:30a.m. 39 species seen today.

1.Red-winged Blackbirds: 41
2.Canada Geese: 32
3.Mallards: 78
4.American Wigeons: 217
5.Mourning Doves: 62
6.Great Blue Heron: 1
7.House Finches: 10
8.Common Raven: 1
9.Green-winged Teals: 15
10. Northern Shovelers: 38
11. Ruddy Ducks: 3
12. Ring-necked Ducks: 2
13. American Coots: 23
14. Northern Flicker: 1
15. Common Raven: 1
16. Great-tailed Grackles: 12
17. American Pipits: 6
18. White-crowned Sparrows: 11
19. Gambel's Quail: 16
20. House Sparrows: 9
21. Phainopepla: 1
22. Red-shouldered Hawks: 2
23. Say's Phoebes: 2
24. Dark-eyed Juncos: 39 Oregon & 16 Slate colored
25. Eurasian-collared Doves: 7
26. Rock Doves: 52
27. Verdins: 2
28. Western Bluebirds: 14
29. Mountain Bluebirds: 36
30. Northern Mockingbird: 1
31. Anna's Hummingbird: 1
32. Brewer's Blackbirds: 2
33. Western Meadowlarks: 41
34. Yellow-rumped Warblers: 5
35. Ladder-backed Woodpeckers: 2
36. American Kestrel: 1
37. Sharp-shinned Hawk: 1
38. Crissal Thrasher: 1
39. Song Sparrow: 1
Subject: Oasis Valley
From: Laura Cunningham <bluerockiguana AT HUGHES.NET>
Date: Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:05:42 -0500
Jan. 24, 2010-Nye County north of Beatty

The Amargosa River finally flowed, and immediately a pair of Mallards swam in 
the 6-inch deep 

water in the meadows.

American kestrel-one with a mouse in its talons, possibly a deer mouse.
Red-tailed hawk-1
Prairie falcon-1
Gambels' quail
Eurasian collared dove-9
Northern "red-shafted" flicker-1
Mounring dove-1
Bewick's wren-1
Marsh wren-1
Common raven-2
Mountain bluebird-few
White-crowned sparrow-40 or so.
House sparrow-15
Song sparrow-1
Dark-eyed "Oregon" junco-5
Brewer's blackbird-50
European starling-more than 50
American goldfinch-1
House finch-1

Horned lark- flock of 50-60 in creosote by rain pools near ghost town of 
Rhyolite on January 23. 


Laura Cunningham
Subject: FW: Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve Located Near Las Vegas
From: Bird Preserve <Bird.Preserve AT CITYOFHENDERSON.COM>
Date: Sun, 24 Jan 2010 13:42:39 -0800
STARTING DECEMBER 1ST THROUGH FEBRUARY 28TH THE HOURS WILL BE FROM 7:00
AM TO 2:00 PM.



________________________________

The following birds were seen or heard this week by staff and visitors
from January 18th, 2010 thru January 24th, 2010.  We had Sixty-two (62)
species recorded this week.



Snow Goose

Canada Goose

Wood Duck

Gadwall

American Wigeon

Mallard

Cinnamon Teal

Northern Shoveler

Northern Pintail

Green-winged Teal

Redhead

Ring-necked Duck

Lesser Scaup

Bufflehead

Common Merganser

Ruddy Duck

Gambel's Quail

Pied-billed Grebe

Eared Grebe

Least Bittern

Great Egret

Green Heron

Black-crowned night Heron

Northern Harrier

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Cooper's  Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk

American Kestrel

Common Moorhen

American Coot

Killdeer

Greater Yellowlegs

Least sandpiper

Ring-billed Gull

Mourning Dove

Greater Roadrunner

Anna's Hummingbird

Costa's Hummingbird

Red-shafted Flicker

Black Phoebe

Say's Phoebe

Cassin's Kingbird

Loggerhead Shrike

Tree swallow

Verdin

Bushtit

Bewick's Wren

Marsh Wren

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Black-tailed Gnatcatcher

Crissal Thrasher

American Pipit

Orange-crowned Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's)

Abert's Towhee

Song Sparrow

Lincoln sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Red-winged Blackbird

Brewer's blackbird

Great-tailed Grackle

House Finch





DON'T FORGET YOUR HAT, SUNSCREEN AND WATER!!!!

Open 7:00 am to 2:00 pm, last entry is at 1:30 pm.  You need about two
hours to bird the Preserve.

Directions from the I515 (US 93 & 95), take exit 64A, Sunset Road east.
Follow the signs (blue signs with white letters), turn left (north) on
Moser.

For more information call 702-267-4180.



Happy Birding!,

Lupe Varela


Subject: Reno and Sparks - A 7Gull Day
From: Dennis & Becca Serdehely <birders AT ATT.NET>
Date: Sat, 23 Jan 2010 19:17:56 -0800
Today Becca and I visited Virginia Lake and the Sparks Marina. The Lesser
Black-backed Gull and the first winter Glaucous-winged gull were still
present as was the male Wood Duck, which was still being accompanied by the
female Mallard. 

 

Upon arriving at the Sparks Marina, the first gull we observed was the
Western Gull that has been there off and on this winter. We also had a
single first winter Thayer's Gull several Herring Gulls and of course
numerous Ring-billed and California Gulls. The Western Gull was in the water
in the cove and the Thayer's was on the pontoons in the cove. A seven gull
day, not bad for western Nevada.

 

Dennis Serdehely
Subject: Red-shouldered Hawk & Merlin, west Reno, Jan. 23, '10
From: Alan Wallace <wallacealan AT SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Date: Sat, 23 Jan 2010 15:04:04 -0800
On a walk this afternoon in west Reno, I heard, then saw, an adult
Red-shouldered Hawk.  This is the same area west of the McCarran-Mayberry
intersection where I reported two in late December and have seen them
semi-regularly for several years.  Also in the area was a female Merlin that
had just caught a mouse/vole and was eating it while perched on top of a
nearby telephone pole.

Alan Wallace
Reno NV
Subject: Montello Snow Sparrow (Bunting)
From: Jill Neumann <jill AT PENALTYSHOT.COM>
Date: Sat, 23 Jan 2010 13:21:15 -0800
For those of you planning to make a trip out to Montello The bird was seen 
again today. She is making more appearances now. She is starting to hang out 
more with the local House sparrows. She must have blown in with a storm as she 
was not born here otherwise we would have seen her before this. She is adapting 
very well. Thank you Jill 

Subject: Re the Virginia Lake Wood Duck/Mallard pair (1/22/10)
From: Fred Petersen <fugle AT AOL.COM>
Date: Sat, 23 Jan 2010 01:14:36 -0500
Re Alan’s report on the VL Wood Duck & its female companion:
 I first encountered the pair on December 31st and saw it 
regularly thereafter until a couple of weeks ago.  On all 
these occasions the Wood Duck followed the Mallard closely, 
“defending” her against drake Mallards by nipping at them 
if they got too close.  The last time I saw the pair was 
January 11th & I had assumed that the 2 birds had moved 
on (perhaps a case of the female leaving for some reason 
& the male following her).  It’s nice to know that 
they’re back.

I’ve seen drake Wood Ducks paired with female Mallards on at
 least 2 other occasions in recent years: once (2008) at the
 Sky Vista Pond (Lemmon Valley) & once (2004) at the Lemmon 
Valley sewage ponds.  My guess is that such pairings happen
 fairly commonly whenever stray drake Wood Ducks find 
themselves in ponds with lots of Mallards but no females 
of their own species.  Mallard drakes, of course, will mate
 with anything so I imagine the reverse combination—male 
Mallard x female Wood Duck—must also occur, though I’ve 
never encountered it.

Fred Petersen
Subject: Re: Wood Duck-Mallard pair?, Barrow's Goldeneye at Virginia Lake
From: Bob Goodman <pandion36 AT AOL.COM>
Date: Fri, 22 Jan 2010 23:45:28 EST
Alan - At the Sky Vista pond in north Reno, a male Wood  Duck paired with a 
female Mallard at least four years running.  The male  was very protective, 
fought off Mallard drakes, and at one point led a string of  female 
Mallards around the pond. I never witnessed any mating, but as the spring would 

wear on, the Wood Duck would be gone.
 
Cheers, Bob Goodman
Subject: Wood Duck-Mallard pair?, Barrow's Goldeneye at Virginia Lake
From: Alan de Queiroz <alandqz AT YAHOO.COM>
Date: Fri, 22 Jan 2010 20:38:08 -0800
I was at Virginia Lake in Reno this afternoon from about 5:00 to 5:30. When I 
arrived there were less than 10 goldeneyes present, but by the time I left 
there were at least 60, including a male Barrow's (with two females that were 
probably also Barrow's, but light was pretty bad at that point so I'm not 
sure). The goldeneyes must come in to roost on the lake. 


A male Wood Duck, probably the same one that's been seen several times this 
winter, was also at the lake. Oddly, it seemed to be paired with a female 
Mallard. Twice when I approached these two birds, they swam off and stayed 
close together. I was thinking there's no way that a Wood Duck and Mallard 
would mate, but I googled "mallard-wood duck hybrid" and found this: 


http://www.flickr.com/photos/patrick_m/3565323701/

along with several other records of such hybrids. Pretty weird that these 
not-very-closely-related species sometimes pair up. I'll be curious to hear if 
anyone else sees those two birds together. 


Alan de Queiroz
Reno       
Subject: Re: Snow bunting (house sparrow in disguise)
From: Jill Neumann <jill AT PENALTYSHOT.COM>
Date: Fri, 22 Jan 2010 18:44:18 -0800
I agree she is very pretty. 

--- aambos AT COX.NET wrote:

From:         Aaron Ambos 
To:           NVBIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG
Subject: Snow bunting (house sparrow in disguise)
Date:         Fri, 22 Jan 2010 16:37:32 -0500

Thanks for additional photos Jill. It definitely looks like a partially 
leucistic female house sparrow. 

Neat looking bird!
Subject: Sparks Marina, Sparks, Washoe Co (1/22/10)
From: Fred Petersen <fugle AT AOL.COM>
Date: Fri, 22 Jan 2010 20:56:41 -0500
Sparks Marina, Sparks, Washoe Co (1/22/10)

We took our weekly walk around the marina today.  Duck 
numbers & variety continue to be disappointing.  When we 
reached the cove (1:00pm) there were about 150 gulls on the
 pontoons & beach: mostly Californias as always but also 
including a small contingent of Ring-bills & a few Herring 
Gulls.   A Glaucous-winged Gull turned up later.   Here’s the
 complete list (18 sps).

Canada goose—c.75
Gadwall—6-8
Mallard—4-5
Shoveler—?50
Ruddy Duck—?50
Pied-billed Grebe—5-6
Eared Grebe—3-4
Double-crested Cormorant—2
Black-crowned Night Heron—1-2
American Coot
Red-tailed Hawk--1
Ring-billed Gull
California Gull
Herring Gull—5*
Glaucous-winged Gull—1**
Rock Dove
European Starling
Brewer’s Blackbird

*The Herring Gulls consisted of 3 adults & 2 1st-winter 
immatures.  One of the immatures was noticeably slighter 
than the other.  I looked at this bird long & hard, trying 
trying to turn it into a Thayer’s Gull but I don’t think 
so—the primaries were wrong (all dark) & the bill had too
 much of a gonydeal angle.  
**The Glaucous-winged Gull flew in at 1:22pm while I was 
scoping the gulls on the pontoons, on which it landed for
 a few minutes before heading off again eastwards across 
the lake.  It was an unusually dark 1st-winter bird & may 
have been the same individual as the dark GW Gull observed 
at the marina on various occasions earlier in the season.

Fred Petersen
Subject: The Montello "bunting"
From: Martin Meyers <martin AT SIERRABIRDBUM.COM>
Date: Fri, 22 Jan 2010 16:08:36 -0700
Great work, Jill.  Your persistence provided us with neat photos of a
really neat bird, and also a valuable learning experience for all of us!

Thanks,
Martin


---------------
 Martin Meyers
 email: Martin  (...AT...) SierraBirdbum.com
 Photo website: http://SierraBirdbum.com
 Truckee, CA
Subject: Snow bunting (house sparrow in disguise)
From: Aaron Ambos <aambos AT COX.NET>
Date: Fri, 22 Jan 2010 16:37:32 -0500
Thanks for additional photos Jill. It definitely looks like a partially 
leucistic female house sparrow. 

Neat looking bird!
Subject: Montello Snow Bunting (Sparrow?)
From: Jill Neumann <jill AT PENALTYSHOT.COM>
Date: Fri, 22 Jan 2010 13:17:03 -0800
Hi Everyone. I have posted many more pictures to our website. The more that I 
look at the bird it could be a house sparrow. Today it was fighting with and 
hanging out with some house sparrows so there is a few comparison pictures of 
it. There is also one with a white crown sparrow. I hope these pictures help to 
identify it. The bird was here at 11:30 today and stayed for a while until my 
cat walked by. Thank you Jill 


www.penaltyshot.com/birds/3.jpg
www.penaltyshot.com/birds/4.jpg
www.penaltyshot.com/birds/5.jpg
www.penaltyshot.com/birds/6.jpg
www.penaltyshot.com/birds/7.jpg
www.penaltyshot.com/birds/8.jpg
www.penaltyshot.com/birds/9.jpg
www.penaltyshot.com/birds/10.jpg
www.penaltyshot.com/birds/11.jpg
www.penaltyshot.com/birds/12.jpg
www.penaltyshot.com/birds/13.jpg
www.penaltyshot.com/birds/14.jpg
www.penaltyshot.com/birds/15.jpg
www.penaltyshot.com/birds/16.jpg
www.penaltyshot.com/birds/17.jpg
www.penaltyshot.com/birds/18.jpg
www.penaltyshot.com/birds/19.jpg
Subject: leucistic house sparrow
From: Elisabeth Ammon <ammon AT GBBO.ORG>
Date: Fri, 22 Jan 2010 07:46:27 -0800
Hello all -

thanks for the tip, Carl, for the images of leucistic house sparrows. 
I've had one visit the backyard for a few months now, not cooperative 
enough for a picture, but that's indeed what it looks like. Funny, 
because I always thought that a true albino should have white only (or 
that a partial albino should still have bright whites). Mine was, as in 
many of the google images, golden cream-colored and with dark eyes. 
Indeed reminiscent of a snow bunting, but in the case of mine, it still 
had the faint markings of a house sparrow. I suspect that's variable 
though. Happy birding.

Elisabeth

-- 
Executive Director
Great Basin Bird Observatory
1755 E. Plumb Lane #256
Reno, NV 89502
c (775) 722-9116
fx (775) 323-4226
ammon AT gbbo.org
www.gbbo.org
Subject: Snow bunting?
From: Aaron Ambos <aambos AT COX.NET>
Date: Thu, 21 Jan 2010 21:48:18 -0500
The bird in the photo almost has a house sparrow look to it. I Googled 
"leucistic house sparrow" and 

came up with some interesting photos. Maybe it is a partially leucistic house 
sparrow or finch. It 

would be great to see some more pics!
Subject: Merlin and others-- Old NW Reno
From: Wendy Broadhead <arthead AT SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Date: Thu, 21 Jan 2010 21:15:01 -0500
Today just as the snow started I noted a small falcon on the telephone 
pole in my backyard. Until this June there was a large cottonwood there 
and I am still hoping for the usual raptors that used to visit the 
cottonwood with regularity. Today I saw not the usual but a merlin. I have 
seen one gliding above the neighborhood (near Keystone Canyon) on numerous 
occasions but not one in my yard. So, the pole has attracted (and the 
birds at the feeders) the usual (cooper's + sharpies) and the unusual. A 
red-tailed hawk flew over as well but it took the gang of about 20 magpies 
to unseat the merlin. 

The usual feeder birds today were:
dark-eyed juncos, white-crowned sparrows, lesser goldfinches, American 
goldfinches, house finches (all numerous), a spotted towhee, a mtn. 
chickadee, two mourning doves, a few scrub jays, two northern flickers and 
the territorial mockingbird. 

Happy snow and birding!
Wendy