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3 Jul Swan Lake NSA [Bob Goodman ] 1 Jul Dead Man's Hike - Washoe Valley NV - Babies Galore [Steve Ting ] 30 Jun Whit-winged Crossbill [Je Anne ] 30 Jun Monitor Range [Laura Cunningham ] 29 Jun Snowy Plover Babies at Crystal Reservoir [Carl Lundblad ] 29 Jun North Independence Valley Birds [David Worley ] 28 Jun FW: Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve Located Near Las Vegas [Bird Preserve ] 26 Jun Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve 6-24 and 6-26 [Randall Michal ] 26 Jun Chats Along the Truckee [Dennis & Becca Serdehely ] 25 Jun Torrance Ranch and Grapevine Mtns [Laura Cunningham ] 25 Jun Meadow Valley Wash: Complete list fro 6/21/09 [Carl Lundblad ] 23 Jun House wrens [Kathy Oakes ] 23 Jun Re: More House Wrens in Reno? [Kirk Hardie ] 23 Jun More House Wrens in Reno? [SAMARENO ] 22 Jun Phainopepla, many Cassin's Finches on Desert Loop [Alan de Queiroz ] 22 Jun House Wrens Nesting at Spooner Lake [Stephen Wiel ] 22 Jun Fletcher Canyon Red-faced Warbler update [Bob Gotschall ] 22 Jun Fletcher Cn Red-faced Warbler [Bob Gotschall ] 22 Jun Fw: eBird Reports - The Yurt , [Melissa Renfro ] 22 Jun Ruby Marshes, Elko County, correction [Janet Helton ] 22 Jun Ruby Marshes, Elko County [Janet Helton ] 22 Jun Montezuma Range [Laura Cunningham ] 22 Jun Re: HBVP located near Las Vegas [Bird Preserve ] 22 Jun Porter Springs, and then Plan B [Don Molde ] 21 Jun Meadow Valley Wash ZONE-TAILED HAWKS, Etc. [Carl Lundblad ] 21 Jun FW: Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve Located Near Las Vegas [Bird Preserve ] 21 Jun Paige Meadows, Lake Tahoe [Kirk Hardie ] 20 Jun indian Springs Black-throated Sparrows correction [Bob Gotschall ] 20 Jun FW: Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve Located Near Las Vegas [Bird Preserve ] 20 Jun Indian Springs Black-throated Sparrows [Bob Gotschall ] 19 Jun Black-backed WP Nest [Steve Ting ] 18 Jun Sunset tour on the Truckee [Jim Diane ] 18 Jun Ash Meadows Le Conte's Thrashers, White-winged Dove [Carl Lundblad ] 18 Jun Hunter Cree Trail, Reno ["Allison J. Chaney" ] 18 Jun Sierra Valley Burrowing Owl & Swainson's [Richard Carlson ] 17 Jun ROCK WREN FAMILY, WASHOE VALLEY, NV ["M. A. Anderson" ] 17 Jun Red Rock Canyon PAINTED REDSTART/s [Carl Lundblad ] 17 Jun 2009 WFO Meeting in Boise, ID - abstract deadline extended [] 17 Jun juvenile Golden Eagle and other birds in S. NV ["Lisa (Cali) Crampton" ] 17 Jun Continuing birds: Broad-winged Hawk at Dyer, Whip-poor-will at Mt. Charleston [Martin Meyers ] 16 Jun Ash Meadows LEAST TERN, possible hybrid-ibis, Etc [Carl Lundblad ] 16 Jun HBVP located near Las Vegas [Bird Preserve ] 16 Jun White-Fronted Geese at Sunset Park, Clark County [Donna Crail-Rugotzke ] 16 Jun Whip-poor-will [Nancy Santos ] 15 Jun Re: Mountain Quail Viewing Opportunity [Stephen Wiel ] 15 Jun nesting white-winged doves [Rita Schlageter ] 15 Jun WHIP-POOR-WILL continues in Kyle Canyon [Richard Titus ] 15 Jun Duck Creek [Tim Almond ] 15 Jun Mountain Quail Viewing Opportunity [Richard Carlson ] 15 Jun White-winged Scoter continues @ Walker Lake [Greg Scyphers ] 15 Jun Pahranagat NWR (Black-and-White Warbler & Rose-breasted Grosbeak) [Greg Scyphers ] 15 Jun Cold Creek, Clark County, NV ["philohela AT juno.com" ] 15 Jun Black Brant at Corn Creek ["philohela AT juno.com" ] 14 Jun Magnolia Warbler Along the Truckee [Dennis & Becca Serdehely ] 13 Jun WHIP-POOR-WILL continues in Kyle Canyon [Greg Scyphers ] 13 Jun Spring Mtns.: WHIP-POOR-WILL and Mummy Mtn. [Carl Lundblad ] 13 Jun BROAD-WINGED HAWK and Gray Catbird in Dyer [Greg Scyphers ] 12 Jun Re: fledgling Mountain Chickadee, west-central Reno [David Jickling ] 12 Jun Floyd Lamb Park, Las Vegas - Hybrid Bunting ["philohela AT juno.com" ] 11 Jun Re Mountain Chickadees nesting in Reno (6/11/09) [Fred Petersen ] 11 Jun fledgling Mountain Chickadee, west-central Reno [Alan Wallace ] 11 Jun Brant at Corn Creek 6/12 (Thursday) [Donna Crail-Rugotzke ] 11 Jun birding rainy cool southern NV mountains [Rose Strickland ] 11 Jun NBRC update [Martin Meyers ] 11 Jun Ash Meadows Rose-breasted Grosbeak [Carl Lundblad ] 10 Jun Ash Meadows Miscelania including BLACK TERN [Carl Lundblad ] 10 Jun Re: Brant @ Corn Creek [Jim Boone ] 10 Jun Re: Brant @ Corn Creek [Chris Nicolai ] 10 Jun Brant @ Corn Creek [Randall Michal ] 10 Jun red-eyed vireo? ["di_an AT juno.com" ] 10 Jun Beatty-Lawrence's goldfinch [Laura Cunningham ] 9 Jun BRANT @ Corn Creek [Greg Scyphers ] 9 Jun Black Brant - Corn Creek, Clark County [Jon Heywood ] 9 Jun Re: Washoe South Wetlands [Jennifer Newmark ] 9 Jun Death of Luke Cole [Martin Meyers ] 9 Jun Eastern Kingbird & Ovenbird, Clark County, June 2009 [Richard Titus ] Subject: Swan Lake NSA From: Bob Goodman <Pandion36 AT AOL.COM> Date: Fri, 3 Jul 2009 19:29:02 EDT Swan Lake NSA North Reno Friday, July 3, 2009 A question concerning recent sightings at Swan Lake. This afternoon I was on a mission to the end of the boardwalk which precluded carrying either camera or binoculars. Just off to the left of the boardwalk, perched at the base of a cattail, was an all-white bird, about robin-sized, with the only distinguishing characteristics being its size, and what appeared to be very dark eyes (perhaps black), and a rounded head as an owl. A quick trip back to the van for my camera and, presto, upon return to the location (is there any wonder?) the bird was gone. Has anyone else seen this bird? Thanks, Bob Goodman **************Make your summer sizzle with fast and easy recipes for the grill. (http://food.aol.com/grilling?ncid=emlcntusfood00000005) Subject: Dead Man's Hike - Washoe Valley NV - Babies Galore From: Steve Ting <sctingdvm AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 18:50:43 -0700 Northern Nevada - Washoe Valley Hi All, While the Washoe Valley wetlands has very little water and therefore the bird activity is low, the Dead Man's trail at the South end of Washoe Lake has maintained it's usual breeding residents. The Bullock's Orioles are very active in the Willows along the trail. I am very happy to report that there were two Northern Flicker nests along the trail, both of which fledged just this last week. The California Quail are bringing their newly hatched young down to the creek and are very vocal in the mornings. There are a pair of Western Kingbirds busy with a nest in the tree at the start of the trail. Rock Wren's are busy feeding their young at the top of the trail. The Black-billed Magpie's fledged several weeks ago but are still easily visible in the trees. Spotted Towhee are also present. Full species with notes seen this last month posted below. A few photos of the Bullock's Orioles and the nesting Flickers can be seen at this link - http://stingphotography.com/phlogs/2009/july/deadmansjun-july09.html Regards, Steve Ting http://stingphotography.com Location: 89704, Washoe Valley, Washoe County, NV, US Observation date: 6/30/09 Notes: Dead Mans hike Number of species: 22 Canada Goose - Branta canadensis 4 - Fly bys Chukar - Alectoris chukar 2 - Rare - only see here a couple times a year California Quail - Callipepla californica 25 Red-tailed Hawk - Buteo jamaicensis 2 American Kestrel - Falco sparverius 2 - seen early in June, not seen since Mourning Dove - Zenaida macroura 2 Barn Owl - Tyto alba 1 - Seen on June 26 in the big tree at the base of the trail Northern Flicker - Colaptes auratus 7 - TWO nests - BOTH fledged this week Western Kingbird - Tyrannus verticalis 2 Loggerhead Shrike - Lanius ludovicianus 2 - only seen occasionally Western Scrub-Jay - Aphelocoma californica 2 Black-billed Magpie - Pica hudsonia 8 Rock Wren - Salpinctes obsoletus 1 - nesting at the top of the trail Bewick's Wren - Thryomanes bewickii 2 American Robin - Turdus migratorius 4 European Starling - Sturnus vulgaris 30 :-( Spotted Towhee - Pipilo maculatus 2 Black-throated Sparrow - Amphispiza bilineata 2 - seen a couple times at the top of the trail Western Meadowlark - Sturnella neglecta 3 - usually at the top of the trail Brewer's Blackbird - Euphagus cyanocephalus 2 Brown-headed Cowbird - Molothrus ater X Bullock's Oriole - Icterus bullockii 8 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org) Subject: Whit-winged Crossbill From: Je Anne <gann2 AT COX.NET> Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 22:27:42 -0700 At least one White-winged Crossbill is still in Elko. I stopped by Sunday, June 28th about 12:30 pm, found one female or juvenile in the row of pine trees by the adm bldg. Also stopped at Pahrangrat, (about 7:30 pm) Ibis are still in the reeds in the upper area above the dike as almost no water in the lower part of the upper lake. Best in birding, Je Anne Subject: Monitor Range From: Laura Cunningham <bluerockiguana AT HUGHES.NET> Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:26:59 -0400 Morgan Creek, up to Table Mountain Wilderness, Monitor Range, Nye County. June 29, 2009. Pinyon, juniper, sagebrush, aspen, montane. Good wildflowers too. Basin: Am. kestrel Prairie falcon Ferruginous hawk Horned lark Loggerhead shrike Black-billed magpie Brewer's blackbird Morgan Creek and montane, Monitor Mtns: Golden eagle Warbling vireo Plumbeous vireo Yellow warbler Macgillivray's warbler Black-throated gray warbler Yellow-rumped warbler House wren Cassin's finch Broad-tailed hummingbird Common nighthawk Red-naped sapsucker Hairy woodpecker-common Downy woodpecker-one in a 9,000-foot elevation aspen grove. Black bars on tail, short bill, white tuft above bill. N. 'red-shafted' flicker Am. robin Mountain chickadee Juniper titmouse Mountain bluebird Gray flycatcher Dusky flycatcher Cordilleran flycatcher-singing in aspen. Western wood-pewee Pine siskin Violet-green swallow Hermit thrush Chipping sparrow Lark sparrow Vesper sparrow Brewer's sparrow White-crowned sparrow Gray-headed junco Western tanager Pinyon jay Clark's nutcracker Red-breasted nuthatch Turkey vulture Red-tailed hawk Subject: Snowy Plover Babies at Crystal Reservoir From: Carl Lundblad <carl.lundblad AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 18:19:40 -0700 This afternoon at least 2 little cottonball Snowy Plover babies were at Crystal Reservoir on Ash Meadows NWR with a handfull of adults. There were probably more out there amongst the heat shimmer at the south end of the reservoir. Other shorebirds included about 16 southbound Wilson's Phalaropes and quite a few Killdeer, both young and old. Otherwise not much to report on the refuge, though I've not been around much. Last week I finally saw my first ever Burrowing Owl on the refuge. Carl Lundblad Amargosa Valley, NV Subject: North Independence Valley Birds From: David Worley <daveworl AT SBCGLOBAL.NET> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:44:12 -0400 I did some work in Independence Valley north of Tuscarora early last week. After all the rains, the valley was quite wet. Over the course of a couple days, the following birds and other wildlife were observed: North Independence Valley, June 23-24, 2009 Gadwall Cinnamon Teal Great Blue Heron Turkey Vulture Red-tailed Hawk Virginia Rail (young) Sandhill Cranes Killdeer Willets Spotted Sandpipers Long-billed Curlews Wilson’s snipe (including nest) Wilson’s Phalaropes Mourning Doves Great Horned Owl (with young) Common Nighthawks Say’s Phoebes Common Ravens Horned Larks Tree Swallows Northern Rough-winged Swallows Barn Swallows American Robins Sage Thrashers Yellow Warblers Brewer’s Sparrows Song Sparrows – including one apparently trying to beg from a yellow warbler Vesper Sparrows Western Meadowlarks Red-wing Blackbirds Brewer’s Blackbirds Bullock’s Orioles Also deer tracks, one buck antelope and Mormon crickets. Subject: FW: Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve Located Near Las Vegas From: Bird Preserve <Bird.Preserve AT CITYOFHENDERSON.COM> Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 15:04:45 -0700 The following birds were seen or heard this week by staff and visitors from June 21st thru June 28th, 2009. We had Sixty (60) species recorded this week. Gadwall (juveniles) Mallard (juveniles and babies) Blue-winged teal (M&F) Cinnamon Teal Northern Shoveler Redhead (juveniles) Ring-necked Duck Lesser scaup Ruddy Duck (with young) Gambel's Quail (babies and juveniles) Pied-billed Grebe (6 young) Eared Grebe (young) Western grebe Least bittern Great egret Snowy Egret Green Heron Black-crowned night Heron Turkey Vulture (4) American kestrel Virginia rail Common Moorhen (babies and juveniles) American Coot (juveniles and babies) Killdeer (w/babies) Black-necked Stilt American Avocet (babies) Greater yellow legs Long billed-curlew Least sandpiper Wilson's phalarope Caspian tern (Pond 9) Mourning Dove (juveniles) Greater Roadrunner Black-chinned Hummingbird Anna's Hummingbird Black Phoebe Say's Phoebe Ash-throated flycatcher Western kingbird Loggerhead shrike Northern Rough-winged Swallow (juveniles) Cliff Swallow Verdin (w/young) Marsh Wren Black-tailed Gnatcatcher Northern Mockingbird (2) Crissal Thrasher Yellow warbler Lucy's warbler Common Yellowthroat Abert's Towhee Song Sparrow Blue grosbeak Indigo bunting (awaiting confirmation) Red-winged Blackbird Yellow-headed Blackbird Great-tailed Grackle Brown-headed Cowbird House Finch House Sparrow (juveniles) DON'T FORGET YOUR HAT, SUNSCREEN AND WATER!!!! It's getting hot plan on coming early. Open 6:00 am to 3:00 pm, last entry is at 2:30 pm. You need about two hours to bird the Preserve. Directions from the I515 (US 93 & 95), take exit 64, 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! Guadalupe Varela Subject: Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve 6-24 and 6-26 From: Randall Michal <RMichai637 AT AOL.COM> Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:42:39 -0400 Hello all, I spent a couple of hours the mornings of 6-24 and 6-26 2009 at the Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve. A few duck species I would not have expected to see this time of year were present along with the usual cast of characters. Here is the complete list, birds viewed only Wednesday 6-24 or friday 6-26 are noted with a (W) or (F) by their name. Ring-necked Duck Lesser Scaup Mallard (With Babies) Redhead (With Babies) Ruddy Duck (With Babies) Cinnamon Teal Gadwall Northern Shoveler (W) Eared Grebe (With Babies) Pied-billed Grebe (With Babies) American Kestrel (W) Long-billed Curlew (W) - I think this may be the bird that has been hanging around the general area for some time. There has been a Long-billed Curlew observed at Duck Creek (At Wetlands Park) and the Preserve off and on for some weeks now) Wilson's Phalarope (1 female) American Coot (With Babies) Common Moorhen (With Babies) Snowy Egret (Nesting on Pond 9) Green Heron - The fledglings I reported finding several weeks ago are now flying. Great-tailed Grackle Yellow-headed Blackbird Red-winged Blackbird Brown-headed Cowbird Gambel's Quail (With Babies) Rock Dove Mourning Dove Black Phoebe Say's Phoebe - Many juveniles about Blue Grosbeak Lucy's Warbler Common Yellowthroat Marsh Wren Killdeer House Sparrow Least Sandpiper (F) Turkey Vulture Crissal Thrasher (W) Abert's Towhee Western Grebe Virginia Rail (Heard) Northern Rough-winged Swallow Cliff Swallow Black-chinned Hummingbird Northern Mockingbird Marsh Wren Randy Michal Subject: Chats Along the Truckee From: Dennis & Becca Serdehely <birders AT ATT.NET> Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 14:21:34 -0700 Today while doing a bird survey for GBBO I had two singing Yellow-breasted Chats in the Big Bend area of the Truckee River on the Pyramid Lake Reservation. I had one bird on the south side of the river and another on the north side. Dennis Serdehely Subject: Torrance Ranch and Grapevine Mtns From: Laura Cunningham <bluerockiguana AT HUGHES.NET> Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:16:24 -0400 June 24- Torrance Ranch, Nye County, Hwy 95 north of Beatty- Vermillion flycatcher-pair, male singing. Warbling vireo-1 singing. Bullock's oriole Red-tailed hawk Virginia rail Grapevine Mountains, Death Valley National Park, Strozzi's Ranch Rd., Nye County- pinyon- juniper habitat- House finch Black-throated sparrow Turkey vulture Spotted towhee Lesser goldfinch Black-headed grosbeak W. scrub jay Pinyon jay Violet-green swallow Townsend's solitaire Blue-gray gnatcatcher Dark-eyed 'Oregon' junco- nest with begging chicks in pinyon tree. Black-throated gray warbler-singing Bushtit N. mockingbird Western tanager BLACK-CHINNED SPARROW- 1 singing on slope with pinyon, sagebrush, blue sage. Rare but regular here. Ash-throated flycatcher Rock wren Black-chinned hummingbird Horned lark Loggerhead shrike Long-eared owl-one flew out of a wooded ravine. Chukar-chicks Subject: Meadow Valley Wash: Complete list fro 6/21/09 From: Carl Lundblad <carl.lundblad AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 07:49:58 -0700 Because it is such a fabulous area with an understudied and under appreciated avifauna, I had intended to post a complete list and numbers of birds seen in Meadow Valley on Sunday 6/21. I didn't get around to in until now, but here it is. I birded from just north of the confluence with Cottonwood Canyon going into the Clover Mtns. to Caliente, making frequent stops in the segment south from Elgin and less frequent stops from Elgin to Caliente. About 6 am to 1 pm. Asteriks denote species for which babies or juveniles were seen. Mallard 2 Turkey Vulture 7 ZONE-TAILED HAWK 2 Red-tailed Hawk 1 American Kestrel* 8 Gambel’s Quail 34 Mourning Dove* 28 Greater Roadrunner 1 Black-chinned Hummingbird 3 White-throated Swift 35 LADDER-BACKED WOODPECKER 12 Black Phoebe 5 Say’s Phoebe* 6 Ash-throated Flycatcher* 32 BROWN-CRESTED FLYCATCHER 2 W. Kingbird 5 BELL’S VIREO 14 Common Raven 18 Violet-green Swallow 19 Cliff Swallow 8 Verdin* 24 Bewick’s Wren* 25 Canyon Wren 6 Rock Wren 3 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher* 34 PHAINOPEPLA 2 LUCY’S WARBLER* 14 Yellow Warbler* 175 Common Yellowthroat 30 Yellow-breasted Chat 8 SUMMER TANAGER 11 Spotted Towhee 1 Black-throated Sparrow 2 Song Sparrow* 24 Blue Grosbeak 8 INDIGO BUNTING 3 Lazuli Bunting 1 near caliente Brown-headed Cowbird 2 was not a bad count Bullock’s Oriole 6 HOODED ORIOLE 3 House Finch 72 Lesser Goldfinch 64 Good Birding Carl Lundblad Amargosa Valley, NV Subject: House wrens From: Kathy Oakes <oakesy AT SBCGLOBAL.NET> Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 13:26:27 -0700 I've been reading with interest the questions and comments on house wrens in the Reno area.  Kirk Hardie mentioned finding more House Wrens than Bewicks during surveys in Lockwood this year.  My experience is that the numbers seem to vary.  I surveyed at the McCarran ranch in 2003 before any restoration and also along other point count transects along the Truckee east of McCarran Ranch to near Derby.  During the point counts, I recorded lots of both House Wrens and Bewicks Wrens.  My experience was that the House Wrens were more likely in areas with larger cottonwoods, but both species seemed abundant.  On Sunday, June 14, my husband and I spent some time around meadows with interspersed aspen off the Kyburz Flat road (in California, but near Nevada).  I have never heard so many House Wrens singing.  They were all singing from the aspens.  In just one small stand of fairly large aspen we must have heard 7 or 8 separate House Wrens singing.  I can't say if this is an unusual number for this area, as I have not spent much time birding in the Kyburz Flat area in mid-June in past years.  Of interest, we also found a red-breasted sapsucker nest and a Williamson's sapsucker nest within the same aspen stand, less than a quarter mile from each other.  Kathy Oakes Subject: Re: More House Wrens in Reno? From: Kirk Hardie <krhardie AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 13:01:42 -0700 Susie, I don't have information on House Wrens in Reno, but I have been doing breeding bird surveys on the Truckee River. I surveyed Lockwood last year before The Nature Conservancy did restoration work there. Last year I had at least 2 or 3 pairs of Bewick's Wrens out there (I don't recall, but I don’t think I had any House Wrens last year). This year I have 2 or 3 House Wrens and no Bewick's Wrens. I didn't survey McCarran Ranch last year, but when I was out there, there were always Bewick's Wrens singing this time of year. This year I am surveying McCarran Ranch and Bewick's Wrens are there, but they are much less vocal than the House Wrens that have moved in. So, I don't have any information for you in Reno, but I have been wondering why there seems to be an invasion of House Wrens in the area. Kirk Hardie "Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts." - From a sign in Albert Einstein's office at Princeton -----Original Message----- From: discussion about Nevada's bird life [mailto:NVBIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG] On Behalf Of SAMARENO Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2009 9:55 AM To: NVBIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG Subject: More House Wrens in Reno? Hello,   I was wondering if anyone has any info on House Wrens in Reno?   I thought it was weird that the last few times I went to Oxbow I saw 0 (ZERO) Bewicks Wrens but have seen from 1-3 House Wrens, every time.  I think I had only seen H Wrens once before in Reno.   I was wondering if it may have been the fire or removing the brush piles (one of the B Wren's favorite places) could account for the change.   Or, am I just missing the Bewicks lately and they are both there, now?   I like the House Wrens as they are rarer for me but the Bewicks Wrens are one of my favorite "common" birds.   Susie Sue Anne Marshall a.k.a. samareno "at" yahoo.com Subject: More House Wrens in Reno? From: SAMARENO <samareno AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 09:54:52 -0700 Hello,   I was wondering if anyone has any info on House Wrens in Reno?   I thought it was weird that the last few times I went to Oxbow I saw 0 (ZERO) Bewicks Wrens but have seen from 1-3 House Wrens, every time.  I think I had only seen H Wrens once before in Reno.   I was wondering if it may have been the fire or removing the brush piles (one of the B Wren's favorite places) could account for the change.   Or, am I just missing the Bewicks lately and they are both there, now?   I like the House Wrens as they are rarer for me but the Bewicks Wrens are one of my favorite "common" birds.   Susie Sue Anne Marshall a.k.a. samareno "at" yahoo.com Subject: Phainopepla, many Cassin's Finches on Desert Loop From: Alan de Queiroz <alandqz AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Mon, 22 Jun 2009 20:52:20 -0700 Janet Bair and I birded the Desert Loop this past weekend. (Tara and Hana were with us but not watching birds much.) As you might expect for this time of year, there were only a few obvious migrants around -- Common Yellowthroat near the owners' house at Arlemont Ranch and Western Tanager, Pine Siskin, and Great-tailed Grackle at Miller's Rest Stop, among a few others. Somewhat unusual sightings on Saturday (June 20) were one or possibly two female Phainopepla at Arlemont Ranch (farther north than normal) and at least 50 Cassin's Finches at the Abandoned Ranch. (We were on the lookout for Purple Finch but didn't see any.) That seemed like an unusual concentration of Cassin's Finches for low elevation at this time of year. We were wondering if this was connected in some way to their absence in many of the usual places over the winter. Alan de Queiroz Reno Subject: House Wrens Nesting at Spooner Lake From: Stephen Wiel <steve AT WIEL.COM> Date: Mon, 22 Jun 2009 20:31:23 -0700 For those of you who would like to see a pair of nesting house wrens up close, e-mail me and I'll tell you where to find them on the Spooner Lake loop trail at the west end of the lake. My wife and I found them yesterday making a nest in a hole about 15 feet up in a mature aspen about five feet from the trail. Unobstructed view requiring no binocs, but with the binocs you feel like you're sharing the experience in nest building. We also saw the following usual suspects: warbling vireos (several) spotted sandpipers (a pair) canada geese (lots) osprey (a pair) brewer's blackbirds (lots) stellar's jays (lots) american robins (lots) western wood pee-wees (several) mountain chickadees (several) mallards (2) dark-eyed juncos (a pair) common mergansers (2 males and a female) brown-headed cowbird (1 positive identification) clark's or western grebe (1) northern flicker (1) western tanager (2) cliff swallow (1 positive identification) turkey vulture (1) Cheers, --- Steve Wiel Subject: Fletcher Canyon Red-faced Warbler update From: Bob Gotschall <gotschall_robert AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Mon, 22 Jun 2009 20:57:10 -0400 I've been having coputer problems today so if these comes across as confused it's becuse I am actaully confused Sorry. Paul Jared and I hiked Fletcher Canyon this (Monday) morning. conditions cool clear and calm. We came across a Red-faced Warbler about an hours hike into the canyon, were the trail starts to climbe and the creek seeps into the trail. Besides this we both had several lifers and it turned out to be a great day of birding. Total list as compiled by Paul: Turkey Vulture 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 Mourning Dove 5 Broad-tailed Hummingbird 8 Hairy Woodpecker 1 Northern Flicker 3 Western Wood-Pewee 3 Gray Vireo 1 Plumbeous Vireo 4 Steller's Jay 1 Western Scrub-Jay 3 Clark's Nutcracker 1 Violet-green Swallow 6 Mountain Chickadee 2 Bushtit 3 White-breasted Nuthatch 1 Pygmy Nuthatch 3 Hermit Thrush 4 American Robin 8 Northern Mockingbird 4 Virginia's Warbler 3 Yellow-rumped Warbler 10 Red-faced Warbler 1 Western Tanager 4 Spotted Towhee 5 Chipping Sparrow 10 Black-headed Grosbeak 4 Cassin's Finch 4 Some photos can be seen at: http://picasaweb.google.com/gotschallb/FletcherCanyon# Subject: Fletcher Cn Red-faced Warbler From: Bob Gotschall <gotschall_robert AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Mon, 22 Jun 2009 19:25:00 -0400 Paul Jared and I found Red-faced Warbler about 1 hour up Cn just before the trail starts to really climb near where there water in the stream Also 3 Virginia's Warblers 4 Plumbruos Vireo 1 Grey Vireo much more but I can't deal with the iPhone keyboard Paul has full list and I have pictures I can't even look at since my laptop is broke Subject: Fw: eBird Reports - The Yurt , From: Melissa Renfro <melsyurt AT WIRELESSBEEHIVE.COM> Date: Mon, 22 Jun 2009 15:14:12 -0700 -------------------------------------------------- From: "John B. Free" Sent: Sunday, June 21, 2009 3:42 PM Subject: Fw: eBird Reports - The Yurt , > Location: Location: The Yurt feeders (1 mile below entrance to Great > Basin N.P., White Pine County, near Baker, NV > Observation Dates: 5/22 to 5/23/09 > . Observer: John B. Free > Weather: overcast to rain ; 50 deg to 64 deg > Wild Turkey: Immature female > Cassin's Finch: Feeding flock > Number of species: 15 > > Wild Turkey 4 > Eurasian Collared-Dove 2 > Mourning Dove 2 > Black-chinned Hummingbird 2 > Broad-tailed Hummingbird 1 > Western Scrub-Jay 1 > Pinyon Jay 3 > Common Raven 1 > Spotted Towhee 1 > Black-headed Grosbeak 7 > Western Meadowlark 1 > Brewer's Blackbird 4 > Bullock's Oriole 1 > Cassin's Finch 4 > Pine Siskin 5 > > ******************** > > Location: The Yurt feeders > Observation Dates: 5/29 to 5/31/09 Notes: > Observers: Melissa Renfro and John B. Free. > Weather: Clear 55 deg to 70 deg > Wild Turkey: Immature female > Mourning Dove: pair > Mountain Bluebird: pair > Brewer's Blackbird: pair > Black-headed Grosbeak: pair > Spotted Towhee: pair > Pine Siskin: feeding flock > Cassin's Finch: feeding flock > > Number of species: 15 > > Wild Turkey 1 > Eurasian Collared-Dove 1 > Mourning Dove 2 > Black-chinned Hummingbird 1 > Pinyon Jay 1 > Mountain Bluebird 2 > American Robin 1 > Yellow Warbler 1 > Spotted Towhee 2 > Black-headed Grosbeak 2 > Western Meadowlark 1 > Brewer's Blackbird 2 > Brown-headed Cowbird 4 > Cassin's Finch 8 > Pine Siskin 4 > > ***************************** > Location: The Yurt > Observation Dates: 6/5 to 6/8/09 (except 6/7 ) > Observers: Melissa Renfro and John B. Free > Weather: Mostly Cloudy, clear to overcast & rain (6/5) 60 deg to 72 deg > Wild Turkey: Immature Female > Violet-green Swallow: Pair > Yellow-breasted Chat: singing > Bullock's Oriole: Nest Building > Broad-tail Hummingbird: Pair chasing. > > Number of species: 17 > > Wild Turkey 1 > Mourning Dove 2 > Black-chinned Hummingbird 2 > Broad-tailed Hummingbird 3 > Western Wood-Pewee 2 > Western Scrub-Jay 1 > Pinyon Jay 2 > Violet-green Swallow 2 > Yellow Warbler 1 > Yellow-breasted Chat 1 > Spotted Towhee 1 > Black-headed Grosbeak 2 > Western Meadowlark 1 > Brewer's Blackbird 2 > Bullock's Oriole 1 > Cassin's Finch 12 > Pine Siskin 3 > > > *************************** > Location: The Yurt feeders, Observation Dates: 6/27 to 6/21 > Observers: Melissa Renfro and John B. Free > Weather: Overcast, rain, clear. 62 deg to 66 deg. > Mourning Dove: pair > American Robin: Confirmed breeding, Immature begging with Pair > Mountain Bluebird: Male exiting nesting box, confirmed breedin? > Cedar Waxwings: feeding flock in cherry tree > Pinyon Jay: Feeding flock with immatures (confirmed breeding > Black-headed Grosbeak: Family group (1 imm begging;confirmed breeding Yellow-breasted Chat: pair, nesting, singing -- we finally found a reference to the male singing all night too! Number of species: 22 Eurasian Collared-Dove 1 Mourning Dove 2 Common Nighthawk 12 Black-chinned Hummingbird 4 Broad-tailed Hummingbird 5 Northern Flicker 1 Western Wood-Pewee 1 Warbling Vireo 1 Western Scrub-Jay 1 Pinyon Jay 25 Black-billed Magpie 1 Violet-green Swallow 2 Mountain Bluebird 1 American Robin 3 Cedar Waxwing 3 Yellow-breasted Chat 2 Spotted Towhee 2 Black-headed Grosbeak 3 Western Meadowlark 2 Brewer's Blackbird 4 Brown-headed Cowbird 3 Cassin's Finch 5 > Subject: Ruby Marshes, Elko County, correction From: Janet Helton <cookiejargirl2000 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:58:45 -0400 Hi again! Did I say Red Necked Stilt? Good grief I meant Black Necked Stilt, sorry! (Jeff Foxworthy would have liked that though) haha Janet Helton Spring Creek, Nevada Subject: Ruby Marshes, Elko County From: Janet Helton <cookiejargirl2000 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:53:54 -0400 Hello all, I took a ride over to the Ruby Marshes yesterday and was lucky enough to dodge the rain for an hour! This is what I saw: Great Egret Great Blue Heron Hammond's Flycatcher Caspian Tern Forsters Tern White Faced Ibis Red Necked Stilt Cinnamon Teal American Coot Gadwall Ruddy Duck Canada Goose Lesser Scaup Canvasback (and 8 adorable babies) Pied Billed Grebe Northern Harrier Turkey Vulture Black Billed Magpie Marsh Wren Brewers Blackbird Red Winged Blackbird Yellow Headed Blackbird Brown Headed Cowbird Yellow Warbler American Robin Barn Swallow Killdeer Janet Helton Spring Creek, Nevada Subject: Montezuma Range From: Laura Cunningham <bluerockiguana AT HUGHES.NET> Date: Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:28:25 -0400 June 21-Montezuma Range, arid juniper, pinyon, sagebrush. Nye County, west of Goldfield. Rock wren Bewick's wren Western scrub jay Loggerhead shrike Pinyon jay Plumbeous vireo Violet-green swallow Blue-gray gnatcatcher House finch Bushtit Horned lark Black-throated gray warbler Sage sparrow Subject: Re: HBVP located near Las Vegas From: Bird Preserve <Bird.Preserve AT CITYOFHENDERSON.COM> Date: Mon, 22 Jun 2009 08:23:59 -0700 ________________________________ From: Bird Preserve Sent: Monday June 22, 2009 To: 'NVBIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG' Subject: HBVP located near Las Vegas The following birds were seen or heard this week by staff and visitors from June 15 through June 22 2009. We had 56 species recorded this week. Gadwall Mallard (juveniles and newly hatched) Cinnamon Teal Northern Shoveler Northern Pintail Redhead Lesser Scaup Buffelhead Ring-necked Duck Ruddy Duck (several with chicks) Gambel's Quail (juveniles and newly hatched) Pied-billed Grebe Eared Grebe Double-crested Cormorant Least Bittern Great Blue Heron Great Egret Snowy Egret Green Heron (with 3juviniles pond 3) Black-crowned Night Heron White-faced Ibis Turkey Vulture American Kestrel Virginia Rail (heard) Common Moorhen (with juveniles) American Coot (with juveniles) Killdeer (with hatchlings) Black-necked Stilt American Avocet (3 newly hatched, pond 9) Wimbrel (pond 9) Wilson's Phalarope (pond 8) Least Tern Rock Pigeon White-winged Dove Mourning Dove Greater Roadrunner Black-chinned Hummingbird Anna's Hummingbird Black Phoebe Say's Phoebe Western Kingbird Northern Rough-winged Swallow) Cliff Swallow (100 +) Verdin Marsh Wren Black-tailed Gnatcatcher Northern Mockingbird Crissal Thrasher Common Yellowthroat Abert's Towhee Song Sparrow Red-winged Blackbird Yellow-headed Blackbird Great-tailed Grackle Brown-headed Cowbird House Finch House Sparrow (100 +) DON'T FORGET YOUR HAT, SUNSCREEN AND WATER!!!! It's getting hot plan on coming early. Open 6:00 am to 3:00 pm, last entry is at 2:30 pm. You need about two hours to bird the Preserve. Directions from the I515 (US 93 & 95), take exit 64, Sunset Road east. Follow the signs (blue signs with white letters), turn left (north) on Moser. For more information call 702-267-4180. Subject: Porter Springs, and then Plan B From: Don Molde <skyshrink AT AOL.COM> Date: Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:08:59 -0400 Hi birders...Today was the make-up day for the LAS Porter Springs trip (30 miles northwest of Lovelock) that was cancelled two weeks ago DUE TO RAIN!!! Twelve of us made it out there today, to be greeted by....well, almost nothing. A Peewee, a Kingbird, a few Killdeer, and not much else, though there was cloudiness, wind, a few rain drops, and a road that had minor wash-out imperfections but was quite useable. Most of the folks had not been there before, so at least they now know where the place is and what it looks like. We decided to visit S-Line Reservoir in Fallon on the way home, and the species total for the day jumped to the low 40's with several duck species, grebes, Spotted Sandpipers, 2-3 species of swallows, a Swainson's hawk and other things. After splitting up for the day, part of the group headed for Harmon Reservoir to see what was there. I stopped at Big Soda Lake (just west of Fallon) and added Long-billed Curlew, Wilson's Phalarope, and Black- necked Stilt to the day's list. All in all....it would have been nice if we could have made the trip two weeks ago....but we do love the rain!!! Subject: Meadow Valley Wash ZONE-TAILED HAWKS, Etc. From: Carl Lundblad <carl.lundblad AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Sun, 21 Jun 2009 21:03:38 -0700 I spent Saturday evening and much of today exploring Meadow Valley Wash from Caliente south to the mouth of Cottonwood Canyon. MVW was *so *much more spectacular than I had ever imagined with respect to both scenery and habitat. My best bird encounter was with a pair of ZONE-TAILED HAWKS, one of which flushed from alongside the creek (flying up off the ground from next to a pool, I expected a Black Hawk) and disappeared for 30 minutes before reappearing soaring with a second Zone-tailed and 4 Turkey Vultures. They circled and rode alternating canyon walls for another 10 minutes or so before I lost them. Both Meadow Valley Wash and the adjacent Clover Mountains contain presumably suitable nesting habitat for this species. After 2 previous sightings, I finally managed to obtain diagnostic photos of this species in Nevada: http://picasaweb.google.com/Carl.Lundblad/MeadowValleyWashZoneTailedHawks?feat=directlink Other birds of note in Meadow Valley Wash include many Bell's Vireos, many Summer Tanagers, a pair of Phainopepla, and literally hundreds of Yellow Warblers. This afternoon I saw a male SCOTT'S ORIOLE near milepost 78 on highway 93 south of caliente. A single adult WHITE-TAILED KITE was seen flying over the upper lake area at Pahranagat NWR. Friday morning and Saturday I completed the last in a spring-long series of trips to the Moapa Valley. On Saturday morning I had a very late OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER on the mid-Muddy near Glendale with a Green Heron, a White-winged Dove, and many INDIGO BUNTINGS (12 on 10 territories). Otherwise the moapa valley was quiet-perhaps the shock of the sudden return to more realistic June weather. Carl Lundblad Amargosa Valley, NV Subject: FW: Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve Located Near Las Vegas From: Bird Preserve <Bird.Preserve AT CITYOFHENDERSON.COM> Date: Sun, 21 Jun 2009 14:41:00 -0700 The following birds were seen or heard this week by staff and visitors from June 15th thru June 21st, 2009. We had Fifty-six (56) species recorded this week. Gadwall (juveniles) Mallard (juveniles and babies) Blue-winged teal (pond8, 6/16) Cinnamon Teal Northern Shoveler Northern Pintail (pond 6, male) Redhead (juveniles) Ring-necked Duck Lesser scaup Buffle head Ruddy Duck (with young) Gambel's Quail (babies and juveniles) Pied-billed Grebe Eared Grebe Double-crested cormorant Least bittern Great egret Snowy Egret Green Heron Black-crowned night Heron White-faced Ibis Turkey Vulture (5) American kestrel Virginia rail Common Moorhen (babies and juveniles) American Coot (juveniles and babies) Killdeer (w/babies) Black-necked Stilt American Avocet (babies) Wimbrel (pond 9, 6/16 and 6/19) Wilson's phalarope Least tern (pond1, 6/21) White-winged dove Mourning Dove (juveniles) Greater Roadrunner Black-chinned Hummingbird Anna's Hummingbird Black Phoebe Say's Phoebe Western kingbird Northern Rough-winged Swallow (juveniles) Cliff Swallow Verdin (w/young) Marsh Wren Black-tailed Gnatcatcher Northern Mockingbird Crissal Thrasher Common Yellowthroat Abert's Towhee Song Sparrow Red-winged Blackbird Yellow-headed Blackbird Great-tailed Grackle Brown-headed Cowbird House Finch House Sparrow (juveniles) DON'T FORGET YOUR HAT, SUNSCREEN AND WATER!!!! It's getting hot plan on coming early. Open 6:00 am to 3:00 pm, last entry is at 2:30 pm. You need about two hours to bird the Preserve. Directions from the I515 (US 93 & 95), take exit 64, 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! Guadalupe Varela Subject: Paige Meadows, Lake Tahoe From: Kirk Hardie <krhardie AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sun, 21 Jun 2009 13:52:45 -0700 Hello birders, Sorry for any cross listings, but this posting is relevant to many groups. I lead a group to Paige Meadows on Saturday, June 20th for the Lahontan Audubon Society and the Tahoe Rim Trail. We had a great group of 11 people and i was a beautiful morning, albeit with many mosquitoes. The highlights were a DUSKY FLYCATCHER, a singing NASHVILLE WARBLER that was singing in the same spot an hour later, EVENING GRSOBEAKS, and a MACGILLIVRAY'S WARBLER. We also tried to find the Pileated Woodpecker nest that Richard Carlson found on Barker Pass Rd, but it appears the young have fledged and there was no sign of them after 30 minutes. We had 28 species for the day, with four of them only heard. Here is the complete list: Mallard Calliope Hummingbird Northern Flicker White-headed Woodpecker Red-breasted Sapsucker Western Wood-Pewee Dusky Flycatcher Warbling Vireo (h) Steller's Jay Tree Swallow Mountain Chickadee Red-breasted Nuthatch Pygmy Nuthatch Brown Creeper (h) House Wren Golden-crowned Kinglet (h) American Robin Hermit Thrush European Starling Nashville Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler MacGillivray's Warbler Western Tanager Song Sparrow (h) Dark-eyed Junco Red-winged Blackbird Brewer's Blackbird Evening Grosbeak Cassin's Finch Kirk Hardie Reno, NV "Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts." - From a sign in Albert Einstein's office at Princeton Subject: indian Springs Black-throated Sparrows correction From: Bob Gotschall <gotschall_robert AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sat, 20 Jun 2009 21:43:45 -0400 My last post I inadvertently did not make it clear that I heard the Whip-or- will at the same time and place as everyone else did on Mt. Charleston. That thing is so regular that I almost wonder if its not a timed recording. Apologies for any inconvenience. Subject: FW: Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve Located Near Las Vegas From: Bird Preserve <Bird.Preserve AT CITYOFHENDERSON.COM> Date: Sat, 20 Jun 2009 13:57:07 -0700 The following birds were seen or heard this week by staff and visitors from June 8th thru June 14th, 2009. We hadFifty-two (52) species recorded this week. Gadwall (juveniles) Mallard (juveniles and babies) Cinnamon Teal Northern Shoveler Northern Pintail (pond 8, male) Redhead (juveniles) Ring-necked Duck Ruddy Duck Gambel's Quail (babies and juveniles) Pied-billed Grebe Eared Grebe Great Blue Heron Snowy Egret Cattle Egret Green Heron Black-crowned night Heron White-faced Ibis Turkey Vulture (6+) American kestrel Peregrine Falcon Common Moorhen (babies and juveniles) American Coot (juveniles and babies) Killdeer Black-necked Stilt American Avocet Forster's tern Rock Pigeon Mourning Dove (juveniles) Greater Roadrunner Black-chinned Hummingbird Anna's Hummingbird Black Phoebe Say's Phoebe Northern Rough-winged Swallow (juveniles) Cliff Swallow Verdin Marsh Wren Black-tailed Gnatcatcher Northern Mockingbird Crissal Thrasher Common Yellowthroat (heard) Abert's Towhee Brewer's Sparrow Song Sparrow Blue Grosbeak Lazuli bunting Red-winged Blackbird Yellow-headed Blackbird Great-tailed Grackle Brown-headed Cowbird House Finch House Sparrow (juveniles) DON'T FORGET YOUR HAT, SUNSCREEN AND WATER!!!! It's getting hot plan on coming early. Open 6:00 am to 3:00 pm, last entry is at 2:30 pm. You need about two hours to bird the Preserve. Directions from the I515 (US 93 & 95), take exit 64, 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! Guadalupe Varela Subject: Indian Springs Black-throated Sparrows From: Bob Gotschall <gotschall_robert AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sat, 20 Jun 2009 15:02:43 -0400 Hot and windy: Just one Black-throated Sparrow fledgling showed up at the feeder today. Kind of a let down from previous springs but its been a weird spring for desert dwellers. The threesome appear healthy so I'll be happy with what I get. Paul Jarred and I heard the Whip-or-Will Wednesday night, my first. Subject: Black-backed WP Nest From: Steve Ting <sctingdvm AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 19 Jun 2009 19:22:53 -0700 Northern Nevada - Just West of Carson City Hi All, Jim Eidel took me up to the Black-backed Woodpecker nest that he reported on yesterday. Some of you may not have received his e-mail from the list-serve. I did not, but he was kind enough to call me last night and tell me about the nest. I was able to get some photos of the male and the nestling today to add to the photos that Jim took yesterday. The female did not come to the nest this afternoon, she may be trying to get the nestling to fledge. Which may mean that the nestling will leave soon! If you would like to see this species nesting I would recommend getting up there soon. Take Timberline road in Carson to the dirt road. The dirt road gets pretty rough so a FWD or good hiking boots are needed. The GPS coordinates for the nest are: N 39.19277 W 119.83360 Some photos - http://stingphotography.com/phlogs/2009/june/19-jun.html Regards, Steve www.stingphotography.com Subject: Sunset tour on the Truckee From: Jim Diane <woobib AT CHARTER.NET> Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:33:48 -0700 A group of 16 birders took a tour of the evening birds on the Truckee this last Saturday. The start of the tour was delayed an hour but it was time well spent listening to the rain on a tin roof while watch the swallows, cormorants and mergansers work the river. The group welcomed a passing Mother, son and their deaf dog to the tour and the birders recruited a new member for LAS before it was all over. For myself I learned to bark in America Sign Language. The birds cooperated and carried on a lot of nesting and feeding activity as well a sing the evening songs. The species were as follows: American Robin, Mallard, Common Merganser, Dbl Crested Cormorant, Barn, Cliff, Tree and N. Rough Winged Swallows. Red Winged, Yellow Headed and Brewer's Blackbirds, Brown Headed Cowbird, Western Wood Pewee, Bullock's Oriole, BC Night Heron, House Finch, House Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Mourning Dove, E Collard Dove, Common Nighthawk, House Wren, Bewick's Wren, E Starling, Black Billed Magpie, Rock Pigeon, Spotted Sandpiper, Great Horned Owl, Yellow Warbler (heard) Western Kingbird, and Lesser Goldfinch. We will be setting up another tour in the near future and the response was overwhelming and the tour quickly filled to capacity. My thanks to Janet Hudson and the tour members that made this a special evening. Jim Woods Subject: Ash Meadows Le Conte's Thrashers, White-winged Dove From: Carl Lundblad <carl.lundblad AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:44:44 -0700 This morning I was conducting a point-count transect along the western boundary of Ash Meadows NWR when I saw a group of 3 Le Conte's Thrashers. This is very close to where I found a family group of 4 on the 17th of June 2008, about 1 mile north of the refuge's western boundary. Right along the road at the western refuge entrance I saw a White-winged Dove (only my 3rd on ash meadows) perched on a wire. An out-of-place presumed migrant Willow Flycatcher was foraging in mesquite in this area. Sounds like the Least Tern has not been seen since Tuesday. Carl Lundblad Amargosa Valley, NV Subject: Hunter Cree Trail, Reno From: "Allison J. Chaney" <achaney AT HERITAGE.NV.GOV> Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2009 09:17:51 -0700 Enjoyed my first hike up Hunter Creek trail yesterday (10am-3pm). Made it to the waterfall. Beautiful day, beautiful hike. Birds seen, listed in the order that I remember them as I type this... Lazuli Buntings Bullock's Oriole Northern Flicker Mourning Dove Sharp-shinned Hawk Spotted Towhee American Kestrel Brown-headed Cowbird American Robin In the area of the waterfall I got great looks at: Townsend's Solitaire Western Tanager Green-tailed Towhee Red-breasted Sapsucker Western Wood-pewee I'm sure I've missed a few. Of note: In a dead tree on the opposite side of the creek from the trail side there appeared to be a cavity that looked an awful lot like a pileated woodpecker cavity (the elongated cavity). Has anyone noticed this cavity before or any activity around it. Just curious. Good birding, Ali Chaney Subject: Sierra Valley Burrowing Owl & Swainson's From: Richard Carlson <rccarl AT PACBELL.NET> Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2009 07:54:28 -0700 June 17 I found a Imm Swainson's hawk flying along Dyson Ln just west of the Heriot rd intersection. A family of Burrowing Owls ( 1 adult 2 young) was on Heriot just south of the Plumas cty line on the west side of the rd. I'll post the owl pictures on Sierra NV birds. RCC Richard Carlson Full-time Birder, Biker and Rotarian Part-time Economist Tucson, AZ, Lake Tahoe, CA, & Kirkland, WA rccarl AT pacbell.net Tucson 520-760-4935 Tahoe 530-581-0624 Kirkland 425-828-3819 Cell 650-280-2965 Subject: ROCK WREN FAMILY, WASHOE VALLEY, NV From: "M. A. Anderson" <fleetsurgeon AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:08:43 -0700 This evening observed a family of six Rock Wrens (Salpinctes obsoletus)--two adults and four fledglings--in a man-made boulder landscape in Washoe Valley, NV. The two adults were providing insects to the four fledglings who were very active and hard to count because they kept disappearing among the rocks. Of note, the fledglings, still with a bit of down around the head, already exhibit the bobbing behavior of the adults. Respectfully submitted, M. A. Anderson EMAILING FOR THE GREATER GOOD Join me Subject: Red Rock Canyon PAINTED REDSTART/s From: Carl Lundblad <carl.lundblad AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2009 19:45:35 -0700 New Hampshire birder, David Houghton, this week reported to me that on 6/14 he observed a Painted Redstart feeding a fledgling for 20 minutes at Lost Creek in Red Rock Canyon National Recreation Area. This morning I spent about 90 minutes in the Willow Spring and Lost Creek area. After only an earlier glimpse of a possible redstart, at the last minute I saw an adult bird briefly flying down canyon. David reported the birds at the end of the Lost Creek trail below the "seasonal waterfall" indicated on the signs. Where I had my flyover was about 50m downstream where a very dense stand of scrub like oak lines the right (facing upcanyon) side. The habitat was pretty much the best I've seen for this species in NV with lots of the live oak, a nice stand of netleaf hackberry, a dense and diverse understory of shrubs including manzanita and silktassel, a few scattered ponderosas and pinyon-juniper on the slopes. I believe this would represent the nesting record for the species in Nevada. I will submit my limited details of this easy-to-ID species to the NBRC and will encourage David to submit his much more meaningful observations as well. No photos have yet been obtained. Other birding in the area was quite enjoyable: White-throated Swift 20 Black-chinned Hummingbird 2 Anna's Hummingbird 1 Laddr-backed Woodpecker 1 Say's Phoebe 3 GRAY VIREO 1 singing down the main canyon a little Common Raven 4 W. Scrub-jay 4 Violet-green Swallow 6 Cliff Swallow 1 Juniper Titmouse 2 Bushtit 12 Bewick's Wren 9 Rock Wren 15 Canyon Wren 1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 6 Crissal Thrasher 12 Phainopepla 8 PAINTED REDSTART 1 Spotted Towhee ~25 Black-throated Sparrow 3 RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROW 2 Black-chinned Sparrow ~20 After an appointment in Vegas I made quick stops at the Las Vegas Wetlands (main unit and duck creek) and Sunset Park. Both were uneventful. The first stop had an unseasonal American White Pelican, a Green Heron, and a Spotted Sandpiper. The second stop had nuthin. Carl Lundblad Amargosa Valley, NV Subject: 2009 WFO Meeting in Boise, ID - abstract deadline extended From: Debbie.VanDooremolen AT SNWA.COM Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:03:12 -0700 Hello everyone - We have just extended the deadline for abstract submittals for the 2009 annual meeting of the Western Field Ornithologists that will be held in Boise, ID from September 10-13. Boise is not too far from our northern border, so please consider submitting an abstract on the avian research you are conducting in Nevada. If you are unfamiliar with WFO, it is an organization of amateur and professional field ornithologists that promotes the study of birds throughout western North America and publishes the journal Western Birds. The annual meetings are a lot of fun, providing plenty of opportunities to learn, bird, and socialize with fellow ornithologists through a variety of field trips, workshops, science sessions, expert ID panels, and social events. Dr. Craig Benkman will be the keynote speaker at our annual banquet this year and will be discussing his work describing a new species of the Red Crossbill, the South Hills Crossbill. The new deadline for submission of abstracts is 1 July. Please let me know if you are interested in submitting. I am including the call for papers below, but you can also find it and all of the conference information, including on-line registration on our website at: http://www.westernfieldornithologists.org/conference.php Thanks! Debbie Van Dooremolen 2009 WFO Meeting Science Program Co-Chair Call for Papers for the 34th Annual Meeting of Western Field Ornithologists Abstracts are now being accepted for presentations at the 34th annual meeting of Western Field Ornithologists, to be held 10–13 September 2009 in Boise, Idaho. Oral presentations should reflect original research or summarize existing unpub­lished information and should be presented in a manner that will be of interest to serious amateur and professional field ornithologists. Talks relating to the following themes are solicited: • Status, distribution, migration, and population dynamics of birds • Systematics and biogeography of birds • Ecology, behavior, and evolution of birds • New information on avian field identification problems • Descriptive field identification • Science-based conservation and management of birds • Techniques for field study of birds, including censusing, monitoring, and other methods; and results of studies applying such techniques Research described should apply to birds of the WFO region: western North America (from Alaska through Mexico, and the Great Plains to the Pacific coast) and the eastern Pacific Ocean. All talks should identify study objectives, describe methods and data analysis, pres­ent results, discuss the significance of the research, and propose future research directions. Oral presentations shall be allotted 15 minutes, including 3 minutes for ques­tions and discussion. Dialogue between presenters and audience is a hallmark of WFO meetings. An abstract of your presentation should be submitted electronically to Debbie Van Dooremolen at debbie.vandooremolen AT snwa.com and Jay Withgott at withgott AT comcast.net no later than 1 July 2009. All abstracts must be submitted in exactly the following format: YOUR LAST NAME, YOUR FIRST NAME, CO-AUTHOR NAMES (Times, 10-point type, all caps). Title of your talk (Times, 10-point type, bold). Your affiliation and/or sponsoring organization(s), if any, complete mailing address (Times, 10-point type, italics); e-mail address (Arial, 9-point type, italics). Brief (300-word maximum) summary of the objectives, methods, results, significance, and generality of your study (Times, 10-point type). Submissions should include a brief (60-word maximum) bio for the primary author. We expect to have sufficient time in the schedule for 26-28 presentations, and we will review submitted abstracts and award program time on a first-received basis. For more information about the meeting, please visit the WFO web site at www.westernfieldornithologists.org. We look forward to seeing you in Boise! Subject: juvenile Golden Eagle and other birds in S. NV From: "Lisa (Cali) Crampton" <crampton AT UNR.NEVADA.EDU> Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2009 11:39:47 -0700 Hi everyone- I was down in Clark County mapping acacia and mesquite habitat on Monday and Tuesday. Didn't have a lot of time for birding, but did see: 1 juvenile golden eagle and 1 road runner at the confluence of Meadow Valley Wash with the Muddy River. 3 phainopeplas (1 male, 2 females) in the Nelson area 2 bullock's orioles at Sunset Park turkeys with 11 babies at Overton WMA. Happy Birding, Cali Subject: Continuing birds: Broad-winged Hawk at Dyer, Whip-poor-will at Mt. Charleston From: Martin Meyers <martin AT SIERRABIRDBUM.COM> Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2009 01:14:28 -0700 Today (Tuesday) at the Abandoned Ranch (Vulture's Roost) at Dyer, the immature Broad-winged Hawk first reported by Greg Scyphers on Saturday was still present. I only saw it in flight -- as I walked over from the Dyer Pond, I heard a Red-tail and looked up to see the Red-tail accompanied by a much smaller hawk. From thousands of sightings of Broad-winged Hawks in migration in Texas, the identification of this smaller hawk was easy. Body mostly white underneath (there appeared to be some faint markings on the breast), mostly white underwings, typical Buteo shape, banded tail (black and brown on top -- I only had one decent view of the upperside, more like shades of gray underneath), small size (first thought it was an accipiter, but the coloration quickly dispelled that notion). Outer primaries were black-tipped. The rest of the underwing was pretty much featureless -- some faint banding on the flight feathers, maybe a very slightly darker trailing edge. There was obvious wing molt going on -- some missing or very short primaries and something of a mixture of primary tip colors-- black on the outermost, paler on inner ones. The Broad-wing eventually disappeared behind the trees. I did not see it as I walked around Abandoned Ranch. And I never heard it call. I returned a bit later (with Joan and Rita) to look for a Purple Finch they reported. We may have flushed the hawk as we walked in (something flushed, and it seemed about the right size), but it was not seen or heard at that time. (Did not find any Purple Finches, either. I have yet to observe that species in Nevada.) At 8:35 this evening, the previously reported Whip-poor-will called twice in light to moderate rain near the Visitor Center at Fletcher Canyon. At 8:45, it called again, this time for over a minute. When it stopped, that was the last I heard from it. I stayed until a bit after 9:00. It was pretty hard to hear tonight -- the bird seemed reasonably far up the hill behind the residences by the visitor center. With the rain, traffic noise (amazing how busy that road is on a week-night), and noise from the nearby campground, I was very happy to hear it at all. (I had hoped to record the call, but that was not possible tonight.) Martin --------------- Martin Meyers email: Martin (...AT...) SierraBirdbum.com Photo website: http://SierraBirdbum.com Truckee, CA Subject: Ash Meadows LEAST TERN, possible hybrid-ibis, Etc From: Carl Lundblad <carl.lundblad AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 16 Jun 2009 15:07:11 -0700 Today I surveyed the reservoirs on Ash Meadows NWR for water birds. The best sighting was an adult LEAST TERN at Peterson Reservoir. I was surprised to hear 2 LEAST BITTERNS calling frequently from 12:00 to 1:30pm. An INDIGIO BUNTING was singing along the south shore. At the northwest corner of the reservoir I found an ibis that I think is probably a WHITE-FACED X GLOSSY hybrid. Photos of the tern and ibis are posted at the link below. Comments on the identity of the ibis are most welcome. http://picasaweb.google.com/Carl.Lundblad/AshMeadowsLeastTernAndIbis?feat=directlink At Lower Crystal Marsh I had 2 male BLUE-WINGED TEAL, 1 male Northern Pintail, 2 Greater Yellowlegs, and 8 female WILSON'S PHALAROPE. The phalaropes and likey the yellowlegs are presumed southbound "fall" migrants-I'm still not sure what to make of last week's willet. An AMERICAN BITTERN was seen several times in flight and on the ground. I seemed to follow me around. Horseshoe Reservoir had a Least Bittern, a Bell's Vireo, and an Indigo Bunting. Crystal Reservoir continued very quiet. For those not tired of hearing about this, last year I was aware of 2 Indigo Bunting territories on the refuge. This year I estimate we've got a minimum of 20-25 Indigo territories (and I keep finding more), defined by at least a territorial singing male. I've started to try and pay closer attention to these buntings to see how many of these territories might involve females. Among the half dozen or so I've lingered around this week, I've seen females at 2 sites. Carl Lundblad Amargosa Valley, NV Subject: HBVP located near Las Vegas From: Bird Preserve <Bird.Preserve AT CITYOFHENDERSON.COM> Date: Tue, 16 Jun 2009 09:20:44 -0700 Date: Tuesday June 16 2009 Reply-To: Bird Preserve <[log in to unmask] > Sender: discussion about Nevada's bird life <[log in to unmask] > From: Bird Preserve <[log in to unmask] > Subject: FW: Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve Located Near Las Vegas Content-Type: text/plain;charset="us-ascii" The following birds were seen or heard this week by staff and visitors from June 8th thru June 14th, 2009. We had 51 species recorded this week. Gadwall Mallard (juveniles and newly hatched) Cinnamon Teal Northern Shoveler Northern Pintail (pond 8) Redhead Ring-necked Duck Ruddy Duck (several with chicks) Gambel's Quail (juveniles and newly hatched) Pied-billed Grebe Eared Grebe Least Bittern (heard) Great Blue Heron Snowy Egret Green Heron (with 3juviniles pond 3) Black-crowned Night Heron White-faced Ibis Turkey Vulture American Kestrel Peregrine Falcon Virginia Rail (heard) Common Moorhen (with juveniles) American Coot (with juveniles) Killdeer (with hatchlings) Black-necked Stilt American Avocet Forester's Tern (pond 9) Rock Pigeon Mourning Dove (juveniles) Greater Roadrunner Black-chinned Hummingbird Anna's Hummingbird Black Phoebe Say's Phoebe Northern Rough-winged Swallow) Cliff Swallow (100 +) Verdin Marsh Wren Black-tailed Gnatcatcher Crissal Thrasher Common Yellowthroat (heard) Abert's Towhee Brewer's Sparrow Song Sparrow Blue Grosbeak Lazuli Bunting Red-winged Blackbird Yellow-headed Blackbird Great-tailed Grackle Brown-headed Cowbird House Finch House Sparrow (100 +) DON'T FORGET YOUR HAT, SUNSCREEN AND WATER!!!! It's getting hot plan on coming early. Open 6:00 am to 3:00 pm, last entry is at 2:30 pm. You need about two hours to bird the Preserve. Directions from the I515 (US 93 & 95), take exit 64, Sunset Road east. Follow the signs (blue signs with white letters), turn left (north) on Moser. For more information call 702-267-4180. Subject: White-Fronted Geese at Sunset Park, Clark County From: Donna Crail-Rugotzke <crailrugotzke AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 16 Jun 2009 02:10:31 -0700 Fellow Birders: I went birding with a friend today and saw 3 WHITE-FRONTED GEESE at Sunset Park on June 15th. We also saw a Canadian Goose and many Mallards. One of the Mallards had ten babies. We also saw 3 Bullock's Orioles and a Lucy's Warbler. Happy Birding, Donna Crail-Rugotzke Subject: Whip-poor-will From: Nancy Santos <nancylas AT ATT.NET> Date: Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:04:09 -0700 FYI - I have a June 20, 2002 record of a whip-poor-will calling on the slopes behind the US Forest Service Visitor Center in Kyle Canyon. Nancy Santos Carson City Subject: Re: Mountain Quail Viewing Opportunity From: Stephen Wiel <steve AT WIEL.COM> Date: Mon, 15 Jun 2009 21:15:15 -0700 Richard, I'm new to the NVBirds group and would love to meet you and others. I got linked up through Dave Straley here in Incline Village. I can come on Thursday. Where? Do I need to bring anything except binoculars and a warm jacket? What do most of you do about dinner? What else do I need to know? --- Steve Wiel On Jun 15, 2009, at 2:54 PM, Richard Carlson wrote: > Come to Tahoe this Thursday evening and watch the mountain quail play. > Must arrive by 6:30 and plan to stay until 8:30. Room for 4 more > people. Reservations only Richard Carlson rccarl AT pacbell.net. > Richard Carlson > Full-time Birder, Biker and Rotarian > Part-time Economist > Tucson, AZ, Lake Tahoe, CA, & Kirkland, WA > rccarl AT pacbell.net > Tucson 520-760-4935 > Tahoe 530-581-0624 > Kirkland 425-828-3819 > Cell 650-280-2965 > Subject: nesting white-winged doves From: Rita Schlageter <ritamschlag AT COX.NET> Date: Mon, 15 Jun 2009 17:43:19 -0700 I have noticed that the white-winged doves that spend summers in my backyard are feeding young this year. I first noticed two fledglings on a branch in the pine tree being feed by one of the adults yesterday. Today the same routine. Just in case anyone is interested. Rita Schlageter Subject: WHIP-POOR-WILL continues in Kyle Canyon From: Richard Titus <titus AT SCSV.NEVADA.EDU> Date: Mon, 15 Jun 2009 17:11:04 -0700 The Arizona subspecies of Whip-Poor-Will, described in previous posts by Carl Lundblad and Greg Scypers, was heard calling again in Kyle Canyon, Spring Mt. National Recreation Area, Sunday evening, June 14, 2009 by Rose, Tracy, Paul, and me. We listened from the area near the restroom at the lower end of the Visitor Center parking area. The bird started to call at 8:40 p.m. and only called for about ten minutes. The call was sometimes fairly loud and seemed to be coming from low on the slope, just behind the buildings on the other side of the wash; at other times it was faint, barely audible, and seemed to be coming from farther up the slope. Question: Was the bird moving around between episodes of calling? Was there more than one bird? Does the bird turn its head while calling, producing a ventriloquial effect? Enjoy Nevada's birds! Carolyn Titus Las Vegas NV Subject: Duck Creek From: Tim Almond <tralmond AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:27:32 -0700 I just returned from birding Duck Creek south of Clark Co Wetlands for 45 minutes. All ponds are pretty full but almost devoid of birdlife. However, I did see a spotted sandpiper which I guess is not that unusual but its display suggested that I had strayed too near its nest. Do they tend to breed this far south? I also saw 20 Canada Geese on the pond at the intersection of Wigwam and Stephanie in Henderson - I wondered where these guys were hanging out. Tim Almond Subject: Mountain Quail Viewing Opportunity From: Richard Carlson <rccarl AT PACBELL.NET> Date: Mon, 15 Jun 2009 14:54:52 -0700 Come to Tahoe this Thursday evening and watch the mountain quail play. Must arrive by 6:30 and plan to stay until 8:30. Room for 4 more people. Reservations only Richard Carlson rccarl AT pacbell.net. Richard Carlson Full-time Birder, Biker and Rotarian Part-time Economist Tucson, AZ, Lake Tahoe, CA, & Kirkland, WA rccarl AT pacbell.net Tucson 520-760-4935 Tahoe 530-581-0624 Kirkland 425-828-3819 Cell 650-280-2965 Subject: White-winged Scoter continues @ Walker Lake From: Greg Scyphers <scyph AT SBCGLOBAL.NET> Date: Mon, 15 Jun 2009 09:24:32 -0700 At least one of the two White-winged Scoters is still alive at Walker Lake as of Sunday June 14th 2009. I found it swimming along the west shore below the highway turnouts along the steep mountainside. No sign of the Long-tailed Duck or the other White-winged Scoter. Greg Scyphers Subject: Pahranagat NWR (Black-and-White Warbler & Rose-breasted Grosbeak) From: Greg Scyphers <scyph AT SBCGLOBAL.NET> Date: Mon, 15 Jun 2009 09:20:00 -0700 On Sunday, June 14th 2009, I birded the Pahranagat Valley. The few highlights are listed below. Roadside Rest, Pahranagat NWR -BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER - female -Indigo Bunting - male South Trees (running north-south below the south end of upper Pahranagat Lake) -ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK - female -Prairie Falcon -Bell's Vireo Upper Lake, Pahranagat NWR -Cattle Egret (3) -Western Tanager - male singing -Swainson's Hawk -Brown-crested Flycatcher -Black-necked Stilts (~5) Ash Springs -Summer Tanager -Cooper's Hawk Crystal Springs -Willow Flycatcher -Summer Tanager Greg Scyphers Subject: Cold Creek, Clark County, NV From: "philohela AT juno.com" <philohela@JUNO.COM> Date: Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:57:25 GMT My husband and I took a brief look around the Cold Creek area this morning, just a little exploratory trip. We found the following species along the road from 95 to just north of the community along Bonanza Road: American Kestrel Gambel's Quail Chukar (a nice-sized covey with dozens of young) Say's Phoebe Western Kingbird Rock Wren American Robin Loggerhead Shrike Western Scrub-Jay Pinyon Jay (loads of birds, with youngsters, feeding in the Joshua trees) Common Raven European Starling House Sparrow House Finch Spotted Towhee Lark Sparrow (singing male) Black-throated Sparrow Bullock's Oriole Scott's Oriole Such a lovely morning, still lots of blooming wildflowers and shrubs. Jeanne Tinsman Las Vegas, NV ____________________________________________________________ Make the most out of every dollar. Click here to find websites and services to help invest wisely. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2131/fc/BLSrjnsDqZGC7fDbnQGTiuflWUFdrQlLOqnmZENHpyCLqjLNR5Thc4Cccww/ Subject: Black Brant at Corn Creek From: "philohela AT juno.com" <philohela@JUNO.COM> Date: Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:36:10 GMT An update on the Black Brant at the Corn Creek area of the Desert National Wildlife Range: The bird was found dead this morning near the spring that feeds the upper pond. It was collected by a US Fish and Wildlife Refuge employee. Jeanne Tinsman Las Vegas, NV ____________________________________________________________ Make the right decisions about your inheritance. Click here for more information. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2131/fc/BLSrjnsDshv6TTPdUcMOlWD96VnQ5TxMFKL78aFkTQAslgeC8rCogRaZL2I/ Subject: Magnolia Warbler Along the Truckee From: Dennis & Becca Serdehely <birders AT ATT.NET> Date: Sun, 14 Jun 2009 13:28:49 -0700 While doing my biweekly bird survey at the McCarren Ranch for GBBO I had a singing male Magnolia Warbler on the Storey County (south) side of the Truckee River. This is a NBRC review species and I will be sending documentation to the NBRC. Please note that the McCarren Ranch is owned by the Nature Conservancy and is not currently open to the public. Dennis Serdehely Subject: WHIP-POOR-WILL continues in Kyle Canyon From: Greg Scyphers <scyph AT SBCGLOBAL.NET> Date: Sat, 13 Jun 2009 23:14:55 -0700 The previously reported Whip-poor-will began calling tonight (June 13, 2009) at about 8:30 pm right where Carl described in his previous post. The bird was heard calling nearly continuously for the duration of my visit from 8:30 pm until about 8:50 pm when I left to search for owls. When I returned at 9:50 pm it was not calling despite about 10 minutes of listening. Thus, right at dusk may be the best time to listen for this bird. I also had at least one Flammulated Owl calling on the road between Kyle and Lee Canyons. Greg Scyphers Subject: Spring Mtns.: WHIP-POOR-WILL and Mummy Mtn. From: Carl Lundblad <carl.lundblad AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Sat, 13 Jun 2009 19:32:29 -0700 On Friday 6/11 Sam Skalak found a vocal WHIP-POOR-WILL in Kyle Canyon in the Spring Mtns. The bird can be heard from the visitor center parking lot, slightly upcanyon and on the north facing slope above the buildings. I heard it begin calling promptly at 8:35 last night and it called intermittently for 45 minutes until I left. It was feared, as recently as Friday morning, that this species may have been extirpated from Nevada. Several recent attempts to locate it in its traditional stronghold in the Sheep Range have failed. Due to the species' tenuous hold on existence in the state, I would urge birders to refrain from using recordings to elicit a response form this bird. Again, it was easy to hear the last 2 nights without any coaxing. This morning I hiked to the 11, 500 ft summit of Mummy Mtn. via Trail Canyon and a segment of the north loop trail. My most interesting bird was a female Calliope Hummingbird in upper Trail Canyon. Among the more expected species were lots of Clark's Nutcrackers on and near the summit, Townsend's Solitaires in full song, lots of Dusky Flycatchers, Gray-headed Juncos, and Virginia's but not Grace's Warblers. Fun hike. I also saw the injured Black Brant at Corn Creek yesterday afternoon. It was very tame and I worried that it's health might be failing. Carl Lundblad Amargosa Valley, NV Subject: BROAD-WINGED HAWK and Gray Catbird in Dyer From: Greg Scyphers <scyph AT SBCGLOBAL.NET> Date: Sat, 13 Jun 2009 19:16:46 -0700 Today June 13, 2009, I birded Dyer and Lida and had some interesting birds. At Circle L Ranch in Dyer I had a male DOWNY WOODPECKER. This is probably the same bird I had on May 25 over at the Vultures Roost Ranch (aka Abandoned Ranch). At the Dyer Pond I found a singing GRAY CATBIRD near the front of the pond. Of the handful of Catbirds I have seen in Nevada, this is the first one I have had singing. At Vultures Roost (Abandoned Ranch) I heard a calling BROAD-WINGED HAWK in the trees. As I approached the bird flew out and circled around the open field gaining altitude. Then the bird did a few short dives with its wings tucked in and returned to the dense trees of the ranch. I went over where I thought the bird went in and it flushed again and flew to the other side of the ranch. The bird did this a few times and then disappeared. It was rather secretive and preferred to remain hidden in the trees. If you have never heard a Broad-wing call before it is a very interesting long piercing whistle. On my way back to the pond, I heard the bird calling from the north side of the pond. I walked out in the field and the bird flushed again and circled overhead allowing me to get some photos. The bird was a molting light juvenile (second year) bird. This is a very late bird and was not expected for mid June. Greg Scyphers Subject: Re: fledgling Mountain Chickadee, west-central Reno From: David Jickling <djickling AT CHARTER.NET> Date: Fri, 12 Jun 2009 20:57:26 -0700 I have had Mountain Chickadees nesting in a bird house in my back yard in southwest Reno for a number of years. They are still feeding young, which must be close to fledging, as I write. -- David Jickling On Jun 11, 2009, at 7:59 PM, Alan Wallace wrote: > This morning along the Truckee River across from Oxbow Nature Center > in > west-central Reno (Washoe Co.), I saw a noisy, begging Mountain > Chickadee > fledgling being fed by two adults. While this isn't an earth- > shattering > observation, I realized that it was the first time that I had ever > seen a > Mountain Chickadee fledgling (thus, confirmed breeding) in Reno > proper, > despite regularly seeing adults through the year. > > Alan Wallace > Reno NV Subject: Floyd Lamb Park, Las Vegas - Hybrid Bunting From: "philohela AT juno.com" <philohela@JUNO.COM> Date: Fri, 12 Jun 2009 16:13:34 GMT My second bird out of the vehicle at Floyd Lamb Park this morning was a singing male hybrid Indigo / Lazuli Bunting. The bird was located between Parking Lot #4 and the nursery, and was very flighty, not sitting anywhere for long. Blue breast and white belly were all I could see, not any good looks at the wings or back. The first bird was a green heron. The list will follow, but two more notes: I didn't realize that the Ross's goose could fly, or fly so well - it did a few circles around the main pond, complete with air dumping and calling before settling back down with his domestic companions. A white-winged dove flew through on the west side. Here's the list: Green Heron Black-crowned Night-Heron (adult & immature) Ross's Goose Canada Goose Mallard (with young) Ruddy Duck (with young) Gambel's Quail American Coot (with young) Rock Pigeon Mourning Dove White-winged Dove hummingbirds Ash-throated Flycatcher Northern Rough-winged Swallow (feeding young) Phainopepla Northern Mockingbird Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Verdin European Starling House Finch Lesser Goldfinch Lucy's Warbler Common Yellowthroat Indigo/Lazuli hybrid Bunting Great-tailed Grackle Brown-headed Cowbird I did not beat the bushes or look for every detail - just a nice quiet morning walk. Jeanne Tinsman Las Vegas, NV ____________________________________________________________ Click for free information on top investing websites and services. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2131/fc/BLSrjnsDqZFeGpdpHZYvtgxzpTHynK45utguPCR4d6lTgVVUsTExqIupFmg/ Subject: Re Mountain Chickadees nesting in Reno (6/11/09) From: Fred Petersen <fugle AT AOL.COM> Date: Thu, 11 Jun 2009 23:53:51 -0400 Re Alan's Mountain Chickadee fledgling, I found a nest of this species in 2007 just across the river at Oxbow where I watched an adult carrying beakfuls of small grubs into an old woodpecker hole high up on a dead cottonwood snag. I witnessed 3 such episodes altogether, the first on May 28th & then again on May 31st & Jun 3rd. There was no sign of the birds on subsequent visits so I don't know if the nest was successful or not. Fred Petersen Subject: fledgling Mountain Chickadee, west-central Reno From: Alan Wallace <wallacealan AT SBCGLOBAL.NET> Date: Thu, 11 Jun 2009 19:59:57 -0700 This morning along the Truckee River across from Oxbow Nature Center in west-central Reno (Washoe Co.), I saw a noisy, begging Mountain Chickadee fledgling being fed by two adults. While this isn't an earth-shattering observation, I realized that it was the first time that I had ever seen a Mountain Chickadee fledgling (thus, confirmed breeding) in Reno proper, despite regularly seeing adults through the year. Alan Wallace Reno NV Subject: Brant at Corn Creek 6/12 (Thursday) From: Donna Crail-Rugotzke <crailrugotzke AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 11 Jun 2009 19:39:53 -0700 Dear Fellow Birders: I went to Corn Creek to see the BRANT. I did not see any bands on the bird. Other birds included three INDIGO BUNTINGS (2 males and 1 juvenile), a BULLOCK'S ORIOLE, a WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE, STARLINGS (2), PHAINOPEPPLA (1), COMMON RAVENS (3), ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER, MOURNING DOVE (1), and a BAND-TAIL PIGEON. Happy Birding, Donna Crail-Rugotzke Subject: birding rainy cool southern NV mountains From: Rose Strickland <rosenreno AT SBCGLOBAL.NET> Date: Thu, 11 Jun 2009 19:26:48 -0700 birders, on a rainy, cool trip multi-day trip to southern Nevada, we found many excellent Mojave birds and some late migrants. Leaving Fish Lake Valley last Sunday (and the singing Yellow-throated Vireo at Dyer Pond!), we drove to Corn Creek and then the Spring Mountains. Good thing we took our long underwear and foul weather gear, since we encountered thunderstorms, rains, wind, and cool cloudy weather in the mountains. Here are trip highlights: Lida: Indigo Buntings were calling from the willows near the Lida Cabin. Western Wood-Pewees were everywhere. Corn Creek: On Sunday evening, we found an Eastern Kingbird in the pasture with the Western Kingbirds and the typical nesting birds - Lucy's warblers, more Indigo as well as Lazuli Buntings, Ash-throated Flycatchers, Black-throated Sparrows. On Tuesday evening, thanks to a call from Greg Scyphers, we found the Brant in the upper pond. The goose swam around, seeming shy of visitors and walked up to the grass on the banks only when we were birding elsewhere. We'll be submitting a report and photos to the NBRC of this great bird! According to a Washington birder whom we met at Corn Creek and who had been spending his evenings birding there, he first spotted the Brant Monday evening. Since we had been at Corn Creek on Monday until around 10:30AM, the bird arrived sometime that day. It wasn't reported on the list serve until Tuesday evening by Tim. We also had interesting encounters with Lesser Nighthawks at Corn Creek. We had seen and heard them making their characteristic calls at the ponds and trees, but on the way out to the highway at dusk on Tuesday night, we found many goatsuckers along the sides of the gravel road, flying up as we passed. We noted that some were in the road, flying up and then returning to the ground on the road and roadsides. We thought we'd found Common Poorwills, but when we started watching carefully, these birds had the distinctive white bars on the wings of Lesser Nighthawks. We could also see a white patch on the birds sitting in the road. Our bird guide shows no white on Common Poorwills. Has anyone seen Lesser Nighthawks hunting like poorwills on the roads at night in the Mojave Desert? Spring Mountains: Lee Canyon produced many mountain birds, including Broad-tailed Hummingbirds, a Grace's Warbler, Gray Vireos and one Chukar. Missing were the usual Scott's Orioles in the Joshua Tree Forest. Kyle Canyon was very birdy, with Black-chinned Sparrows and Virginia's Warblers near the mouth of the canyon, nesting tanagers, Dusky Flycatchers, Western Tanagers and mountain birds at the campground and visitors center. A early morning hike up Fletcher Canyon trail was rewarded by warblers, grosbeaks, flycatchers and other birds singing on territories - a real concerto. The familiar songs were interrupted by a very loud "teacher, teacher, teacher" call about half-way up to the spring. When we couldn't get the bird down to the trail, we crawled up through the brushy mountain mahogany to get brief glimpses of a loudly singing Ovenbird. On the way back down the trail a couple of hours later, we re-located the still singing bird in the same area and got excellent views of the Ovenbird singing along the trail. Thanks to Carolyn for posting the Ovenbird. Red Rock NCA: We got excellent looks at singing Black-chinned Sparrows (some followed by fledglings), singing Gray Vireos, and one Rufous-crowned Sparrow, along with the usual Juniper Titmouse, W. Scrub-Jay, and Cactus Wren (all with young), gnatcatchers, White- throated Swifts, and hummingbirds at Ice Box Canyon. Tonopah: At the cemetery, we found Western Wood-Pewees and a pair of Black-throated Sparrows. At Miller's Rest Stop, we found some migrants, including a Willow Flycatcher, many Western Wood-Pewees, a Common Yellowthroat, a Wilson's Warbler, a Chipping Sparrow and a couple of Western Tanagers. The Say's Phoebes are on the nest above the restroom door. An excellent week to be out birding in Nevada! Rose Strickland Subject: NBRC update From: Martin Meyers <nbrc AT GBBO.ORG> Date: Thu, 11 Jun 2009 20:10:57 -0500 The Nevada Bird Records Committee has completed its reviews for the current packet of records. All 21 records in this packet were endorsed by the committee. There were some really amazing records this time! A Ruff from Ash Meadows NWR (4/9/08) was only the third record for this species to be endorsed by the committee. After the state's first Lesser Black-backed Gull was found in January of 2008 (that record had previously been endorsed by the committee), we received THREE records for the species this past winter. Two (December/08 and February and March, 2009 were in the current packet. And yet another came in just a few days too late to make it into that packet and will be reviewed in the future. Three (yes THREE) Yellow-billed Loons were in the current packet. Two were from winter 2008/2009! (The third was from winter 1991/1992 and came out of a wonderful pile of records that pre-dated the formation of the NBRC, provided by the Cressmans.) A Red-necked Stint (another of the "pre-committee" records) provided the first NBRC-endorsed record for that species. This was from July/1992, found at the Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve (I wonder if it was called that back then.) This does not add a new species to the checklist, since Red-necked Stint was already on the checklist when the NBRC inherited the list from Carolyn Titus, but now the record on which that listing was based has been endorsed by the NBRC. Similarly, a Roseate Spoonbill (June/1977, Mercury), a Brambling (October, 1978, Pyramid Lake), and a Pyrrhuloxia (December. 1979, Henderson) provided the first NBRC endorsements for these species already on the checklist. Two Glaucous Gulls, three Thayer's Gulls, a Laughing Gull, a Least Tern, Parasitic Jaeger, Brown Pelican, Red-necked Grebe, and a Cape May Warbler rounded out the committee's current work. The NBRC website (address below) has been updated, and you can take a look at photos of most of these birds by clicking on the "View NBRC Records" button, then selecting one of the orderings -- default is by NBRC Identification Number, but you can re-sort by common name (alphabetic order) or by taxonomic order (the order most checklists and field guides use.) Then find the record(s) you're interested in and click the "**P**" button. (There's a "*P*" button for any record we've endorsed for which we have a photo and permission to show it.) There are currently 70 pending records. Over forty of them have come in during the past two and a half months! It's been one heck of a spring! Thanks to all of you who have submitted records to the committee. Keep finding rare birds! Enjoy! Martin -- Martin Meyers, Secretary Nevada Bird Records Committee (NBRC) email: nbrc AT gbbo.org website: www.gbbo.org/nbrc Subject: Ash Meadows Rose-breasted Grosbeak From: Carl Lundblad <carl.lundblad AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 11 Jun 2009 11:19:30 -0700 This morning I saw a male ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK at a private residence on an inholding within Ash Meadows NWR: http://picasaweb.google.com/Carl.Lundblad/AshMeadowsRoseBreastedGrosbeak?feat=directlink Earlier I completed my Ash Meadows BBS route where the highlight was a total of 7 INDIGO BUNTINGS including some at several new locations. To illustrate how much more common this species is in this area than usual, the BBS route has been run a total of 14 times previously. Indigo Buntings have only been detected during 4 years with a previous high count of 2. The BELL'S VIREO Greg Scyphers found near Bradford Spring last week was heard singing. Otherwise the expected stuff, but more species and more total birds than during last year's survey. Carl Lundblad Amargosa Valley, NV Subject: Ash Meadows Miscelania including BLACK TERN From: Carl Lundblad <carl.lundblad AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 10 Jun 2009 20:25:55 -0700 Yesterday I was out at Point of Rocks taking some water measurments when a nice Male SUMMER TANAGER flew in for binoc-less views right next to me. Another, new, INDIGO BUNTING was singing. I decided I'd better look around for a few minutes, with my optics, and quickly saw several migrants including a Wood-pewee, Warlbing Vireo and Wilson's Warbler (2, I think). Based on 4 migrants in 5 minutes there, I stopped for another 5 at Brdford Spring for 1 Pacific-slopey Flycatcher and 1 Willow Flycatcher. This morning another singing male Indigo Bunting was in another new location along the dunes west of Horseshoe Reservoir. Later, a single BLACK TERN was patrolling Peterson Reservoir. This was my first and likely only sighting of this species this spring. I've been hoping for a larger tern (Elegant, maybe), but regular checks of the likely spots this week have turned up negative. Carl Lundblad Amargosa Valley, NV Subject: Re: Brant @ Corn Creek From: Jim Boone <jlboone AT AOL.COM> Date: Wed, 10 Jun 2009 20:26:44 -0400 NV Birders, Before we get too excited about this bird, let's figure out how an injured bird that appeared comfortable around humans ended up in a tiny pond in the middle of the desert. When we saw the bird Monday morning, our impression was that someone had dumped an injured bird in a local pond. Even so, it was fun to see a Brant! Cheers, Jim Boone and Liz LaRue Las Vegas -----Original Message----- From: Chris Nicolai To: NVBIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG Sent: Wed, 10 Jun 2009 2:04 pm Subject: Re: Brant AT Corn Creek Hey anyone interested in this brant- In my opinion, this report of a brant is the BEST bird report ever! My advisor here at UNR is the world's authority on Black Brant. I too have done both my MS and PhD on black brant. A lot of weird things are going on with them this year. They are already into incubation on their nesting areas in the arctic. Not many tried to breed this year. 1000's are still south of Alaska. I am getting swamped with reports from branters all up and down the coast. Something has occurred which is having these birds not breeding. I received 2 photographs 2 weeks ago from the Salton Sea of brant there. Both birds were banded. These birds have been breeding on our colony for the last 14 and 12 years each. They know how to breed, have been good at it for some time. And now, they are making some decision to not bother. Kind of weird. I ask a couple of things. 1) Can someone look and see if it is banded? Approximately 9% of all black brant are banded currently. 2) If someone with the correct authority can capture it, I'd love to have a look at it. I have the ability to capture it, but I can't drive all the way down there. One of my best friends has the largest captive flock of brant in the world and is also a rehabilitator. AWESOME FIND! Chris Chris Nicolai Contract Waterfowl Biologist 1000 Valley Rd. Reno, NV 89512 Office :(775)784-6393 -----Original Message----- From: discussion about Nevada's bird life [mailto:NVBIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG] On Behalf Of Randall Michal Sent: Wednesday, June 10, 2009 1:57 PM To: NVBIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG Subject: Brant AT Corn Creek Hello all, After seeing the reports from Jon Heywood and Greg Cyphers (On behalf of Rose Strickland and Dennis Gighlieri) I went up to the Corn Creek Field Station at the Desert National Wildlife Range this morning. The Brant is still present on the upper pond. When myself and another birder whose name I did not get observed it, it was out of the water on the east shore of the pond, grooming. There certainly does appear to be damage to the left wing, I noticed a light pink color near the base of the left wing. I did not have time to stay and bird the area, what few other birds I did see were common residents, nothing out of the ordinary. Randy Michal Subject: Re: Brant @ Corn Creek From: Chris Nicolai <nicolai AT UNR.NEVADA.EDU> Date: Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:04:32 -0700 Hey anyone interested in this brant- In my opinion, this report of a brant is the BEST bird report ever! My advisor here at UNR is the world's authority on Black Brant. I too have done both my MS and PhD on black brant. A lot of weird things are going on with them this year. They are already into incubation on their nesting areas in the arctic. Not many tried to breed this year. 1000's are still south of Alaska. I am getting swamped with reports from branters all up and down the coast. Something has occurred which is having these birds not breeding. I received 2 photographs 2 weeks ago from the Salton Sea of brant there. Both birds were banded. These birds have been breeding on our colony for the last 14 and 12 years each. They know how to breed, have been good at it for some time. And now, they are making some decision to not bother. Kind of weird. I ask a couple of things. 1) Can someone look and see if it is banded? Approximately 9% of all black brant are banded currently. 2) If someone with the correct authority can capture it, I'd love to have a look at it. I have the ability to capture it, but I can't drive all the way down there. One of my best friends has the largest captive flock of brant in the world and is also a rehabilitator. AWESOME FIND! Chris Chris Nicolai Contract Waterfowl Biologist 1000 Valley Rd. Reno, NV 89512 Office :(775)784-6393 -----Original Message----- From: discussion about Nevada's bird life [mailto:NVBIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG] On Behalf Of Randall Michal Sent: Wednesday, June 10, 2009 1:57 PM To: NVBIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG Subject: Brant AT Corn Creek Hello all, After seeing the reports from Jon Heywood and Greg Cyphers (On behalf of Rose Strickland and Dennis Gighlieri) I went up to the Corn Creek Field Station at the Desert National Wildlife Range this morning. The Brant is still present on the upper pond. When myself and another birder whose name I did not get observed it, it was out of the water on the east shore of the pond, grooming. There certainly does appear to be damage to the left wing, I noticed a light pink color near the base of the left wing. I did not have time to stay and bird the area, what few other birds I did see were common residents, nothing out of the ordinary. Randy Michal Subject: Brant @ Corn Creek From: Randall Michal <RMichai637 AT AOL.COM> Date: Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:56:49 -0400 Hello all, After seeing the reports from Jon Heywood and Greg Cyphers (On behalf of Rose Strickland and Dennis Gighlieri) I went up to the Corn Creek Field Station at the Desert National Wildlife Range this morning. The Brant is still present on the upper pond. When myself and another birder whose name I did not get observed it, it was out of the water on the east shore of the pond, grooming. There certainly does appear to be damage to the left wing, I noticed a light pink color near the base of the left wing. I did not have time to stay and bird the area, what few other birds I did see were common residents, nothing out of the ordinary. Randy Michal Subject: red-eyed vireo? From: "di_an AT juno.com" <di_an@JUNO.COM> Date: Wed, 10 Jun 2009 19:15:56 GMT Hello birders, Another report from Moapa/Warm Springs Ranch... Saw/heard what was possibly a red-eyed vireo this morning. It was singing, 3 part phrasing/question-answer ("Where are you?" pause "Here I am" pause "Vireo!"). I thought at first that it was a solitary vireo, since I saw a plumbeous vireo on the ranch earlier this year. However when I went to try and find the bird, it didn't quite match. Of course the bird was sitting behind the cottonwood leaves, and most of the bird was covered. Field marks seen: whitish throat/belly, greenish tint on the nape, and distinct white eyeline above the eye (not spectacles, which is what I was looking for). Then of course the bird flew off, not to come back. I did hear another indigo bunting singing, but it was on another part of the ranch. So the one I saw last week is not holding a territory apparently. The willow flycatcher was heard once briefly, then was quiet the rest of the morning. All in all, things are starting to quiet down for bird activity though there are still plenty of birds by the springs. Lots of fledglings about. Diane Wong Reno, NV ____________________________________________________________ Click for free information on top investing websites and services. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2131/fc/BLSrjnsDqZEnfg2LBLHDlYuklppNHVkNajFvzaHdyyz8DyZhSpfbevfb0xa/ Subject: Beatty-Lawrence's goldfinch From: Laura Cunningham <bluerockiguana AT HUGHES.NET> Date: Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:13:56 -0400 Beatty Narrows riparian area along Amargosa River, just south of town. June 10, sunny. LAWRENCE'S GOLDFINCH- just as I started walking at 0800, a male landed on a rabbitbrush near cottonwoods and honey mesquite riparian. I got a good look at it in binocs: ashy gray back and sides, bit of yellow on breast, yellow wingbars, black cap and area around bill. I tried to get a photo but it flew and I could not relocate it-- I spent an hour trying to find it again, but no luck. The distinctive calls were what I first noticed as it flew down: bell-like "teetoo" notes and tinkle- like calls. Very different from the typical Lesser goldfinches I've been seeing commonly in Oasis Valley currently. This is the second time I've seen these goldfinches in this area in the last 8 years. Lesser goldfinch-1 female in different part of the Narrows. House finch-juveniles begging. Yellow warbler Ash-throated flycatcher 'Western' flycatcher-singing Western wood-pewee Willow flycatcher-singing Western kingbrid-nest in cottonwood. Mourning dove-one on nest in cottonwood. Eurasian collared dove Blue grosbeak- immature male, females, males singing. N. mockingbird Red-winged blackbird Black-chinned hummingbird-courtship displays by a male to a female. Brown-headed cowbird Bullock's oriole Western tanager Warbling vireo-1 singing White-throated swift-flocks of 30 and 40 flying through. Blue-gray gnatcatcher Western meadowlark Lesser nighthawk Gambel's quail Turkey vulture-3 Northen harrier Red-tailed hawk Subject: BRANT @ Corn Creek From: Greg Scyphers <scyph AT SBCGLOBAL.NET> Date: Tue, 9 Jun 2009 18:59:50 -0700 The Brant reported by Jon Heywood was relocated this evening by Dennis Ghiglieri and Rose Strickland on the upper pond at Corn Creek. Just after Jon's post I called Dennis and Rose because I knew they were birding in the area. They went over to Corn Creek and were able to easily observe and photograph the bird as it swam around the pond. They agree that the wing appears to be injured or damaged but to what extent is still unknown. Brant is a NBRC review species so we encourage anyone going to observe this bird to take notes and photos (if possible) of this rare visitor and submit them to the NBRC Secretary Martin Meyers. Information of the committee can be found at www.gbbo.org . Greg Scyphers Subject: Black Brant - Corn Creek, Clark County From: Jon Heywood <jjheywood AT HEYWOODENGINEERING.COM> Date: Tue, 9 Jun 2009 16:53:58 -0800 Hi all, While birding Corn Creek for the first time early this morning I observed a Black Brant in a small area of open water within the large marsh. It appeared to have an injured left wing and was rather habituated to human presence. Hopefully some others can get out and get a look at this bird. Regards, Jonathan Heywood, Reno, NV Subject: Re: Washoe South Wetlands From: Jennifer Newmark <jnewmark AT HERITAGE.NV.GOV> Date: Tue, 9 Jun 2009 15:46:51 -0700 Hi Everyone - I forwarded these emails to Dave Morrow, Administrator of State Parks. He in turn contacted his Northern Region Manager, Eric Johnson, regarding this matter. His excellent response is below. Jen Jennifer E. Newmark Administrator/Biologist Nevada Natural Heritage Program 901 S. Stewart Street - Suite 5002 Carson City, NV 89701-5245 Direct Phone: 775-684-2904 jnewmark AT heritage.nv.gov ----Original Message----- From: Eric Johnson [mailto:ejohnson AT cccomm.net] Sent: Tuesday, June 09, 2009 2:05 PM To: David Morrow; Washoe Lake Subject: RE: Washoe South Wetlands Dave, Donna, Jennifer Dawson, Jim Hawkins and myself met with NDOT Biologist Lori Bellis on 4/20/09 at the Washoe Wetlands to discuss water pumping and designate staff for water movement. The meeting was scheduled to address staffing changes as the staff member previously moving the water was re-assigned to the Fallon Region Headquarters. It was agreed that a rotational schedule be established to include a run period for the well followed by a rest period to permit aquifer recharge. A Washoe staff member was assigned the water movement duties with an explanation of the mechanism as well as our goals. Goals included filling of the viewing deck pond (habitat and education) followed by the northernmost ponds (highest habitat potential due to relatively low rates of seepage). Normally, the wetlands receive water from stream runoff and via the surface water pump, on the east side of the wetlands. The surface water pump moves water from Washoe Lake into the wetlands and moves the water via an irrigation ditch system. It produces enough flow to maintain pond levels in ľ of the wetlands. The surface water pump cannot be operated this year because lake levels are too low. Consequently, the wetlands are receiving water from the groundwater well only. The groundwater well was originally intended only as a supplemental water source and produces only enough water to maintain 2- 3 ponds under optimal conditions. As the aquifer lowers and as evaporation rates rise later in the year, maintaining one or two ponds becomes difficult. The maintenance and improvement of the wetlands is not a new discussion. We have been working with NDOT biologists and engineers for many years (I have been involved since 2001) to determine the best approach to increase the flow into the wetlands, how to reduce seepage loss and increase water obligate and waterfowl forage vegetation. We have explored surface water injection into the groundwater table, construction of an extension of the channel into the lake coupled with a lowering of the surface pump. These options would be expensive and are, unfortunately, not permanent fixes. NDOT, NDOW and NDSP are committed to maintaining the wetlands and understand the obligations created by the establishment of mitigation areas or zones. At this time, there is simply insufficient water to maintain our target acreage. Please feel free to call me with any questions. Eric Johnson Fallon Region Manager Nevada State Parks 775 867 3001 ejohnson AT cccomm.net ----Original Message----- From: discussion about Nevada's bird life [mailto:NVBIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG] On Behalf Of Steve Ting Sent: Monday, June 08, 2009 9:51 PM To: NVBIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG Subject: Re: Washoe South Wetlands Dear Linda et al, Just a couple comments on this topic. While Washoe Lake may seem full when viewed from the road the water levels are a lot lower than the last few years. I can't really speak for NDOW but I would suspect that they have purposely kept the water levels lower in the wetlands due to the fact that Washoe Lake levels are low. It is very unfortunate though since that area provided good nesting for many species of shorebirds and waterfowl. Regards, Steve Ting www.stingphotography.com On Mon, Jun 8, 2009 at 8:27 PM, Linda Hiller wrote: > Thanks for your prompt reply Pat ... although, it sounds like there's > nothing much going to be done about this even though NDOT does have an > obligation to keep the place wet! > I have forwarded your e-mail to Chris Nicolai, who was one of the > people who gave me Dave Pulliam's name at NDOW after I sent out my question > to the Audubon listserve about this wetland in south Washoe Valley. So far, > people have just been passing me off to the next guy and the only thing I > can conclude is that the buck is being passed and no one is stepping up > to keep NDOT true to their agreement to provide water to this area in > exchange for their highway. > Although we are in a drought,Washoe Lake itself is quite full, and > after our record rainfall this month, one wonders if things might change out > at the wetland soon, especially if someone steps up and takes > responsibility. There has been a plethora of birds out at that site in the > last several years and we birders can count on it for a great variety of > waterbirds year-round, even during the Carson City Christmas Count, done > annually. The two ponds you mention are probably not very birdy right now > since it's nesting season and any birds there would have moved on to Carson > Lake and areas like that for nesting. > I've been asked to perhaps write an article on this situation since I'm > a local journalist, and it would indeed make an interesting story. The > personnel changes at the parks dept. you mentioned sound like they could be > a large part of the problem, and if there's anyone there that you think I > should call for the story, please let me know. > We deal with so much habitat loss here in northern Nevada that it > seems, as you say, like every inch of our wildlife habitat is precious for > our wildlife, but it's always hard in Nevada to find the one person who can > protect all of it! > Thanks for your e-mail and I do hope we can get that site back to where > it's been so the birds don't abandon it for too long ... it's been a > spectacular and reliable place to take kids and beginning birders, and I've > yet to be out there when there weren't already others enjoying the place, > too. Let me know if there's anything we at the grassroots level, through > Audubon, etc., can do. > Regards, Linda > > Linda Hiller > greenacres23 AT charter.net > (775) 267-3580 home office > (775) 781-4916 cell Subject: Death of Luke Cole From: Martin Meyers <martin AT SIERRABIRDBUM.COM> Date: Tue, 9 Jun 2009 15:05:13 -0700 I wanted to pass along to Nevada birders the tragic news of the death of Luke Cole. While Luke was better known in the California birding community, he also birded Nevada. Many of you will remember him as the discoverer of the Ruff at Carson Lake in April/1997, a bird I know several of you were fortunate enough to see after Luke called Graham Chisholm with the find. I was going to write a bit about him, but I'm really having a hard time with this -- Luke was one of those great people that touched the heart of everyone he met. I had the opportunity to bird with him a number of times and thoroughly enjoyed his company always. I think I'll let Monterey's Don Roberson's eloquent post to the California listserv take the place of my trying to deal with my emotions in writing at this time. -------------------------- Post to California Birding Listserv ---------------- Date: Tue, 09 Jun 2009 10:18:59 -0700 From: Don Roberson Subject: [CALBIRDS] Sad news: Luke Cole dead The indescribably sad news came yesterday that Luke Cole, a friend to many of us and internationally known birder and environmental lawyer, was killed in a car crash in Uganda on 5 June. Today's S.F. Chronicle has a lengthy obituary http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/06/09/BAC0183545.DTL Many S.F. birders knew him better than I did, but he was about as fine a person as there is in our little birding world, and he far transcended it with his legal work for environmental justice. I did do two Big Days in Kings County with him -- he was a careful and fine birder, a wonderful storyteller, and an all around good guy. Incredibly bright and funny, his "Rue the Smew" poem was about the cleverest thing I've ever seen posted to CalBirds. http://www.lukecole.com/Birds/Smew.htm In many ways his death at age 46 -- at the prime of his career and the middle of a wonderful life -- is as sad as a single death can be. He joins David Gaines and Ted Parker as birding greats and environmental heroes cut down much too early. Rita & I got a postcard from Luke a couple of week ago, describing in broad strokes his 3rd visit to Madagascar, and mentioning flea-bitten hovels for lodging and minor bumps and bruises from taxi accidents on rural roads. He said he'd been in search of his most wanted bird -- the Madagascar Red Owl -- once again. He did not say whether he'd seen it -- indeed, for him, the quest was as important as the result, if not more so. He was living life large. We will all miss him very much. Luke's lovely wife Nancy Shelby was also injured in the car crash; the paper says she was flown to Holland for treatment. Our best hopes for recovery and our deepest sympathies are with her. This is a sad day for all of us. Don Roberson Pacific Grove ------------------------------------ --------------- Martin Meyers email: Martin (...AT...) SierraBirdbum.com Photo website: http://SierraBirdbum.com Truckee, CA Subject: Eastern Kingbird & Ovenbird, Clark County, June 2009 From: Richard Titus <titus AT SCSV.NEVADA.EDU> Date: Tue, 9 Jun 2009 14:31:46 -0700 Rose Strickland has asked that I post the following for her and Dennis Ghiglieri. She and Dennis saw an Eastern Kingbird in the pasture at Corn Creek Field Station, Desert National Wildlife Range, in the morning on Monday, June 8, 2009. This morning, Tuesday, June 9, they observed a singing Ovenbird along the Fletcher Canyon Trail at Mt. Charleston. The bird was between the sign marking the boundary of the wilderness area and the spring. Enjoy Nevada's birds! Carolyn Titus Las Vegas NV