Southern Nevada - quick question (1 Viewer)

[Nohatch]

I'll be visiting the Vegas area next month and will have time for a quick 1-2 hour stop at either the Henderson BVP or the Overton WMA (http://www.birdandhike.com/Bird/_Bird_index.htm). Which would you pick for a good selection of (especially wetland) birds? We'll be visiting most of the classical national parks in the area anyway, so I expect to see more 'dryland' species there.
Also, does anyone know if the Overton WMA is open to birding on Memorial Day?

Many thanks!

N

P.S. I'm expecting Marabou Stork at Overton: check out the Maopa Valley Chamber of Commerce website http://www.moapavalleychamber.com/recreation/overton-wildlife-management-area 3

 

[knuck45]

According to the site it is open 24/7 but to be sure you should call WMA once you hit town at (702) 397-2142

The ABA Nevada listserve would be a good resource for you to get an idea of what is being seen; it covers all of Nevada but you should be able to find posts with lists of sightings for the areas you are considering:

http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NV

 

[prattw]

Assuming that you are staying somewhere in the Las Vegas urban area, the Bird Viewing Preserve is much quicker to get to (Overton WMA is a 60 mile trip, one way) and you will find a much more concentrated water bird population than at OWMA that time of year. You can reasonably count on Verdin, Crissal Thrasher and Abert's Towhee from an early morning birding of the HBVP (ca 2 hours) and Roadrunner with a bit of luck, breeding Cinnamon Teal, Ruddy Duck, Eared and Piedbilled Grebe, Coot, Common Gallinule, Amer. Avocet, Black-necked Stilt, Marsh Wren, Least Bittern (at least hearing calling males), Red-winged Blackbird, and others. A thorough birding of the HBVP should produce 45-50 species in late May. addendum: in May you can be reasonably sure of seeing two of three hummingbirds: Costa's, Anna's, Black-chinned at visitor center feeders.

For some things (Lucy's Warbler, N Harrier, Cooper's Hawk) the odds are better in the Wetlands Park, about a mile to the north, off the east end of Tropicana.

The WMA should be open on memorial day, at least to park in the entrance lot and walk in.

Will

 

[walshey]

Thoroughly recommend Henderson, nearly all of those birds quoted by Will seen on my visit in October 2010 also, although couldn't find Roadrunner (seen later at Corn Creek). Friendly staff, easy to get to, life Crissal Thrashers (walk away views), all good.

John

 

[Nohatch]

Looks like it'll be Henderson BVP then - thanks for the feedback everyone! :t:

N