This section of the website contains the majority of the text from A Birding Guide to Reno and Beyond, Second Edition, published by the Lahontan Audubon Society. The Guide can be purchased from the LAS Sales page. Some of the text has been edited for the web. For photographs of species and detailed species information we recommend visiting All About Birds hosted by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
Copyright © 2007 by the Lahontan Audubon Society. Use of the text and/or graphics on these pages is restricted.
- Area Map
- List of the 20 Areas
- Introduction to the Second Edition
- Introduction to the First Edition
- Acknowledgements to the Second Edition
- Acknowledgements to the First Edition
- Mileage Table Distance from Reno - Sorted by Area
- Mileage Table Distance from Reno - Sorted by Shortest to Longest from Reno
- Time considerations: Choosing an area to bird
- Finding selected species
Area Map
Selected Areas
- Carson Lake Wetlands **
- Side Trip A Fallon Naval Air Station Nature Trail
- Other side trips: See Area #15 Stillwater NWR
- Carson River Ranches **
- Carson Valley *
- Side Trip A IVGID Wetlands Enhancement Facility
- Side Trip B Carson River Park
- Side Trip C Silver Saddle Ranch
- East Truckee Meadows (University Farms)
- Side Trip A Rosewood Lakes Golf Course
- Fort Churchill Road **
- Side Trip A Connection to Area #2 Carson River Ranches
- Side Trip B Sixmile Canyon Road
- Galena Creek Regional Park **
- Side Trip A Thomas Creek trails
- Honey Lake
- Side Trip A Greater Sage-Grouse lek
- Side Trip B Lewis's and Acorn Woodpecker stop
- Mason Valley
- Side Trip A Walker Lake
- Oxbow Nature Study Area
- Peavine Peak
- Side Trip A Common Poorwill road
- Pyramid Lake *
- Side Trip A Pyramid Lake Fisheries (PLF) Hatchery
- Side Trip B Dunn Hatchery ponds
- Side Trip C Pyramid Lake east shore
- Side Trip D Numana Wetlands
- Rancho San Rafael Regional Park
- Side Trip A Rancho San Rafael Nature Trail
- Sierra Valley and Yuba Pass
- Side Trip A Sagehen Creek
- Side Trip B Frenchman Lake
- Spooner Lake **
- Side Trip A Spooner Summit
- Side Trip B Connection to Areas #17 and #6
- Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge **
- Side Trip A Harmon Reservoir
- Side Trip B S-Line Reservoir
- Side Trip C Soda Lake
- Side Trip D Carson River Diversion Dam
- Swan Lake Nature Study Area *
- Side Trip A Sky Vista Pond
- Tahoe Meadows and Upper Ophir Creek **
- Side Trip A Ophir Creek Trail
- Side Trip B Connection to Area #14 Spooner Lake
- Verdi
- Side Trip A Verdi Nature Trail
- Side Trip B Toiyabe National Forest
- Virginia Lake
- Washoe Valley *
- Side Trip A Ophir Creek Trail
- Side Trip B Deadman's Creek
Nevada Important Bird Areas (IBAs):
* Denotes that the Area has been recognized by the National Audubon Society as a Nevada IBA.
** Denotes that the Area lies within a Nevada IBA.
Introduction to the Second Edition
Since the publication of the first edition of A Birding Guide to Reno and Beyond in 2000, our population has grown and real estate development has flourished. Those interested in the natural world might cast a very wary eye toward such change. As it turns out, a number of the birding areas described here have experienced some positive changes, providing possibilities for even better observation and appreciation of the wonders of the natural world, including birds, those harbingers of ecological health.
Some changes in the birding areas described in this edition include an acquisition of wetlands in Carson Valley by the Nature Conservancy, a floating boardwalk and other features at Swan Lake, and a viewing platform with interpretative panels at Stillwater Point. Trail improvements have been and continue to be made in a number of areas. In addition, a very important change has been the establishment of Lahontan Audubon Society's Important Bird Areas (IBA) program. Initiated in 2001, the program has recognized 39 IBAs throughout the state as of this writing, including several areas described in this book. Since the publication of the first edition, a variety of public agencies have taken an even greater interest in and shown support for birding and its associated activities.
The format of this guide is similar to the first edition. Its focus remains on visitors to the Reno-Sparks area, newly arrived residents, new birders, and locals who wish to refresh and expand their birding experience. Side trips are now listed in the Table of Contents following the particular area each relates to. The entire text has been edited in detail and field-tested in an effort to provide highest accuracy and clarity of description. The Finding Selected Species list has been expanded from 16 to 21 species.
The 20 Areas are organized in alphabetical order with a number assigned to each for ease of reference. The Overview Map provides a quick visual of the locations of the Areas denoted by their assigned numbers. The "How to Get There" section in each Area, the Mileage Tables and the Time Considerations chart provide travel distances from a hypothetical starting point at the I-80 & US 395 interchange in northeast Reno. Areas which represent a Nevada Important Bird Area (IBA) in whole or in part are so noted in the Table of Contents as well as in the respective Area.
As in the first edition, each Area is organized into the following sections:
- What to Expect including
- Best time of year
- Notable species
- Precautions
- How to Get There
- Popular Birding Route(s)
- Optional Side Trip(s)
Accounts of bird sightings throughout the state from June 2000 to the present can be found on the Nevada Birds List Server (http://list.audubon.org/archives/nvbirds.html).
In addition to the publications listed in the introduction to the first edition of this guide, several new birding resources specific to Nevada have been published, including:
- Nevada Birding Map, second edition, Lahontan Audubon Society, 2007.
- McIvor, Donald E., Important Bird Areas of Nevada, Lahontan Audubon Society, 2005.
- Chisholm, Graham and Larry A. Neel, Birds of the Lahontan Valley, University of Nevada Press, Reno, 2002.
- Floyd, Ted, Chris S. Elphick, Graham Chisholm, Kevin Mack, Robert G. Elston, Elisabeth M. Ammon, and John D. Boone, Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Nevada, University of Nevada Press, Reno, 2007.
In addition to the identification guides listed in the first edition, several new ones are now available. Some of the most notable are:
- Kaufman, Kenn, Birds of North America, Houghton Mifflin Company, 2000.
- National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America, Fifth Edition, 2006.
- Sibley, David Allen, The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Western North America, Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., 2003.
- Sibley, David Allen, National Audubon Society - The Sibley Guide to Birds, Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., 2000.
A final note: Weather and travel conditions in this part of the west can vary. We urge you to refer to the precautions listed at the end of the Introduction to the first edition.
Birding this area is rewarding and, for the uninitiated, a "wildly unexpected" experience. Discover a surprising variety of habitats both within the city of Reno itself and no more than 90 miles from the "Biggest Little City."
Good birding!
INTRODUCTION TO THE FIRST EDITION
"The blue heron steps lightly across the wetland, stalks the heart within my chest"-Bill CoweeReno, christened The City of Trembling Leaves by Walter Van Tilburg Clark, presents a gentle contrast to the larger urban areas of San Francisco 226 miles to the west and Las Vegas 445 miles to the south. Preferring to call itself The Biggest Little City in the World, Reno sits nestled against the 10,000-foot wall of the Sierra Nevada, the Snowy Range, and serves as the western gateway to the vast expanse of the Great Basin. From the crest of the Sierra, which cradles Lake Tahoe, the largest alpine lake in North America, the Truckee and Carson Rivers descend several thousand feet, slow, and then end in the northwestern Nevada desert, an area once covered by Pleistocene Lake Lahontan.
Northwestern Nevada may surprise people who do not know it and even people who believe they do know it. Among the many pleasant surprises is the bird life that abounds within a 70- to 80-mile radius of the Reno-Sparks area in a remarkably diverse array of habitats.
This birding guide is from the heart to the heart. A number of years ago local birder and Audubon member John Biewener set out on the monumental task of assembling a local bird guide, A Birding Guide to Reno and Thereabouts. Time has passed, population trends have changed, and birding has grown tremendously. Expert local birders who know and love these special areas have revised, revisited, and reformulated the best birding routes for today.
This guide is for the visitor to the Reno-Sparks area, the newly arrived resident, the new birder, and locals who wish to refresh and expand their birding pleasure. We have included a variety of options within the 80-mile radius ranging from such major areas as Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge, Carson Lake Wetlands, and Pyramid Lake to compact and easily accessible oases within the urban setting. The guide is neither exhaustive nor definitive. Some areas known to locals have been eliminated or truncated for a variety of reasons, from concerns about habitat preservation to routes defying formal, written description.
The Areas are listed alphabetically, not in order of importance.
WHAT TO EXPECT: A wide diversity of habitat, an abundance of bird life, a little adventure, and a lot of pleasure.
HOW TO GET THERE: Come to Reno. Find the I-80/US395 interchange.
POPULAR BIRDING ROUTE: Open this guide, hit the road, and follow the advice of some of the area's best birders.
OPTIONAL SIDE TRIPS: More than you'll have time for.
In an attempt to keep this guide at a manageable size and cost, we resisted the temptation of a detailed species list for each area. The Notable Species subsection is intended simply to give a flavor of the particular area. For expanded bird detail we suggest the following companion publications:
- National Geographic Society, A Field Guide to the Birds of North America, 1999. One of the two most popular field identification guides.
- Peterson, Roger Tory, A Field Guide to Western Birds, 1998. One of the two most popular field identification guides.
- Lukas, David, Watchable Birds of the Great Basin, 1999. Photographs and descriptions of the 70 most common species in the Great Basin.
- Great Basin Bird Observatory, Great Basin Birds, 1998 ff. Annual publication of articles on the ecology and conservation of birds and their habitats in the Great Basin.
- Nevada Division of Wildlife, Checklist: Birds of Northwestern Nevada.The 1999 revision of this flier, listing 289 species, is available at a variety of locations.
While birders are, in general, a tough and prescient lot, a few words about the area and conditions may be in order.
- Weather patterns from the west sometimes burst across the Sierra Nevada, producing erratic conditions and significant winds.
- Hat, cover, and sunscreen are recommended for protection from the intense sunshine.
- Exposure to high-desert heat in summer or the higher altitudes of the Sierra may impact your usual vigorous pace. Take it easy.
- Many call this "the real West." You may find more unpaved roads (noted in the text) and fewer high-tech rest stops.
- There is plenty of opportunity to depart from the road or trail. Please don't. Love it and leave it as it is.
Good birding!
Acknowledgments to the Second Edition
Dedicated to all birding volunteers of this area, who give so generously of their time and talents.
This second edition of A Birding Guide to Reno and Beyond stands on the shoulders of those acknowledged in the first edition. This edition began with review, road tests, and suggested changes for each Area in the first edition. This initial work was conducted by Lahontan Audubon Society (LAS) volunteers: Jane Burnham, Ali Chaney, Ron Conkey, Bob Goodman, Teresa Gubanich, Jacque Lowery, Jim Lytle, Don McIvor, Nancy Santos, Bonnie Wagner, and we the editors. Alan Wallace proposed the inclusion and prepared the first draft of a new Area.
The guide has been greatly enhanced by revised and new maps created by Tim Herrick of the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW), whose skill and diligence are greatly appreciated. Pen and ink drawings by Ray Nelson and color photography by Bob Goodman, Alan Gubanich, and Steve Ting have added considerably to the visual appeal of the guide. Bob Goodman, Georgia Rohrs, and Teresa Gubanich graciously volunteered for the demanding task of proofreading.
The publication of this edition is the result of a partnership between LAS, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and NDOW. Janet Schmidt of USFWS initiated the collaboration, secured grant funds to underwrite large-volume printing, and lent moral support in a variety of ways. NDOW has taken on the responsibility for the marketing and wide distribution of the guide. Rick Gray, Director of the Fallon Convention and Tourism Authority, developed the "Birding Nevada: Wildly Unexpected" logo to promote birding-based tourism in Nevada. This collaboration has resulted in the production of A Birding Guide to Reno and Beyond - Second Edition of a quality and quantity that would not have been achieved by any of the organizations on their own.
We the editors, however, are responsible for the content of this guide and any errors that may remain.
April 2007 Karen L. Kish, President, LAS
Alan Gubanich, Ph.D., Vice President, LAS
Acknowledgments for the First Edition
Dedicated to
John Biewener
who led the way
We owe a major debt of gratitude to those northern Nevada birders who developed the routes and species observations contained in this book and generously shared their notes or data. Among those to whom we owe special thanks are Graham Chisholm, Connie Douglas, Jim Eidel, Robert Flores, John Golish, Bob Goodman, Nancy Hoffman, David Jickling, Hugh Judd, Ed and Carol Mark, Martin Myers, Ken Pulver, Greg Scyphers, Jane Sunday, Jane Thompson, Dennis Trousdale, and Jack Walters.
Others who have contributed significantly to the project include Bill and Beth Clark, Zelda Forgey, Aaron Gross, Paul Lehman, David Lukas, Kevin Mack, Martha Neel, Mike San Miguel, and Dennis Serdeheley. We thank especially Michael Bish, who created the Nevada birding route maps.
A number of organizations have lent support to the project in a variety of ways: Great Basin Bird Observatory, The Nature Conservancy of Nevada, Nevada Department of Transportation, Nevada Division of Wildlife, Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge, Sierra Pacific Power Company, and Reno Printing. Our great thanks to all.
Our appreciation goes especially to our four readers, Brian Beffort, Ted Floyd, Larry Neel, and Conrad Sankpill, who generously gave of their time to review the manuscript and provide valuable suggestions. The text greatly benefited from their insights. We the editors, however, are responsible for the content of this guide and any errors therein.
Editors Karen L. Blow
Lucie W. Clark
Alan Gubanich, Ph.D.
David McNinch
Artwork Raymond Nelson
Mileage to areas from Reno
The following two Mileage Tables can help you plan your Reno area birding experience. The distances represent the approximate mileage between a hypothetical starting point at the I-80 & US 395 intersection and the beginning of the Popular Birding Route for each Area. Longer distances are rounded to the nearest mile, and shorter distances to Areas within greater Reno are stated to tenths of a mile. The first table lists the 20 Areas in alphabetical sequence, as they are presented in the text. The second table arranges the Areas from shortest to longest travel distance. To estimate the total time you might spend at any one Area, we recommend that you also read the descriptions of the Popular Birding Routes and Optional Side Trips before heading out. The following section, Time Considerations: Choosing an Area to Bird, will also help.
| Area # | Area Name | Mileage |
| 1 | Carson Lake Wetlands | 70 |
| 2 | Carson River Ranches | 74 |
| 3 | Carson Valley | 34 |
| 4 | East Truckee Meadows (University Farms) | 4.6 |
| 5 | Fort Churchill Road | 45 |
| 6 | Galena Creek Regional Park | 17 |
| 7 | Honey Lake | 89 |
| 8 | Mason Valley - Sierra Way | 66 |
| 8a | Mason Valley - Miller Lane | 72 |
| 9 | Oxbow Nature Study Area | 3.7 |
| 10 | Peavine Peak | 8.9 |
| 11 | Pyramid Lake via Pyramid Way | 35 |
| 11a | Pyramid Lake via Wadsworth | 63 |
| 12 | Rancho San Rafael Regional Park | 2.3 |
| 13 | Sierra Valley and Yuba Pass | 32 |
| 14 | Spooner Lake | 43 |
| 15 | Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge | 76 |
| 16 | Swan Lake Nature Study Area - sewage ponds | 8.8 |
| 16a | Swan Lake Nature Study Area - boardwalk | 8.9 |
| 17 | Tahoe Meadows and Upper Ophir Creek | 27 |
| 18 | Verdi | 12 |
| 19 | Virginia Lake | 3.2 |
| 20 | Washoe Valley | 23 |
Travel Distances to the 20 Birding Areas, Shortest to Longest
The Mileage Tables can help you plan your Reno area birding experience. The distances represent the approximate mileage between a hypothetical starting point at the I-80 & US 395 intersection and the beginning of the Popular Birding Route for each Area. Longer distances are rounded to the nearest mile, and shorter distances to Areas within greater Reno are stated to tenths of a mile. The table above lists the 20 Areas in alphabetical sequence, as they are presented in the text. The table below arranges the Areas from shortest to longest travel distance. To estimate the total time you might spend at any one Area, we recommend that you also read the descriptions of the Popular Birding Routes and Optional Side Trips before heading out. The following section, Time Considerations: Choosing an Area to Bird, will also help.
| Area | Distance | |
| 12 | Rancho San Rafael Regional Park | 2.3 |
| 19 | Virginia Lake | 3.2 |
| 9 | Oxbow Nature Study Area | 3.7 |
| 4 | East Truckee Meadows (University Farms) | 4.6 |
| 16 | Swan Lake Nature Study Area - sewage ponds | 8.8 |
| 16a | Swan Lake Nature Study Area - boardwalk | 8.9 |
| 10 | Peavine Peak | 8.9 |
| 18 | Verdi | 12 |
| 6 | Galena Creek Regional Park | 17 |
| 20 | Washoe Valley | 23 |
| 17 | Tahoe Meadows and Upper Ophir Creek | 27 |
| 13 | Sierra Valley and Yuba Pass | 32 |
| 3 | Carson Valley | 34 |
| 11 | Pyramid Lake via Pyramid Way | 35 |
| 11a | Pyramid Lake via Wadsworth | 63 |
| 14 | Spooner Lake | 43 |
| 5 | Fort Churchill Road | 45 |
| 8 | Mason Valley - Sierra Way | 66 |
| 8a | Mason Valley - Miller Lane | 72 |
| 1 | Carson Lake Wetlands | 70 |
| 2 | Carson River Ranches | 74 |
| 15 | Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge | 76 |
| 7 | Honey Lake | 89 |
Time Considerations: Choosing an Area to Bird
As all birders know, you can spend an entire day or more in any one location, no matter how small the area. However, to help you choose your trip, the chart below suggests the times needed to reach and adequately bird the 20 Areas described in this book. Some Areas, of course, lend themselves to more than one time frame. Read the descriptions in the text to help you decide which Area best fits your available time. Note that Side Trips will add to your time considerations.
| Area | Name | 2-3 Hours | Half Day | Day Trip | or More |
| 1 | Carson Lake Wetlands | X | X | ||
| 2 | Carson River Ranches | X | |||
| 3 | Carson Valley | X | |||
| 4 | East Truckee Meadows | X | X | ||
| 5 | Fort Churchill Road | X | |||
| 6 | Galena Creek Regional Park | X | X | ||
| 7 | Honey Lake | X | X | ||
| 8 | Mason Valley | X | |||
| 9 | Oxbow Nature Study Area | X | X | ||
| 10 | Peavine Peak | X | X | ||
| 11 | Pyramid Lake | X | X | ||
| 12 | Rancho San Rafael Regional Park | X | X | ||
| 13 | Sierra Valley and Yuba Pass | X | X | ||
| 14 | Spooner Lake | X | X | ||
| 15 | Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge | X | X | ||
| 16 | Swan Lake Nature Study Area | X | X | X | |
| 17 | Tahoe Meadows & Upper Ophir Creek | X | X | ||
| 18 | Verdi | X | X | ||
| 19 | Virginia Lake | X | |||
| 20 | Washoe Valley | X | X |
Where to find selected species
The following 21 species are among the most frequently sought by birders visiting this area. Listed with each species are just some of the areas where they may be found.