Lahontan Audubon Society - Reports of Trips and Events

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Reports of Trips and Events

Virginia Lake - Saturday, January 8, 2011

Leader: Bob Goodman
Seventeen folks braved the extreme cold at Virginia Lake for a look at wintering birds. Many participants were new to birding and joined the group as a result of the joint sponsorship of LAS and the Nevada Museum of Art to celebrate the J.J. Audubon exhibit. The lake was mostly frozen, so the birding was great as the birds were congregated close to shore, providing a good opportunity to discuss field marks. We got good views of upland birds too, because most tree perches were bare of leaves. We saw 27 species, including pairs of Hooded Mergansers, Common Mergansers, Ruddy Ducks and Northern Shovelers. One surprise was a Pygmy Nuthatch by the parking lot. Northern Flickers were seen, along with Northern Mockingbirds and an American Robin. The presence of the Mute Swan gave us a chance to discuss introduced species and their effect on local populations of similar species.

Annual Dipper Day - March 5, 2011

Leader: Jim Eidel
Jim led his annual field trip with 17 intrepid birders who braved the 60 degree (60!) temperatures in search of those beloved little gray bobbing butts. Birders are an odd but loveable lot. Six American Dippers were found through the course of the day. Two pair seemed to be nesting along the Truckee River near Mayberry Park, and one pair was found acting suspiciously like nesters up at Donner Lake State Park. We started our trip at River School where Tom Stille graciously allowed us to search the Truckee River from the deck of his home. Thank you Tom! We had success within minutes of arriving, and enjoyed good looks at our first pair of dippers through scopes. It never gets old watching a relatively small songbird dive into the water and bob back up onto a rock in its search for food—such a unique bird. As we walked the paved trail along Mayberry Park, a number of other local favorites showed their beaks: Dark-eyed Junco, Lesser Goldfinch, Downy Woodpecker, Common Merganser, Common Goldeneye, Red-tailed Hawk, White-crowned Sparrow, and more. At the end of the paved trail we found our second pair of dippers entering and exiting the holes in an abutment at the first bridge west of the Patagonia factory. We watched and enjoyed their busy activity, and then headed to Donner where we went from 60 to 40 in 30. Walking through the snow to Jim’s not-so-secret hot dipper spot wasn’t difficult or far, and the birds were right where he had left them last year. Not sure how he does it, but they were practically waiting for us to show up before they headed back downstream away from all the voyeuristic birders. (Is that redundant?) It was a great day for a dip, and a total of 27 species were found.

Christiane Omer

Santa Rosa Mountains - Sunday, June 12, 2011

Leader: Don Molde
Meg Andrews submitted the following field trip report on behalf of Don Molde for this new LAS field trip, offered for the first time this June.

Nine birders (three from Reno, three from Carson Valley, and three from Winnemucca) joined Don and Jean Molde in Paradise Valley Sunday morning, after having enjoyed a great dinner and breakfast in Winnemucca. The road to the Hinkey Summit in the Santa Rosa Range was good, but due to the snow at the summit, it was not possible to go any further at this time.

The following list is of birds (46 species) seen and heard (although not all were seen by everyone), more or less in the order that the birds were seen.

Common Nighthawk
Western Meadowlark
Red-tailed Hawk
Black-billed Mapgie
Common Raven
American Robin
Bullock's Oriole (many)
Brewer's Blackbird
European Starling
Yellow Warbler (many)
American Kestrel
Turkey Vulture
Swainson's Hawk
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Tree Swallow
Red-winged Blackbird
Savannah Sparrow
Cliff Swallow
Killdeer (with young)
Horned Lark
Northern Harrier
Brown-headed Cowbird
Lark Sparrow
Burrowing Owl (standing on a rock close to the road)
Lazuli Bunting (many)
Western Tanager
American Goldfinch
Western Wood-pewee
Wilson's Warbler
Fox Sparrow
Spotted Towhee
Dusky Flycatcher
Violet-green Swallow
Rock Wren
California Quail
Lewis's Woodpecker (5)
Black-headed Grosbeak
Green-tailed Towhee
MacGillivray's Warbler
White-crowned Sparrow
Warbling Vireo
Northern Flicker
Wilson's Snipe (sitting on a fence post)
Great Egret
Prairie Falcon
Northern Mockingbird

So, lots of great birds to see, and I'm sure if we could have made it over the summit to the campground we would have seen even more. If you haven't been to the Santa Rosa Range, you might want to take your camera. Great rock formations, spectacular views, and a great variety of wildflowers made for a beautiful day (and for change, the weather was perfect!).

Also as a side note, if you find yourself in Winnemucca around 6 a.m. some summer morning, go down to where Bridge Street crosses the Humboldt River and scan the sky. I particularly enjoyed all of the egrets and herons that were streaming to and from a rookery (heronry?) that is somewhere west of there.

Grover's Hot Springs, Sawmill Creek, and Indian Creek Reservoir - Saturday October 1, 2011

Trip Leader: Jim Woods

Jumping the state line into CA-land, the LAS tour found the migrants holding in the lower canyon at the Hot Springs and there were just so many scattered around we spent most of the time along Sawmill Creek. It is one of the wonders of the migration. We saw a lot of birds during a great day - excellent company make for a big difference

White-headed Woodpeckers
Downey Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Red-breasted Sapsucker
Northern Flickers
Yellow-rumped Warblers
Steller's Jays
UK Buteo
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Prairie Falcons (as I was leaving out toward Diamond Valley)
Pelicans (also when leaving)
Flight of Passerines? (mixed flock of ±70)
White-crowned Sparrows
Red-winged Blackbirds
Savannah Sparrows
Lark Sparrows
Meadow Larks
Brewers Blackbirds
Eared Grebes
Coot
Ruddy Ducks
Gadwall
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Killdeer
Large flight of Crows (± 50)
Raven
California Quail

Lemmon Valley, Swan Lake, and a ‘Girls Morning Out’ - Saturday, October 8, 2011

Meeting on a beautiful Saturday morning in early October, a small group of ladies meandered our way around Lemmon Valley and Swan Lake Nature Study Area just outside of Reno. With a very mild breeze and clear blue skies we started at the Washoe County Waste Water Treatment ponds in Lemmon Valley, later carpooling to Swan Lake and finishing with a quick peek at the pond at Sky Vista Way in Stead. Species we identified include:

Gadwall
Great Egret
Coot
Shoveler duck
Red-wing Blackbird
Mallard
Marsh Wren
Green-winged Teal
House Finch
American Avocet
Red-tailed Hawk
Canada Goose
Greater Yellowlegs
White-crowned Sparrow
Eared Grebe
Ruddy duck
Long-billed Dowitcher
Meadowlark
Harrier (male & female)
Barn Swallow
Killdeer
American Widgeon
Song Sparrow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Eurasian Collared Dove
Prairie Falcon
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Ferruginous Hawk?
Red-shouldered Hawk
Kestrel
Northern Ruff-winged Swallow
Golden Eagle juvenile
Blue Heron
Virginia Rail (heard)
Say’s Phoebe
Flicker
Raven
Mourning dove
Orange-crowned Warbler
Pied-billed Grebe

Jasmine Vittori

The Great Reno Caper LAS Field Trip Report, Saturday, Jan. 30, 2010

Trip Leader - Dennis Serdehely:
Fifteen birders joined my wife Becca and me at various times during the day as we explored the various birding spots in the Reno-Sparks Area. The day started out with some light snow flurries at Virginia Lake but turned into a beautiful and for the most part sunny day.

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

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

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

Our total species count for the day was 52.

Wandering the Carson Valley, Saturday, April 1, 2010

Trip Leader - Jim Woods:
A well chilled group of old pros and beginners hiked the IVGID Wetlands and had an excellent time finding a lot of birds which left all with good memories frozen in their minds. Here are the birds we saw and the number were awesome, will ducks filling the sky.

Canada Goose
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Mallard
Cinnamon Teal
Northern Shoveler
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Redhead
Ring-necked Duck
Bufflehead
Ruddy Duck
California Quail
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Northern Harrier, 4
Red-tailed Hawk, 1
Golden Eagle, 1
American Coot
Killdeer,
Black-necked Stilt, 3
Greater Yellowlegs, 3
Long-billed Dowitcher, 35
Wilson's Snipe, 5
California Gull, X
Northern Flicker, 1
Black-billed Magpie, X
American Crow, X
Tree Swallow, X
Cliff Swallow, X
Barn Swallow, X
Marsh Wren, X
American Pipit, X
Spotted Towhee, X
Red-winged Blackbird, X
Western Meadowlark, X
Yellow-headed Blackbird, X
Brewer's Blackbird, X

Raptors of the Nile Valley - February 7, 2010

Trip Leader: Debbie Pontius
Sixteen folks braved the chilly wind to look for raptors in the Nile Valley of Lovelock on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010. All the wind seemed to have the numbers down, we did see at least one individual of the usual birds of prey in the area. Special treats were a soaring golden eagle and a small flock of bluebirds!

Birds sighted:

Golden Eagle
Red tailed Hawk
Ferruginous Hawk
Rough-Legged Hawk
American Kestral
Northern Harrier
Great Horned Owl
Prairie Falcon
Great Blue Heron
Horned Larks
Common Raven
American Crow
Northern Mockingbird
Loggerhead Shrike
White-crown Sparrow
Rock Pigeon
Great-tailed Grackle
Mourning Dove
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Mountain Bluebird
European Starling
House Sparrow

Riverview Park, Carson City, Field Trip Report, Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010

Trip Leader - Nancy Santos:
I lead a trip to Riverview Park Feb 27 and Meg Andrews was kind enough to keep the records and provide them to me in a timely manner. I on the other hand have been slow in getting them out. It was a great trip with a fun group of participants.

Number of species: 27
Canada Goose 130
Wood Duck 1
Mallard 15
California Quail 2
Bald Eagle 2
Northern Harrier 2
Cooper's Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Killdeer 1
Rock Pigeon 2
Eurasian Collared-Dove 2
Mourning Dove 3
Northern Flicker 6
Western Scrub-Jay 3
Black-billed Magpie 1
Bewick's Wren 1
American Robin 11
European Starling 2
Song Sparrow 1
White-crowned Sparrow 30
Golden-crowned Sparrow 1
Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon) 10
Red-winged Blackbird 30
Western Meadowlark 1
House Finch 24
Lesser Goldfinch 12
House Sparrow 10

Sierra Valley, March 27, 2010

Trip Leader - Alan Gubanich:
Thirteen of us headed to Sierra Valley on a cool morning but a temperate afternoon, characteristic of this time of year. It was the interim period; winter birds were either gone already or leaving soon, while spring migration was just getting underway. We saw only about five or six Red-tailed Hawks and no wintering raptors, with the exception of one of the highlights of the day – a textbook example of an immature Golden Eagle soaring right over our heads on A-24. Then a flock of what we later confirmed to be Long-billed Curlews flew close overhead (the second highlight of the day). They veered to the southwest where we eventually found 45 of them feeding in a flooded field on Poole Street amidst a flock of about 350 to 400 Ring-billed Gulls. Add at least 18 Sandhill Cranes to the total (mostly in pairs, but one group of four) and we all considered it a very nice day. The ponds west of the bridges on Heriot Lane added 14 species to the list including Barn, Cliff and Tree Swallows (sure signs of spring!), seven species of duck, a group of American Avocets, and a Pied-billed Grebe. A walk in the woods on the west side of the valley after lunch netted a pair of American Kestrels (who mated in front of us!) and at least three Pygmy Nuthatches. Add the usual crows, ravens, magpies, singing meadowlarks, etc., and the group totaled 34 species for the day. Other highlights included one Prairie Falcon, a couple Northern Harriers, a Willet, and good looks at Horned Larks and singing Sage Thrashers, a life bird for some.

Damonte Ranch Wetlands - April 10, 2010

Trip Leader: Kathy Oakes
The weather was great, the wind stayed still, and 47 species of birds (listed below) were on hand to greet 13 delighted birders for Saturday’s half-day visit to the Damonte Ranch wetlands. The Marsh Wrens, Red-winged Blackbirds, and Yellow-headed Blackbirds joined in three-part harmony to entertain us all.

The highlight of the trip was a very cooperative American Bittern, which we watched for quite a while, first flying low over the marsh, then standing head up in the classic bittern pose, and then when relaxed walking and hunting. Through the scope we could see white feathers on each “shoulder” of the bird, almost looking like he was wearing a short white cape. None of the many field guides we had among us showed such white feathers. When we got home, one of the participants found mention of such plumage in Ryser’s Birds of the Great Basin, which states: “When defending his territory or advertising, the male may expose two white tufts of feathers, which are ‘attached to the skin on each side of the breast near where the humerus enters the body and beneath the shoulder of the folded wing by which they are ordinarily concealed. These feathers are erected during display; as they rise above the shoulders these ruffs spread toward each other at right angles to the long axis of the bird’s body until, at their bases, they nearly meet in the center of the back.” Wow, although I have gotten good looks at a few American Bitterns, I have never seen these white feathers. This guy (we assume from Ryser that it was a male) was really showing off.

Pied-billed Grebe
American Bittern
Great Blue Heron
Canada Goose
Gadwall
Mallard
Cinnamon Teal
Green-winged Teal
Northern Shoveler
Northern Pintail
Canvasback
Redhead
Ring-necked Duck
Lesser Scaup
Bufflehead
Common Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Northern Harrier
Red-tailed Hawk
Turkey Vulture
California Quail
American Coot
Killdeer
Black-necked Stilt
American Avocet
Willet
Long-billed Dowitcher
Ring-billed Gull
California Gull
Mourning Dove
Rock Dove
Say’s Phoebe
Tree Swallow
Violet-green Swallow
Barn Swallow
Marsh Wren
European Starling
Savannah Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Brewer’s Blackbird
Yellow-headed Blackbird
Great-tailed Grackle
House Finch
Lesser Goldfinch
House Sparrow

Virginia Lake, May 22, 2010

Field trip leader: Jacque Lowery
On a chilly, blustery morning a group of novice birders set out on a stroll around Virginia Lake. The Mute Swan was present along with untold numbers of gulls. It was a good opportunity to point out differing plumages of immature and adult gulls, along with breeding field marks. Several Common Mergansers brought a discussion about the wide variance of plumage between males and females of many duck species. In the trees along the west side we encountered not one, but four, male Western Tanagers very engrossed in foraging for insects. We had very close looks at these beautiful guys and there were lots of oohs and aahs. Other sightings that produced interest and excitement were all the cormorants, young and adult, on the island; two pair of nesting Snowy Egrets; a pair of Ruddy Ducks; a lone Lesser Scaup; and, to cap off the morning, several good looks at a Western Wood Peewee on the west side

Porter Springs - June 5, 2010

Field Trip leader: Don Molde

A baker's dozen birders traveled to Porter Springs...about 30 miles northwest of Lovelock...for an outing on a beautiful day. A couple of pronghorns and a nice gopher snake that, unfortunately, didn't survive an encounter with a car were seen on the way in and out. We also recorded one flat tire on the return trip.

At the site, there were numerous Western Tanagers, lots of Western Wood- Pewees, a couple of Bullock's orioles, a Sora in the big pond, Brewers and Red-winged blackbirds, and a few other species. Other notable migrants were not present, though the habitat conditions were fairly impressive and water is plentiful.

While birding was the primary focus, several of the group new to the site commented favorably on the vistas, solitude, greenness of the desert vegetation, and the remoteness of the location as additional attractants of note.

Sierra Valley, November 13, 2010. Leader, Alan Gubanich

Twenty-five people braved a chilly November morning but a wonderful birding adventure in Sierra Vally, CA, on a trip co-sponsored by LAS and the Nevada Museum of Art (in conjunction with the JJ Audubon watercolor exhibit at the Museum). At least 10 new faces joined a number of LAS regulars because they heard about the trip through the Museum of Art. And, as the saying goes, a wonderful morning was had by all! The wintering raptors were well on display, as the group saw numerous examples of first-year and adult Red-tailed Hawks, several Ferruginous and Rough-legged Hawks, two Prairie Falcons, three Northern Harriers, two American Kestrels, and one Golden Eagle, which soared tantalizingly close over the group. But even more obliging were the Red-tailed and Ferruginous Hawks sitting so close on the telephone poles and fence posts that photographing them was almost too easy. Then to add to the fun was, first, an actual place for a pit stop (!) at the newly-opened Magdalena Ranch on A-24, then a visit to the Green Gulch Ranch where our host, Kerstin Harrison and her 18-month old daughter Evelyn, greeted us and led us around the grounds. A Great Horned Owl in one barn, and a Barn Owl flying from another, were the highlights of the day for some (along with several llamas, one of which did some spitting -- just ask Christiane). Birding the pond on the ranch added American Coot, Common Merganser, Eared Grebe, Bufflehead, Ring-necked Duck and Lesser Scaup to the day’s total. Include several of the usual songbirds in the Valley, and the group ended with 23 species for the day. About half the people then traveled to Sierraville for a delicious lunch at highly-recommended Los Dos Hermanos. A fine morning indeed! Thanks are due to Jim Woods for arranging the visit to the Ranch, and to the many Musuem of Art members who joined us and gave generous donations to LAS. Welcome to all of them, and we hope to see you at more LAS events

For some photos of the trip please visit this photo gallery.

Sierra Valley Expedition, Saturday, November 21, 2009

Alan Gubanich, Trip Leader
As the song goes during this time of year: "Oh the weather outside is frightful, but inside by the fire it's delightful..." Well, we weren't inside by a fire, but the entire trip to Sierra Valley was definitely delightful, despite the "frightful" weather (snow and rain) the day before. The day dawned clear and cold, and, yes, Sierra Valley was covered in snow (3 to 4 inches?) but the roads were plowed, the driving was easy, and the birding was delightful, at least as far as raptors were concerned. Twenty-two of us caravaned along Dyson Lane, A-24, and Heriot Lane before enjoying a delightful lunch at Los Dos Hermanos in Sierraville (did I say the day was delightful?). In the morning we spotted at least 27 raptors, including 2 adult Bald Eagles, 2 Golden Eagles, 10+ Red-tailed Hawks, 3 Rough-legged Hawks, 2 American Kestrels, 3 Ferruginous Hawks (with great frontal looks at the last one), 1 Northern Harrier and 4 unidentified buteos. Other birds included the usual magpies, meadowlarks, ravens, White-crowned Sparrows, Horned Larks, and so on (22 species total for the day). Noticeably absent were the waterfowl. The ponds and streams were mostly frozen, so we can only assume these birds were elsewhere -- only 8 Canada Goose and 4 American Coots for the day. But perhaps the best part of the day came after lunch. Seven of us continued until around 6:00 pm. After an uneventful walk in the woods on the west side of the valley (garnering only 2 Steller's Jays and 1 American Kestrel, but walking through a winter wonderland) we found at least 3 more Red-tailed Hawks and 1 more American Kestrel along Marble Hot Springs Road, for a total of 32 raptors for the day. But the biggest surprise was discovering 2 Short-eared Owls around 4:30 or 5:00 pm, flying around in a field on the west side of Heriot Lane. One landed on a fencepost so we could get a positive ID (see the photo on the website). All in all, just another example of how the weather should never frighten you off from a birding trip -- it may be frightful, but the birding is more often than not delightful!

To view photos from the trip please visit the Sierra Valley 09 Photo page

October 24, 2009 - Carson Valley Sparrow Walk

Leader: Jim Woods
The Sparrow Walk went off after the migrants had gone. At the end of the day only 19 species were recorded and are listed here: Mallard, Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel, Prairie Falcon, Rock Pigeon, Downey Woodpecker, Bewick's Wren, White Crowned Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, California Quail, European Starling, Black-billed Magpie, Brewer's Blackbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, Meadow Lark and Great Blue Heron. Eight of us put in an effort to find the many sparrow species that migrate through the area, but apparently, with the light northerly breezes at night, the flocks had flown. In his down home way, Mr. Randy Walstrum, the local Large Animal Vet, provided the true highlight of the day. That being serving coffee to the entire group as we worked our way past his home. He was the best of the valley on a nice fall day.

May 30, 2009 - Virginia Lake for Beginning Birders

A group of 10 including two children took a leisurely stroll around Virginia Lake on Saturday morning. There was quite a variety of birds for this time of year and lots of young ones. Several Canada Geese families showed our group everything from downy to almost fully feathered goslings; there was one Mallard with eight new ducklings. On the island we were able to easily see gull and cormorant babies in various stages of development. Other highlights were a single Cinnamon Teal, Western Grebe, and Common Merganser, a Gadwall pair, California and Ring-billed Gulls in mature and immature plumages. The truly special sighting was not one, not two, but FOUR Snowy Egret nests on the island. Two were sitting on eggs, one pair were fussing with one egg in a nest, and another pair was just completing the construction of their nest. It is interesting how that island is used—the gulls and cormorants are almost ready to leave their breeding ground, and the egrets are just getting started. As one of our group noted “they are taking shifts in using the island”.

THANKS TO OUR WASHOE LAKE VOLUNTEERS

To see the kids' excitement was more than enough reward for the 19 volunteers who helped with the Washoe Lake field trips this season, but I still want to say THANK YOU to all of them. We hosted 6 field trips from late April through May, with almost 250 Washoe County school kids participating from grades 3 through 5 (plus lots of parents!). Two of the 5 schools took advantage of Travel Grants from LAS to help cover transportation costs. Because the lake is low this year and the wetlands where we normally meet are dry, we shifted our focus to the Day Use Area in Washoe Lake State Park. The results were spectacular! Lots of birds and plenty of nests: American Kestrels, Barn Swallows, Tree Swallows, American Robins, Bullock's Orioles, Brewer's Blackbirds, European Starlings, California Quail, and many more. To say the kids enjoyed themselves would be an understatement -- many claimed it was the best field trip they'd ever been on! And all of it was due to the enthusiasm and professionalism of our volunteers, so thanks again to all of you: Sue Stevenson, John Schulte, Linda Badzioch, Ron Conkey, Jacque Lowery, John Ramos, Pat King (our new Plant Lady!), Teresa Gubanich, Margaret Hill, Jackie Spacek, Laura Gibson and her son Nick, Stephanie Sander, Kenn and Georgia Rohrs, Alice Jones, Don Lauer, Dave Carneggie, Diane McAllister, and, or course, Terri Ozawa from the Washoe Lake State Park. All of you deserve a big salute for your donation of time and energy, and we hope to see you back again next year.

Volunteers

Volunteer

Students

To see a larger size photo, click on the photo. Photos by Alan Gubanich.

Strolling the Truckee River - Saturday, June 13, 2009

A group of 16 birders took a tour of the evening birds on the Truckee River at Rock Park. The start of the tour was delayed an hour but it was time well spent listening to the rain on a tin roof while watching 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 as singing the evening songs. We had a total of 33 species. One of the highlights being a recently fledged Great Horned Owl being mobbed by robins and blackbirds. My thanks to Janet Helton and the tour members that made this a special evening.

Jim Woods

Paige Meadows - Saturday, June 20, 2009

I lead a group to Paige Meadows, near Tahoe City, CA on Saturday, June 20th for the Lahontan Audubon Society and the Tahoe Rim Trail. We had a great group of 11 people and it 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.

Kirk Hardy

Porter Springs - Sunday, June 21, 2009

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. However, there was cloudiness, wind, a few raindrops, and a road that had minor washout 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, etc. 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!

Don Molde

Sheldon NWR - June 19-21, 2009

The total number of people was near 60, mostly Friends of Nevada Wilderness members. FONW provided dinner on Saturday and breakfast on Saturday and Sunday. There was much discussion of the new Comprehensive Conservation Planning effort around the campfire. We had 8 work teams out removing fence, posting the refuge boundary, and building fence around springs to keep the wild horses from damaging them. The refuge received a lot of spring rain and looked exceptionally green and lush. The work teams were rained and hailed upon on Saturday but still accomplished all the work that was planned.

Michael Goddard

June, 26-28, 2009 - Unionville Field Trip Report

In 1997 Kenn Kaufmann published his now-famous book "Kingbird Highway." For the 14 of us who traveled to Unionville, NV for a birding weekend in late June, that title would aptly describe our experience along the Unionville road -- Western Kingbirds everywhere! Our group found at least 6 Kingbird nests that weekend, plus a "Kingbird condominium" (3 Kingbird nests in the same tree, but not noticeably active) at the entrance to the office of the Old Pioneer Garden Country Inn. Throw in American Robins, House Sparrows, House Finches, Cassin's Finches, Bullock's Orioles, Brewer's Blackbirds, and a few Lark Sparrows, Mourning Doves and Eurasian Collared Doves, and the road through Unionville was indeed a birdy place. During our walks through Wilson Canyon, Star Canyon and Straight Canyon, Yellow Warblers, Lazuli Buntings, and Warbling Vireos took center stage, along with Spotted Towhees. And an immature Eagle (Golden? -- but look at the photo -- Bald??) being chased by a Northern Harrier and a Cooper's Hawk provided a bit of excitement on Saturday morning. In all, the group saw 39 species and heard a possible 40th (House Wren). And, as usual, the hospitality, accommodations and food provided by the folks at the Old Pioneer Garden Country Inn are unmatched -- if you've never been there, you must go! It's like stepping back in time, and birding is simply icing on the cake. We hope to make this an annual event and hope more of you can join us in future years. -- Alan Gubanich, organizer and trip leader

Unionville Group

To see a larger size photo, click on the photo. To view more photos from the trip please visit the Unionville 09 Photo Gallery - Photos by Alan Gubanich.

Birding and Batting - Saturday, July 11, 2009

Last Saturday a determined group of 12 adventurous folks enjoyed the Nevada weather (by waiting 5 minutes) and had a great time strolling the Truckee. The dust storm at Rock Park literally blew the crowds away and stopped just in time for the tour to start. The weather then treated us all to a fire-fall sunset through the departing rainstorm. The birds were in short supply and consisted mostly of the expected species but nonetheless the birds provided the adventure of seeking them out and identifying them via their calls and songs. The second part of the tour was to meet Bob Goodman at the McCarran Bridge to watch the Brazilian Free-tailed Bats take off for the night's feeding. Bob gave a very good presentation on bats in general and led a fun and informative discussion on everything else about the McCarran bat colony. Under the bridge in the narrow joints, we got to see hundreds of roosting bats. Hard to observe, but we learned that along with the Brazilians there were Small Brown Bats and Large Brown Bats (really). The sight of thousands of bats departing into the fading sunset over the Truckee is a sight we all need to see. Thanks to Bob Goodman and LAS for another great tour.

Jim Woods

January 19, 2008 Taylor Creek /Cove East Snowshoe Trip, SLT

Leaders: Sue Stevenson and Sheryl Ferguson
Thirteen hardy birdwatchers hit the hard, crunchy, SNOWY trails at Taylor Creek on snowshoes and X-country skis in search of winter birds. A Belted Kingfisher, Downy Woodpecker, and Townsend's Solitaire all posed as each bird watcher skied or snow- shoed up to the scopes. Other winter residents included Pygmy Nuthatch, Clark's Nutcracker, Red-shafted Flicker, Common Raven, and Black-billed Magpie. There was "sign" of American Dipper on the rocks in the Creek under the bridge, but no Dipper appeared. A Greater White-fronted Goose was spotted by Lynn Harriman. It was feeding on a patch of grass at the mouth of Taylor Creek. Mallard, Common Merganser, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Gadwall, Hooded Merganser, Canada Goose, American Coot, Pied-billed Grebe, Ruddy Duck, California, Ring-billed, and Herring Gull, and Red-tailed Hawk brought the list total to twenty-four. For those Reno folks who caucused on 1/19/08, we welcome you to call and arrange to winter bird with us at some other more convenient time.

~ Sue Stevenson 530.577.5394

Saturday, February 9, 2008, Raptors in the Nile Valley/Lovelock Trip

Leaders: Debbie and Randy Pontius
We had a spectacular response to this newly re-offered LAS trip. Thirty people attended, including several first time birders, and we had to turn away another 12! The weather was beautiful and wet everyone's whistle for spring birding. Even though it was a large group, we saw plenty of raptors with great photo opportunities for Rough-legged, Ferruginous and Red-tailed Hawks. We had close-up looks of several Great-horned Owl pairs. Our resident partial albino Red-tailed hawk was obliging and although it took a while to find him, he did give us a look. We finished up the trip with an unexpected treat of a flock of about 15 Bohemian waxwings, probably moved from Rye Patch where they were spotted last month. And for those that attended, Randy and I spotted a Merlin just as we pulled into our own driveway at home after lunch! Below are some pictures from our tour in Lovelock. They are credited to Cabby Bloss and this is the link to her website: www.capturedbycabby.com

Bohemian Waxwing

Bohemian Waxwings

Great Horned Owl

Photos by Cabby Bloss - www.capturedbycabby.com

Saturday, March 22, 2008, Sierra Valley Field Trip

Leader: Alan Gubanich
Migration was definitely in full swing when 20 of us ventured to Sierra Valley for a great day of birding. The weather was wonderful and so was the viewing -- 37 species for the day, with some great looks at Sandhill Cranes, White Pelicans, Bald Eagles, Tundra Swans, and much more. Some winter residents were still around: 3 Bald Eagles, 3 Rough-legged Hawks and 6 Tundra Swans, but the highlight of the day was over 100 Sandhill Cranes soaring over our heads while we were on Hariot Lane and Marble Hot Springs Road. Several landed in the fields along Marble Hot Springs Road and gave us nice views through the spotting scopes. Unfortunately, for those who left after lunch, but fortunately for the 4 of us who stayed, two separate pairs of Cranes walked within 50 to 60 yards of us as we backtracked along Marble Hot Springs Road -- fantastic close looks! Other migrants included at least 7 White-fronted Geese, 50 or more Tree Swallows, 9 American White Pelicans, 5 Long-billed Curlews, 2 Willets, 3 Greater Yellowlegs and 20 or so American Avocets. Horned Larks were the second highlight of the day for some birders (oh well, whatever), while the rest of us enjoyed the melodious tones of Sage Thrashers, Red-winged Blackbirds, Western Meadowlarks and Horned Larks, all proclaiming the arrival of Spring.

Sierra Valley Birders

Sandhill Cranes

Photos by Alan Gubanich

Saturday, April 12, 2008 - Damonte Ranch Wetlands

Leader: Kathy Oakes
The great weather that we ordered brought out a lot of birders-29 people showed up for a half-day visit to the Damonte Ranch wetlands! We had shirtsleeves weather as early as 8:00 A.M. and no wind. We saw a total of 40 species. Highlights of the trip were great views of an American Bittern and a Wilson's Snipe, as well as very cooperative Marsh Wrens, who stayed visible at the top of cattails singing, allowing everyone a close look. Usually these little guys stay hidden or just pop up for a maddening few seconds. Maybe the wrens were appreciating the sunshine as much as the birders. Following is a list of species observed: Eared Grebe, American Bittern, Canada Goose, Gadwall, American Widgeon, Mallard, Cinnamon Teal, Green-winged Teal, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Bufflehead, Common Merganser, Ruddy Duck, Northern Harrier, Red-tailed Hawk, Turkey Vulture, California Quail, American Coot, Killdeer, Black-necked Stilt, American Avocet, Willet, Wilson's Snipe, Ring-billed Gull, California Gull, Mourning Dove, Say's Phoebe, Barn Swallow, Cliff Swallow, Marsh Wren, European Starling, Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, House Finch, House Sparrow.

Saturday, May 17, 2008 - McCarran Ranch

Leader: Elizabeth Ammon
We had a couple of great trips to McCarran Ranch, approximately 10 miles east of Sparks, on Saturday, May 17 and Sunday, May 18. Participants of the Lahontan Audubon trip on Saturday were Pey-Yi Lee, Nlin Chae Kim, John Ide, Kenn and Georgia Rohrs, Karol McClellan, Mar Siddall, Norma Eldridge, and Joya Hamblin. Sunday's McCarran Ranch open house event included many fun folks whose name I didn't write down :-( The weather was hot both days (mid-90s), and spirits were great. It was very birdy, but the birds seemed as caught by surprise by the heat wave as we were. Following is the combined list for both days in alphabetical order: American Kestrel, American Robin, Bank Swallow, Barn Swallow, Bewick's Wren, Black-billed Magpie, Black-headed Grosbeak, Brewer's Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird Bullock's Oriole, California Gull, California Quail, Canada Goose, Cinnamon Teal, Cliff Swallow, Common Merganser, Double-crested Cormorant, Downy Woodpecker, European Starling, Great Blue Heron, House Finch, House Sparrow, House Wren, Killdeer, Lazuli Bunting, Lesser Goldfinch, Mallard, Mourning Dove, Northern (Red-shafted) Flicker, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Red-tailed Hawk (nest with two chicks), Red-winged Blackbird, Ring-billed Gull, Snowy Egret, Song Sparrow, Turkey Vulture, Warbling Vireo, Western Kingbird, Western Wood-Pewee, Wilson's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-headed Blackbird.

June 14, 2008 - Thomas Creek, east side of the Carson Range

Leader: Alan de Queiroz
Twelve of us spent the morning birding the trail along Thomas Creek upstream from Timberline Drive and then back down on the road that parallels the creek. This is a nice riparian area of aspen, cottonwood, alder, and willow with Jeffrey pine and mountain mahogany on the slopes above. The group was Meg Andrews, Jim and Meg Wallace, Al and Judy Frederick, Helaine Greenberg and Larry Hardy, Don Lauer, Karol McClellan, Mar Siddall, Mary Jo Elpers, and I. It was a warm, sunny morning and the birds were in the full swing of breeding. A highlight was seeing a Red-breasted Sapsucker at close range repeatedly flycatching and collecting the insects in its beak, presumably to feed to its mate or young. We also saw a female Western Tanager on a nest in a Jeffrey pine, a chubby Lesser Goldfinch fledgling begging for food from its mother, a Chipping Sparrow very nonchalantly gathering nesting material on the trail, and a Mountain Chickadee taking food to a nest cavity. We had brief views of a MacGillivray's Warbler and a Townsend's Solitaire and terrible backlit looks at a Plumbeous or Cassin's Vireo. The numbers of Red-breasted Sapsuckers and Western Tanagers were extraordinary - about 4 or 5 sapsuckers and at least a dozen tanagers. Western Wood-Pewees, Cassin's Finches, and Warbling Vireos were almost everywhere. There were also quite a few Black-headed Grosbeaks although we only had a long look at one. We saw 23 species in all and enjoyed a nice walk along the creek.

June 20-22, 2008 - Unionville Birding and B&B

Leader: Alan Gubanich
Alan Gubanich led a delightful weekend trip for LAS to Unionville over the June 20 weekend. We stayed at the Old Pioneer Gardens Bed and Breakfast; a great place to sleep, eat, and bird. A few folks stayed at the tree-filled campground up the road. We had over twenty fun folks and our 52 species bird list includes sightings seen by people off on their own in the area surrounding Unionville, and by the group as a whole. The Calliope Hummingbird was seen at feeders east of Lovelock at a lush desert oasis home belonging to friends of Randy and Debbie Pontius. Debbie organized an informational packet for everyone in the group that included interesting Unionville/Lovelock history, ideas of places to visit and things to do in Northern Nevada, as well as a few maps. Some highlights of the trip are as follows:

Three juvenile Golden Eagles soaring over the cliffs of Straight Canyonproviding everyone with long lasting incredible views. Straight Canyon is one of two canyon trails leading off from the end of Unionville's only road.
More gorgeous Lazuli Buntings posing for photo ops than anyone would believe.
A female Black-chinned Hummingbird sitting on her nest outside one of the B&B houses
An educational tour of Safe Haven Rescue Zoo, a nonprofit 160 acre sanctuary providing lifelong care for animals who can no longer live in the wild. Heartbreaking and heartwarming stories were told and we had theexciting privilege of sharing dinnertime with a tiger. (We're all still here.) They are located just north of Unionville at the entrance to Star Canyon.
Flowers galore, great rock formations and colors, trees and more along good canyon trails
One glorious evening storm replete with a drenching downpour and reminiscent of a southwestern monsoon

Unionville is a great "new" birding spot and getaway. It is located in the Humbolt Range off State HWY 400. The exit for State HWY 400 is about 30 miles west of Winnemucca off I80 at the Mill City exit #149. Many thanks to Alan for leading a whole weekend of great birding and "photoing" trip.

~ Christiane Omer

Please visit the Photo Gallery for the 2008 Unionville Field Trip

52 species
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
California Quail (Callipepla californica)
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)
Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus)
Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii)
Swainson's Hawk (Buteo swainsoni)
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)
Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)
American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)
Prairie Falcon (Falco mexicanus)
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus)
Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americanus)
Rock Pigeon (Columba livia)
Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto)
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)
Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor)
Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri)
Calliope Hummingbird (Stellula calliope)
Gray Flycatcher (Empidonax wrightii)
Say's Phoebe (Sayornis saya)
Western Kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis)
Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus)
Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus)
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)
Common Raven (Corvus corax)
Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris)
Violet-green Swallow (Tachycineta thalassina)
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)
Rock Wren (Salpinctes obsoletus)
Bewick's Wren (Thryomanes bewickii)
House Wren (Troglodytes aedon)
Marsh Wren (Cistothorus palustris)
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)
Yellow Warbler (Dendroica petechia)
Western Tanager (Piranga ludoviciana)
Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus)
Lark Sparrow (Chondestes grammacus)
Sage Sparrow (Amphispiza belli)
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)
Black-headed Grosbeak (Pheucticus melanocephalus)
Lazuli Bunting (Passerina amoena)
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)
Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta)
Brewer's Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus)
Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater)
Bullock's Oriole (Icterus bullockii)
Cassin's Finch (Carpodacus cassinii)
House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus)
Pine Siskin (Carduelis pinus)
Lesser Goldfinch (Carduelis psaltria)
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)

June 28, 2008 - Birding and Wildflower Trip, Tahoe City, CA

Leader: Richard Carlson
In spite of the smoke, 12 people showed up for the trip at 7:30 a.m. in Tahoe City. In this unusual year, both birds and flowers were in mid-summer mode, great for the flowers, but a bit quiet for the birds. We started at Blackwood Canyon's first meadow, where Wilson's, Nashville & MacGillivray's warblers sang lustily but mostly hid successfully. A lovely Willow Flycatcher, two Golden-crowned Kinglets and a male Calliope hummer posed for the group. Flowers were in full bloom, including Rein Orchids. A cooperative Red-breasted Sapsucker came by and also posed. We then went to Baker Pass, where a huge Sierra Club Group scared off the birds, but we still found Cassin's Finches and many Skyrocket Gilia. Farther down Blackwood we hiked into Ellis Canyon where only the earliest flowers -- Shooting Stars-- were out but we did finally see a lovely but characteristically silent Pine Grosbeak. Thanks to Don Harriman for spotting him. The Grosbeak initially hid in the branches with only part of his head showing, but after we griped enough the bird finally came out to give us full views. We then went to Ward Canyon where we ate amidst fields of Mules ears, Paintbrush and Mariposa Lilies while Lazuli Buntings serenaded us. We had ideal views of a male Mountain Bluebird. Finally, the last few unexhausted souls went up the Squaw tram where a male Gray-crowned Rosy Finch showed up on cue at Silverado chairlift. The smoke stayed down at lake level leaving the high country beautiful all day.

Lahontan Audubon Society Annual Summer Retreat

Well, it's not all partying and bird-watching for the officers, board members (Trustees) and committee chairs of the Lahontan Audubon Society (LAS). Even this group has to endure all-day meetings, such as the annual LAS Retreat and Planning Session, which was held this past July 13 at Red Hawk Resort in Reno. The morning session was led masterfully by Trustee Gene Hansel, who guided the group on wide-ranging discussions about where we would like LAS to go over the next five years: where are we now and where do we want to be? President Karen Kish then took charge of the afternoon session and in her usual efficient manner led the members on discussions of their individual committee's needs and accomplishments. It was a lively and exciting day -- everyone left feeling energized and enthusiastic about not only what LAS has accomplished but about the exciting possibilities for all of us in the future. And then some of us actually went birding at the end of the day!

Please visit the 2008 Retreat Photo Gallery

July, 19, 2008 - Washoe Lake

Leader: Steve Ting
We had a very nice morning trip to the Washoe Lake Wetlands area on the South end of the Lake. Water levels are down from previous years which limited the number of species and individuals seen, but we still had a good variety to observe. Highlights included a Osprey fly over, American White Pelicans displaying their feeding behavior and a great look at a pair of Virginia Rail chicks that appeared to have just fledged. Species list below.
~Steve Ting

Canada Goose
Gadwall
Mallard
Cinnamon Teal
Northern Shoveler
Ruddy Duck
California Quail
Clark's Grebe
American White Pelican
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
Black-crowned Night-Heron
White-faced Ibis
Osprey
Northern Harrier
Virginia Rail
American Coot
Killdeer
Black-necked Stilt
Spotted Sandpiper
Wilson's Snipe
Ring-billed Gull
Violet-green Swallow
Barn Swallow
Marsh Wren
European Starling
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Western Meadowlark
Yellow-headed Blackbird
Brewer's Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird

October 11, 2008 - Taylor Creek/Cove East, SLT

Leaders: Sue Stevenson and Sheryl Ferguson

The sixteen birdwatchers who joined together under gray skies and endured below freezing temperatures to witness fall birding along the Taylor Creek salmon run were not disappointed. A mature Bald Eagle, Red-shouldered Hawk, and Cooper’s Hawk were the first sightings for the day. Later, a Prairie Falcon was spotted. The woodlands produced a Downy Woodpecker, Mountain Chickadees, White-breasted Nuthatch, Pygmy Nuthatches, and Steller's Jays. Ruby-crowned Kinglets, White-crowned Sparrows, Spotted Towhee and Audubon's Warblers appeared briefly as they fed and quickly returned to the shelter of the willows. Occasionally the sunshine broke through and warmed the birders and lit the snowy mountains. In Taylor Creek, Common Mergansers chased fish and Mallards stirred up fish eggs. Large schools of Kokanee salmon rested in the pools, forming undulating masses of blue-green and salmon color. Fresh bear scat, half-eaten salmon, and claw marks on the aspen confirmed the presence of black bear at the creek this season. Sheryl worked hard to find the final bird of the morning, a White-headed Woodpecker, a "lifer" for some of the group.

At Cove East, we counted ducks: American Widgeon, Green-winged Teal, Ring-necked Duck, Rudy Duck, and Gadwall along with American Coots, Pied-billed Grebe, Eared Grebe, and Double-crested Cormorant. Flocks of Red-winged and Brewer's Blackbirds and American Robins flew over. However, it was the raptor behavior that stole the show in the afternoon: Northern Harriers hunting, a Golden Eagle soaring high overhead, Redtails kiting in the wind, and accipiters interacting with Steller's Jays, American Magpies, and Northern Flickers. A Red-shouldered Hawk devoured a mouse and then flew right over our heads and perched closely for excellent looks. Finally, a juvenile White-tailed Kite made its appearance. At the lake, American Pipits flocked, and Killdeer fed at the water's edge. White-fronted Geese fed in the pools near the river's mouth. In the grasses along the trail, White-crowned, Golden-crowned and Savannah Sparrows, Western Meadowlarks and Audubon's Warblers, appeared and disappeared, blending in with the rabbit brush. Around 4:30 pm, the windblown, ruddy- cheeked birders said good-bye and headed back to Reno. Don and Lynn Harriman and Sue made one last stop at a lagoon in the Keys and added Lesser Scaup, Redhead, Northern Shoveler, Scrub Jay, and Red-breasted Sapsucker to the list. One last mystery raptor flew out of sight: small, fast, dark...."was it a Merlin?" We tallied 52 species.

November 1, 2008, Damonte Ranch Wetlands

Leader: Kathy Oakes

Eight brave individuals showed up on a blustery morning with threat of rain for a half-day look at the Damonte Ranch Wetlands. Highlights of the trip were great close-up views of several waterfowl, including Green-winged Teal, Ring-necked Duck, Northern Shoveler, Ruddy Duck, and Common Merganser. Raptors included Northern Harrier, Red-tailed Hawk, and American Kestrel. Other nice sightings were a Great Blue Heron, a Greater Yellowlegs, and a Pied-billed Grebe. The full list is below:

Pied-Billed Grebe
Great Blue Heron
Canada Goose
Gadwall Mallard
Green-winged Teal
Northern Shoveler
Ring-necked Duck
Common Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Northern Harrier
Red-tailed Hawk
American Kestrel
California Quail
American Coot
Greater Yellowlegs
Ring-billed Gull
California Gull
Rock Dove (pigeon)
American Crow
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Brewer’s Blackbird
House Sparrow

Saturday, November 8, 2008 Sierra Valley, CA

Leader: Alan Gubanich

What could be better -- a gorgeous Fall day, lots of raptors, a delicious lunch, and a wayward duck with an interracial girl friend! Who could ask for anything more?? Fifteen of us enjoyed a wonderful morning watching Red-tailed, Ferruginous and Rough-legged Hawks in Sierra Valley along with 4 eagles (probably all Golden, but most too far out to be sure), American Kestrels, Northern Harriers and a great display by a Prairie Falcon crisscrossing Harriot Lane. At least 12 Tundra Swans and a huge flock (100+) of Green-winged Teal were also spotted, along with the usual land birds (magpies, ravens, quail, and so on) -- all of these before 11:00 am. The biggest surprise, however, was the total lack of birds along Marble Hot Springs Road and the iron bridge -- absolutely NOTHING! No waterfowl, no raptors, no land birds, nothing -- first time I've ever seen it so devoid of bird life. So, we headed south earlier than planned and had a delicious meal at Los Dos Hombres in Sierraville, fully intending to pursue more avian life after lunch. However, in came the predicted rainstorm from the west so most of the group headed east out of the valley and over to Sky Vista Pond, west of Swan Lake. There, amidst a host of Canada Geese and Mallards, we found one American Wigeon and the often-reported male Wood Duck, patrolling next to his Mallard girlfriend, whom he obviously defended against any and all neighboring Mallards. Then we were off to the Swan Lake sewage ponds where Eared Grebes, geese and 5 species of ducks were found. By then the incoming rain had found us so we high-tailed it for home. In all, at least 22 species for the day.

Please visit the Photo Gallery from this trip.

Saturday, November 15, 2008 Sparks/Spanish Springs

Leaders: Christiane Omer and Alan Wallace

The Lahontan Audubon Society sponsored a field trip today in Sparks at Red Hawk Golf Course. It was a beautiful fall day with lots of sunshine and peel off the layers warmth. Eighteen birders trekked for a few hours between the tees and discovered 38 species of birds. The highlight (for me) was seeing my first Red-shouldered Hawk here in Wingfield Springs. This juvenile hawk brings our species count to 121 during our 4.5 years of living here. We really had great views of most of the birds, which was swell. Other highlights included two coyotes, one real, the other not so much, and a muskrat. The group enjoyed another tasty lunch at David's Grill after our walk. Thanks to everyone for a wonderful day, but especially thanks to Alan Wallace who co led the trip (filling in for Quentin Browne), and to Alan Gubanich both of whom provided good laughs (with them not at them) and valuable insight to bird ID. Also, thanks to Red Hawk for allowing us to be on the cart trails a little past opening.

Please visit the Photo Gallery from this trip.

Canada Goose
Gadwall
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser
Ruddy Duck
California Quail
Pied-billed Grebe
Great Blue Heron
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Northern Harrier
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
American Kestrel
American Coot
Greater Yellowlegs
Least Sandpiper
Long-billed Dowitcher
Ring-billed Gull
California Gull
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Belted Kingfisher
Northern Flicker
Western Scrub-Jay
Marsh Wren
European Starling
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Song Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Great-tailed Grackle
House Finch
Lesser Goldfinch
House Sparrow

September 15, 2007 - Oxbow

Leader: Dave Jickling
About 20 people showed up for a leisurely two hour stroll along the Truckee River at the Oxbow Nature Study Area. The morning started a little cool but soon heated up as we watched a Northern Flicker, Hairy Woodpecker and Downy Woodpecker all in the same cottonwood trees. A large flock of migrating swallows flew high over our heads as we got wonderful looks at a pair of immature Cooper's Hawks that were "playing" with each other, chasing about through the tress. Later one of the pair perched just 30 feet off the trail and posed patiently for us, giving plenty of viewing time and lots of picture taking opportunities. All in all a fine day for a bird walk with 26 species seen or heard.
~Dave Jickling

September 16, 2007 - Markleeville

Leader: Jim Woods
Jim Woods led a wonderful trip at Markleeville and Grover Hot Springs! It was a beautiful day with deep blue skies and temperatures in the 70's. The seven of us had a great time trekking through forest and meadow with some very dramatic mountain views. Mike Goddard came in from Fallon to join us and share his expertise. Highlights were White Headed Woodpecker, Red-breasted Sapsucker, American Dipper, Clark's Nutcracker, Black Phoebe, Williamson's Sapsucker, and a Warbling Vireo. Moving on to Pleasant Valley, we birded along the river. Highlights were a Hammond's Flycatcher, and a Sharp Shinned Hawk. There were also some good-sized Rainbow Trout moseying along the river. We wrapped up the day and went back to Markleeville where we indulged in good food, drinks, and great conversation. Thanks to you all for making it a special trip.
~Janet Hudson

October 13, 2007 - Taylor Creek, CA

Leaders: Sue Stevenson and Sheryl Ferguson Sheryl Ferguson, Sue Stevenson, and Don and Lynn Harriman of South Lake Tahoe shared two of their favorite birding areas with twelve Lahontan Audubon members who came great distances to enjoy the breathtaking views of autumn color and distant snow covered peaks, the spawning Kokanee Salmon at Taylor Creek, and forty-seven species of migrating and fall Tahoe birds. Temperatures were near freezing in the morning as the group looked out over the marsh at several Great Blue Heron perched in the dead trees, as well as a Black-crowned Heron, and Red-tail Hawk. Special Tahoe birds included the White-headed Woodpecker, Pygmy Nuthatches, Clark's Nutcrackers, Mountain Chicadees, both Kinglets, a flock of Cedar Waxwings, and a Kingfisher flyby. We were entertained at the creek by a very talkative Raven, and the antics of the Mallards and Common Mergansers feeding on salmon eggs. At Cove East we had several duck species, the Eared, Pied-billed, and Western Grebes. In the grassy areas and among the lodgepoles there were White-crowned and Chipping Sparrows, Scrub Jays, Western Meadowlarks, Dark-eyed Juncos, Cassin's Finches, and other more common species, all on guard as the Northern Harriers and a Sharp-shinned Hawk passed by. The highlight of the day was the sighting of a "vagrant" Burrowing Owl that flushed out of some rocks and willows along the Cove East trail.
~ Sue Stevenson

October 20, 2007 - Wetlands Trip, Fallon

Leader: Mike Goddard
I had nine people on the tour. We went to S-line reservoir, Harmon Reservoir, Foxtail Lake (refuge), and Indian Lakes. We saw many waterfowl including Canada Goose, American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal, Mallard, Gadwall, Ruddy Duck, Northern Pintail, and a lot of Canvasback at Foxtail Lake. The new wetlands at the refuge entrance, just east of Stillwater Townsite, had a lot of waterfowl feeding in the flooded alkali weeds. We didn't see them until we drove by, then they came up out of the weeds like a huge cloud of giant mosquitoes. Thank God they didn't attack us! American Coot outnumbered everything else. We also saw Black-crowned Night Heron, Clark's, Eared, and Pied-billed Grebe, Common Moorhen, Great Blue Heron, Common Egret, and American White Pelican. There was a Barn Owl at Stillwater Townsite and a Great Horned Owl at the refuge and Indian Lakes, but the Long-eared Owls were not yet at Indian lakes. There were lots of White-crowned Sparrow and Northern Shrike, and one Sage Sparrow. Northern Harriers, Red-tailed Hawks, and American Kestrel were abundant, but it was too early for Tundra Swans and Rough-legged Hawks. Despite the wind, it was a fun trip.
~ Michael Goddard

November 3, 2007 - Damonte Ranch Wetlands, Reno

Trip Leader: Kathy Oakes
Seventeen hardy souls showed up for a half-day look at the Damonte Ranch wetlands. The morning started darn cold, but warmed up by mid-morning, with plenty of sun and no wind. This was the first LAS trip to the Damonte Ranch wetlands, which were created along Steamboat Creek by the developers of Damonte Ranch homes. The wetlands consist of about 172 acres of mixed open water and marsh habitat surrounded by paved walking paths. Highlights of the trip were great views of several waterfowl including Green-winged Teal, Bufflehead, Ring-necked Duck, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Redhead, Common Merganser, Horned Grebe, Eared Grebe, and American Coot (they're common but cute!). The Northern Harriers put on a great show flying over the marsh and perching on submerged fence posts. An adult and juvenile Red-tailed Hawk also added to the show by perching on adjacent roofs. A Great Blue Heron obligingly posed in the marsh. The puzzler of the day was a small group of birds with striped heads feeding in the grass. We were almost convinced they were snipe until they finally raised their heads for a better view and turned out to be Western Meadowlarks! We also had some long looks in bad light at what (by group consensus) were determined to be dowitchers, likely long-billed, but there were still some holdouts for Willets. Maybe they were Dowillets? All told, it was a fine day and a great introduction to a new Reno birding area that is very accessible and not well known. We saw 31 species.
~ Kathy Oakes

November 10, 2007 - Sierra Valley, CA

Trip Leader: Alan Gubanich
Fourteen hardy souls enjoyed a wonderful fall day in Sierra Valley searching for wintering raptors and any other feathered creatures in the area. The highlight of the day was finding at least four Ferruginous Hawks in one field, followed by two more before the day was over. Just as exciting was a very cooperative Great Horned Owl peering down at us from a cottonwood tree right along the south side of Dyson Lane. Although the total number of raptors was not large (23), the diversity was good -- 2 Northern Harriers, 2 Rough-legged Hawks, 10 Red-tailed Hawks (including 2 dark morphs), 6 Ferruginous Hawks, 2 American Kestrels and 1 Prairie Falcon (plus the Great Horned Owl, of course). Other species included numerous Common Ravens and European Starlings, a flock of at least 20 American Crows, several Black-billed Magpies, 3 Western Meadowlarks and 2 Mourning Doves. In addition, there were five Tundra Swans in a distant pond west of Harriet Lane along with numerous waterfowl that were difficult to identify due to heat waves obscuring our view. Several were Mallards and later, along Marble Hot Springs Road, there was a group of 40 to 50 Northern Shovelers. A Flock of Canada Geese was spotted farther south on the way to Sierraville. Total species for the day was 18. The weather was beautiful and the lunch at Los Dos Hermanos in Sierraville was delicious. Rain started right after lunch so, with the weather degenerating, the group headed for home. All in all, a great morning of birding -- wish you could have joined us!

See the photos from this trip.

~ Alan Gubanich

November 17, 2007 - Wingfield Springs, Sparks

Leaders: Christiane Omer and Quentin Browne
What a wonderful warm fall day to bird. We had seventeen people and plenty of scopes and enthusiasm. The day started with male and female American Kestrels and a Prairie Falcon posing for photo ops near the parking lot of Red Hawk Golf Course. We went on to see thirty-seven species, and to have lots of laughs and a tasty lunch at David's Grill. Our sincere thanks to a great group of folks; our Wingfield Springs species count is now up to 108!

See the photos from this trip.

~Christiane Omer