Swan Lake Nature Study Area

WHAT TO EXPECT:  
Dedicated in April 1999, Swan Lake Nature Study Area (NSA) is a nearly unspoiled wetland in the midst of suburban housing and warehouses. Depending on annual precipitation, the wetland varies from 100 acres to 1,000 acres. Surrounded by sagebrush, greasewood, and other desert vegetation, this large, shallow lake has a marshy habitat on the west side and adjacent sewage treatment ponds on the east. Over 150 species have been recorded here. Burrowing Owls have nested in man-made boxes located at the west and north edges of the nature study area. Swan Lake NSA is a Nevada Important Bird Area.

Best time of year: Year-round

Notable species: Swan Lake eBird Hotspot 
Swan Lake's namesake species, the Tundra Swan, will begin their winter stay beginning around the middle of November. They will over-winter until mid-March. Depending on water levels, there have been over 2,000 swans at one time during this period.

Hundreds of waterfowl are commonly seen throughout the year, with species varying seasonally. These include coots, grebes, Northern Shovelers, Mallards, Ruddy Ducks, Buffleheads, Cinnamon Teals, Green-winged Teals, Pintails, Ring-necked Ducks, Gadwalls, American Wigeons, Redheads, and Canvasbacks. Greater White-fronted Geese and Tundra Swans are common in winter. American Avocet, Black-necked Stilt, and other shorebirds visit in spring, along with Sandhill Cranes. Check the marshes for Virginia Rail and Sora. Scan the upland areas for sparrows, Loggerhead Shrikes and a variety of raptors. Warblers, vireos, finches, phoebes and wrens can be found in the trees and marsh areas leading to the boardwalk.

Precautions: Rubber boots or water-proof hiking shoes are recommended for venturing off the boardwalk and main trail.    Avoid the alkali mud flats and any muddy roads to avoid becoming mired. 

Please note:  A spotting scope is helpful for seeing distant waterfowl and shorebirds.
 
HOW TO GET THERE:   Google Maps Link
By bus:  Swan Lake can be reached via RTC’s Flex Ride:  North Valleys.
By car:  From the I-80 & US 395 interchange, travel approximately 6 miles north on US 395 to Exit 74 Lemmon Drive. Turn right (north) onto Lemmon Drive and, depending on the route chosen, follow the directions below.

POPULAR BIRDING ROUTES

1.  Marsh Boardwalk: At the southwest side of the marsh, a floating boardwalk with benches and interpretive signs allows visitors to penetrate the marsh and part of the lake for approximately 300 yards. Trails from the interpretive area preceding the boardwalk also provide birding access around the entire southwestern shore.
   Facilities:  1 porta potty  and a pavilion.

How to get there:  From Exit 74, follow Lemmon Drive 0.8 mile north to Military Road. Turn left (northwest) and follow Military Road 1.5 miles to Lear Boulevard.) Turn right (east) onto Lear Boulevard and drive 0.4 mile to a dirt road on your left that leads to an unpaved parking lot for the Swan Lake Nature Study Area.   There isn’t a sign.  If you start to pass a large warehouse past a creek, you have gone too far.

Additional Swan Lake birding areas: Swan Lake may be viewed from several vantage points, described here in a counterclockwise sequence from southeast to southwest. Distances are in short increments through residential areas.

2. Lemmon Drainage Channel:  Return to Lear Drive and head east (left).  Pass the warehouse to the end of the road where you will be facing the Lemmon Drainage Channel. A paved path leads 0.5 mile to the right, and a dirt trail leads 0.5 mile to the left to Swan Lake.  Marsh Wrens and Black-crowned Night Herons to raptors have been seen there.

3. The Pump House:   Return to Lemmon Drive via Military Road.  Turn left onto Lemmon Drive. Turn left on Fleetwood Drive (1.2 miles). Follow Fleetwood to the end of the pavement (.5 miles). The unmaintained dirt road continues to the pump house, where parking is limited. Walk toward the lakeshore. Precautions:  The dirt road is rocky towards the end and can be in rough condition, depending on the weather.  You may want to park your car at the beginning of the dirt road and walk. 

4. Pompe Way:   Backtrack to Lemmon Drive and turn left.  Drive 3.4 miles to Pompe Way. Turn left (south) and drive to the end of the road to view the lake from the northwest.  Although this location may look uninviting as it is lined with green flood barriers, it does provide close water access and good views looking south.  (Note:  You can walk to  and from Ramsey Way along the shore.)

5. Ramsey Way:  Backtrack to Albert Way, take the first turn to the left (west). Drive to Ramsey Way, turn left (south), and continue a short distance to a parking area at the beginning of a nature trail. Enter through the gate and walk about 0.5 mile to the northwest shore of the lake.  A variety of routes are possible, including walking to the site at the end of Pompe Way and/or walking along the lakeshore to the northwestern

​6. Northwestern trails:  Return to Albert Way and turn left (west). Continue one mile to a dirt pullout on the left (south) side of the road in front of a gate, the entrance to Nevada Military Land. This is accessible on foot and affords a good overview of the entire marsh. Burrowing Owl nest boxes are located along the fence line at the top of the hill to the right (south) of the gate. ( Owls haven’t been seen here for a few years.) 

To return to Reno:  Continue driving on Albert Way, which becomes Bravo Avenue, to the top of the hill. Turn left onto Mt. Limbo, across from the entrance to the military base. Follow Mt. Limbo as it turns to the right and becomes Echo Avenue. At the intersection with Military Road, turn left (southeast) and drive 0.8 mile to Lear Boulevard. Continue straight to Lemmon Drive to return to Reno, or turn right (west) for Side Trip A.
 
Side Trips: 
A.  Sky Vista Pond: From the intersection of Military Road and Lear Boulevard, travel west on Lear into the entrance to Sky Vista Estates and turn at Sky Vista Parkway, the first left (south). At 0.1 mile stop beside a small pond on the right side of the street. A paved walk circles the pond which, although used by local residents and dogs, is worth a short visit. 

Photo by Lori Bellis

Photo by Jeff Bleam