Great Backyard Bird Count 2024

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For the Great Backyard Birdcount in 2024, over the weekend of February 16-19, Lahontan Audubon Society hosted 5 local field trips. Field Trip Leaders kept eBird lists from sites around Washoe County, including Boynton Slough - Dry Creek, Crystal Peak Park, Rancho San Rafael Park, Wingfield Trail, and Swan Lake Nature Study Area. Trips were led by our outstanding Field Trip Volunteer Leaders: Jeff Bleam, Ben Sonnenberg, Steven Cavros, Linda St-Cyr, and Ned Bohman. In total, 68 bird species and 3,696 birds were recorded! California Gulls made the high count at 1,000 at Swan Lake. Wintering Snow Geese and Tundra Swans were also at the lake. One Anna's Hummingbird, the only hummingbird that winters in our area was found at Crystal Peak Park. Also at Crystal Peak Park, a Merlin was spotted, along with 36 Evening Grosbeaks. Purple Finches were continuing at Rancho San Rafael Park, and also noted at Crystal Peak Park. Although normally thought of as passing through during migration, a couple of Lincoln's Sparrows were detected at Boynton Slough and Crystal Peak Park. This bird has been recorded around Reno this winter, though they are not common. The secretive Virginia Rail was heard at Wingfield Trail and also recorded at Swan Lake. Many more birds were seen on all the trips - check out the lists!