I’d Rather Be…Birding – 1

I’d rather be birding.

I’d rather be birding in Las Vegas.

Yes, Las Vegas! But not until Spring! Too damn hot to bird there right now.

Forget the strip…forget the hotel hopping…forget the shows…forget the casinos (ok, maybe not the casinos). A good Texas Hold ’em Tournament is hard to turn down.

What I’m talking about is getting out in nature. Las Vegas is smack in the middle of it, if you venture out just a bit. For example, if you drive Southeast, you will run into the City of Henderson. There you will find The Henderson Birding Preserve. Each time we visit Las Vegas, we make The Preserve one of our first destinations. It’s a very special place with many fond memories.

The Preserve is located at 350 E. Galleria Dr. and features approximately 140 acres of ponds within the Water Reclamation Facility. The habitat supports thousands of migratory waterfowl and many local residents. Expect to see a tremendous variety of birds such as the Greater Roadrunner, Verdin, Albert’s Towhee, American Avocet, Black Necked Stilts, and so many others.

We have birded there in late March, early April and many life birds have been added to our lists on our visits. The weather is ideal and it’s right in the middle of the Spring migration. I’d be willing to take a trip in the Summer to see birds I can’t see in Florida, it’s just so hot! That’s funny; a FL resident complaining about the heat. It’s giving me a hot flash just thinking about it.

Remember, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas….except when you want to share your impressive birding list on ebird.org. Time to go birding!!!

It is simply amazing how such a great concentration of varied bird life can be located so close to Sin City. As noted in the photo above, the Las Vegas strip was in plain view while we enjoyed the serenity of birding at one of the many watering holes located on the preserve. It’s a great example and a true testament to the the importance of preserving natural habitats in and around metropolitan communities.

Visit Henderson Birding Preserve on your next trip to Las Vegas and let me know how you loved it! The park rangers are most hospitable & very knowledgeable. If your timing is right you might have a chance to get a guided tour through the preserve with one of them in their battery powered carts.

Don’t forget your binoculars and camera. Make sure those batteries are all charge up so you don’t miss that Cinnamon Teal playing in the water or the Blue-winged Teal flying in style as he circles around to land with fluid movement. If you are lucky, you will see the Yellow-headed Blackbird. What an amazing bird! Couldn’t get a decent shot of him though.

CAN’T WAIT TO GO BACK!