We thought that we were fulfilled with out Vegas birding
outlook when we spotted the Phainopepla at the Desert National Wildlife Refuge.
But then we decided to visit the Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve. The first
thing we identified when we got there was the Rufous Hummingbird. We may have
stumbled on them before, but this was the first time we spotted them and
identified them – bonus!
The Preserve is part of the Las Vegas Wash reclamation area,
with settling ponds intended to clean the run off that enters the Wash prior to
it emptying in Lake Mead. Because of its nature as a group of ponds, it
attracts many water species. We spotted Rudy Ducks, which we love, and added
another “lifer” in these American Avocets, both large and impressive, with a
very long bottom grubbing beak with an ever so slight upturn at the end.
There were Yellow Headed Blackbirds here, as well as Killdeer,
both already on our list of identified birds, but birds we enjoy seeing
nonetheless. We did score one more “lifer” for our efforts however. These Long Billed
Dowitchers were scouring the pond bottoms along with the American Avocets looking
for some tasty treats.
All in all, our visit was a super success!
Talk to you soon!
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