Photos by David Anderson

Doug, Jim and Nate at Ash Meadows 

Red Rock Audubon Christmas Bird Count is BACK SAFELY!!! Volunteer compliers (fancy name for organizing leaders) have redesigned our six count circles (Ash Meadows, Corn Creek, Pahranagat, Henderson, Muddy Rivers and Red Rock Conservation Area) to be COVID appropriate while maximizing volunteer’s birding fun and following the CBC science protocols.
Jim Switalla, Nate Hutt and Doug Chang are continuing a Red Rock Audubon tradition of sweeping the counts (doing all six counts). So far – after 4 counts, the birds have shown up, the weather has been outstanding! Participation of first time and returning CBCers has been outstanding too. Joining in any CBC requires a very early start to the day. However, the cookies made it all worthwhile. Thank you Ash Meadows for the refreshments (hint, hint…other compilers!). Hope our weather luck continues and others will join us and continue this tradition next year.

You never know what you’ll see when you visit Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve (HBVP) on each visit, but the park certainly doesn’t disappoint! It was exciting to be one of eight volunteers, Linda & Bob, Eva, Nancy and Anna, led by experienced birders Doug and Jim.
The night’s chill was still in the air on Wednesday, December 22 when our group met in the conference room at the HBVP’s entrance building at 7 am.  Surrounded by a prolific collection of stuffed animals and exhibits, we made our introductions and Doug led the briefing. Most of us brought binoculars. Fortunately, Jim and Doug brought their spotting scopes mounted on tripods, which were particularly helpful as we tried to identify our birds who were quite hidden in the trees and brush. I brought along one of my Nikon digital single-lens reflex cameras with an especially long telephoto 150-600 mm lens, but the spotting scopes do a spectacular job getting up extremely close to wildlife!

I recently had the opportunity to meet a young a birder at one of our Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve events. When we had a chance to talk he informed me that he was an artist and especially likes to create digital bird art. 

Yes!  There is a local nursery that sells only native plants grown from seeds harvested locally.
 
The Special Projects Nursery is open to the public on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from 8:00 am to 11:00 am.
 
The address to reach the nursery is 5020 N El Capitan Way, Las Vegas, just off Lone Mountain.  Please note that this is a private residence address to get you to the nursery but is not a part of the nursery operation.  Park on the side street (La Madre) and enter the nursery through the gates flanked by two large pots.
 
If you have any questions or are looking for something specific please contact Doyle Wayman at 702-219-3853 or by email at wayman.doyle@gmail.com.  It is also a good idea to confirm with Doyle that the nursery has plants as inventory and availability change with the seasons.

Join Red Rock Audubon, Bird Las Vegas, and other birding experts for the 3rd annual Big Sit Birding Event.
​Lean about bird ID, Optics advice, photography tips, and more.

​In partnership with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, RRAS was able to send volunteers to assist in bird banding and data collection at the Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge from May to August 2021.

​This was a bird's eye view of the windows at the Visitor Center at Corn Creek, Desert National Wildlife Refuge, Clark County, Nevada. The glass perfectly reflected inviting habitat.

​It’s a bright sunny morning in May as I drive out to Floyd Lamb Park for my next birding adventure with Red Rock Audubon Society. This time, I’m stepping up my game to participate in a workshop for field guides hoping to lead future events. I get out of my car, and a surprisingly cold wind whips my face and skin. Luckily, as a birder, I have a trunk full of backup supplies for the field. I’m grateful for my long jacket.