It is that time of year when we see migrants coming through Las Vegas, as well as nesting activity. It is important to remember that we need to give birds the space they need for their habits & survival. Migrant birds are coming down to rest and refuel before they continue towards their nesting grounds. Human disturbance can be very disruptive to a successful migration. 
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​One of the greatest things about birding is the way it connects us all together. The actions you take here in Southern Nevada can have a global impact far beyond what you may expect. With global temperatures increasing there is also an increased need in teaming up across the world to monitor those changes and act to correct the damage done and prevent further damage from occurring. From the recognition that temperatures are rising the National Audubon Society has started a community based science program to monitor how birds are changing alongside climate change called Climate Watch. Birds are a barometer of sorts for our environment whether it's observing what they eat to where they nest and where they migrate, they hold many answers about our environment and Climate Watch looks to harness that valuable information through volunteer observation across North America.

by Jim Nelson

​Andrea and I frequently visit Palm Desert, CA, which is one of our favorite birding areas.  There are 3 areas we visit frequently... The Living Desert Zoo | Gardens, JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort and Spa, and the Salton Sea.

​This month’s Red Rock Audubon Society monthly meeting was held virtually on Saturday, March 13th. We were treated to a presentation on Boreal Forest Conservation by Dr. Jeff Wells, the Audubon Vice President for Boreal Conservation and Norman Barichello, an award-winning biologist and author working with Indigenous Nations in the Yukon.

On my first birding adventure to Floyd Lamb Park, I was immediately struck by the diversity of the habitat and the birds who lived there. Upon entering the park, you’re greeted in the parking lot with dozens of Canadian Geese families, who roam the park day and night. They nap on the grass, swim the water, and fly above. They make a wonderful noise, and will sometimes follow you around if they find you at all curious. Most of them don’t. We’re just visitors to their homes.

It is estimated that free ranging cats kill from 1.4 to 3.7 billion birds every year in the lower 48 states, the median range being 2.4 billion.  That's BILLION with a "B."
 
More than 100 million cats reside in the United States. They are a non-native invasive species responsible for the deaths of more birds than are killed from collisions with windows, communications towers or vehicles, or poisoned by pesticides, second only to habitat loss.  Un-owned, wild roaming cats are estimated to be responsible for 69% of birds killed. Owned cats that are allowed to roam free outdoors kill over 700 million birds every year in our country.  Migratory and nesting birds are particularly vulnerable at certain times of the year.

​Spring migration is ramping up with birds and birders flocking to the Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve.
 
On a recent Sunday, thirteen volunteers from Red Rock Audubon worked hard to make this return more enjoyable for all.  Clearing out brush, trimming back trees and replacing cages around plants to protect them from the voracious rabbits improves the habitat for birds and opens up views for the rest of us.

A Review of the presentation “Hummingbird Photography” by Steve Kaye
By Sunshine Jowell

The Red Rock Audubon Society is excited to announce a new recurring bird watching event at Cornerstone Park!

​​Located in Henderson at 1600 Wigwam Pkwy, Cornerstone Park is a relatively “under birded” yet superb spot that typically yields an impressive variety of species. The walk is approximately 2.5 miles in length and will be leisurely in pace. Restrooms, parking and a mobility accessible path are available at the park. The birding “highlight” and centerpiece of the park is the 31-acre Railroad Lake, which is cradled by a variety of habitat types that typically harbor a good assortment of resident & migratory birds.

Join guide Chris Aquila on March 7th on a trip around the park to see what birds you can spot while enjoying some fresh air and beautiful sights.

Every spring and fall Red Rock Audubon members are treated to an explosion of visitors.  Not the human type that enjoy all the great activities special to the Las Vegas area but of birds migrating to and from their nesting sites in the north.  A huge majority of many bird species return each year to these boreal forests of Canada and the Northwest to raise their young.  For example, 98% of Palm Warblers, such as the one above, nest in boreal forests.*

​Read on to learn more about birds we love to see that are reliant on the boreal forests and how Red Rock Audubon is leading an effort to protect these critical habitats.