Henderson Christmas Bird Count 2019

John Hiatt and Jim Switalla scope out Lake Mead for birds
Photo by Troy Wirth

The Henderson Christmas Bird Count of 2019 took place on Wednesday, December 18th.

​The Henderson Circle routes cover both urban and natural area settings and are led by experienced birders. In the time since the first Henderson count, the human population in Clark County has expanded nearly tenfold, significantly changing the landscape for birds and other wildlife. Our Henderson Circle routes take us through wetlands, a bird viewing preserve, desert washes, a golf course, a lake, urban parks, and other urban areas, giving us a chance to collect data important to understanding how the local bird population is changing.

Andrea Wirth gives volunteers their assignments at Clark County Wetlands Park
Photo by Nancy Chang

The day started early with 31 volunteers meeting up at the Clark County Wetlands Park to receive their assignments, checklists and, if desired, a donut. Another three volunteers started their day at Lake Mead where they boarded a boat to count waterfowl on the lake and any birds they could spot on shore or in the air.

At the end of the day, the group met up at the Wetlands for a pizza dinner while they tallied their observations:
​
Species: 104 (+4 more from count week)
Birds: 11,588
​Miles walked: 18.3

Phainopepla
Photo by Sonya WIlson

​Many thanks to the route leaders, new and experience birders for spending the day with us, and to our good partners at the Clark County Wetlands Park and the Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve for making the count a success.

Lots to count at the Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve
Photo by Nancy Chang

​Written by Andrea Wirth and Nancy Chang