By Scott Clemson

Red Rock Audubon and Transition Services, Inc. of Las Vegas are teaming up to make available for purchase a variety of species-appropriate nest boxes and platforms that can entice our feathered friends to stick around and raise families as welcome neighbors. Transition Services provides a woodshop where developmentally delayed (but quite artistically talented!) adults lovingly construct the nest boxes with recycled wood to the specifications provided by Red Rock Audubon. Current plans are for these well-crafted boxes to be available for sale or order at the both the Transition Services’ and Springs Preserve’s gift shops, as well as through Red Rock Audubon. Species boxes now available are for either: 1) Kestrels, 2) Ash-throated & Brown-crested Flycatchers, 3) Say’s Phoebes, 4) or several versions for Bewick’s & House Wrens. Artistic customization of any box is an option, including wood-burning designs for all the types, and also color choices for the wren boxes. Purchase dollars will aid the wonderful programs at Transition Services, while the buyers enhance their home habitats and help our local birds!

By Ben Zyla of Bird Las Vegas

I wanted to recap on our day out ( 13 Sep ) at Lake Mead. Specifically, go over the Gulls we saw and discuss them by species and age class. Jeanne amd Cathy took some fantastic photos that day and allowed me to use them in this email for all of us to enjoy. Thanks ladies!

I am going to break this up into 2 parts because of all the context.  I am also going to include Alex in on this in case he wants to add to the content with his Larus wisdom. 

​My Audubon Journey.
I started birdwatching when I was ten years old; innately drawn to and determined to identify the Slate colored Juncos and other birds around our Pennypack Park-area home. In the sixth grade, I knew so much about birds that the Daily News even took notice when they came to my elementary school to do a story on a special program of which I was a part. By 13, I had securely decided what I would do “as a grown up.” Despite the razzing I took from friends, all I wanted to do was study birds and become an ornithologist. And nothing was going to stop me.
Well…

Andrea and I yesterday took our annual January drive to Pahranagat to view the bald eagles. This was a better year for us. We spotted 3 juveniles and 2 adults.

The visitor center, with the government shutdown, was closed. However the restrooms at the center and on the upper lakes were clean and spotless. The camping sites were closed, but otherwise the preserve is open.

​We were there over 4 hours and saw a total of 3 other cars visit that whole time. The eagles were flying and perched off the east side of the lake, and at times were within 20 feet of our vehicle. They were more relaxed and accessable with greatly reduced human activity. We as well hiked the east side and had many sightings during our walk.

 Jim Nelson 

The Bureau of Land Management has issued a statement that the right-of-way application for the proposed Crescent Peak Wind Project has been denied.

This is excellent news for the conservation of this unique habitat.

"Renewable energy is the solution to climate change but it has to be sited properly," said Doug Chang, President of Red Rock Audubon. "Siting must take into account protecting the cultural and natural assets for all of us."

Red Rock Audubon supports efforts to develop renewable energy sources. However, objection to this particular project was based on the potential damage to golden eagles that nest within and millions of birds that migrate through the area. The area contains one of the highest known densities of golden eagles in Nevada. It is also important for migratory birds for its foraging and nesting habitats and its close proximity to the Colorado River. The miles of roads that would have been built to support the project as well as the danger wind turbines pose to flying birds would degrade the habitat needed for birds and other wildlife that live in this area, like big horn sheep and desert tortoises.

Follow the link below for the Las Vegas Review Journal article.

https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/politics-and-government/blm-rejectsmassive-
wind-farm-along-california-nevada-border-1539541/

Two Red Rock Audubon chapter members have donated $100,000 to the National Audubon Society to establish the Silver State Wings Conservation Fund. Douglas and Nancy Chang are determined to make a difference in Nevada. The Fund will help Nevada Audubon chapters' conservation efforts through youth education and chapter capacity building.

The National Audubon Society (NAS) and the Audubon chapters in Nevada—Bristlecone (Elko), Lahontan (Reno), Red Rock (Las Vegas)—announce the availability of one or more grants to advance Audubon’s mission and work in Nevada. A proposed project must be nominated by at least one of the three Nevada chapters and must fall within the educational, scientific, and conservation purposes of NAS. Recent grants have addressed declines in Burrowing Owls, a field guide for the hummingbirds of Nevada, the Important Bird Area (IBA) database, and conservation planning for the Lahontan IBA.
Up to $13,000 is available for distribution. Applications will be accepted until close of business on December 15, 2018. Decisions will be made early in 2019. Contact John Hiatt, hjhiatt@gmail.com, (702) 361-1171, for general information, including application guidelines and contact information for each of the Nevada chapters.