Page 18 - winter 2018 the Rock

18 Friends oF red rock canyon

By Margie Klein

Watch the Birdies

emember when you were on Santa’s lap underpinnings catches
Rand the photographer said, “Watch the your eye as they pass
birdie?” Some people may not get the reference, through, often in flocks.
but nevertheless, winter’s about more than going Warblers of yellow, ori-
to see Santa Claus. Winter in the desert is a great Photo by Linda Tanner - Wikipedia oles of gold, and tanagers
time to go birdwatching. of red decorate the area
like holiday ornaments.
While everything else in nature appears to be Taking advantage of fruits
in suspended animation, birds are still active. and nuts yielded by Red
Reptiles, amphibians and small mammals may be Rock’s shrubs and trees,
sleeping for the season; but many birds are on the Say’s phoebes all kinds of birds feed on
move, looking for a warmer place to spend the the fall harvest. You’ll still see the many birds
cold months. that live in the eastern Mojave all year long, like
Phainopepla, Anna’s hummingbird, and finches.
Raptors, such as golden eagles, ospreys, red- Also, be on the lookout for nuthatches and Say’s
Volunteers dedicated to the preservation of Red Rock Canyon
tailed hawks and kestrels, fly in from the Pacific phoebes, out and about
Northwest and other areas north to join those of searching for lethargic
the same species that are yearlong residents here. insects to eat.
Other birds of prey, including the bald eagle and
a number of hawks, are only here for the winter. Around the Red Rock
Spot them on cliffs and other high points that Canyon Visitor Center, Photo by SearchNet Wikipedia
they follow as they navigate their journey. Some staff and guests are seeing
species of birds fly even farther south Anna’s hummingbirds,
than southern Nevada, but white-crowned sparrows,
some just make the journey verdins and the ever-pres-
down from the Spring ent roadrunners and quail. Gambel’s quail
Mountains and other
surrounding mountain ranges Where are the best places to see birds within
into the Vegas Valley. the Conservation Area? As always,
water is a likely place for birds to
Varieties of winter songbirds are easy to gather, so try Lost Creek and Wil-
pick out among the bare vegetation. low Springs, Pine Creek, and Oak
Mountain bluebirds are a favorite to spot in Creek. Get out there on your own or
the foothills. Their bright blue coverage lights check out the Christmas Bird Counts
up the muted colors of the wintertime desert with the Red Rock Audubon Society.
landscape. The northern flicker, a member of Enjoy a nice sunny winter day and
the woodpecker family, is also at lower eleva- Mountain bluebird be sure to bring your binoculars.
tions in wintertime. The “flicker” of orange Photo by James Resch

the Rock - Volume 8 Issue 2