Birding January, 1st, 2012

Happy New Year's Everyone. It was a fantastic day to be out birding. Today was a very fast birding trip as I had only a few hours and I realized it was going to be a very birdy day. I had already planned out ahead the night before where I would go and what I hoped to see. I reviewed my birding books and made sure all my equipment was ready to go.

At first light I was at the Mountain Falls pond to check out the ducks and other birds. My scope allowed me to see all the birds hidden in the vegetation along the side of the pond.Everytime I turned around there were different kinds of birds to study.  I then visited the two different fields and one park area in Mountain Falls. From Mountain Falls,  I traveled to where the Burrowing Owl's live and then on to the Master Gardener's building on Calvada and then to Willow Creek.  A Coyote was rustled up while I was walking around Willow Creek near the sanitation water plant. He  was trying to catch Rock Pigeon's. As he ran away from me, I waited for him to turn around and look back  at me. I got some nice  pictures of him. He is a well fed Coyote. Right after this I came upon a Greater Roadrunner eating the remains of a Western Meadowlark. While he was doing this the other Meadowlarks were quietly moving through the vegetation on the ground eating.

Later a Cooper's Hawk landed in a Willow tree giving me a chance to take pictures of him. When the Merlin landed in the branch on the other side, the Merlin, bounced off the branch making a shrill sound  and flew up and chased the Cooper's Hawk away. It was such a contrast in size to see a Merlin sitting next to a Cooper's Hawk. I stopped by to see Richard and Carol, to visit with them and  to discuss sparrow's and Burrowing Owls. Lot's of different kinds of sparrows are showing up in their yard.

I am birding in different areas of Pahrump but I always find more birds at Willow Creek.There were 53 species of birds seen from 6:28a.m. until 10:40 a.m. today January 1, 2012

Birds seen today:

Mallard
Gadwall
Green-winged Teal
American Wigeon
Northern Pintail (Only at Willow Creek pond by Richard and Carol's)
Northern Shoveler ( Only at Willow Creek pond by Richard and Carol's)
Canvasback ( Only at Mountain Falls pond)
Redhead (Only at Mountain Falls pond)
Ring-necked Duck
Ruddy Duck
Gambel's Quail
Pied-billed Grebe
Great Blue Heron
Northern Harrier
Cooper's Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk(Only at Willow Creek)
Red-tailed Hawk
American Kestrel
Merlin (Only at Willow Creek)
American Coot
Killdeer
Rock Pigeons
Eurasian-Collared Dove
Mourning Dove
Greater Roadrunner
Burrowing Owl's (2)
Anna's Hummingbird
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Black Phoebe
Say's Phoebe
Loggerhead Shrike
Common Raven
Horned Lark
Verdin
Mountain Bluebird (Only at Mountain Falls in the field)
Northern Mockingbird
Crissal Thrasher
European Starling
American Pipits
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Sage Sparrow (1) (Only at Mountain Falls in the field)
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco (3) Slate-colored and (5) Oregon
Western Meadowlark
Red-winged Blackbird
Brewer's Blackbird
Great-tailed Grackle's (hundreds)
House Finch
Lesser Goldfinch
House Sparrow

Submitted by

Darlene Feener
Pahrump, Nevada

Birding 12-10- 2011 : Willow Creek: Pahrump: (Nye County)

I have noticed in the past few weeks that the ducks seem to have favorite places. Gadwall and Northern Pintail   prefer Willow Creek. Canvasback and Redhead and Goldeneyes seem to prefer Mountain Falls. I had one of the most exciting birding experiences today. It was wonderful to be out birding. I started off seeing the Golden Eagle at the entrance to Willow Creek. He then flew down to Pahrump Valley Blvd. I followed him and watched him fly down Pahrump Valley Blvd from telephone pole to telephone pole. When I first saw the Peregrine Falcon, he was at the top of a Cottonwood tree. The sun was on him and the only thing I could see for sure was the outline of his tail. I thought at first it was the Red-shouldered Hawk. As I moved closer, I could see some markings on his  face and then he flew off. I thought then that it might be a Peregrine because of his swift flight, and I then started walking in the direction he flew. Shortly thereafter. I found him at the top of another Cottonwood, and this is when I started taking pictures.

The following birds were seen today in Pahrump at Mountain Falls and Willow Creek (Total 45):

Pied-billed Grebe
Black-crowned Night Heron
Mallard
Northern Pintail (1 male and 2 females)
Gadwall (1 male)
American Wigeon
Northern Shoveler
Ring-necked Duck
Canvasback (3 males and 6 females)
Redhead (1 male)
Common Goldeneye
Ruddy Duck
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk (light juvenile)
Golden Eagle (Willow Creek and Pahrump Valley Blvd)
American Kestrel
Peregrine Falcon (Willow Creek)
Gambel's Quail
American Coot
Rock Dove (Feral Pigeons) stopped counting at 500
Eurasian-Collared Dove
Anna's Hummingbird
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Red-naped Sapsucker
Black Phoebe
Say's Phoebe
Common Raven
Horned Lark
Verdin
Red-breasted Nuthatch
American Robin
Northern Mockingbird
Crissal Thrasher
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Song Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco (5) Oregon
White-crowned Sparrow
Western Meadowlark
Red-winged Blackbird
Brewer's Blackbird
Great-tailed Grackle
House Finch
Lesser Goldfinch
American Goldfinch

Submitted by

Darlene Feener
Pahrump, Nevada

Birding 11-19- 2011 : Willow Creek: Pahrump: (Nye County)

November 19, 2011, five us met at the Willow Creek Parking lot and birded together. It was a active day for hawks.
I would like to thank Richard and Carol Cantino, Kristie Abromowitz and Debby Woodland for birding with me. It was a great day to bird!

We had some identification issues which I am listing here as they were different in so many ways. The Red-shouldered Hawk was not vocal at all today and we had trouble locating him.

The Prairie Falcon was sitting in a Cottonwood tree and was all puffed up because of the cold. He was watching the Rock Pigeons and did not make any attempt to go after them for about ten minutes. At first I thought he might be an immature Peregrine Falcon, but then he flew  out of the tree and sailed out to travel out the course before us, I could see the dark armpits.

The American Kestrel flew quickly across the field and landed in a Cottonwood tree, he was mostly covered by tree leaves which is not usual for the Kestrel's I see at Willow Creek as I usually see them sitting out in the open on telephone wires or branches of trees.  I was on the right side of the Cottonwood tree and could only see the breast and one part of the wing. The breast was rufous with blue gray in the wing. I could not see the face or the tail.  I also did not see him clearly when he flew into the tree so I did not get an idea of his size. Debby said he looked small to her when he flew so I was beginning to think this might be a falcon.When I went on the side of the tree, that Carol was on, I could see  the face and see that it was an American Kestrel. Carol, already knew it was an American Kestrel, but she had not said anything to me yet as I thought it might be a Cooper's Hawk.

We learned why the American Kestrel, was so hidden, he came out of the tree, into a hovering position and then down to pick up a mouse and landed on another Cottonwood tree and started eating his breakfast.

The Northern Harrier, was flying very high and I am use to Harrier's in this area  flying lower.  I thought he was a  Red-tailed Hawk at first as he was so high we could not identify him at all. There was no side to side teetering to identify him as a Harrier. His wings were slightly drooped. Then he dropped down suddenly with his wings swept back and I could see that he was a Northern Harrier by his rump and gray back and the motion of his wings.

As we turned around a Red-tailed Hawk was trying to get away from a Common Raven that was chasing it

I was not sure we were going to see any hawks because of the coolness of the start of the morning, but when it warmed up the hawks all seemed to be active in the one area we were birding in. This is unusual in itself as it usually takes at least 3-4 hours to see this many hawks at one time.

Birds species seen today (32)

Pied-billed Grebe (eating a fish)
Great-Blue Heron
Mallard
American Wigeon
Northern Shoveler
Ring-necked Duck
Ruddy Duck
Northern Harrier
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
American Kestrel
Prairie Falcon
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Greater Roadrunner
Hummingbird (was not identified)
Red-naped Sapsucker
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Say's Phoebe
Common Raven
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Pipit
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's and Myrtle's)
White-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored (2) Oregon (3)
Western Meadowlark
Red-winged Blackbird
Great-tailed Grackle
Brewer's Blackbird
House Finch
House Sparrow

Submitted by

Darlene Feener

Willow Creek: Pahrump: November 6th, 2011

November 6, 2011

A raw cold morning of birding. Stopped by Richard's and Carol's to warm up. They treated me to pancakes and coffee which was greatly appreciated.

Birds are listed in the order they were seen.

Gambel's Quail
Common Raven
Rock Dove
Mourning Dove
White-crowned Sparrow
American Kestrel
Great-Tailed Grackle
American Coot
Black-Crowned-Night Heron
Mallard
Red-Shouldered Hawk
American Wigeon
Killdeer
Swallow unidentified
Yellow-Rumped Warbler (Myrtle)
Brewer's Blackbird
Sharp-Shinned Hawk
Red-Winged Blackbird
Red-Tailed Hawk
Eurasian-Collared Dove
House Finch
Orange-Crowned Warbler
Bewick's Wren
Dark-Eyed Junco (1 Slate-colored) (1 Oregon)
Lesser Goldfinch
Northern Shoveler
Anna's Hummingbird
Burrowing Owl (in the middle of the road on my way home)

Submitted by

Darlene Feener
Pahrump, Nevada

Birding 10-15- 2011 : Willow Creek: Pahrump: (Nye County)

Some of the birds seen at Willow Creek today.

Red-tailed Hawk
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk (3)
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
Black Phoebe
Say's Phoebe
Vermillion Flycatcher (female)
Yellow-rumped Warbler's (abundant)
Brewer's Blackbird
Red-winged Blackbird
Song Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Pied-billed Grebe (2)
Bewick's Wren
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Verdin
Great Blue Heron
Green-winged Teal (5)

Submitted by
Darlene Feener
Pahrump, Nevada

Willow Creek: Pahrump: October 3, 2011

Birding today was beautiful. Hawks are being seen frequently by the people that live around Willow Creek. Two people sought me out to tell me what they had been seeing. Both of the people I talked to had seen the Prairie Falcon's which I saw several weeks ago but did not see today.

I started the day by checking out the Burrowing Owl's which are not on Willow Creek. I took pictures of 4 different owls. I stay in my car so  the owls do not get frightened by my presence. These guys are always a great way to start a morning of birding.

Birds seen on Willow Creek this morning are listed in the order they were seen.

Common Raven
Mourning Dove
Lesser Goldfinch
House Finch
Mallard
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Phainopepla
Brewer's Blackbird
Eurasian-collared Dove
Say's Phoebe
Gambel's Quail
Great-tailed Grackle
Cinnamon Teal
Rock Dove
American Coot
Sharp-shinned Hawk ( a real beauty) He was standing on a limb of a tree overlooking Ed's pond.
House Sparrow
Anna's Hummingbird
Wilson's Warbler
Loggerhead Shrike (this guy was having a great time flying off the telephone lines down to the ground & back up to the lines).
White-crowned Sparrow
Red-shouldered Hawk (2) very vocal, got some great pictures.
Northern Mockingbird (flashing his wings as he flew across the course)
American Kestrel
Ferruginous Hawk

Submitted by
Darlene Feener
Pahrump, Nevada

Birding 9-18- 2011 : Willow Creek: Pahrump: (Nye County)

Birding started early with three Red-shouldered Hawk's by the clubhouse. The Yellow-breasted Chat was seen at the end of my birding day. He was in the Willow bushes, down low next to the water. It was a male. He did not stay long enough to get a picture. He disappeared back into the brush. I spent 30 minutes looking for him but could not find him again. This sighting was  seen at the second pond from Richard and Carol Cantino's home. Last week Carol, told me she had seen a bright yellow bird in the trees, but could not find it.

I was very happy to see two Prairie Falcon's. I did get pictures of one of them. It has been a year since I have seen them at Willow Creek.

Other birds seen: Crissal Thrasher, American Kestrel, Red-tailed Hawk, Say's Phoebe, Black Phoebe, Snowy Egret's (3) Cinnamon Teal's Orange-crowned Warbler, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, White-crowned Sparrow, Song Sparrow and a American Goldfinch.

Submitted by
Darlene Feener
Pahrump, Nevada

Birding 9-04- 2011 : Willow Creek: Pahrump: (Nye County)

I started out early this morning and came upon an auto accident going into Pahrump. Helicopters were busy with the injured.

I tried to get into birding but found it difficult to concentrate as I could hear the helicopters and the police sirens.

Coming home from birding hours later, another accident in the same general area. My thoughts are with those that were involved in the two accident's.

I checked on the Burrowing Owls. Seven of them were out. They are not at Willow Creek. They are in a different area of Pahrump. I saw 4 adults and 3 juveniles. The juveniles are very dark compared to the adults. Must be from the time they spend in their burrows.

I have to go out to another area to check for a Burrowing Owl burrow, as they are flying across the street at night when we go into town or come home.
Birds seen today at Willow Creek:

The Red-shouldered Hawk was the first bird of the day, sitting at the top of a Willow tree.
A Black Phoebe was sailing out for insects from a post in one of the ponds.
Anna's Hummingbirds were everywhere.
American Kestrel's together, moving about Willow Creek. Saw three together at one time.
Say's Phoebe
Red-winged Blackbirds
Black-crowned Night Heron
Bank Swallow
Verdin
Crissal Thrasher
Yellow Warbler (male)
Northern Mockingbird

Submitted by
Darlene Feener
Pahrump, Nevada

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Overwatering detrimental to mesquite trees

Birding 7-31- 2011 : Willow Creek: Pahrump: (Nye County)

I birded for two hours this morning. It was a very active morning for hawks.

Sharp-shinned Hawk (1)
Cooper's Hawk (1)
Red-shouldered Hawk (2)
Red-tailed Hawk (3)
American Kestrel (2)
Osprey (1)

I also saw the Great Blue Heron, which I have not seen in a while. On the way home I stopped by to check on the Burrowing Owls.

Submitted by
Darlene Feener
Pahrump, Nevad

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