Birding in Nevada: 5 best places to watch the autumn migration

Watch birds migrate south for the winter in autumn at these five places to go birding in Nevada.

Nevada bustles with avian visitors in autumn as millions of birds migrate south along the Pacific Flyway for winter. Birding opportunities abound in the Silver State for both seasoned and beginner birdwatchers, especially this time of year.

From wildlife refuges to a bird viewing preserve, here are five of the best spots to watch the autumn migration in Nevada.

1. Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve

350 E. Galleria Dr., Henderson

With more than 270 species of resident birds and frequent avian visitors, Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve is Southern Nevada’s third-largest body of water. A lush desert wetland, it has been a wastewater treatment facility since the 1960s. The city-run facility formally began welcoming bird lovers in the mid-1990s with the help of the National Audubon Society.

Where to look for birds: There are nine ponds surrounded by five miles of trail, including an ADA-accessible, paved trail.

What you might see: Cinnamon Teal, Ruddy Duck, Pied-billed Grebe, Eared Grebe, Western Grebe, Least Bittern, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Common Gallinule, Black-necked Stilt, American Avocet, Long-tailed Duck, Neotropic Cormorant, Black Skimmer, Gambel’s Quail, Greater Roadrunner, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Anna’s Hummingbird, Costa’s Hummingbird, Black Phoebe, Verdin, Marsh Wren, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Crissal Thrasher, Abert’s Towhee, and Yellow-headed Blackbird.

Things to know: Be prepared to walk.

2. Desert National Wildlife Refuge

35 miles northwest of the Las Vegas Strip, off U.S. 95

Established in 1936, the 1.6 million-acre Desert National Wildlife Refuge is America’s largest refuge outside Alaska. The diverse landscape of this Nevada birding destination spans both the Great Basin and Mojave deserts, protecting hundreds of species of plants and animals, including desert bighorn sheep and 300 types of birds. Spring and fall migrations bring the largest diversity of birds, which are best viewed in the early mornings or late evenings.

Where to look for birds: Wetlands, vegetative cover, a pond, trees, and trails near the Corn Creek Visitor Center attract migrating birds seeking food and shelter. There’s even more to see in the vast backcountry areas, particularly near springs. Also, keep your eyes peeled on the 3.5-mile road crossing U.S. 95 to the visitor center.

What you might see: Gambel’s Quail, Greater Roadrunner, Le Conte’s Thrasher (scarce), Black-throated Sparrow, Sagebrush Sparrow, Lesser Nighthawk, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Anna’s Hummingbird, Costa’s Hummingbird, Black Phoebe, Say’s Phoebe, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Bell’s Vireo, Verdin, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Crissal Thrasher, Phainopepla, Lucy’s Warbler, Hooded Oriole, and Scott’s Oriole.

Things to know: Bring a field guide (print or digital). Refuge roads require 4WD high-clearance vehicles.

3. Great Basin National Park

56 miles from Ely on the Utah border in eastern Nevada

One of the least-visited national parks in the country, Great Basin National Park is a true hidden gem with ancient bristlecone pine trees, wildlife, a glacier, mountains, and the wondrous underground Lehman Caves. In the autumn, between September and October, groves of yellow, red, orange, and gold aspen trees dot the mountain.

Where to look for birds: Birdlife changes drastically with the varied elevation on the drive between Baker (6,000 feet) and the end of the 12-mile Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive (13,000 feet). 

You can also hike through the park’s five habitats along the park trail system. The Mountain View Nature Trail behind Lehman Caves Visitor Center is a relatively easy trail. Also, check out Strawberry Creek Road on the park’s north end.

What you might see: Common Poorwill, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Pinyon Jay, Western Scrub-Jay, Juniper Titmouse, Bushtit, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Green-tailed Towhee, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Red-naped Sapsucker, Williamson’s Sapsucker, American Three-toed Woodpecker, Cordilleran Flycatcher, Steller’s Jay, Clark’s Nutcracker, Mountain Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Townsend’s Solitaire, MacGillivray’s Warbler, Western Tanager, Cassin’s Finch, Pine Siskin, and Black Rosy-Finch.

Things to know: Ask for a bird checklist at one of the visitor centers. If you need any birding supplies, head to the Bristlecone General Store in nearby Baker.

4. Lamoille Canyon Scenic Byway

17 miles southeast of Elko in northeastern Nevada

A gateway to the glacier-carved Ruby Mountains, the 12-mile Lamoille Canyon Scenic Byway curves around the mountain base with access to outdoor adventures like fishing, camping, and hiking. It begins in the community of Lamoille, climbing to a dead end at 8,800 feet. A paved road, it is open and accessible May through October, depending on the weather.

With the gorgeous burst of autumn colors throughout the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, the fall migration season is a special one for those who love birding in Nevada.

Where to look for birds: Stop along the canyon for hikes into the peaks of the Ruby Mountains.

You might see: Dusky Grouse, Golden Eagle, White-throated Swift, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Lewis’s Woodpecker, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Hammond’s Flycatcher, Dusky Flycatcher, Cordilleran Flycatcher, Clark’s Nutcracker, Violet-green Swallow, Mountain Chickadee, American Dipper, Mountain Bluebird, Townsend’s Solitaire, MacGillivray’s Warbler, Western Tanager, Cassin’s Finch, and Pine Siskin.

Things to know: Check out eBird.org for recent bird sightings in Lamoille Canyon.

5. Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge

17 miles east of Fallon in western Nevada 

An oasis for waterfowl, shorebirds, wildlife, and plants, the 81,322-acre Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge has lakes and marshes, varying from fresh to salt water. Though used by the local Paiutes for years, it was established in 1948 as a habitat for migratory birds. While there are birding opportunities throughout the year, September is the best time to watch the fall migration.

Where to look for birds: Check out the observation deck at the Stillwater Point Reservoir. Then take the Foxtail Lake auto tour route, including a stop for a 1.25-mile interpretive trail.

Eight miles south of Fallon, you can see flocks of birds from three observation towers in the Carson Lake Wetlands.

You might see: Ducks, grebes, Double-Crested Cormorants, American White Pelican, herons, egrets, ibises, Wilson’s Phalarope, Red-Necked Phalarope, Black-Necked Stilt, American Avocet,  Bald Eagle, Rough-legged Hawk, and Peregrine Falcon.

Things to know: Pick up a map and ask about road conditions at the city of Fallon’s Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge office. Swans show up in November.

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.