Columnist Paula DelGiudice: Rainfall aids desert life

Paula DelGiudice

Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2001 | 10:38 a.m.

Paula DelGiudice's outdoors notebook appears Wednesday. Reach her at desertdenizens@aol.com.

While the recent rains in Southern Nevada become a minor annoyance to residents who are spoiled by the normal weather outlook of blue skies and sunshine, those who enjoy wildlife and desert scenery can take heart. This is perfect timing. The wild creatures and plants that depend on rain falling at this time of year are grateful for the relief.

According to the Nevada Division of Wildlife, the drought of the last two years has been caused by La Nina and has impacted desert flora and fauna.

"Mid-winter rains are very important in the desert for the green up of grasses and for producing annual plants. These were just the right type of drenching storms that came at just the right time," said NDOW biologist Chris Tomlinson.

He said that in the coming weeks, grasses and plants will be available as food sources for small birds and mammals as they head into the spring breeding season. If conditions continue to be good, broods will be large and healthy.

Small mammals such as kangaroo rats and ground squirrels as well as passerine birds such as wrens, thrashers, shrikes and quail will benefit from the rains. Bats will also benefit from an increased number of insects. And predators such as hawks and falcons will have large broods of young on which to prey.

Several hundred water developments, called guzzlers, that have been placed in the southern end of the state should be full of water because of the storms. These developments capture and store rainwater and make it available year round for large and small mammals and birds.

"With any luck and a little more rain, this may become a good spring for viewing desert wildflowers," Tomlinson said. "On a good year, the desert becomes a blanket of colors as the flowers bloom."

* TURKEY RUN IN ELKO: A trapping operation conducted by the Nevada Division of Wildlife last week near Overton resulted in the capture of 28 wild turkeys that were released into Elko County.

NDOW biologist Christy Signor said the birds were trapped in order to reduce the overall population of turkeys in the Overton Area. A second trapping may be conducted by the agency next month in the same area.

"There have been some instances of turkeys causing some damage to private fields and being nuisances by roosting on roofs and soiling sidewalks and porches. We wanted to eliminate some turkeys while still maintaining a good population in the area for viewing and hunting," Signor said.

A total of 23 hens and five jakes (young males) were trapped and transported to the XJ Ranch, approximately 50 miles south of the city of Elko in the Ruby Mountains. No mature tom (male) turkeys were removed from the Overton area.

Wild turkeys, which are not native to Nevada, were introduced in the Overton area in February 1990 when they were released by NDOW at Overton WMA. All of those birds were Rio Grande turkeys, one of four strains of wild turkeys native to North America.

Last year, 28 Rio Grande turkeys trapped in California were released on the XJ Ranch and they did fairly well, with some chicks being observed in the spring.

No turkey hunting will be permitted this year in Elko County. However, 15 turkey tags are being offered for spring turkey hunts in Moapa Valley, which includes Overton.

Applications and regulations brochures for the spring turkey hunts may be obtained at NDOW's Las Vegas office, 4747 Vegas Drive, and most stores that sell hunting licenses. They are also available on the agency's Web site at www.nevadadivisionofwildlife.org.

If you are interested, send your resume with cover letter to Elsie Dupree, President, NvWF, 216 E. Hampton Drive, Carson City, NV 89706, or fax it to NvWF at (775) 885-0405.