Columnist Paula DelGiudice: Bird-watching can make for family fun

Paula DelGiudice

Thursday, Nov. 8, 2001 | 11:06 a.m.

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

Fall migrations don't just bring migratory waterfowl to our state, but they also deliver a plethora of songbirds heading for more inviting habitats.

There are several excellent spots to watch for birds in the Las Vegas Valley. One of the best is the City of Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve (and Water Reclamation Facility). There are mapped trails and several observation stations with benches and signage available for the convenience of bird watchers.

There are classes offered each month for young and old alike, including a children's program where bird feeders, birdhouses and other arts and crafts are made. Senior Days are special at the Bird Viewing Preserve. On special Tuesdays, the preserve is open to seniors who want to visit for a walk. There is no charge on these days.

The Henderson Bird Preserve, located on 2400 Moser Drive, is open from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. For more information or to make appointments for guided tours (necessary for larger groups) call 566-2939.

The Desert Wetlands Park is also another spot that attracts many species of birds. Much has been achieved in developing and protecting the wetlands in what used to be a beautiful, lush natural area along the Las Vegas Wash.

The Friends of the Desert Wetlands Park are spearheading efforts to stabilize, develop and/or maintain the valuable wetlands in the Wash. In addition, visitor facilities, such as viewing areas, walking trails and other interpretive areas, are under plan or development.

The UNLV Environmental Studies Department has been offering a community workshop to give a basic introduction to wetland components and processes, while including outdoor activities in the Nature Preserve. The next one to be offered is Nov. 17 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The workshop will be suitable for families with children. For more information about the park or the workshop, please call 895-4771.

For those who are interested in birding, but don't feel they know enough about this fast-growing activity that is very popular throughout the world, there's a new product that was made for you (and all experienced birders will just love it).

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Guide to Birds of North America is offering a new CD-ROM for nature lovers of all ages. It features all 927 birds ever seen in the U.S. or Canada. Included are 2,675 photos by the top nature photographers. In addition, songs, calls and chip notes for more than 700 species are included.

If you're not quite sure you need every species ever seen in the U.S. and Canada, then maybe the special "lite" version of the CD is for you. It features 35 of the common backyard birds. It is called Cornell Lab of Ornithology's FeederWatcher's Guide to Backyard Birds. Visit www.ThayerBirding.com for more information.

The FeederWatch program at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology has recorded some insight into last year's bird flights. In addition to documenting what was thought to be some major decline in populations of birds who frequent feeders on the East Coast, those involved in the FeederWatch project documented an impressive dispersal of several species from western mountains.

Even before the FeederWatch program formally began last November, other birding listservs were reporting invasions of Stellar's and Pinyon jays, Clark's Nutcracker, Redbreasted Nuthatch, Dark-eyed Junco and Cassin's Finch on feeders. These species were vacating their mountain habitats along the Pacific Coast, the Great Plains and in lower elevations of Southern Arizona.

It is thought that a scarcity of food brought on by drought conditions and severe forest fires had moved birds into areas where food was more abundant.

Those interested in the FeederWatch program pay $15 to cover cost of materials and data analysis. Participants receive a Research Kit that includes a full-color feeder bird poster and calendar and a FeederWatcher's Handbook.

This is a great family activity and is well-suited for people of all ages. It would make a great Scout or classroom project.

For more information or to sign up, call the Cornell Lab of Ornithology at 800-843-2473 or visit the FeederWatch website at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw.