This morning (Wednesday) I visited the Sage Thrasher site near Swan
Lake described by Meg Andrews (see directions at end of this message).
I saw maybe 5+ Sage Thrashers including several singing males. One
male I listened to somewhat carefully was singing fairly long songs--I
timed some (well, I didn't have a watch or other device but I counted
off 1001, 1002 etc) at between 20 and 30 seconds, which was longer
than the songs I heard at this site about a month ago. Not sure if
that means anything. The thrashers were doing the undulating flight
and an open-wing display when landing. There was also at least one
singing Brewer's Sparrow present.
I also stopped at Lemmon Valley sewage ponds, where highlights included a
male Blue-winged Teal, about 40 Wilson's Phalaropes, about 20 Red-necked
Phalaropes, a Willet, dowitchers, two Dunlin, and a Forster's Tern.
Meg Andrews' directions to the Sage Thrasher site: "From Hwy. 395 north of
Reno, take the Lemmon Valley exit. At the bottom of the off ramp, turn
right and drive 4 miles. Turn left on a short dirt road directly opposite
the Assembly of God Church. Usually, I can just park a bit short of the
pump house, and watch several thrashers from my car on both sides of the
road."
Alan de Queiroz
Reno
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