Nevada birders,

on a walk to the north side of Rancho San Rafael Park in Reno today, we had an hour delay at the Arboretum garden area to enjoy a singing Bullock’s Oriole, Lazuli Bunting, several Wilson’s Warblers, Warbling and Plumbeous Vireos and a Western Tanager downstream of Herman Pond.  One might say there was a small fallout of birds from yesterday’s windy, raining, snowy weather.

We also saw a snipe get up from the open wetland area below Herman Pond, and a Gray Flycatcher there.  There was a Western-type flycatcher in the trees below the dam and Barn, Cliff, and Northern Rough-winged Swallows at the pond and over the wetlands.

In the big riparian area to the north, we discovered David who had  posted all the great birds yesterday and we were joined by Fred.  We heard and saw at least two Townsend’s Warblers, and Yellow and Yellow-rumped Warblers, and several interesting flycatchers - some of the Hammonds/Dusky variety and innumerable House and Bewick’s Wrens, E. Starlings, Black-billed Magpies, Red-winged Blackbirds, House Finches - quite a cacophony at times.  There were at least three Golden-crowned Sparrows.  The owl and owlets were fine. 

A fine Mother’s Day birding adventure.

Rose Strickland,
Reno