prs@lanl.ARPA (Patricia Snider) (02/26/86)
Just got back from a trip to Las Vegas, Nevada. Went from Los Alamos, to Durango, Colo. and along the Utah-Arizona border to the 4 Corners, Glen Canyon Dam, St. George, and down to Vegas. Due to the dry winter there have been few birds-the most exciting was a mated pair of golden eagles on a pole near Hurricane, Utah. They were not the least bit afraid of us. Birded at Vegas at Corn Creek on the Desert Game Range and on Lorenzi Park Pond in Vegas. There was a Ross' Goose there, and this is the only place in Nevada to see Great-tailed Grackles. Also Canvasback, Ring- necked and Ruddy Ducks. Corn Creek is one of the top areas there, a desert oasis that attracts many rarities. Present were a Canada Goose, Cinnamon Teal, White-crowned and Song Sparrows, Oregon Juncos, a Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Goldfinches, Say's Phoebe, Verdin, etc. Rough-winged Swallows had already returned to Hoover Dam. The trees were leaving out and daffodils and pansies were in bloom. It was 80 degrees-a warm spell for them (and us here in New Mexico). Patricia R. Snider 90 Royal Crest Los Alamos, NM 87544 505-662-4336