Birders flock to Carson River to count crows

Some birds perched in trees near Riverview Park in Carson City counted about 20 parka and heavy sweater-clad watchers pressing binoculars to their eyes Saturday morning.

The birds might have been wondering why the two-legged watchers were out in freezing weather to look toward the bright blue sky and into thickets along the Carson River banks.

It was a Lahontan Audubon Society birding field trip led by Nancy Bish. Her husband, Mike, also was along for the mile walk.

Some 25 species were spotted, including a sharp-shinned hawk, Nancy Bish said.

Lesser and American gold finches sported bright plumage that shone against the sun while song sparrows prompted discussion.

"Their plumage is quite varied," Nancy Bish told the group. "They can be hard to identify."

While birds' coloring and habits dominated the conversation, some of the watchers' noses dripped a bit as the cold, dry air reddened their cheeks.

The highlight of the walk was watching the flight of a blue heron that soared over the group.

But other sightings that drew a few oohs and ahhs were a Northern Harrier as it flew close to the ground and a kestral, also know as a sparrow hawk, perched on a utility pole.

Scrub jays, meadowlarks and red-winged blackbird also were spotted. Cries from the under brush that sounded like "Chi-cago, Chi-cago" came from quail.