Birders flock to Western Nevada

Birding season officially opens on Sunday with the Audubon Christmas Bird Count and wraps up with Eagles & Agriculture Feb. 8-11, 2024.

Citizen scientists from across Western Nevada turn up at the River Fork Ranch Preserve 7:30 a.m. to identify and count birds in the annual event.

Last year’s bird count was postponed due to a record winter storm that slammed Western Nevada.

The count is sponsored by the Lahontan Audubon Society and The Nature Conservancy Nevada.

Email Ben Sonnenberg at Benjamin.r.sonnenberg@gmail.com or Jim Woods at jim.woods@charter.net for more information.

Two weeks later, the Mid-Winter Bald Eagle Survey will be conducted at Lake Tahoe Jan. 12, 2024. The bird count is 9 a.m. to noon and sees pairs of volunteers at 26 spots through out the Tahoe Basin, mostly along the shore.

For more information, visit the Tahoe Institute for Natural Science at www.tinsweb.org/midwinter-bald-eagle-count or contact Sarah Hockensmith at sarah@tinsweb.org or 775-298-0067.

All that leads to Eagles & Agriculture hosted by the Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce in February.

“We will once again be able to have bus-lead tours, allowing participants to learn about the local lore while riding in comfort to each tour site,” Chamber Director Alicia Main said. “Tickets will be limited to ensure we can keep the gathering small.”

The event starts 5:30-7:30 p.m. Feb. 8 with the reception in the CVIC Hall with live birds of prey and an exhibit of local photography from the Carson Valley Photo Club.

Tours start Feb. 9 with wetland tour and a trail hike before the Eagles and Ag Falconers dinner 5:30 p.m.

In addition to the ranch and eagle tours over the Feb. 10-11 weekend, there will also be photo workshops and the owl prowl.

Tickets to the event sell out quick. Visit www.carsonvalleynv.org or call 775-782-8144 to purchase tickets or find out more information.