Birds of Beatty

Hi Everyone!

The May 21st Beatty Bird Walk was great fun. With our trip leader Christiana Manville of Red Rock Audubon Society, 41 species were seen. Many first time bird walkers got some great looks at local birds using binoculars provided by The Nature Conservancy.

One of the day's highlights were Western Kingbirds. These large migratory flycatchers come from Mexico and Central America to Beatty and all over Western North America for nesting season. We found a Kingbird nest in a trimmed fan palm at the Stagecoach Inn, and another in a Cottonwood tree at Torrance Ranch.

Western Kingbird

Western Kingbird Nest

Many migrating warblers were moving through the trees. Yellow Warblers also migrate from Central America and Mexico to Beatty and all over North America for nesting season. Their song, "Sweet-sweet-sweet-sweeter than you" can be heard in Willow and Cottonwood trees along the Amargosa River.

Yellow Warbler ( male)

Wilson's Warblers seemed to be "everywhere" as they continue to higher elevations in Northeastern USA and Canada to breed.

Wilson's Warbler at Spicer Ranch (Birders are welcome on foot,park in designated areas)

A male House Finch was eating seeds from these blossoms along the Amargosa River

Amargosa Toadlets were introducing themselves to the next generation.

A pair of Black Phoebe (another type of flycatcher) are nesting at Torrance Ranch.

A Black Phoebe

The pair of American Kestrel are very active around their nest tree at Torrance Ranch. From the sounds of the chicks coming from up in the tree, it will be fledge day soon.

Male Kestrel

female kestrel

The female Northern Harrier gave everyone a great look as she called and circled over her nest. We stayed on the path and we didn't stay long.

(At sunrise, before the bird walk, I was able to photograph the two chicks).

Northern Harrier chicks

This juvenile Red-tailed Hawk was around Torrance Ranch at sunrise. It was being Harassed by Kestrels, Harriers, and a Northern Mockingbird. (Birds of prey are often dive-bombed or "mobbed" by smaller birds.)