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Birding Around Las Vegas. Who would have thought? Despite the image of a dry, barren landscape, the desert actually is a vibrant land full of life. Many species of resident and migrant birds occur in the desert, but their numbers generally are low. The few water sources and riparian areas tend to attract and concentrate birds, and therefore most of the better birding around Las Vegas is associated with water. Different species of birds occur in different habitats, so visit the desert, riparian corridors, lakes, and mountains to experience the diversity of bird life around Las Vegas.

This guide provides information on the best places to go Birding Around Las Vegas. The guide is organized into six regions: five regions in and around town, and one region for everything else around Las Vegas. For each region, I present a regional overview with general driving directions and general information, plus links to webpages with specific information on sites in the region. Visitors with little time for birding might want to concentrate on Corn Creek and the Urban Sites, while adventurous birders might want to spend time venturing farther afield Outside the Las Vegas Valley. I've also been adding pages about my favorite birding places around the country; these don't really fit with "Birding around Las Vegas," but I've had fun working on them.

I'm often asked if I provide a birding guide service; I do through Desert Wildlife Consultants, LLC. I enjoy birding with visitors if I can get out, but I have a demanding day job. Feel free to send an email to inquire about availability. Visitors who want other guides should contact the local Red Rock Audubon Society. The Society leads birding trips every few weeks, and some of the retired members will take visitors out during the week. If you don't need a guide, you might consider some specific suggestions or my Birding Trails Around Las Vegas.

In addition to these good birding spots around the Las Vegas Valley, birders might consider:

Birding Trails Around Las Vegas. Spend a day or two in the desert driving from one good birding spot to another.

Favorite Places Far Away. A collection of birding sites that, for one reason or another, I found to be particularly memorable. This list reflects my wanderings rather than a concerted effort to select the best sites around the country.

Directions

Directions to the birding sites give distances "from Las Vegas" or "from downtown." These distances are measured from the Spaghetti Bowl (the intersection of Interstate-15 and U.S. Highway 93/95). These distances are about the same as distances from the Downtown and Strip casinos. All of the distances are approximate; if something seems wrong, assume it is and send me a note.

GPS Coordinates

To help people using global positioning (GPS) devices, I provide longitude and latitude coordinates for the birding sites and various waypoints along the way. Two map datums (different coordinate systems) are commonly used in this area: NAD27 and WGS84. The distinction is important because the same longitude and latitude coordinates refer to different spots on the ground (that is, 36.4383ºN; 115.3575ºW under NAD27 is one spot on the ground, while the same coordinates are a different spot on the ground under WGS84). I use NAD27 (set your GPS to NAD27 CONUS), an older system, because it matches the USGS topographic maps for this area. The difference between the two datums is about 200 yards, so given the precision necessary to find intersections and parking areas, the map datum doesn't matter that much.

Personal Risks

Travel in the desert, especially during the heat of summer, carries risks. Always carry water, even in town. Any desert travel off the main highways carries extra risks: carry lots of water, food, gas, and tell someone where you are going and when you will be back. Don't assume your vehicle air conditioner will keep you cool. Don't assume your cell phone will work. Before you head out, consider what you would do if your vehicle breaks down.