Bird-watchers flock to Henderson preserve

The Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve provides a peaceful place to stroll, observe birds and wildlife and join groups experiencing the outdoors and learning about our desert environment. The preserve encompasses 100 acres of Henderson's Wastewater Reclamation Facility, including nine ponds. It sits adjacent to the Clark County Wetlands Park, a nature preserve developing near marshes and creeks draining runoff from the Las Vegas Valley into Lake Mead.

The Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve is off Galleria Drive east of Boulder Highway. Follow U.S. Highway 93/95 south from downtown Las Vegas to exit 64B at Galleria Drive. Drive east on Galleria across Boulder Highway nearly two miles to the preserve's access road one block before Moser Drive. Following signs, turn left and drive north about 300 yards. Turn right, heading east a short distance, then north into the preserve's landscaped parking lot.

Open free of charge daily, the bird viewing site remains open from early morning until 2 p.m. The last entry is 30 minutes before closing time. During winter hours, December through February, the preserve opens at 7 a.m. Spring hours begin at 6 a.m. During the heat of summer, the preserve closes at noon. For fall, the preserve returns to the 6 a.m. opening.

After parking, sign in at the visitor center. For visitors without bird books or binoculars, the visitor center maintains a few for loan. The bookshop in the visitor center stocks gifts, books, toys and educational materials. Check for the current schedule of classes and workshops offered for all ages.

Call the visitor center at 267-4180 to make advance arrangements to ride the Bird Mobile, a six-passenger vehicle used for guided tours, and well-suited for disabled visitors. The Henderson Parks and Recreation website, cityofhenderson.com/parks, lists the regular Bird Mobile schedule, usually offered on weekends. Riders must be at least 6 years old. Children younger than 14 must be accompanied by an adult.

When the ponds at the wastewater facility were developed decades ago, they created one of the largest sources of water in Southern Nevada with open water, marshes and runoff streams. Without intending to do so, the city provided irresistible habitat for all kinds of birds, both natives and diverse species winging across the desert during seasonal migrations.

Local birders soon discovered the Henderson sewage treatment facility was attracting thousands of birds. The site rapidly became a prime birding site, where more than 250 species have been counted. Since 1967, the facility has been included as one of the local sites for the National Audobon Society's annual Christmas bird count.

In 1995, the city decided to formalize the water treatment facility as a birding site. Working with local birders, they adjusted certain maintenance practices to encourage nesting and set goals to enhance the site with landscaping using native plants and trees. The bird watching preserve officially opened in 1998. The preserve now meets standards set by the National Wildlife Federation for certified wildlife habitat that attracts native wildlife as well as birds.

Improvements came in stages and are still developing. Over time, the city installed pathways, a visitor center, a paved parking area, a picnic pavilion, an outdoor classroom, benches, access to drinking water and restrooms. Today, gravel walkways loop around all the ponds, and the paved walkway suitable for wheelchairs extends for three-quarters of a mile. Recent improvements include realigning the preserve's access road, installation of more seating, a boardwalk extending over the water at one pond, a two-story observation tower overlooking three ponds and simple blinds created by erecting fence sections with viewing openings. Most of the $1.9 million funding for recent projects came from the sale of public lands through the Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act.

Stop by the preserve to discover its appeal. You will be out in the open, so dress in layers and use sunscreen. Wear a hat and sturdy footwear. Carry bottled drinking water. Keep the kids out of the ponds, and leave the dog at home.

Margo Bartlett Pesek's column appears on Sundays.