[birding] dispatch from the vast lands of central NV

[howard bruner]

The crew and I have been measuring the presence and abundance of birds in the montane canyons that drain 4 mountain ranges in central NV.  I am astounded at the diversity and numbers of species we find in the wet as well as dry canyons.  Species I am used to finding in the west side gallery forests are here happily breeding alongside a whole new cohort (for me) of desert dwellers.  I am fortunate to be working with a couple of young men that have the makings of being great naturalists.  Butterflies, herptiles, beetles, spiders, ants are all of great interest to all of us and we spend the afternoons adding to a voluminous body of knowledge we are all growing.

 
We travel hundreds of miles to access the far reaches of Ranges.  I am struck by the focus and concentrated effort necessary to unravel the mysteries that are unseen at the scale of sweeping sage-packed valleys and snowcapped rock peaks.  Until you walk quietly through the dawn in a canyon brimming with sound and movement you will not have the measure of the heart of these magnificent mountains.

 
I am writing from a small mining support community called Hadley that has a very decent library.  I have added numerous life birds since arrival - a smattering of the list: Virginia's warbler, gray vireo, dusky flycatcher, and gray flycatcher. 

 
My hat off to Hendrik H. for his very concise and helpful effort to get me information on this wonderful opportunity.  The birds and canyons say Hi Hendrik.

 

H
 		 	   		  
_________________________________________________________________
Hotmail has tools for the New Busy. Search, chat and e-mail from your inbox.
http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?ocid=PID28326::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:042010_1
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://www.midvalleybirding.org/pipermail/birding/attachments/20100609/f6ecbfaa/attachment.html