Birds of a feather gather together at preserve

Sanctuary a stopping point for more than 200 avian species

Dale Dombrowski/View Dominic LaBarbera enjoys the tranquility of watching a variety of ducks swimming on one of the nine ponds at the Henderson Bird Preserve. Hummingbirds, quail, waterfowl and a variety of other feathered creatures can be found daily at the preserve, 2400 B Moser Drive. Dale Dombrowski/ViewWith a deep purple and black flowing moustache reminiscent of the cartoon character Yosemite Sam, a Costa?s hummingbird sits on a branch at the preserve. Advertisement

Survival for birds is focused on migration -- a constant search for food and suitable weather. Birds making the global trip between North America and South America are always in search of pit stops, and contrary to what some may think, Henderson is one of them.

Last summer, the organization of Western Field Ornithologists found more than 200 species of birds thriving at the Henderson Bird Preserve, 2400 B Moser Drive.

The preserve is located just past the intersection of Sunset Road and Boulder Highway. Motorists can see signs for the preserve on the medians after they pass the intersection.

The preserve is open from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, year-round. The last entry is permitted at 2:45 p.m. Binoculars are available for rent.

The migrating birds don't simply stop for a quick drink -- there also is food at the preserve. Birds of prey can be seen circling above, often working with a partner before they make their move to attack rodents on the ground.

"Most of the birds aren't migrating to get away from the cold weather," recreational assistant Georganne Neubauer said. "They migrate because they are in constant search of more food."

The waterfowl are unable to hunt overhead and must survive by feeding on the food in the water. They eat the Gamboozia fish that live in the ponds. The fish are man-planted and feed on mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are quite prevalent at the preserve, but visitors need not worry about their inconvenience, as the Gamboozia take care of it.

"In all my years working here, I have never been bitten by a mosquito," recreational assistant Jim Healy said.

Humans don't have to worry about predators and instead can easily navigate through the three-quarter-mile paved road that runs beside the ponds. The walk is visited by bird-lovers and people who simply want to get away from the city.

Healey wants visitors to know that the preserve is not a park and that everyone who comes to observe the birds must do just that. Dogs are not permitted at the preserve, and feeding the birds is not allowed. Healey is serious about respecting the birds.

"I'm here for two things -- the birds and the birders," he said.

The preserve was established without intent by the Water Reclamation Facility. More than 24 million gallons of wastewater travel through the facility each day. The standing water stored at the facility becomes a haven for the birds. In 1967, the National Audubon Society noticed the irregular bird viewing site and included it in its annual Christmas Count. The regional chapter of the NAS has kept a yearly count of the birds ever since.

The wastewater is used for golf courses, construction sites, landscaping and highways. The original intent of the facility was to find an effective way to recycle water in the middle of the desert.

The formalization of the bird preserve wasn't completed until 1997. The Red Rock Audubon Society felt that the reclamation plant wasn't worried enough about the well-being of the birds. Drainage was being performed during the height of migration season, and maintenance included the removal of vegetation. Henderson Mayor Jim Gibson brought engineers and bird-lovers together by formalizing the preserve as a place to call home for the birds.

After the formalization of the preserve, the private/public relationship between bird lovers and engineers allowed the Water Reclamation Facility to drain during lessened migration periods. Vegetation also was more strategically placed along the preserve.

For more information on the Bird Viewing Preserve, call 267-4180.