**Important sites for aquatic birds in Nevada**

version 2.0

By Ann Manning and Lara Hartley

March 2006

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height="4.760416666666667in"}

**Table of Contents**

[Introduction 2](#introduction)

[Summary of the assessment 2](#summary-of-the-assessment)

[Potential additional surveys 6](#potential-additional-surveys)

[Acknowledgments 6](#acknowledgments)

[Appendix One: Focal species 6](#appendix-one-focal-species)

[Appendix Two: Recommendations for each site.
8](#appendix-two-recommendations-for-each-site.)

[Appendix Three: List of Contacts 14](#appendix-three-list-of-contacts)

# Introduction

This is one of a series of reports that summarize information about
sites and regions important to aquatic birds. The report is intended to
facilitate development of comprehensive surveys for aquatic birds.
Similar reports have been prepared for each of the 48 coterminous
States. The reports were prepared as part of the Coordinated Bird
Monitoring (CBM) effort that many States and other groups are engaged in
(see [http://greatbasin.nbii.gov/iwcbm/]{.underline}). The work on CBM
has included a substantial effort, funded by the US Fish and Wildlife
Service and the US Geological Survey, to develop a sampling plan for
aquatic species. The sampling frame is hierarchical and includes the
following "levels":

Level One: Bird Conservation Sub-region (BCS)

Level Two: Designated areas within a BCS

Additional levels as needed

BCSs were defined throughout Canada and the US by intersecting a map of
Bird Conservation Regions (BCR) with a map of Provinces and States. We
deleted small polygons and smoothed the BCR boundaries to make them
easier to locate on the ground. The resulting BCSs permit aggregating
results to either the BCR or Province and State level and to any larger
level that uses these sub-divisions.

The most important areas for aquatic birds were identified in each BCS.
We called these "designated areas". They support significant numbers of
aquatic birds and would probably be surveyed in a comprehensive aquatic
bird survey. Examples include National Wildlife Refuges, State game
management areas if biologists are available to survey them, and other
areas that are notable for aquatic birds and that volunteers could
probably be found to survey. Designated areas may be regions, such as
the playa lakes region in northwest Nevada, and they may be
discontinuous, such as 37 lakes and reservoirs that have been identified
in southern Idaho. Each designated area is described using a standard
format. These descriptions facilitate development of specific surveys.
Designated areas are numbered sequentially within each BCS.

This report identifies species that regularly use each BCS in the State
and presents lists of designated areas in each BCR. The species lists
were generated by compiling checklists, available on the internet. An
initial list was prepared by including all species that were designated
as common or abundant. The lists were then reviewed by biologists in the
area. Information about existing surveys and surveys that would be
beneficial is also summarized and an indication is provided of whether
potentially useful new surveys could be carried out by volunteers or
would require paid staff or contractors. We hope the report will help
groups interested in initiating surveys for aquatic birds by identifying
areas that warrant coverage and by describing the broad outlines of a
sampling plan that may be used to select survey locations.

# Summary of the assessment

Aquatic bird surveys in Nevada were assessed in consultation with
Elisabeth Ammon, Great Basin Bird Observatory. Nevada has two BCSs: 93
and 94 which are in BCRs 9 (Great Basin) and 33 (Sonoran and Mojave
Deserts) respectively. We identified 48 important areas for aquatic
birds, most of them in BCS 93 (Tables 2, 3, Figure 1). At least 15 of
them are on State land and 19 are on federal land (6-USFWS, 2-NPS,
1-USFS, 5-BLM, 2-BOR).

Fig. 1. Important sites for aquatic birds in Nevada.

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height="4.760416666666667in"}

Table 1. Number of identified, important areas for aquatic birds in
Nevada.

  ------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
  BCS                 Designated Areas

  93                  36

  94                  12

  All                 48
  ------------------- ---------------------------------------------------

Approximately 56 aquatic species occur at least commonly, at some time
of year, in these sites (Table 1).

Our assessment indicated that 62 surveys for aquatic birds are being
conducted at present (Table 2). Site descriptions, using the format we
recommend, have been prepared for 22 of the areas. We estimate that 60
of the potentially valuable surveys could be carried out by volunteers
assuming that a coordinator, working at the IW-wide level, was available
to recruit and manage the volunteers (Table 3). Implementation of these
surveys would provide good to excellent coverage of 56 aquatic species
that warrant monitoring in Nevada including 18 waterfowl, 12 shorebirds,
and 20 waterbirds.

Table 2. Surveys for aquatic birds in Nevada (M=migration; B=breeding;
W=winter).

  ---------------- --------- ------------ -------- --------------------------
  Survey           Current   Potential    Season   Comments
                   number    new surveys           

  Aerial           30        8            W        Six additional sites
                                                   warrant monitoring but
                                                   would be difficult.

  Ground (all      23        19           MBW      Two additional sites
  species)                                         warrant monitoring but
                                                   would be difficult.

  Secretive        2         20           B        Three additional sites
  marshbirds                                       warrant monitoring but
                                                   would be difficult.

  Migrating        4         29           M        
  shorebirds                                       

  Colonies         3         3            B        Two additional sites
                                                   warrant monitoring but
                                                   would be difficult.

  Total            62        79           \-       \-
  ---------------- --------- ------------ -------- --------------------------

Table 3. Important areas and status of surveys for aquatic birds in
Nevada.

  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  BCS   Num-ber   Name            Site            Species                                  Surveys^2^                                          
                                  des-cription?   present^1^                                                                                   
  ----- --------- --------------- --------------- ------------ ------------- ------------- ------------ -------------- ----------- ----------- ----------
                                                  Water-fowl   Water-birds   Shore-birds   Aerial       Ground-based   Secretive   Migrating   Breeding
                                                                                           Water-fowl   waterbird      Marshbird   Shorebird   Colonies

  93    1         Anaho Island    n               0            1             0             0            6              0           0           1
                  NWR                                                                                                                          

  93    2         Artesia Lake    y               1            1             1             1            4              0           4           0

  93    3         Boyd Humboldt   n               1            1             1             1            3              0           3           2
                  Valley Wetlands                                                                                                              

  93    4         Carson Lake     n               1            1             1             1            1              0           1           4

  93    5         Carson River    n               1            1             1             1            4              0           4           4
                  Delta                                                                                                                        

  93    6         Carson Valley   n               1            1             1             1            1              5           4           4

  93    7         David E. Moore  n               1            1             0             4            4              0           0           0
                  Bird and                                                                                                                     
                  Wildlife                                                                                                                     
                  Sanctuary                                                                                                                    

  93    8         Duck Valley     y               1            1             1             1            1              2           2           2
                  Wetlands                                                                                                                     

  93    9         Franklin Lake   n               1            1             1             1            1              0           4           0

  93    10        Gridley Lake    n               1            1             1             1            4              0           4           0

  93    11        Humboldt River  y               1            1             1             6            6              6           6           6
                  and Tributaries                                                                                                              

  93    12        Humboldt        n               1            1             1             1            1              0           3           1
                  WMA/Humboldt                                                                                                                 
                  Sink                                                                                                                         

  93    13        Kirch WMA       y               1            1             1             1            1              4           4           4

  93    14        Lahontan        y               1            1             0             1            4              0           0           4
                  Reservoir                                                                                                                    

  93    15        Lahontan Valley y               1            1             1             1            1              4           1           3

  93    16        Little Fish     n               1            1             1             1            4              0           4           4
                  Lakes                                                                                                                        

  93    17        Mary\'s River   n               1            1             1             0            3              3           1           0
                  (Humboldt River                                                                                                              
                  tributary)                                                                                                                   

  93    18        Mason Valley    y               1            1             1             1            4              4           4           4
                  WMA                                                                                                                          

  93    19        Meadow Valley   n               1            1             0             1            5              5           0           0
                  Wash                                                                                                                         

  93    20        North-central   n               1            1             1             6            6              6           6           6
                  Nevada                                                                                                                       

  93    21        Northwest       y               1            1             1             6            6              6           6           6
                  Nevada Lakes                                                                                                                 
                  and Playas                                                                                                                   

  93    22        Pyramid Lake    y               1            1             1             1            1              0           4           1

  93    23        Quinn River and y               1            1             1             6            6              6           6           6
                  Little Humboldt                                                                                                              
                  Rivers                                                                                                                       

  93    24        Railroad Valley n               1            1             1             1            1              4           4           0
                  WMA                                                                                                                          

  93    25        Ruby Lake NWR   y               1            1             1             1            1              3           3           3

  93    26        Rye Patch       y               1            1             1             1            4              0           4           4
                  Reservoir                                                                                                                    

  93    27        Sheldon NWR     n               1            1             1             1            1              3           3           3

  93    28        Snow Water and  y               1            1             1             1            4              0           4           4
                  Goshute Lakes                                                                                                                

  93    29        South Fork      y               1            1             1             1            3              0           3           3
                  Reservoir                                                                                                                    

  93    30        Steptoe WMA     y               1            1             1             1            1              3           3           0

  93    31        Stillwater      n               1            1             1             1            1              6           1           6
                  WMA/Fallon NWR                                                                                                               

  93    32        Swan            n               1            1             1             5            4              4           4           0
                  Lake/Lemmon                                                                                                                  
                  Valley Sewage                                                                                                                
                  Treatment Ponds                                                                                                              

  93    33        Topaz Lake      n               1            1             1             5            1              0           4           4

  93    34        Walker Lake     y               1            1             1             1            1              0           3           4

  93    35        Washoe Lake     y               1            1             1             1            4              0           4           0

  93    36        Wildhorse       y               1            1             1             1            4              0           4           4
                  Reservoir                                                                                                                    

  94    1         Ash Meadows NWR y               1            1             1             1            2              4           4           0

  94    2         Big Smokey      n               1            1             1             1            4              4           4           0
                  Valley                                                                                                                       

  94    3         Henderson       n               1            1             1             0            1              3           3           3
                  Sewage Ponds                                                                                                                 

  94    4         Key Pittman WMA y               1            1             1             6            1              4           4           4

  94    5         Lake Mead NRA   y               1            1             0             5            1              0           0           5

  94    6         Lake Mohave     y               1            1             0             5            1              5           0           5

  94    7         Las Vegas Wash  y               1            1             0             5            1              1           0           4

  94    8         Moapa           n               1            1             0             0            5              3           0           0
                  Valley/Upper                                                                                                                 
                  Muddy River                                                                                                                  

  94    9         Overton         y               1            1             1             1            1              4           0           4
                  WMA/Lower Muddy                                                                                                              
                  River                                                                                                                        

  94    10        Pahranagat NWR  y               1            1             1             2            1              4           4           4

  94    11        Southern Nevada n               0            0             0             6            6              6           6           6

  94    12        Virgin River    n               1            1             0             5            1              1           0           0
  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

^1^0=no; 1=yes.

^2^0=survey not appropriate; 1=existing survey; 2-5 = site important but
no survey at present (2=volunteers could conduct surveys; 3=volunteers
could help conduct survey; 4=staff would have to conduct survey;
5=survey would be difficult; 6=information still needed.

# 

# 

# Potential additional surveys

We also determined what additional surveys might be conducted at each
area. No presumption was made that these surveys *should* be conducted.
This information was gathered solely to help address questions such as
"If we wanted to survey at least 80% of the sites with significant
numbers of migrating shorebirds (or any other group), how many new
surveys would be needed?". We collected information on whether
volunteers could do the survey entirely or in part, and whether the
surveys were viewed as extremely difficult by biologists familiar with
the areas. Results showed that there are many more opportunities for
additional surveys as there are current surveys (Table 4). Many suitable
areas for aerial surveys are being surveyed whereas only 4 of the areas
suitable for migrating shorebird surveys are being covered. Based on our
results, volunteers could conduct 6 surveys and could help conduct 22
additional surveys. Additional information about designated areas will
be valuable in determining where other surveys are needed.

Table 4. Summary of known aquatic bird surveys at designated areas in
Nevada.

  ----------------------- ----------- -------------- ----------- ----------- ---------- ---------
  Survey                  Aerial      Ground-based   Secretive   Migrating   Breeding   All
                          Waterfowl   waterbird      Marshbird   Shorebird   Colonies   surveys

  Existing survey         30          23             2           4           3          62

  No survey at present    12          8              9           5           7          41

  Volunteers could        1           1              1           1           2          6
  conduct                                                                               

  Volunteers could help   0           3              6           8           5          22
  conduct                                                                               

  Staff would conduct     1           13             10          20          16         60

  Survey would be         6           2              3           0           2          13
  difficult                                                                             

  Information lacking     6           6              6           5           5          28
  ----------------------- ----------- -------------- ----------- ----------- ---------- ---------

# 

# Acknowledgments

Elisabeth Ammon, Great Basin Bird Observatory, Larry Need, Nevada
Division of Wildlife, and Don McIvor, Lahontan Audubon Society. Site and
matrix strata names are from the Nevada Aquatic Bird Count Sites and
Procedures draft (GBBO et al. 2004; downloadable from
www.gbbo.org/abc_forms.htm). The species list is based on 2 checklists
from the region.

# 

# Appendix One: Focal species

Table A1. Focal aquatic species and seasons in which they are common
enough to warrant monitoring (M=migration; B=breeding; W=winter).

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              BCS           
  ------------------------------------------- ------------- -------------
  Species                                     93            94

  Common Loon                                 M             W

  Western Grebe                               MW             

  Eared Grebe                                 MBW           M

  Pied-billed Grebe                           MBW           MBW

  California Gull                             MB             

  Ring-billed Gull                            M              

  Forster\'s Tern                             MB             

  Black Tern                                  MB             

  Double-crested Cormorant                    MB             

  American White Pelican                      MB             

  Common Merganser                            MW             

  Mallard                                     MBW           MW

  Gadwall                                     MBW            

  American Wigeon                             MW             

  Green-winged Teal                           MW            MW

  Cinnamon Teal                               MB            M

  Northern Shoveler                           MB             

  Northern Pintail                            MBW            

  Redhead                                     MB            MBW

  Canvasback                                  MBW           MW

  Lesser Scaup                                MBW            

  Ring-necked Duck                            MW             

  Common Goldeneye                            W              

  Bufflehead                                  MW             

  Ruddy Duck                                  MBW           MBW

  Snow Goose                                  M              

  Canada Goose                                MBW            

  Tundra Swan                                 MW             

  White-faced Ibis                            MB            M

  American Bittern                            MB             

  Great Blue Heron                            MBW            

  Great Egret                                 M              

  Snowy Egret                                 MB             

  Black-crowned Night-Heron                   MB             

  Sandhill Crane                              MB             

  Virginia Rail                               MB             

  Sora                                        MB             

  Common Moorhen                                            MBW

  American Coot                               MBW           MBW

  Wilson\'s Phalarope                         MB             

  American Avocet                             MB             

  Black-necked Stilt                          MB             

  Common Snipe                                MB             

  Long-billed Dowitcher                       M             MB

  Least Sandpiper                             MB            M

  Western Sandpiper                           MB            M

  Solitary Sandpiper                          M              

  Willet                                      MB             

  Spotted Sandpiper                           MB             

  Long-billed Curlew                          MB             

  Killdeer                                    MB             

  Northern Harrier                            MBW           MB

  Yellow-headed Blackbird                     MB            MB

  Red-winged Blackbird                        MBW           MBW

  Tree Swallow                                MB            MB

  Violet-green Swallow                        MB            MB

  Marsh Wren                                  MB            MB
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

# Appendix Two: Recommendations for each site.

*BMR 93*

1.  Anaho Island NWR

-   Prepare a site description using the IW Aquatic Bird Survey
    protocol.

2.  Artesia Lake

-   A ground-based survey for all aquatic birds would be valuable; may
    be conducted by volunteers.

-   A migrating shorebird survey would be valuable; may be able to use
    volunteer observers.

> 3\. Boyd Humboldt Valley Wetlands

-   Prepare a site description using the IW Aquatic Bird Survey
    protocol.

-   A ground-based survey for all aquatic birds would be valuable; may
    be able to use help from volunteers.

-   A migrating shorebird survey would be valuable; may be able to use
    help from volunteer observers.

-   A survey of the breeding colony would be valuable; would probably
    need to be conducted by staff.

4\. Carson Lake

-   Prepare a site description using the IW Aquatic Bird Survey
    protocol.

-   A survey of the breeding colony would be valuable; may be conducted
    by volunteers.

5\. Carson River Delta

-   Prepare a site description using the IW Aquatic Bird Survey
    protocol.

-   A ground-based survey for all aquatic birds would be valuable; may
    be conducted by volunteers.

-   A migrating shorebird survey would be valuable; may be able to use
    volunteer observers.

-   A survey of the breeding colony would be valuable; may be conducted
    by volunteers.

6\. Carson Valley

-   Prepare a site description using the IW Aquatic Bird Survey
    protocol.

-   A migrating shorebird survey would be valuable; may be able to use
    volunteer observers.

-   A survey of the breeding colony would be valuable; may be conducted
    by volunteers.

7\. David E. Moore Bird and Wildlife Sanctuary

-   Prepare a site description using the IW Aquatic Bird Survey
    protocol.

-   An aerial survey for waterfowl would be valuable.

-   A ground-based survey for all aquatic birds would be valuable; may
    be conducted by volunteers.

> 8\. Duck Valley Wetlands

-   A secretive marshbird survey would be valuable; would probably need
    to be conducted by staff.

-   A migrating shorebird survey would be valuable; would probably need
    to be conducted by staff.

-   A survey of the breeding colony would be valuable; would probably
    need to be conducted by staff.

9\. Franklin Lake

-   Prepare a site description using the IW Aquatic Bird Survey
    protocol.

-   A migrating shorebird survey would be valuable; may be able to use
    volunteer observers.

10\. Gridley Lake

-   Prepare a site description using the IW Aquatic Bird Survey
    protocol.

-   A ground-based survey for all aquatic birds would be valuable; may
    be conducted by volunteers.

-   A migrating shorebird survey would be valuable; may be able to use
    volunteer observers.

> 11\. Humboldt River and Tributaries (This includes dispersed pockets
> of marshes along the Humboldt River and tributary river corridors, not
> included in other designated areas.)

-   Determine whether aerial surveys for waterfowl, a secretive
    marshbird survey, and/or a colony survey would be beneficial (we
    were not able to obtain this information).

-   Decide whether to implement any of the surveys that would provide
    useful information.

12\. Humboldt WMA / Humboldt Sink

-   Prepare a site description using the IW Aquatic Bird Survey
    protocol.

-   A migrating shorebird survey would be valuable; may be able to use
    help from volunteer observers.

13\. Kirch WMA

-   A secretive marshbird survey would be valuable; may be able to use
    volunteers to conduct survey.

-   A migrating shorebird survey would be valuable; may be able to use
    volunteer observers.

-   A survey of the breeding colony would be valuable; may be conducted
    by volunteers.

14\. Lahontan Reservoir

-   A ground-based survey for all aquatic birds would be valuable; may
    be conducted by volunteers.

-   A survey of the breeding colony would be valuable; may be conducted
    by volunteers.

15\. Lahontan Valley

-   A secretive marshbird survey would be valuable; may be able to use
    volunteers to conduct survey.

-   A survey of the breeding colony would be valuable; would probably
    need to be conducted by staff and use volunteer help.

16\. Little Fish Lakes

-   Prepare a site description using the IW Aquatic Bird Survey
    protocol.

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-   A ground-based survey for all aquatic birds would be valuable; may
    be conducted by volunteers.

-   A migrating shorebird survey would be valuable; may be able to use
    volunteer observers.

-   A survey of the breeding colony would be valuable; may be conducted
    by volunteers.

17\. Mary's River (Humboldt River tributary)

-   Prepare a site description using the IW Aquatic Bird Survey
    protocol.

-   A ground-based survey for all aquatic birds would be valuable; would
    probably need to be conducted by staff with volunteer help.

-   A secretive marshbird survey would be valuable; would probably need
    to be conducted by staff with volunteer help.

18\. Mason Valley WMA

-   A ground-based survey for all aquatic birds would be valuable; may
    be conducted by volunteers.

-   A secretive marshbird survey would be valuable; may be able to use
    volunteers to conduct survey.

-   A migrating shorebird survey would be valuable; may be able to use
    volunteer observers.

-   A survey of the breeding colony would be valuable; may be conducted
    by volunteers.

19\. Meadow Valley Wash

-   Prepare a site description using the IW Aquatic Bird Survey
    protocol.

> 20\. North-central Nevada (This includes all areas in BCS 93 that are
> not included in other designated areas.)

-   Prepare a site description using the IW Aquatic Bird Survey
    protocol.

-   Determine whether aerial surveys for waterfowl, a secretive
    marshbird survey, and/or a colony survey would be beneficial (we
    were not able to obtain this information).

-   Decide whether to implement any of the surveys that would provide
    useful information.

> 21\. Northwest Nevada Lakes and Playas (This includes the
> northwestern-most corner of BCS 93 not in other designated areas.)

-   Determine whether aerial surveys for waterfowl, a secretive
    marshbird survey, and/or a colony survey would be beneficial (we
    were not able to obtain this information).

-   Decide whether to implement any of the surveys that would provide
    useful information.

22\. Pyramid Lake

-   A migrating shorebird survey would be valuable; may be able to use
    volunteer observers.

> 23\. Quinn River and Little Humboldt Rivers (This includes all areas
> along the Quinn River and its tributaries that are not included in
> other designated areas.)

-   Determine whether aerial surveys for waterfowl, a secretive
    marshbird survey, and/or a colony survey would be beneficial (we
    were not able to obtain this information).

-   Decide whether to implement any of the surveys that would provide
    useful information.

24\. Railroad Valley WMA

-   Prepare a site description using the IW Aquatic Bird Survey
    protocol.

-   A secretive marshbird survey would be valuable; may be able to use
    volunteers to conduct survey.

-   A migrating shorebird survey would be valuable; may be able to use
    volunteer observers.

25\. Ruby Lake NWR

-   A secretive marshbird survey would be valuable; would probably need
    to be conducted by staff with volunteer help.

-   A migrating shorebird survey would be valuable; would probably need
    to be conducted by staff with volunteer help.

-   A survey of the breeding colony would be valuable; would probably
    need to be conducted by staff with volunteer help.

> 26\. Rye Patch Reservoir

-   A ground-based survey for all aquatic birds would be valuable; would
    probably need to be conducted by staff.

-   A migrating shorebird survey would be valuable; would probably need
    to be conducted by staff.

-   A survey of the breeding colony would be valuable; would probably
    need to be conducted by staff.

> 27\. Sheldon NWR

-   Prepare a site description using the IW Aquatic Bird Survey
    protocol.

-   A secretive marshbird survey would be valuable; would probably need
    to be conducted by staff and volunteer help.

-   A migrating shorebird survey would be valuable; would probably need
    to be conducted by staff and volunteer help.

-   A survey of the breeding colony would be valuable; would probably
    need to be conducted by staff and volunteer help.

28\. Snow Water and Goshute Lakes

-   A ground-based survey for all aquatic birds would be valuable; may
    be conducted by volunteers.

-   A migrating shorebird survey would be valuable; may be able to use
    volunteer observers.

-   A survey of the breeding colony would be valuable; may be conducted
    by volunteers.

29\. South Fork Reservoir

-   A ground-based survey for all aquatic birds would be valuable; would
    probably need to be conducted by staff with volunteer help.

-   A migrating shorebird survey would be valuable; would probably need
    to be conducted by staff with volunteer help.

-   A survey of the breeding colony would be valuable; would probably
    need to be conducted by staff with volunteer help.

30\. Steptoe WMA

-   A secretive marshbird survey would be valuable; would probably need
    to be conducted by staff with volunteer help.

-   A migrating shorebird survey would be valuable; would probably need
    to be conducted by staff with volunteer help.

31\. Stillwater WMA/ Fallon NWR

-   Prepare a site description using the IW Aquatic Bird Survey
    protocol.

-   Determine whether a secretive marshbird survey, and/or a colony
    survey would be beneficial.

-   Decide whether to implement any of the surveys that would provide
    useful information.

32\. Swan Lake/Lemmon Valley Sewage Treatment Ponds

-   Prepare a site description using the IW Aquatic Bird Survey
    protocol.

-   A ground-based survey for all aquatic birds would be valuable; may
    be conducted by volunteers.

-   A secretive marshbird survey would be valuable; may be able to use
    volunteers to conduct survey.

-   A migrating shorebird survey would be valuable; may be able to use
    volunteer observers.

33\. Topaz Lake

-   Prepare a site description using the IW Aquatic Bird Survey
    protocol.

-   A migrating shorebird survey would be valuable; may be able to use
    volunteer observers.

-   A survey of the breeding colony would be valuable; may be conducted
    by volunteers.

34\. Walker Lake

-   A migrating shorebird survey would be valuable; would probably need
    to be conducted by staff with volunteer help.

-   A survey of the breeding colony would be valuable; may be conducted
    by volunteers.

35\. Washoe Lake

-   A ground-based survey for all aquatic birds would be valuable; may
    be conducted by volunteers.

-   A migrating shorebird survey would be valuable; may be able to use
    volunteer observers.

36\. Wildhorse Reservoir

-   A ground-based survey for all aquatic birds would be valuable; may
    be conducted by volunteers.

-   A migrating shorebird survey would be valuable; may be able to use
    volunteer observers.

-   A survey of the breeding colony would be valuable; may be conducted
    by volunteers.

*BMR 94*

1\. Ash Meadows NWR

-   A ground-based survey for all aquatic birds would be valuable; would
    probably need to be conducted by staff.

-   A secretive marshbird survey would be valuable; may be able to use
    volunteers to conduct survey.

-   A migrating shorebird survey would be valuable; may be able to use
    volunteer observers.

2\. Big Smokey Valley

-   Prepare a site description using the IW Aquatic Bird Survey
    protocol.

-   A ground-based survey for all aquatic birds would be valuable; may
    be conducted by volunteers.

-   A secretive marshbird survey would be valuable; may be able to use
    volunteers to conduct survey.

-   A migrating shorebird survey would be valuable; may be able to use
    volunteer observers.

3\. Henderson Sewage Ponds

-   Prepare a site description using the IW Aquatic Bird Survey
    protocol.

-   A secretive marshbird survey would be valuable; would probably need
    to be conducted by staff with volunteer help.

-   A migrating shorebird survey would be valuable; would probably need
    to be conducted by staff with volunteer help.

-   A ground-based survey for all aquatic birds would be valuable; would
    probably need to be conducted by staff with volunteer help.

4\. Key Pittman WMA

-   A secretive marshbird survey would be valuable; may be able to use
    volunteers to conduct survey.

-   A migrating shorebird survey would be valuable; may be able to use
    volunteer observers.

-   A survey of the breeding colony would be valuable; may be conducted
    by volunteers.

7\. Las Vegas Wash

-   A survey of the breeding colony would be valuable; may be conducted
    by volunteers.

8\. Moapa Valley/ Upper Muddy River

-   Prepare a site description using the IW Aquatic Bird Survey
    protocol.

-   A secretive marshbird survey would be valuable; would probably need
    to be conducted by staff with volunteer help.

9\. Overton WMA/ Lower Muddy River

-   A secretive marshbird survey would be valuable; may be able to use
    volunteers to conduct survey.

-   A survey of the breeding colony would be valuable; may be conducted
    by volunteers.

10\. Pahranagat NWR

-   An aerial survey for waterfowl would be beneficial, would need to be
    conducted by staff.

-   A secretive marshbird survey would be valuable; may be able to use
    volunteers to conduct survey.

-   A migrating shorebird survey would be valuable; may be able to use
    volunteer observers.

-   A survey of the breeding colony would be valuable; may be conducted
    by volunteers.

> 11\. Southern Nevada (This includes all areas in BCS 94 that are not
> in other designated areas.)

-   Prepare a site description using the IW Aquatic Bird Survey
    protocol.

-   Determine whether aerial surveys for waterfowl, a secretive
    marshbird survey, and/or a colony survey would be beneficial (we
    were not able to obtain this information).

-   Decide whether to implement any of the surveys that would provide
    useful information.

> 12\. Virgin River

-   Prepare a site description using the IW Aquatic Bird Survey
    protocol.

# Appendix Three: List of Contacts

This is not an all inclusive list, but are people who have provided
information or who may be able to provide information about aquatic
sites in Nevada.

  ------------- ------------------------------ -------------- -------------------------------------------------------
  **Contact**   **Site / Organization**        **Phone**      **Email**

  Ammon,        GBBO                           775-323-4226   [[ammon@gbbo.org]{.underline}](mailto:ammon@gbbo.org)
  Elisabeth                                                   

  Neel, Larry   NDOW                                          [neel@ndow.org]{.underline}
  ------------- ------------------------------ -------------- -------------------------------------------------------