A flock of birds fly across the sky at sunrise at the Las Vegas Wash

Marsh bird surveys kick off with a clatter!

Annual marsh bird surveys began in April along the Las Vegas Wash with biologists broadcasting the calls of black rail, sora, Virginia rail, least bittern, American bittern, and Yuma Ridgway’s rail in wetland areas, hoping to elicit a response.

So far, in addition to sora, least bittern and Virginia rail, responses by three endangered Yuma Ridgway’s rail have been detected over multiple surveys, including a breeding pair identified by a distinctive ‘clatter’ call.

Although Ridgway’s rail (formally known as clapper rail) have been detected intermittently in the past along the Wash, the last two seasons were the first indicating a bird had established a territory and is possibly breeding.

Surveys will continue through May.

See how birds have been monitored at the Las Vegas Wash over the years.

Where to go at the Las Vegas Wash

Clark County Wetlands Park

210-acre Nature Preserve
Miles of trails for walking, biking, bird watching and more
Nature Center with 10,000 square feet of interactive displays, artwork and activities

Get Directions

Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve

Home to thousands of migratory and resident desert birds
Nine ponds available for birding
3/4-mile long trail accessible by wheelchair

Get Directions

Water quality

See how the wetlands at the Wash clean the water that runs through them, filtering out harmful residues from fertilizers, oils and other contaminants that flow downstream.