Beyond Las Vegas’ miles-long strip of glittering lights and casino resorts lies a vast natural expanse that’s home to a seasonal phenomenon. Every spring and fall, migratory birds grace our skies. Their journey, known as the Pacific Flyway, stretches from Alaska and Canada, through California to Mexico and South America.

On the flyway path, Southern Nevada is a crucial pit stop that provides diverse habitats, from wetlands to desert oases, and refueling opportunities. Recently, a traveler on that path, a yellow-billed loon—one of the 10 rarest birds that breeds in the continental U.S., according to the National Park Service—made international news by landing in the Bellagio’s Strip-front lake, halting the resort’s fountain shows.

This rare loon’s Vegas visit illustrates a concern among naturalists: When our winged friends traverse the Valley, they’re met with a bustling urban landscape, unnatural human interactions and global warming issues that can harm or disturb their migration.

The Weekly spoke with experts to learn more about the effects of urban sprawl, the conservation efforts of local wildlife authorities and bird-human interactions.

CONSERVATION EFFORTS

Dangers posed by renewable energy installations like solar and wind are becoming increasingly unavoidable for our feathered friends. Solar energy plants present the risk of birds mistaking solar fields for bodies of water, leading to fatal collisions. Similarly, they run the risk of colliding with wind turbines.

“There’s the challenge of being able to generate the greenest energy possible for the environment and decrease global warming, versus the impact it has on these species,” says Rob Vinson, wildlife refuge manager with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

In the face of growing threats posed by climate change and human activity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is at the forefront of protective services and monitors migratory bird populations. USFWS uses a range of initiatives to track their migration patterns, assess habitat use, and ease the impacts of environmental changes.

Vinson highlights the impact of climate change by citing the example of black-bellied whistling-ducks, a bird native to the South American tropics that are expanding their ranges northward due to warming temperature. “Within the last decade, their expansion has moved all the way up to where they’re very common up in Ohio, Illinois, Mississippi … that’s due to climate change,” Vinson says.

Severe droughts and alterations to water systems can also lead to habitat loss and resource shortages.

Recognizing these challenges, USFWS utilizes advanced tracking systems such as the Motus Wildlife Tracking System and Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) to monitor bird movements and habitat use in real time. North of Las Vegas at the Desert National Wildlife Refuge Complex, the Motus system maintains a network of towers across key habitats. With this, researchers can collect data on bird migration patterns, stopover sites and foraging behavior. Similarly, GSM enables researchers to attach tracking devices to individual birds.

“The data collected through these tracking technologies allows us to predict future bird behavior and reproduction rates,” Vinson says. “With this, USFWS can develop conservation strategies.”

These tracking systems help researchers determine which species are at risk of being endangered and make decisions about habitat restoration, establishing protected areas and public awareness campaigns.

BIRD-HUMAN INTERACTIONS

Residents of urban neighborhoods may inadvertently host nestlings or baby birds. Claire Clarke, urban wildlife education coordinator for the Nevada Department of Wildlife, advises people to be proactive about birds nesting in their yards, no matter how cute they may be.

“As we are getting into the breeding season for Mallard ducks, especially this time of year, the males and females are starting to scope out nice areas, so that they could build a nest and have access to water very shortly after those chicks hatch,” Clarke explains.

“We want to prevent the nest from becoming active in the first place. So if you notice that there’s a pair of ducks hanging out in your backyard, do what you can to discourage them from getting too comfortable.”

Clarke suggests trimming bushes and shrubs to remove potential nesting sites. And if you notice a nest is being constructed without eggs present, go ahead and dismantle it by removing sticks, twigs, leaves and grasses before it becomes an active bird-boarding spot.

However, once eggs are laid, the nest is considered to be active and is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. In this case, residents, now the hosts, are advised to wait until the eggs hatch and the fledglings leave the site before taking

any action.

“If you come across a baby bird, and it has no feathers, is completely naked with its eyes still closed, there’s a good chance that it’s what’s considered a hatchling,” said Clarke. “This age class is still very reliant on their parents, so they’ll need their mom or dad bird to come and bring them food, regurgitate that food for them and keep them warm.”

Clarke says that if a hatchling is found on the ground, it’s all right to carefully place it back in its nest. But if the nest is missing due to factors like a windstorm, an artificial nest made with a shallow box can replace the real thing, as long as it’s placed in the general area where the chick was discovered to ensure the parents can find their baby.

As the hatchling grows, it will practice hopping around and foraging for its own food. “They’ll learn how to find safe spots and avoid predators,” explains Clarke.

This natural learning process is crucial for young birds’ development. And while it’s tempting to want to help the chick, Clarke says, “In general, wildlife doesn’t need our assistance … so it’s kind of a matter of evaluating the situation, and oftentimes, it’s just a younger bird learning how to become a regular bird.”

Click HERE to subscribe for free to the Weekly Fix, the digital edition of Las Vegas Weekly! Stay up to date with the latest on Las Vegas concerts, shows, restaurants, bars and more, sent directly to your inbox!