OUTDOOR BRIEFS

WILDLIFE ADVISORY BOARD

Applicants sought to fill vacancy

The Clark County Board of Commissioners is seeking an interested sportsman, or a person engaged in ranching or farming, to fill a vacancy on the Clark County Advisory Board to Manage Wildlife. All applicants must be legal residents of Clark County. The three-year term of this voluntary position will expire on Feb. 1, 2011.

As outlined in Nevada statute, the purpose of the advisory board is to "solicit and evaluate local opinion and advise the Wildlife Commission on matters relating to the management of wildlife." The board also submits recommendations for the setting of fishing, hunting and trapping seasons or other related matters.

Applications can be obtained at the customer service counter for the Department of Air Quality and Environmental Management on the first floor of the Clark County Government Center, 500 S. Grand Central Parkway. Completed applications should be returned in accordance with the instructions on the application form no later than Jan. 11.

FALL MIGRATION

Season to watch waterfowl nearing

It may be the season of turkey, but waterfowl hunters, bird watchers and other outdoor recreationists are anxiously awaiting the annual fall migration of waterfowl, such as ducks, geese, swans and grebes. These avian animals will be migrating from as far north as the upper reaches of Canada and Alaska to the milder climates and bountiful food sources of Mexico and Central America.

"If someone wants to get a good look at a variety of waterfowl species, you can't beat the migration. Birds are concentrated in large numbers and really give viewers something to see," said Doug Nielsen, conservation education supervisor for the Nevada Department of Wildlife.

During their migration, waterfowl follow travel corridors known as flyways. There are several flyways across the United States, and Nevada is part of the Pacific Flyway.

Viewing opportunities should increase in December.

"We are looking forward to increased waterfowl populations as the weather changes up north. It usually takes a good storm or two to get the birds headed this direction," said Keith Brose, manager of the Overton Wildlife Management Area.

Species that often can be seen in Southern Nevada include grebes, ruddy duck, cinnamon teal, gadwall, mallard, northern shoveler, northern pintail, redhead, common merganser, American wigeon, Canada goose and tundra swan.

Some of the best places Southern Nevada to view migrating waterfowl are the Overton Wildlife Management Area and Key Pittman Wildlife Management Area. Both are operated by the Nevada Department of Wildlife. Other sites include the Pahranaghat National Wildlife Refuge and Lake Mead. Urban lakes and ponds are also good viewing areas

A list of bird species that are often seen in Southern Nevada can be downloaded from the NDOW Web site www.ndow.org/wild/bird/snvbird.pdf. Bird lists are also available from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at www.fws.gov/desertcomplex.