What to Bring, Wear, and some Rules
Wings and Wildlife Festival of Southern Nevada
March 11-15, 2010
Laughlin, Nevada
Here’s a few quick tips
March is a perfect month to visit Laughlin. The average daytime temperature is 70, with highs about 75. Sweaters are recommended for early morning and evenings.
Bring your camera, binoculars, pad & pen, and field guides.
Dress in layers so you can add or remove clothes based on the temperature and your level of activity. Always bring sunscreen, sunglasses, chap stick, and a hat! Sturdy walking shoes are a must.
Being on or around the river poses its own challenges. Bring an extra set of clothes and shoes to each activity, and wear and bring only what you’re prepared to get wet. Protect your personal items with plastic.
It’s a desert out there. Don’t forget – bring and drink LOTS of water. Plan on one gallon per day; the river wind, dry desert air, and exercise will increase your need for hydration.
Proper photo ID is required for activities near the Hoover Dam.
Any and all activity poses a risk; a signature of waiver will be required for all participants.
Please be on time so you don’t get left behind.
Label your gear with name & cell phone number.
Observe at a distance. Please do not pet the snakes, scorpions, or coyotes. 
Laughlin – it’s like you own the place. But you can’t take it home with you. Please leave all artifacts, rocks, plants, and other natural objects as you find them.
Thank You to our Sponsors
The 2nd Annual Wings and Wildlife Festival of Southern Nevada was
made possible through the generous support of our sponsors:
Educational displays include LIVE Reptiles and Raptors
On Friday and Saturday, there will be informational booths with education displays, literature, and demonstrations about Nevada’s wildlife and natural beauty, conservation, and many more topics. We’ll have live raptors and reptiles on display in seminars! There will even be a bird taxidermist demonstrating his craft.
Information Booths Confirmed as of 01/22/10:
Bureau of Reclamation
* Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve
Kern Valley/Birding Nevada
Las Vegas Wash
Laughlin North Reach Project
* Nevada Commission on Tourism* Nevada Department of Wildlife
* Red Rock Audubon Society
Southern Nevada Agency Partnership (SNAP)
Southern Nevada Water Authority
Ted Cassidy, Taxidermist
* U.S.D.A. Nevada’s NRCS
* U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
* SNBWTP Partner: Southern Nevada Birding & Wildlife Trails Partnership is a collaborative effort of federal and state agencies, for-profit corporations, non-profit groups, and private citizens from Southern Nevada. SNBWTP is committed to supporting conservation through sustainable tourism and introducing birding and wildlife enthusiasts to Southern Nevada.
Chuckwalla: Image © Jeri K. Krueger (USFWS) taken at the 2009 Wings & Wildlife Festival
Where to stay during the Festival
1650 S Casino Dr
Laughlin, NV 89029
Phone: (702) 298-2535
Toll Free: (800) 227-3849
Fax: (702) 298-2612
www.riversideresort.comThe Riverside offers two night and three night packages that include hotel accommodations and two complimentary meals (breakfast, lunch, or dinner) in the Riverside Buffet. The package prices are as follows:
2 Night Weekday (Sun – Thurs) Package: $65.00
2 Night Combo (Thurs & Fri or Sat & Sun) Package: $91.00
2 Night Weekend (Fri & Sat) Package: $117.00
3 Night (March 11, 12 & 13) Package: $149.00The group code is: WINGSWL
1900 S Casino Dr
Laughlin, NV 89029
Phone: (702) 298-5111
Toll Free: (888) 662-5825
Fax: (702) 298-5129
www.theaquarius.comSpecial rates at the Aquarius Casino Resort for festival goers.
3-Night room packages for $219 (plus tax) includes 2 event registration passes.
Choose three nights from either Thursday, Friday and Saturday, March 11, 12 and 13,
or Friday, Saturday and Sunday, March 12, 13 and 14.
Wildlife Viewing Ethics
Wildlife Viewing Ethics: Be a good guest
Birders and wildlife viewers typically strive to be good stewards, however sometimes even they inadvertently cause harm to the very creatures they love. Some types of human activities can cause stress on wild animals, making it harder for them to nest, forage or migrate successfully. To be a good guest when outdoors, and to be courteous of other visitors, here are a few guidelines that lovers of wildlife should follow:
Stay on trails
Did you know that a 20-to-100 yard area of disturbance may exist on each side of a hiking trail? Shy creatures are likely to be absent within this zone. Multi-use trails, including equestrian and biking trails, have an even wider area of disturbance. Wild animals need areas where they can escape the presence of human activities. Keeping to the trails will provide them this much-needed respite.
No recordings, please
Secretive birds often show themselves only if they hear another bird of the same species singing. Some birders use recordings of bird songs to entice these shy birds out of hiding. However, birds become stressed, believing that they have to fight off an invader in their territory. They expend energy that could be better spent foraging or finding nesting material. Using an owl call can have the same effect, as birds flock together thinking there is a nearby predator. Please reserve the use of recordings (played quietly) only for verifying the identification of a bird’s vocalizations.
Photograph with care
Wildlife photography has mushroomed since digital cameras have become so widely available. However, shutterbugs should take care when photographing wild creatures to avoid disturbing them. Excessive flash photography, getting too close, or having too many photographers surround an individual are some examples of disturbance. Keep flashes to a minimum, and use zoom lenses and teleconverters for close-up shots of your subject. Keep back far enough from the animal that you don’t interfere with its normal behavior. Do not harass the wildlife for a better picture!
Keep Fido at home
Dogs love a walk in the park. However, wildlife and pets typically do not mix! Unrestrained pets can be especially problematic for many threatened bird species, as well as visitors. Please refrain from letting your dog off its leash.
Required Reading: Festival Questions & Answers
Here’s some answers to commonly asked questions…
Q: WHAT is all the fuss about?
A: The 2nd Annual Wings and Wildlife Festival of Southern Nevada! A relatively new, but incredibly popular, nature and birding festival in Southern Nevada.
Q: WHEN is this happening?
A: The festival will take place March 11-15, 2010. You’ll love the weather, it will be warm & sunny during the day and cool & crisp at night.
Q: Sounds interesting, WHERE?
A: Laughlin, Nevada. Situated along the west bank of the great Colorado River, Laughlin is the gateway to birds and other wildlife in the tri-state area where Arizona, California, and Nevada meet.
Q: Really, WHY?
A: Why what? Why the festival or why Laughlin?
Q: Um, both?
A: Our purpose is to promote southern Nevada’s unique wildlife and bird populations and their exceptional viewing opportunities along the Colorado River. Laughlin also hosts numerous satellite wetland habitats perfect for viewing the abundant water fowl found along the Colorado River.
Q: Wow! What could I SEE?
A: The usual stuff. Bighorn sheep, waterfowl, raptors, reptiles, bats, and maybe Elvis. With over 400 bird species seen in Clark County and with late winter/early spring migrants passing through, the possibilities are endless!
Q: How’s it possible to see so much?
A: Transportation is provided for all paid field trips. We’ll take you places like: Big Bend of the Colorado River State Recreation Area, Colorado River Heritage Greenway Trail, Havasu National Wildlife Refuge, Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve, Hualapai Mountains, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, and Wee Thump Joshua Tree Forest… just to name some.
Q: Sweet!
A: Yes, it is. We have lots of great things to see and experience in the Mojave Desert. Seriously, is this your first interview?
Q: Yes. But am I going to LEARN anything?
A: Paid admission includes educational seminars about falconry, bats, bighorn sheep, attracting hummingbirds, wildlife uses of plants, and binocular use. There may be more, we’re still making the schedule.
Q: What is there to do for free?
A: On Friday and Saturday, there will be about 20 informational booths, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Nevada Department of Wildlife, Red Rock Audubon Society, and others. Exhibitors will have information on wildlife & conservation. There will be live raptors and reptiles on display. There will even be a bird taxidermist demonstrating his craft.
Q: That’s so much to do and you’re making me hungry!
A: Good. A wine and cheese gathering is planned for Friday night with renowned local photographer and artist, Sharon Schafer. Other nature artists will display their works also. An evening banquet and keynote speaker, Ted Floyd, is planned for Saturday. BTW: Ted Floyd is the Editor of “Birding magazine”, the flagship publication of the American Birding Association.
Q: I’m in! How do I register?
A: Keep checking our website or sign-up for email notices. We’ll post the link for online registration as soon as we finalize the schedule for all activities and decide on a menu. Gee, now I’m hungry.
Q: You’re doing so much for us. Why?
A: We’re just nice like that. Besides, we want to share our love and appreciation of Nevada with everyone. It really is a great place with so much to see and do. Our visiting wildlife and birding friends will be very surprised. And pleased.
Q: That’s sweet. Is there anything I can do for you?
A: Yes, please. Share this with everyone you know! Also, drop us an email if you know anyone who wants to help sponsor the festival. Pretty please.
Q: Thanks! That was very informative.
A: You’re welcome. Just email us if you have any more questions or want to get on the mailing list for festival updates.
