Alamo
Overview
The community of Alamo is at an elevation of 3450′/1050m along U.S. Hwy. 93 in Lincoln County. It is about 95 mi/153km north of Las Vegas. Alamo is in the heart of the Pahranagat Valley. When US 93 enters Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge and the Pahranagat Valley several miles south of Alamo, visitors notice a dramatic change in habitat from that found to the south. The valley is wet, lush, and picturesque. Besides the community of Alamo, agricultural fields, ranches, and protected wildlife areas abound. Cottonwood/willow riparian woodlands are plentiful and several bodies of water are present – ranging from small pools formed by springs, to lakes managed primarily for wildlife. Alamo, population 1123, has visitor support services sufficient to serve as the hub for radiating out to several birding/wildlife viewing areas. These services include ATMs, gas stations, motels, restaurants, and tow/repair/tire service.
Lodge owners and several residents are working to enhance birding and other wildlife viewing opportunities for visitors. Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge has plans to expand its already excellent trail system, including plans to use an abandoned railroad bed. Residents also wish to provide services as local guides for birding, general nature recreation, and outdoor recreation (e.g. archaeological buffs).
The 8,584ac/3,474ha Pahranagat Valley Important Bird Area recognizes Pahranagat Valley as an area that hosts thousands of migratory birds each year. “Bird abundance and diversity is highest during spring and fall migration periods when large numbers of waterfowl, raptors, shorebirds, and songbirds converge” (Important Bird Areas of Nevada, McIvor, 2005). Key species in this IBA are Northern Pintail (up to 18,000 in migration), Canvasback (up to 5,000 in migration), Bald Eagle (winter), Golden Eagle (winter), Greater Sandhill Crane (up to 400 individuals Feb-Mar, Oct-Nov), Yellow-billed Cuckoo, federally endangered Southwestern Willow Flycatcher (up to 54 individuals), Yellow Warbler, and Blue Grosbeak.
As a known wildlife-viewing destination, Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge is an ideal “Flagship Site” for birders, wildlife watchers and the public to be introduced to the “nature” of the area. Key Pittman Wildlife Management Area offers consistent viewing of waterbirds, especially from Nesbit Lake’s south shore where the sun gives favorable light all day (vs. looking into the sun from the north all day, from the west in the morning, and/or from the east in the afternoon). Ash Springs and Crystal Springs (especially the latter) offer opportunities for viewing songbirds, especially during spring and fall migration periods.
Wildlife viewing sites reached from the Alamo Regional Hub may offer good to excellent viewing opportunities from fall through spring and during early mornings or at high elevations during summer or on warm days at other seasons. Spring and fall migrant and vagrant birding (searching for birds that have wandered significantly out of expected range) can be outstanding.
The best time period for experiencing western spring migrant bird species is April 25-May 20. For vagrant bird species, it is May into early June. The three-day Memorial Day weekend is often chosen by birders as a time to look for eastern vagrant birds (e.g. vireos and warblers).
Fall migration is at its height mid-to-late August through September. Fall vagrants show up as early as late August through early October. The days centered on the third through the last weekend in September are often the best for finding vagrants combined with western migrants.
Winter is the time of highest raptor numbers of several species in the Pahranagat Valley – Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier, Cooper’s Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Golden Eagle and American Kestrel.
Tidbit
Near the town of Alamo, the Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) reaches its northern-known occurrence in Nevada.
Directions
Unless otherwise noted, directions are given from Alamo Truck Stop located on the east side of US 93 in Alamo. The GPS reading for Alamo Truck Stop is N 37 22.514; W 115 09.562 (Datum: WGS 84, Location Format: heading, degrees, plus minutes in decimals).
