Caliente / Panaca / Pioche
Overview
The Caliente/Panaca/Pioche Regional Hub is in east-central Lincoln County, 150mi/240km north of Las Vegas, and represents three communities within 25mi/40km of each other along the U.S. Hwy. 93 Corridor: Caliente on the south, Panaca in the middle, and Pioche on the north. Their services include ATMs, banks, bed & breakfasts, campgrounds, gasoline/mini-marts, hospital, inns, Internet services at public libraries, markets, motels, restaurants, RV parks, and tow service. The local communities are interested in enhancing the region’s birding and other wildlife viewing opportunities and support services for visitors. The population of Caliente is 1125; elevation is 4395′/1340m. The population of Panaca is 600; elevation is 4738′/1444m. The population of Pioche is 800; elevation is 6064′/1848m.
East-central Lincoln County is the location of one of the greatest concentrations of state parks in the United States. Five areas meriting state park status are found within 35mi/56km by air from each other: Beaver Dam State Park 34mi/55km east of Caliente, Cathedral Gorge State Park 2mi/3.2km northwest of Panaca, Echo Canyon State Park 12mi/19km east of Pioche, Kershaw-Ryan State Park 3mi/5km south of Caliente, and Spring Valley State Park 18mi/29km northeast of Pioche. All offer significant birding/wildlife viewing opportunities, and Spring Valley State Park in particular is a known location for Greater Sage Grouse and Rocky Mountain Elk.
Along NV 317 starting at the south end of Caliente, stunningly beautiful Rainbow Canyon includes a significant portion of the 15,036ac/6,085ha Meadow Valley Wash Important Bird Area. “Wetlands and seeps ranging from tens to hundreds of acres are intermittent with the wash. This combination of large area, north-south alignment, and wetland sites make the wash a significant wildlife habitat and migration corridor for riparian and desert species. The wash provides habitat for year-round residents, seasonal breeding birds, and migrants.” Key species in this IBA include: nesting Federally Endangered Southwestern Willow Flycatcher, Blue Grosbeak, and Yellow-breasted Chat, and resident Western Bluebird and Phainopepla. (Important Bird Areas of Nevada, McIvor, 2005)
The Panaca Birding Walk offers a relaxed style of birding in and around the community of Panaca. Checks of bird feeders are recommended, especially during winter visits. Caliente and Ursine offer birding walks as well.
The months for experiencing western spring migrant bird species are April and May with April 25-May 20 often being best. Early mornings or higher elevation sites are recommended during summer or on hot days at other seasons. Fall songbird migration is at its height mid-August through September. Fall migrant waterfowl are present September until deep-water freezes sometime late fall into winter.
East-central Lincoln County offers a myriad of recreational activities beyond birding including: bed & breakfast getaways, camping, elk viewing, fairs, fishing, hiking, historic buildings, historic districts (e.g. Pioche), horseback riding, hunting, ice fishing, Lincoln County Museum, mountain biking, pronghorn viewing, RVing, scenic drives, special events in a rural setting, weekend getaways, wildflowers, and more.
