Death Valley birds

Observers: Bob Battagin
Email: bigfootbob@sbcglobal.net
Verification: MONO
Remote Name: 12.213.224.39
Date: 02/26/2008
Time: 12:32 AM -0500

Sighting

I spent last week in Death Valley with my brother, Jim, birding and botanizing. A few of the sightings included: Feb 20, a Sage Thrasher at the entrance to Cottonwood Canyon and a Viginia Rail calling vociferously along Salt Creek about two miles upstream from the Salt Creek parking lot; Feb 21, a White-throated Sparrow in the date palms closest to Highway 190 as it passes the golf course and a Wood Duck in the golf course pond with the new viewing platform. In addition, on Feb 17 while passing through Bridgeport on the way to Death Valley, there was a Tundra Swan in the East Walker River where it intersects with Highway 395. I don't bird the area too much, but I've never seen one in Bridgeport on previous trips through there.