The area is primarily birded in passing between Reno and Carson City. As such, locations like Little Washoe Lake and Bellevue Lane (especially) are frequently covered, while the North Boat Launch is visited infrequently. The best strategy depends largely on where there is water. It is often best, especially in March or November, to bird the Wetland Mitigation area or Little Washoe Lake first, assuming they have water. In May or September, it may be worth covering Deadman's Creek and the State Park for migrants first before checking the Mitigation area, and then trying Bellevue and Little Washoe Lake, if dedicated. Usually, it is not worth birding here June-August unless there is shorebird habitat, which is often the best at Bellevue, though could conceivably appear anywhere. It's also not worth going here in the dead of winter when the lake is frozen, unless a rarity is reported. Bellevue is also a known roosting location for gulls and can be worth checking if passing through that time of day.
The area is primarily birded in passing between Reno and Carson City. As such, locations like Little Washoe Lake and Bellevue Lane (especially) are frequently covered, while the North Boat Launch is visited infrequently. The best strategy depends largely on where there is water. It is often best, especially in March or November, to bird the Wetland Mitigation area or Little Washoe Lake first, assuming they have water. In May or September, it may be worth covering Deadman's Creek and the State Park for migrants first before checking the Mitigation area, and then trying Bellevue and Little Washoe Lake, if dedicated. Usually, it is not worth birding here June-August unless there is shorebird habitat, which is often the best at Bellevue, though could conceivably appear anywhere. It's also not worth going here in the dead of winter when the lake is frozen, unless a rarity is reported. Bellevue is also a known roosting location for gulls and can be worth checking if passing through that time of day.
