Damonte Ranch

BIRDING GUIDE

3/29/2024

​​​WHAT TO EXPECT

The Caughlin Ranch subdivision, located on the northeastern slope of the Carson Range in West Reno, has many walking paths along creeks, past ponds, through beautiful landscaped and natural areas. A paved path follows Alum Creek through the area, intersecting with the Steamboat Ditch. This guide is based on a 4 mile loop route along paved paths passing many small ponds, a short steep rocky dirt single track to access the Steamboat Ditch, and the 2-track dirt Steamboat Ditch trail. Many other walking options are possible for birding in this area.

WHAT TO EXPECT

The wetlands trail is within the Damonte Ranch housing development in southeast Reno. Public access is easiest from the Damonte Ranch Park parking area. The park has a playground, restroom and picnic areas. The trail is a flat 3-mile loop paved walking path around the wetlands with a variety of paved paths accessible off the main trail.
 

Best time of year: year-round

 
Notable species: eBird Hotspot
The wetlands are great for wrens, ducks, geese, coots, herons, egrets and raptors. American Kestrels, Northern Harriers and Red-tailed Hawks are regulars, while eagles are occasional visitors. Green-winged Teals, Northern Pintails, Ring-necked Ducks, Mallards, Ruddy Ducks, Gadwalls, Northern Shovelers, Hooded and Common Mergansers are common in winter to spring. Great Blue Herons, Black-crowned Night Herons and Great Egrets can be found along the water’s edges. Red-winged and Yellow-headed Blackbirds are common from spring to summer. Flocks of White-crowned Sparrows (with an occasional Golden-crowned Sparrow mixed in) and Lesser Goldfinches (with an occasional American Goldfinch) are common in winter. Over 155 species have been recorded here.
 

HOW TO GET THERE:  

Google Map of the Area 
From the I-80 & I-580 interchange in Reno, head south on I-580 for 10 miles to Damonte Ranch Parkway (Exit 26).  Turn left/east onto Damonte Ranch Parkway and continue for .7 miles. Turn left onto Steamboat Parkway for .8 miles. The Park entrance is on the right.
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POPULAR BIRDING ROUTE

The 3-mile loop can be walked in either direction. Many of the houses bordering the trail have bird feeders, including hummingbird feeders. Shrubs along the trail have sparrows, towhees, juncos and quail. The open fields have raptors hunting and geese foraging. The open water areas have ducks, grebes and coots. Water edges are generally where the herons and egrets are found, along with an occasional shorebird. The larger trees have raptors, warblers, and woodpeckers. The marshy cattail areas have wrens and possibly a Wilson’s Snipe, Sora or Virginia Rail.
 

Optional Side Trips:

Damonte Ranch - Veteran’s Parkway Lake is on the west side of Veteran’s Parkway. The easiest access is from the gas station on the southwest corner of Steamboat Parkway and Veteran’s Parkway. Google Map of the Area  Park in the back and walk up the short dirt slope to the paved walking path. This is a great spot to set up a spotting scope. The paved path continues to the west for a short out-and-back. This area has over 170 species. View: eBird Hotspot
 
The pond can also be accessed from the main Damonte Ranch Wetlands trail to the east through a Veteran’s Parkway underpass which is accessible in dry weather. Caution:  The underpass can fill up with up to 6 inches of water after storms.
 
In addition to the species listed above, this is a good location to see swallows and shorebirds in spring, particularly Black-necked Stilts, American Avocets, sandpipers, Killdeer and  Greater Yellow-legs. Tundra Swans and American White Pelicans, as well as a variety of gulls, grebes and ducks, can be found in the open water. 

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