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© Esme Rosen

Empire Ranch

39.17974 , -119.70895

United States of America (USA)

Empire Ranch is a highly underbirded region surrounding the Empire Ranch Golf course. The main draw is the diversity of habitats packed into a small area - there is Carson River riparian, wetlands, open fields, scrub, and suburban yards all within a few square miles. Compared to Carson River Park/Silver Saddle Ranch, the habitat is more disturbed, but this has the advantage of attracting certain unique species such as American Bittern, which is often present in the reeds of the golf course in the summer. Due to the proximity to the dump and Washoe Lake, the area is also one of the best place for flyover waterbirds in Carson City. In addition, the area is promising for rarities, with some recent highlights being Harris's Sparrow, Black-and-white Warbler, and Bobolink. The trail is owned by the city, but the fate of the golf course depends on the revenue earned there - a few years, ago, there was a plan to replace the golf course with a soccer complex, though this was dropped shortly thereafter.

Delete exact location

The introductory text should contain general information about the site, which may include for instance:
• geographic/ biogeographic location
• habitat and vegetation
• typical bird species/bird communities
• protection status
• land use and history
• importance for birdwatching

Coordinates were set by Esme Rosen : 39.1797/-119.7089 (2022-01-10 02:24:37 )

Site name was set by Esme Rosen as "Empire Ranch" (2022-01-10 02:24:37 )

Edited by Esme Rosen on 2022-01-10 03:03:49
Empire Ranch is a highly underbirded region surrounding the Empire Ranch Golf course. The main draw is the diversity of habitats packed into a small area - there is Carson River riparian, wetlands, open fields, scrub, and suburban yards all within a few square miles. Compared to Carson River Park/Silver Saddle Ranch, the habitat is more disturbed, but this has the advantage of attracting certain unique species such as American Bittern, which is often present in the reeds of the golf course in the summer. Due to the proximity to the dump and Washoe Lake, the area is also one of the best place for flyover waterbirds in Carson City. In addition, the area is promising for rarities, with some recent highlights being Harris's Sparrow, Black-and-white Warbler, and Bobolink. The trail is owned by the city, but the fate of the golf course depends on the revenue earned there - a few years, ago, there was a plan to replace the golf course with a soccer complex, though this was dropped shortly thereafter.
Edited by Esme Rosen on 2022-01-10 02:58:53
Empire Ranch is a highly underbirded region surrounding the Empire Ranch Golf course. The main draw is the diversity of habitats packed into a small area - there is Carson River riparian, wetlands, open fields, scrub, and suburban yards all within a few square miles. Compared to Carson River Park/Silver Saddle Ranch, the habitat is more disturbed, but this has the advantage of attracting certain unique species such as American Bittern, which is often present in the reeds of the golf course in the summer. Due to the proximity to the dump and Washoe Lake, the area is also one of the best place for flyover waterbirds in Carson City. In addition, the area is promising for rarities, with some recent highlights being Harris's Sparrow, Black-and-white Warbler, and Bobolink.

  • Top species

List up to ca. 25 species that:
• have a limited distribution range and/or are rare on a global level
• are most sought-after by birdwatchers at this site
• and are relatively easy to see at this site (year-round or seasonally)

Not available yet
  • Timing and strategy

Essentially the entirety of the publicly accessible area can easily be covered in one morning, parking at either parking spot and walking to the next. You can then loop past the clubhouse and down Morgan Mill Road, or you can walk back the way you came - in the summer, the latter is usually better, while the former is advised in the winter. Such a walk typically takes 2-3 hours, unless there is exceptionally good birding. In the summer, it is necessary to arrive fairly early in the morning, as activity tends to quiet down around 9 due to the hear.

Give recommendations for making your visit as productive as possible.
This may include for instance:
• best season
• best time of the day
• how much time to spend at the site
• best means of locomotion within the site
• recommended routes / areas within the site
• guiding

Edited by Esme Rosen on 2022-01-10 02:54
Empire Ranch is a highly underbirded region surrounding the Empire Ranch Golf course. The main draw is the diversity of habitats packed into a small area - there is Carson River riparian, wetlands, open fields, scrub, and suburban yards all within a few square miles. Essentially the entirety of the publicly accessible area can easily be covered in one morning, parking at either parking spot and walking to the next. You can then loop past the clubhouse and down Morgan Mill Road, or you can walk back the way you came - in the summer, the latter is usually better, while the former is advised in the winter. Such a walk typically takes 2-3 hours, unless there is exceptionally good birding. In the summer, it is necessary to arrive fairly early in the morning, as activity tends to quiet down around 9 due to the hear.
Edited by Esme Rosen on 2022-01-10 02:53
Empire Ranch is a highly underbirded region surrounding the Empire Ranch Golf course. The main draw is the diversity of habitats packed into a small area - there is Carson River riparian, wetlands, open fields, scrub, and suburban yards all within a few square miles. Essentially the entirety of the publicly accessible area can easily be covered in one morning, parking at either parking spot and walking to the next. You can then loop past the clubhouse and down Morgan Mill Road, or you can walk back the way you came - in the summer, the latter is usually better, while the former is advised in the winter. Such a walk typically takes 2-3 hours, unless there is exceptionally good birding. In the summer, it is necessary to arrive fairly early in the morning, as activity tends to quiet down around 9 due to the hear.
  • How to get there

From Highway 50, turn on Arrowhead Road. Then, turn right onto Morgan Mill Road. The first parking spot is on the left past the BLM building. If you continue to Morgan Mill to turn left on Empire Ranch Road, you reach the second parkng area. Unfortunately, there is minimal public transport in Carson City, so a car is required to reach the area.

Explain from where and how to get to this site with private and public transport.

Edited by Esme Rosen on 2022-01-10 03:01
From Highway 50, turn on Arrowhead Road. Then, turn right onto Morgan Mill Road. The first parking spot is on the left past the BLM building. If you continue to Morgan Mill to turn left on Empire Ranch Road, you reach the second parkng area. Unfortunately, there is minimal public transport in Carson City, so a car is required to reach the area.

The trail is open 24/7 and is free to use. The land between the trail and the river is owned by the city, and as far as I know it is ok to go there. Historically, birders were allowed on the golf course, but this is no longer the case as of 2020. Please do not trespass on golf course property without permission, or into the yards of the surrounding residents (obviously).

Provide information on how to enter this site, which may include:
• entry points
• entry permits / entry tickets and fees
• opening hours / opening season
• other restrictions

Note that this section should only contain information on how to ACCESS (= enter) a site. Info on how to REACH a site should be added to "How to get there" section.

Edited by Esme Rosen on 2022-01-10 03:06
The trail is open 24/7 and is free to use. The land between the trail and the river is owned by the city, and as far as I know it is ok to go there. Historically, birders were allowed on the golf course, but this is no longer the case as of 2020. Please do not trespass on golf course property without permission, or into the yards of the surrounding residents (obviously).
  • Other attractions

Golfing

Add information about other attractions at this site, including
• wildlife (apart from birds)
• sights (natural, cultural, archaeological, etc.)
• activities (e.g. for non-birding companions)

Edited by Esme Rosen on 2022-01-10 03:06
Golfing

There's a porta potty at the parking lot off Morgan Mill, but it is removed in the winter. There is handicapped parking at Morgan Mill as well, and you could potentially go part way down the trail in a wheel chair (depending on the conditions), though eventually it starts to get rough. Otherwise, there are no services at the location, though whatever you may need should be available nearby in Carson City.

Provide information about what type of facilities are available at
or near this site, including:
• information centers / information points
• catering
• accommodation
• hides and watchtowers
• restrooms / toilets

Edited by Esme Rosen on 2022-01-10 03:09
There's a porta potty at the parking lot off Morgan Mill, but it is removed in the winter. There is handicapped parking at Morgan Mill as well, and you could potentially go part way down the trail in a wheel chair (depending on the conditions), though eventually it starts to get rough. Otherwise, there are no services at the location, though whatever you may need should be available nearby in Carson City.

In spring and early summer, insect repellent is advised more mosquitoes. Dogs should be kept on a leash due to coyote activity in the area. If you walk down Morgan Mill, be on the lookout for cars.

Are there any security issues or other annoyances at this site? For
instance, these may include:
• offenses like robbery or theft
• natural hazards
• dangerous or annoying animals or plants (mosquitoes, leaches, thorn bushes, etc.)
• noise pollution

Edited by Esme Rosen on 2022-01-10 03:11
In spring and early summer, insect repellent is advised more mosquitoes. Dogs should be kept on a leash due to coyote activity in the area. If you walk down Morgan Mill, be on the lookout for cars.
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Empire Ranch - Orniverse