Rare bird, never-before-seen in Nevada, rides out Rachel at Henderson home

Birders have been visiting JP Platt’s home in east Henderson to see a bright yellow grosbeak that has never been officially spotted in Nevada before. Platt, a full-time artist, said he initially thought the bird might be an escaped pet but realized its significance as more people arrived. He has welcomed about 50 people so far to his property in the Tuscany Village subdivision near Lake Las Vegas.

Platt posted a photo of the bird on Instagram and used eBird to confirm its identity as a yellow grosbeak, a species typically seen in Mexico and Guatemala and occasionally in southern Arizona and New Mexico. John Mark Simmons, a Las Vegas wildlife biologist and eBird reviewer, verified the sighting after seeing Platt’s post late Saturday.

Despite Tropical Storm Rachel breaking rainfall records, dedicated birders came the next morning, including one who drove from Southern California. Simmons noted the storm may have pushed other rare birds into the area, such as a red phalarope, and said vagrant sightings are increasing due to better tracking and growing interest in birding, though weather and light pollution may also play a role.

Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal