Description

Bradford Spring emerges into a shallow, murky pool surrounded by thick shrubs and overshadowed by tall trees. Relative to other birding sites at Ash Meadows, this is a sneak-in and get-up-close kind of place that is good for finding birds.

Location

Bradford Spring is located on the Ash Meadows National Wildlife, about 2 hours northwest of Las Vegas and about 1.9 air-miles southeast of the Refuge Office.

From Las Vegas, drive out to the Visitor Center. From the Visitor Center (Table 1, Site 1588), drive east on Spring Meadows Road for 2.1 miles to a T-intersection (Site 0408) with Ash Meadows Road. Turn right onto Ash Meadows Road and drive south for about 0.5 miles to a spur road to the right (Site 0023).

The Bradford Spring Access Road (Site 0023) is on the right, about 150 feet before the signed T-intersection to Point of Rocks Road. Turn into the parking area (Site 1056), which wraps around an historic building. Walk south to the springpool.

Hours

The refuge is day-use only: open sunrise to sunset.

Fees

None.

Specialties

Bradford Spring is a good place to see desert species when they come in for water. Check the trees and shrubs for finches, sparrows, warblers, quail, Mourning Doves, and similar species. Check the outflow marsh for Marsh Wrens, blackbirds, and swallows.

Bradford Spring is also good for finding migrant species, but the species mix depends on the season, and during migration it depends on just who is moving through at the time. Review the refuge bird list for some ideas on what to expect during the time of year when you will be visiting.