It may be the season of turkey, but waterfowl hunters, bird watchers and other outdoor recreationists are anxiously awaiting the annual fall migration of waterfowl, such as ducks, geese, swans and grebes.

These avian animals will be migrating from as far north as the upper reaches of Canada and Alaska to the milder climates and bountiful food sources of Mexico and Central America.

"If someone wants to get a good look at a variety of waterfowl species, you can't beat the migration. Birds are concentrated in large numbers and really give viewers something to see," said Doug Nielsen, conservation education supervisor for the Nevada Department of Wildlife.

During their migration, waterfowl follow travel corridors known as flyways. There are several flyways across the United States, and Nevada is part of the Pacific Flyway. It covers a swath that stretches across the western states and reaches all the way down into Mexico.

Waterfowl begin their migration when winter storms begin in the north.

Most migrating birds follow landforms that navigate a course to wintering grounds that have been used for generations. They also use the stars as a compass, since most migratory flying is done at night.

On the way, birds will consume insects and seeds, which are plentiful at this time of year. Depending on the length of the journey, individual birds may lose up to half of their body weight by the time they reach their final destination.

Flying at average speeds of 40 to 60 miles per hour at altitudes ranging from several hundred to several thousand feet, some birds can make trips of several hundred miles in one night.

The best time for viewing migratory birds is in the morning when they are busy settling in after a long night of flying. They can be found on open bodies of water or in open fields.

Viewing opportunities should increase in December as winter weather patterns move into the northern states.

"We are looking forward to increased waterfowl populations as the weather changes up north. It usually takes a good storm or two to get the birds headed this direction," said Keith Brose, Manager of the Overton Wildlife Management Area.

Species that often can be seen in southern Nevada include: grebes, ruddy duck, cinnamon teal, gadwall, mallard, northern shoveler, northern pintail, redhead, common merganser, American wigeon, Canada goose and tundra swan.

A quick primer on waterfowl identification is essential for hunters and rewarding for bird watchers. There are four things to look for: color, silhouette, flocking pattern and sound. Knowing these characteristics will help birders to identify the birds by different groups, from which they can be further discerned by species.

Some of the best places Southern Nevada to view migrating waterfowl are the Overton Wildlife Management Area and Key Pittman Wildlife Management Area.

Both are operated by the Nevada Department of Wildlife. Other sites include the Pahranaghat National Wildlife Refuge and Lake Mead. Urban lakes and ponds are also good viewing areas

A list of bird species that are often seen in Southern Nevada can be downloaded from the department Web site, www.ndow.org/wild/bird/snvbird.pdf.

Bird lists are also available from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at www.fws.gov/desertcomplex.