Sixteen participants came out to today’s Sandhill Crane outing, including some guests from the Central Okanagan Naturalists Club. The weather was cool in the early hours with a mix of sun and cloud.
A good day was had by all, the highlight was watching the flights of the large flocks of cranes as they continued their journey to their breeding grounds. Thanks to Liis Jeffries and Vic Newton for coordinating the outing.
For a list of bird species seen on the day click here: NNS Sandhill Crane 17APR2022 bird list
Scanning for waterfowl on the Nicola Naturalist Society April 17th outing to Douglas Lake area. Photo: ©Vic Newton
Of course the Sandhill Cranes were the primary focus of the trip and we were not disappointed – flocks were seen on the ground and in the air as they continued their northward spring migration.
Sandhill Cranes on the Douglas Lake plateau wetlands – 17 April 2022. Photo: © Loekie van der Wal
Part of the large aggregation of Sandhill Cranes seen on the Douglas Lake plateau on 17 April 2022. Photo: © Loekie van der Wal
Another highlight was a big flock of 29 American White Pelicans passing overhead.
Part of the flock of American White Pelicans over Douglas Lake plateau – 17 April 2022. Photo: © Loekie van der Wal
American White Pelicans – 17 April 2022. Photo: © Loekie van der Wal
Count the dots! High flying flock of American White Pelicans at Douglas Lake area, 17 April 2022. Photo: © Rick Gee
And another unusual species for our area is the Snow Goose. The group found 14 at a pond next to the Douglas Lake Ranch headquarters.
Snow Geese near the Douglas Lake Ranch headquarters, 17 April 2022. Photo: © Loekie van der Wal
Snow Geese – 17 April 2022. Photo: © Loekie van der Wal
Other waterfowl were plentiful too …..
Cinnamon Teal male at Rush Lake, 17 April 2022. Photo: © Loekie van der Wal
A male and two female Cinnamon Teal at Rush Lake, 17 April 2022. Photo: © Loekie van der Wal
The only shorebirds seen were Killdeer and Greater Yellowlegs.
Greater Yellowlegs on the Nicola River – 17 April 2022. Photo: © Loekie van der Wal
An interesting diversity of raptors was recorded, including Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier, Red-tailed Hawk, Rough-legged Hawk and American Kestrel.
A Rough-legged Hawk taking off from a power pole. Photo: © Loekie van der Wal
An adult Red-tailed Hawk taking off from a field, Douglas Lake plateau, 17 April 2022. Photo: © Loekie van der Wal
A few migrant passerine birds were also found, although the major spring migration was yet to come. Yellow-rumped Warblers are usually the first warblers to appear in spring and sparrows like Dark-eyed Juncos arrive at the same time. Lincoln’s Sparrow is one of our less common sparrows, so always good to see.
Lincoln’s Sparrow -17 April 2022. Photo: © Loekie van der Wal
Lincoln’s Sparrow at Douglas Lake plateau area, 17 April 2022. Photo: © Loekie van der Wal
The count data from our outing goes into the database for the Douglas Lake Plateau Important Bird & Biodiversity Area (IBA). The Nicola Naturalist Society, along with the Kamloops Naturalist Club, are the monitors for this IBA – the largest in BC.
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