Nicola Naturalist Society

An Acorn Woodpecker has been regularly seen and photographed at a feeder in Merritt from 17 May until at least 27 May, and may remain for longer.

The bird showed up on 17 May at the feeder at a residence on Spanish Creek Place just off Coldwater Road on the outskirts of Merritt. It was seen and photographed almost every day from 17 to 27 May. Initially it visited this feeder late in the day between 18:00 and 19:30 but in the last couple of days has been seen through the day too. Numerous birders from BC and even the US have been to see this rare vagrant. On 27 May the bird was also photographed at a feeder on the north side of Merritt at Grandview Heights.

The normal range of this species extends as far north as Oregon so this bird is a long way north of it’s normal abode. The bird is easily identified and unlikely to be mistaken for any of the local woodpeckers if one gets a good look at it. This bird appears to be a female – it has a black band across the top of the head between the white forehead and red back of the head.

Here is the first photo of the bird on the 17th May:

Acorn Woodpecker photographed in Merritt, BC on 17 May 2012 - Photo © B. Scafe

Here are photos taken on 18 May at about 19:30:

Acorn Woodpecker in Merritt, BC - 18 May 2012. Photo: Alan Burger

Acorn Woodpecker in Merritt, BC - 18 May 2012. Photo: Alan Burger

Acorn Woodpecker in Merritt, BC - 18 May 2012. Photo: Alan Burger

And photographed at another feeder in the north of Merritt on 27 May:

Acorn Woodpecker photographed at a feeder on the north side of Merritt on 26 May 2012. Photo: Carol Madryga.

Our outings are restricted to NNS members. Guests of members can purchase membership for a day for $1.

Sunday 6 May: Grasslands Interpretive Site at Lundbom Common.
Birding and wildflowers. Meet 9:45 at the Merritt Civic Centre to car-pool or at 10 AM at the Grasslands Interpretation Site off the Okanagan Connector at the top of Hamilton Hill.
Easy walking but if anyone is feeling energetic they can end up with a hike up Sugarloaf later in the afternoon.
Bring lunch and warm clothes (in case it is windy).

11-13 May: Amphibian monitoring.
Visit by the Biolinx Environmental Research frog experts. Details to come. Contact the amphibian volunteer coordinator Andrea Lawrence (nicola.amphibians@gmail.com) if you are interested in frogging this spring.

Monday 14 May:  Douglas Lake Plateau grasslands.
IBA site visit with Krista Englund, the BC coordinator for Important Bird Areas (IBAs) and other IBA monitors from Kamloops and the Okanagan.
All welcome. Mostly a car trip but might involve some short easy walks. Meet at 8 AM at the Civic Centre to carpool. Bring snacks, drinks and binoculars. The plan is to do a loop with some side trips: up Hwy 5A to Quilchena; up Pennask Lake Road to Minnie Lake; north to Douglas Lake with a side trip past Douglas Lake; backtrack a bit to return to Hwy 5A via Douglas Lake Rd; side trip up 5A to Beaver Ranch Flats; return to Quilchena Hotel for a late lunch. (This will be followed by a meeting with the IBA monitors to discuss how NNS can best help to monitor this grassland IBA; NNS members welcome to remain for this discussion too).

Saturday 26 May: Harmon Lake Interpretive Forest and wiener roast.

Visit this link to see photos and a report on this outing.
Birding and wildflowers. Meet 9:30 at the Civic Centre to car-pool or at 10 AM at Harmon Lake on Kane Valley Road.
Ed Abels, the regional coordinator for Recreation and Trails for the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations will be our host and sends these tips:
Folks should proceed directly to the trail head parking lot.  Drive into the Harmon Lake East Recreation Site, turn left at the boat launch and follow the signs to the parking lot at the north end of the lake.  We can assemble there. Should only take about 2 hours to walk the entire trail with some time on top to discuss things at some of the kiosk stations etc.  Folks should have good running shoes or light hikers and dress appropriate for the weather of course. It may be a little wet in places but that is hiking!  Also have folks take their birding/frog gear in the event we see some critters out there.  I will have firewood at the ready at the fire pit by the amphitheatre so the wiener roast can happen after the hike.  There is a covered shelter there to huddle under in the event of rain.  The trail is 2.3 km in length with only a few short steep sections so it is easy to moderate in hiking difficulty.  Lots of opportunities to stop and rest.
The NNS will provide the wieners, buns and drinks.

1-3 June: Amphibian monitoring.
Visit by the Biolinx Environmental Research frog experts. Details to come. Contact the amphibian volunteer coordinator Andrea Lawrence (250-378-2468) if you are interested in frogging this spring.

Saturday 9 June: Tunkwa & Leighton Lakes.

This outing has been postponed – just too cold and wet!!
Waterfowl, wildflowers and more. Jack and Carol Madryga are coordinating this. We might move this to an earlier date to make the most of the spring flowers and bird breeding at this scenic area. Details to come.

19-22 June Amphibian monitoring.
Visit by the Biolinx Environmental Research frog experts. Details to come.

Sunday 24 June: Another opportunity to visit the Douglas Lake Plateau grasslands.
Meet at 8 AM at the Civic Centre to carpool. Bring lunch and binoculars.