Nicola Naturalist Society

Results – Merritt Christmas Bird Count, 14 December 2014

Posted on December 20, 2014 by Alan Burger

With generally calm weather, moderate temperatures and open water on Nicola Lake, conditions were favourable for a good count. A record number of participants (28) were in the seven field parties that covered the Merritt count circle. We also had two feeder-watchers. Our tally for the day was 68 species, well above the 16-year average for this count (59 species) and close to the record high (70 species). Total bird numbers (4007 individuals) were also above the average (3370 birds). In general it was a good year for raptors, introduced gamebirds (pheasants and Chukar), swans, geese, woodpeckers, blackbirds and some finch species. It was a poor year for nuthatches and Mourning Doves.

To download the complete file of all Merritt CBC data click here: Merritt Xmas Count data 1995-2014

Participants in the 2014 Merritt Christmas Bird Count. Photo: Corey Burger

Highlights of the count included:

Peregrine Falcon (1 bird reported by the Kerridge/Lipinski team; a first for the Merritt CBC);
Chukar (flock of 15 near Harmon Estates; only the second record for this count);
Ring-necked Pheasant (3 in Colletteville; only the second record);
Northern Goshawk (reported by the Scafe/Dreger team near Hamilton Hill; only the second record).

Other species seen that we don’t usually get were Western Grebe (3 on Nicola Lake), Golden Eagle (1 near Nicola village), Killdeer (1 near the yacht club on Nicola Lake), Northern Pygmy Owl (1 north of Nicola Lake), Pacific (Winter) Wren (1), and American Tree Sparrow (1 on the Lundbom highlands).

A Killdeer forages along the shores of Nicola Lake, 14 Dec 2014. Photo: Corey Burger

A Killdeer forages along the shores of Nicola Lake, 14 Dec 2014. This is only the 4th record of this species in the Merritt Christmas Bird Count. Photo: © Corey Burger

Record high numbers were recorded for:

Trumpeter Swan (52; previous high 50);
Canada Goose (638; previous high 469);
Northern Flicker (44; previous high 36);
Steller’s Jay (27; previous high 23);
Song Sparrow (28; previous high 27);
Red-winged Blackbird (338; previous high 225).

A record high count of 638 Canada Geese were counted in the 2014 Merritt Christmas Bird Count. Photo: © Corey Burger

Its difficult to identify this bird (any guesses?) Photo: © Corey Burger

Easier to identify this way up – its a Trumpeter Swan (juvenile), one of 52 recorded on Nicola Lake on the 2014 Merritt Christmas Bird Count. Photo: © Corey Burger

Other species with numbers well above average were Red-tailed Hawk (26), Rough-legged Hawk (8), Eurasian Collared Dove (107), Hairy (6) and Downy (8) woodpeckers, American Crow (106); Common Raven (128), European Starling (336), Brewer’s Blackbird (140), House Finch (241), American Goldfinch (138), and Evening Grosbeak (23).

Two of the eight Rough-legged Hawks seen in the Merritt Christmas Bird Count, 14 Nov 2014. Photos: © Bob Scafe

Eight Rough-legged Hawks were seen in the Merritt Christmas Bird Count, 14 Dec 2014. Photos: © Bob Scafe

The big miss of the day was Red-breasted Nuthatch – normally we get 5 to 20 of this common species (average is 11 birds), but none was seen on the count day, although one was reported in the Count Week. Pygmy Nuthatch numbers (3) were also well below the 16-year average of 16 birds. Other species with numbers well below average were Mourning Dove (40), and Pine Siskin (1).

Black-capped Chickadee – one of the species ticked by most groups on the Merritt Christmas Bird Count. Photo: © Corey Burger

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Kentucky-Alleyne toadlet mitigation report for 2014

Posted on December 17, 2014 by Alan Burger

As explained elsewhere the Amphibian Monitoring section of our website, the Nicola Naturalist Society in collaboration with BC Parks and the professional herpetologists of Biolinx Environmental Research have been undertaking a multi-year project at Kentucky-Alleyne Provincial Park near Merritt. Our report for 2014, prepared by the Biolinx biologists, has now been released and you can download it by clicking here (1.1 MB): K-A Toad Report, 15 Dec 2014

Briefly, in 2012 our amphibian monitoring showed that thousands of tiny Western Toad metamorphs, just leaving their natal pond, were being killed on the camp roads at Kentucky-Alleyne Provinical Park in late July – early August. In 2013 BC Parks installed an underpass at the location where most toadlets were crossing the road and we installed a temporary fence/funnel to direct the toadlets safely through the underpass. In 2014 we built a more permanent funnel/fence out of wood and we monitored how effective this was. The details of the fence are in our report, and you can see how we built the fence elsewhere on this website (click here): Building the 2014 toadlet fence

Tiny toadlets move along the wooden funnel/fence to direct them safely through the road underpass at Kentucky-Alleyne Provincial Park. Photo: © Kristiina Ovaska

The report analyses the movements and mortality of the toadlets and shows that the funnel/fence is effective at directing the tiny toadlets safely under the road on their way to the forest. Small numbers of the toadlets are still moving into the campsite area to the east of the fence and some of these are still being run over by vehicles. The following diagram taken from the report nicely summarizes the movements of the toadlets in 2014 and the places where some were still being killed by vehicles. For a full description please download the report at the link above.

Map showing the movements of Western Toad toadlets in 2014 at Kentucky Alleyne Provincial Park and the distribution of live and dead toadlets on the camp roads. © Biolinx Environmental Research Ltd.

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Merritt Christmas Bird Count – 14 December 2014

Posted on December 1, 2014 by Alan Burger

The Nicola Naturalists are organizing the Christmas Bird Count in the Merritt, BC count circle. This is the 16th count in this circle (a 24 km diameter area in which we look for birds each year). The count is one of hundreds held across North America organized by the Audubon Society and Bird Studies Canada. For more information on the overall Christmas Bird Count click here: Audubon CBC

Merritt birders using park benches to get a better view while scanning Nicola Lake for waterbirds. Photo © Corey Burger

You don’t have to be an expert birder to participate. We will have 5 or 6 groups covering different parts of the count circle and there will be experienced birders in each group. The main goal is to have fun – get out and see what birds are about, learn more about winter birds in our area, and have some social birding.

If you are interested in joining a group to participate in the Merritt Christmas Bird Count please send an e-mail to nicolanaturalists@gmail.ca or phone 250-378-2468.

We also have a post-count pot-luck supper where we tally up the count numbers and share experiences of our day’s birding. With any luck we will encounter some less common species such as this American Tree Sparrow.

American Tree Sparrow in the Merritt Christmas Bird Count, Dec 2012. Photo: © Corey Burger.

Check out the report from last year’s Merritt CBC here: 2013 Merritt CBC

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Winter Bird Identification Workshop – Saturday 6th Dec 2014

Posted on November 21, 2014 by Alan Burger

Bird Identification Workshop – Saturday 6th December, 1 to 3 PM, at NVIT room L017 (downstairs).

Once again we are running a bird identification workshop covering species likely to be found in winter in the Nicola Valley area. This is a good way to tune up your skills before the Merritt Christmas Bird Count on 14 December. Or just get a better idea of what birds are visiting your feeder each winter. The 2-hour workshop will be an informal look at photos of local species and discussion of identification tips.

This event is free and open to members of the Nicola Naturalist Society. To register for the workshop or get more information send an e-mail to nicolanaturalists@gmail.com

Test your skills – here are some species likely to occur in the Nicola Valley in winter. Scroll down – way down – to see the species identities.

Mystery Species #1 Photo: © Bob Scafe

Mystery species #2 Photo: © Alan Burger

Mystery species #3 Photo: © Alan Burger

Mystery species #4 Photo: © Bob Scafe

Mystery species #5 Photo: © Bob Scafe

Mystery species #6 Photo: © Bob Scafe

Mystery species #7 Photo: © Alan Burger

Scroll down to see the answers

Mystery species #1: Notice the long tail (therefore not a falcon like a Merlin). This and the long thin legs tell you that it is an Accipiter species. But is this Cooper’s Hawk or the smaller Sharp-shinned Hawk? In winter the latter is much more common in the Merritt area. The tail is slightly squarish, and the bird is small and slim. It is a Sharp-shinned Hawk.

Mystery species #2: We get two species of swans passing through the Nicola Valley on migration and over-wintering (while there is open water on the lakes): Trumpeter Swans (the most common here) and Tundra Swans. Tundra Swans are slightly smaller, have slightly shorter necks and, if you can pick it out, have a small patch of yellow just in front of the eye. The shape of the bill is also slightly different (check a field guide). This is a Tundra Swan.

Mystery species #3: Rounded body, relatively long tail and tiny size make this a Northern Pygmy Owl. The fact that it is active during daylight also separates it from other small owls. Often sit on the tops of trees scanning for prey – small birds.

Mystery species #4: The robust conical beak tells you that it is a seed-eating finch. We get three species of pink/purple finches in BC: Purple, House and Cassin’s. In the BC interior the Purple is very rare and Cassin’s is common but only in spring and summer. The House Finch is here year-round, often at feeders or in town. This is a male House Finch (the female is grey-brownish and very streaky). The brownish crown and strongly curved upper beak also distinguish this species from the other two.

Mystery species #5: Another seedeater but with a much smaller beak. About the same size as a Pine Siskin, the red forehead and pinkish breast tell you that this is a redpoll. There are two species of redpoll, but the Hoary Redpoll (which is much paler than this) is a very rare winter visitor to the southern interior. This is a Common Redpoll – a fairly common winter visitor which migrates south from the northern boreal forests.

Mystery species #6: Two species of doves are now common in Merritt: the native Mourning Dove and the introduced and rapidly increasing Eurasian Collared Dove. The doves in this photo lack the square tails with obvious bands and the dark collars of the latter species. The long pointed tails confirm that these are Mourning Doves.

Mystery species #7: Its a woodpecker, but Downy or Hairy? Both occur in our area year-round. The beak is small relative to the head which makes it a Downy Woodpecker (which is overall much smaller than the Hairy). If you look closely you can see tiny black marks on the white outer tail feathers. Downies have these but Hairies have pure white outer tail feathers.

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“Fur and forests: habitat management in BC interior forests for wildlife and biodiversity” – Dr. Tom Sullivan. Thursday Nov 20th, 7PM at NVIT Theatre

Posted on October 17, 2014 by Alan Burger

Dr. Tom Sullivan is a mammal ecologist and professor at University of British Columbia. He and his students have done many years of research in the southern BC interior on the interactions between small mammals (mice, voles, weasels, marten, etc.) and forestry activities. They have published many research papers on these topics, and given numerous presentations to the public, timber companies and foresters. Tom is an excellent speaker and has loads of fascinating information to share. This presentation will focus on the conservation implications of woody debris and green-tree retention. It will be of interest to anyone who is interested in our local forests and the numerous critters that make their homes in these forests.

A Red Squirrel – a common forest species in the BC interior. Photo: © Alan Burger

Short-tailed Weasel in summer – a voracious predator of mice and voles. The density and distribution of weasels and other small mammals is strongly affected by forestry practices in the BC interior. Photo: © Alan Burger

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“The South Okanagan – Similkameen National Park proposal” with Doreen Olson. Thursday Oct 16, 2014. 7PM, NVIT Theatre

Posted on September 30, 2014 by Alan Burger

Since 2003, South Okanagan Naturalist Club member Doreen Olson has been involved in the South Okanagan – Similkameen National Park Network, a grassroots movement, with a goal to establish a national park reserve in the South Okanagan – Similkameen. This is the most biologically diverse area in Canada, but lacks a national park to fully protect and showcase this diversity. The grasslands and other ecosystems here support more threatened and endangered species (like the badger and tiger salamander shown below) than anywhere else in Canada.

Grasslands are at the heart of the South Okanagan – Similkameen National Park proposal. A park will improve protection for threatened and endangered species such as the badger. Photos: South Okanagan-Similkameen National Park Network

Doreen’s presentation will give the rationale for the park and an update on current status of the park feasibility.

The Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma mavortium) is listed as Endangered in Canada. The only place they live in Canada is the Okanagan grasslands. Photo – courtesy Doreen Olson.

Exploring the proposed national park. Photo courtesy Doreen Olson.

Grasslands of the South Okanagan – Similkameen. Photo courtesy Doreen Olson.

Much of the National Park proposal covers high country. Photo courtesy Doreen Olson

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If you build it they will come …. our new toadlet fence at Kentucky-Alleyne park is working well

Posted on August 9, 2014 by Alan Burger

The Nicola Naturalist Society, in collaboration with BC Parks and professional herpetologists from Biolinx Environmental Research, have successfully built a new ‘toadlet fence’ at Kentucky-Alleyne Provincial Park near Merritt. Starting in 2012 we’ve been working on a solution to prevent hundreds of tiny Western Toads from being killed on the campsite road in the park. West Pond in the park is one of the traditional breeding sites for Western Toads, a species of ‘Special Concern’ in Canada. In late July tens of thousands of tiny toadlets, freshly metamorphosed from tadpoles, leave the pond to head into the forest where they spend most of their lives. Their migration route takes them across one of the busiest roads in the park and hundreds were being killed by cars every summer.

The Kentucky-Alleyne toadlet tunnel with the 2013 landscape-cloth funnel guiding the toadlets under the road. Photo: Alan Burger

In 2013 BC Parks installed an enviro-culvert to allow the toadlets to cross safely under the road. NNS volunteers, directed by the Biolinx professionals, erected a temporary landscape-cloth fence to guide the toadlets under the culvert/tunnel. For more information on the 2013 project click here: 2013 Kentucky-Alleyne report.

This year we installed a permanent and longer funnel fence. Our new fence is made of wood (2×8 boards with a 1×4 lip and a landscape-cloth skirt along the bottom) and should last many years. BC Parks provided the funding for materials and our club provided the volunteer hours to build the fence, install it and monitor how well it worked. On 10 July 2014 we had a work party at the park and had a great turnout of NNS members – young and old. By 4 PM we had it done.

Nicola Naturalist Society volunteers building the toadlet fence at Kentucky-Alleyne Provincial Park, 10 July 2014. Photo: Alan Burger

Volunteers, young and younger, building the toadlet fence. Photo: Alan Burger

A toadlet-eye view of the new Kentucky-Alleyne funnel-fence. The tiny toadlets cannot climb this and move along until they reach the tunnel under the road. Photo: Alan Burger

Inspecting the completed funnel-fence at Kentucky-Alleyne Provincial Park. In total we build 148 metres of fence. Photos: Alan Burger

Inspecting the completed funnel-fence at Kentucky-Alleyne Provincial Park. In total we built 148 metres of fence. Photos: Alan Burger

But – would it work? By 17 July there were already hundreds of toadlets massing along the shores of West Pond. We had some anxious days when it seemed they were all going to head into the forest on the north side of the pond – the opposite side to where they had traveled in past years and where we had the funnel.

Western Toad toadlets leaving West Pond to start their migration to the forest. Inset shows a tiny toadlet, less than 2 cm in length. Photos: © Alan Burger

But tradition prevailed and the toadlets swarmed along the shore and started heading out of the south side of the pond – towards our new fence. Over the next 20 days we monitored their movements, counting the numbers going through under the tunnel and also those that missed the tunnel and did cross the road. Volunteers camped in the park so they could do early morning and sunset surveys. Many of the thousands of toadlets that left the pond did indeed go through the tunnel to reach the forest beyond.

Toadlets on the move along the wooden funnel-fence. The structure worked well to guide them safely to the tunnel and under the road. Photo: © Kristiina Ovaska

Toadlets moving along the funnel-fence. Photo: © Kristiina Ovaska

BC Highways loaned us a remote camera which we mounted above the tunnel entrance. The camera took a photo every 15 minutes around the clock, so we could know when the peak migration occurred. Its hard to pick out the little toadlets in these remote photos, and we are still working on counting them all. Flicking back and forth between successive photos is the best method to pick out the moving toadlets.

Photo taken by the remote camera at 7:30 PM on the day many toadlets passed under the tunnel. See any toadlets? Check the next photo to see how many there are.

Photo taken by the remote camera at 7:30 PM on 1 August 2014 – the day many toadlets passed under the tunnel. See any toadlets? Check the next photo to see how many there are.

The yellow circles show the toadlets.

The analysis of the 2014 data is still being done. We will post a report here later. Thanks to all the volunteer effort, many hundreds of toadlets avoided being killed on the road. Roadkill is a serious problem for amphibians in many areas around the world. People in other areas where Western Toads and other amphibians are killed on roads are interested in our work and might install similar toadlet tunnels and funnel-fences.

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Spring Camp 2014 – Nicola Naturalists host BC Nature visitors

Posted on June 3, 2014 by Alan Burger

For four hectic days – 29 May through 1 June – Nicola Naturalist Society hosted its first BC Nature event, a Spring Camp. Twenty-four BC Nature members from various clubs around BC attended. Activities were centred on the Nicola Ranch cookhouse where lectures and discussions were held and cooks Pat Westheuser and Fiona Flook served up delicious meals. Volunteers from the Nicola Naturalist Society worked long hours in preparation for this event and to keep things running smoothly.

The weekend’s itinerary focused on the fragile, beautiful and threatened grasslands and wetlands. Activities included birding, frogging, enjoying the many spring wildflowers, hiking and learning about the ecology and management of these ecosytems. Presenters included Dr. Alan Burger (ornithologist), Dr Wendy Gardner (grassland ecologist), Dr. Purnima Govindarajulu (herpetologist), Allison Guichon (holistic rancher), Norm Hansen (forester), Dr. Liis Jeffries (biologist), Andrea Lawrence (biologist), Dr. Kristiina Ovaska (herpetologist), Murphy Shewchuk (historian and author) and Robert Sterling (archaeologist and councilor – Lower Nicola Band).

Here are some photos of the event. For a checklist of the birds, mammals and amphibians click here: Nicola Spring Camp 2014 Species List

Camp participants arrived on Thursday afternoon and the first evening was used to introduce visitors to aspects of the history and nature of the Nicola Valley. Murphy Shewchuk talked about the history and geography of the region, while Alan Burger gave a slide show featuring the local fauna and flora.

Friday 30 May was devoted to wetlands, amphibians and birds – in the beautiful Kane Valley. Visiting amphibian experts Purnima Govindarajulu and Kristiina Ovaska with local biologist Andrea Lawrence showed us many examples of local wetland animals, and discussed the ongoing monitoring being undertaken by the Nicola Naturalists and professional partners Biolinx Environmental Research.

Dr. Purnima Govindarajulu explains amphibian ecology at a small pond near Harrison Lake, Kane Valley. Photo: © Alan Burger

Examining the catch - camp participants crowd around to see what was caught in minnow traps set in a pond near Harrison lake, Kane Valley. Photo: © Alan Burger

Examining the catch – camp participants crowd around to see what was caught in minnow traps set in a pond near Harrison lake, Kane Valley. Tadpoles, water beetles, caddis-fly larvae and other aquatic animals were among the samples. Photo: © Alan Burger

This impressive water bug was caught in one of our nets. Photo: © Kate Hill

A Muskrat chews on water weeds – Harrison Lake, Kane Valley. Photo: © Ian Routley.

Columbia Spotted Frog in a pond, Kane Valley. Photo: © Ian Routley

We also explored the Harmon Interpretive Forest bordering Harmon Lake in Kane Valley and made a short visit to Kentucky-Alleyne Provincial Park to see the masses of Western Toad tadpoles and the efforts being made to reduce roadkill of the migrating toadlets at this park. For more information on that Nicola Naturalist project click here: Kentucky-Alleyne Toadlet Project

BC Nature camp participants on one of the trails in the Harmon Interpretive Forest, Kane Valley. Photo: © Alan Burger

Focusing in on the beautiful calypso orchids blooming at the Harmon Interpretive Forest. Photo: © Alan Burger

A Mourning Cloak butterfly and a Yellowjacket wasp share a Chokecherry bloom. Photo: © Kate Hill

This enviro-culvert was installed by BC Parks to reduce roadkill of migrating Western Toads at Kentucky-Alleyne Provincial Park. Photo: © Alan Burger

This enviro-culvert was installed by BC Parks to reduce roadkill of migrating Western Toads at Kentucky-Alleyne Provincial Park. The Nicola Naturalist Society is a partner in this conservation project. Photo: © Alan Burger

Western Toad tadpoles swarming along the shore at West Pond, Kentucky-Alleyne Provincial Park. Photo: © Ian Routley.

Western Toad tadpoles swarming along the shore at West Pond, Kentucky-Alleyne Provincial Park. Photos: © Ian Routley.

On Friday evening we ventured up into the high grasslands of the Douglas Lake Plateau – our goal was to find the elusive and fascinating Great Basin Spadefoots. These small frogs are adapted to dry grasslands and spend most of their lives buried underground. In spring they emerge for a short period of feeding and mating. The loud calls of the males can be heard for almost a kilometer on a calm night. We lucked out – first we heard a chorus of spadefoots calling and then Dr. Kristiina Ovaska skillfully managed to catch one to show us. Along the way we also enjoyed a beautiful sunset and a calm starry night. A Great Horned Owl sat obligingly on a powerline and another was heard calling in the distance.

As the sun set we drove up to the Douglas Lake Plateau, with the beautiful vista of Nicola Lake and the Quilchena Ranch below us. Photo: © Ian Routley.

Silhouetted against the sunset, a photographer takes aim at a Great Horned Owl. Photo: © Alan Burger

Silhouetted against the sunset, a photographer takes aim at a Great Horned Owl on the power pole. Photo: © Alan Burger

A long-distance portrait of a Great Horned Owl. Photo: © Ian Routley.

Searching for spadefoots at a roadside pond on the Douglas Lake Plateau. Photo: © Alan Burger

A Great Basin Spadefoot found at a breeding pond on the Douglas Lake Plateau. Photo: © Ian Routley

Birding was an ongoing activity throughout the camp, with two pre-breakfast outings for the real keeners. Overall, we tallied 108 bird species with highlights being sightings of two displaying Bobolinks at the Guichon Ranch, a male Peregrine Falcon circling around the cliffs at Nicola Lake where there is a pair nesting, Vaux’s Swifts diving into the chimneys at the historic Quilchena Hotel, a Black-chinned Hummingbird, and good views of Lazuli Bunting, Bullock’s Oriole, Gray Catbird, Horned Lark, and many other local specialties.

Birders scan the Ponderosa Pines near Nicola village on a pre-breakfast birding walk. Photo: © Alan Burger

Birders scan the Ponderosa Pines and sagebrush near Nicola village on a pre-breakfast birding walk. Photo: © Alan Burger

Cliff Swallows nesting under the road bridge at Nicola village. Inset shows one in flight. Photos: © Ian Routley

Cliff Swallows nesting under the eaves of a ranch building. Inset shows one in flight. Photos: © Ian Routley

A Wilson's Snipe at a wetland in the Lundbom Common grassland near Merritt. Photo: © Ian Routley.

A Wilson’s Snipe at a grassy wetland in the Lundbom Common near Merritt. Photo: © Ian Routley.

Birding along Quilchena Creek. Photo © Robert Bear

A Bullock’s Oriole male sits on the top of a cottonwood tree. Photo: © Ian Routley

Scanning the Nicola Lake cliffs for Peregrine Falcons. Photo: © Kate Hill

Saturday was devoted to ranching and grasslands. We visited the Guichon Ranch where five generations of the Guichon family have developed holistic ranching. Current co-manager Allison Guichon explained the philosophy and practical aspects of their ranching activities, with maintenance of biodiversity one of their key goals. Then we headed up to Douglas Lake for a pleasant lakeside picnic. Here Dr Wendy Gardner, a grassland ecologist from Thomson Rivers University, Kamloops, and her graduate student Aaron Coelho explained some of their research. They discussed how grassland ecosystems function, problems with invasive weeds and the changing face of grasslands as a result of climate change. A drive through the beautiful Minnie Lake – Pennask Lake Road loop wrapped up this outing, providing excellent birding and good examples of the grassland systems we had heard about.

Allison Guichon explains the holistic ranching practiced by her family for generations at the Guichon Ranch near Merritt. Photo: © Alan Burger

Allison Guichon explains the holistic ranching practiced by many generations of her family at the Guichon Ranch near Merritt. Photo: © Alan Burger

Aaron Coelho, a graduate student at Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops, describes his research on grassland ponds and lakes. A fitting setting, with Douglas Lake in the background. Photo: © Alan Burger

Lake and rolling hills of grass – the splendours of the Douglas Lake Plateau near Merritt. Photo: © Ian Routley

This Yellow-bellied Marmot lives on and under a road bridge at the Nicola village. Photo: © Kate Hill

A lovely Checkerspot butterfly sunning itself. Photo: © Kate Hill

Sunday, the final day of the camp, was spent at the lakes, grasslands and forests of the Lundbom Common overlooking the Nicola Valley and Merritt. Robert Sterling, an archaeologist and councillor with the Lower Nicola Band, welcomed us to his traditional territory and gave us a fascinating hands-on explanation of the many plants and animals the First Nations people get from the grasslands and forests. Armed with a traditional elk-horn digging stick he showed us how his people harvest “potatoes” – the corms of Western Spring Beauty Claytonia lanceolata. Later Robert and forester Norm Hansen showed us examples of culturally-modified trees – ancient Ponderosa Pines with bark cut away about 150 years ago to mark meeting places along a well-used trade-route. This was followed by a stroll through flower-studded hillsides and excellent birding along forest edges and a marsh. Our camp wrapped up with pie, tarts, tea and coffee, kindly provided by the Nicola Valley Community Round Table at the Laurie Guichon Memorial grasslands interpretation site. Members of the Round Table explained the work done on environmental, social, and health issues affecting the people of the Nicola Valley. Currently, this group is spearheading efforts to curb irresponsible and destructive use of off-road vehicles in the sensitive grasslands, forests and wetlands of the Nicola Valley.

Robert Sterling explains the traditional use of native plants and animals by First Nations people in the Nicola Valley. Photo: Alan Burger.

Exploring the grasslands at Lundbom Common. Photo: © Robert Bear

Robert Sterling digging native “potatoes” (Western Spring Beauty) on the Lundbom Commons grasslands. Photo: © Robert Bear

First Nations archaeologist and councillor Robert Sterling used a tradional elk-horn digging stick to dig out a native 'potato' - Western Spring Beauty. The inset shows the plant with the walnut-sized corm. Photos: © Alan Burger

Robert Sterling used a tradional elk-horn digging stick to dig out a native ‘potato’ – Western Spring Beauty. The inset shows the plant with the walnut-sized corm. Photos: © Alan Burger

Photographing grassland flowers on the Lundbom Common. Photo: Alan Burger

Lunch under the Ponderosa Pines and Tembling Aspens at Lundbom Common. Photo: © Alan Burger

Robert Sterling explains the function of this culturally-modified tree – it marked the site where visitors could camp and trade with local people. The blaze was cut over 150 years ago. Photo: © Ian Routley

Hiking in the Lundbom Common. Photo: © Ian Routley.

Enjoying the grassland flowers at Lundbom Common. Arrow-leaved Balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagittata) is in full bloom.

Enjoying the grassland flowers at Lundbom Common. Yellow Arrow-leaved Balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagittata) and white Saskatoon (Amelanchier alnifolia) are in full bloom. Photo: © Ian Routley

A Columbia Ground-squirrel – a common resident of the grasslands and forest openings in the Nicola Valley. Photo: © Ian Routley.

Osprey nesting at the Lundbom Common near Merritt. Photos: © Robert Bear

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Spring outing to the Douglas Lake Plateau IBA – 21 April 2014

Posted on April 26, 2014 by Alan Burger

The Nicola Naturalist Society, along with the Kamloops Naturalists, is responsible for monitoring the Douglas Lake Plateau IBA (Important Bird Area). We relish the opportunity to visit these grasslands, wetlands and ranch areas, counting birds from the public roads. On 21 April 2014, with good weather, 13 members of NNS spent a very productive day in the IBA area, driving as far as Salmon Lake with some of us returning via Minnie Lake and Pennask Lake Road. The goal was to check on the Sandhill Crane migration (this time last year we encountered over 2,300 cranes). Alas, this year we saw only two cranes. But there were many other species to make this an interesting trip. Highlights were:

Snow Goose – single bird at Chapperon Lake
Sandhill Crane 2 (in marsh 3-5 km west of Chapperon Lake)
American White Pelican: 25 roosting at Nicola Lake and 9 in flight near Chapperon Lake

Many raptors were about – some migrating through the area:

Peregrine Falcon – a pair is back for the third year at Nicola Lake cliffs and was mobbing a passing Bald Eagle
Merlin 2
American Kestrel 50+
Cooper’s Hawk 4
Sharp-shinned Hawk 4
Golden Eagle 2
Northern Harrier 15
Great Horned Owl 1

Spring arrivals: