Nicola Naturalist Society

Kentucky Alleyne toadlet mitigation – 2013 report released

Posted on January 11, 2014 by Alan Burger

The Nicola Naturalist Society, working under the guidance of BC Parks and professional herpetologists from Biolinx Environmental Research of Victoria, has been involved for the past two years in an important project at Kentucky Alleyne Provincial Park, near Merritt. West Pond in this park is an important breeding site for the Western Toad, a species of conservation concern in Canada. In summer, tens of thousands of tiny young toadlets emerge from the pond to migrate to the forest areas where they will live for the rest of their lives, returning to the water only as adults to breed.

A tiny Western Toad, newly emerged from its birth pond, migrates towards the forest. Photo © Kristiina Ovaska

Unfortunately at Kentucky Alleynne Park the toadlet migration route crosses one of the busiest roads in the park’s popular campsite. In past years thousands of little toadlets were killed by cars on the road. In 2012, with funding from the BC Parks Enhancement Fund (PEF), the Nicola Naturalists and Biolinx did a detailed study mapping where and when the toadlets migrate. That 2012 report is available here: Kentucky-Alleyne Toad Report, FINAL Dec 2012

In 2013 BC Parks installed an enviro-culvert (donated by BC Timber Sales) to provide a safe crossing for the toadlets under the campsite road. BC Parks once again provided PEF funds to help Nicola Naturalists and Biolinx monitor the effectiveness of this new tunnel. Nicola Naturalist volunteers helped install a low fence to channel toadlets under the tunnel, and spent many days monitoring the numbers of toadlets along the fence, at the tunnel and on the road. Our work raised a lot of interest among the campers and visitors at the park and provided an excellent opportunity to discuss the Western Toad situation and the conservation of amphibians in general. A poster sign is being produced to provide a permanent source of this information to park visitors.

Our Biolinx partners have now analysed these monitoring data and produced a report. The data show that large numbers of toadlets were safely diverted under the road through the tunnel. There were still some mortalities on the road and there is still some work to be done in 2014 to improve the system. Click here to download the 2013 report: KA Toad Report, final revised 2013

Map showing the location of the enviro-culvert (tunnel) and the movement of toadlets through the tunnel at Kentucky Alleyne Provincial Park. Map courtesy Biolinx Environmental Research Ltd.

Map showing the location of the enviro-culvert (tunnel) and the movement of toadlets through the tunnel at Kentucky Alleyne Provincial Park. For more details download our 2013 report – link on this page. Map courtesy Biolinx Environmental Research Ltd.

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Merritt Christmas Bird Count – 15 December 2013

Posted on December 19, 2013 by Alan Burger

Howling winds which persisted all day were the feature of this Christmas Bird Count. This was the 15th annual CBC in the Merritt count circle. We had 25 participants in the field (close to our record of 26) and three feeder-watchers. Because of the wind our species tally of 57 species was slightly below the average (58) and our count of bird numbers (2,851) was well below our average of 3,324 birds. Despite the wind, it was a fun day which wrapped up with an excellent pot-luck dinner – many thanks to the Shewchuks for hosting that!

Shaw TV made a short video of the 2013 Merritt Christmas Bird Count which is now online. To view the video click here: Shaw TV 2013 Bird Count

A pair of Trumpeter Swans with their darker young-of-the year on Nicola Lake, 15 Dec 2013. Photo © Corey Burger

No new species were added on the count day, but Snow Buntings were reported for the count week – this species has never been reported in previous counts.

We had some excitement when a small hawk was initially identified as a Cooper’s Hawk (only seen once before on a Merritt CBC) but luckily Carol Madryga had taken a photo of the bird. Expert birders identified this as a Sharp-shinned Hawk – the head cap and back of neck are the same colour as the back and the bird has a very large eye set forward in the head. Cooper’s hawk is larger, has a paler nape and the eye is more central in the head. These two species are always hard to separate.

This Sharp-shinned Hawk was initially identified as a Cooper’s Hawk, but expert birders confirmed its identity. Photo © Carol Madryga

Highlights:

Golden Eagles – one group had a close encounter with two eagles at a deer carcass.
Pacific (Winter) Wren – 4 seen in two areas; only recorded on one previous count. What most of us knew as a Winter Wren has been split into two species, with the birds west of the Rockies now known as Pacific Wrens.

High counts:

Canada Goose 469 – previous high 296 birds (last year).
Hooded Merganser 6 – matches previous high.
Ruffed Grouse 4 – matches last year’s high.
Rough-legged Hawk 11 – previous high 10 birds.
European Starling 329 – second highest count ever; highest was 563 birds.
Dark-eyed Junco 128 – second highest; last year we had 135 birds.
American Goldfinch 84 – second highest; last year we had 152 birds.

We had four Ruffed Grouse in the Merritt Christmas count, which matches last year’s high count. These two were in the ranchlands near the upper Nicola River. Photos © Carol & Jack Madryga

We had a record count of Rough-legged Hawks, migrants from the Arctic tundra which overwinter here. Bob Scafe nicely captured this bird hunting over the Lundbom Common during the Christmas Bird Count. Photos © Bob Scafe

We had a record count of 11 Rough-legged Hawks, migrants from the Arctic tundra which overwinter here. Bob Scafe nicely captured photos of this bird hunting over the Lundbom Common during the Christmas Bird Count. Photos © Bob Scafe

Missing species and low counts:

Common Loon – none seen; we usually get this species.
Scaup – none seen; we usually get both Greater and Lesser Scaup in small numbers.
American Coot – none seen for the 3rd year in a row; seen on most other counts.
Hairy Woodpecker – none seen for the first time ever; the average count is 5 birds.
Red-breasted Nuthatch – only 2 seen; the average is 12 birds.
White-breasted Nuthatch – none seen; average is 3 birds
Pygmy Nuthatch – 4 seen; average is 18 birds.
Townsend’s Solitaire – none seen; this is the first time the species has not been recorded – the average is 8 birds.

Greater Scaup, American Coot and Hairy Woodpecker were all seen on the day after the count (when the winds had abated) so we have them as Count Week species. Other Count Week species were Western Grebe, Great Horned Owl and Snow Buntings.

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

Merritt birders scanning Nicola Lake for waterbirds. on the Christmas Bird Count. Photo © Corey Burger

American Goldfinch munching on a feeder sunflower seed. We had a near-record count of 84 goldfinches in this year’s count. Photo © Bob Scafe

An adult Bald Eagle seen during the Merritt Christmas Bird Count on 15 December 2013. Photo © Corey Burger

To download the full list of species seen on Merritt Christmas Bird Counts 1995-2013 click here: Merritt Xmas Count data 1995-2013

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Nicola Naturalist Evening Presentations Jan-Apr 2014

Posted on December 19, 2013 by Alan Burger

These are our evening presentations for the winter of 2014. Our evening meetings are held on the 3rd Thursday of the month at 7 PM at the NVIT Lecture Theatre on Belshaw Road, Merritt.

Thursday January 16th, 2014: Mary Sandy (Esh-kn-am Cultural Resources Management Services): Archaeology & wildlife from a First Nations perspective

Mary Sandy is an archaeologist and anthropologist with Esh-kn-Am Cultural Resources Management Services. Based in the Nicola Valley, Esh-kn-am gathers information on First Nations’ traditional and cultural uses of local environments. Mary’s work focuses on wildlife and natural ecosystems. Her team gets information from individual interviews, community group sessions, literature reviews, archaeology and wildlife field studies. This mix of past and present information is analysed using computer databases and GIS mapping to help local communities with co-management and co-stewardship of the natural resources. This will be a fascinating presentation – not to be missed.

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Thursday February 20th, 2014: Richard Doucette (Teck/Highland Copper): Reclamation of a Tailings Pond

Richard Doucette is the Environmental Coordinator for Teck Highland Valley Copper Partnership, and responsible for reclamation work at the Highland Valley Copper Mine near Logan Lake. With many years of experience in forestry and wildlife biology, his main responsibilities with Highland Valley Copper are wildlife and waste management. Richard is a keen naturalist, a member of the Kamloops Naturalist Club and the lone coordinator for the Kamloops Young Naturalists’ Club. Join us to find out more about this important reclamation work in our region.

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Thursday March 20th, 2014: Barbara Pryce (Nature Conservancy of Canada): The Nature Conservancy of Canada: Results You Can Walk On

The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is the country’s largest national land conservation organization. Since 1962, it has helped to protect more than 1 million hectares across Canada. Barb Pryce serves as the Southern Interior Program Manager for the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s British Columbia Region. She is responsible for managing all aspects of NCC’s conservation work in the Southern Interior, informing people about NCC and developing partnerships with landowners, local communities, environmental NGOs, First Nations, industry and different levels of government in order to conserve areas of high biodiversity importance. Barb will provide an overview of the Nature Conservancy of Canada, and talk about NCC’s projects in the Southern Interior.

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Thursday April 17th, 2014: Dr. Bruce Archibald (Simon Fraser University): Fossils from the BC Interior

An Eocene insect from British Columbia. Photo: © Bruce Archibald

Dr. Bruce Archibald is a paleobiologist currently working as a Research Associate at Simon Fraser University, the Royal BC Museum, and the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University. Prior to beginning his academic career Bruce worked in many parts of BC as a logger, railway brakeman, musician, and longshoreman. He has studied fossil insect communities for over twenty years, focusing on 50 million year old Eocene fossils from south-central BC and northern Washington. Bruce is particularly interested in comparing these fossil insect communities with their modern living counterparts, to see what they tell us about natural ecosystems and the effects of climate and latitude. How do insects from 50 million years ago compare with those we see around us today? And what can they tell us about the ecology of our region, past and present? Here is a rare opportunity to hear from someone who takes a really long view of our natural ecosystems.

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Spring BC Nature Camp in the Nicola Valley – 29 May to 1 June, 2014

Posted on December 6, 2013 by Alan Burger

This camp is fully booked with a waiting list

The Nicola Naturalists are hosting a BC Nature Spring Camp from Thursday 29 May to Sunday 1 June, 2014. Come and experience grasslands, wetlands and ranching in the beautiful Nicola Valley around Merritt. Our three-day camp features outings with grassland experts on the Douglas Lake Plateau Important Bird Area, a tour of the Guichon Ranch (three generations of holistic ranching), frogging with professional herpetologists in Kane Valley, a nocturnal search for Great Basin Spadefoots, and excellent birding and spring flowers. Keep scrolling down for the tentative itinerary.

Participants stay in historical buildings on the Nicola Ranch, 8 km from Merritt (www.nicolaranch.com). Rooms are rustic B&B-standard with shared bathrooms. Meals in the cowboy cookhouse. Registration fee covers all meals, accommodation, presentations and outings. We will carpool for outings.

Limited on-site RV parking can be arranged on the Nicola Ranch – please contact us for the adjusted fee schedule. RVs must be equipped with toilets.

Registration is limited to 18 BC Nature members. Full costs:

Couple sharing queen bed in a private room – $520 per person
Single person in private room (limited rooms) – $590
Single in shared space – $490

Registration process.

Registration is first-come-first-served by phone starting at 10 AM, Sunday January 12^th, 2014. Phone 250-378-2468.
The order of acceptance is based on this initial phone contact.
After phone registration we will send you a full package of information by mail or by e-mail.
A deposit of $250 per person will be required to hold your place. The balance (full payment) will be required by 18th April 2014.
The registration form can be downloaded here: BC Nature Spring Camp 2014 registration
You will be required to complete and submit this waiver form: Nicola Camp Waiver Form 2014
If you’d like these forms in Word format please send us an e-mail.
See our cancellation policy at the bottom of this web-page.

For more information contact nicolanaturalists@gmail.com

Look through our photo gallery for an idea of the richness of the wildlife and natural ecosystems of the Nicola Valley region. Click here: Photo gallery

Grasslands and wooded hills of the Douglas Lake Plateau. The inset shows a Swainson’s Hawk, a regular breeder on these grasslands. Photos © Alan Burger

Tentative itinerary – Spring Camp 2014 This is just a preliminary plan and will likely change. Keep checking this web posting for updates.

Thursday 29 May

4-5 PM: Participants arrive; meet & greet at Nicola Ranch; settle into accommodation.
Evening: Welcome gathering in the cookhouse and dinner
Short presentations on the history and wildlife of the Nicola Valley area

Friday 30 May

Early morning birding
Breakfast in the cookhouse and prepare lunch sandwiches
Day activities: lectures and outings focused on wetlands, amphibians and birds; visits to local wetlands in the Kane Valley and Kentucky-Alleyne Provincial Park
Private time and dinner
Night visit to Great Basin Spadefoot breeding sites in the Douglas Lake grasslands

Saturday 31 May

Breakfast and prepare lunch
Morning – visit the Guichon ranch (holistic ranching and wonderful grasslands and wetlands)
Afternoon – Visit Douglas Lake Ranch area to view and discuss geology, topography, grassland ecology. Birding at wetlands.
Private time followed by social hour and dinner in the cookhouse
Evening – lecture on grassland ecosystems

Sunday 1 June

Early morning birding
Breakfast in the cookhouse and prepare lunch sandwiches
Morning – lecture and visit to the Lundbom Grasslands Interpretive Centre
Lunch with the Nicola Watershed Community Round Table Society
Afternoon – explore the Lundbom grasslands. Possible hike up Sugarloaf,
4 PM – participants depart for home.

A Great Basin Spadefoot near Douglas Lake, BC. This charismatic and threatened species is highly adapted to the dry interior grasslands and spends most of its life buried underground. If conditions are favourable, a night visit to a spadefoot breeding pond will be a highlight of the Spring Merritt Camp. Photo: © Alan Burger

Cancellation Policy for the Spring 2014 Nicola Valley Camp:

In the event that a participant cancels up to 6 weeks before the camp (i.e., up to 18 April 2014), Nicola Naturalist Society will refund the amount paid less $50 administration fee. For cancellation after 18 April 2014, the refund will only be made if someone else can be found to fill the place.

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Winter bird identification workshop – Saturday 7th December 2013, 1 PM at NVIT

Posted on October 18, 2013 by Alan Burger

At 1 PM Saturday 7th December – Room L017 at NVIT – Please note the change in time.

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 15 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. If the weather is reasonable we will then do some birding nearby.

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 indentities.

Mystery species #1 Photo: Alan Burger

Mystery species #2 Photo © Alan Burger

Mystery species #3 Photo © Gerry and Jill Sanford

Mystery species #4 Photo © Corey Burger

Keep scrolling down to see the identities

Mystery species #1 is Common Redpoll – this boreal species migrates south to spend the winters in our area, then disappears in the spring. The red “poll” on the forehead and pinkish tinge to the plumage are the things to look for but some birds are brighter than others.

Mystery species #2 is Red Crossbill – these are females or immatures so you don’t see a lot of red. But if you look closely you can see the crossed bills. These occur year-round in our area but their numbers vary depending on the cone crops.

Mystery species #3 is Northern Shrike. This is another boreal species which is found in our area only in the winter and early spring.

Mystery species #4 is Bohemian Waxwing. Yet another boreal species that arrives here in winter and can often be found in flocks of 100 or more. Note the cinnamon under-tail (hard to see in most of the birds in this photo) which differentiates Bohemian from the Cedar Waxwing (which has a whitish under-tail and is a common summer bird in our area).

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Nicola Naturalist Society – Members’ Photos, September 2013

Posted on September 22, 2013 by Alan Burger

Another selection of nature photos from the members of the Nicola Naturalist Society, Merritt, BC – a colourful sample of the wildlife diversity in our area.

Scroll down to view.

A Great Gray Owl caught in the act of catching a mouse - near Tunkwa Lake. Photo: © Jack & Carol Madryga

This Great Gray Owl was caught in the act of catching a mouse – near Tunkwa Lake, BC. Photo: © Jack & Carol Madryga

A curious juvenile Brown-headed Cowbird ventures on to a porch. Photo: © Bob Scafe

A Killdeer with its downy chick at Harrison Lake in the Kane Valley near Merritt, BC. Photo: © Gerry & Jill Sanford

Satyr Comma butterflies gather at a dead Western Toad. Photo: © Murphy Shewchuk

A new crop! Young Canada Geese newly hatched in the spring. Photo: © Carol & Jack Madryga

A new crop! Canada Geese goslings, newly hatched in the spring. Photos: © Carol & Jack Madryga

Commonly known as "Maple Bugs" because they live on maple trees, these two are mating. Photo: © Bob Scafe

Locally known as “Maple Bugs” because they live on maple trees, these two are mating. Photo: © Bob Scafe

Painted Turtles bask in the spring sun at Corbett Lake, near Merritt. This species is generally not found in lakes in the Nicola Valley and the ones in Corbett Lake might be introduced by people. Photo: © Andrea Lawrence

A lovely Mourning Cload butterfly - quite a common species in the Merritt area and BC interior. Photo: © Murphy Shewchuk

A lovely Mourning Cloak butterfly – quite a common species in the Merritt area and BC interior. Photo: © Murphy Shewchuk

A pair of Red-necked Grebes photographed in the midst of a spring courtship display. Photo: © Anne Pang

2013 was a bumper year for many wild fruit and berries. Chokecherries were superabundant. Photo: © Murphy Shewchuk

2013 was a bumper year for many wild fruit and berries in the Nicola Valley. Chokecherries were superabundant. Photo: © Murphy Shewchuk

This cinnamon-coloured black bear was photographed in the Kane Valley near Merritt. This coloration is quite often found in bears around Merritt. Photo: © Gerry & jill Sanford.

An adult Bald Eagle in the BC interior. Photo: © Jack & Carol Madryga.

A young Orange-crowned Warbler being released after flying into a window. Photo: © Bob Scafe

A large Western Toad is hard to see among the leaves and ground litter. These tough amphibians spend most of their lives on land and return to water only to breed in the spring. Photo: © Gerry & Jill Sanford.

A juvenile Long-toed Salamander. This is the only salamander found in the Merritt, BC area. Photo: © Alan Burger

A juvenile Long-toed Salamander. This is the only salamander found in the Merritt, BC area. The long toes develop as the animal matures. Photo: © Alan Burger

Many Cicadas emerged in the summer of 2013. Their high-pitched buzzing is one of the signs of summer. Photos: © Alan Burger

Mountain Cicada (Okanagana bella), a species often associated with Douglas-fir forests and common in some parts of the Nicola Valley. Many Cicadas emerged in the summer of 2013. Their high-pitched buzzing is a signature sound of summer. Photos: © Alan Burger

A female White Tailed Ptarmigan photographed near Mt. Coquihalla. Photo: © Alan Burger

A female White-tailed Ptarmigan photographed in the high alpine near Mt. Coquihalla. Photo: © Alan Burger

Like pastel artwork, this Pacific Tree Frog decorates the house siding. Photo: © Myrna McPhail

Pikas are common in the rock screes of the alpine and high elevation areas around the Nicola Valley and Coast Mountains. Photo: © Alan Burger

Pinedrops (Pterospora andromedea). This plant is a saprophyte - meaning that it gets most of its nourishment by tapping into other plants, or in this case underground fungi. It is quite widespread in the coniferous forests of the BC interior. Photo: © Gerry & Jill Sanford

Pinedrops (Pterospora andromedea). This plant is a saprophyte – meaning that it gets most of its nourishment by tapping into decaying material, with the help of symbiotic underground fungi. It is quite widespread in the coniferous forests of the BC interior. Photo: © Gerry & Jill Sanford

Pectoral Sandpipers on their migration south from their Arctic breeding grounds. Photo: © Bob Scafe

A juvenile Wilson's Phalarope skims tiny crustaceans from a pond surface. Photo: © Bob Scafe

A Checkerspot butterfly visits a Yarrow flower. Photo: © Alan Burger

A mixed group of swallows: Tree Swallows on the left and Barn Swallows on the right. Photo: © Jill & Gerry Sanford.

A mixed group of swallows: Tree Swallows on the left and Barn Swallows on the right at a lake near Merritt, BC. Photo: © Jill & Gerry Sanford.

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“Antarctica – the icy wildlife paradise” with Alan Burger. Thursday 21st November 2013, 7 PM at NVIT theatre

Posted on September 22, 2013 by Alan Burger

Nicola Naturalist president Alan Burger regularly visits the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic South Georgia, working as a lecturer/naturalist with Aurora Expeditions. Alan will share his experiences and photos of this icy wonderland and its varied wildlife: penguins, of course, but also whales, seals, skuas, albatrosses and many other seabirds. The Antarctic, like many other places on earth, is experiencing climate change – the consequences could be devastating to sea levels and our coastal cities. Alan will update us on the changes happening in Antarctic and what it means to people around the world. But this event is foremost a celebration of the incredible wealth of wildlife living in the Antarctic.

A Leopard Seal shows its toothy maw while resting on the ice. Photo: © Alan Burger

King Penguins by the thousands – St. Andrew’s Bay on South Georgia in the sub-Antarctic. This is just part of this immense colony. The brown chicks from the previous breeding season are surrounded by adults incubating eggs. Photo: © Alan Burger

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“Photographing nature in BC” with Ian Routley. Thursday 17 October 2013, 7 PM at NVIT lecture theatre

Posted on July 26, 2013 by Alan Burger

Dr. Ian Routley is a family physician in Lillooet. He is also an amazing photographer, avid birder and active conservationist. His photos, taken with care and patience, have been used in many articles about birds and wildlife in Canada. Ian will cover his adventures with wildlife in B.C. with many of his excellent photos and pass on tips for improving your own wildlife photography. Ian’s photos have appeared in many publications and some can be viewed at his website: : www.ianroutleyphotography.com

Come and see fabulous photos on the big screen at NVIT and share Ian’s adventures with wildlife in BC.

Long-billed Curlew - an uncommon breeder in the B.C. interior. Photo © Ian Routley

Pygmy Nuthatches cluster around a feeder. Photo: © Ian Routley

Western Toad metamorphs (toadlets) aggregate in dense clumps before dispersing into the woods where they will spend most of the rest of their lives. Photo © Ian Routley

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Member’s Photo Night and Annual General Meeting, 19 Sep 2013, 7 PM Room 001 NVIT

Posted on July 26, 2013 by Alan Burger

Our AGM will feature short reports on club activities and election of officers. We keep the business portion of the evening short to leave lots of time for our popular members’ photo show of local nature and wildlife pics. If you have any topics you would like discussed at the AGM please contact one of the NNS directors (see NNS newsletters for contact info).

NNS members – please send your photos (high-quality images but not larger than 1 MB) to nicolanaturalists@gmail.com

Share your spring and summer adventures with the Nicola Naturalist Society.

An immature male Rufous Hummingbird rests between feeds. Photo © Bob Scafe

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From frogs to tadpoles – it’s all happening now. Frogging 2013.

Posted on June 6, 2013 by Alan Burger

The Nicola Naturalists are active in our third year of mapping and monitoring amphibians in the Nicola Valley area around Merritt. Our season started with a visit by our professional herpetologist partners from Biolinx Environmental Research of Victoria. They led a workshop on 25th May, reviewing our progress so far and adding to our identification skills.

Lennart Sopuck of Biolinx Environmental Research leads part of our amphibian workshop – 25 May 2013. Photo: Alan Burger

After a morning classroom session we headed to Harrison Lake in Kane Valley to see tens of thousands of Western Toad tadpoles swarming in the shallows. The adults can live 10 years or more and have already returned to the forest where they spend most of their lives.

New frogging volunteers get top know the species at Harrison Lake in Kane Valley. Photos: Alan Burger

Nicola Naturalist frogging volunteers get to know the species at Harrison Lake in Kane Valley. Photos: Alan Burger

A small part of the swarm of Western Toad tadpoles at Harrison Lake, Kane Valley. Photos: Alan Burger

Western Toad tadpoles in the shallows at Harrison Lake, Kane Valley. Photos: Alan Burger

How many tadpoles? A small part of the huge swarm of Western Toad tadpoles at Harrison Lake. Photo © Alan Burger.

We also found Columbia Spotted Frogs and Pacific Tree Frogs. We were delighted to learn that we can once again call them “tree frogs” – for the past few years they have been referred to as Pacific Chorus Frogs.

A young Columbia Spotted Frog in the shallows at Harrison Lake, Kane Valley. Photo © Alan Burger.

The Biolinx biologists and newly trained NNS volunteers had four busy days visiting wetlands. Some of us joined late night surveys to listen for calling Great Basin Spadefoots in the grasslands along Douglas Lake and Pennask Lake Roads.

Kristiina Ovaska of Biolinx Environmental Research records Great Basin Spadefoots calling at night along Douglas Lake Road (Photo © Alan Burger). Inset: a calling spadefoot (Photo © Lennart Sopuck).

On 5th June Andrea and Alan hosted a group of grade 11 and 12 Biology students from the Merritt Senior Secondary School, who bussed out to Harrison Lake for an open air class in amphibians and birds. They found all three common frogs and lots of tadpoles. One sharp-eyed student found a small egg mass deposited by a Pacific Tree Frog.

Students from Merritt Senior Secondary hunt for frogs in the Kane Valley near Merritt. Photo: Andrea Lawrence.

BC Parks has asked us to keep an eye on the Western Toads at Kentucky-Alleyne Provincial Park for another season. These photos from June 6 show some of the thousands of tadpoles clustering in the warm waters of West Pond, with some feeding on clumps of algae.

Western Toad tadpoles in the shallows at West Pond, Kentucky-Alleyne Provincial Park. Clumps of algae are their primary food. Photos © Andrea Lawrence.

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Nicola Naturalist Society

Kentucky Alleyne toadlet mitigation – 2013 report released

Merritt Christmas Bird Count – 15 December 2013

Nicola Naturalist Evening Presentations Jan-Apr 2014

Spring BC Nature Camp in the Nicola Valley – 29 May to 1 June, 2014

Winter bird identification workshop – Saturday 7th December 2013, 1 PM at NVIT

Nicola Naturalist Society – Members’ Photos, September 2013

“Antarctica – the icy wildlife paradise” with Alan Burger. Thursday 21st November 2013, 7 PM at NVIT theatre

“Photographing nature in BC” with Ian Routley. Thursday 17 October 2013, 7 PM at NVIT lecture theatre

Member’s Photo Night and Annual General Meeting, 19 Sep 2013, 7 PM Room 001 NVIT

From frogs to tadpoles – it’s all happening now. Frogging 2013.

Nicola Naturalist Society

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