Post by Chris on Apr 29, 2023 19:38:14 GMT -8
Did some Merritt area birding today and the first stop was Old Nicola Road. It's not a big area to bird but it's usually quite active. Picked up a few waterfowl species and also had an Osprey eating a fish. A couple of Vesper Sparrows were singing. They have a lovely song.
The next stop was Beaver Ranch Flats. Always active with waterfowl. And one of my favorites, Yellow-headed Blackbirds
Yellow-headed Blackbird at Guichon Ranch - Beaver Ranch Flats
Nice to see Ruddy Ducks in breeding plumage.
The southeast end of Stump Lake had good numbers of waterfowl, mostly coots. Three Pelicans flew overhead.
Planet Mine Road wasn't too active but this Rough-legged Hawk was a surprise.
Rough-legged Hawk at Planet Mine Road
Numerous Vesper Sparrows and Meadowlarks were singing.
Drove up the Douglas Lake Road. Had two Lewis' Woodpeckers. Went as far as Chapperon Lake where there were a number of waterfowl on the lake but the highlight was 22 Pelicans. This was my first time up this far on Douglas Lake Road and it was quite nice. The road was in good shape and was very quiet. Pretty certain I saw some wild horses but could be wrong on that.
Had my first of the year Cinnamon Teal and Western Kingbird on Douglas Lake. There were also 2 Western Grebes.
A quick on Pennask Lake Road produced one Swainson's Hawk.
Coming home noticed a fire just northeast of Merritt and checked the news later and the highway from Merritt to Logan Lake is closed due to a wildfire. Hopefully, it's not things to come but a lot of the lakes and small marshes in the area are very low. It's quite dry already, unfortunately.
The next stop was Beaver Ranch Flats. Always active with waterfowl. And one of my favorites, Yellow-headed Blackbirds
Yellow-headed Blackbird at Guichon Ranch - Beaver Ranch Flats
Nice to see Ruddy Ducks in breeding plumage.
The southeast end of Stump Lake had good numbers of waterfowl, mostly coots. Three Pelicans flew overhead.
Planet Mine Road wasn't too active but this Rough-legged Hawk was a surprise.
Rough-legged Hawk at Planet Mine Road
Numerous Vesper Sparrows and Meadowlarks were singing.
Drove up the Douglas Lake Road. Had two Lewis' Woodpeckers. Went as far as Chapperon Lake where there were a number of waterfowl on the lake but the highlight was 22 Pelicans. This was my first time up this far on Douglas Lake Road and it was quite nice. The road was in good shape and was very quiet. Pretty certain I saw some wild horses but could be wrong on that.
Had my first of the year Cinnamon Teal and Western Kingbird on Douglas Lake. There were also 2 Western Grebes.
A quick on Pennask Lake Road produced one Swainson's Hawk.
Coming home noticed a fire just northeast of Merritt and checked the news later and the highway from Merritt to Logan Lake is closed due to a wildfire. Hopefully, it's not things to come but a lot of the lakes and small marshes in the area are very low. It's quite dry already, unfortunately.