Post by Chris on Jul 4, 2020 17:46:13 GMT -8
My parents and I were eager to do some birding in the Merritt area after all of the rain recently. We did a loop by venturing through the Canyon and then heading back via the Coquihalla.
Our first stop was Alexandria Bridge. It was fairly quiet but it was nice to hear Hammond's Flycatcher, Townsend's Warbler and Cassin's Vireo. Species I don't hear very often anymore.
Next stop was brief but it was at North Bend. Highlights were a Veery and saw a small flock of Band-tailed Pigeons.
The drive from Spences Bridge to Merritt produced a few Clark's Nutcrackers, a lot of Lazuli Buntings, and a handful of Eastern and Western Kingbirds.
On the drive to Beaver Ranch Flats we spotted at least one Swainson's Hawk.
If I was quicker I would have managed a great shot of a Yellow-headed Blackbird at Beaver Ranch Flats. Instead I had to settle for this one
A Vesper Sparrow was fairly cooperative
There were also two Lewis' Woodpeckers in the area as well.
Next, we drove up to Douglas Lake.
A few Western Kingbirds were around.
A final stop was Pennask Lake Rd. No Swainson's Hawks or Horned Larks were present.
Quite a few Meadowlarks though.
It's a great area to visit. Very scenic and birds that can be difficult to see in the Fraser Valley.
Our first stop was Alexandria Bridge. It was fairly quiet but it was nice to hear Hammond's Flycatcher, Townsend's Warbler and Cassin's Vireo. Species I don't hear very often anymore.
Next stop was brief but it was at North Bend. Highlights were a Veery and saw a small flock of Band-tailed Pigeons.
The drive from Spences Bridge to Merritt produced a few Clark's Nutcrackers, a lot of Lazuli Buntings, and a handful of Eastern and Western Kingbirds.
On the drive to Beaver Ranch Flats we spotted at least one Swainson's Hawk.
If I was quicker I would have managed a great shot of a Yellow-headed Blackbird at Beaver Ranch Flats. Instead I had to settle for this one
A Vesper Sparrow was fairly cooperative
There were also two Lewis' Woodpeckers in the area as well.
Next, we drove up to Douglas Lake.
A few Western Kingbirds were around.
A final stop was Pennask Lake Rd. No Swainson's Hawks or Horned Larks were present.
Quite a few Meadowlarks though.
It's a great area to visit. Very scenic and birds that can be difficult to see in the Fraser Valley.
