Post by tmanson on May 22, 2006 8:36:51 GMT -8
Did a quick run yesterday afternoon up to the Nicola Valley, and specifically the Douglas Plateau. I love the effects of the evening light in that drier environment. Naturally, when I got there it was raining, but just brief showers.
I was on my annual quest for Ferruginous Hawk, which many observers say is very very doubtful, because, even in Washinton, where they can be found, their numbers are decreasing. Nevertheless, there was one reported there last Spring, so you never know. No Ferruginous Hawk today. Nevertheless, there was lots of bird activity.
It certainly is a raptor area: RED TAILED HAWK, SWAINSON'S HAWK, OSPREY, AMERICAN KESTREL, NORTHERN HARRIER. On one 2km stretch of the Douglas Lake Rd, I saw 3 SWAINSONS HAWKS. I guess they don't mind sharing territory. Also common were MOUNTAIN BLUBIRDS, VESPER SPARROWS, and MEADOWLARKS. There was a BULLOCK'S ORIOLE, at the junction of 5A, and Douglas Lake Rd., and two BURROWING OWLS, at one of the traditional release spots that are used by the society that is involved in reintroducing the birds into this environment. Thor
Thor Manson
Hope, B.C.
I was on my annual quest for Ferruginous Hawk, which many observers say is very very doubtful, because, even in Washinton, where they can be found, their numbers are decreasing. Nevertheless, there was one reported there last Spring, so you never know. No Ferruginous Hawk today. Nevertheless, there was lots of bird activity.
It certainly is a raptor area: RED TAILED HAWK, SWAINSON'S HAWK, OSPREY, AMERICAN KESTREL, NORTHERN HARRIER. On one 2km stretch of the Douglas Lake Rd, I saw 3 SWAINSONS HAWKS. I guess they don't mind sharing territory. Also common were MOUNTAIN BLUBIRDS, VESPER SPARROWS, and MEADOWLARKS. There was a BULLOCK'S ORIOLE, at the junction of 5A, and Douglas Lake Rd., and two BURROWING OWLS, at one of the traditional release spots that are used by the society that is involved in reintroducing the birds into this environment. Thor
Thor Manson
Hope, B.C.