Post by kastern on Apr 25, 2006 18:35:05 GMT -8
Got back yesterday from our 10 day trip. Just read the Merrit birding report and wish I had the same expertise at identifying raptors as we sure saw a lot of them but not many that I could positively identify. We positively identified 73 species. Started out at Tunkwa Lake which was still mainly frozen - we found it fascinating watching how the various birds used the ice. There were Canada and one Cackling Goose there (first I've managed to actually see), also 9 Trumpeter Swans. Lots of Eagles, both Bald and Golden and they would take a kill out onto the ice to eat it. Ducks were mainly Barrow's Goldeneye, Scaup and Mallard. Saw one Eared Grebe. Townsends Solitaire seem to be everywhere this year, two landed on the picnic table, so fluffed up from the cold wind they were almost unrecognizable. Pretty sure we saw a Rusty Blackbird in the marsh at the turn off to the campsite, only the second time I've seen one. Marsh Wrens were just returning as were the first Yellow headed Blackbirds.
Drove through the Kane Valley but it was a bit too early for too many birds. Did see a female White tailed Ptarmigan which was a lifer for me. Checked out Beaver Ranch Flats a couple of times, the first time it was too windy, everything was hiding in the reeds although we did see a white colored adult Gryfalcon hunting on the hillside on the way there. Second trip out there wasn't too exciting until we spotted those same two Pelicans on Nicola Lake.
At Kentucky Allyene managed some decent photos of Mountain Bluebirds in the aspens on the way into the park, also Red naped Sapsucker. More Townsends Solitaire one magical morning when awoke to a dusting of powdery snow that had the air sparkling and birds were everywhere. Lots of Loons and Barrow's Goldeneye. Saw one male Mallard there that was normal coloration except for the body which was shades of brown rather than the usual gray. Warblers were just arriving as we had to head back to reality. Hoping to return to the area in a couple of weeks. Know where a pair of Pileated are excavating a nest cavity and watched a pair of crows building a nest.
Have over 400 photos to work through now so that should keep me busy until the next trip.
Kathy
Drove through the Kane Valley but it was a bit too early for too many birds. Did see a female White tailed Ptarmigan which was a lifer for me. Checked out Beaver Ranch Flats a couple of times, the first time it was too windy, everything was hiding in the reeds although we did see a white colored adult Gryfalcon hunting on the hillside on the way there. Second trip out there wasn't too exciting until we spotted those same two Pelicans on Nicola Lake.
At Kentucky Allyene managed some decent photos of Mountain Bluebirds in the aspens on the way into the park, also Red naped Sapsucker. More Townsends Solitaire one magical morning when awoke to a dusting of powdery snow that had the air sparkling and birds were everywhere. Lots of Loons and Barrow's Goldeneye. Saw one male Mallard there that was normal coloration except for the body which was shades of brown rather than the usual gray. Warblers were just arriving as we had to head back to reality. Hoping to return to the area in a couple of weeks. Know where a pair of Pileated are excavating a nest cavity and watched a pair of crows building a nest.
Have over 400 photos to work through now so that should keep me busy until the next trip.
Kathy
