Nicola Valley and beyond

[birder1942]

Today, Ed Klassen and I headed out at 4am to bird between Merrit and Knutsford (we also went 15km up Minnie Lake Road).
We saw just over 70 species, highlights were Swainson's Hawk (lifer for Ed), Wilson's Phalarope (lifer for Ed), 2 American White Pelicans at the south end of Nicola Lake (new BC bird for me). We also spotted a GHOwl in a tree at Quilchena and another GHOwl just outside of Knutsford in a nest with one young one). We had the following raptors: GHOwl, RTHawk, Swainson's Hawk, Rough-legged Hawk, BEagle, NHarrier, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Merlin, Kestril, TVulture; lots of Vesper Sparrows, Mountain Bluebirds, 2 Red-naped Sapsuckers, a Townsend's Solitaire, etc.
Happy birding, John Vooys

[tmanson]

John: Thanks for the report. What a raptor haven that whole valley is. The only one missing from your report is the elusive Ferruginous Hawk. I know close by residents, and ex residents have stated they have never seen one in that area, but there are persistent , but occasional reports, including one from a very well known birder last Spring,who saw one flying across highway 5A at the intersection of Douglas Lake Rd. This sighting was reported in the ABA Journal Birding. Last weekend, a Ferruginous Hawk was reported at Palouse Lake SP east of Othello, Washington, and you wouldn't think that extra distance would be a huge stretch for a bird like that, considering the great habitat that awaits on the B.C. side. Every time I go up there, I keep an eye peeled for this beauty. Thor

Thor Manson
Hope, B.C.

[Gord]

Nice report John! Some really nice birds there. Reminds me of my first Okanagan trip with Jason. We went the night before, kept awake on the drive by probably most unfortunate music and slept in my Honda Prelude on Nighthawk Rd. Ah, to be young again. I was awoken at first light by singing meadowlarks and lark sparrows. What an awesome two days of birding. About 9 lifers and I think we got well over 100 species.
Once my family is a bit older, we will do something like that again, but probably in a minivan and to the tune of Sesame Street's Greatest Hits.