Post by Chris on Apr 3, 2022 7:23:25 GMT -8
Spent a few days in the Okanagan. The weather was great for the most part. Left Sunday and came back on Thursday.
On Sunday, walked road 22, one of my favourite birding locations. It wasn’t too active but picked up my first Rough-winged Swallows of the year.
The following day the first stop was White Lake. Quickly picked up Western Bluebirds and there was a chorus of Meadowlark songs. Was able to explore that area a bit more than usual and also got all three species of nuthatch and Cassin’s Finch. There was also a Canyon Wren singing.
Say's Phoebe
Say's Phoebe at White Lake, Okanagan Falls by Chris McDonald
Western Bluebird
Western Bluebird at White Lake, Okanagan Falls by Chris McDonald
Western Bluebird at White Lake, Okanagan Falls by Chris McDonald
At Mahoney Lake a Goshawk made a brief appearance.
Vaseux Cliffs also had Canyon Wren and about 12 Mountain Bluebirds which weren’t that cooperative for photos. I was really surprised to see and hear a few White-throated Swifts. Had no idea they arrived that early.
Mountain Bluebird at Vaseux Cliffs by Chris McDonald
Common Merganser from Road 22
Common Merganser at Osoyoos--Road 22 and dykes (general) by Chris McDonald
Tuesday I was able to visit friends in Vernon so no bird reports that day.
On Wednesday, made a trip east and stopped at Sidley Mountain Rd. Had two Williamson’s Sapsuckers. A species I haven’t seen since 2013. Was going to go north of Rock Creek but it started snowing so went back to the Osoyoos area.
These Ring-billed Gulls at Haynes Point were somewhat cooperative.
Ring-billed Gull at Haynes Point Provincial Park by Chris McDonald
At Road 22 was an Eurasian Wigeon present and an Osprey on its nest.
Eurasian Wigeon at Osoyoos--Road 22 and dykes (general) by Chris McDonald
Osprey at Osoyoos--Road 22 and dykes (general) by Chris McDonald
On Thursday while heading home, made a detour to the White Lake area and managed a photo of this bluebird pair.
Western Bluebird at White Lake, Okanagan Falls by Chris McDonald
Here’s a link to the trip report on eBird if you want to see the checklists.
ebird.org/tripreport/45194
On Sunday, walked road 22, one of my favourite birding locations. It wasn’t too active but picked up my first Rough-winged Swallows of the year.
The following day the first stop was White Lake. Quickly picked up Western Bluebirds and there was a chorus of Meadowlark songs. Was able to explore that area a bit more than usual and also got all three species of nuthatch and Cassin’s Finch. There was also a Canyon Wren singing.
Say's Phoebe
Say's Phoebe at White Lake, Okanagan Falls by Chris McDonald
Western Bluebird
Western Bluebird at White Lake, Okanagan Falls by Chris McDonald
Western Bluebird at White Lake, Okanagan Falls by Chris McDonald
At Mahoney Lake a Goshawk made a brief appearance.
Vaseux Cliffs also had Canyon Wren and about 12 Mountain Bluebirds which weren’t that cooperative for photos. I was really surprised to see and hear a few White-throated Swifts. Had no idea they arrived that early.
Mountain Bluebird at Vaseux Cliffs by Chris McDonald
Common Merganser from Road 22
Common Merganser at Osoyoos--Road 22 and dykes (general) by Chris McDonald
Tuesday I was able to visit friends in Vernon so no bird reports that day.
On Wednesday, made a trip east and stopped at Sidley Mountain Rd. Had two Williamson’s Sapsuckers. A species I haven’t seen since 2013. Was going to go north of Rock Creek but it started snowing so went back to the Osoyoos area.
These Ring-billed Gulls at Haynes Point were somewhat cooperative.
Ring-billed Gull at Haynes Point Provincial Park by Chris McDonald
At Road 22 was an Eurasian Wigeon present and an Osprey on its nest.
Eurasian Wigeon at Osoyoos--Road 22 and dykes (general) by Chris McDonald
Osprey at Osoyoos--Road 22 and dykes (general) by Chris McDonald
On Thursday while heading home, made a detour to the White Lake area and managed a photo of this bluebird pair.
Western Bluebird at White Lake, Okanagan Falls by Chris McDonald
Here’s a link to the trip report on eBird if you want to see the checklists.
ebird.org/tripreport/45194
