Post by Jon on Jul 11, 2022 22:10:26 GMT -8
Prelude:
Apologies for the long write up. You may want to skip this till you have 15 minutes of spare time. If you make it to the end, I appreciate you
Ben, myself, and the family went north for a bit of a birding-loaded vacation. Most of the family just tolerates the obsession, so it was gracious of them to tag along .
The destination was the Peace River region of BC. At 13 hours north of the valley, it's a bit of a jaunt to get there! We broke the trip up on both directions by spending 1 or more nights in the Prince George area.
Much of our trip was assisted by some key things:
1. Birdfinding in British Columbia (a book by Richard and Russell Cannings) which Dave kindly leant to us. Truly a fantastic guide for anyone birding in the province.
2. input & recommendations from Dave and Chris
3. eBird reports -- which are not nearly as useful/reliable as in the valley due to the lack of birding coverage.
Day 1:
We departed at around 5am on Thursday June 30. Heading along the #1 highway, we had to stop for construction just before leaving the FV region. This netted a heard only Veery (Ben's first for the valley), so we were off to a good start! Then took a brief stop at Skihist Provincial Park, hoping for Dusky Grouse, which weren't there. We kept our eyes peeled for Chukar which have proved elusive. The next official stop was at the Clinton Sewage lagoons which had a nice variety of waterfowl and an assortment of songbirds including Yellow-headed Blackbird. Then was Loch Lomond, on the side of the highway. After stepping out of the car we instantly heard the "VREE-BEEV" of an Alder Flycatcher (apparently rare there) which brought the lifer count to 1. The mosquitoes there were NUTS and in the rush to leave, forgot to even take a picture or recording. Next we had lunch and a walk at Scout Island in Williams lake, producing 39 species including American White Pelican, Gray Catbird, Northern Waterthrush, and Chipping and Clay-colored Sparrows. A quick drive down by Soda Creek didn't produce a whole lot special besides the only Mountain Chickadee we would get on our trip. After checking into a hotel in Prince George, checked out Forests for the World, where I got lifer number 2, in the form of a Magnolia Warbler. Ben and most of the rest had given up walking there due to terrible mosquitoes, so he waited till the next day before he got his (likely the exact same pair). All in all, a pretty successful first day!
Day 2:
Began we another trip to Forests for the World, which yielded an almost identical list to the previous day, but we had to go since Ben was one of the mosquito-induced-returner and Magnolia was a lifer for him too . Then took a peak around Cottonwood Island, which was almost completely flooded out, which didn't help us find too many birds. We then packed up again and continued our journey north. Several stops on the side of the highway later (one of which was caused by a life Dusky Grouse, which was just chilling on a road parallel to the highway), and we made it to the Peace Region. Our first stop before arrival at our accommodation was at Peace Island Park which had a life Ovenbird for both of us, and life Tennessee Warbler and Blue-headed Vireo for Ben (the latter of which sneakily disappeared before I could get there). Fun to also see Black-and-white, Yellow, and Yellow-rumped Warbler, American Redstart, Common Yellowthroat, and Northern Waterthrush. Ended the day with a quick walk around the area we were staying which happened to have Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers nesting (lifer for me) and a flyover flock of Franklin's Gulls.
Dusky Grouse at John Hart Highway, Lemoray, British Columbia, CA (55.54, -122.478)
Black-and-white Warbler at Taylor--Peace Island Park by Benjamin Pap
Ovenbird at Taylor--Peace Island Park by Benjamin Pap
Day 3:
The first full day in the Peace began at Beatton Provincial Park with lifer Mourning and Canada Warblers (#1k!). Then took a peek around Charlie Lake. Wasn't too much spectacular here, but we did get Eastern Phoebe, a new one for the BC list. In the afternoon, checked out the North Sewage Lagoons in Fort St. John (they've got a pesky fence that surrounds it). Here we had a nice variety of waterfowl and shorebirds (unfortunately no Hudsonian Godwit, which we were optimistically hoping for . After supper went down to Watson Slough, known for Yellow Rails, but missed there as well.
Mourning Warbler at Beatton Provincial Park by Jonathan Pap
Canada Warbler at Beatton Provincial Park by Benjamin Pap
Day 4:
Began at Beatton again (this time at 4:30). This time got a life Rose-breasted Grosbeak (a species Ben had already had in Ontario a few years ago) and Philadelphia Vireo (a lifer which sure wasn't cooperative -- chased it around back and forth up and down the trail for a long while before it gave us the views we wanted). In the afternoon, went to Charlie Lake Provincial Park in hopes of a Connecticut Warbler that had been reported a few days earlier. Unfortunately no luck, though we did get some (very distant) views of White-winged and Surf Scoter, which we were not expecting. A stop at Fish Creek Community Forest in the evening gave a Barred Owl in addition to my first views of Blue-headed Vireo and a Black-throated Green Warbler (BC bird). We were hoping for Winter Wren here too, but no dice.
Barred Owl at Fort St. John--Fish Creek Community Forest by Benjamin Pap
Black-throated Green Warbler at Fort St. John--Fish Creek Community Forest by Benjamin Pap
Blue-headed Vireo at Fort St. John--Fish Creek Community Forest by Jonathan Pap
Unfortunately not a Black-backed Woodpecker at Fort St. John--Fish Creek Community Forest by Jonathan Pap
Day 5:
Target for today: Rock Ptarmigan. Headed up to Pink Mountain, where we drove and walked around for multiple hours, in pouring rain and hail, and eventually gave up. After beginning to drive back down, we decided to turn around and check just one more spot. I'm sure glad we did, because about 15 minutes later we had 5 (or more) Rock Ptarmigan (male, female + chicks). Enjoyed some fantastic views for a bit before heading back down, feeling much more satisfied with the day. While on the mountain, we got the report that Chris Coxson had found 2 Sedge Warblers at Watson Slough, so of course we had to take a stop there and pick up another lifer (which turned into two, when a Nelson's Sparrow sang a couple times and then gave a very brief appearance). We waited for probably over an hour more, hoping to hear a Yellow Rail but in vain.
Mommy Rock Ptarmigan at Pink Mountain by Jonathan Pap
Rare Sedge Wren at Watson Slough (Hwy 29) by Jonathan Pap
Day 6:
Up before 3, we headed for Brassey Creek (about 1 hours drive away). The main target was Connecticut Warbler (which I now pronounce as Connect-ti-cut after realizing it's got a "t" before the "icut") but we were also hoping to get Yellow-bellied Flycatcher and possibly LeConte's Sparrow. Starting at the bottom of the road, we got LeConte's Sparrow almost immediately, making it's buzzy song in the long grass. Despite using some playback (sparingly) it did not want to show itself. I got bored of waiting so walked down the road. Another was singing there, but also hidden. After walking for 20 minutes, Ben still hadn't driven to meet me, so I was getting a bit annoyed and I turned around and walked back. There were lots of nice birds like Hermit Thrush, Alder Flycatcher, Clay-colored Sparrow, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, and many more birds on this stretch. Anyhow, Ben didn't know how far I'd gone, so was worried I'd tromped off into the forest and that he would pass me in the car. There was no cell service, and I didn't have my phone on me anyways.
It worked out well though, since upon returning I spotted the LeConte's Sparrow sitting in the grass -- albeit distant.
LeConte's Sparrow at Brassey Creek by Benjamin Pap
Further down the road, we heard the explosive song of the Connecticut Warbler off to our right. Walking a little into the forest, and we scored some decent looks at a male. It wasn't cooperative for the camera however, so no photos of this bird. It's much more drab than I'd imagined -- quite unlike the striking male Mourning Warbler!
Following the road up, we enjoyed adding some higher elevation birds like Black-throated Green Warbler, White-winged Crossbill, Varied Thrush, and Boreal Chickadee to name a few. We continued on the road to where Yellow-bellied Flycatcher are known to be had. Here's where we dipped. Despite checking around for a bit (ok, not too much effort, but maybe 40 minutes?) we might have heard one, but I'm not convinced. Returned without the flycatcher, but was still pleased with the other 2 lifers.
Returning to the road, the area is apparently good for black spruce bogs, which can have Blackpoll Warbler (a lifer for me, but not Ben) which I hoped to find. We couldn't really find the bogs spoken of on Highway 52, but eBird showed that there had been a good road a few years ago for at least 1 individual, so we checked it out. "The Pond on 237 Rd" did not score us any Blackpoll Warblers. LeConte's sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, 4 other sparrows, Black-and-White and Tennessee Warblers and Yellow-rumped, but no Blackpoll... Then Ben spotted a Palm Warbler! This was not a bird I'd expected to see on this trip, but sure made up for the lack of a Blackpoll Warbler.
Palm Warbler at 237 Road, Arras, British Columbia, CA (55.712, -120.483) by Benjamin Pap
On the way back to Fort St. John, we made a quick trip down Johnson Rd in Taylor. The hope was to magically come across a Ruby-throated Hummingbird at somebody's feeder down that way. We were too shy to ask the homeowners if we could camp their feeders, and didn't even see any feeders except maybe two on the way back out. So, with that shyness came a solid 0 hummingbirds. (In hind-sight, I think if I were to go again, I would: bring a feeder, put it up along the road somewhere there, then come back a later day to camp that feeder -- and/or just ask the homeowners ). If we'd found a Ruby-throated, it would've been another "jon only lifer" so maybe it's a good thing we didn't find one
The rest of the morning was spent at our airBnB, and at 4pm I was ready to get out of there. Went to the nearby Beatton during a break in the weather, but upon getting there it started *pouring*, so, we waited in the car. After it let up, a walk about turned up nothing new. Of interest was a lack of Canada or Mourning Warblers in the spot we'd had them the other mornings... Perhaps just not showing themselves in the afternoon.
Day 7:
On our last day in the Peace Region, we tried to score some things that had eluded us thus far. Main target was Yellow Rail, so back to Watson Slough we went! The Sedge Wrens continued, and after 30 minutes Ben called out that he thought he'd heard the rail. Listening carefully I couldn't pick it out, and Ben started to second-guess himself, so we continued waiting. About 30 minutes later I was just sitting in a bit of dry area and picked up the rail Ben had heard! Called Ben and he also heard it with me -- and we got a terrible recording of it. When the Marsh Wrens and other birds were calling it was impossible to hear, but in the brief times of less noise, the tic-tic tic call could be faintly picked up. Not a very satisfying lifer, but a lifer none-the-less!
Getting close to home, I convinced Ben we should try once for the "high-pitched spruce-loving Bay-breasted Warbler" that are sometimes had at the Community Forest. We didn't have bug spray along this time, and I hated those blood-sucking bugs! Traveling fast along the trail, we didn't have any Bay-breasted, or any Winter Wren. The only new bird for the region for us was a Pacific-slope Flycatcher, so a bit of a downer.
Then it was time to pack up and hit the road back to the Prince George area. We had 4 nights booked in Woodpecker (just south of PG). On the journey we stopped at the W.A.C. Bennett Dam, which was quite a sight. A tour was fairly priced and very informative. On the tour bus, I might have seen a Broad-winged Hawk (another bird that we had been talking about for days, but hadn't met with) -- but I couldn't confirm it. My brief view seemed to show a smaller buteo, with a different shape than I'm used to, nevertheless I could not claim it.
I was so tired at this point, having gotten up around 3 and 4 am most days, that I couldn't drive and took the back seat for a nap. This cost me my "Peace River Trumpeter Swans". My tiredness coupled with the lateness of the day at this point dashed my hopes of going up Morfee Mountain (near Mackensie) and with it the odds of finding lifer Willow Ptarmigan and Gray-cheeked Thrush. Oh well, just gives a good reason to go back.
Day 8-11:
The rest of the trip was spent in the "Woodpecker" area, which doesn't qualify as a town I don't think. Spotty cell service and no WiFi made for a disconnected time there.
On day 9 we went to Barkerville (Gold Rush Town Museum thing) which was quite interesting -- more so than I thought it'd be! Bird-wise, there was chance of Blackpoll Warbler down that ways, and we scored a pair just outside Barkerville in Wells. This was certainly a nice bird to see after having expected it in the Peace and missing it.
Blackpoll Warbler at Wells--Willow Creek Marsh by Jonathan Pap
On day 10 we checked the PG airport and Shelly-Sludge Lagoons. The Lagoons were not fenced off, but a gate with a "Do not enter" and "No hunting" signs were posted. We complied with the No Hunting sign and wondered what the point of putting it up would be if nobody was allowed to enter. I understand the gate keeping vehicles out of the way of Septic trucks, but why they don't want anyone in is confusing. Perhaps it wasn't the right thing to do. Anyways, we were hoping for Broad-winged Hawk on this trip, and apparently (10 years ago) they were nesters at Shelly. We struck out on Buteos. Did get a decent list of shorebirds and ducks though.
The airport had a Swainson's Hawk, which was an unexpected surprise. Also had Merlin, Red-tail, and Osprey. No Broad-winged though.
On day 11 we drove back with 1 stop for gas, and 1 stop near 130 mile lake after we glimpsed our first BC Black Terns. (thanks to Paul for mentioning to look here for those birds). Looking again for Chukar between SpencesBridge and Ashcroft turned up none.
All-in-all it was a fantastic trip and I tallied 18 lifers. Still some left to go back for though
If I were to offer some advice for someone heading that way, I would recommend going up slower. There are plenty of fantastic places to check along the way, so no point blitzing up there (unless you're on a time crunch and/or don't care to see the birds on the way), and to do this you'd probably want to tent (or have an RV) rather than book a place to sleep. The same thing goes for the destination. Having an airBnB is nice because you get a kitchen and can cook + rest better, but... you end up tied down to a certain area. This isn't necessarily bad, but, it does make for more driving if your birding spots are a ways away. For us, we were 10 minutes from Beatton and Charlie Lake, but 30 minutes from Watson Slough, 15 from the community forest, 1 hour from Brassey Creek, etc... calculating return times in, that makes for a lot of driving. With a tent / camper, you'd be able to change your "hub" easier and be more friendly on the gas tank / wallet and have the added bonus of not getting up an hour early to drive somewhere.
Trip report with pics + some audio:
ebird.org/tripreport/65801
If you made it here, here's a photo of a Magnolia Warbler to show my appreciation:
Magnolia Warbler at Secret Lake Trail by Jonathan Pap
Magnolia Warbler at Secret Lake Trail by Jonathan Pap
Apologies for the long write up. You may want to skip this till you have 15 minutes of spare time. If you make it to the end, I appreciate you
Ben, myself, and the family went north for a bit of a birding-loaded vacation. Most of the family just tolerates the obsession, so it was gracious of them to tag along .
The destination was the Peace River region of BC. At 13 hours north of the valley, it's a bit of a jaunt to get there! We broke the trip up on both directions by spending 1 or more nights in the Prince George area.
Much of our trip was assisted by some key things:
1. Birdfinding in British Columbia (a book by Richard and Russell Cannings) which Dave kindly leant to us. Truly a fantastic guide for anyone birding in the province.
2. input & recommendations from Dave and Chris
3. eBird reports -- which are not nearly as useful/reliable as in the valley due to the lack of birding coverage.
Day 1:
We departed at around 5am on Thursday June 30. Heading along the #1 highway, we had to stop for construction just before leaving the FV region. This netted a heard only Veery (Ben's first for the valley), so we were off to a good start! Then took a brief stop at Skihist Provincial Park, hoping for Dusky Grouse, which weren't there. We kept our eyes peeled for Chukar which have proved elusive. The next official stop was at the Clinton Sewage lagoons which had a nice variety of waterfowl and an assortment of songbirds including Yellow-headed Blackbird. Then was Loch Lomond, on the side of the highway. After stepping out of the car we instantly heard the "VREE-BEEV" of an Alder Flycatcher (apparently rare there) which brought the lifer count to 1. The mosquitoes there were NUTS and in the rush to leave, forgot to even take a picture or recording. Next we had lunch and a walk at Scout Island in Williams lake, producing 39 species including American White Pelican, Gray Catbird, Northern Waterthrush, and Chipping and Clay-colored Sparrows. A quick drive down by Soda Creek didn't produce a whole lot special besides the only Mountain Chickadee we would get on our trip. After checking into a hotel in Prince George, checked out Forests for the World, where I got lifer number 2, in the form of a Magnolia Warbler. Ben and most of the rest had given up walking there due to terrible mosquitoes, so he waited till the next day before he got his (likely the exact same pair). All in all, a pretty successful first day!
Day 2:
Began we another trip to Forests for the World, which yielded an almost identical list to the previous day, but we had to go since Ben was one of the mosquito-induced-returner and Magnolia was a lifer for him too . Then took a peak around Cottonwood Island, which was almost completely flooded out, which didn't help us find too many birds. We then packed up again and continued our journey north. Several stops on the side of the highway later (one of which was caused by a life Dusky Grouse, which was just chilling on a road parallel to the highway), and we made it to the Peace Region. Our first stop before arrival at our accommodation was at Peace Island Park which had a life Ovenbird for both of us, and life Tennessee Warbler and Blue-headed Vireo for Ben (the latter of which sneakily disappeared before I could get there). Fun to also see Black-and-white, Yellow, and Yellow-rumped Warbler, American Redstart, Common Yellowthroat, and Northern Waterthrush. Ended the day with a quick walk around the area we were staying which happened to have Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers nesting (lifer for me) and a flyover flock of Franklin's Gulls.
Dusky Grouse at John Hart Highway, Lemoray, British Columbia, CA (55.54, -122.478)
Black-and-white Warbler at Taylor--Peace Island Park by Benjamin Pap
Ovenbird at Taylor--Peace Island Park by Benjamin Pap
Day 3:
The first full day in the Peace began at Beatton Provincial Park with lifer Mourning and Canada Warblers (#1k!). Then took a peek around Charlie Lake. Wasn't too much spectacular here, but we did get Eastern Phoebe, a new one for the BC list. In the afternoon, checked out the North Sewage Lagoons in Fort St. John (they've got a pesky fence that surrounds it). Here we had a nice variety of waterfowl and shorebirds (unfortunately no Hudsonian Godwit, which we were optimistically hoping for . After supper went down to Watson Slough, known for Yellow Rails, but missed there as well.
Mourning Warbler at Beatton Provincial Park by Jonathan Pap
Canada Warbler at Beatton Provincial Park by Benjamin Pap
Day 4:
Began at Beatton again (this time at 4:30). This time got a life Rose-breasted Grosbeak (a species Ben had already had in Ontario a few years ago) and Philadelphia Vireo (a lifer which sure wasn't cooperative -- chased it around back and forth up and down the trail for a long while before it gave us the views we wanted). In the afternoon, went to Charlie Lake Provincial Park in hopes of a Connecticut Warbler that had been reported a few days earlier. Unfortunately no luck, though we did get some (very distant) views of White-winged and Surf Scoter, which we were not expecting. A stop at Fish Creek Community Forest in the evening gave a Barred Owl in addition to my first views of Blue-headed Vireo and a Black-throated Green Warbler (BC bird). We were hoping for Winter Wren here too, but no dice.
Barred Owl at Fort St. John--Fish Creek Community Forest by Benjamin Pap
Black-throated Green Warbler at Fort St. John--Fish Creek Community Forest by Benjamin Pap
Blue-headed Vireo at Fort St. John--Fish Creek Community Forest by Jonathan Pap
Unfortunately not a Black-backed Woodpecker at Fort St. John--Fish Creek Community Forest by Jonathan Pap
Day 5:
Target for today: Rock Ptarmigan. Headed up to Pink Mountain, where we drove and walked around for multiple hours, in pouring rain and hail, and eventually gave up. After beginning to drive back down, we decided to turn around and check just one more spot. I'm sure glad we did, because about 15 minutes later we had 5 (or more) Rock Ptarmigan (male, female + chicks). Enjoyed some fantastic views for a bit before heading back down, feeling much more satisfied with the day. While on the mountain, we got the report that Chris Coxson had found 2 Sedge Warblers at Watson Slough, so of course we had to take a stop there and pick up another lifer (which turned into two, when a Nelson's Sparrow sang a couple times and then gave a very brief appearance). We waited for probably over an hour more, hoping to hear a Yellow Rail but in vain.
Mommy Rock Ptarmigan at Pink Mountain by Jonathan Pap
Rare Sedge Wren at Watson Slough (Hwy 29) by Jonathan Pap
Day 6:
Up before 3, we headed for Brassey Creek (about 1 hours drive away). The main target was Connecticut Warbler (which I now pronounce as Connect-ti-cut after realizing it's got a "t" before the "icut") but we were also hoping to get Yellow-bellied Flycatcher and possibly LeConte's Sparrow. Starting at the bottom of the road, we got LeConte's Sparrow almost immediately, making it's buzzy song in the long grass. Despite using some playback (sparingly) it did not want to show itself. I got bored of waiting so walked down the road. Another was singing there, but also hidden. After walking for 20 minutes, Ben still hadn't driven to meet me, so I was getting a bit annoyed and I turned around and walked back. There were lots of nice birds like Hermit Thrush, Alder Flycatcher, Clay-colored Sparrow, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, and many more birds on this stretch. Anyhow, Ben didn't know how far I'd gone, so was worried I'd tromped off into the forest and that he would pass me in the car. There was no cell service, and I didn't have my phone on me anyways.
It worked out well though, since upon returning I spotted the LeConte's Sparrow sitting in the grass -- albeit distant.
LeConte's Sparrow at Brassey Creek by Benjamin Pap
Further down the road, we heard the explosive song of the Connecticut Warbler off to our right. Walking a little into the forest, and we scored some decent looks at a male. It wasn't cooperative for the camera however, so no photos of this bird. It's much more drab than I'd imagined -- quite unlike the striking male Mourning Warbler!
Following the road up, we enjoyed adding some higher elevation birds like Black-throated Green Warbler, White-winged Crossbill, Varied Thrush, and Boreal Chickadee to name a few. We continued on the road to where Yellow-bellied Flycatcher are known to be had. Here's where we dipped. Despite checking around for a bit (ok, not too much effort, but maybe 40 minutes?) we might have heard one, but I'm not convinced. Returned without the flycatcher, but was still pleased with the other 2 lifers.
Returning to the road, the area is apparently good for black spruce bogs, which can have Blackpoll Warbler (a lifer for me, but not Ben) which I hoped to find. We couldn't really find the bogs spoken of on Highway 52, but eBird showed that there had been a good road a few years ago for at least 1 individual, so we checked it out. "The Pond on 237 Rd" did not score us any Blackpoll Warblers. LeConte's sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, 4 other sparrows, Black-and-White and Tennessee Warblers and Yellow-rumped, but no Blackpoll... Then Ben spotted a Palm Warbler! This was not a bird I'd expected to see on this trip, but sure made up for the lack of a Blackpoll Warbler.
Palm Warbler at 237 Road, Arras, British Columbia, CA (55.712, -120.483) by Benjamin Pap
On the way back to Fort St. John, we made a quick trip down Johnson Rd in Taylor. The hope was to magically come across a Ruby-throated Hummingbird at somebody's feeder down that way. We were too shy to ask the homeowners if we could camp their feeders, and didn't even see any feeders except maybe two on the way back out. So, with that shyness came a solid 0 hummingbirds. (In hind-sight, I think if I were to go again, I would: bring a feeder, put it up along the road somewhere there, then come back a later day to camp that feeder -- and/or just ask the homeowners ). If we'd found a Ruby-throated, it would've been another "jon only lifer" so maybe it's a good thing we didn't find one
The rest of the morning was spent at our airBnB, and at 4pm I was ready to get out of there. Went to the nearby Beatton during a break in the weather, but upon getting there it started *pouring*, so, we waited in the car. After it let up, a walk about turned up nothing new. Of interest was a lack of Canada or Mourning Warblers in the spot we'd had them the other mornings... Perhaps just not showing themselves in the afternoon.
Day 7:
On our last day in the Peace Region, we tried to score some things that had eluded us thus far. Main target was Yellow Rail, so back to Watson Slough we went! The Sedge Wrens continued, and after 30 minutes Ben called out that he thought he'd heard the rail. Listening carefully I couldn't pick it out, and Ben started to second-guess himself, so we continued waiting. About 30 minutes later I was just sitting in a bit of dry area and picked up the rail Ben had heard! Called Ben and he also heard it with me -- and we got a terrible recording of it. When the Marsh Wrens and other birds were calling it was impossible to hear, but in the brief times of less noise, the tic-tic tic call could be faintly picked up. Not a very satisfying lifer, but a lifer none-the-less!
Getting close to home, I convinced Ben we should try once for the "high-pitched spruce-loving Bay-breasted Warbler" that are sometimes had at the Community Forest. We didn't have bug spray along this time, and I hated those blood-sucking bugs! Traveling fast along the trail, we didn't have any Bay-breasted, or any Winter Wren. The only new bird for the region for us was a Pacific-slope Flycatcher, so a bit of a downer.
Then it was time to pack up and hit the road back to the Prince George area. We had 4 nights booked in Woodpecker (just south of PG). On the journey we stopped at the W.A.C. Bennett Dam, which was quite a sight. A tour was fairly priced and very informative. On the tour bus, I might have seen a Broad-winged Hawk (another bird that we had been talking about for days, but hadn't met with) -- but I couldn't confirm it. My brief view seemed to show a smaller buteo, with a different shape than I'm used to, nevertheless I could not claim it.
I was so tired at this point, having gotten up around 3 and 4 am most days, that I couldn't drive and took the back seat for a nap. This cost me my "Peace River Trumpeter Swans". My tiredness coupled with the lateness of the day at this point dashed my hopes of going up Morfee Mountain (near Mackensie) and with it the odds of finding lifer Willow Ptarmigan and Gray-cheeked Thrush. Oh well, just gives a good reason to go back.
Day 8-11:
The rest of the trip was spent in the "Woodpecker" area, which doesn't qualify as a town I don't think. Spotty cell service and no WiFi made for a disconnected time there.
On day 9 we went to Barkerville (Gold Rush Town Museum thing) which was quite interesting -- more so than I thought it'd be! Bird-wise, there was chance of Blackpoll Warbler down that ways, and we scored a pair just outside Barkerville in Wells. This was certainly a nice bird to see after having expected it in the Peace and missing it.
Blackpoll Warbler at Wells--Willow Creek Marsh by Jonathan Pap
On day 10 we checked the PG airport and Shelly-Sludge Lagoons. The Lagoons were not fenced off, but a gate with a "Do not enter" and "No hunting" signs were posted. We complied with the No Hunting sign and wondered what the point of putting it up would be if nobody was allowed to enter. I understand the gate keeping vehicles out of the way of Septic trucks, but why they don't want anyone in is confusing. Perhaps it wasn't the right thing to do. Anyways, we were hoping for Broad-winged Hawk on this trip, and apparently (10 years ago) they were nesters at Shelly. We struck out on Buteos. Did get a decent list of shorebirds and ducks though.
The airport had a Swainson's Hawk, which was an unexpected surprise. Also had Merlin, Red-tail, and Osprey. No Broad-winged though.
On day 11 we drove back with 1 stop for gas, and 1 stop near 130 mile lake after we glimpsed our first BC Black Terns. (thanks to Paul for mentioning to look here for those birds). Looking again for Chukar between SpencesBridge and Ashcroft turned up none.
All-in-all it was a fantastic trip and I tallied 18 lifers. Still some left to go back for though
If I were to offer some advice for someone heading that way, I would recommend going up slower. There are plenty of fantastic places to check along the way, so no point blitzing up there (unless you're on a time crunch and/or don't care to see the birds on the way), and to do this you'd probably want to tent (or have an RV) rather than book a place to sleep. The same thing goes for the destination. Having an airBnB is nice because you get a kitchen and can cook + rest better, but... you end up tied down to a certain area. This isn't necessarily bad, but, it does make for more driving if your birding spots are a ways away. For us, we were 10 minutes from Beatton and Charlie Lake, but 30 minutes from Watson Slough, 15 from the community forest, 1 hour from Brassey Creek, etc... calculating return times in, that makes for a lot of driving. With a tent / camper, you'd be able to change your "hub" easier and be more friendly on the gas tank / wallet and have the added bonus of not getting up an hour early to drive somewhere.
Trip report with pics + some audio:
ebird.org/tripreport/65801
If you made it here, here's a photo of a Magnolia Warbler to show my appreciation:
Magnolia Warbler at Secret Lake Trail by Jonathan Pap
Magnolia Warbler at Secret Lake Trail by Jonathan Pap