Fraser Canyon birding, August 8th.

[tmanson]

Hi all: Murray Brown, Brian Steth, and I had a chance today to bird a section of the Fraser Canyon; specifically from Boston Bar, across to North Bend, and then north towards Nahatlatch. Even more specifically, we took the high road above Nahatlatch towards the former, ( I think ), commune of Tranquility, where a downed tree blocked our path to even higher ground. We later retraced our steps, and checked out the first of the Nahatlatch Lakes.
This ground represents a transitional zone from the wet coastal forest, and the drier interior, and, therefore, produced a few different birds.
In Boston Bar, at the RCMP building, where there is a lush garden, we saw a female Western Tananger.
Later, on the North Bend side of the river we spotted or heard, lots of Cedar Waxwing, a female Lazui Bunting, Western Wood Peewee, Cooper's Hawk, a probable Hammond's Flycatcher, Common Goldeneye, Vaux's Swift, a male American Redstart, Cassin's Vireo, Rough winged Swallow, Common Merganser, Western Kingbird, and Common Loon.
We didn't bump into Gord's Veery, but we certainly had a try.
Although about 5 degrees warmer than the Fraser Valley, the air was nice and clean, and an enjoyable day was had by all. Cheers, Thor

Thor Manson
Hope, B.C.

[Gord]

Thor, Im certainly keen to try that area again if not once again this summer than next spring.

Too bad the Veery were not showing themselves. With them probably not singing much anymore, they'll be a tough find. Im interested to see if they're around next year again.