Post by Chris on Jul 6, 2010 19:06:05 GMT -8
I wanted to take a trip up to the Fraser Canyon and then take the highway from Spences Bridge to Merritt. One thing I wasn't sure about was what area should I explore around Merritt. Thanks to Joanne and Bruce's road trip report I decided to explore the highway that runs along the Coquihalla to Kamloops.
My first stop was North Bend which is across the river from Boston Bar and is just within our checklist. I walked along Green Ranch Rd (I think I might have the wrong name) where the first bird I saw was a Cassin's Vireo. I continued walking where I saw a female American Redstart. One of these days I will see a male in breeding plumage! I also saw a few Nashville Warblers. I was listening for Veery and I heard at least two and possibily three. These birds are very secretive.
My next stop was an area just outside Spences Bridge. I was looking for Lewis' Woodpecker. I always seem to miss them when they come through our area during September. I didn't see any here but did see an Osprey, a few Western Kingbirds and a Lazuli Bunting. I could not believe how many Lazuli Buntings there were along the highway from Spences Bridge to Merritt.
I continued along and stopped at another location. My first bird I heard/saw was a Lazuli Bunting! I was looking across the river and I saw what looked to be a Woodpecker flying. I put my bins on it and it turned out to be a Lewis'. A new bird for me! I got my camera ready but it flew off.
Also in the area was a Willow Flycatcher, an Eastern and Western Kingbird.
Here's the Eastern and Western.
I stopped again to eat some food. I was walking towards my trunk when a Western Pood PeWee almost fly right into me! I was surrised to see one here. Also here was a few Western Tanagers and a MacGillvray's Warbler.
Here's the list of birds that I saw along this highway.
2 Osprey
4 Mourning Dove
2 Belted Kingfisher
1 Lewis's Woodpecker
1 Downy Woodpecker
1 Western Wood-Pewee
1 Willow Flycatcher
12 Western Kingbird
4 Eastern Kingbird
2 Black-billed Magpie
13 American Crow
4 Common Raven
17 Tree Swallow
3 Violet-green Swallow
6 Barn Swallow
4 American Robin
1 MacGillivray's Warbler
4 Chipping Sparrow
2 Vesper Sparrow
4 Western Tanager
13 Lazuli Bunting
3 Pine Siskin
8 Evening Grosbeak
I drove along the Princeton Kamloops highway. On Nicola Lake were a few Common Loons. I was also looking for American White Pelicans but didn't see any. I stopped at Beaver Ranch Flats where I saw a lot of of Yellow-headed Blackbirds. There has to be at least 30-40 of them if not more! I saw six Black Terns! They were hard to count as they seemed to be going in circles. Also a new bird for me! Very awesome bird and almost like a big swallow. Eared Grebes, Ruddy Ducks, American Wigeons and Buffleheads were also present. Coming back I saw a Swainson's Hawk on a telephone pole A new B.C. bird.
My last stop was an area just passed the toll boths on the Coquihalla. I needed to stretch my legs. I saw Common Raven, Evening Grosbeak, Hermit Thrush, Yellow-rumped Warbler and a Pine Grosbeak!
My first stop was North Bend which is across the river from Boston Bar and is just within our checklist. I walked along Green Ranch Rd (I think I might have the wrong name) where the first bird I saw was a Cassin's Vireo. I continued walking where I saw a female American Redstart. One of these days I will see a male in breeding plumage! I also saw a few Nashville Warblers. I was listening for Veery and I heard at least two and possibily three. These birds are very secretive.
My next stop was an area just outside Spences Bridge. I was looking for Lewis' Woodpecker. I always seem to miss them when they come through our area during September. I didn't see any here but did see an Osprey, a few Western Kingbirds and a Lazuli Bunting. I could not believe how many Lazuli Buntings there were along the highway from Spences Bridge to Merritt.
I continued along and stopped at another location. My first bird I heard/saw was a Lazuli Bunting! I was looking across the river and I saw what looked to be a Woodpecker flying. I put my bins on it and it turned out to be a Lewis'. A new bird for me! I got my camera ready but it flew off.
Also in the area was a Willow Flycatcher, an Eastern and Western Kingbird.
Here's the Eastern and Western.
I stopped again to eat some food. I was walking towards my trunk when a Western Pood PeWee almost fly right into me! I was surrised to see one here. Also here was a few Western Tanagers and a MacGillvray's Warbler.
Here's the list of birds that I saw along this highway.
2 Osprey
4 Mourning Dove
2 Belted Kingfisher
1 Lewis's Woodpecker
1 Downy Woodpecker
1 Western Wood-Pewee
1 Willow Flycatcher
12 Western Kingbird
4 Eastern Kingbird
2 Black-billed Magpie
13 American Crow
4 Common Raven
17 Tree Swallow
3 Violet-green Swallow
6 Barn Swallow
4 American Robin
1 MacGillivray's Warbler
4 Chipping Sparrow
2 Vesper Sparrow
4 Western Tanager
13 Lazuli Bunting
3 Pine Siskin
8 Evening Grosbeak
I drove along the Princeton Kamloops highway. On Nicola Lake were a few Common Loons. I was also looking for American White Pelicans but didn't see any. I stopped at Beaver Ranch Flats where I saw a lot of of Yellow-headed Blackbirds. There has to be at least 30-40 of them if not more! I saw six Black Terns! They were hard to count as they seemed to be going in circles. Also a new bird for me! Very awesome bird and almost like a big swallow. Eared Grebes, Ruddy Ducks, American Wigeons and Buffleheads were also present. Coming back I saw a Swainson's Hawk on a telephone pole A new B.C. bird.
My last stop was an area just passed the toll boths on the Coquihalla. I needed to stretch my legs. I saw Common Raven, Evening Grosbeak, Hermit Thrush, Yellow-rumped Warbler and a Pine Grosbeak!
