Post by tmanson on Dec 10, 2010 15:56:46 GMT -8
Hi Fraser Valley Birders: Bruce asked me to pos aboutt a birding experience I had this morning along the Okanagan River Valley, near Oliver; so, here goes.
The Oliver hike/bike trails runs from a spot along highway 97 about 5 km north of Oliver, all the way to the north end of Osoyoos Lake. It is a great riparian habitat to go walking/running/birding. A variety of agencies such as Nature Trust have spent cosiderable time, effort, and money, in recent years to try to restore this area to something resembling a natural area, instead of an irrigation ditch.
The northern area, as described, is quite an amazing natural area, thanks to the above efforts.
This is the site of the recently described Northern Parula, at Inkaneep Prov. Park and Campground.
Today, on a run, I saw an amazing site, at least to this recently relocated coastal birder. From the north end, approximately 3.5 km south along this trail, I tried to count a continuous flock of Bohemian Waxwings. In some spots, with 50-80 birds in a tree, I estimated at least 1000 of these birds, over this stretch.
Trying to exercise, and carry a 300mm fixed lens is a little difficult, so I wasn't carrying a camera, not that that would have done much good to capture this spectacle.
Interestingly, the birds seemed to be hawking for insects. Not being a biologist, I have no idea what kind of insect would be present in sufficient numbers to sustain a flock of this size. The temps are currently above freezing, but, the Okanagan has recently undergone a prolonged period of below freezing temps.
I heard Mark Forsythe on his noon radio show on CBC radio call for images of the eagles along the Harrsion River. This is, undoubtedly, one of the great natural spectacles of the provinical bird scene. On a more minor scale, perhaps this is another. Cheers, Thor
Thor Manson
Gallagher Lake, B.C
The Oliver hike/bike trails runs from a spot along highway 97 about 5 km north of Oliver, all the way to the north end of Osoyoos Lake. It is a great riparian habitat to go walking/running/birding. A variety of agencies such as Nature Trust have spent cosiderable time, effort, and money, in recent years to try to restore this area to something resembling a natural area, instead of an irrigation ditch.
The northern area, as described, is quite an amazing natural area, thanks to the above efforts.
This is the site of the recently described Northern Parula, at Inkaneep Prov. Park and Campground.
Today, on a run, I saw an amazing site, at least to this recently relocated coastal birder. From the north end, approximately 3.5 km south along this trail, I tried to count a continuous flock of Bohemian Waxwings. In some spots, with 50-80 birds in a tree, I estimated at least 1000 of these birds, over this stretch.
Trying to exercise, and carry a 300mm fixed lens is a little difficult, so I wasn't carrying a camera, not that that would have done much good to capture this spectacle.
Interestingly, the birds seemed to be hawking for insects. Not being a biologist, I have no idea what kind of insect would be present in sufficient numbers to sustain a flock of this size. The temps are currently above freezing, but, the Okanagan has recently undergone a prolonged period of below freezing temps.
I heard Mark Forsythe on his noon radio show on CBC radio call for images of the eagles along the Harrsion River. This is, undoubtedly, one of the great natural spectacles of the provinical bird scene. On a more minor scale, perhaps this is another. Cheers, Thor
Thor Manson
Gallagher Lake, B.C
