The Central Okanagan Naturalists' Club
February 2017.
ww.okanagannature.org
Central Okanagan Naturalists' Club Annual
Banquet.
Tuesday 14 February 2017
At the Evangel Church, Gordon Drive,
St Evangel Church, 3261 Gordon Drive, Kelowna,
BC.
To Know Nature and
keep it worth
knowing
A potluck banquet (starting at 6 p.m. - one hour earlier than our usual start time)
Tickets $5: are available from Rick Gee at [email protected] or 250 763 0124.
Don't forget: bring your own plate, bowl, cup and cutlery!!
QUIZ
Index
Club Information
December Minutes
January Minutes
AGM Minutes
Sole Survivors Annual
Report
The President's Report
BC Nature Report
2017 Midsummer
Madness
Club Notices
Birding Report
Christmas Bird Count
The Rare Bird Report
Photo Contest
2
3
3
4
Ian is planning another quiz. It will be advantageous to have a range of expertise at
your table. Get there early and sit up front (or bring your binoculars). Obviously it will
need to be harder than last year.
4
5
6
6
7
8
9
10
12
Our website,
Parks canada
www.pc.gc.ca
Celebrate Canada's 150th birthday
Free admission for 2017 to Parks Canada places from coast to coast.
www.okanagannature.org
now has a link to
“Welcome Wagon” and
this allows those that
check the “Welcome
Wagon” site be able to
select CONC and find
information about our
club.
A note from Sherrell Davidson:
I did send out a notice that you can apply for a free Parks Canada Pass this year and it takes
about three weeks to receive this. The pass is for a family so you do not have to apply
individually. I just heard today that Parks Canada is also moving up the reservation date for
booking RV sites. You can book your RV site for Kananaskas as of 1 January 2017, instead of
the April booking time. So try and do this early so you have a campsite for July 2017
https://reservation.pc.gc.ca/ParksCanada
1
Central Okanagan Naturalists’ Club. www.okanagannature.org
P.O. Box 21128, RPO Orchard Park, Kelowna, B.C. V1Y 9N8
President
Vice-president
Secretary
Treasurer
Past president
BC Nature
Birding
Botany
Conservation
Hiking
Membership
Programs
Special Projects
Avocet program
Ecological Reserves
Hosts
Library
Mildred Wardlaw Nature Trails
Newsletter
Ornithology
Publicity
Website: www.okanagannature.org
NatureKids Kelowna
EXECUTIVE FOR 2015-16
Rick Gee
vacant
Anne Miller
Jag Goel
Craig Lewis
Directors for 2015-16
Hugh Westheuser
Dave Palsat
Peter Green
vacant
Sherrell Davidson
Elaine Abraham
Harvey Abraham
Ian Walker
Peter Courtney
Committee Contact Persons
Les Gyug
Don Guild
Bev Thomas
Liz Daley
Irmgard Ruckheim
Rick Gee
Don Wilson
Teresa Smith
Gwynneth Wilson
Howard Braun
Rick Dewar
Rick Gee
Kate Kutzner and Sara Thirnbeck
250 763 0124
[email protected]
250 717 1034
250 765 2511
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
250 769 6605
[email protected]
250 765 1737
N/A
778 478 1956
250 764 1226
250-764-1226
250 807 9559
250-860-9765
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
250 769 5907
250 768 3334
250 762 7610
250 764 2310
250-868-3351
250 763 0124
250 763 8036
250 860 9133
250 762 6876
205 768 4339
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
250 763 0124
250 859 9877
[email protected]
[email protected]
nd
MONTHLY MEETINGS: Held on the 2 Tuesday of each month, September to June at 7 p.m. in Evangel Church, 3261 Gordon
Drive, Kelowna. Visitors are welcome. Hosts: Bev Thomas 250-762-7610, Liz Daley 250-801-1286. Please bring your own cup.
MEMBERSHIP: Harvey and Elaine Abraham. [email protected] or [email protected]
Annual dues: single $30, family $42, students $14, includes Newsletter (except January, July & August). Membership form and
waiver form can be found on CONC website www.okanagannature.org. Send your name, address, telephone number, email
address, waiver form and dues to: CONC Membership, Box 21128, Orchard Park P.O., Kelowna, B.C. V1Y 9N8.
Honorary Life Members: Hugh Westheuser, Pat Westheuser, Eileen Dillabough, Cec Dillabough, Arthur Hughes-Games
(deceased), Brenda Thomson (deceased), and Harry Almond (deceased).
NEWSLETTER: Editor: Teresa Smith 250-860-9133 [email protected]. Deadline date for submissions is the fourth Tuesday of
each month. Send submissions to Teresa Smith, [email protected]. Mailing address is, 292 Rio Drive South, Kelowna, B.C
V1V 2B1. Mailing: Norma Coburn 250-763-4499.
Email distribution: Harvey and Elaine Abraham. [email protected] or [email protected]
REGULAR ACITIVITIES: All activities are seasonal. If in doubt, check with the contact person. Or phone any of the executive.
BIRDING: Howard Braun 250-768-4339 and Gwynneth Wilson 250-762-6876. TIMES SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Thursday birding trips meet 8 am (Apr-Sep) or 9 am (Oct-Mar) at St. Charles Garnier Church, 3645 Benvoulin Rd.
nd
Saturday Birding: 2 Saturday of the month 7:30 am Apr.- Sept. 8:30 am Oct. - Mar. Meet at the Apple Bowl*
BOTANY: Peter Green 250-765-1737. Friday Botany trips: Meet 9:15 am (departure 9:30 am) at the Apple Bowl*
HIKES. (Bring a lunch). General information Sherrell Davidson 778-478-1956 or [email protected].
All Hikers meet at the Apple Bowl*
- "Sole Survivors" Wednesday and Saturday Hikes: Times as per schedule, see www.okanangannature.org
- Wednesday Ramblers: Times as per schedule www.okanagannature.org. Contact Shirley Fitzpatrick 250-860-1576 or Linley
McKenna 250-769-6461, or email [email protected]
*1555 Burtch Road, the Apple Bowl parking lot, corner of Burtch and Bernard
2
Central Okanagan Naturalist Club Minutes - 13 December 2016
Call to Order and Determination of Quorum at 7.05
p.m. We had a quorum
Adoption of previous minutes (8 November 2016)
 moved – Pat Westheuser
 seconded – Roland Gebauer. Motion Carried
Unusual sightings:
Bowman Rd – two sightings of a kildeer
Vernon Creek – Robert Lake – otter; Canada Goose
sitting on a snow covered rock and four Dippers
A rat peeking in a window with its paws on the sill.
Ian shared his story about the rat on his bird feeder
Membership
 Guests – No guests tonight
 Membership totals – 227 members
New Business
1. Potluck banquet tickets are available (14 February)
Merle has tickets $5.00 tonight. Also available from
Rick Gee.
2. The AGM will be held on Tuesday, 10 January 2017.
Directors' Reports:
a. BC Nature – Hugh – No report
b. Birding – Logan – Christmas bird counts are all lined
up.
c. Conservation Committee – Rick. The Committee is
working on the Jackpine Meadows project.
d. Finance – Jag - $18,068.
e. Hiking – Sherrell/Shirley/Linley – Robert.
Snowshoeing is scheduled for Wednesday 21
December. The full schedule will be on the website.
Next Meeting Tuesday, 10 January 2017 – AGM
followed by regular meeting
Adjournment – Meeting adjourned at 7.20 p.m. by
Sherrell Davidson
Presentation – Chilcotin Arc, presented by Chris Harris
A wonderful photo presentation by Chris Harris and his
partner Rita Giesbrecht discussing the Arc and its
natural features.
Central Okanagan Naturalist Club Minutes - 10 January, 2017
Meeting called to order 7.23 p.m. Quorum established.
Minutes December 2016 meeting: moved by Harvey
Abraham, seconded by Cec Dillabough. Approved.
Sightings: Bobcats, Pygmy Owl, Gray-crowned RosyFinch, Harris's Sparrow (Summerland).
Gray-crowned RosyFinch (wikipedia)
Harris's Sparrow (wikipedia)
Membership – 229 members. Two new members
tonight.
Guests Frances and Alan Vyse (Members of Kamloops
Naturalists Club).
New Business – Banquet tickets for 14 February
available from Eileen and Merle tonight and from Rick
Gee after tonight. Bev Thomas requests help with this
event.
Bring pot luck dish, dishes and cutlery. Photo
Competition and fun quiz.
Okanagan College with the assistance of CONC (George
Scotter and others) will design and plant a native
garden (indigenous plants). A grant has been awarded.
BC Nature camps – Okanagan camp. Pat will need help
with hiking, botany etc.
Registration for Knights Inlet Camp takes place 9 a.m.
on 25 January 2017.
BC Nature would like help with their Twitter and
Facebook accounts. Are there any volunteers?
REPORTS:
 Birding – No report
 Winter sports - Snowshoe outings on Wednesdays
(weather permitting).
Meeting Adjourned 7.35 p.m. by Margaret Bryan.
Next meeting 14 February 2017
SPEAKERS:
Duane Thomson – Okanagan Rails and Trails. - progress
so far and activities and fund raising hopes.
Pam Laing (introduced by Joyce Fraser) gave a great
presentation on Northern Territory of Australia entitled
Flocks, Rocks, and Crocs. Thank you, Pam.
3
Central Okanagan Naturalist Club Minutes Annual General Meeting - 10 January, 2017
Meeting called to order 7.05 p.m.
Adoption of minutes of Annual General Meeting 2016.
Moved by Cec Dillabough, seconded by Harvey
Abraham. Carried.
President`s report – Rick Gee
Congratulations extended to George Scotter on
receiving the Nature Canada Douglas H. Pimlott Award
Directors' reports will appear in the next newsletter.
Executive Nominations: Merle Auty conducted the
nominations for club executive positions. Current
executive members will let their names stand for
another year. One position needs to be filled, that of
Logan Lalonde, birding director, as Logan is too young
to serve as a director under the new Societies Act. Call
for nominations were made three times.
The Financial Report was given by Jag Goel. There were
no questions or changes.
Moved by Jag and seconded by Hugh Westheuser that
the budget will remain the same for 2017. Carried.
Election of officers:
President-Rick Gee
Vice President-Vacant
Secretary - Anne Miller
Treasurer – Jag Goel
Directors: Dave Palsat (Birding), Peter Green(Botany),
Harvey and Elaine Abraham(Membership), Hugh
Westheuser (BC Nature), Peter Courtney (Special
Projects), Ian Walker (Program), Sherrell Davidson
(Hiking), Committees: Rick Dewar, (Publicity),
Conservation (no representative).
Congratulations to all.
Meeting adjourned 7.20 p.m. by George Scotter
Sole Survivors – Annual Report for 2016
by Sherrell Davidson
2016 was active with new members added to the Sole Survivors. Our average membership
was around 12 to 15.
Sole Survivors have two trails that we adopted through Friends of South Slopes (FOSS):
1. Heckle Jeckle and Hyde in Myra-Bellevue Park. Clearing is minimal on these trails as
there is little brush clearing and generally no windfalls. We also check the signage and report
any repairs. Kirsti Jarrret is in charge of this volunteer job.
2. Goode’s Basin in Okanagan Mountain Park. This trail does involve a good clearing each
year and this year some of the men made a clearing through a wet area diverting the water from the creek to
ensure that this trail is passable in the spring. FOSS did send out their equipment and made a bridge that will be
permanent for getting through this area. Working together with FOSS makes this trail useable in the spring which in
the past has not been possible.
June was the “Midsummer Madness trip” and what a great trip we had. This year included a rafting trip which was
enjoyed by all that attended. The Merritt Naturalist club hosted a trip to the Kane Valley Area and we enjoyed this
day and getting to know the Merritt group. Thank you to Glenda Newman and Bev Sperling and Marion Petkau for
organizing the potluck on the Saturday evening.
In July our group went to Manning for a yearly hiking get away. Yes we hiked and yes we ate and had wonderful
weather so what more can I say. There were approximately 28 members that attended.
Now that CONC has snowshoeing as part of the club activities the “Sole Survivors” will have a schedule for this on
the “Google Calendar”. Robert Lake is coordinating this. Thanks Robert and those that help with this schedule.
“Sole Survivors” have a committee to help with the planning. Thanks to those who are stepping up to the plate and
making my life a little less busy. I wish to thank all the leaders and helpers that made 2016 a successful year.
Sherrell Davidson CONC Hiking Director.
4
The President's Report to the 2017 AGM
CONC has had an interesting year. As I did last year, I
would like to use my report to thank those who have
made the year so interesting.
by Rick Gee
The 2016 Douglas H.
Pimlott Award
We have had many new members join us. Thanks to those
new members and thanks to Elaine and Harvey Abraham
for dealing with membership issues.
We had many interesting hikes. Thanks to Sherrell Davidson, Shirley
Fitzpatrick, and many others for organizing the schedule, and special thanks to
the people who have led hikes.
We had many interesting birding trips. Thanks to Gwynneth Wilson and
Howard Braun for organizing them, and special thanks to the many leaders.
We had many interesting botany trips. Thanks to Peter Green for organizing
them, and special thanks to the many leaders.
I would also like to congratulate
George Scotter on receiving the
2016 Douglas H. Pimlott Award,
Nature Canada’s most prestigious
conservation award.
We have a conservation committee which identifies issues that will cause us
and the natural world problems. I hope that many of you will participate in
the activities of this committee. Without its success, we will have nowhere to
bird, botanize, or hike.
We have had a great series of presentations. Thanks to Ian Walker and the
presenters. I’m sure the members will join me in sending condolences to Ian
on the recent death of his father.
We have a great newsletter. Thanks to Teresa Smith for editing the newsletter
and special thanks to those who have contributed articles.
We have a great emailing system for contacting members. Thanks to Harvey
Abraham for setting it up.
We have a great collection of material in our library. Thanks to Irmgard
Ruckheim for looking after it all.
Thanks to Merle Auty for being the nominating committee for tonight’s
elections and thanks to those who have allowed their names to stand.
Thanks to Anne Miller for being our Recording Secretary.
We have also had a great series of after-presentation snacks. Thanks to
everyone who has contributed. On the subject of food, thanks to everyone
who contributed to the potluck dinner last February. Tickets are available for
the next banquet, on Valentine’s Day this year; see me later this evening.
Thanks to anyone else I have forgotten.
This award honours individuals
who have demonstrated a
significant contribution
throughout their lifetime through
words and deeds to the
conservation of Canada’s
biodiversity, landscapes and
wilderness. Douglas H. Pimlott was
a renowned conservationist,
wildlife biologist, ecologist and
environmentalist. He was the
founder of the modern
environmental movement in
Canada. The award was created
over 30 years ago and is Nature
Canada’s pre-eminent award.
Congratulations, George.
Note: Complete details of why George Scotter won the 2016 Douglas H. Pimlott Award can be found at:
https://naturecanada.ca/news/blog/announcing-the-2016-douglas-h-pimlott-award-winner-dr-george-scotter/
5
BC NATURE Report
by Director Hugh Westhueser
A major concern for BC Nature this coming year will be considering a proposal to hike individual membership dues. Several
reasons behind this request.
1. There has been one increase (of $2.00 per member) in the past twenty years. Total membership now exceeds 6000
members.
2. All operating costs for BC Nature Office, maintenance, electricity, water, office equipment and servicing, insurance costs,
producing the Magazine have increased.
3. Increased involvement with Governments at all levels. Travelling to attend meetings incurring travel expenses.
4. Donations and grants have declined the past few years.
5. BC Nature is considering a minimal additional amount for each membership.
BC Nature has been frugal and thrifty with the money it receives. Very often members traveling to meetings, offer to receive a
charitable receipt, in lieu of money for these activities. More requests to represent the environmental side of any decision by all
levels of government, whether it be local land use concerns or major land use construction, like pipelines. I would be interested
in hearing any concerns you have in this area. You can phone (250-769-6605) or email; [email protected].
This year, B.C. Nature will be hosting three camps. The first will be in the Okanagan; the second is a carry over from last year to
Middlenatch Island, and the third camp will be at Port McNeil in September for a whale and grizzly bear watching in the nearby
fiords.
Midsumer Madness 2017 - Tuesday 20 June, to Thursday 22 June 2017.
Many of you may have already taken part in this yearly event. We have been to
Merritt, Greenwood, Ashcroft and Salmon Arm in the past few years. This get together
doesn't focus on hiking, but on the history and local sights of these smaller towns. It is
also a chance for our club members to spend time together in a fun, relaxing way.
This year we have chosen Hope as our destination. There are the Coquihalla Tunnels
to explore, and short hikes around the town to check out. The visitor bureau has told
Rick about a easily accessible marsh for the birders and botanists, so that sounds
interesting.
The committee planning Midsummer Madness is still researching the Hope area, but in the meantime I would suggest that
anyone that is at all interested in joining us, think about making reservations at the Holiday Motel & RV Resort. 63950 Old Yale
Road, Hope Telephone 604-869-5352. [email protected] www.holiday-motel.com. This resort is affordable, and has
motel, cabins, RV area, plus tent spots.
Of course people are welcome to stay where ever they like, but it is a lot of fun when the group is closer together, so they can
just pull a chair over to their neighbours for a little 'happy hour'.
We do hope that many of you will join us, it really is our favourite event of the year! Regards, Bev Thomas, Merle Auty, Shirley
Fitzpatrick and Laura Weir.
Nightjar Game by Pam Laing
This link is to a University-led research team’s site which is using Citizen Science to
help study camouflage techniques of birds and their predators. You might want to
give it a try! Can you spot the nightjar?
http://nightjar.exeter.ac.uk/story/nightjar.game.
There is much more behind the whole project. Just email me if you would be
interested in more links to the articles about the research and the research
methods. [email protected]
Nightjar (Wikipedia)
6
Arthur
(Art)
HughesGames
Art passed away on 25 November 2016 at the
age of 95. He had been in failing health for
some time.
We remember him as a dedicated member of
CONC serving a two-year term as President. He
and his wife Vitie enjoyed hiking and travels
with the club. He was instrumental in the
establishment, together with John Woodworth,
of the wetland near the Grand Hotel, now
named the Rotary Marshes. This was funded by
the Rotary Club of which Art was a long-time
member.
Check out Pam Laing's
contributions to the
Lake Country Museum's
Blog.
Lake Country Museum & Archives
has posted a new item, 'The Birds of
Winter: Woodpeckers'.
Downy Woodpecker
(male). Wikipedia.
Which Bird might I see today? – Woodpeckers in Winter. Just
because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean birds are absent. Far
from it.
Winter is one of the best times to see some species,
unobscured by summer foliage. Woodpeckers are a case in
point. You may view the woodpecker latest post at
www.lakecountrymuseum.com/the-birds-of-winterwoodpeckers/ and learn about three common woodpecker
species you might see right now.
The Gray Jay,
voted Canada's
National Bird.
Art also was involved with the establishment of
the Maud Roxby Marsh.
Several events were held in the Hughes-Games
lovely garden, including a successful garage sale
in aid of the club. Hugh Westheuser had the
pleasure of Art's company on a canoe trip on
the Yukon River and a year later on the Bowron
Lake canoe circuit. They were part of a
naturalist group that experienced a wonderful
tour of Greece.
Art was a great asset to the community and was
named Kelowna's Man of the Year in 1993.
There will be a celebration of his life next
Spring. Donations in Art's memory can be made
to the Central Okanagan Land Trust or the
Central Okanagan Foundation.
Pat Westheuser
Lake Country Museum asked Pam to write up a piece for
their blog about the Gray Jay, voted Canada’s National
Bird recently. The post went up on Friday 27 January.
“Quiet, bold, impulsive and curious”. All of these have
been used to describe the bird recently voted Canada’s
pick for National Bird. Voting began in January 2015 and
was conducted by Canadian Geographic. Tens of
thousands of votes were cast and eventually, in
November [...]
You may view this latest post at
http://www.lakecountrymuseum.com/canadas-national-bird/
Older postings may be found by clicking on Natural
History in the side bar to the left, and following the
links. Pam Laing
There is hope! A proposal for protecting lands in the South Okanagan is moving ahead.
http://www.castanet.net/news/Penticton/187224/Park-plans-moving-forward
7
The Birding Report
On November 17 we started the day well with a Hooded Merganser at the
parking lot. Our first stop was Michaelbrook Marsh where we saw a pair of
Downy Woodpeckers and three species of falcons – Peregrine, Merlin and
American Kestrel. The Maude Roxby Marsh added Tundra Swans to the day's
list. Our walk at Munson’s Pond included Cackling Geese, Shoveler and Greenwinged Teal. November 24 we faced a chill wind but started the day well with
a Merlin flying over the parking lot. We explored the Hall Road area and found
fourteen species including Song Sparrows, Robins, Ruby-crowned Kinglet and
both Mourning and Eurasian Collared-Doves. After coffee we stopped at
Munson’s Pond to add Green-winged Teal, American Goldfinch and a feeding
Red Tailed Hawk.
December 1 the Merlin was still hanging around the parking lot. We stopped at
KLO Bridge to view an American Dipper then headed to Gully Road for a Pygmy
Nuthatch and a Red Tailed Hawk. We checked Ward Road and got Redwinged Blackbirds and a Bald Eagle. A stop at Munson’s Pond added a
Northern Shrike and a Snow Goose. December 8 was our annual tea at
Gwennyth’s house before the Christmas Bird count season so we briefly
checked the lake shore. Seven Swans were seen at the foot of Cedar Avenue as
well as Bufflehead and Gadwall At Kinsman Park we identified Tundra Swans,
Widgeon and Barrow’s Goldeneye. Trumpeter Swans were at Maude Roxbie.
The Rotary marsh added a Belted Kingfisher to the day be for we headed up to
Gwynneth’s house for coffee and tasty cakes.
After a busy Christmas count season, sixteen hardy birders met to start their
2017 counts on the first of January undeterred by the previous night's snowfall.
The group's total was 35 species including both Tundra and Trumpeter Swans,
Canada and Cackling Geese and a Common Loon. A pair of Bald Eagles were in
the trees near the Maude Roxby Marsh. We checked Hall Road adding both
Sharp-shinned and Cooper’s Hawks as well as Red-winged Blackbirds, Merlin
and Robins as well as hearing a Pilated Woodpecker. One car stopped at the
creek on the way back and added an American Dipper. January 5 was still
deeply cold but six carloads of birders still came out to seek brave birds. Our
first stop was at Janice Casling's, house to view her busy feeders with California
Quails, Song Sparrows, House Finches, Dark-eyed Juncos and the target bird
of the stop a White-throated Sparrow. A Downy Woodpecker was in a tree
across the road. We saw Rock Pigeons on the way down to Hiemlick Road
Where there was a large flock of Eurasian Collared-Doves and a family group of
three dark Red-tailed Hawks. We stopped by the KLO bridge on our way back
to the parking lot to add American Dipper and Common Goldeneye to the
day's list.
by Margaret Bryan
Cooper's Hawk. ©Pam Laing
Merlin. ©Pam Laing
Male American Kestrel (Wikipedia)
NESTS: We think of birds nesting in the Spring but some species make an
earlier start in the winter. Great Horned Owls can start nesting as early as
Sharp-shinned Hawk (Wikipedia)
January. Clark’s Nutcracker starts nesting in late winter building near their
winter food caches. The Rock Pigeon and Eurasian Collared-Dove produce two or more broods a year at any season
including Winter. Red Crossbills nest from December to September according to food supply, while White-winged
Crossbills will nest at any time if the food supply is good and they can start nesting as early as February. House
Sparrows produce several broods a year starting in February.
8
Kelowna Christmas Bird Count Report - December 17, 2016
Total species: 97
Feederwatcher phone-ins: 8
Maximum temperature: - 8°C
total hours on foot: 49.25
Total individual birds: 22,337
Maximum snow depth: 35 cm
Minimum temperature: -22°C
total distance by car: 627.2 km
Report by Chris Charlesworth
Number of observers in the field: 52
Minimum snow depth; 0 cm
total hours by car: 57.6
Total distance on foot: 71.1 km.
Turkey Vulture in flight
Cackling Goose 2; Canada Goose 2362; Snow Goose 7; Tundra Swan 13; Trumpeter
Swan 15; Wood Duck 16; Mallard 2218; Gadwall 50; Green-winged Teal 2; American
Wigeon 104; Redhead 116; Ring-necked Duck 15; Greater Scaup 104; Lesser Scaup
4; Bufflehead 66; Common Goldeneye 28; Barrow’s Goldeneye 4; Hooded
Merganser 37; Common Merganser 17; Red-breasted Merganser 2; California Quail
1702; Ring-necked Pheasant 14; Common Loon 7; Pied-billed Grebe 18; Horned
Grebe 60; Red-necked Grebe 16; Great Blue Heron 11; Bald Eagle 32 (26 ad, 6 imm);
Turkey Vulture 1; Northern Harrier 2; Sharp-shinned Hawk 11; Cooper’s Hawk 14;
Accipiter sp 1; Rough-legged Hawk 2; Red-tailed Hawk 116 (inc. 2 ‘Harlan’s’);
American Kestrel 12; Merlin 11; Peregrine Falcon 2; Virginia Rail 2; American Coot 794; Ring-billed Gull 171;
California Gull 4; Herring Gull 725; Glaucous-winged Gull 33; Gull sp 99; Rock Pigeon 578; Eurasian Collared Dove
207; Mourning Dove 274; Western Screech-Owl 1; Great Horned Owl 10; Northern Pygmy-Owl 1; Barred Owl 1;
Northern Saw-whet Owl 1; Anna’s Hummingbird 1; Belted Kingfisher 4; Hairy Woodpecker 13; Downy Woodpecker
18; Northern (Red-shafted) Flicker; 214; Pileated Woodpecker 9; Northern Shrike 4; Clark’s Nutcracker 4; Steller’s
Jay 51; Black-billed Magpie 462; American Crow 283; Common Raven 264; BlackFox Sparrow
capped Chickadee 248; Mountain Chickadee 44; Red-breasted Nuthatch 20; Whitebreasted Nuthatch 6; Pygmy Nuthatch 163; Brown Creeper 13; Pacific Wren 3;
American Dipper 16; Golden-crowned Kinglet 44; Ruby-crowned Kinglet 8; Western
Bluebird 20; Townsend’s Solitaire 15; American Robin 70; Varied Thrush 11;
European Starling 2567; Bohemian Waxwing 4305; Yellow-rumped (Audubon’s)
Warbler 7; Spotted Towhee 5; American Tree Sparrow 1; Song Sparrow 288; Fox
Sparrow 1; White-throated Sparrow 1; White-crowned Sparrow 84; Dark-eyed Junco 685 (Oregon 673, Slate-co 12);
Red-winged Blackbird 469; Brewer’s Blackbird 29; Yellow-headed Blackbird 1; Western Meadowlark 1; House Finch
742; Red Crossbill 31; American Goldfinch 261; Pine Siskin 4; House Sparrow 669.
Observers: Auty, Merle; Beaulieu, Joanne; Bell, Diana; Braun, Howard; Brokx, Barbara; Brokx, Emile;
Bryan, Margaret; Cecile, Don; Charlesworth, Chris; Coburn, Norma; Deter, Matthias; Dillabough, Cec;
Dillabough, Eileen; Ferri, Gloria; Force, Michael; Fraser, Joyce; Fulton, Robert; Gee, Rick; Gibson, Ann;
Guild, Don; Gyug, Les; Halm, Grant; Hamilton, Michelle; Hathaway, Annette; Hayden, Stephanie;
Heinrichs, Markus; Jones, Barry; Jyrkannen, Jorma; Lalonde, Logan; Malkinson, Paul; Mancuso, Kristin;
Mills, Dorothy; Myhr, Daryll; Ocana, Kalin; Oggelsby, Ralph; Palsat, Dave; Pattison, Fran; Priest, Syd;
Robertson, Lesley; Siddle, Chris; Thomson, Scott; Tisdale, Bitten; Tisdale, Jim; Walker, Ian; Weir, Stu;
Westheuser, Hugh; Westheuser, Patricia; Wilson, Gwynneth; Wilson, Don; Zander, Kurt; Zander, Pat.
Yellow-headed Blackbird
People often wonder why we choose to have a major bird count around Christmas time when the weather is
cold and the days short. This is because early conservationists want to make a point against the late
nineteenth and early twentieth century custom of a Boxing Day Shoot that involved killing as many game
birds as possible. Margaret Bryan
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2016 Rare Birding Report
2016 was a unique year for birding in the Central Okanagan.
It was a year formatted into the metaphor of "A tale of two
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seasons". We had a weatherless spring , resulting in zero
migrants getting trapped in the valley, but a monumental
Fall, especially in the late part of the season. The storm on
the Pacific coast had forced birds into our valley, where they
found interesting places to spend their time.
Winter - January-February: The winter of 2015-2016 was an
irruption year for finches,
Common Redpoll
and it continued into the
early part of 2016. Large
numbers of Common
Redpolls were present,
and one Hoary Redpoll
was found in late January
in the Hall Road area, on
Dunsmuir Road. There
were sporadic Evening
Grosbeaks around the area
in these months too. These were the notable finches among
the more common irruption species. Both Glaucous and
Iceland Gulls were present at Maude Roxby Marsh on a lone
day in early January, as well as a male Red-breasted
Merganser. The Blue Jay in the Joe Rich area stayed until late
January/early February, and it did not return this winter
(2016-2017) due to the homeowners taking down their
feeders. Flocks of Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches at Goat's Peak
and Pyman Road were very welcome to see. Besides the
usual winter uncommon birds such as a handful of Eurasian
Wigeons, Mew Gulls, and White-winged Crossbills, the first
two months of 2016 were fairly quiet on the rarity front.
Spring Migration - March-May: This past spring migration
was arguably the slowest in terms of visual numbers and
rarities that Kelowna has witnessed in several years. There
was sun and mostly clear skies throughout the season,
pleasing Kelowna residents but creating a scenario where
birds just didn't have a reason to be sucked down into the
valley bottom. A high percentage of the birds that migrated
through the valley just merely flew kilometres high
overhead, not coming down very often. This made finding
migrants tough. We did note every common migrating
songbird in the region, but in very small numbers.
Flycatchers were especially tough, with very low numbers of
Hammond's flycatchers, in particular, noted throughout the
migration spots. Ducks had a good spring though, with
mostly every duck species hitting average or higher
numbers, except the bay ducks (both scaup species,
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A "weatherless" season to birders is where there are no weather systems
moving in and out, only sun and blue skies. The consistent warm conditions
without storms kept all migrants flying miles overhead. When there is
weather like rain and general storminess, even a mere change in weather,
birds will be forced down to The Valley bottom like a funnel to be counted
by us birders.
by Logan Lalonde
Canvasback, Redhead, and Ring-necked Duck). All of these
species had noticeable drops in migrant populations - Ringnecked being the species that faired the best of the five.
Shorebirds were also tricky to find, with an additional factor
of Robert Lake's water level being very high throughout last
year. Even though migratory rarities were hard to come by,
some birders got extremely lucky and saw some very decent
birds including: several Snow Buntings throughout March (at
Thomson Brook Marsh, Pyman Road, and other places), a
Short-eared Owl in March (at Thomson Brook Marsh), a
Broad-winged Hawk in May (Beaver Lake Road - first
cattleguard), Dunlin in April (Mouth of Mission Creek ), Black
Terns in May (Tutt's Pond, behind Robert Lake), several
Snow Geese in various locations throughout Kelowna in
Glenmore and the Mission areas, Double-crested Cormorant
in April (Powers Creek in West Kelowna), and a few
American Tree Sparrows.
Nesting Season: June-first week of August. The summer was
kicked off beautifully by the surprise occurrence of a Bandtailed Pigeon in Trader's Cove, on the Westside. A gorgeous
bird and one that was unexpected. Possibly a late spring
migration overshoot from the coast. In late June, another
excellent sighting was a Marbled Godwit at Robert Lake.
Presumably an adult bird, it is example of an early returning
shorebird from the north. Boy, nesting
season is short up there! A pair of
Purple Finches was spotted at the
McCulloch Cross-Country ski
trails in early August - possibly a
breeding pair, or two birds that
migrated from the Rockies. A
Harlequin Duck in late July at
Poplar Point was a nice bird, a postOlive-sided Flycatcher
breeder descending from their
mountainous breeding grounds up in the rims of the valley.
On the rim of the time zone for the year, a Sanderling
popped up at the mouth of Mission Creek on 10 August.
For breeding birds, I'll do a quick sum-up. There were no
notable drop-offs in species populations which was great,
and numbers of breeding flycatchers (especially Dusky,
Hammond's, and Olive-sided), Western Tanagers, and Redbreasted Nuthatches were up. Great to see! The massive
numbers of Chipping Sparrows of the year before seemed to
have dropped back to normal this year.
However, this summer brought sad news. American Avocets
nest at the Kelowna Landfill and Robert Lake every year. The
numbers had been increasing every year for nesting pairs in
the past five years, with a record of over 20 pairs last year.
This year, a calamity occurred. The new management at the
landfill has had very low tolerance for the birds and garbage
and chemicals have started to leak into the birds' nesting
habitat, decreasing food sources, killing the habitat itself
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(leaving the birds exposed to predators and lack of nesting
material) and has left the water polluted. The dump's
"relocation project" is still 'in progress' and the results so far
don't look promising. So, the birds didn't have a place to go
at the landfill. How about Robert Lake? The water level was
too high to support them. Several dozen avocets scouted the
area in the spring, but a grand total of two to three pairs
ended up nesting at the landfill and Robert Lake combined.
Only two nestlings were known to have survived. Blacknecked Stilts also have begun nesting at the landfill in the
last few years. In 2015, we had two pairs nesting, and
thankfully, at least one pair was back this past year trying to
nest. However, I do not know if the young fledged
successfully and how many there were; pairs of birds or
nestlings. So, not fun news, but it was still a successful
summer overall for nesting birds in the valley.
Fall migration: Mid-August-early November. August was a
very slow month for rarities, but it picked up in a big way in
September. In late September, the massive storm on the
coast forced birds into the valley, but good birds were
already being sighted beforehand. Species like a Franklin's
Gull at Robert Lake in the first week of September. An
American Golden-Plover was also spotted at Robert Lake
later in that first week. But the real rarity surge commenced
in late September, when on the 27th, a gorgeous, breeding
plumage adult, Long-tailed Jaeger showed up right at the
sails in downtown Kelowna. This bird created a stir for sure.
With full tail plumes, pristine plumage, and crisp head
patterning, it was a bird to behold! It didn't stop there. Only
a few days later, a birder took a picture of an odd warbler
and it was diagnosed as a Lucy's Warbler. It was on the path
just east of Rotary Marsh, on the other side of the road in a
mix of bushy habitat. The bird was seemingly a one day
wonder, when it failed to turn up in the next few days.
However, on a cold early November day, a few birders
checked the location on a whim and turned up the bird
hopping around in the bushes with three Orange-crowned
Warblers and a Least Flycatcher! Incredibly astounding
sighting, and a bird that was only a second record for British
Columbia, the first coming earlier this year in southeastern
BC! The Lucy's Warbler was accompanied by a Green Heron,
first photographed and found a day before the Lucy's
Warbler was refound, in the Rotary Marshes. The trio of the
Lucy's Warbler, Least Flycatcher, and Green Heron was
unbelievable for local birders and all were privileges to see
them.
More good birds were found last fall. A flurry of terns were
spotted in the middle of October at the mouth of Mission
Creek, consisting of two Arctic and one Forster's, the latter
being photographed widely by the birders of the area. On
another late September day, a male Summer Tanager was
photographed up a trail at Okanagan Mountain Park,
ironically lining up to be the first record of this species for
the Okanagan, on 27 September three years earlier in my
backyard. An interesting pattern indeed. There was an influx
of migratory Pacific Loons in Kelowna, especially in October,
when a grand total of five different birds were seen in a
short period of time; three in one day at one point. Other
good rarities included more than five Stilt Sandpipers in
August and September at the Alki Lake Landfill and Robert
Lake, a flock of eight Surf Scoters off of Maude Roxby Bird
Sanctuary in early October, a few Lapland Longspurs around
Kelowna in September, and an Anna's Hummingbird on
McClure Road on 9 November. It was an unbelievably
incredible Fall for rarities, but common migrants were noted
on average or less than average in numbers.
Winter: Mid-November to end of year. This winter brought
us a virtually finchless irruption year, with low numbers of
Common Redpolls, White-winged Crossbills, and others,
although, some redpolls were noted spottily down in the
valley bottom and the Mission area, and White-winged
Pine Grosbeak (male)
Pine Grosbeak (female)
wikipedia
wikipedia
Crossbills were detected in some moderately large-sized
flocks in high elevations. Pine Grosbeaks were around in
fairly low numbers in the high elevations as well, also in
flocks when they did occur. Good birds in mid-November
included Blue Jay on Pretty Road in Lake Country, and a
Harris's Sparrow, also in Lake Country. Rarities were noted
on the Christmas Bird Counts, with the highlights including a
Turkey Vulture (second ever Kelowna Christmas Bird Count
record and it arrived on 31 November, and still continues
early in January 2017), Yellow-headed Blackbird at the
dump, a Western Meadowlark in Rutland, Say's Phoebe at
Tower Ranch, a flock of seven Snow Geese flying in north
Kelowna, American Tree and Fox Sparrows at Munson Pond,
and a male Northern Pintail at the Winfield Creek Preserve in
Winfield. After the Christmas Bird Counts were over, the
rarities didn't stop. Both Eurasian Wigeon and a Eurasian
Green-winged Teal (Common Teal) showed up at the Rotary
Marshes in a matter of days, as well as an adult Peregrine
Falcon.
So in conclusion, the latter half of 2016 was far better than
the first half.
Thank you to all the birders who went out birding this past
year in the Central Okanagan, and good luck to you all in
2017!
Logan Lalonde - CONC Birding Director
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CONC RACK CARD DISTRIBUTION
The Mission & Downtown
Alice Hargreaves 236-420-1201
Library at the H20 Centre Downtown Library (Ellis Street)
Kelowna
Sherrell Davidson 778-478-1956
Fresh Air Experience Enterprise Road
Glenmore
Leslie Robertson 250-763-5698
Parkinson Activity centre and Parkinson Recreation centre
Rutland
Glenda Newman 250-860-6036
Rutland Library YMCA Dodd Road
Winfield
Ann Gibson 250-863-2453
Winfield Library, Coffee Shop on Bottomwood Lake Rd.
Westside
Gerda Watts 250-707-0926
Library West Kelowna, Recreation Centre
Peachland
Dianne Hayley 250-767-9033
Library & Tourist Bureau.
This is the list of volunteers that place our CONC Rack cards in
various facilities. Thank you to those that refill the rack cards.
Since now there are fewer facilities where we can place the rack
cards, and the cost is high, we will be using the Media to advertise
our Club. We will continue to use the rack cards until the supply
runs out.
© Pam Laing. Ayers Rock, Australia
A reminder
Central Okanagan Naturalists' Club Photo Contest 2016-2017
Entry is open to all CONC members. Entrants may submit up to four (4) total photos maximum - with no more than one per
category.
There are four categories: Flora (plants, lichens, mosses, algae, fungi); Fauna (animals of any sort, big or small from weevils
to whales); Landscapes; People in Nature.
Entries must:
 Have been taken in 2016 or 2017
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 Dimensions may vary, but a real size should not exceed 603 cm (93.5 sq. inches, equivalent to 8.5" x 11" size),
or emailed to [email protected].
 Have the entrant's name, category and title/location printed on the back (or included with emailed
submissions)
 Be unmounted (no surrounding matte or frame - but may be printed with a narrow white border)
 Be received (Digital submissions) by [email protected] no later than 10:00 a.m. 9 February 2017.
 Be received (Paper submissions) by Ian no later than 5:30 p.m. at the potluck venue 14 February 2017.
Any digital manipulation of a photo before printing, other than lightening or darkening must be clearly printed on the back
of the photo (paper submissions), and will be printed out and posted with the photo for display and judging. For electronic
submissions, this information must be included in the email.
Photos will be displayed at the CONC Annual Banquet, 14 February 2017, where members will cast ballots in each category.
The winners and two runners-up in each category will be announced and displayed at the CONC meeting on 14 March 2017
when all photos will be returned.
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