Look Up, Look Way Up!

On June 28th, one of the hottest days of the year, eight courageous people came out to learn more about the birds around Park Rill north of Oliver. This is a great place to look for birds because there are wetlands and forested areas along the Okanagan River and Park Rill Creek. In the dry Okanagan, these wet areas are rare and important for birds and other wildlife. Participants came armed with books, binoculars, phones and tablets to help identify and spot the birds.

Kirk Safford, a local biologist, helped the group identify both common and more unusual birds on the trip by sight and sound. We spotted birds of all colours including yellow –headed Blackbirds, Red-winged Blackbirds, meowing Gray Catbirds, and Indigo Buntings. While we missed out on the elusive and endangered Yellow-breasted Chat, one participant was able to share what they had learned about chats from Canadian Wildlife Service researchers that work in the area. Local resident Jim Linton took us on a bonus side trip to the oxbows on his property. By maintaining a natural area around wetlands and hanging bat and bird boxes, this property owner is living with and supporting nature as a Wildlife Habitat Steward.

This event was made possible by support from the Okanagan Basin Water Board and Environment Canada’s Habitat Stewardship Program. Okanagan Similkameen Stewardship (OSS) is a local grassroots organization, working cooperatively with local residents and organizations to promote voluntary stewardship, conservation and restoration of important habitats for wildlife on private lands and within communities of the Okanagan and Similkameen valleys. Are you interested in learning more or helping nature on your property? Contact Alyson Skinner, Executive Director, okanaganstewardship@gmail.com or phone 250-809-1980.

Photo: Jill Tamblyn