East Kootenay, British Columbia, Canada
Rocky Mountain Naturalists
  • About / Contact
  • Join RMN
  • RMN Calendar
  • RMN Newsletter
  • RMN Blog
  • RMN Projects / Issues
  • Nature Photos by Us
  • RMN Checklists & Products
  • Christmas Bird Counts
  • Nature Education & Quiz
  • Other Websites of Interest

Spring Arrival of Birds in the East Kootenay

15/3/2023

0 Comments

 
Picture
Here is a quick guide to "general" arrival week of bird species in the East Kootenay.

It is based on the eBird barchart for the region available here:
ebird.org/canada/barchart?byr=1901&eyr=2023&bmo=1&emo=12&r=CA-BC-EK

As you can see, ducks are generally the first group to return northward but this year we are still waiting for the following:
Tundra Swan           TUSW
Wood Duck              WODO
Redhead                  REDH
Ring-necked Duck    RNDU
Northern Shovelor    NSHO
Blue-winged Teal      BWTE
Gadwall                   Gadwall

Also, Ring-billed Gull (RBGU) and California Gull (CAGU) are late; and Common Loon (COLO).

At time of writing, I find it difficult to believe we could see Tree (TRES) and Violet-green Swallow (VGSW) any day now because I still have a foot of snow in my yard in Kimberley.

And we usually have Western (WEBL) and Mountain (MOBL) Bluebirds back by now, as well as Say's Phoebe (SAPH).  Please come soon.

Western Meadowlark (WEME) are sometimes here the end of February.  One year they arrived to snow-covered fields and had to forage along the plowed road edges - poor things.  Looks like it will be the same this year.  Actually, it has been the same for the past THREE years, I think.

And where are the Brewer's Blackbird (BRBL), Spotted Towhee (SPTO), and Fox Sparrows (FOSP)?

Anyway, look for the above soon, and Osprey (OSPR).  Happy Birding!

Dianne C.

0 Comments

Columbia Lake Area Spring 2014 Field Trip

10/5/2014

 
Picture
Apr. 27, 2014 - Dutch Creek Hoodoos/Headwaters of the Columbia River Hike

Thirteen eager RM Nats braved a variety of weather elements on their journey up to the top of the Dutch Creek Hoodoos. A bounty of spring crocuses along with a multitude of other plants including pussy toes, balsam root, prairie sage, pasture sage, wild onion and buffaloberry (Soopolallie) lined our gradual upward journey. Once at the top of the saw-toothed ridges of the hoodoos breathtaking views, even with the billowing clouds, could be seen in every direction. Our very knowledgeable leader Daryl explained how the hoodoos were formed thousands of years ago and the composition of them. A narrow, sandy path wound its way along the rim of the hoodoos providing spectacular views down the sheer ravines to Dutch Creek far below while in the distance Columbia Lake glistened in the occasional sunburst. We were delighted to spot Canada Geese, Turkey Vultures, Osprey, Cooper’s Hawk, Red-Tailed Hawk, Northern Flicker, Clark’s Nutcracker, Common Raven, Black-Capped Chickadees, Red-breasted Nuthatches, Ruby-Crowned Kinglets, Townsend’s Solitaire, Common Loon, Bald Eagle, Tree Swallows, Brewer’s Blackbirds, various waterfowl as well as an abundance of Kestrels and Western Meadowlarks.

From the Dutch Creek Hoodoos we proceeded to the source of the mighty Columbia River at Canal Flats. An easy stroll along a path lined with poplars, spruce and willows afforded views of huge boggy areas covered in grassy hummocks and undergrowth including budding birches and red-osier dogwood stems. We contemplated the difficulties which David Thompson must have encountered as his party portaged south to the Kootenay River 200 years earlier. At the edge of the woods, a series of springs formed little channels which converged and flowed to the North.  Large patches of cattails, water grasses and roses grew in profusion throughout this area. The streams flowing out to the lake were crystal clear and by the abundance of tracks along their edges, provide drinking water for the many animals that frequent this area. At this area we added Ruffed Grouse, Dark-Eyed Junco, Killdeer, American Robin and Red-Winged Blackbird to our list of birds.
 
The perfect ending for our day was spotting an osprey with a fish held in its talons looking for a place to have its lunch as well as field after field of shooting stars in full bloom creating a magenta carpet along the roadside at Skookumchuck Prairie.

Submitted by Paula Rogers

    where we talk about
    - recent field trips,
    - RMN in the news
    - flora and fauna
    - upcoming events

    Archives

    March 2023
    June 2022
    March 2022
    December 2021
    December 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    July 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    June 2016
    May 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014

    Categories

    All
    Arrival
    BC Hydro
    Bears
    Birding
    Birds
    Calypso
    Checklists
    Christmas Bird Count
    Club Camp
    Collectors
    Columbia Lake
    Common Nighthawk
    Cranbrook
    Cranbrook BC
    Cranbrook Daily Townsman
    Dogs
    Ducks
    Dutch Creek
    Early Morning Birding
    EBird
    Elizabeth Lake
    Feeders
    Fernie
    Field Trip
    Fish And Wildlife Compensation Program
    Flowers
    Kimberley
    Little Big Day
    Mildred White
    Morrissey
    Moyie
    Nesting Boxes
    Orchids
    Pine
    Plants
    Podcast
    Project Feederwatch
    Rocky Mountains
    Snowshoeing
    Spring
    Ta Ta Creek
    The Buttes
    Townsman
    Turtles
    Wasa
    Western Painted Turtle
    Wildlife
    Wildsafe
    Winter
    Wycliffe

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.