Our club held its second summer camp on the weekend of 19-21 July, once again at the lovely private campsite on Frank Chisam’s property. This is a great place for summer activities – located half way between Merritt and Spences Bridge, right on the banks of the Nicola River and with the KVR rail trail running by just steps away. A privileged group of nine campers stayed for the weekend and two others joined us for the Saturday potluck and Sunday hike. Thanks to Chris Lepsoe for doing most of the organizing and to Frank Chisam for sharing his scenic campsite with our group.
Saturday’s highlight was the visit of Grand Chief Howie Holmes from the Upper Nicola Band. Howie delighted us with stories of his adventurous youth – as a rodeo rider and horse trainer – and his current role as Knowledge Keeper to maintain his people’s traditions and culture.
Grand Chief Howie Holmes (far left) and Nicola Naturalist campers around the campfire on Saturday morning. Photo: Alan Burger
Howie is an 80-year resident of the Nicola Valley. As a ranch worker and sought-after horse trainer he got to know most of this extensive area and has vivid memories of the people, wildlife and lifestyle of this area.
Howie Holmes, Alan and Norm sharing memories of the old days in the Nicola Valley. Photo: Janet Roth
Howie Holmes and Gale at the campsite stage. Photo: Janet Roth
Chris, Howie and Gale at the Nicola Naturalist camp. Photo: Janet Roth
Our relaxed camp schedule provided lots of time to chat by the campfire, go biking on the KVR rail trail, birding, botanizing and swimming in the Nicola River (although only two campers and a dog took up that option).
Norm and Bob chatting by the campfire. Photo: Janet Roth
Cathy and Andrea at the Nicola Naturalist camp. Photo: Janet Roth
Chris at the outdoor bar on Frank Chisam’s campsite. Photo: Janet Roth
Sunday’s feature was a drive down to Spences Bridge, with a stop to explore the junction of the Nicola and Thompson rivers, and look for wildlife at a couple of stops.
Someone has spread milkweed seeds along the lower Nicola Valley in an effort to attract Monarch butterflies. Here is a healthy milkweed plant near Spences Bridge. Photo: Alan Burger
A male Mule Deer near the junction of Nicola and Thompson rivers. Photo: Alan Burger
Chris pointing out a large Poison Ivy plant – unfortunately quite common near the rivers. Photo: Alan Burger
We enjoyed ripe Chokecherries on the banks of the Thompson River. Photo: ©Alan Burger
Then we hiked from “downtown” Spences Bridge along the Thompson River to the beautiful waterfall on Murray Creek. Along the way we saw Bighorn Sheep and many birds, including the uncommon Lewis’s Woodpeckers.
Bighorn Sheep eating apples on the outskirts of Spences Bridge village. Photo: Alan Burger
Hiking from Spences Bridge to Murray Falls. Photo: Alan Burger
Lewis’s Woodpecker – one of the specialties of the Thompson-Nicola area. Photo: ©Alan Burger
On a hot sunny day it was a pleasure to sit in the shade next to Murray Creek just below the falls and enjoy our lunch. We were entertained during lunch by a newly-fledged American Dipper juvenile that wandered down the rushing creek, picking at tiny insects on the water’s edge.
Lunch in the shade with Murray Falls behind. Photo: Alan Burger
Enjoying the shade on the edge of Murray Creek. Photo: Alan Burger
A newly-fledged American Dipper foraging along the edge of Murray Creek just below the waterfall. Photo: Alan Burger
American Dipper fledgling just out of the nest and already foraging for itself. Photo: ©Alan Burger
On both Saturday and Sunday mornings, Alan led pre-breakfast birding walks along the KVR rail trail. With a variety of habitats (riverine shrubs and forest, hayfields, dry pine slopes and the river itself) we encountered a diverse array of birds. For a full list of the birds and mammals recorded during the camp click here: Birds & mammals NNS camp 2019
Here are a few photos of the birds seen on our birding walks:
Say’s Phoebe. Photo: ©Alan Burger
Grey Catbird singing. Photo: ©Alan Burger
Spotted Sandpiper on the banks of the Nicola River. Photo: ©Alan Burger
Spotted Towhee in the shrubs along the KVR rail trail. Photo: ©Alan Burger
