Author Archives: Alan Burger

“Ecology of the Great Basin Spadefoot at its Northern Limit” by Jocelyn Garner. Thursday 18th April 2013, 7PM at NVIT Theatre

The Great Basin Spadefoot is a charismatic toad-like frog that is highly specialized for living in the dry grasslands of the western interior. They spend much of the year buried deep under the sandy soil (and have specialized little “spades” … Continue reading

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“Williamson’s Sapsuckers: the Weird, the Wily and the Wonderful” – with Les Gyug. Thursday 21st March 2013, 7PM at NVIT Theatre

Williamson’s Sapsucker has always been considered one of those rather rare and enigmatic birds.  With differences in the male and female plumage that are unique among all woodpeckers, it is nowhere truly abundant, and is Endangered in Canada.  The Merritt … Continue reading

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Nicola Naturalists contribute to Kentucky-Alleyne Provincial Park toadlet study – Report now available

Volunteers from the Nicola Naturalist Society contributed to a study last summer (2012) of the migration of newly-emerged toadlets at Kentucky-Alleyne Provincial Park near Merritt. Hundreds of Western Toads lay their eggs in West Pond in the park and by … Continue reading

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Merritt Christmas Bird Count Results – 16 December 2012

The 14th annual Merritt Christmas Bird Count was held on 16 December 2012 in excellent weather. We set a new record of participants with 26 people in the field and three feeder watchers. Thanks everyone! And special thanks to Katharine … Continue reading

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“Eradication of High Risk Invasives in the Thompson Drainage” by Steve Maricle. Thursday 21st February 2013, 7 PM – NVIT lecture theatre

“A lake a day for as long as you stay” – that’s the commonly-used description of the area around Merritt. Lakes and other wetlands are essential features of local ecosystems, cherished recreational areas and important to our tourist industry. But … Continue reading

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“Bats – Creatures of the Night” – with Dr. David Kerridge. Thursday 17 January 2013, 7 PM at NVIT

Dr. David Kerridge is a retired college professor living in Merritt. David was the founding professor of the Biology Department at Malaspina College in Nanaimo (now Vancouver Island University). He taught and did research there for many years. With a … Continue reading

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Rare and unusual birds in Merritt area – December 2012 (with Feb 2013 update)

Some unusual birds showed up in the Nicola Valley area in late November and December 2012. 2013 Update – our rare hummer has disappeared     The Anna’s Hummingbird described below survived for many weeks at a heated feeder in Merritt and … Continue reading

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NNS Members’ Photos – Fall 2012

More wildlife photos from the Merritt area taken by members of the Nicola Naturalist Society, Merritt, BC. Click on the thumbnails to see full-size images. Then click the links below the photo to move to the next enlarged photo. To … Continue reading

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Merritt Christmas Bird Count – Sunday 16th December 2012

The Nicola Naturalists will be running the Merritt Christmas Bird Count on Sunday 16 December. Keep reading to see how you can participate. Christmas Bird Counts, run by the Audubon Society and Bird Studies Canada, involve counting all birds within … Continue reading

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“Forestry in the Nicola Valley: Managing for Multiple Values” with Aline Lachapelle & Jenn Reid. Thursday Nov 15, 7 PM NVIT Theatre

Forestry is the biggest employer in the Merritt area and forest management has a big impact on ecosystems and wildlife populations. Aline Lachapelle (Aspen Planers) and Jenn Reid (BC Timber Sales) are involved in forest management in our region which … Continue reading

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