Nicola Naturalist Society

Well, a picture is worth a thousand words …….

A Great Blue Heron hunkered down in snowy gloom at Nicola Lake – 17 December 2022. Photo: © Alan Burger

For most of the day on 17th December our field groups experienced the conditions this heron was tolerating – heavy snowfall and -8C temperatures with some wind. Getting useful photographs was a major challenge. Incidentally, this was the only Great Blue Heron to be found on the count day.

But, despite the snowy conditions we had a good count. We had 21 people out in the field and 3 feeder-watchers. We recorded 60 species on the count day (close to the average of 61 across 24 years) and two additional species during the count week. We recorded a record high count of 9,154 birds (more than double the long-term average) thanks mainly to huge flocks of Mallards that were on Nicola Lake and feeding on the hayfields at nearby ranches. We tallied 5,199 Mallards and that included leaving out over 3,000 ducks we saw on Nicola Lake that we assumed had been counted on the hayfields.

The complete count data are available here:   Merritt Xmas Count data 2022

Some of the highlights:

We recorded two species that were new to the Merritt Christmas Bird Counts. The first was Sharp-tailed Grouse seen in the Quilchena area – first a flock of 21, counted accurately as they flew directly overhead after the observers had seen them in the nearby trees and thickets. An hour later a lone bird was found some distance away and clearly not part of the bigger flock. This grouse species inhabits the high grasslands and was likely driven to lower elevations by the deep snow cover we are experiencing this winter.

Three Sharp-tailed Grouse feeding on buds in the thickets near Nicola Lake. These were part of a flock of 21. Photo: © Alan Burger.

A lone Sharp-tailed Grouse in the Quilchena area. © Alan Burger

The second new species to our count history was Snow Bunting – a flock of 15 on the hayfields of the Huber Ranch near Quilchena. This species was a Count Week sighting in 2013, but has never appeared on the count day. No photos were obtained, but this location often supports Snow Buntings in winter.

It was a good year for picking up owls. Northern Pygmy Owl and Great Horned Owl are  fairly regular species for our count (found on 11 and 7 previous counts, respectively), but a Short-eared Owl, seen near Quilchena, is only the second occurrence for a Merritt CBC.

A Great Horned Owl roosting in a willow tree near Nicola Lake, 17 December 2022. Photo: © Alan Burger

It was also a good year for the two Buteo hawks that occur in winter in our area. We recorded 24 Red-tailed Hawks (well above the average of 15) and 15 Rough-legged Hawks (close to the all-time high of 16 birds).

Rough-legged Hawk on the count day, 17 December 2022. This hawk visits us in winter, migrating south from its summer breeding grounds in the arctic tundra. Photo: © Alan Burger

Several other species occurred in high numbers, compared to the previous 23 counts:

• Pied-billed Grebe – 5 (average is 2)
• Sharp-shinned Hawk – 5 (equal to the previous record high)
• Rock Pigeon – 281 (average is 188)
• Eurasian Collared Dove – 242 (record high count, average is 70)
• Northern Flicker – 54 (average is 26)
• Northern Shrike – 7 (average is 4)
• European Starling – 787 (record high count, average is 285)
• American Tree Sparrow – 11 (average is 5)
• Dark-eyed (Oregon) Junco – 263 (average is 76)

An immature Pied-billed Grebe among the snowflakes on Nicola Lake. We recorded five of this species on the lake. Photo: © Alan Burger

A Northern Shrike on a typical high perch, looking out for small birds or mice that are its prey. Photo: © Alan Burger

Another Northern Shrike – this one a juvenile bird – on a frosty branch in the Merritt area, 17 December 2022. Photo: © Loekie van der Wal.

On the downside, we missed a few of our regular species:

• Belted Kingfisher – seen in the Count Week but not on the Count Day (has been recorded in 19 of the previous 23 counts)
• Mountain Chickadee – recorded in 22 of the previous 23 counts, but not this year.
• White-breasted Nuthatch – recorded in 17 of the previous counts.

And a few other species were seen in low numbers:

• Great Blue Heron – 1 (average count is 4)
• Clark’s Nutcracker – 1 (average is 24)
• Song Sparrow – 7 (average is 21)

And did we mention that we saw a lot of Mallards on the count day?

One of several huge flocks of Mallards resting on Nicola Lake. These ducks were feeding on the hayfields and feedlots around Nicola village and resting on the lake. Overall we counted 5,199 Mallards. Photo: © Alan Burger

Part of another big flock of Mallards on Nicola Lake, closer to the shore. Photo: © Alan Burger

Another waterbird found in big numbers on Nicola Lake was American Coot.

American Coot on Nicola Lake (they are the little black dots along with a few American Wigeon and Mallards). There were 204 coot in this flock and 48 more were seen elsewhere on the lake. Photo: © Alan Burger

But one lone coot was missing the party ….

This lone American Coot was found in the Merritt sewage settling ponds. Photo: © Vic Newton

It is always a treat to see Trumpeter Swans on Nicola Lake in mid-winter. We had 27 on the lake this Christmas count. Photo: © Alan Burger

Bohemian Waxwings are another northern species that migrates south into our area in winter, to feed on berries and buds. They have been recorded in all 24 Merritt Christmas Bird Counts and in very variable numbers from 1 to over 2,000. This year we found 670 waxwings.

Bohemian Waxwings in a big flock in the Bench area of Merritt, 17 December 2018. Photos © Corinne Pitt

Another regular species that also occurs in variable numbers in the Mourning Dove. This year we recorded 53, below the average count of 96 and well below the record high of 441 doves. Photo: © Vic Newton.

House Finches are common visitors to feeders in Merritt, and have been recorded on all 24 Merritt Christmas counts. This year we found 188, close to the average of 182 birds. Photos: © Corinne Pitt.

A Song Sparrow, puffed up to tolerate the cold.  Notice the bit of ice on the beak tip. These sparrows breed in our area and a few of them remain through the winter. Photo: © Alan Burger

And finally a word of thanks to the folks who braved the snow and searched out birds in eight zones within the count circle.

Diana and Bruce among the snowy Douglas-firs on the Lundbom Commonage. Photo: © Frank Ritcey.

Craig and Loretta scanning for waterbirds on Nicola Lake, before the snowstorm. Photo: © Alan Burger

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Sixteen participants came out to today’s Sandhill Crane outing, including some guests from the Central Okanagan Naturalists Club. The weather was cool in the early hours with a mix of sun and cloud.

A good day was had by all, the highlight was watching the flights of the large flocks of cranes as they continued their journey to their breeding grounds. Thanks to Liis Jeffries and Vic Newton for coordinating the outing.

For a list of bird species seen on the day click here: NNS Sandhill Crane 17APR2022 bird list

Scanning for waterfowl on the Nicola Naturalist Society April 17th outing to Douglas Lake area. Photo: ©Vic Newton

Of course the Sandhill Cranes were the primary focus of the trip and we were not disappointed – flocks were seen on the ground and in the air as they continued their northward spring migration.

Sandhill Cranes on the Douglas Lake plateau wetlands – 17 April 2022. Photo: © Loekie van der Wal

Part of the large aggregation of Sandhill Cranes seen on the Douglas Lake plateau on 17 April 2022. Photo: © Loekie van der Wal

Another highlight was a big flock of 29 American White Pelicans passing overhead.

Part of the flock of American White Pelicans over Douglas Lake plateau – 17 April 2022. Photo: © Loekie van der Wal

American White Pelicans – 17 April 2022. Photo: © Loekie van der Wal

Count the dots! High flying flock of American White Pelicans at Douglas Lake area, 17 April 2022. Photo: © Rick Gee

And another unusual species for our area is the Snow Goose. The group found 14 at a pond next to the Douglas Lake Ranch headquarters.

Snow Geese near the Douglas Lake Ranch headquarters, 17 April 2022. Photo: © Loekie van der Wal

Snow Geese – 17 April 2022. Photo: © Loekie van der Wal

Other waterfowl were plentiful too …..

Cinnamon Teal male at Rush Lake, 17 April 2022. Photo: © Loekie van der Wal

A male and two female Cinnamon Teal at Rush Lake, 17 April 2022. Photo: © Loekie van der Wal

The only shorebirds seen were Killdeer and Greater Yellowlegs.

Greater Yellowlegs on the Nicola River – 17 April 2022. Photo: © Loekie van der Wal

An interesting diversity of raptors was recorded, including Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier, Red-tailed Hawk, Rough-legged Hawk and American Kestrel.

A Rough-legged Hawk taking off from a power pole. Photo: © Loekie van der Wal

An adult Red-tailed Hawk taking off from a field, Douglas Lake plateau, 17 April 2022. Photo: © Loekie van der Wal

A few migrant passerine birds were also found, although the major spring migration was yet to come. Yellow-rumped Warblers are usually the first warblers to appear in spring and sparrows like Dark-eyed Juncos arrive at the same time. Lincoln’s Sparrow is one of our less common sparrows, so always good to see.

Lincoln’s Sparrow -17 April 2022. Photo: © Loekie van der Wal

Lincoln’s Sparrow at Douglas Lake plateau area, 17 April 2022. Photo: © Loekie van der Wal

The count data from our outing goes into the database for the Douglas Lake Plateau Important Bird & Biodiversity Area (IBA). The Nicola Naturalist Society, along with the Kamloops Naturalist Club, are the monitors for this IBA – the largest in BC.

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Our annual Snow Bunting Shiver Sunday on February 27th 2022 was a success, despite some initial weather threats. Every year we venture up to the Douglas Lake plateau at this time to look for winter specialties in the high grasslands. Early morning snowfall promised a cold, dreary day but by the time we got going the weather had improved and it was a very pleasant, if blustery day. Six members showed up which made for a convenient 3-car convoy. The roads were in reasonable shape so we all managed both the Pennask Lake Road (which is well maintained) and the more dicey and muddy Minnie Lake Road to end up at Douglas Lake and loop back to Merritt. All our travels were on public roads with no intrusion on to the private ranch-land or First Nations reserve.

The snow-covered Douglas Lake plateau on 27 February 2022. Photo: © Alan Burger

Highlights of the day were mostly of the mammalian kind. It was a thrill to encounter three separate groups of Moose – five animals in total. This species is becoming harder to find in our area. The first was a big mamma Moose and a big calf, quite close to the road.

This female moose was our first wildlife encounter on 27 February. Photo: © Alan Burger

Big mamma was joined by big baby – a very large calf. What a treat to see these healthy-looking animals that are now quite rare in the Merritt area. Photo: © Alan Burger

A few minutes later the two Moose appeared again on a distant ridge – moving fast. Photo: © Alan Burger

Our second Moose encounter was on the Minnie Lake Road – again two animals.

Two Moose heading for the forest – probably a cow with a very large calf. Photo: © Alan Burger

We saw this pair again as they traversed a forest patch. Photo: © Alan Burger

Our final encounter was also on the Minnie Lake Road.

A rather secretive young Moose skirting the woody thickets. Photo: © Alan Burger

White-tailed Deer were the other ungulate that we encountered – a lone animal and later a herd of eight. Strangely enough we saw no Mule Deer – they are usually the most common mammal that we see on these trips.

Coyotes are in the midst of their mating season – as a result we saw many – at least 15 – mostly in groups of two or three. Because they get shot at they were understandably very wary and were mostly seen heading away as fast as they could.

Two Coyotes regarding us with deep suspicion and heading for cover. Douglas Lake plateau 27 February 2022. Photo: © Alan Burger

Another Coyote watching warily from a distant ridge-top. Photo: © Alan Burger

A sample of the multitude of Coyote tracks. Photo: © Alan Burger

Birds were rather thin on the ground or in the air. We did see the usual ravens and magpies, but relatively few. And only 3 Rough-legged Hawks and no Red-tailed Hawks. Our first exciting bird was this lone Horned Lark – this striking bird flew back and forth around our vehicles for several minutes allowing photos and great views.

A Horned Lark foraging on the gravel road – Pennask Lake Road, 27 February 2022. Note the feathery head tufts that give it its name. Photo: © Alan Burger

Another view of the same Horned Lark. Photo: © Alan Burger

And nearby a more commonly-seen Black-billed Magpie.

A Black-billed Magpie taking off from a Cottonwood tree – Douglas Lake plateau, 27 February 2022. Photo: © Alan Burger

What about Snow Buntings? Well, true to the outing name we were indeed shivering in a cold wind as we watched this lone bird foraging in the bunchgrass. It is highly unusual to have just one of these birds alone, but we searched in vain for a larger flock. So this was our only Snow Bunting of the day.

The lone Snow Bunting that justified the name of our winter outing. Photo: © Alan Burger

Snow Buntings breed in the Arctic but migrate south into southern latitudes for the winter. In our area they are most often found in the high grasslands. Photo: © Alan Burger

And a  few other birds from the day …..

These Bald Eagles were hanging around a site along with ravens and magpies – probably indicating some carrion nearby. Immature bird left and adult right. Photos: © Alan Burger

Trumpeter Swans and Canada Geese on the Nicola River just below Douglas Lake, 27 February 2022. Photo: © Alan Burger

And finally a couple of photos of our happy crew, enjoying a lunch break in the shelter of an aspen grove

The Snow Bunting Shiverers at the lunch break.

Another look at the Nicola Naturalist Society members on the Douglas Lake plateau.

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In a joint outing, the Merritt NatureKids club and the Nicola Naturalist Society ran the first Merritt Christmas Bird Count for Kids on 8th January 2022. The day turned out to be bitterly cold (-18 C at times) which meant that attendance was lower than expected, and those that did participate had to resort to regular warm-ups in their vehicles.

Keen birders at the start of the Christmas Bird Count for Kids, 8th January 2022. Photo: Loretta Holmes.

But we did have a good outing, recorded 27 species and over 2,000 individual birds. The kids had great views of Trumpeter Swans, several duck species, sparrows, eagles, doves, American Dippers plunging into icy streams and much more.

Birds Canada, which coordinates the Christmas Bird Counts in Canada, provides a wonderful aid for identification. On their website if one enters the location and the date the website produces a photo identification sheet showing the most common birds one is likely to see and a tally sheet for recording the sightings. The CBC4Kids website is here.

Here is the Birds Canada identification sheet for the Merritt area on 8 January. We did notice a few common species missing, such as American Crow.

Our first stop was at the Nicola River just below the Nicola Lake weir. The lake and most of the rivers were frozen over, but here the  stream coming out from the lake provided some open water. This attracted a nice selection of waterfowl – 8 Trumpeter Swans, 2 Hooded Mergansers, 5 Buffleheads, 2 Common Goldeneyes, and 11 Barrow’s Goldeneyes.

Alan setting up the spotting scope at child level. Photo: Loretta Holmes

Using binoculars at -18C while wearing thick mittens is not easy! Photo: Sarah Derosiers.

Kids and adults enjoying the birds despite intense cold and deep snow. Photo: Sarah Derosiers

Just a short way down the road we waded through deep snow in order to find some American Dippers. And we were not disappointed – three Dippers entertained us by plunging into the icy stream to feed underwater, and then leaping back on to the snowy rocks to catch a breath.

Watching Dippers at the Nicola River. We found three Dippers here, feeding in the icy stream. Photos: Anne Pang (left), Sarah Derosiers (right)

The spotting scope was a popular option at the Dipper site on the Nicola River. Photo: Sarah Derosiers

Our final stop was the cattle feedlot close by. Hundreds of cows are fed hay and silage and this attracts huge numbers of birds. Close to 2,000 Mallards were among the cows or resting on the snowy river banks. Flocks of sparrows, including Song and White-crowned Sparrows and Dark-eyed Juncos, searched for seeds among the cattle feed.  Rock Pigeons, Mourning Doves and Eurasian Collared-doves swirled around in flocks. The cow morgue attracted two species of eagles and dozens of American Crows and Common Ravens.

Arriving at the cattle feedlot – the hay and silage fed to the cows also feeds huge numbers of birds. Photo: Loretta Holmes.

Sparrows foraging among the cow feed. On the right is a close-up of a Dark-eyed Junco – one of the common species here. Photos: Loretta Holmes.

A Song Sparrow – another common bird at the feedlot. Photo: Loretta Holmes.

Hundreds of Mallards at the Nicola River bordering the cattle feedlot. Photo: Alan Burger.

Another view of the Mallard crowds. There are also two American Wigeon in this flock, one taking off on the left and one with its cream-coloured head crest surrounded by Mallards. Photo: Alan Burger

The spotting scope was useful at the feedlot to get good looks at birds sitting on the nearby trees, like this Eurasian Collared Dove. Photos: Loretta Holmes.

Mourning Doves all fluffed up to tolerate the cold at the cow feedlot. Photo: Alan Burger

A closer view of a Mourning Dove. Photo: Alan Burger

A few of the scavenger birds at the cattle feedlot – on the left an immature Bald Eagle and three Magpies; on the right a pair of Common Ravens. Photos: Loretta Holmes

An immature Red-tailed Hawk – probably on the lookout for mice at the cattle feedlot. Photo: Alan Burger

A distant view of two Golden Eagles – quite rare birds in our area. Photo: Alan Burger.

A close view of one of the 16 Bald Eagles seen during our outing. Photo: Loretta Holmes.

After a couple of hours in the cold we were all happy to head home, having seen some beautiful and interesting birds and impressed at their ability to behave so normally during this cold and snowy weather. Here is our final tally for the day:

The tally sheet for the first Merritt Christmas Bird Count for Kids, 8th January 2022. Courtesy Sarah Derosiers.