Category Archives: birds

  The Horned Lark is not seen often around Kootenay Lake, but when it is seen it is most likely to be now, during migration. Two local subspecies can be seen: one with a markedly yellow face found at low … Continue reading →

  Each year at this time, Michael McMann monitors the movement of raptors along the west side of the Selkirk Mountains. These are the raptors from northern B.C. that move south along the valleys of the Slocan and Arrow Lakes … Continue reading →

  The Marsh Wren is a secretive bird that hides in the tall grass and brush of marshes, so it is not easy to see. While it has been spotted at different times throughout the year, the most frequently local … Continue reading →

  Here is more evidence (in addition to the Red-tailed Hawk seen two days ago) that the raptors are on the move. I am accustomed to seeing a few Merlins in the spring, but saw none this year, so this is my … Continue reading →

  This is the time of year that raptors leave northern BC and flow across our area as they head south for the winter. The Red-tailed Hawk, seen perched on a snag this morning, was probably just passing through.

  In about a half hour midday yesterday, Derek Kite and I saw three species of grebes and one of loons. Superficially, each of these birds looks like a duck, but none is. At this time of the year, each … Continue reading →

  Often when taking a picture of mammals or birds, one does have a moment or two to compose. This can even be true with a bird in flight if one has been able to anticipate the action. It is … Continue reading →

  The season is changing, and with it come the migrants: birds that bred farther to the north, and so were absent from here all summer. They now reappear as they move through our area to head south for the … Continue reading →

  Herons and kingfishers are both long-billed birds that will stand in one spot and watch for fish to capture. Yet, they have apparently adopted different fishing strategies, and this makes one easy to observe and the other difficult. A … Continue reading →