Category Archives: birds

Horned Lark

  The Horned Lark is a widespread bird across the world’s grasslands, but is uncommon here, presumably owing to our heavy forestation. I have seen it only a few times before, but a pattern is beginning to emerge. I have … Continue reading

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Eagles

  There is a roughly 40 km dirt road I sometimes take in October. On it I count the Bald Eagles that are seen. They are largely migrants come to catch and eat a few of the many Kokanee salmon … Continue reading

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Two uncommon birds

  Both birds shown here have a migration path that is well to the east, and so they normally do not pass through this area. However recently, they were both in different parts of Kokanee Creek Park. They were soon … Continue reading

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Canada Jay

  I first saw Canada Jays when hiking in Garibaldi Provincial Park in August 1963. The sightings there were appropriate, for the altitude was about 1670 metres, and this bird lives well above the valley floor. The birds just hung out … Continue reading

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Feeding on spawners

  The spawning Kokanee in our local channel have now died, but the activity has not stopped. Some of the water birds are now feeding on the dead fish. A mallard helps itself to some Kokanee residue. As does a … Continue reading

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Pileated Woodpecker

  I have occasionally been seeing a young male Pileated Woodpecker (blog.kootenay-lake.ca/?p=34868, and blog.kootenay-lake.ca/?p=34873). It was seen again, this time eating the berries of a dogwood. Before flying down to the dogwood, the woodpecker perched on electric wire above a … Continue reading

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Red Crossbill and Pine Siskin

  I don’t often see the Red Crossbill and the Pine Siskin because each species wanders far. They eat seeds from the recent cones of mature coniferous forests. The crossbill will nest whenever it finds a rich crop. The siskin … Continue reading

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Osprey and fish

  In the last few days and in probably the last osprey shot of this year, I have twice seen an osprey packing a fish. Neither was as close or detailed as the earlier one, but were satisfactory none the … Continue reading

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Sabine’s still here and

  Last Saturday, we found a Sabine’s Gull at Kokanee Park. This bird was an unusual visit. Some birders made a trip to the park to see it on Monday. To our surprise, it was still there yesterday (just below … Continue reading

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Harrier chasing

  I do not see the Northern Harrier often and usually only when it is migrating through the area. The last time was two years ago. But, this was the first time that I have seen it actively chasing a … Continue reading

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