Nakusp Nature Continues

Sorry but no pictures for this short blog entry but a quick update on ‘all-things-natural-in-Nakusp. Last night I had an opportunity to help Gary Davidson complete an owl survey. The method involved 20 separate stops at pre-determined intervals and then listening for calling owl species. Despite the short listening time interval, the two degree temperature which made concentration difficult at times, the sound of spring melting water rushing, the sound of traffic [including some 4wds that were seriously louder than jets] the survey could only be regarded as an outstanding success! Three species were recorded, including Northern Saw-whet Owl, Great Horned Owl and Barred Owl. The latter was recorded at three separate sites.

Today we went, oddly enough, birding. Nakusp’s beach was the first stop and waterfowl migration has certainly started. Some 500 American Wigeon dominated the ducks. With perseverance a Eurasian Wigeon drake was identified among them. Also there were Mallard, Common Merganser [2], Common Goldeneye, Ring-necked Ducks, Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead, Redhead, Pintail and Canada Goose [Geese?].  I tried unsuccessfully to turn a Horned Grebe into a Western Grebe but Gary would have none of it. There were quite a few Horned Grebes as there have been throughout the winter. Gulls included Ring-billed and the more numerous Herring. There was a gull that suggested California however I’m yet to get definitive views – perhaps next time.

From the boat ramp we added a small flock of coot plus some more Goldeneye and Lesser Scaup. A sub-adult Bald Eagle chased half-heartedly a female goldeneye and perhaps then went on to put the huge Wigeon flock to flight. Ravens and crows – forgive me if I fail to mention them but please understand that they seem to be constant.

The compost heap [aka Spicers] yielded a single House Finch, a single Song Sparrow, some singing Chickadees, and a small flock of Redpoll plus a few Pine Siskin. The latter species is still in attendance at seemingly every feeder in town. Oh yes and we saw Robins but more about them in a moment.

Obviously if we're birding we need to visit the sewerage ponds and it too yielded A Wigeon and Mallard, a female Goldeneye plus a pair of Wood duck [my first for Nakusp]. A couple of Song Sparrows were in the company of a small flock of REdpoll and a few Dark eyed Junco plus the ubiquitous Robins.

The greater Brouse Loop and Crescent Bay Road yielded my first Kildeer for the year. The Kildeer is a small plover and a soon-to-be common breeder. Good views of a feasting Merlin were had as we discussed the identification of a perched raptor which scope views easily proved it to be a sub adult Bald Eagle. Red-tails were seen – perhaps four birds in total. And probably about 500 Robins – covering the damp meadows, utilising every piece of snow-less grass available. A few Varied Thrushes were seen and a few more heard. Canada Geese, American Wigeon, Mallard and even Pintail were also grazing the meadows. [I say even Pintail simply because I have not yet seen them do that…] Quite a few flocks of Dark-eyed Junco were seen around the Brouse loop to add to those seen earlier around the sewerage ponds. These flocks seem to be the advance parties for even more Juncos allegedly ready to invade soon. [Have I said that migration is fun? – if not I should have]. Several flocks of Redpoll were also in attendance and usually adjacent to the Juncos. Two American Tree Sparrows were about the last new day birds.

I’m sure I have missed a few things however that will do for a summary for what Gary introduced as a day with ‘perhaps not much about’……

And we also saw some four white-tailed Deer - two at Crescent Bay road plus two near th eSewage works.