Birdwatching

A Nazca booby rests on driftwood approximately four nautical miles south from the Trial Islands Ecological Reserve on July 24. Whale watcher Tasli Shaw sighted the bird, which only breeds as far north as southern California, for the first time on record in the Victoria Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuary the day before. (Photo by Matt Stolmeier)

Rare bird sighting off B.C. coast excites whale watchers, leaves birders jealous

Bird the first Nazca booby ever observed in Victoria area, and just the 3rd ever in B.C.

 

The rare white raven Blizzard has taken centre stage at the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre. (NIWRC photo)

Rare white raven grabs the spotlight at Vancouver Island wildlife centre

Iconic bird Blizzard can now be viewed by the public and is soaking up the attention

 

A Black-capped Chickadee inspects hikers along the Shuswap River. (John G. Woods photo)

Column: Shuswap winters brighten with the song of black-capped chickadees

Nature Watch by John G. Woods

  • Feb 15, 2022

 

A Great Blue Heron takes time out for some people-watching at the Salmon Arm Wharf in October 2021. (Photo by John G. Woods)

COLUMN: Appreciating the bird-watching bounty of Salmon Arm Bay

Bay particularly special because of the abundance of nature to be seen and heard

  • Jan 3, 2022
A Great Blue Heron takes time out for some people-watching at the Salmon Arm Wharf in October 2021. (Photo by John G. Woods)
Binoculars are an important accessory when so many birds and other wildlife to be seen. (File photo)

Binoculars: Focusing on an essential tool when travelling the Shuswap

The Great Outdoors by James Murray

  • Sep 5, 2021
Binoculars are an important accessory when so many birds and other wildlife to be seen. (File photo)
The Steller’s Jay eats seeds and insects, and is also fond of peanut butter and…baby birds. They are known to raid nests and are especially partial to Hummingbirds. Photo Nienke Klaver The Stellar’s Jay eats seeds and insects, and is also fond of peanut butter and…baby birds. They are known to raid nests and are especially partial to Hummingbirds. Photo Nienke Klaver

COLUMN: Exploring the world of birds

Plenty of information is available for aspiring bird watchers

  • May 21, 2021
The Steller’s Jay eats seeds and insects, and is also fond of peanut butter and…baby birds. They are known to raid nests and are especially partial to Hummingbirds. Photo Nienke Klaver The Stellar’s Jay eats seeds and insects, and is also fond of peanut butter and…baby birds. They are known to raid nests and are especially partial to Hummingbirds. Photo Nienke Klaver
The ospreys in this photo are working on a nest beside Skimikin Lake on April 23, 2021. While just two ospreys can be seen, there is a third adult crouched deep inside the nest. (John Woods photo)

Osprey-watching provides Shuswap photographer with unexpected observation

Ospreys carrying branches a common sight in Salmon Arm skies

The ospreys in this photo are working on a nest beside Skimikin Lake on April 23, 2021. While just two ospreys can be seen, there is a third adult crouched deep inside the nest. (John Woods photo)
The Osoyoos Osprey cam is live for 2021 and already the osprey have moved back in. (Osoyoos Osprey Cam)

Osprey cam is back live in Osoyoos

The hawks have already returned to the nest

The Osoyoos Osprey cam is live for 2021 and already the osprey have moved back in. (Osoyoos Osprey Cam)
A Great Blue Heron carries a stick on April 16, 2021 on its way to its nesting colony in Salmon Arm, high up in large Douglas Fir trees. (Photo courtesy of John Woods)

Great Blue Herons can be seen carrying construction materials across Salmon Arm

Marsh birds move high into trees to build their large nests

A Great Blue Heron carries a stick on April 16, 2021 on its way to its nesting colony in Salmon Arm, high up in large Douglas Fir trees. (Photo courtesy of John Woods)
A group of American White Pelicans sits on a sandbar near the mouth of the Salmon River and preens in July 2020. (Glynne Green photo)

What’s the good news, 2020? Shuswap Lake becomes important layover for flight of pelicans

The Salmon Arm Observer looks back at some of the year’s positive stories

A group of American White Pelicans sits on a sandbar near the mouth of the Salmon River and preens in July 2020. (Glynne Green photo)
Summerland woman observes waxwings in crabapple tree

Summerland woman observes waxwings in crabapple tree

Flock of around 20 Bohemian waxwings gather in Canyonview area of community

Summerland woman observes waxwings in crabapple tree
Identified as a Northern saw-whet owl, this small raptor was found perched in a chicken coop likely looking for its next meal. (Contributed)

VIDEO: Shuswap resident finds wide-eyed surprise in chicken coop

Tiny raptor likely in search of a small rodent for supper

Identified as a Northern saw-whet owl, this small raptor was found perched in a chicken coop likely looking for its next meal. (Contributed)
The yellow-rumped warbler tends to arrive on Vancouver Island in early March. (Black Press Media file)

Despite reports of decline, birds flocking to national parks in Canadian Rockies

Recent studies suggest overall bird population has slid by three billion since 1970

The yellow-rumped warbler tends to arrive on Vancouver Island in early March. (Black Press Media file)