Nature

Bat packs are available at Thompson-Nicola Regional Libraries to help users identify and learn about bat species. (Seattle & King County Public Health image)

Chase library included in Thompson-Nicola ‘bat pack’ roll-out

Kits include echolocation tool, books and resources available at 13 branches

 

Shuswap North Okanagan Rail Trail partners announced March 6, 2023, that they will be receiving a $500,000 B.C. Active Transportation Infrastructure grant that will go towards construction of a section of the trail near Armstrong. (CSRD photo)

Shuswap Trail Alliance looks forward to spring camps, rail trail construction

Junior Trail Camp to work with youth on trail building and maintenance, hiring for 2023 underway

 

A pair of bald eagles spotted by Alexander Pascal in Enderby. (Alexander Pascal photo)

PHOTOS: Eagles, swans spotted in Enderby area

Alexander Pascal captured pictures of the birds

 

Nathaniel Gaynor making a design out of small stones as part of a NatureKids BC Salmon Arm explorer day. (NatureKids BC photo)

Salmon Arm NatureKids club looking for co-leader to host outdoor activities

Kids aged 5-12 can participate in nature walks, crafts, programming to suit community

Nathaniel Gaynor making a design out of small stones as part of a NatureKids BC Salmon Arm explorer day. (NatureKids BC photo)
Roseanne Van Ee photo

Okanagan First Nations used to conjure up love medicines

WARNING: do not try preparing or ingesting any of the following:

  • Feb 13, 2023
Roseanne Van Ee photo
Douglas fir in Saanich, B.C., 2019. (B.C. government)

Three Peachland trees given ‘monumental’ status

Identified in new book by Fernie author

Douglas fir in Saanich, B.C., 2019. (B.C. government)
This dark-eyed junco will flash its outer bright white tail-feathers when it flies, making it easy to identify as it flits from bush to bush. (John G. Woods photo)

Column: These snowbirds live year-round in the Shuswap

Nature Watch by John G. Woods

This dark-eyed junco will flash its outer bright white tail-feathers when it flies, making it easy to identify as it flits from bush to bush. (John G. Woods photo)
Terry Nelson, author of Big Trees of the Inland Temperate Forests of British Columbia, will be doing a talk at Salmon Arm’s First United Church on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023. (Contributed)

Author to share passion for preserving big trees in Salmon Arm presentation

Terry Nelson conducted inventory of old-growth trees in the Shuswap for book

  • Jan 28, 2023
Terry Nelson, author of Big Trees of the Inland Temperate Forests of British Columbia, will be doing a talk at Salmon Arm’s First United Church on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023. (Contributed)
Crews were on scene at Kin beach to remove tree stumps this week. (Brieanna Charlebois - Morning Star)

More trees coming down at Vernon beach

Large old picturesque cottonwood trees becoming hazardous

Crews were on scene at Kin beach to remove tree stumps this week. (Brieanna Charlebois - Morning Star)
(Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)

Six more weeks of winter? Okanagan’s groundhog, Okie, set to make grand decision Feb. 2

Come out to the Allan Brooks Nature Centre at 10 a.m to watch to see if Okie spots his shadow.

(Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)
Sterling’s setup where he captured the seal pup’s birth. (Courtesy of Derek Sterling)

VIDEO: Victoria volunteer captures ‘awesome’ elephant seal birth

Derek Sterling is living on Race Rocks to help maintain the equipment and manage the wildlife

Sterling’s setup where he captured the seal pup’s birth. (Courtesy of Derek Sterling)
This wintering Varied Thrush in a Mountain Ash is easily identified by its black chest-band and bright orange stripe above the eye. (John G. Woods photo)

Column: Winter unfolding as banner year in Shuswap for elusive species of bird

Nature Watch by John G. Woods

  • Dec 30, 2022
This wintering Varied Thrush in a Mountain Ash is easily identified by its black chest-band and bright orange stripe above the eye. (John G. Woods photo)
Alex Lavoie was even able to feed cat food to a raven that flew alongside his Jeep on the Dempster Highway in Yukon. Youtube video screenshot

VIDEO: Raven flies alongside Quadra Island couple travelling frigid Yukon highway

23 minute video with Raven garners over 5,000 views on Youtube

Alex Lavoie was even able to feed cat food to a raven that flew alongside his Jeep on the Dempster Highway in Yukon. Youtube video screenshot
You rarely see voles feeding in the open. This one is living dangerously as it nibbles grass on a lawn close to the edge of Shuswap Lake. (John G. Woods photo)

Column: Tiny voles are heavyweights in the Salmon Arm Bay food chain

Nature Watch by John G. Woods

  • Dec 14, 2022
You rarely see voles feeding in the open. This one is living dangerously as it nibbles grass on a lawn close to the edge of Shuswap Lake. (John G. Woods photo)
(Nature Conservancy of Canada handout photo)

OPINION: Conserving forest, grassland and wetland ecosystems in B.C. has global impact

This week and next governments, scientists and conservation experts are gathering in…

  • Dec 8, 2022
(Nature Conservancy of Canada handout photo)
As this common merganser surfaces with a small carp in its bill, another merganser tries to steal the fish near the Salmon Arm wharf. (John G. Woods photo)

Column: ‘Fish ducks’ put on quite a show near Salmon Arm wharf

Nature Watch by John G. Woods

  • Nov 12, 2022
As this common merganser surfaces with a small carp in its bill, another merganser tries to steal the fish near the Salmon Arm wharf. (John G. Woods photo)
A coyote spotted in Vernon in June of 2019. (Carla Hunt Photography)

Okanagan Nature Nut: Wily coyotes outsmart eradication efforts

People have witnessed them catch golf balls which may be mistaken for eggs

  • Nov 5, 2022
A coyote spotted in Vernon in June of 2019. (Carla Hunt Photography)
The Alouette River Management Society encourages spectators to be respectful of salmon when viewing them. (ARMS/Special to The News)

Environmental group releases tips for salmon viewing this season

6.8 million sockeye salmon have returned on the Fraser River this year

The Alouette River Management Society encourages spectators to be respectful of salmon when viewing them. (ARMS/Special to The News)
A young female Humpback whale named ‘Spike’ was found dead off Malcolm Island. (Jared Towers photo)

Young female humpback whale ‘Spike’ found dead off Vancouver Island

Officials still investigating cause of whale’s death

A young female Humpback whale named ‘Spike’ was found dead off Malcolm Island. (Jared Towers photo)
Giant Pacific octopus approaches Campbell River diver Andrea Humphreys during a friendly and unforgettable encounter near Campbell River Oct. 15, 2022. Screen capture from video by Andrea Humphreys

VIDEO: A sucker for a friendly face; octopus gloms onto diver for once-in-a-lifetime encounter

Diver off Campbell River spends amazing 40-minute session with a friendly octopus

Giant Pacific octopus approaches Campbell River diver Andrea Humphreys during a friendly and unforgettable encounter near Campbell River Oct. 15, 2022. Screen capture from video by Andrea Humphreys
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