DARE TO BIRD

I went up to the beautiful Kootenay  Region of BC to join the BCFO 2 day Field Trip in Creston. The trip was led by Gary Davidson and Paul Prappas and it was fantastic. Craig Sandvig helped out heavily as well with his very skilled ears. We had a fantastic time and I made 3 lifelong friends in them in the process. On Day 1 in Creston and we got 110 species! We birded Leach Lake, Wilson and Kootenay River Rds and Duck Lake and we got some good birds including Forster's Terns (incredibly close views of them diving for fish and perched right by us), Black Terns, Bobolink, Gray Catbirds, Over 40 American White Pelicans, Wild Turkey with 7 Chicks, Clay-coloured Sparrow (and Lark Sparrow before Creston), Black-chinned and Calliope Hummingbirds, Eastern and Western Kingbirds, Veery, many Northern Waterthrushes, Bullock's Orioles, Tundra Swan, Lazuli Bunting, more Least Flycatchers than I've ever seen, Western Wood-Pewee, Pacific-Slope Flycatcher, Red-naped Sapsucker, Say's P...

I went down on my somewhat annual WA trip to see foxes. I went a little earlier than normal this year so that I could see the kits while they were still small. Saw 8 adults and 5 kits during my visit in all phases of Red Fox: Black, Silver and Red. It is always magical to be surrounded by foxes but especially Kits and to see the family dynamics. All these foxes stole my heart forever! - Photos: Melissa Hafting

Thanks to Larry Cowan and George Clulow for coming up with the idea of the Young Birders Hats! The kids absolutely love them! It's nice to feel part of a group and with these hats it gives all the kids that feeling of recognition. These hats are given to those youth who have been awarded a BCFO Young Birders Award! Read about the Awards and recipients HERE Here are the new spiffy hats and Bridget looking great as she sports one! These new hats look great! - Photos: Sheryl Spencer