birds

Jennifer Kerr was one Vernon resident who leapt into action to help Vernon’s beloved herons stay cool during the extreme heat wave. A number of herons literally dropped from their nests due to the heat. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

Rescued Vernon herons rebounding from heat wave

Neighbours of Vernon’s heron rookery sprung into action when the beloved birds started dropping from the trees due to extreme heat

 

A rare albino crow has been found nesting in an Aldergrove backyard. (Lizzy Grimes/Special to The Star)

Rare albino crow found in Aldergrove backyard

A genetic mutation resulting in a complete lack of colour makes this bird extremely uncommon

 

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

 

This bird box at the Salmon Arm Foreshore lies broken on May 14, 2021 after someone pulled the pole out of the ground and smashed the formerly occupied nest. It was one of more than 30 that have been wrecked. (Martha Wickett-Salmon Arm Observer)

Destruction of nests, birds at Salmon Arm foreshore described as horrifying

More than 30 bird boxes made by community destroyed, just one was not occupied

This bird box at the Salmon Arm Foreshore lies broken on May 14, 2021 after someone pulled the pole out of the ground and smashed the formerly occupied nest. It was one of more than 30 that have been wrecked. (Martha Wickett-Salmon Arm Observer)
A fledgling white raven was spotted near the end of Winchester Road in Coombs. (Mike Yip photo)

Legend continues as iconic white raven spotted once again on Vancouver Island

Sightings rare everywhere in world except for central Vancouver Island location

A fledgling white raven was spotted near the end of Winchester Road in Coombs. (Mike Yip photo)
Someone or something is vandalizing birdhouses built and erected along Salmon Arm’s Foreshore Trail, much to the chagrin of a Shuswap biologist who looks after the houses. All but one of 32 along the trail are occupied. (Facebook photo)

Ongoing birdhouse vandalism rocks Shuswap trail, groups

Eight more boxes were destroyed Saturday, May 15

Someone or something is vandalizing birdhouses built and erected along Salmon Arm’s Foreshore Trail, much to the chagrin of a Shuswap biologist who looks after the houses. All but one of 32 along the trail are occupied. (Facebook photo)
A Freedom of Information (FOI) request from a national non-profit group committed to animal protection revealed little on the decision-making process at Vernon city hall that led to council’s decision to approve a geese cull. (File)

National animal group snaps back on Vernon goose cull

Toronto-based Animal Alliance of Canada made Freedom of Information request

A Freedom of Information (FOI) request from a national non-profit group committed to animal protection revealed little on the decision-making process at Vernon city hall that led to council’s decision to approve a geese cull. (File)
A Kelowna orchardist’s under-construction ‘bird condo’ pictured at Inuksuk Orchards on Wednesday, April 28. (Amandalina Letterio/Capital News)

Kelowna orchardist erects ‘bird condo’ to save fruit

Inuksuk Orchards is creating a condo of birdhouses, and it wants the community to get involved

A Kelowna orchardist’s under-construction ‘bird condo’ pictured at Inuksuk Orchards on Wednesday, April 28. (Amandalina Letterio/Capital News)
Chickadees are one of the most common birds that can be easily spotted in parks around the Okanagan. (Photo by Kelsey Yates)

Birds return to Central Okanagan parks on the wings of spring

The RDCO is offering free birdwatching kits to help people explore local parks

Chickadees are one of the most common birds that can be easily spotted in parks around the Okanagan. (Photo by Kelsey Yates)
Wildlife experts say that pine siskin birds (pictured) still carry the risk of salmonella infection. (File photo)

Clean bird feeders regularly, or take them in, B.C. experts warn as salmonella persists

Winter salmonella concern among pine siskins still a threat

Wildlife experts say that pine siskin birds (pictured) still carry the risk of salmonella infection. (File photo)
Victoria resident Ian Taylor has created a livestream of a mother hummingbird and her two chicks in hopes that it brings people a bit of joy. (Courtesy of Ian Taylor)

Victoria man creates livestream of hummingbird chicks to spread a bit of joy

Livestream will continue until the chicks fly away in March

Victoria resident Ian Taylor has created a livestream of a mother hummingbird and her two chicks in hopes that it brings people a bit of joy. (Courtesy of Ian Taylor)
A Lake Country man is hoping the community can help find Boo, his Senegal parrot that went missing Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020. (Contributed)

UPDATE: Lake Country man reunited with missing parrot

The Senegal parrot escaped from her cage Wednesday evening and was found Friday afternoon

A Lake Country man is hoping the community can help find Boo, his Senegal parrot that went missing Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020. (Contributed)
The eagle has been struck in a tree, upside down for over a day. (Liam Harrap/Revelstoke Review)

VIDEO: B.C. community rallies to save snared eagle

Revelstoke climber scales tree to save the raptor

The eagle has been struck in a tree, upside down for over a day. (Liam Harrap/Revelstoke Review)
The eagle has been struck in a tree, upside down for over a day. (Liam Harrap/Revelstoke Review)

VIDEO: Revelstoke rallies to save snared eagle

Local climber scales tree to save the raptor

The eagle has been struck in a tree, upside down for over a day. (Liam Harrap/Revelstoke Review)
This long-time resident of Gardom Lake was found dead on June 4, 2020. A post-mortem showed the male loon died of lead poisoning from ingesting a lead fishing sinker. (Photo contributed)

Well-known Shuswap loon found dead from lead poison

Toxicology test shows fishing tackle responsible for death

This long-time resident of Gardom Lake was found dead on June 4, 2020. A post-mortem showed the male loon died of lead poisoning from ingesting a lead fishing sinker. (Photo contributed)
An aggressive peacock has been put into ‘solitary confinement’ after wreaking havoc on the front entranceway of a Douglas Street apartment building. The bird is safe, says Victoria Animal Control Services, but will be held there for some time. (Courtesy of Susan Simmons)

Aggressive peacock removed from Victoria building entrance after attacking resident

Peacock used entranceway as mating ground for months

An aggressive peacock has been put into ‘solitary confinement’ after wreaking havoc on the front entranceway of a Douglas Street apartment building. The bird is safe, says Victoria Animal Control Services, but will be held there for some time. (Courtesy of Susan Simmons)
The Newlands property is on Newlands Drive, across from the hospital. The property is noted in the City of Revelstoke’s Official Community Plan to include single family homes and would be a suitable location for a small café or retail shop. (Liam Harrap/Revelstoke Review)

‘We’re resigned to saying goodbye’: B.C. owls nesting in upcoming subdivision

Local residents said the owls have nested in nearby woods for decades

The Newlands property is on Newlands Drive, across from the hospital. The property is noted in the City of Revelstoke’s Official Community Plan to include single family homes and would be a suitable location for a small café or retail shop. (Liam Harrap/Revelstoke Review)
The hummingbirds Rona Wylie Golding captured on video on May 9 represent only a small number those that have been visiting the feeder at her Sorrento home as of late. (Rona Wylie Golding image)

Video: Large number of hummingbirds surprise Shuswap resident

Sorrento resident Rona Wylie Golding says she’s never seen so many use her feeder

The hummingbirds Rona Wylie Golding captured on video on May 9 represent only a small number those that have been visiting the feeder at her Sorrento home as of late. (Rona Wylie Golding image)
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
Resident Glynne Green photographed this female American kestrel about to enjoy a rat snack on the top of a tree near the intersection of 10th Street SW and Fifth Avenue SW in Salmon Arm on Feb. 10. (Glynne Green photo)

Falcons pitch in to help clean up Salmon Arm’s rat problem

Shuswap naturalist gives raptors a tip of the hat for doing their part

Resident Glynne Green photographed this female American kestrel about to enjoy a rat snack on the top of a tree near the intersection of 10th Street SW and Fifth Avenue SW in Salmon Arm on Feb. 10. (Glynne Green photo)