Wild Spaces

At low elevations in the south part of the valley is one of Canada's most unique habitats.  These grasslands are dominated by bunchgrasses, Antelopebrush and Sagebrush. They are home to iconic Great Basin species like Sage Thrasher, Brewer's, Lark, Grasshopper sparrow, Gray Partridge, Long-billed Curlew, Mountain Bluebird, Western Kingbird, Northern Harrier  and Western Meadowlark. These beautiful and species rich landscapes  are  the backbone of any Okanagan birding trip.

Riparian cottonwood groves, thickets, lakes and marshes are home to an array of species. We search here for Bullock's Oriole, Gray Catbird, Yellow-breasted Chat, Eastern Kingbird, Black headed grosbeak, Western Screech owl, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Bobolink, Veery, Marsh and Bewick’s wren, Common Yellowthroat, Osprey, Bald Eagle and water birds such as Great Blue Heron and 5 species of grebe. Colourful ducks abound like Ruddy duck,  Cinnamon, Green-winged and Blue-winged teal. Trumpeter Swan and Wilson's Phalarope are also possible.

These microhabitats support a specialized group of species more common in the canyonlands of the US southwest. Inaccessible cliffs provide  secure nesting opportunities for these denizens of rocky slopes.

We brave the heat to look for White-throated swift, Golden eagle, Chukar, both Canyon and Rock Wren, Violet-Green swallow, Peregrine falcon and Turkey vulture.

On the benches and hills just above the valley bottom are the dry, open forests of Ponderosa Pine. This forest type is found nowhere else in Canada.  Regional specialties  found here are Lewis’ Woodpecker, Cassin's Finch, Pygmy Nuthatch, Lazuli Bunting, Calliope hummingbird , Cassin’s Vireo, Dusky and Gray Flycatcher, Red Crossbill, Vesper Sparrow, Vaux' swift, Western Bluebird, Townsend's Solitaire, Nashville Warbler, Dusky Grouse, Mountain chickadee, Western Tanager, Common Poorwill and Flammulated owl.

These high elevation forests resemble those of the northern boreal forest. Dominated by Lodgepole Pine, Spruce, Larch and Fir, they give way to alpine meadows on the highest peaks. Summer visitors include Wilson's, MacGillivray's and Townsend's Warbler, Northern Waterthrush, Williamson's and Red-naped Sapsucker, Swainson's, Hermit and Varied Thrush, Pacific Wren, Hammond's and Olive-sided Flycatcher and Common Loon. They join resident White-winged crossbill, Northern Pygmy owl, American Goshawk, Pileated  Woodpecker, Pine and Evening Grosbeak , Boreal Chickadee, Canada Jay both Ruffed and Spruce Grouse.