Bird Migration Day open house Sunday
The Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Alliance is set to present its fourth annual Bird Migration Day open house at the Vaseux Lake Bird Observatory on Sunday, Sept. 23, from 9 a.m. to noon.
The event offers visitors a chance to see birds being banded, go on a guided walk with nature interpreters and learn about birds and bird migration.
The Bird Migration Day focuses on three themes: bird adaptation to migration, bird conservation issues and threats, and bird banding. In addition to the Bird Migration Day open house, OSCA also offers the fall ECOstudies school programs to regional schools.
“These school and public programs we’ve offered for the past three years have become hugely popular. We have been so fortunate to have the support of Nature Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada who provided the funding to run the programs. The programs really give people a chance to explore birds up close and watch real science in action,î says Janet Willson, OSCA Chair.
The Okanagan is a bird watching hot-spot in Canada and is an important summer nesting area for many species. Birds that have bred in the boreal forest and northern parts of B.C. also funnel through the Okanagan Valley on their way south to the U.S., Central and South America, using Vaseux Lake area as a migration stopover to refuel on insects or seeds.
“This year we are very excited to have the South Okanagan Immigrant and Community Services take part in the program,” continues Willson. “Adjusting to a new country is obviously a challenging life-change and we are so happy to be able to explore the natural beauty and wonder of this area with these newcomers.”
The Vaseux Lake Bird Observatory is located 3 kilometre south of Okanagan Falls. The site is rustic with uneven terrain and narrow pathways (not wheelchair accessible). There is a portable washroom on site.
Parking is available on the west side of Hwy 97 at a roadside pullout just north of the site. Watch for signage and volunteers to direct you to the parking area. The event runs rain or shine. For more information contact Jayme Friedt at 250-488-9894 or oscaecostudies@gmail.com.