Central Okanagan Naturalists' Club

Happy Hallowe’en! With the end of October, the hiking activities officially end while we who spend the winter in Kelowna are awaiting the arrival of enough snow for skiing or snowshoeing. But, in the meantime, the Sole Survivors have scheduled some hikes in November, in case the snow is delayed. Check the calendar. The Ramblers will be snowshoeing too, once snow arrives. The botanists are lying low waiting for the first signs of Spring. The birders continue their trips year-round….

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It’s a great fall! The presentations at Members’ Night were great. The weather has been great for outdoor activities. There are interesting birds around. It’s a great fall!

Thanks to all those who attended the BC Nature 2018 Fall General Meeting. Special thanks to the many CONC members who made it a success. The weather was not the greatest but the following week has been wonderful! Birders and hikers have had successful outings. Some hikers temporarily became birders while watching 1200 Sandhill Cranes fly overhead during a hike near Mahoney Lake. The botany group is even active, going on a mushroom and fungi foray on September 30.

Summer is nearing an end. The hikers and cyclists are back in full swing. The birders are also out, looking especially for migrants. And the author of these blog entries, both a hiker and a birder, has been busy coordinating CONC members to ensure that the BC Nature Fall General Meeting, starting today, goes off well. Unfortunately we did not liase well with the rain gods as the forecast is for damp weather.

The smoke is starting to disperse so hikes and bicycle trips are much more pleasant. Bird migration is well underway so the birding is much better too. Everyone is happier!

CONC activities have continued through the summer, but hampered by the smoke from forest fires. Many hikes and bicycle rides were cancelled but the birders toughed it out. Let’s hope the fall offers clearer skies.

Summer is definitely here, and that affects our activities. Sole Survivors went high to avoid the heat, doing a 12 km trip at Big White, enjoying great numbers of wildflowers. Ramblers went less high but chose to hike in the trees, visiting Angel Springs. The Thursday birders also went for the trees, hiking Mission Creek from Casorso Road to Gordon Drive and back again, being rewarded with a Lesser Yellowlegs and numerous warblers and flycatchers. The Sole Survivors cycling trip…

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The Soul Survivors Hiking group went to Angel Springs. The Ramblers went to Kuipers’ Peak. The botanists went to McCullloch Lake. On Thursday the birders explored the far reaches of Highway 33 and Big White Road. On Saturday the birders went to Apex Mountain. The Conservation Committee Maude-Roxby subcommittee continues its activities. Don’t say the warm weather stops CONC activities!

Fourteen Ramblers enjoyed a five km hike on Spion Kop. The weather was perfect. Kudos to Walk Around Lake Country hikers for lovely, well-signed trails! The views were lovely, the Saskatoon berries ripe for eating; we spotted lots of Purple Fleabane, Dogbane, Oceanspray, Ceanothus shrubs, and a few still beautiful Mariposa Lilies. An Osprey soared high above us and keen ears and eyes saw a White Breasted Nuthatch.