Tag: Wildlife

Species Profile — Long-Billed Dowitcher

The long-billed dowitcher (Limnodromus scolopaceus) is a medium-to-large shorebird often seen in British Columbia during its fall migration along the Pacific Flyway. Though less commonly spotted in winter, some individuals remain in southern parts of the province before continuing their journey as far south as Central America during colder months. This species is a classic…
Species Profile — Trumpeter Swan

There’s no denying it: wetlands play a critical role in providing habitats for a variety of life. Studies have found that over 900 species require wetlands, with 64% of all endangered and threatened animal species needing access to them during some point in their life. In Canada, approximately 45 of the 95 species classified as…
Hip Deep in the West Kootenays — Wetlands Institute 2013

Did you know that North America was once covered with wetlands? It’s a wild thought when you look at today’s landscape, where fewer than 20% of wetlands remain in many developed areas. Wetlands are one of nature’s most valuable ecosystems. They provide critical services like flood control, groundwater recharge, carbon sequestration, and natural water filtration.…
Species Profile — Coastal Tailed Frog

The Coastal Tailed Frog (Ascaphus truei) is very unique species whose range extends from northern B.C. to California. Tadpoles may grow to about 3 centimeters in length and may be greyish brown, reddish brown, and black in colour. Mature coastal tailed frogs grows to about 3 centimeters in length and may be light brown, greyish…
Wetlandkeepers With a Twist of BioBlitz

It’s always a privilege to learn from passionate biologists—and we were incredibly fortunate to have nine of them attend our Wetlandkeepers course in New Denver! The Slocan Valley has been identified as a priority area by the Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program’s Riparian & Wetland Action Plan, making it an ideal location to host this…
Species Profile — Rufous Hummingbird

Ah, the Rufous Hummingbird—a common yet seemingly rare bird that captures our attention and makes us stare in awe at its fiery feathers and futuristic flight. Their flight pattern is mesmerizing, darting and hovering in a way that resembles something like a spaceship. Given their status as such a captivating creature, let’s take a closer…
Harrop Wetland — A Family Connection

Having the blood of Ernest Harrop himself flowing through her veins, Jennifer Dehnel has a long-time connection with the Harrop area. Like a storybook romance, Jenn’s husband Kurt grew up on the opposite side of Kootenay Lake, leading to their eventual meeting in their early teens. Being in the area for most of their lives…
Species Profile — Bald Eagle

Question: What is up to 4 metres deep, 2.5 metres wide, and nearly one metric ton in weight? No, the answer we are looking for is not a boat. Rather, a bald eagle’s nest. With such incredible size, it is no surprise that it houses an incredibly large bird. bald eagles have a wingspan that reaches 2.3 metres,…
Species Profile — Virginia Rail

The Virginia Rail: a small, secretive bird of North American wetlands that inhabits southern British Columbia during the summer breeding months. Despite its rather compact body, the Virginia Rail (and other Rail species) have the highest ratio of leg muscles to flight muscles of any bird. Perhaps more fascinating is its creation of “dummy nests”,…
Species Profile — Great Blue Heron

Given how common they are around wetlands, it only makes sense to learn a bit about them. That way, the next time someone points one out, you’ll be able to rattle off a few fun facts and earn the title of Heron Expert—because really, who doesn’t want that? In British Columbia, two subspecies of Great…