This area is for general discussion on Birds and Birding.
#37166
I'm travelling to the south Okanagan for only one day over the long weekend. Anyone have any good suggestions for where to look for Lewis's Woodpeckers? I realize that our chances of seeing one are slim even if we know where to look, but we'd greatly appreciate any suggestions!

Thanks in advance.

___________
Keith R.
#37170
I saw them a couple weeks ago at the Cliffs across from vaseux lake. Technically called mcintyre rd. Basically drive up the road and keep an eye on all the dead ponderosa snags, and you should see them flycatching. There's also Canyon and Rock Wrens, as well as White-throated Swifts, and the possibility of Chukar around the cliffs as well.

-Ryan
#37178
Ryjay wrote:I saw them a couple weeks ago at the Cliffs across from vaseux lake. Technically called mcintyre rd. Basically drive up the road and keep an eye on all the dead ponderosa snags, and you should see them flycatching. There's also Canyon and Rock Wrens, as well as White-throated Swifts, and the possibility of Chukar around the cliffs as well.
Like Ryan said, the Vaseux Lake cliffs are a great place for them. Last Summer I found a Lewis's Woodpecker nest there, and a pair of American Kestrels took a chick right of of the nest, even though the parents were doing their best to protect their young. Also keep an eye out for Golden Eagles and the birds that Ryan mentioned.
#37184
HI there,

I agree regarding the Vaseaux Cliffs - specifically on McIntyre Road. I saw two of them a very short distance up that road two weeks ago.... and posted a could of pictures on Flickr. There is a geo-tag on the photos (a map).

http://www.flickr.com/photos/vitrain/87 ... otostream/

Do make sure that you stop by Road 22 just north of Oliver. Lots of reports of some good birds there!

Plus - this weekend is the Meadowlark Festival with the annual Okanagan Big Day Challenge!

http://www.meadowlarkfestival.bc.ca/oka ... BChallenge


Cheers,
Michelle

Michelle Lamberson
Vancouver, BC Canada
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vitrain/
#37185
Hi Keith,

Lewis' Woodpeckers really are not that hard to find in the Okanagan region if you go to some of the reliable areas. I find you can start seeing them on the stretch leading into Keremeos where the Similkameen River nears the highway. Look in the large riverside cottonwoods with dead tops and also in check large Ponderosa Pine snags. You can also look around the side roads in the town of Keremeos and maybe you'll get lucky on the telephone poles. Also, the area across from Vaseux Lake is good but you should also check the stretch to the south where there are open fields with a sparse scattering of Ponderosas.

From there, I think it just helps to have an idea what they look like - they perform rather acrobatic flights as they flycatch, alternating between erratic flapping and short glides. As I mentioned, large riverside cottonwoods and large Ponderosa Pine snags are their preferred perches. Always keep an eye out and look for medium-sized, dark woodpecker perched on the aforementioned types of trees.

Finally, if you happen to head out as far as Grand Forks you are in great Lewis' habitat again there. The river passes by the town and those large, dead-topped cottonwoods are great to scan for these incredible woodpeckers.

Good luck,
Jeremy Gatten
Saanichton, B.C.
#37199
Thanks to everyone for their helpful suggestions. I'll let you know how we make out!
Thanks again. What a wonderful forum to be part of!

P.S. I had no idea they could be found in N. Van, Paul. I'm sure there'll be lots of people of the lookout now.
______________
Keith R.
#37222
There is an Osprey nest on Highway #3 just east of Hedley if you want to check that out as well....there is even a bit of a place to pull over by it which was 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Here is a Cedar Waxwing from a few weeks back at B[…]

2024 Bird Challenge: Current Bird List

So sorry for being late in updating the list ... y[…]

Godwit?

At Blackie spit this week we found this shorebird […]

Tufted duck

I returned to report that I researched this questi[…]