Osoyoos Oxbows - Osoyoos British Columbia
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T0SHEA
N 49° 05.310 W 119° 32.124
11U E 314891 N 5440390
Osoyoos Oxbows are along Road 22. There are several informational signs across the bridge at the parking area.
Waymark Code: WM133QM
Location: British Columbia, Canada
Date Posted: 09/09/2020
Views: 1
Osoyoos Oxbows with its diverse ecosystem makes this one of the most unique areas for viewing. It is not only a premium bird watching location it supports grazing mule deer and big horn sheep. Among the tall grasses, with patience, you may observe painted turtles and the Great Basin Pocket Mouse, several species of waterfowl, including Cinnamon Teal. There are many species that are endangered including the Blotched Tiger Salamander. The three small shallow ponds are ideal for the Great Basin Spadefoot and other amphibians, and a high diversity of plants.
ROAD 22
WINTER RESIDENTS
Winter is a great time for walking the dykes to watch for hawks. Northern Harriers fly low over grassy fields in search of mice and voles, while Red-tailed and Rough-legged Hawks circle high above the fields. Hawks and eagles can often be seen sitting on tree snags and poles. Mallards, Buffleheads and American Wigeons are among the most common of a dozen species of waterfowl found on the river channel.
Search the shrubs along Black Sage Road and you are sure to find Song Sparrows and White-Crowned Sparrows along with Dark-eyed Juncos and Black-capped Chickadees. Watch out for American Tree Sparrows as well, this is the best spot to see this species in southern British Columbia.
Nearby woodlands are a haven for owls, in fact this is a hot spot for owls in winter including the Western Screech-Owl, Great Horned Owl, Long-eared Owl, Barred Owl, Barn Owl, and Northern Saw-whet Owl.
SPRING - RETURNS AND REAWAKENING
In the first warm days of spring, aquatic insects begin to emerge from the river to be snapped up by Violet-green Swallows and Tree Swallows which are among the first spring migrants to arrive. The Western Meadowlark is a grassland bird with a stunning yellow breast and liquid song. The Long-billed Curlew arrives early to nest in the short grass agricultural fields adjacent to Road 22.
In May the hills along Black Sage Road are yellow with blooming arrow-leafed balsamroot. In the grasslands of the Ecological Reserve, the air is filled with the spicy smell of yellow antelope-brush blossoms. Bird songs fill the air as warblers and other songbirds arrive from afar to settle into nearby grassland, woodland, and riparian habitats With the growing warmth of the sun, snakes and turtles reawaken from their winter slumber, coming out of hibernation in search of food. Racers, Western Rattlesnakes, Rubber Boas and Gopher Snakes move from rocky-sloped hibernation sites to summer feeding areas in the grasslands, agricultural lands, and woodlands. After heavy spring rains Blotched Tiger Salamanders and Great Basin Spadefoots emerge from their winter burrows and seek out ponds and wetlands to breed.
SUMMER
In the heat of summer the bunchgrasses on the hillsides become dormant but the ground is alive with insects. Waves of insects hatch from lakes, rivers and wetlands to be eaten by thirteen species of bats that live and breed in the south Okanagan. The black and white Spotted Bat is one of the few bats whose echolocation calls can be heard by humans. Common Nighthawks arc high above rivers and grassland areas "hawking" for flying ants and midges. The colorful Lewis's Woodpecker flies out from tall perches to catch insects to feed its young, snug inside tree cavities. The rich insect diversity of the Okanagan allows over 200 species of birds to nest and raise their young throughout the valley every summer.
FALL
The yellow bloom of rabbitbrush in the grasslands signals the end of summer. Sockeye Salmon have travelled up the Columbia River on a 5000-kilometer journey from the Pacific Ocean to spawn in the Okanagan River. The salmon rest in Osoyoos Lake waiting for the waters to cool before swimming upriver to spawn. Some species of bats migrate while others stay in the valley to hibernate in deep rock crevices. By mid-October snakes have returned to their dens in rocky hillsides to slumber over the winter. The insect-eating songbirds fly south as do Turkey Vultures and Ospreys. Most songbirds that stay as winter residents will feed on seeds, fruit, and cone crops. American Dippers are unusual songbirds that dive underwater to eat fish eggs and aquatic insects. Watch for this small grey bird along the river channel.
TIPS FOR WILDLIFE VIEWING
Time your visits: early morning is best for seeing birds and dusk is good for bat watching
Binoculars bring wildlife up close.
Purchase local guides to trails and wildlife at tourist information centres and book stores. Free or low cost phone apps can help you identify birds, butterflies and more.
Safety
Watch for poison ivy. If you see glossy leaves in three, leave it be.
Poison ivy is a common tri-lobe plant that causes painful blistering. The green leaves turn red in late summer. In the winter, avoid touching the small white poisonous berries clinging to bare stems.
Spring and early summer is wood tick season. Thoroughly examine yourself, children and pets at the end of a walk in spring. Wood ticks are common in grassy and shrubby areas frequented by deer and other wildlife. Staying on trails is a good way to avoid wood ticks.
Visit during many seasons to see and hear a variety of wildlife. • Join a local naturalist club to learn more about where to see wildlife. Check out www.bcnature.ca to find a club near where you live.
Please do not feed wildlife or try to help "abandoned" young. The parent will usually return if you retreat.
Snakes can be fatally injured by bicycles. Watch for caution signs showing where deer, bighorn sheep and snakes cross roadways.
Spring and early summer is wood tick season. Thoroughly examine yourself, children and pets at the end of a walk in spring. Wood ticks are common in grassy and shrubby areas frequented by deer and other wildlife. Staying on trails is a good way to avoid wood ticks.
Don't approach wildlife, particularly mothers with young.
The Western Rattlesnake is a shy snake that is not often seen. It is venomous but bites are rare. Rattlesnakes are a species at risk and are protected.
LEWIS'S WOODPECKER
This distinctively-colored woodpecker has a bright pink belly and blue-green back. Lacking the wood-boring skills of other woodpeckers, this species catches flying insects and forages for berries, wild fruit and nuts, rather than drilling for insects. Lewis's Woodpeckers nest in natural cavities and holes excavated by other woodpeckers. A decrease in the number of large ponderosa pine, Douglas fir and cottonwood trees suitable for nesting has contributed to a decline in numbers and its threatened status.
RESPONSIBLE WILDLIFE VIEWING
Stay on designated roads and trails and do not enter private property.
Keeps pets on a leash, and collect and take away any waste.
Don't harass wildlife by getting too close with your camera. Remember that wildlife are protected by provincial legislation. If a bird or animal is agitated it's a sign that you are too close.
Do not discard cigarette butts due to the risk of fire in this dry region.
Pack out all garbage and food waste.
Keep it natural! Don't pick wild flowers or remove vegetation.
Stop for wildlife! Watch for snakes and amphibians crossing roads and trails. Avoid them or wait for them to move off trails.
If you have wildlife concerns (poachers, polluters or injured wildlife) contact the Provincial Government Conservation Officer 24 hour hotline: cell #7277 or 1-877-952-7277.