Wetlands are nurseries for invertebrates and the animals that like to eat them. The south Okanagan is home to several amphibians that are at risk such as the endangered Blotched Tiger Salamander. Mallards, Western Painted Turtles, Great Blue Herons and other water-loving animals can be seen in summer in wetlands along Road 22.
Sage and antelope brush bunchgrass slopes are the most threatened natural habitat of this region. This ecosystem has one of the highest concentrations of species at risk found in British Columbia. Mosses, lichens and ground-hugging plants form a biological crust that protects and enriches grassland soils.
The rocky slopes of this valley are important roosting and hibernation habitat for bats such as rare Pallid and Spotted Bats. Great Basin Gopher Snakes, Western Rattlesnakes and one of Canada's rarest snakes, the Desert Night Snake, hibernates here. Big Thorn Sheep need this habitat to escape predators. Rare birds such as the Canyon Wren, Peregrine Falcon and White-throated Swift nest among the rocky ledges.
In 1958, with the completion of Okanagan River Flood Control Project, 58 kilometres of meandering river flood plain had been dyked and dredged into a straight 35-kilometre channel. The old river bends were cut off from the new channel and seasonal flooding no longer enriched and replenished the oxbows. The channel project, along with development in the valley, eliminated about 85% of the south Okanagan's valley bottom wetland and streamside riparian habitat.
The Species at Risk Act establishes the official list of species at risk in Canada and their status as extirpated, endangered, threatened, or a special concern. Many species that depend on wetland and streamside habitats are listed. The B.C. Government has protected valuable oxbow habitat in the South Okanagan Wildlife Management Area and Haynes' Lease Ecological Reserve. Private conservation organizations also have conserved several properties.
Ducks Unlimited Canada, the Province of B.C., Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, and the Nature Conservancy of Canada have worked together to restore some of the water flow into the oxbows and surrounding habitats so that annual flooding can once again create valuable wetlands. Many conservation partners are now working together to enhance this area for a wide variety of species.
Rivers and wetlands are a precious resource in is dry landscape. Almost all wildlife depend on water-associated habitats for some part of the year. Housing, agriculture and recreational developments are putting additional demands on water, making water conservation important to sustain both human and wildlife populations. Climate change is predicted to increase late winter precipitation and summer temperatures in this area resulting in more rapid spring runoff, increased summer evaporation and less availability of surface water. By conserving and restoring wetlands and riparian areas, water be retained locally in soils, vegetation and water bodies rather than flowing downstream during peak flow periods.
Conservation efforts in the south Okanagan are focused on maintaining resilient natural grassland areas, restoring water-related habitat and protecting and planning safe-movement corridors for wildlife.
SPECIES AT RISK:
WESTERN SCREECH-OWL
The B.C. interior population of this medium-sized owl is listed as threatened in Canada due to the small population size (fewer than 500 adults) and loss of riparian woodland habitat suitable for nesting.
Screech-Owls nest in large tree cavities made by woodpeckers, although they will also readily nest in owl boxes in suitable habitat. Protecting nesting habitat for this owl is key to its long term survival. Old dead snags and mature trees with woodpecker holes are valuable wildlife trees for owls and other wildlife.
SPECIES AT RISK:
YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT
With a bright yellow breast and a loud song chats don't seem shy but they prefer dense thickets of rose and deciduous woodlands away from roads and human activity.
The British Columbia population has been designated as endangered due to the loss of habitat available in low-elevation valley bottoms where they prefer to live.
Research at the Osoyoos Oxbows suggests that Yellow-breasted Chats like to nest near other chats, therefore restoring habitat next to places where they already nest is ideal.
SPECIES AT RISK:
BEHR'S HAIRSTREAK
The Behr’s Hairstreak is a small butterfly that depends on antelope-brush for its survival. Antelope-brush is the only host plant on which the adult butterflies lay their eggs. Found only in the South Okanagan, the Behr’s Hairstreak is listed as endangered in Canada.
The Behr’s Hairstreak is easily identified by the tawny orange of the upper side of the wings and the wide black area on the costal area of the dorsal forewing.
SPECIES AT RISK:
GREAT BASIN SPADEFOOT
The Great Basin Spadefoot spends most of its life in grassland habitat but when thunderstorms and heavy spring rains occur the amphibians emerge from the ground and migrate to ponds and flooded areas to mate and lay eggs. Spadefoot numbers have declined in British Columbia due to the loss of breeding areas and many adults and young are killed as they cross roads.
The new ponds and protected fields created by the Floodplain Restoration Project provide permanent, safe breeding areas for this desert-adapted amphibian.
This was a very enjoyable trip down Black Sage Road and at the junction of Road 22 there is the old Haynes Ranch barn and two other buildings across the road. The smaller the root house and the larger one possibly the bunk house. Take time to enjoy this beautiful area.
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.