Birding In Vernon

Birding in Vernon

There are over 320 species of birds that make the Okanagan their home. Many of these are found in and around Vernon. Bluebirds, swallows, sparrows, towhees, kingbirds, orioles, bullocks, quail, flycatchers, grosbeaks, blackbirds, catbirds, warblers, partridges, thrush, hawks, eagles, ducks, swans, and gulls are just a few of the species you will find here. The Great Blue Heron also has a colony here.

The Okanagan is home to several raptors. This is a regular breeding ground for the great horned owl (also known as the hoot owl), American kestrel, osprey, bald eagle, Swainson's hawk and the red-tailed hawk. While not as common, the following raptors are also known to breed here: the northern pygmy owl, barred owl, great grey owl, merlin, golden eagle, northern harrier, sharp-shinned hawk, and Cooper's hawk.

Several raptors also make stops here on the migration route. They include the northern hawk owl, northern saw-whet owl (some breeding here too), gyrfalcon, broad-winged hawk and the rough-legged hawk. 

Don't be surprised if you see a barn owl, Western screech owl, boreal owl, prairie falcon or Northern goshawk. They are uncommon here, but have been spotted over the years. In the winter, you may even see a snowy owl!

Below is a small sampling of some of the trails and areas where you can walk or hike as you spot the birds of our area.

Allan Brooks Nature Centre

Drive towards the Allan Brooks Nature Centre on Mission Road and you may spot some Western Bluebirds and Tree Swallows nesting in the bird boxes along the fence lines. Look up and you'll see the Red-tailed Hawks that hunt and play around the big crop field immediately south of Allan Brooks Way.

Up at the Allan Brooks Nature Centre, (open Monday to Saturday) there are several great displays and demonstrations. You can book a flight demonstration or get up close to an owl, a hawk and a falcon. Put on a glove and hold a hawk or an owl! It's an experience you won't soon forget. There are several birds of prey that fly over the knoll where the centre is located. You might also see their colony of yellow bellied Marmots. Check their events page for special events and workshops.

Commonage Road

Mission Road turns into Commonage Road. Pull over and park to the left at the dead end lane junction of Commonage and Benchrow roads by the pump house and fence line. This is private land, (Department of National Defense) so trespassing is frowned upon. From this location, you should be able to spot Clay-coloured Sparrows, Spotted Towhees, Eastern Kingbirds, Say's Phoebes, Bullock's Orioles, California Quail and other common birds of the brush.

Rose's Pond

A few minutes down the road is Rose's Pond. Springtime brings an abundance of Tree Swallows, Northern Flickers and nesting ducks like the Hooded Merganser, Gadwalls, Redheads, Ring-necked, Lesser Scaups and Ruddy Ducks. Brewer's Blackbirds are known to nest nearby as do Red-winged Blackbirds and Yellow-headed Blackbirds. During summer Killdeer and Spotted Sandpipers live here. You may also spot Osprey, Turkey Vultures, Bald Eagles, American Kestrels, and Swainson's Hawks around the pond

Don't Forget the Marshes!

Between Rose's Pond and the junction of Baily Road you'll find roadside marshes which are home to Yellow-headed Blackbirds and Soras. Eastern Kingbirds, Western Kingbirds, House Wrens, American Goldfinches, Cedar Waxwings, Yellow Warblers and Bullock's Orioles.

Predator Ridge

Predator Ridge has an abundance of wildlife on their 1,200 acres property. Watch out for deer as you explore the hiking trails in the area. It is quite common to spot a pack of wood ducks taking a swim in the ponds throughout the property. Drive past the gates to the Predator Ridge golf course and you'll find Saskatoon bushes that attract Western Tanagers, Nashville Warblers, and Black-headed Grosbeaks from the nearby dry forest.

Carrs Landing

Instead of turning into Predator Ridge, you can continue down Commonage Road beyond Tompson Pond where you will cross the top of a hill and descends through the dry brush to Carrs Landing. There are plenty of bird spotting opportunities at the pond and in the dry brush.

Just south of Carrs Landing, (17 km/10.5 mi from Predator Ridge) look for the entrance to Kopje Regional Park. Use the Regional Parks Map to find out more places to explore in the park. A short way offshore is Grant (Whiskey) Island where you'll see hundreds of Ring-billed and California gulls. Herring Gulls and Glaucous-winged Gulls may also be found there.

Shorts Creek Canyon Rim

This privately owned trail is a moderate hike of 12km (7.5 mi) return with four streams to cross. You can reach it from Beau Park Road or Bouleau Lake Road. This is a fairly high altitude (1480 m/4,856 ft) hike, so it's best that you dress in layers as the weather is very changeable. Stop to take in the scent and beauty of the wildflowers including chocolate lilies and violets. Along the way you may see vultures, Townsend's solitaires, warblers, woodpeckers, Hermit thrushes and Kinglets. Let yourself be distracted by the magnificent view of the canyons and mountains to the south.

Swan Lake Nature Reserve

There are two easy walking/hiking trails at Swan Lake that will get you plenty of bird sightings. The western field will take you around through open land while the other takes you from the parking lot to a bird blind. Both trails are under 2 km (1.2 mi) one way. The bird blind trail may be under water in the spring, so wear appropriate footwear and take the necessary precautions. Here you'll find Marsh Wrens, Common Yellowthroat, Red-winged Blackbirds and a wide variety of water fowl.

The Heronry

Vernon has a rather healthy population of Great Blue Herons that nest among the tall Cottonwood trees between 20^th and 24^th streets off 48^th Avenue. Take the 1.4 km (.9 km) one way easy walk (or cycle) along the BX Creek Wetland Boardwalk Trail through a nature park and wetland ponds near Deleenheer Road. The end of the trail takes you right to the corner of 20^th Street and 48^th Avenue.

Birding Trails Galore!

There are dozens and dozens of trails for hiking and birding in the Vernon area. For more information on where to go and how to get there, contact the Vernon Visitor Centre. You can also visit the Allan Brooks Nature Centre or visit Birding BC online. Please note that most birding trails do not allow dogs on them. For birding alerts, visit BC Bird Alert. Visit Ribbons of Green for area trail information.