In Our Backyard: Rusty Blackbird
December 12, 2025The rusty blackbird (Euphagus carolinus) is a medium-sized songbird that breeds in boreal wetlands across Canada and Alaska and migrates south to winter in the southeastern United States. Once considered...
In Our Backyard: Rubber Boa
November 10, 2025A Quiet Resident Beneath Our Feet Hidden under rocks, logs, and forest litter, the rubber boa or Northern rubber boa (Charina bottae) is one of the most secretive reptiles in...
In Our Backyard: Short-eared Owl
October 7, 2025The short-eared owl (Asio flammeus), with its streaked brown plumage and piercing yellow eyes, is a charismatic raptor of the Thompson-Nicola region. Unlike most owls, it is frequently active in...
In Our Backyard: Western Toad
September 11, 2025The Western toad (Anaxyrus boreas), a stout, warty amphibian with an unassuming presence, is a vital resident of the Thompson-Nicola region. Unlike some of its more common counterparts, this toad...
In Our Backyard: Monarch Butterfly
August 11, 2025The monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is one of North America’s most iconic insects, known for its vivid orange-and-black wings and extraordinary migratory journey. In the Thompson-Nicola region, this...
In Our Backyard: Westslope Cutthroat Trout
July 2, 2025The westslope cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi) is one of a handful of native trout species in British Columbia. Recognizable by the bright orange-red slashes beneath its jaw, this trout...
In Our Backyard: Olive-sided Flycatcher
June 9, 2025A Summer Songster of Thompson-Nicola Forests The Thompson-Nicola region serves as a seasonal haven for one of North America’s most charismatic songbirds: the Olive-sided Flycatcher (Contopus cooperi). Recognizable by its...
In Our Backyard: Spotted Bat
May 14, 2025The Thompson-Nicola region is home to a fascinating and elusive resident: the spotted bat (Euderma maculatum). This striking member of the Vespertilionidae family, which includes most common bat species in...
