In Our Backyard: Great Blue Heron
July 27, 2023The great blue heron (Ardea herodias) embodies grace and tranquility… except when it is heard squawking! It is an iconic and recognizable bird, known for its towering stature and striking...
In Our Backyard: Lewis’s Woodpecker
July 4, 2023The Lewis’s woodpecker (Melanerpes lewis) is a striking bird found in the Thompson Nicola Region that’s known for its vibrant feathers and unique behaviors. With its glossy green-black feathers, salmon-coloured...
In Our Backyard: Common Nighthawk
June 5, 2023Nestled within the picturesque landscape of British Columbia’s Thompson-Nicola watershed area lies a hidden gem of avian biodiversity—the common nighthawk (Chordeiles minor). With its enigmatic nature and captivating aerial acrobatics,...
In Our Backyard: Mexican Mosquito-Fern
May 2, 2023Mexican mosquito-fern, Azolla mexicana, is a tiny floating fern found in wetlands, ponds and other small wet areas. The fern’s natural range is North, Central and South America. In Canada,...
In Our Backyard: Great Basin Gophersnake
April 3, 2023In spring, the largest snake found in BC stirs from its hibernation to mate and forage. The Great Basin gophersnake (Pituophis catenifer deserticola) is found in dry, grassland or forested...
In Our Backyard: Peregrine Falcon
March 7, 2023The peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) holds the title of fastest bird on the planet, and some argue it’s even the fastest animal on the planet using...
In Our Backyard: Little Brown Bat
February 1, 2023At this time of year, you typically won’t spot this bat species unless you are exploring abandoned mines and dark caves where they hibernate during the cool months. The little...
In Our Backyard: Western Rattlesnake
December 30, 2022Did you know that the western rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus) is the only venomous snake native to British Columbia? The western rattlesnake, also known as Northern Pacific rattlesnake, lives in in...
