Wildlife Viewing in the Kootenay Region
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More Information Th ere are many organizations and guide books available which provide more information about wildlife and outdoor recreation in the Kootenays. Th ese include: Th e B.C. Roadside Naturalist Greystone Books B.C. Recreational Atlas Informap British Columbia Wildlife Viewing Guide Wildlife Viewing in the Lone Pine Publishing Federation of B.C. Naturalists Wildlife Viewing Kootenay Region #307 1367 W. Broadway Ave., Vancouver, BC V6H 4A9 Th e osprey hangs briefl y in mid-air on swirling wings. It (604) 737 3057 • www.naturalists.bc.ca in the then plunges from the sky toward the lake far below, Guide-Outfi tter Association of BC landing feet-fi rst in a splash of water and feathers. Box 94675, Richmond, BC V6V 4A4 Seconds later, powerful wings lift the bird from the (604) 429-3985 • www.goabc.org Kootenay Region waves, an unwitting fi sh fi rmly in its talons. Th e osprey Websites BC Wildlife Viewing: shakes the water from its feathers in fl ight before land- wlapwww.gov.bc.ca/fw/wild/wildlife_ ing in a nearby pine tree to eat its prey. viewing.htm BC Wildlife Watch: www3.telus.net/ Th is is just one of the wildlife sightings common to driftwood/bcwwhome.htm British Columbia’s Kootenay Region. Th e area off ers BC Species at Risk: wlapwww.gov.bc.ca/ some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities any- wld/serisk.htm where in the world. A wide range of habitats includes verdant mountain forests, world-class wetlands and sweeping grasslands. Th ere simply is no better location for witnessing wildlife fi rst hand in their own home. Commercial Recreation Services Many local companies off er guiding services that include Deer and elk are common throughout the region. wildlife viewing. Familiarity with the country greatly in- Grizzly and black bear roam the mountains—keep creases your likelihood of a successful, quality experience. your eyes open for these and mountain goats, bighorn Check at BC Tourism kiosks or contact local Chambers sheep and countless birds! of Commerce for information on commercial recreation services. Commercial guiding services for wildlife view- Some surprises await you, such as a pika tucked away ing requires a tenured permit in British Columbia—make among rocky talus slopes busily storing grass for the sure your guide is licensed! long alpine winter or the remarkable diversity of dragonflies (over 70 species), including some that migrate south for the winter! Please remember that wildlife are on no schedule. Th is brochure gives basic information on where and when you might fi nd wildlife in the Kootenays. It also off ers tips to increase your chances and reminders of how we humans should behave around wildlife. Federation of B.C. Naturalists Ministry of Water, Land, Explore, learn and discover. A keen eye and curious and Air Protection mind will bring the natural world alive for you. Produced by Corvus Communications • Desktop Graphics Prepress and Design Viewing Ethics • Viewing wildlife in their natural habitat is a reward- ing experience. However, being too close or disturbing animals can be very stressful to the wildlife. Please respect animals and other viewers. • Habitat can suff er from stress too. Please stay on marked trails and avoid trampling plants or picking fl owers. • Keep pets leashed and under control at all times. • Blend in. Wear drab clothing that blends in with your • Stay a safe distance from all wildlife. Signs that you surroundings. It need not be army camoufl age, but are too close include alert animals that are watching avoid bright colours (except during hunting season!). you closely. Use binoculars, spotting scopes or • Th ere are no guarantees. Remember, wildlife behaviour telephoto camera lenses to bring wildlife “closer”. is highly variable. There are no guarantees that • Be especially cautious around animals with young. wildlife will be seen. If it’s quiet, look around for Parents are highly susceptible to stress at this time and other highlights such as wildfl owers, butterfl ies or Tips for Successful Viewing may abandon their young. If you do fi nd “abandoned” unique geological features. • Know your wildlife. Background knowledge of habitat young, leave it alone and retreat, the parents are prob- associations and behaviour can greatly increase your • Don’t push it! Successful viewing includes the safety ably close by. You are at greater risk too! Defensive chances of seeing wildlife. Nesting areas, feeding spots of you and the wildlife. Check out the sections on parents can pose a threat to encroaching humans. safety and ethics in this brochure. Getting too close and migration corridors are good areas to check out. • Allow wildlife to eat their natural food. Feeding wildlife to wildlife endangers both yourself and the animal. Check local fi eld guides and natural history books for is dangerous to you and to the animal. Wildlife that Use binoculars, scopes, or telephoto camera lenses to more information become habituated to humans and our food can become “get closer”. • What’s in season? Many species are only present or dangerous and often must be killed. Learn about a more visible at certain times of year. Inquire locally species’ diet by observing wildlife from a distance! or read up on wildlife prior to visiting. Bear Safety • Be considerate of other people. Respect private property, • The right time. Dawn and dusk are peak activity fence lines and allow others the same viewing opportu- times for most wildlife, other than spawning fi sh. Remember, you’re in Bear Country! Grizzly and black nity you have enjoyed. Move along from crowded sites. Mid-day is usually quiet. bears are common throughout the Kootenays. Be sure you are familiar with bear safety techniques before any • Be quiet. Unfamiliar noises will scare off wildlife—car hike or backcountry activity. Th e B.C. Ministry of doors, loud voices, noisy walking. Keep these to Water, Land & Air Protection provides information on a minimum. Quiet clothing will help too—wear staying safe in Bear Country. clothes that don’t rustle. • Patience…staying still for long periods allows wildlife to adapt to your presence. Sit quietly in one spot and watch the magic unfold. Be prepared for a long wait—dress warmly and protect yourself from bugs. • Use “The Edge Effect”. Biologists know that the edge between habitat types has a high diversity of species, for example: marsh edges, fi eld edges, fence- rows, etc. Th ese are good places to fi nd wildlife. • Stay downwind. Many mammals rely on a keen sense of smell. If you are downwind, they are much less likely to know you are nearby. KINBASKET LAKE R od o W Mica Creek B u Colu s h rip igmouth Cr m bi R B a C r Go Reach ld R str eam R Gold R LAKE 13 rry D ebe REVELSTOKE ow la nie B C r . Donald Station 23 T a 18 30 n g i e r R 1 Golden 1 41 17 Kick ing R H t o ae r 93 31 ew se ill c R e Sp 11 ll illa I ma R c C REVELSTOKE he O en Parson L x U 27 The Columbia Wetlands run u R M 36 e B l I p over 120 km from Canal Flats A p UPPER a m to Donald. Visit many spots o ARROW c Brisco In along the river and lakes to R 10 I LAKE D V u r K n C E see a wide variety of wildlife. c s O a nce R 21 n Fra O R 35 T Pi Galena E ng N s 31 A t Bay Radium Hot Springs o Y n Trout C 23 L Palliser r sethief Cr 9 40 R L Hor ard lfway R e Ha au Invermere Windermere R 23 L93 r Duncan Arrow C 28 Lake 95 P ax 14 a ka n Fairmont r 4 us k K Hot Springs r C e r 29 iv Nakusp r ll Cr Columbia L R C Hami 8 R B n W 19 on o hit e anz ls a C i Canal Flats Bar r W y 39 ne 20 31 Fr l a Cr s 22 y Cr nd C Fi Watch for thousands of gulls feeding r 2 K asl L o u Elkford Burton s R r on dead kokanee salmon near Burton s Slocan e ie v 3 C i ampbe r in September. Lake ll umchuck R k R 6 Cr oo 43 Kaslo Sk 33 Fauquier 6 34 Cr KOOTENAY 38 5 R R r LAKE I K Lemo C V o n c 25 Kimberley E n 26 R 7 h a ng Cr l 3 Cr c di ul lo d t. Mary R B S e S ive LOWER R r Fort lk E Balfour J Steele ARROW o CRANBROOK s r e LAKE C p 6 Cottonwood h Fernie Cr G ry NELSON oa r 15 C t e r 37 R P 3 Y r A C N R 93 E 3 Fla g T 3A the o a O G d D O 6 95 K Cr R Cr o Castlegar t e ld ex pe 16 o N Te 24 r lm C e a r 3 v S Kitchener W R r Ri ig C w Brilliant red kokanee salmon ie a 12 Y m m r Creston y o t C o a i o spawn in Kikomun Creek each m h l R Trail um M k 93 R 3 S B 1 32 R September and October.