Category: Nicola Naturalists


TGIF- Christmas bird count

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December 14, 2018
Mallard ducks at Nicola River in Merritt BC       
File Photo KDG

Nicola Naturalists

The Nicola Naturalists Society conducts a Christmas bird count every year here in the Nicola Valley. This years effort is on Sunday December 16th 2018. The 2017 results are on their site: http://www.nicolanaturalists.ca/2018/02/22/merritt-christmas-bird-count-december-2017/

 

You don’t have to be an expert birder to participate in Christmas Bird Counts. Participants spend all or part of the day in a group covering a specific section of the 22-km diameter count circle. It is a great way to get to know the local winter birds and contribute to the world’s longest-running citizen science project. For more details on the Merritt CBC keep checking this website or contact    nicolanaturalists@gmail.com

Source Nicola Naturalists Society



On this Day: December 14th 1960

The UNESCO convention against discrimination   in education is adopted in Paris:

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Nicola Naturalists, Wolfs, Bears and Snakes, Thursday November 15th…

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October 31, 2018

Frank Ritcey is the Provincial Coordinator for WildSafeBC, based in Kamloops. In this presentation he will focus on the public perception of charismatic mega-fauna vs. bugs and snakes, and the challenges in trying to promote the preservation of some of the ‘lower’ creatures on the public’s list of what is important. Expect some pretty cool videos of both the charismatic mega-fauna and some of Frank’s favourite “less desirable” species. Frank was raised in the wilds of Wells Gray Park by his pioneering mother, Clara Ritcey, and Park Biologist father Ralph Ritcey. His love of nature has been with him his whole life and he still spends much time filming and studying nature. Frank often contributes to CBC’s popular North by Northwest show.

The local naturalists society is having there monthly meeting on Thursday, November 15th 2018, NVIT, top of the hill Belshaw avenue in Merritt.

Free parking, no food and drink in lecture theater. All welcome membership or donations available.

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Adult Black Bear Canada October 31 2013 File Photo KDG

 

On this Day: October 31st 2011

Human population reach’s 7 billion

 

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Bats, Nicola Naturalists, October 19th meeting. Mount Mabel wind project.

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September 26, 2018

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Alan Burger and a speaker discuss a presentation, Nicola Naturalists, Merritt BC ,Ca
File Photo KDG

Alternate Energy:

The local Merritt Naturalists are having a presentation on the ecology of bats for their October regular meeting.

Wind turbines generate emission-free electricity. Bats are a sensitive wildlife that can often get killed by wind turbines. This presentation provides insights into the impacts of wind turbines on bats, reviews information on bats in BC, presents the methods for detecting and identifying bat species using echolocation call analysis, and lastly reviews the bat acoustical monitoring program at the future Mount Mabel Wind Project (30 km north of Merritt). Martin Ince, founder and president of MKI Wind Energy and the proponent of the Mount Mabel Wind Project, has been working in the wind-energy industry for over 17 years, as a consultant across Canada and most recently as a wind-project developer in BC.

Meeting time is 7:PM, at the NVIT lecture theater top of the hill on Belshaw avenue, Merritt, BC, Ca. Free parking, no food or drinks in the theater, membership available at the meeting.

On this Day: October 17th 1817

Seti 1’s tomb is found:

 
On this Day: September 26th 1789

The first cabinet is appointed by the first US president. George Washington.

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Nicola Naturalists AGM

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September 12, 2018

 

 

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Alan Burger and a speaker discuss a presentation, Nicola Naturalists, Merritt BC ,Ca File Photo KDG

The Nicola Valley Naturalists are having their AGM and members picture evening on Thursday September 13th.

Evening meetings of the Nicola Naturalist Society are held at 7PM, usually on the third Thursday of the month, in the Lecture Theatre of NVIT (Nicola Valley Institute of Technology) on Belshaw Road, Merritt. Our evening meetings are free to….

The AGM is at the NVIT lecture hall top of the hill Belshaw avenue in Merritt. Free parking no food or beverages in the theater.

All welcome membership or donation requested.

Editors note: The Room changed this AM to NVIT UO 0001, directions are at the entrance of the school..

On this  day for the Nicola Naturalists June 26th 2010:

In glorious sunny weather, the new Nicola Naturalist Society held its first field excursion on Saturday 26 June. Nineteen people turned out to go birding and botanizing, including four visiting naturalists from the U.K. The group explored three areas in … read more

On this Day: September 12th 1959

The first scheduled colour television  program , Bonanza is aired,

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Nicola Naturalists: The Old Man and the Vultures. June 6th

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May 23, 2018

 

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Alan Burger and a speaker discuss a presentation, Nicola Naturalists, Merritt BC ,Ca File Photo KDG

The last presentation meeting of the season is on June 6th for the local naturalist society.Dave Manning a long time observer and natural fan will present on Vulture populations in BC will do the program.

Dave, a senior from Pender Island who’s been birding for 60 years, became hooked on vultures when he stumbled upon a white fuzz ball of a chick peeking from its nest cave. His program on the three vulture species of North America, particularly follows one Turkey Vulture nest from mating to migration. His recently published Turkey Vulture book, same title as this program, will be available for purchase.

Free parking, NVIT top of hill Belshaw avenue in Merritt, start time 7PM, all welcome, membership or donation requested.

On this Day: May 24th 1958

The United Press International is formed.

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The Osprey are back.

Filed under: Environment, Fauna, Fish, Nicola Naturalists by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
April 19, 2018

 

The Highway 8 entrance to Merritt BC has a nesting platform on a hydro pole for the use of Osprey. ( to keep them off the power lines) There were 4 of these birds back  two asserted  preference to the platform over looking the river and an old CPR rail bridge, after circling over the area on Sunday, Tuesday fishing ,Wednesday they were collecting sticks to rebuild the nest.

Two Canada Geese had also been looking over the nest site and the species had raised a brood before in the nest however the nest had been cleared and the geese were not interested and don’t build nests.

The area has the joining of two small rivers and has many birds and creatures including domestic Lamas  behind private property fencing.

 

 

On this Day: April 19th 1927

Mae West, movie star , gets 10 days in jail for  obscenity.

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Salmonids in the Nicola watershed

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January 4, 2018

Alan Burger and a speaker discuss a presentation, Nicola Naturalists, Merritt BC ,Ca File Photo KDG
Otter Nicola River Merritt a good indcator of health File photo KDG

Jessica Urquhart will be presenting on the health of Salmon in the Nicola Watershed at the January 17th meeting of the Nicola Naturalists.
The presentation is at 7PM NVIT lecture theater, at the top of the hill Belshaw avenue in Merritt.

Jessica Urquhart is a Fisheries Technologist with the Nicola Watershed Stewardship and Fisheries Authority (NWSFA), the “fisheries department” of the Nicola Tribal Association. Working with its member communities, as well as private property owners, the NWSFA undertakes an annual program of stock assessment and fish habitat restoration projects in the Nicola Watershed. NWSFA staff interact with other First Nations and DFO to advocate for the protection and restoration of the Nicola Watershed’s fisheries resources. With information provided by the entire NWSFA fisheries team, Jessica will discuss how the team plays an important role in the management of the salmonids of the Nicola Watershed.

Free parking at the school, no drinks or food in the lecture all, the group says that all are welcome, membership or donation requested.

Editors note: this meeting is on a Wednesday against the usual Thursday monthly meeting.

On this Day: January 4rth 1999

Jesse Ventura a professional wrestler becomes governor of Minnesota.

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The Artic

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November 8, 2017

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Alan burger and a speaker discuss a presentation, File Photo KDG

Local naturalist and president of the Nicola Naturist’s will present on the artic at the next meeting on November 16th at the local community college top of the hill Belshaw avenue in Merritt.

 

Nicola Naturalist Society president Alan Burger regularly works as a naturalist/lecturer on a small ecotourist ship in the Arctic and Antarctic. In this presentation he shares his experiences and photos of wildlife and the environment in the High Arctic north of Norway (Svalbard Archipelago) & East Greenland. This area supports high densities of Polar Bears, and thriving populations of Walrus, Muskox, Reindeer, Arctic Fox and more. Plus dramatic glaciers & tundra flora.

 

Free parking at the college, no food of drink in the theater, start time 7PM.
On this Day: November 8th 1889
Montana becomes a US state.

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Nicola Naturlists May presentation meeting.

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May 11, 2017

The Nicola Naturalists meet on the 3rd Thursday of each month. The speaker this month is Joanne Hale. Hale will present on the habitat adaption by Spade Toads on disturbed land.

Jo-Anne Hales is a professional agrologist and the Environmental Specialist for the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc. She is also completing a Master of Science degree in Environmental Science at Thompson Rivers University studying the Great Basin Spadefoot (an amphibian species at risk) on the New Gold – New Afton Mine site. Come and hear about these charismatic little critters.

Programs start at 7 PM in the local college lecture theater, top of the hill on Belshaw avenue in Merritt. No food or drink allowed in the lecture theater. Membership in the Society or donations is requested. Draw for donated prizes go toward scholarship at school.

The Nicola naturalists are a not for profit with an ecological responsible conversation. They have a pronounced interest in migratory birds.

On this Day: May 11th 1792

Captain Robert Gray becomes the first documented European to sail the Columbia River.

 

 

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Butterflies

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March 15, 2017

Visitor to the Nicola Valley
Ran a program with youth
File Photo KDG

Butterflies have  a following  in the Nicola Valley.

The Nicola Naturalists are having their March meeting on Thursday the 16th  . The speaker will be local Bob Scafe and will present butterflies and Moths of the Nicola Valley.

Bob is an active member of the Nicola Naturalists, a keen photographer and a very enthusiastic investigator of  butterflies and moths. Bob’s presentation on this topic was very popular so we’re getting him back with new photos and new information on these colorful insects. Bob’s documentation of our local butterflies and moths is a popular feature of the Nicola Naturalist Society website – .. Come and see great photos and learn about these interesting members of the Nicola Valley area fauna.

Start  time is 7PM at the  NVIT lecture hall, top of the hill Belshaw  Ave. in Merritt BC. Membership or donation requested

On this Day: March 15th 1892

The Liverpool Fo0tball Club is established.

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Once they were Hats ,Frances Backhouse

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February 14, 2017

Beaver

File photo live beaver on the Nicola River.:KDG

The Nicola  Naturalists are having their February meeting on Thursday February 16th and have invited author  and biologist Frances Blackhorse to present.

The evening begins at 7 PM at the NVIT lecture hall, top of the hill on Belshaw Avenue in Merritt. “All welcome membership or donation requested.”

 

Frances Backhouse has published books on a wide range of nature topics, including owls and woodpeckers, and also on historical topics such as the women in the Klondike gold rush. Her latest book examines humanity’s 15,000-year relationship with Castor canadensis, and the beaver’s even older relationship with North American landscapes and ecosystems. This will be a fascinating presentation blending biology and history.

 

 

On this Day: February 14th 1998

Over  hundred people die in a fire caused by one person  trying to salvage fuel from a oil tanker train collision in Cameroon, Central Africa.

 

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Ducks and Ice

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January 18, 2017

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These creatures were at the Highway 8 bridge on Nicola Avenue , Sunday,few skaters among them.

The ducks came to me as if to want to be fed….

Editors Note: the Nicola Naturalists are having their regular monthly meeting on Thursday. The group did a Christmas bird Count in December and their is likely to be a report….

On this Day: January 18th 1670

Henry Morgan captures Panama.

 

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