BC Important Bird & Biodiversity Areas 2017 …...We also translated the Eelgrass brochure to...

BC Important Bird & Biodiversity Areas 2017 Annual ReportsCompiled by Krista Kaptein, IBA Caretaker Network Coordinator, BC Nature

Cormorants and Orca, Chain Islets & Great Chain Island IBA photo by Marilyn Lambert

Chelem Trail Area of the Squamish Estuary IBA photo by Chris Dale

BC IBA Caretaker Annual Reports 2017 1

Table of Contents

1 Active Pass IBA ..................................................................................................... 6

2 Amphitrite and Swiftsure Banks IBA ..................................................................... 6

3 Barkley Sound IBA ….............................................................................................. 6

4 Big Bay South to Delusion Bay IBA …...................................................................... 6

5 Boundary Bay-Roberts Bank-Sturgeon Banks IBA (Fraser River Estuary)................. 6

5.1 Boundary Bay-Roberts Bank-Sturgeon Banks IBA (Fraser River Estuary) 2017 Annual Report (Anne Murray).............................................................................................................................. 6

5.2 Boundary Bay-Roberts Bank-Sturgeon Banks IBA (Fraser River Estuary) 2017 Annual Report (Margaret Cuthbert).................................................................................................................... 6

6 Carmanah Walbran Forest IBA..............................................................................10

7 Cecil Lake IBA ......................................................................................................10 no Caretaker in 2017

8 Chain Islets & Great Chain Island IBA ...................................................................10

8.1 Chain Islets & Great Chain Island IBA 2017 Annual Report ........................................................10

9 Checleset Bay IBA.................................................................................................11

10 Chehalis River Estuary IBA ..................................................................................11

10.1 Chehalis River Estuary IBA 2017 Annual Report ....................................................................... 11

11 Chilcotin Junction IBA ....................................................................................... 13

11.1 Chilcotin Junction IBA 2017 Annual Report ............................................................................. 13

12 Chopaka Customs IBA ........................................................................................ 17

13 Cleland Island & Southeast Clayoquot Sound IBA ............................................... 17

14 Cowichan Estuary IBA ........................................................................................ 17

15 Creston Valley IBA .............................................................................................. 17

15.1 Creston Valley IBA 2017 Annual Report .................................................................................. 17

16 Cumshewa Inlet North to Sheldens Bay ...............................................................17no Caretaker in 2017

17 Desolation Sound IBA.......................................................................................... 17

17.1 Desolation Sound IBA 2017 Annual Report ............................................................................. 17

18 Douglas Lake Plateau IBA .................................................................................... 18


19 English Bay & Burrard Inlet IBA ........................................................................... 18

19.1 English Bay & Burrard Inlet IBA 2017 Annual Report ................................................................18

20 Fraser Lake IBA ................................................................................................... 18

20.1 Fraser Lake IBA 2017 Annual Report .........................................................................................18

21 Greater Vancouver Watershed IBA ...................................................................... 19

22 Hesquiat Lake Area IBA ....................................................................................... 19

22.1 Hesquiat Lake Area IBA 2017 Annual Report ............................................................................19

23 Holden Lake IBA...................................................................................................20no Caretaker in 2017

24 Jervis Inlet/McRae Islet IBA .................................................................................20

24.1 Jervis Inlet/McRae Islet IBA 2017 Annual Report .....................................................................20

25 Kilpoola Lake Area IBA ........................................................................................20

26 Kitkatla Channel, Goschen Island North to Porcher Island IBA..............................20

27 Klaskish River and East Creek Watersheds IBA......................................................20no Caretaker in 2017

28 K’omoks IBA ....................................................................................................... 20

28.1 K’omoks IBA 2017 Annual Report ..............................................................................................20

29 Kotcho Lake IBA................................................................................................... 21 no Caretaker in 2017

30 Laskeek Bay IBA .................................................................................................. 22

30.1 Laskeek Bay IBA 2017 Annual Report ....................................................................................... 22

31 Lawn Point IBA ................................................................................................... 22

32 Little Qualicum Estuary to Nanoose Bay IBA ........................................................22

33 Mandarte Island IBA ........................................................................................... 23

34 McFadden Creek Heronry IBA ............................................................................. 23

35 McIntyre Beach and Rose Spit IBA ...................................................................... 23

36 Megin, Moyeha, Watta and Pretty Girl Watersheds IBA...................................... 23no Caretaker in 2017

37 Mitlenatch Island IBA ......................................................................................... 23

38 Mt. Arrowsmith Area Mountains IBA .................................................................. 23


39 Mussel and Kynoch Inlet and Sheep Passage IBA................................................. 23no Caretaker in 2017

40 Nootka Island Banks IBA..................................................................................... 23

41 Osoyoos Oxbows IBA .......................................................................................... 23

42 Pacific Spirit Regional Park IBA ........................................................................... 24

42.1 Pacific Spirit Regional Park IBA 2017 Annual Report ............................................................... 24

43 Porlier Pass IBA .................................................................................................. 25

44 Seabird Colonies (Environment Canada/Canadian Wildlife Service) ................... 25

45 Sidney Channel IBA ............................................................................................. 25

46 Skidegate Inlet IBA .............................................................................................. 25

47 Skookumchuck Prairie IBA ...................................................................................26

47.1 Skookumchuck Prairie IBA 2017 Annual Report ...................................................................... 26

48 Snake Island IBA ..................................................................................................30

49 Somenos Marsh Wildlife Refuge IBA ....................................................................30

49.1 Somenos Marsh Wildlife Refuge IBA 2017 Annual Report ........................................................30

50 South Thompson River IBA ..................................................................................31

51 Squamish River Estuary IBA ................................................................................ 32

51.1 Squamish River Estuary IBA 2017 Annual Report ..................................................................... 32

52 Strathcona Provincial Park IBA ........................................................................... 33

53 Stuart, Tachie and Middle Rivers IBA ...................................................................33

53.1 Stuart, Tachie and Middle Rivers IBA 2017 Annual Report .......................................................33

54 Summallo River/ Skagit Valley IBA ...................................................................... 33

55 Tachick and Nulki Lakes IBA ................................................................................ 34

55.1 Tachick and Nulki Lakes IBA 2017 Annual Report .................................................................... 34

56 Tofino Mudflats IBA ............................................................................................ 35

57 Vaseux Lake Area IBA .......................................................................................... 34

57.1 Vaseux Lake Area IBA 2017 Annual Report .............................................................................. 34

58 White Islets and Wilson Creek IBA ...................................................................... 36

58.1 White Islets and Wilson Creek IBA 2017 Annual Report .......................................................... 36


59 White Lake Area IBA ............................................................................................37

59.1 White Lake Area IBA 2017 Annual Report ................................................................................ 37


1 Active Pass IBA

2 Amphitrite and Swiftsure Banks IBA

3 Barkley Sound IBA

4 Big Bay South to Delusion Bay IBA

5 Boundary Bay- Roberts Bank -Sturgeon Banks IBA (Fraser River Estuary)

5.1 Boundary Bay-Roberts Bank-Sturgeon Banks IBA (Fraser River Estuary IBA) 2017 Annual Report

IBA Name: Fraser River Estuary Caretaker Name: Anne Murray Date: Feb 5 2018


5.2 Boundary Bay-Roberts Bank-Sturgeon Banks IBA (Fraser River Estuary IBA) 2017 Annual Report

IBA Name: Fraser Delta (Boundary Bay) Caretaker Name: Margaret Cuthbert Date: January 23, 2018


Summary of Site Visits:

Date(s) Description of Monitoring (e.g. Casual, Coastal Waterbird Survey, BBA, CBC, etc.)

Area of IBA Covered (%)

Notes (location monitored, how IBA navigated, etc)

Weekly year round

bird survey done on a weekly basis, volunteer enters to eBird and City of Surrey (Gareth Pugh)

Blackie Spit area, walking

Annually CBC – See Gareth Pugh (FoSBS volunteer) for details

Coordinates the White Rock CBC

CWS and BBA Our volunteers in eastern Boundary Bay are challenged with the new railway fine system and cannot easily access their area any longer, we have lost this section for monitoring regularly this year.

One site per week on a monthly rotation

A Rocha (FoSBS project partner) does the Little Campbell River watershed & estuaryI do not know if these surveys are entered to eBird, possibly – the coordinator is Stan Olsen

• Campbell Valley Regional Park

• Brooksdale Environmental Centre

• Little Campbell Forest trail at LC Hatchery

• Little Campbell Estuary on SFN Reserve

1. Did you enter all of your bird observations into an online database, such as eBird, Coastal Waterbird Survey, Breeding Bird Atlas, etc? Y x N If not, you are welcome to provide us a copy of your observations by completing the Bird Observations Form for each visit (available from http:// bit.ly/IBA-forms ).

I will attached the Blackie Spit weekly survey data in excel

2. Were any IBA trigger species or other species of interest observed this year? Y N x If yes, please summarize.

3. Are you aware of any other datasets or monitoring programs underway for the IBA trigger species or other species of interest? Y N x If yes, please list:

As listed above also please refer to Anne Murray on this. We are working on a new water quality monitoring program as we reinvigourate the Shared Waters Alliance. FoSBS completed 86 hectares of subtidal eelgrass mapping in the fall of 2016 and 2017. Data is available, contact us.

4. Has the land use, ownership and/or conservation status (e.g. management plans, protected areas) of the site changed since your last report? Y x N If yes, please describe.

Surrey has passed their Riparian Bylaw in council in 2017; ongoing development threats from agriculture to industrial/institutional and residential in the Campbell/Hazelmere valley. Semiahmoo First Nation is


http://bit.ly/IBA-forms


planning their coastal flood strategy, road improvements and potential development on the reserve. They are discussing loading the flood plain for development – we are monitoring.

5. Has the habitat of the site changed since your last report? Y x N If yes, please describe.

Little Campbell River flooding is occurring more often with scouring of the estuary and washing out of salmon spawn gravels in the spawning sections of the river. The flooding is also adding more sediment to the river, smothering the salmon reds. Blackie Spit continues to be highly disturbed by human recreation and dogs. The Nicomekl and Serpentine Rivers are also flooding.

6. a. Have any new or potential conservation threats arisen, or existing pressures worsened? Y x N If yes, please describe what , when, where, etc.

Residents continue to fight the City of White Rock adding chloramine (kills fish) to the drinking water (done against public opinion). City of White Rock is developing ‘park and parking near the pier. l. City of Surrey is proposing the now agriculture/rural neighbourhood be rezoned industrial south of 20th Ave against Metro Vancouver’s Regional Plan. Residents are fighting this. Existing disturbance issues continue and with more seadoo usage in Semiahmoo Bay in the summer; ongoing poaching of marine invertebrates; too many busloads of students arriving to the beach in May and June for end of year outings with no understanding of the sensitive habitat or any etiquette. Concern about commercial harvest of Salicornia in the eastern area of the bay.

b. Have any conservation threats lessoned? Y x N If yes, please describe what , when, where, etc.

City of Surrey is protecting some forest, not as much as we requested; the Riparian Bylaw was passed. We defeated the truck park application to rezone but there are numerous rezoning applications – ongoing.

6. Have any conservation actions/activities been undertaken/initiated? Y x N If yes, please describe.

FoSBS continues to complete EDF project goalsand as mentioned, have completed 86 hectares of subtidal eelgrass mapping in the bay; have surveyed the Little Campbell estuary for invasive plants and began removal activities in the fall. Hosted a planting event at Blackie Spit of 64 Garry Oak trees and also 500 trees and shrubs in the Little Campbell Forest Trail. FoSBS continues sampling for forage fish spawn, mapped Spartina anglica in Blackie Spit to facilitate the removal team in the summer of 2017. FoSBS hosted the Shorekeepers training workshop for the public and conducted three marine surveys at three sites. FoSBS community outreach in 2017 included over 12 events promoted in Surrey’s Environmental Extravaganza including World Ocean Day; an eelgrass monitoring workshop; the Beach Hero Marine Interpretive program May thru August which reached over 6050 people directly and distributed over 600 informational materials; the school programs, etc. We translated the Boundary Bay, A Special Place (IBA) brochure from English to Mandarin and are currently having the design changes made with a plan to print if funding is granted. We also translated the Eelgrass brochure to Mandarin as well as the ‘Dangers of Illegal Shellfish Harvesting’ that we distribute during the summer marine interpretive program.

The WRS Naturalists undertook another major cleanup in the Nicomekl estuary in 2017 and FoSBS


conducted two great Canadian Shoreline Cleanups at Blackie Spit, one spring and one fall.

FoSBS continues to host and attend stakeholder meetings concerning the IBA. We also participate with Surrey’s Coastal Flooding Strategy workshops to input on options to address sea level rise.

7. What conservation actions do you feel would help improve conditions for the trigger species?

FoSBS would like to see more government policy around protection and conservation of the fraser / Boundary Bay IBA area. We are working towards these discussions with the province and the South Coast Land Conservation Program stakeholders and the Boundary Bay/fraser R stakeholders.

FoSBS would like to see more resources including funding to conduct the citizen science and educational programs and more government involvement in promoting/marketing appropriate behaviour.

8. How many hours did you (and your partners) spend on Caretaker related duties this year (e.g., travelling, monitoring, reporting, outreach, conservation, etc)? [Note: This info helps us leverage funding for the IBA program.]FoSBS has full time volunteers coordinating and conducting project work and working with other NGO project partners and agency staff who contribute staff release time thus a very conservative estimate of hours would likely be over 3000 hrs. May we include this report in our Annual Report Compendium, which is posted to the BC Nature website? Y x N

9. Please include any other comments about the status of your IBA (e.g. assistance required from IBA partners, boundary or site summary changes required, comments about the report form, other species observed, etc).

I refer these details to Anne Murray and Dr. Mary Taitt FoSBS focuses on the eastern portion of the Boundary Bay IBA though the eelgrass mapping encompasses all of Boundary Bay.

6 Carmanah Walbran Forest IBA

7 Cecil Lake IBA

8 Chain Islets & Great Chain Island IBA

8.1 Chain Islets & Great Chain Island IBA 2017 Annual Report

IBA Name: Chain Islets & Great Chain Island IBA Caretaker Name: Marilyn Lambert Date: 2017 Report

Good news for the reserve in 2017 was the addition of Jacques Sirois as co-caretaker. Jacques is a keen naturalist and has been instrumental in revitalizing the Victoria Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuary, originally established in 1923. Through Jacques’ talks and walks he is raising awareness of the Sanctuary and the


Important Bird Area is included in his message. The IBA is not officially contained within the Sanctuary, but is adjacent to it.

Krista Kaptein arranged to have some IBA signs made and they will be posted at a couple of spots in the islands. As this reserve is also a Provincial Ecological Reserve, we are working with BC Parks to post the IBA signs along with the ER signs. I spent some time out in the islands with Parks folks and we have identified places to put the signs. Hopefully that will happen this year.

I visited the IBA four times this year. Wasn’t able to do a complete gull census, but may have a chance to participate in a survey this year. Pelagic, Brandt’s and Double-crested Cormorants are present all year. The IBA is part of my Christmas Bird Count route when weather permits. We were able to get out this year and spent some time around the islands. One lone, immature Bald Eagle was sitting on Great Chain Island and the smaller islands had all three species of cormorant on them.

Whale watching boats sometimes travel through the IBA/Ecological Reserve to show the nesting birds to their guests. Also, if whales are hunting seals around the islands, the boats will go inside the reserve to get the best view of the whales. BCParks is working on a solution for this issue.

9 Checleset Bay IBA

10 Chehalis River Estuary IBA

10.1 Chehalis River Estuary IBA 2017 Annual Report

IBA Name: Chehalis/Harrison Estuary Caretaker Name: Kathy Stewart Date: January 14, 2018





Year round Walks along shore and by canoe in season

20 % Daily walks along north west edge of the estuary, walks several times a week along south east edge of Harrison Bay area. When water high, canoeing in the northern portion of the estuary to the Harrison River.

1. Did you enter all of your bird observations into an online database, such as eBird, Coastal Waterbird Survey, Breeding Bird Atlas, etc? Y N If not, you are welcome to provide us a copy of your observations by completing the Bird Observations Form for each visit (available from http:// bit.ly/IBA-forms ).

Not all, but do enter quite a few to Ebird….then tend to forget for a while or get overwhelmed by numbers of them.

2. Were any IBA trigger species or other species of interest observed this year? Y N If yes, please summarize.




Trigger species of Bald Eagles – numbers were good this year….over 2,000 counted during the Bald Eagle Festival, however water levels became unseasonably high so food source disappeared, and the birds moved on. Most visible Bald Eagle nest was used, but blew down during a wind storm in October, however the pair have built another nest in an adjacent tree. It looks a bit precarious but will keep track of how it works out.

Trigger species of Trumpeter Swans – over 700 were counted during the CBC. Numbers of Tundra Swans increased again, as has been happening for the last few years, early in the season. At one point in November it seemed there were more Tundra than Trumpeter, but the Tundra tend to move on by about December.

Species of interest: Purple Martin – the colony of Coastal Purple Martin did very well this season, approximately 30 birds counted by time young were fledged. More Martin boxes were put up towards the end of the season and were being checked out immediately so hopes are the colony will really increase in 2018.

Observed that Eastern Kingbird nested in the IBA in 2017 – they have been seen here on occasion but this was the first proof of them nesting here. A small flock of Lazuli Bunting were in the area in mid June so suspect they may have nested, but can’t say for sure. In August, a few Rusty Blackbird were in with a mixed flock of Blackbirds – observed them while canoeing on a branch of the Chehalis River. Confirmation again that Gray Catbird also nested along the shore of the same River.

3. Are you aware of any other datasets or monitoring programs underway for the IBA trigger species or other species of interest? Y N If yes, please list:

4. Has the land use, ownership and/or conservation status (e.g. management plans, protected areas) of the site changed since your last report? Y N If yes, please describe.

In February the provincial government finally declared the northern part of the IBA, which is the actual estuary area, a Wildlife Management Area. Unfortunately, to date, we have no indication of what that might mean, nor has any signage been erected to indicate this to the general public, but the designation is welcome since local people have been pushing for it since the late 1980’s.

5. Has the habitat of the site changed since your last report? Y N If yes, please describe.

6. Have any new or potential conservation threats arisen, or existing pressures worsened? Y N If yes, please describe what , when, where, etc. Hasn’t really changed except that perhaps there is even more pressure on the area during the high-water season as more and more people in the area are kayaking, but can’t say it has actually caused any problems. There are also a lot more jet boats in the area which are not always being driven responsibly.

b. Have any conservation threats lessoned? Y N If yes, please describe what , when, where, etc.

Being declared a Wildlife Management area should lesson threats, although as already indicated, we


haven’t any confirmation of just what it all means

7. Have any conservation actions/activities been undertaken/initiated? Y N If yes, please describe.

Not really conservation but the FVRD has started creating a walking path. So far it is only along the side of Morris Valley Road but there are plans to expand it. Hopefully that might stop people from walking in places they shouldn’t.


A law prohibiting the cutting of any trees over 10 inches or so in diameter, in the entire FVRD!!! Including on privately owned lots. The number of mature trees lost in just the complex that I live in, in the past year, has been criminal and we have no way of stopping it.

Water craft: Speed limits or no motors at all allowed, anywhere other than the main channel of the Harrison River.

9. How many hours did you (and your partners) spend on Caretaker related duties this year (e.g., travelling, monitoring, reporting, outreach, conservation, etc)? [Note: This info helps us leverage funding for the IBA program.]

Probably works out to an hour a day if considering it year-round. Walk and observe for at least an hour, usually closer to two in total, pretty much every day we are here although we tend to not be in the area for 2 or 3 months total out of a year. Report observations on my blog (Kathy’s Korner IBA) every few days when here, as long as there is something to report and also try to send counts to Ebird. Participate in things like Project Feederwatch and the Backyard Bird Count and occasionally try to educate a few people in the area.

10. May we include this report in our Annual Report Compendium, which is posted to the BC Nature website? Y N


The status remains unchanged, the area is basically in pretty good shape. Think the IBA crest that was sent out will help in making people think the area is more ‘official’. Plan find a suitable vest to attach it to and then to wear it in area as often as possible.

11 Chilcotin Junction IBA

11.1 Chilcotin Junction IBA 2017 Annual Report

IBA Name: Chilcotin Junction Caretaker Name: Cathy Koot Date: 7 January 2018






April 21 Casual visit, John Woods: eBird <1 Farwell Canyon to top of switchbacks N&S of Chilcotin R.

April 23 Casual visit, Carolyn Shores: eBird <1 Farwell Canyon

May 6 Casual visit, Phil Ranson: eBird <1 Sheep Creek Bridge over Fraser (Hwy 20)

May 14 Casual visit, Sandy Proulx: eBird <1 Hwy20 W of Fraser from Sheep Cr. Bridge to plateau

June 4 BBS, Cathy Koot: Route 045-Williams Lake, 13 stops of route are in IBA

<5 11 long-billed curlew encountered during survey along east side of Fraser River

June 10 FLOW survey, Lubna Khan, Sean Donahue: BCF_English in BC Nocturnal Owl Survey

<5 2 Flammulated owl; 1 common nighthawk; 2common poorwill; 1 great-horned owl

June 11 FLOW survy, Lubna Khan, Sean Donahue: BCF_Moon in BC Nocturnal Owl Survey

<5 2 Flammulated owl; 1 common nighthawk; 2 common poorwill; 1 northern saw-whet owl

June 13 FLOW survey, Verena and Ron Reznicek: BCF_Meldrum in BC Nocturnal Owl Survey

<5 2 Flammulated owl; 4 common nighthawk; 0 common poorwill

June 9 FLOW survey, Cathy Koot: BCF_Meldrum South” in BC Nocturnal Owl Survey

<5 0 Flammulated owl; 5 common nighthawk (incl. 1 roadkill); 0 common poorwill; 2 barred owl; 1 northern saw-whet owl

June 16 Casual visit, John Gordon: eBird <1 Williams Lake River Valley Trail (Lower end)

June 18 Casual visit, Cathy Koot: eBird <5 Chilcotin Junction PP. Zero Flammulated owl on night of June 17 t sites awhere they were encountered in 2016.

July 3 Casual visit, Sandy Proulx: eBird <1 Williams Lake--Hwy 20 @ Fraser R.

Oct. 29 Casual visit, Cathy Koot: eBird <1 Sheep Creek Bridge over Fraser (Hwy 20)

Dec. 16 Casual visit, Cathy Koot <2 Cross-country hike from top of bench on south side Chilcotin R. down to the homestead near the Farwell bridge


1. Did you enter all of your bird observations into an online database, such as eBird, Coastal Waterbird Survey, Breeding Bird Atlas, etc? Yx N If not, you are welcome to provide us a copy of your observations by completing the Bird Observations Form for each visit (available from http:// bit.ly/IBA-forms ).

Reports are in eBird, B.C. Nocturnal Owls Survey (BSC), and Breeding Bird Survey. Observations of species surveyed in the Nocturnal Owl Survey plus incidental nocturnal observations are also plotted in a GIS geodatabase maintained by the caretaker.

2. Were any IBA trigger species or other species of interest observed this year? Y x N If yes, please summarize.

See table above for summary of Flammulated Owl surveys. The Fraser West route remains inaccessible to both trucks and ATVs (due to abuse by off-road users).

3. Are you aware of any other datasets or monitoring programs underway for the IBA trigger species or other species of interest? Yx N If yes, please list:

FLNROR is continuing surveys at sharp-tailed grouse leks in the Junction Sheep Range PP grasslands with two visits per year to each known location.

4. Has the land use, ownership and/or conservation status (e.g. management plans, protected areas) of the site changed since your last report? Y N x If yes, please describe.

5. Has the habitat of the site changed since your last report? Y x N If yes, please describe.

Wildfire occurred across sections of the IBA as part of the many and extensive lightning-caused fires that started in the Cariboo-Chilcotin in July of 2017. Two pdf maps of the burn perimeters were acquired from BC Wildfire Service and are on file. Fire severity ranged from low to high. Where fire occurred on south- and west-facing slopes of the Fraser and Chilcotin Rivers where Douglas-fir trees were already experiencing mortality or senescence due to drought and Douglas-fir beetle infestation (e.g. in Fraser Breaks Provincial Park and Farwell Canyon, Hanceville Canyon), it is possible that grass will be the next dominant vegetation cover and the sites may remain more open than they have been in recent history. As long as nesting cavities remain available, this reduction of live forest cover may have a neutral or beneficial impact on flammulated owl habitat.




6. a. Have any new or potential conservation threats arisen, or existing pressures worsened? Y x N If yes, please describe what , when, where, etc.

Around 5000 mature/old Douglas-fir trees have been identified as being infested with Douglas-fir bark beetle in the entire Flat Rock Block of the Williams Lake Community Forest and are scheduled for sanitation harvest. An estimated 1000 of these may be within the IBA. While part of the goal of sanitation harvesting is to try to reduce the beetle population and therefore reduce the rate of old trees being killed, it has the potential to affect current/future cavity nest sites for Flammulated Owl. A considerable portion of the IBA at Flat Rock falls within Old Grown Management Areas. Increased death of large Douglas-fir due to a high population of bark beetles is occurring throughout the IBA. The beetle population is expected to increase as a function of the abundance of fire-stressed Douglas-fir on the landscape, which favours the beetle.

The over-abundance of sub-merchantable Douglas-fir stems in the as yet unburned dry forests in the IBA and adjacent forests can serve as ladder fuels that can carry fire from the forest floor into the canopy and lead to stand-replacing fires. Without pre-commercial thinning, these forests are very vulnerable to severe wildfire, which could negatively affect flammulated owl habitat if a large area of the habitat is burned in a short time frame.

b. Have any conservation threats lessoned? Y x N If yes, please describe what, when, where, etc.

Western Spruce Budworm populations remain low in the area. As such, there is little risk of loss from this forest insect to living Douglas-fir trees in which Flammulated Owls use for nesting and foraging. Regional Entomologist, Lorraine Maclaughlan, says the following:

Although we have detected some spotty populations of western spruce budworm throughout the Cariboo and Thompson Okanagan Regions in 2017 the population is still fairly low. I am anticipating increased populations in 2018 but we have no plans for any spray programs in 2018. Maybe in 2019 we might consider some control but that will be contingent upon populations we find this summer.

7. Have any conservation actions/activities been undertaken/initiated? Y x N If yes, please describe.

Fuel-reduction and fire break creation has begun on parts of the Flat Rock Block of the Williams Lake Community Forest, closest to the City of Williams Lake.


Widespread fuel reduction activities would decrease the probability of stand-replacing (high severity) wildfire in treed portions of the IBA. Flammulated owl habitat exists where the historical fire regime included frequent, low to moderate severity fires.



Travel 20Monitoring 60 Data Management 20Reporting 6Total 106

10. May we include this report in our Annual Report Compendium, which is posted to the BC Nature website? Y x N


12 Chopaka Customs IBA

13 Cleland Island & Southeast Clayoquot Sound IBA

14 Cowichan Estuary IBA

15 Creston Valley IBA

15.1 Creston Valley IBA 2017 Annual Report

Email from Marc-Andre Beaucher, March 27, 2018:

There are no major changes to our area other than the fact that we have closed our interpretive centre. However, the education programs are being picked up by a Society and will continue to be offered for the coming 5 years for sure.

In terms of volunteer hours…I am not aware of any specific activities that were conducted to improve the IBA, unfortunately. That’s where a more coordinated approach is needed for our valley. Ideally, we should develop some objectives and schedule. I also wonder if the IBA was made too large, e.g. practically the entire valley bottom. Aren’t most IBA specific conservation lands? It’s easier to put out IBA information on CVWMA (e.g. signs, etc)…but not so anywhere else.

It would be nice to promote the IBA Program at the Creston Bird Fest in May (if not this year, next year).

I would be really interested in having one of the large IBA signs made for our area. We have had 4 done on invasive species in the past two years and they are looking very nice! We could use 3 signs, one for Duck Lake, one for Leach Lake and one for Corn Creek.

16 Cumshewa Inlet North to Sheldens Bay no Caretaker in 2017


17 Desolation Sound IBA

Email from Keith Riding, March 19, 2018:

I wasn’t able to visit my sites in 2017. My IBAs are mostly islands.I usually try to visit McRae Islet (near Jervis Inlet) on the way to Desolation sound. I have to do this by boat and I try to tally all the birds that I can see on and around these places. I had the use of someone’s boat until last year. She was working in Ireland and had asked my wife and I to look after her boat which is kept here in Vancouver. However, last year she needed the boat during the time that we usually went to Desolation Sound (September). The other IBA area we were doing was The Duke of Edinburgh Ecological Reserve, a series of islands out of Port Hardy. It cost $1000 each year to hire a fishing boat to take us out for the day. We would fish after doing the survey. Last year, we couldn’t seem to find the time, partly because I went to Peru for the month of August, which was the time we usually went to Port Hardy.

18 Douglas Lake Plateau IBA

19 English Bay & Burrard Inlet IBA

19.1 English Bay & Burrard Inlet IBA 2017 Annual Report

Email from Vanessa Sadler, Jan 15, 2018:

• We’ve started participating in the Coastal Waterbird Surveys again (just did our first survey today!). We are surveying the western portion of the Park, from Siwash Rock to Second Beach. We will be doing these surveys monthly.

• BCIT conducts weekly waterfowl surveys in the fall and winter. They survey the entire seawall and focus on Barrow’s goldeneye, surf scoter, and western grebe. They have conducted these surveys almost every year since 1998.

• Stanley Park Ecology Society leads an annual winter seawall survey in November. These have been conducted annually since 2008.

20 Fraser Lake IBA

20.1 Fraser Lake IBA 2017 Annual Report

Email from Wayne Ray, March 20, 2018:

In 2017 the migrating Trumpeter swans began to arrive in the Nechako Valley around the 15th of March with a few small groups flying around.Approximately 100 of the swans that wintered in the local area were in the Nautley and Stellaquo Rivers and where there was open water at both ends of Fraser Lake.

On March 17th 2017 I observed 20 swans at Little Valley Farms along Highway 16 just west of Vanderhoof.(March 17, 2018 there were approximately 1,000 in the same field)On March 21 2017 there were approximately 750 Trumpeter Swans and 200 Canada Geese just west of Erickson


Feedlot, and approximately 75 at the Vanderhoof Airport.On March 22 2017 there were about 1,500 Trumpeter Swans in a grain field west of Erickson Feedlot and approximately 400 at Little Valley Farms.On March 23 2017 there were about 500 swans around the Vanderhoof Airport, Erickson Feedlot and scattered around on grain fields around Vanderhoof.

There were between 10 and 50 Trumpeter Swans on the Nechako River by Fort Fraser each day from the time the ice went out, March 20th until about the 10th of April.

By about April 10th most of the swans had gone.

On June 10th 2017 I observed one Trumpeter Swan on First Lake (a large pond with cattails and bull rushes in a few places along the shore) south of Fort Fraser and on September 9th there were a pair of Trumpeter Swans there, possibly they had attempted, but were unsuccessful at nesting there.

On October 14th there were 13 Trumpeter Swans on the Stellaquo River at the west end of Fraser Lake, but I did not observe any on Fraser Lake or on the Nautley River at the east end of Fraser Lake.

On November 6th there were approximately 250 Trumpeter Swans and 20 American Widgeons by White Swan Park on Fraser Lake. I observed 6 swans on the Nautley River above the bridge.

On November 21st there were 74 Trumpeter Swans and 6 American Widgeons at White Swan Park on Fraser Lake. The lake was mostly froze over and was completely froze by November 28th 2017.

A few swans were observed on the open water of the Stelaquo and Nautley Rivers during the winter, but I did not observe as many flying over our farm during the winter, possibly due to the extreme cold and deep snow had caused the Nechako River to freeze over to the south of our place, where it is usually open.

I did not observe as many juvenile swans this fall as the previous year, but some adult pairs were accompanied by 2 or three young swans, while other pairs had none.

We still have about three feet of snow on the ground and the swans are landing on snow covered grain fields, but are only able to find feed where cattle have been fed during the winter.Last year was an early spring, but this year is going to be late, however the birds seem to be arriving at a normal time.

21 Greater Vancouver Watershed IBA

22 Hesquiat Lake Area IBA

22.1 Hesquiat Lake Area IBA 2017 Annual Report

Email from Diane Ignace, March 19, 2018:

No change in Hesquiat IBA only difference was geese flew past us last fall and herring are spawning here so lots of gulls and ducks here.


23 Holden Lake IBAno Caretaker in 2017

24 Jervis Inlet/McRae Islet IBA

24.1 Jervis Inlet/McRae Islet IBA 2017 Annual Report

Email from Keith Riding, March 19, 2018:

I wasn’t able to visit my sites in 2017. My IBAs are mostly islands.I usually try to visit McRae Islet (near Jervis Inlet) on the way to Desolation sound. I have to do this by boat and I try to tally all the birds that I can see on and around these places. I had the use of someone’s boat until last year. She was working in Ireland and had asked my wife and I to look after her boat which is kept here in Vancouver. However, last year she needed the boat during the time that we usually went to Desolation Sound (September).

The other IBA area we were doing was The Duke of Edinburgh Ecological Reserve, a series of islands out of Port Hardy. It cost $1000 each year to hire a fishing boat to take us out for the day. We would fish after doing the survey. Last year, we couldn’t seem to find the time, partly because I went to Peru for the month of August, which was the time we usually went to Port Hardy.

25 Kilpoola Lake Area IBA

26 Kitkatla Channel , Goschen Island North to Porcher Island IBAs

27 Klaskish River and East Creek Watersheds IBAno Caretaker in 2017

28 K'omoks IBA

28.1 K'omoks IBA 2017 Annual Report

IBA Name: K'omoks Caretaker Name: Art Martell Date: 4 December 2017





Many throughout the year

BBS, eBird, Coastal Waterbird Surveys, Beached Bird Surveys, three CBCs, Comox Spring Bird Count, Swan Counts, CVN Birders walks/Field Trips

80+% Multiple locations

1. Did you enter all of your bird observations into an online database, such as eBird, Coastal Waterbird Survey, Breeding Bird Atlas, etc? Y N If not, you are welcome to provide us a copy of your observations by completing


the Bird Observations Form for each visit (available from http://bit.ly/IBA-forms).


3. Are you aware of any other datasets or monitoring programs underway for the IBA trigger species or other species of interest? Y N If yes, please list: CWS radio tags on Harlequins



6. a. Have any new or potential conservation threats arisen, or existing pressures worsened? Y N If yes, please describe what, when, where, etc. b. Have any conservation threats lessoned? Y N If yes, please describe what, when, where, etc.


Ongoing programs for re-establishment of Saltmarsh and Eelgrass (K’omoks Estuary, Project Watershed) and Bull Kelp (K’omoks Estuary, Point Holmes & Hornby Island). Planning continues for restoration of Comox Slough-Mallard Creek-Glen Urquhart Creek by Project Watershed and Ducks Unlimited Canada. IBA Local Action Fund project (Gosling Foundation, BC Nature) begun to engage K’omoks Guardian Watchmen in IBA monitoring. Conservancy Hornby Island initiates Hornby Island Marine Conservation Initiative and publishes Marine Conservation Atlas.


Reduction in harvest of Herring, reduced hardening of shorelines (green-shores),


Unknown, but estimated 1000+ hrs.

10. May we include this report in our Annual Report Compendium, which is posted to the BC Nature website? Y N 11. Please include any other comments about the status of your IBA (e.g. assistance required from IBA partners, boundary or site summary changes required, comments about the report form, other species observed, etc.)

29 Kotcho Lake IBAno Caretaker in 2017


30 Laskeek Bay IBA

30.1 Laskeek Bay IBA 2017 Annual Report

East Limestone Field Station, Field Season Report 2017:

This was the Laskeek Bay Conservation Society’s 28th field season on East Limestone Island, Laskeek Bay, Haida Gwaii. The season ran from 4 May to 22 July, bringing 34 volunteers and 2 student interns to the island, and 134 visitors including 31 students and 10 teachers/chaperones who came with Project Limestone.

Ancient Murrelet chick departures were very low again, similar to last year, and again started much later than normal, on the night of 16 May. We used a combination of manual capture and remote cameras to monitor all Cabin Cove funnels this year. A total of 28 chicks were manually captured or photographed in the Cabin Cove funnels during the standard monitoring time. An additional 4 chicks were photographed after this time, between 03:00 and 04:30 in the morning. Seven chicks were recorded on camera in North Cove. Adult Ancient Murrelet activity again seemed low this season, similar to last year. We conducted a census of the Ancient Murrelet colony in collaboration with the Canadian Wildlife Service to get a better understanding of the population overall. No raccoons were detected on the island during shoreline surveys in early February, or on remote baited cameras used throughout the field season.

Black Oystercatcher surveys were conducted only in Laskeek Bay this year, and 17 chicks were banded. The oldest documented black oystercatcher is now at least 19 years old, and is still breeding.

Glaucous-winged Gull censuses were conducted at 3 colonies in Laskeek Bay and 233 active nests were found.

The Pigeon Guillemot nestbox project was modified this season and remote cameras were used to evaluate why eggs are being abandoned in the boxes. Otters predation seems to be the most likely cause.

There were 3 Cassin’s Auklet chicks that were measured and weighed in nestboxes; 1 died before fledging. Four nearshore sea surveys were completed and Marbled Murrelet counts were lower than the past few years.

One Hecate Strait sea survey was completed. Marine mammal sightings included 22 humpbacks, 2 minke whales, 2 grey whales, 14 harbour porpoises and 10 sightings of groups of killer whales.

Fifteen wildlife trees were active, containing 16 nests. A Common Raven nest, two Bald Eagle nests, and the Peregrine Falcon nest were active. The eagles seemed to be unsuccessful this season. We focused our invasive plant removal efforts on East Limestone this season, and removed many large patches of thistles. A new introduced plant was identified this year, sticky chickweed (Cerastium glomeratum). We continued to monitor deer on East Limestone, and we set up a small experiment to see if squirrels will predate on large eggs (eg. murrelet eggs). Marine debris was documented and removed from three beaches on Louise Island and one on East Limestone, as well as removed from parts of South Low and the Skedans Islands.

31 Lawn Point IBA

32 Little Qualicum Estuary to Nanoose Bay IBA


33 Mandarte Island IBA

34 McFadden Creek Heronry IBA

35 McIntyre Beach and Rose Spit IBA

36 Megin, Moyeha, Watta and Pretty Girl Watersheds IBAno Caretaker in 2017

37 Mitlenatch Island IBA

38 Mt. Arrowsmith Area Mountains IBA

39 Mussel and Kynoch Inlet and Sheep Passage IBAno Caretaker in 2017

40 Nootka Island Banks IBA

41 Osoyoos Oxbows IBA


42 Pacific Spirit Regional Park IBA

42.1 Pacific Spirit Regional Park IBA 2017 Annual Report

IBA Name: Pacific Spirit Regional Park

Caretaker Name: June Ryder Date: 2016 Report



43 Porlier Pass IBA

44 Seabird Colonies (Environment Canada/Canadian Wildlife Service)

45 Sidney Channel IBA


46 Skidegate Inlet IBA

47 Skookumchuck Prairie IBA

47.1 Skookumchuck Prairie IBA 2017 Annual Report

IBA Name: Skookumchuck Prairie Caretaker Name: Dianne Cooper Date: 02-Feb-2018


1. Did you enter all of your bird observations into an online database, such as eBird, Coastal Waterbird Survey, Breeding Bird Atlas, etc.? Y If not, you are welcome to provide us a copy of your observations by completing the Bird Observations Form for each visit (available from http:// bit.ly/IBA-forms ).

I also was successful at submitting my Lewis’ Woodpecker nest occurrence documentation to the Provincial Wildlife Species Inventory database.

Also, I was part of the team of the Glossy Ibasses which conducted the Great Canadian Birdathon in the Skookumchuck Prairie IBA. We got 86 species, I think.

2. Were any IBA trigger species or other species of interest observed this year? Y If yes, please summarize.

Curlew were first detected the end of March and Lewis’ Woodpecker the second week of May.

Satellite tagging of 7 curlew was successful. See End of Season Report by C. Naumann (request a copy).

Nest finding and wildlife tree documentation for Lewis’ Woodpecker revealed the IBA has a significant population with 18 nests and 5 territories found along the 23 km survey route. The density is roughly one nest per kilometer. Only 14% of possible Lewis’ Woodpecker habitat on Skookumchuck Prairie proper was surveyed. Extrapolating this density to the 1,200 ha of suitable habitat results in the potential for 156 nests on the Prairie. See End of Season Report by D. Cooper (request a copy).

Twenty-four people contributed sightings of species-at-risk in the IBA to eBird last year. Altogether, 38 people reported sightings of species of interest, not necessarily in the IBA. Sixteen of the IBA reporters were members of the Rocky Mountain Naturalists (RMN); 7 were aware of the Curlew project; 3 were professionals involved in the Curlew project. In addition, five other RMNats were involved in recovery of a satellite transmitter and several land owners reported incidental sightings personally.

See below for species highlights list for 2017.




2. other species: species highlights list:Taxon CommentWood Duck small numbers in the IBABlue-winged Teal small numbers in the IBACinnamon Teal small numbers in the IBAGreater Scaup rareRuffed Grouse not always detectedGreat Horned Owl a family likely responsible for death of Curlew “Kimberley”Common Nighthawk regular but sparseVaux's Swift extremely rare in IBA, must watch for them moreBlack-backed Woodpecker rareNorthern Shrike rare winter visitorBarn Swallow variable numbers, lower than normalCliff Swallow learned from other’s eBird sightings they are under Skookumchuck BridgeBrown Creeper many in the East Kootenay this winterHouse Wren seems to be expanding in the IBA and the area within the last couple of yearsAmerican Dipper not often detected along the river because it is obscured by treesVeery rareLincoln's Sparrow seemingly increasingBlack-headed Grosbeak rareBobolink rareGray-crowned Rosy-Finch winterCommon Redpoll winterRed Crossbill a good number of sightings in the IBA but scarce in the area the next winter

3. Are you aware of any other datasets or monitoring programs underway for the IBA trigger species or other species of interest? Y If yes, please list:

I ran into a BC government forester from Nelson surveying for crown rot in pine trees on the Prairie.David Bradley of Bird Studies Canada, et. al. were finding nests and tagging Long-billed Curlew.

4. Has the land use, ownership and/or conservation status (e.g. management plans, protected areas) of the site changed since your last report? N If yes, please describe.

Not that I am aware of.

5. Has the habitat of the site changed since your last report? N If yes, please describe.

No major changes although the farmers of Lantz’ Farm planted more field area in market crops this year. Also, it was very dry later on this year.


6. a. Have any new or potential conservation threats arisen, or existing pressures worsened? N If yes, please describe what , when, where, etc.

Off-road vehicle damage on Reed Pasture above the end of Moan Road was noticeable this year. It is likely that disturbances in this field during courtship prevented Curlews nesting there this year because, although Curlews were observed there earlier in the season, none were apparent at the time when chicks were out in other areas. A human family on motorcycles were observed on-road; it is nice to see a family out doing things together but later in the year, motorcycle track were observed on the field; whether it was them or not, I do not know.

Larger vehicle tracks adjacent to existing tracks were documented with the BCWF app: “BCWF Report Poachers and Polluter IOS App” but I have not aware of any actions resulting from this report and I don’t know if the app is still maintained or where these reports go.

b. Have any conservation threats lessoned? N If yes, please describe what , when, where, etc.

The Crown land leases for investigating the feasibility of solar power generation facilities are still within their lease period. No solar monitoring equipment was personally observed on the IBA. I have been informed by the Land Office that information about proponents’ activities must be obtained through the “Freedom of Information” process. I hope to make a request soon.

7. Have any conservation actions/activities been undertaken/initiated? N If yes, please describe.

The Regional District of East Kootenay attempted to implement bylaws requiring private land owners apply for special permits for certain developments which could have environmental impacts, such as proximity to riparian values. These bylaws were shelved apparently due to inaccurate mapping of environmentally sensitive land. These inaccuracies would have, in land owners’ opinions, resulted in permits being required where they should not be.


A complete survey of Lewis’ Woodpecker nest occurrences and wildlife trees should be done by provincial or federal agencies. Official point count locations for LEWO on the centre road of the Prairie should be added to the formal surveys routes administered by Canadian Wildlife Service (or existing point count locations moved).

Documentation of the efficacy and results of habitat enhancement and restoration treatments conducted in the past on the Prairie should be done by Provincial agencies responsible or solicited to graduate students of secondary education institutions.

The process of proposing the donation of a private parcel adjacent to Foster Pasture (above the end of Green Road) to Nature Conservancy could be started. I will try to remember to try to recruit a co-ordinator for this from the RMN membership or start this myself later this year.

Treatments for invasive plant species should be done on crown and private land adjacent to the Prairie and


other patches of grassland.

Interpretive and boundary signage regarding the IBA, grassland habitat, and off-road vehicle prohibitions will be erected this year.

An eBird IBA protocol survey sponsored by the BCFO may help to further document Lewis’ Woodpecker and other species, and raise awareness of the ecological value of this IBA. This could be organized and funded for the spring of 2019. Perhaps ATVs can be borrowed or rented for older people.

I am co-leading a field trip for Wings Over the Rockies this spring with Randy Harris, who was previously with the Rocky Mountain Trench Ecosystem Restoration Program. We will be highlighting restoration work and Lewis’ Woodpeckers.

I hope to write some articles about the IBA for the Tri-village Buzz, a newsletter of the Wasa Lake Land Improvement District.

I hope to take botanists out to the IBA to document plants using iNaturalist. I have already uploaded some plant and insect photos to that website in the hopes that someone will help me identify them. I may have a positive identification for Nevada Bumblebee.

I hope to update the IBA display board with Curlew and Woodpecker information and present it at the local Science Fair, which I did for the first time last year.

I will be writing a letter for input on revitalization of the Agricultural Land Commission and Reserve initiative of the BC government.

I will be writing letters to proponents and the Ktunaxa to inform them of the Lewis’ Woodpecker data and Curlew project.

I continue to communicate with representatives of other stakeholder groups concerned about the solar issue.

I may still pursue the proposition of several Wildlife Habitat Areas covering known Lewis’ Woodpecker and wildlife trees, although I have learned that that program is mostly for regulating timber harvest activities – which are not likely to occur on the IBA in the near future.

9. How many hours did you (and your partners) spend on Caretaker related duties this year (e.g., travelling, monitoring, reporting, outreach, conservation, etc.)? [Note: This info helps us leverage funding for the IBA program.]

See belowSite visit hours = 99other hours: other areas for tagged curlews, outreach, issues, other activities = 246Travel to and from the IBA = 44

10. May we include this report in our Annual Report Compendium, which is posted to the BC Nature website? Y

11. Please include any other comments about the status of your IBA (e.g. assistance required from IBA partners, boundary or site summary changes required, comments about the report form, other species observed, etc.).


Visible activity and land-owner contact by the Curlew banding crew resulted in engagement and awareness of a few local residents. One land owner witnessed Curlew banding and several residents reported Curlew sightings. Residents talked about the Curlews with counters doing the Christmas Bird Count and with myself when I attended a local community event.

We are hoping that the four Curlews with currently active transmitters that are in California at present will return in the spring.

48 Snake Island IBA

49 Somenos Marsh Wildlife Refuge IBA

49.1 Somenos Marsh Wildlife Refuge IBA 2017 Annual Report

IBA Name: Somenos Marsh Caretaker Name: Paul Fletcher Date: Jan 17/2018


50 South Thompson River IBA


51 Squamish River Area IBA

51.1 Squamish River Area IBA 2017 Annual Report

IBA Name: Squamish River Area IBA Caretaker Name: John Buchanan, Chris Dale Date: 2017 Report

Site MonitoringA monthly bird census of the Squamish River Estuary has been carried out on the second Sunday of each month since 1991 and the data has been sent to Bird Studies Canada and E-Bird Canada. Derek Sutton and Dave Lassmann have kept a master list of all the birds seen during the monthly counts since 1991. A checklist of birds seen in the Squamish Estuary, was compiled by Jim Wisnia in the mid 1990s and updated in 2007 and 2012 by Karl Ricker. Total bird species seen in the Squamish IBA since 1991 now is 256.There were 198 species reported to e-Bird by multiple observers for the Squamish River IBA during 2017. I was able to visit various locations in the Squamish IBA 220 times ( mostly the Squamish Estuary ) and submitted reports to e-Bird.

Purple MartinsThe Purple Martin nest boxes installed last year by John Buchanan and Vanessa Isnardy were well used although they are mounted so far out in the Central Channel it is hard to monitor them in order to determine how successful the nesting season was. Plans are for more boxes to be installed on more of the pilings in the Central Channel for the 2018 nesting season.

Bald EaglesThe numbers of Bald Eagles were up slightly this year during the December Squamish Christmas Bird Count with 730 eagles seen. During the Annual Eagle Count held two weeks later 926 were counted. The numbers were higher earlier in November but high water in the rivers washed the salmon carcass out just before the count.

Quest University ProjectProfessor Kimberly Dawe of Quest University is using the data from the monthly estuary bird counts to look for trends in bird populations dating back to 1991 when the regular estuary monthly counts started.The spring and fall migrations were good for adding new birds to the Squamish IBA List.New birds seen in the area during 2017 were: Tufted Duck, Wandering Tattler, American White Pelican and House Wren.

Other Interesting birds seen in the Squamish IBA during 2017Tundra Swan Bank SwallowMountain Chickadee Swainson’s HawkChipping Sparrow Northern WaterthrushAmerican Tree Sparrow Swainson’s HawkGray-crowned Rosy-finch Horned LarkRusty Blackbird Baird’s SandpiperClark’s Nutcracker Long-tailed DuckGolden Eagle


52 Strathcona Provincial Park IBA

53 Stuart, Tachie & Middle Rivers IBA

53.1 Stuart, Tachie & Middle Rivers IBA 2017 Annual Report

Email from Joanne Vinnedge Jan. 15, 2018:

Randy Rawluk and I did the swan count yesterday (Jan 14, 2018) on a bit of the Stuart River and here are results:

we were able to observe 3.5 km of river. 1.75 hrs.

trumpeter swan - 200 (35 imm)mallard - 101common goldeneye - 47bufflehead - 1common merganser - 1bald eagle - 1

That bald eagle had a really scruffy head as it was developing a white head. Had a racoon face. Quite funny looking. Not sure if Laird recalls seeing that one.

Foggy here with a bit of freezing drizzle but not too bad.

We had even more on CBC day. It had been quite cold and the river has tightened up. They do gather at the lake outlets when that happens. I've got the CBC data entered...Then we head to Whitehorse to help with the last week of the Yukon Quest and when I get back I'll do up some paperwork ... And perhaps we can talk about that extension to the IBA, as well as perhaps a grant application for some aviation fuel. Dave van Dolah will fly the rivers for us again this year.

54 Summallo River/Skagit Valley IBA


55 Tachick and Nulki Lakes IBA

55.1 Tachick and Nulki Lakes IBA 2017 Annual Report

IBA Name: Tachick and Nulki Lakes Caretaker Name: Nancy Krueger 2017 Report



56 Tofino Mudflats IBA


57 Vaseux Lake Area IBA

57.1 Vaseux Lake Area IBA 2017 Annual Report

IBA Name: Vaseux Caretaker Name: Eva Durance Date: Jan. 23, 2018





July 9, 2017

General bird survey 1%? NE boundary of IBA; 2 hrs, 7 km from Hwy 97 along Weyerheuser and Allendale Rd. from Okanagan Falls; drive with frequent stops and walking; covering area not usually well birded

July 11 General bird survey 1%? West dike from n. boundary of IBA to south end of lake return; 4 hrs, approx. 10 km; also area not heavily birded except CBC; access restricted

July 31-Oct. 9

1 day/week census at Vaseux Banding Station

1. Did you enter all of your bird observations into an online database, such as eBird, Coastal Waterbird Survey, Breeding Bird Atlas, etc? Y N If not, you are welcome to provide us a copy of your observations by completing the Bird Observations Form for each visit (available from http:// bit.ly/IBA-forms ).


Peregrine Falcon – breeding pair on west side of lake; seen regularly from Banding Station, but also on July 11 survey, Aug. 14 census

Barn Swallow – 19 (6 fledglings) July 31 (Banding Station census)- 3

3. Are you aware of any other datasets or monitoring programs underway for the IBA trigger species or other species of interest? Y N If yes, please list: annual Vaseux Lake Banding Station, Aug.1-mid October; CWS ongoing YBCH project



6. Potential future change in land use: considerably pressure on CWS to allow access for a hike/bike trail along the west side of the lake, the former Kettle Valley Railway railbed; railbed owned by Regional District Okanagan Similkameen, but CWS strictly limits access through the Wildlife Refuge.




7. a. Have any new or potential conservation threats arisen, or existing pressures worsened? Y N If yes, please describe what , when, where, etc.

b. Have any conservation threats lessoned? Y N If yes, please describe what , when, where, etc.




11. May we include this report in our Annual Report Compendium, which is posted to the BC Nature website? Y N


58 White Islets and Wilson Creek IBA

58.1 White Islets and Wilson Creek IBA 2017 Annual Report

Notes from phone call with Tony Greenfield, Oct, 2017:• No changes at White Islets IBA• islets are popular kayaking destination – kayakers typically 20-40 m offshore – very few people set foot

on islands• 'no landing' signs• ideally would become an ER – not sure of current jurisdiction other than Regional District

59 White Lake Area IBA

59.1 White Lake Area IBA 2017 Annual Report

Email from Bob Handfield, April 11, 2018:The biggest news is that the Federal, Provincial and First Nations governments announced they intend to go ahead with a south Okanagan Similkameen national park reserve. While a lot has to happen yet before this is a reality, there seems to be a consensus that some kind of park will happen and that some of the White Lake area grasslands will be included. In my mind, this would be a real positive for the IBA.

Also TNT of BC has reached an agreement to buy another parcel of land that lies within the IBA so this is one more parcel that can’t be developed.

Sage thrashers were seen last year on site but I don’t have details as to numbers.


BC Important Bird & Biodiversity Areas 2017 …...We also translated the Eelgrass brochure to...

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