Columbia Valley Guide
Watch for wildlife
There’s plenty to do and see in the mountain national parks over the May long weekend. Wildlife are out and about and Parks Canada is reminding drivers to please exercise caution and drive with vigilance on mountain park roads at a time of year when wildlife face considerable risks searching for food and mates in close proximity to roads.
Last year 12 bears were killed by vehicles on highways in Banff, Kootenay and Yoho national parks, with most collisions occurring at unfenced sections of road.
“It’s a great time of year to experience the mountain parks with campgrounds open and lots of hiking possibilities, though at the same time we ask that visitors please drive with caution and brush up on the their bear awareness skills and knowledge,” said Brianna Burley, a Parks Canada human-wildlife ...Full story
Bears Without Fear
Kevin van Tighem started his Parks Canada career in Kootenay National Park. The bears are out and, within the next month, Kevin’s new book will be too. It is intended to make western North America’s bear country more safe and rewarding both for bears and people.
He will be donating 5% of his royalties from this book to WildSmart Bow Valley to support their important work helping people and bears coexist, and a further 10% to the Nature Conservancy of Canada to support their important work protecting the natural places bears need to survive.
Kevin says “I strongly believe in the importance of independent bookstores and to that end I have arranged that anyone who pre-orders Bears Without Fear through Cafe Books in Canmore, Pages on Kensington in Calgary or Audrey’s Books in Edmonton ...Full story
Knock knock — whoos there?
Retired Kootenay Park warden Hans Fuhrer noticed and photographed this boreal owl while skiing in Taynton Bowl at Panorama Ski Hill. Hans said “it poked it’s head out the hole when I knocked on the hollow tree snag.”
Boreal owls usually nest in deserted woodpecker holes, particularly cavities made by pileated woodpeckers. Here are some interesting nesting notes from the literature.
“Males begin searching for nest holes in late winter. Prey items are often deposited into the hole, after which the male will sing from a perch. If an interested female approaches, the male will fly to the cavity and utters a stuttering or trilling song. The female may then inspect the nest hole, and if she accepts it will stay. The male brings her food while she is in the hole.
Several days later the ...Full story
Looking for golden-mantled ground squirrels
Golden-mantled ground squirrels, distinguished by their prominent stripes, emerge a bit later than Columbia ground squirrels but seem rarely to be seen in spring.
In the 1980s golden-mantled ground squirrels were commonly spotted at the Radium Hot Springs pools and up near Olive Lake. Has anyone seen them there in recent years?
If you have, email Alan Dibb ( Alan.dibb@pc.gc.ca ), Kootenay”s Wildlife Specialist, or phone 250-347-6158.
...Full story
Check Availability
Reservations: 1-877-231-7578
International: +1 403-800-5580
International: +1 403-800-5580
Wildlife & Scenery
