club programs
Weekly Hikes
Swan Lake Nature Reserve
Swan Lake Nature Reserve
Every Saturday morning, year-round, we host a weekly hike at 9am, at different trails each week. Hike details and difficulty levels vary and are posted in the Calendar tab of our website. Most are suitable to all ages and abilities. On our hikes the leaders like to point out natural items of interest and any animals or birds along the way. These hikes are a friendly social way to get to know others with similar interest in the world around us.
Swan Lake Nature Reserve
Swan Lake Nature Reserve
Swan Lake Nature Reserve
The Swan Lake Nature Reserve Park has been a focus of stewardship and restoration efforts by NONC ever since it was established in 2005. In 2021 the popular viewing tower was completed. Since then we have added an Osprey nesting platform, bird nesting boxes, bird perching poles, a bat house, and planted hundreds of native trees, shrubs and plants. These efforts will continue, as we endeavour to enhance the natural assets at the park for wildlife and bring back some of the historical attributes that existed many years ago. Most of this work is done by volunteers. Contact the club to see how you can be involved.
Bluebird Program
Swan Lake Nature Reserve
Hummingbird Banding
In the Vernon area, we have two species of bluebirds: the Mountain Bluebird and the Western Bluebird. They arrive from their wintering grounds in the south earlier than most birds and begin hunting for a suitable nest site in March and early April. The North Okanagan Naturalists' Club (NONC) joined the Bluebird Nest Box Program in the 1990s. We now manage up to 20 Bluebird Trails established on local farms and ranch lands. Each trail has from 8 to 40 boxes which are monitored weekly for bird species, date of egg laying, number of chicks hatching and fledging. All results are recorded and sent to the BC Bluebird Society which collects data from all BC sites. For more detailed information about Bluebirds and the Bluebird Nest Box Program please contact Margaret Mackenzie, Coordinator – Vernon Bluebird Trails, via e-mail at info@nonc.ca
Hummingbird Banding
Christmas Bird Count
Hummingbird Banding
In the North Okanagan we have four species of Hummingbirds: Anna’s, Black-chinned, Calliope and Rufous. They arrive in mid-April. Since 2004 the North Okanagan Naturalists' Club (NONC) has participated in the B.C. Hummingbird Banding Program. Following established protocols, specially trained volunteers monitor 3 sites biweekly to catch, identify, band and measure hummingbirds. Data collected is used to determine population size, population trends, migration patterns and overall health of hummingbirds. For more detailed information about hummingbirds and the Hummingbird Banding Program please contact us via-email at info@nonc.ca
Christmas Bird Count
Christmas Bird Count
Christmas Bird Count
The Christmas Bird Count for the North Okanagan is held on a Sunday, one or two weeks before Christmas. Contact Don Cecile, Coordinator, if you would like to help. This count has been happening since 1950 and is a valuable historical indicator of our natural area.
Swan & Eagle Count
Christmas Bird Count
Christmas Bird Count
The Swan & Eagle Count, North Okanagan, is held in mid-January in our local area. Contact Rod Drennan & Norbert Maertens to participate in this count.
Great Backyard Bird Count
Great Backyard Bird Count
Great Backyard Bird Count
The Great Backyard Bird Count is held annually in February. This is a really fun family event. Spend time in your favorite places watching birds! In as little as 15 minutes notice the birds around you. Identify them, count them, and submit your counts to help scientists better understand and protect birds around the world. If you already use eBird or Merlin, your submissions over the 4 days count toward GBBC.
Great Canadian Birdathon
Great Backyard Bird Count
Great Backyard Bird Count
This annual bird count takes place in May. Participants choose their day and over the course of those 24 hours (or less), identify as many bird species as possible.
As individuals or small groups NONC members comprise a team called The Hooters. Team members also seek donations from friends, family, etc., all to support bird research in Canada. The Birdathon is run by Birds Canada and funds raised support their programs.
School Education Programs
Great Backyard Bird Count
School Education Programs
Upon request from school teachers and educators, as well as from Immigration Services, several of our NONC members conduct nature tours, bringing the younger generation face to face with all things natural, or showing the new Canadians the fauna and flora of their new country.
James Grant Memorial Fund
James Grant Memorial Fund
School Education Programs
The James Grant Memorial Fund receives donations for the purpose of acquiring lands at risk such as wetlands, grasslands, etc. The Fund is also used for educational purposes including the annual BC Entomological Award for best paper from a Masters Student. NONC provides an annual award of $500.00 to the
B.C Entomolgical society.
C.A.R.E. Program
James Grant Memorial Fund
C.A.R.E. Program
Climate Action Ripple Effect (C.A.R.E.) engages teachers and students of School District 22 in projects that support climate action and sustainable environmental goals. NONC members get involved as mentors to the students; more volunteers are always needed and welcome.
Future Project
James Grant Memorial Fund
C.A.R.E. Program
Do you have an idea for a future local project that our club might like to be involved in? Send us a message.
Local Natural Places of Interest
Pack a lunch and grab a camera or binoculars and discover some of these hot spots which are all publicly-accessible sites. Many are on public land, but some are private lands which can be viewed from a public roadway or path. Please respect private property. Remember to share any new spots to be added to our list.
Allan Brooks Nature Centre, Mission Road : Interpretive centre. Admission by donation. Trails, birds and other wildlife.
Bailey Pond, south of Vernon : Bailey Road, just south of Commonage Road. Check for waterfowl while parked on the shoulder of the road.
Becker Park, Vernon : Park, trails and ridge walks, starting from the curling club parking lot in Vernon. Spring wildflowers. Beware of cactus!
Birdie Lake, Predator Ridge : Beside Birdie Lake Drive at Predator Ridge community. Observation platform aids in bird and turtle observation. A trail encircles the pond.
Coldstream Cemetery, District of Coldstream : Look for birds in the trees and around the
creek. In early Spring you can find Skunk Cabbage growing in wet areas.
Cools Pond, north of Vernon : Corner of L&A Road and Rimer Road. A popular birding spot.
Garter Snake Dens : Deleenheer Road, north side, east of 20th Street, edge of North Vernon
Park. Watch for them to emerge in April.
Grey Canal Trail, Bella Vista/Okanagan Hills, Vernon : Parking off Crosby Road.
Grey Canal Trail, Blackcomb Way to Rugg Road, Silver Star Foothills, Vernon : Parking lots at Blackcomb Way and Rugg Road. Loop trail.
Grey Canal Trail, Glenhayes Road to Baker Hogg Road, north of Vernon : Park at either
road. Quiet area. Views of Swan Lake.
Grey Canal Trail, McLennan Road to Glenhayes Road, north of Vernon : Park at
either road. Good for birds and plants. Be aware of rough ground.
Grey Canal Trail, Turtle Mountain to Blue Jay Sub-division, Vernon : Enter from parking lots off Blue Jay Drive or Turtle Mountain Boulevard.
Heronry, Vernon : East of 24th Street, south of 53rd Avenue. Observe the nesting herons from the surrounding streets, DO NOT ENTER the property.
Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park : Many locations. One example is a walk from the Cosens Bay road parking lot on the Cosens Bay Trail to beach on the lake. Note: There are rattlesnakes in the park.
Kekuli Bay Provincial Park : South of Vernon. Take Kalamalka Lakeview Drive and High Ridge Road. Walk the grasslands trail to see grassland birds and raptors. Access to Okanagan Rail Trail.
Middleton Mountain, Vernon & Coldstream : Hike to the top and enjoy the trails of Farnsworth Nature Reserve. Many bird species and wildflowers, especially in the Spring.
Mud Lake, Middleton Mountain, part of McGergow Meadows : Trails provide access off Middleton Way and Mt. Ida Drive.
O’Keefe Ranch, Spallumcheen Township : Highway 97 on the way to Kamloops, opposite the Spallumcheen Golf Course. The creek is a good spot for birds in the late Winter and Spring. Look around the bridge at the west side of the parking lot.
Otter Lake, Otter Lake Road, Spallumcheen Township : Observe birds from the parking area and small park at the north end. Great for Sandhill Cranes and Trumpeter Swans in late Winter and early Spring.
Plantation Forest, Vernon : On Bench Row Road in the Commonage area of Vernon. Birds and squirrels.
Polson Park, downtown Vernon : Check for ducks at the ponds and walk the boardwalk trail in the southeast corner of the park. This is a good area for birds. You may see the work of beavers too.
Roses Pond, south of Vernon : View waterfowl and turtles from the side of Commonage Road.
St. Anne's Pond, Spallumcheen Township : Turn north off Hwy 97 (heading towards Falkland), park at the pullout north of the pond and walk back to observe water birds. Note: Landowner has signed “no parking” beside pond, which is on private property.
Salmon Trail, Lumby : Parking and trails off Faulkner Avenue. More trails along the creek accessible from behind the Visitor Info Centre.
Swan Lake Nature Reserve, north of Vernon : Old Kamloops Road, enter driveway at Stawns Honey. Watch for road signs. Follow driveway to a parking lot. There is a 2 km loop trail in the field. Grassland birds, hawks, owls, herons, ducks, marsh birds.
Thomas Hayes Ecological Park, Spallumcheen Township : From the trailhead on Thomas Hayes Road, trails will take you through fields, meadows and various forest ecosystems.
Thomson Lake, south of Vernon : Commonage Road, south of Predator Ridge. Water birds.
Turtle Mountain, Vernon : From parking on Turtle Mountain Boulevard, take the Grey Canal Trail or climb up to Rocky Ridge Park.
Vernon Creek, Okanagan Lake : At the mouth of the creek as it enters Okanagan Lake. Access from Lakeshore Road, where there is some parking. Good for gulls and ducks.