Trout Creek Ecological Reserve November 13 2011

 Here is the news for the last tour of 2011:

• I was in the ER for an hour and a half. It was about 3C with infrequent wind and sunshine. Snow coverage was 1-2cm from the bottom to the top.

• I saw or heard 6 species of forest birds, average for this time of the year. I was pleased to hear a Hairy Woodpecker for the second tour in a row as they are seldom seen or heard in the ER. I attribute this to the presence of the Western Pine Beetle that has appeared in small patches over the last few years. Ironically I did nor see or hear Red-breasted or Pygmy Nuthatches, which I usually do, but I did hear one White-breasted Nuthatch, which I often do not!

• I saw fresh coyote tracks and 7 Mule Deer on the sunny southwest slope of the East Ridge. Six deer were a mix of female and young about 2 years old and one was a beautiful 4-5 point buck. I saw another buck on the down side of the talus slope on the west ridge. Despite seeing deer I saw none of the damage they often do to small trees by rubbing their antlers on them.

• I saw no signs of human activity or vandalism.

Cheers........Laurie