On October 8, 2012 myself and Niran Lella visited Field’s Lease, the first of 11 Ecological Reserves in the Okanagan visited that week. We were not able to time this visit with the warden Robert Calder since he was away that week.
Issues: The reserve is very small and is surrounded by vineyards to the East and North and a pasture to the west. Of most concern is the very close proximity to the vineyards very close to the reserve with only a narrow private road as a buffer. During this season when ripe grapes are on the vine, canons are frequently fired automatically to scare birds from the vineyards . It is unlikely that migrating birds would find the reserve a refuge at this time of year. The loud bangs came from several directions. Click on the images in the gallery below taken by myself and Niran for an expanded view.
October 8, 2012 Garry Fletcher
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- Dry land plants on cliff face
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- Rabbit brush in bloom
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- Antelope brush
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- Mammal scat
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- Aster in seed.
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- Mullen, an intorduced species
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- 8
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- Garry examining bluebunch wheat grass.
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- Opuntia ( Prickly pear cactus)
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- Sage Brush woody stems.
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- Deer print in sand
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- small mammal skeletal remains
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- Niran Lella
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- Sage bush and antelope brush
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- Giant Sage Brush
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- rock outcrops
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- rock outcrops
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- Dalmatian Toadflax in bloom ( invasive)
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- 15
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- West side cliff
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- Reserve sign on east side
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- Along the east side of the reserve looking south
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- Looking north on the road along the edge of the reserve
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- Vineyards and orchards to the east.
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- View from the top rise of the reserve toward the east valley.
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- South end of the reserve
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- Orchards east of the reserve
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- Baby’s breath,(invasive).
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- Cut sand bank on road on east side of the reerve
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- Northeast corner of the reserve
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- Niran at the Ecoreserve sign and gate.
