Welcome to the SONC website.
Mission Statement:
"To provide a dynamic local focus for experiencing the natural world of B.C. and for promoting its conservation"
- Indoor meetings are held on the 4th Thursday of the month, September to May (except for December) at 7:00 pm at Penticton Seniors' Drop-In Centre, 2965 South Main Street, Penticton.
- Please bring your own coffee mug ---- New members always welcome.
- Our birding, wildflower, geology, social group meets every Thursday in the north parking lot of Cherry Lane Mall (north of Warren Ave. and east of Atkinson St.) at 9 AM.
- Field Trips are generally made in the spring and fall.
Annual Waiver
Required annually with membership fee
PS Reminder to complete the new waiver – if you have not done so.
Send completed form to Link soncmembership@gmail.com
Dr. Siobhan Darlington: Cougar predation of multiple ungulate prey across the southern interior of BC’s fire-prone landscape.
Description: Some habitats increase the predation success of large carnivores by enhancing predator search efficiency. We examined where cougars kill moose, elk, mule deer and white-tailed deer in relation to habitat alteration during the snow and snow-free months across British Columbia’s southern interior.
Bio: Dr. Siobhan Darlington is a Wildlife Biologist with the Ministry of Water, Land, and Resource Stewardship in Penticton. She recently completed her doctoral studies at UBC Okanagan on cougar population demography and predation across the southern interior of BC (www.bccougarproject.weebly.com). Previous experience includes researching mesocarnivores (foxes, skunks and the like), caribou, white-tailed deer, grizzly bear, and aerial insectivores to understand species distributions and habitat use. In her spare time, she and her partner David are avid bird watchers and have been banding birds together for nearly 10 years.
Recent Newsletter
Bird Outings
Thursday birding outings are back!
Trip Outings
SONC MEMBERS - Douglas Lake IBA field trip 2026
I am going to schedule the Douglas Lake IBA field trip for April 26, 2026. For those of you who have not done this trip; it is a full day starting with a 7:00 AM departure and drive to the starting point at the West end of Nicola Lake East of Merritt. Depending on the number of participants we will again break up into smaller groups and do the route starting at different points. We will not be getting back into Penticton until about 6:00 PM. Later if we opt to stop along the way at a pub for a debrief.
Could you let me know if you will be attending, if you can drive and how many people you can take, which town you live in, or if you will need a ride?
Alex @ southokanagannature@gmail.com
If you build you own car pool, please let me know.
We will be looking at a stipend for the drivers of $30. If we get all the way to Chapperon Lake the total round rip is about 450 kilometres. The road is paved or well maintained gravel.
Parking is limited at some of the sites, so if you go early or drive yourself to the first stop you may have to jump in with someone with space for the outing.
I strongly recommend that you find some rubber boots, or foot wear that can be easily cleaned. It can be very muddy at a couple of the stops and it is like glue. Your driver will appreciate it.
There are very limited washroom facilities and those that do exist are very rustic. The stores along the route were not open last year, and probably will not be again this year.
You will need to bring along your lunch and any drinks or snacks that you want for the day.
The weather can be unpredictable and it will be cooler at the upper elevations. Normally the lakes are just clearing of ice. A bit of wind and some rain can make it more challenging. Dress appropriately.
Bobbi and I usually try to get up a few days before to check things out. I am planning to go up the day before.
Alex
SONC Creston Valley field trip summary above - May 2024
SONC MEMBERS - Creston 2026
SONC's upcoming field trip to the Creston Valley is scheduled for Tuesday May 19 through Friday May 22 2026, immediately following the Victoria Day long weekend.
Key Information:
The Highway 3 drive from the south Okanagan to Creston (401 km; 5-6 hours with stoppage time) will be on Tuesday May 19. Field trips and free time for individual interests are planned for Wednesday May 20 and Thursday May 21. Return travel to the south Okanagan will be on Friday May 22. This schedule has us overnighting in Creston on the nights of May 19, 20 and 21.
For our field excursions, we've planned easy to moderate walks of 2-3 hours duration, primarily encompassing valley-bottom wetlands, dykes and trails. Some areas are accessible by vehicle (depending on conservation limitations, rain/heat events and dyke/bridge conditions), so we anticipate some "car birding" to facilitate viewing the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area (CVWMA) conservation lands and surrounding area.
Marc-Andre Beaucher (CVWMA Biologist and Head of Conservation Programs) has again offered to guide our Wednesday and Thursday morning outings (Corn Creek Marsh SW sector; Summit Creek; possibly the Leech Lake and Duck Lake units). We will need to be "bear aware" during our field trips (as learned during our 2024 CVWMA outings when a Grizzly appeared on the Duck Lake north dyke between our two groups of birders).
We are hoping to arrange a canoe tour of the Corn Creek Marsh on the afternoon of Thursday May 21. At present, we are awaiting a response from the Kootenay-Columbia Discovery Centre Society. The 8 person canoes (PFDs provided), guided by enthusiastic biology students, meander around the wetlands providing an enhanced perspective.
Accommodation (nights of May 19, 20 and 21) and Meals:The Valley View Cabins (Link: Restful Retreat | The Valley View | Creston) will be our "centre of operations". Gillian Kemle, operator of the Valley View, is pleased to again provide accommodation for our group. The property includes cozy accommodation, outdoor kitchen / BBQ, group fire pit and garden recreation areas. It has been reserved for 3-nights of SONC accommodation (capacity limited to 18-22). The property consists of renovated, semi-detached cabins on a small acreage with mature coniferous trees providing shade and seasonal bird sightings. A group discount has been offered by the Valley View.
For meals, please bring your favourite food / beverage items to use the outdoor kitchen (propane BBQ) or in-suite kitchenettes, particularly for breakfast and lunch. We will be arranging one or two group dinners at local establishments and / or the Valley View. When SONC folks arrive Tuesday afternoon, we can enjoy the Valley View grounds, using their BBQ (or ordering take-out from local restaurants), garden games and socializing prior to our field trip excursions on Wednesday and Thursday. If you wish to bring musical instruments or singing skills to supplement our evening firepit socializing, please feel free to do so.
Next Steps:
For planning and accommodation purposes, committed participant numbers will be helpful. Please confirm your participation and number of attendees via email to Rod Malcolm (roderickmalcolm@outlook.com) on or before April 1, 2026. Members will be responsible for their own costs including vehicle transportation, accommodation, meals, canoe excursion, and any incidental expenses.
To secure accommodation at the Valley View (see link above), please book directly, as soon as possible, due to capacity limitations. Please identify yourself to Gillian Kemle (250-428-2336) as a SONC member, to obtain your group rate for the three accommodation nights (May 19, 20 and 21). Although this will be our HQ for the field trip, there are other nearby accommodations in Creston, including a Ramada Inn and the Magnuson Hotel, both within a 4 minute drive of the Valley View. Participant numbers will be capped at 24, for logistic reasons, so first come first registered. SONC members will be prioritized, but if we don't reach 24, non-members (i.e. family of SONC members) will be welcome to join us (day membership & waiver forms required for non-members).
Thanks everyone. We look forward to a fun field event with our wonderful SONC members. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Rod & Elaine Malcolm - South Okanagan Naturalists' Club
PS: The CVWMA encompasses approximately 7,000 hectares (roughly 17,000 acres). It includes diverse habitat, micro-climate features and varied wetlands (river, lakes, marshes) providing a rich environment for naturalists to enjoy some of the best wildlife diversity in British Columbia. The following link provides additional info, including trail descriptions: Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area | Explore Creston Valley.
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PS Reminder to complete the new waiver – if you have not done so.
Send completed form to Link soncmembership@gmail.com
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