Nighthawk Road-Chopaka Customs

49.00413 , -119.67109

Canada

One half-valley over from Osoyoos, this area doesn't look like much at first glance, but first looks can be deceiving. The area is termed a "semi-arid pocket desert" or "semi arid shrubland", and while not a true desert, it is certainly very dry, which leads to some birds that are found only here and a few other areas in the south Okanagan. This includes Lark Sparrows, Chukars, Gray Partridges, Sage Thrashers and other local specialties.

Bordered on the south by the Canada/US border, the Western side of the road is scrubby flatland rising to rocky hills in the South Okanagan Grasslands Protective Area. To the east are open fields.

Delete exact location

The introductory text should contain general information about the site, which may include for instance:
• geographic/ biogeographic location
• habitat and vegetation
• typical bird species/bird communities
• protection status
• land use and history
• importance for birdwatching

Coordinates were set by Dale Floer : 49.0041/-119.6711 (2022-05-24 22:33:03 )

Site name was set by Dale Floer as "Nighthawk Road-Chopaka Customs" (2022-05-24 22:33:03 )

Edited by Dale Floer on 2022-05-24 22:56:58
One half-valley over from Osoyoos, this area doesn't look like much at first glance, but first looks can be deceiving. The area is termed a "semi arid "semi-arid pocket desert" by some, or "semi arid shrubland", and while not a true desert, it is certainly very dry, which leads to some birds that are found only here and a few other areas in the south Okanagan. This includes Lark Sparrows, Chukars, Gray Partridges, Sage Thrashers and other local specialties. Bordered on the south by the Canada/US border, the Western side of the road is scrubby flatland rising to rocky hills in the South Okanagan Grasslands Protective Area. To the east are open fields.
Edited by Dale Floer on 2022-05-24 22:52:06
One half-valley over from Osoyoos, this area doesn't look like much at first glance, but first looks can be deceiving. The area is termed a "semi arid pocket desert" by some, and while not a true desert, it is certainly very dry, which leads to some birds that are found only here and a few other areas in the south Okanagan. Okanagan. This includes Lark Sparrows, Chukars, Gray Partridges, Sage Thrashers and other local specialties. Bordered on the south by the Canada/US border, the Western side of the road is scrubby flatland rising to rocky hills in the South Okanagan Grasslands Protective Area. To the east are open fields.
Edited by Dale Floer on 2022-05-24 22:48:00
One half-valley over from Osoyoos, this area doesn't look like much at first glance, but first looks can be deceiving. The area is termed a "semi arid pocket desert" by some, and while not a true desert, it is certainly very dry, which leads to some birds that are found only here and a few other areas in the south Okanagan. Bordered on the south by the Canada/US border, the Western side of the road is scrubby flatland rising to rocky hills in the South Okanagan Grasslands Protective Area.

  • Top species

List up to ca. 25 species that:
• have a limited distribution range and/or are rare on a global level
• are most sought-after by birdwatchers at this site
• and are relatively easy to see at this site (year-round or seasonally)

Gray Partridge (Perdix perdix)
Chukar (Alectoris chukar)
Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americanus)
Sage Thrasher (Oreoscoptes montanus)
Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum)
Clay-colored Sparrow (Spizella pallida)
Brewer's Sparrow (Spizella breweri)
Lark Sparrow (Chondestes grammacus)

Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americanus) was added by Dale Floer (2022-05-24 22:55:02)

Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum) was added by Dale Floer (2022-05-24 22:54:22)

Brewer's Sparrow (Spizella breweri) was added by Dale Floer (2022-05-24 22:54:05)

Gray Partridge (Perdix perdix) was added by Dale Floer (2022-05-24 22:52:23)

Clay-colored Sparrow (Spizella pallida) was added by Dale Floer (2022-05-24 22:34:07)

Sage Thrasher (Oreoscoptes montanus) was added by Dale Floer (2022-05-24 22:33:51)

Chukar (Alectoris chukar) was added by Dale Floer (2022-05-24 22:33:40)

Lark Sparrow (Chondestes grammacus) was added by Dale Floer (2022-05-24 22:33:29)

  • Timing and strategy

Give recommendations for making your visit as productive as possible.
This may include for instance:
• best season
• best time of the day
• how much time to spend at the site
• best means of locomotion within the site
• recommended routes / areas within the site
• guiding

Not available yet
  • How to get there

There is no public transport available in the area. Bike or drive along Highway 3 and turn south onto Nighthawk Road. The closest town is Osoyoos to the East or Keremeos to the West.

Explain from where and how to get to this site with private and public transport.

Edited by Dale Floer on 2022-05-25 19:23
There is no public transport available in the area. Bike or drive along Highway 3 and turn south onto Nighthawk Road. The closest town is Osoyoos to the East or Keremeos to the West.

There is a small pullout on the side of the road opposite from the border post, this is the easiest spot to park a vehicle. Access to the protected area is through the designated gates only, and care should be taken to stay on the paths.

Provide information on how to enter this site, which may include:
• entry points
• entry permits / entry tickets and fees
• opening hours / opening season
• other restrictions

Note that this section should only contain information on how to ACCESS (= enter) a site. Info on how to REACH a site should be added to "How to get there" section.

Edited by Dale Floer on 2022-05-25 19:46
There is a small pullout on the side of the road opposite from the border post, this is the easiest spot to park a vehicle. Access to the protected area is through the designated gates only, and care should be taken to stay on the paths.
  • Other attractions

Add information about other attractions at this site, including
• wildlife (apart from birds)
• sights (natural, cultural, archaeological, etc.)
• activities (e.g. for non-birding companions)

Not available yet

There are no facilities in the area. No toilets/outhouses and no running water. The border patrol station is not accessible to the public except on immingration/customs business.

Provide information about what type of facilities are available at
or near this site, including:
• information centers / information points
• catering
• accommodation
• hides and watchtowers
• restrooms / toilets

Edited by Dale Floer on 2022-05-25 19:44
There are no facilities in the area. Not No toilets/outhouses and no running water. The border patrol station is not accessible to the public except on immingration/customs business.
Edited by Dale Floer on 2022-05-25 19:25
There are no facilities in the area. Not toilets/outhouses and no running water. The border patrol station is not accessible to the public except on immingration/customs business.

This site is right against the Canada/US border, and the Canadian border guards may come out to see what you're up to. They're aware of birdwatchers.

Take care not to accidentally cross the border. Do not go past where the road turns a corner to the east. If you walk into the park, do not go past the fence on the south end, this is also the border. Crossing the border means you need to go talk to the US customs post, enter the US and then re-enter Canada, which could be problematic.

  • There can be ticks here.
  • The cactuses should be avoided, as they'll stick to shoes or other clothing, and can apparently puncture the soles of improper footwear.
  • Reportedly, there are rattlesnakes in the area. Avoid disturbing piles of loose rocks.

Are there any security issues or other annoyances at this site? For
instance, these may include:
• offenses like robbery or theft
• natural hazards
• dangerous or annoying animals or plants (mosquitoes, leaches, thorn bushes, etc.)
• noise pollution

Edited by Holly Becker on 2022-05-31 17:57
This site is right against the Canada/US border, and the Canadian border guards may come out to see what you're up to. They're aware of birdwatchers. Take care not to accidentally cross the border. Do not go past where the road turns a corner to the east. If you walk into the park, do no not go past the fence on the south end, this is also the border. Crossing the border means you need to go talk to the US customs post, enter the US and then re-enter Canada, which could be problematic. There can be ticks here. The cactuses should be avoided, as they'll stick to shoes or other clothing, and can apparently puncture the soles of improper footwear. Reportedly, there are rattlesnakes in the area. Avoid disturbing piles of loose rocks.
Edited by Dale Floer on 2022-05-24 22:40
This site is right against the Canada/US border, and the Canadian border guards may come out to see what you're up to. They're aware of birdwatchers. Take care not to accidentally cross the border. Do not go past where the road turns a corner to the east. If you walk into the park, do no go past the fence on the south end, this is also the border. Crossing the border means you need to go talk to the US customs post, enter the US and then re-enter Canada, which could be problematic. There can be ticks here. The cactuses should be avoided, as they'll stick to shoes or other clothing, and can apparently puncture the soles of improper footwear. Reportedly, there are rattlesnakes in the area. Avoid disturbing piles of loose rocks.
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Contributors

Dale Floer , Holly Becker

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Nighthawk Road-Chopaka Customs - Orniverse