Sightings of wildlife on frozen Lac des Roches usually prompt a string of excited phone calls between neighbours and are noted in this column. This year, however, it is the lack of wildlife sightings that is the talk in the neighbourhood. Only one occurrence of canine hunters along the shore was observed so far and it was unclear whether they were wolves or large coyotes as they didn’t stick around for more than a few minutes. Although there is evidence of at least one otter bounding and sliding along the lake edge, and the yards around the lake show signs of fox, coyote and moose, these animals have only been glimpsed by a few residents. Residents are encouraged to share their stories if they know where the critters are.
Feathered friends
Residents are encouraged to donate a minimum of 15 minutes of their time and join in on the Great Backyard Bird Count initiative between Feb. 13 and 16. Volunteers report their sightings online to www.birdcount.org, which is where instructions on how to participate can be found. This is just one of the many bird studies that local birding enthusiast, Wendy Marshall, contributes to and she has offered to answer any questions volunteers may have on joining in on this activity. She can be reached at 250-593-2327.
Committee expansion
The Cariboo Regional District (CRD) has increased the size of the Area L Advisory Planning Commission (APC) to include an appointed representative from the Lac des Roches area. This expanded eight-member team is one of several groups involved with reviewing development applications early in the process and provides input to the CRD Director, Bruce Rattray. Bruce provides easy access to detailed information on all CRD applications on his dynamic website, www.brucerattray.ca.
Lac des Roches friends
The stewardship and community group, Friends of Lac des Roches and Birch Lake, is working on an optimum land use plan and is holding extra meetings throughout the winter months. Information about their initiatives is on there updated website www.lacdesroches.org. Their next meeting is scheduled for Feb. 12