Munson Pond

One of the things I love about the city of Kelowna is the apparent confusion suffered by city planners.  Where a normal city is just that—a city, Kelowna is a curious mix of city, country, orchard and parkland. Take Munson Pond. 

“Ecologically, the pond is a beautiful water body surrounded by a mature remnant cottonwood forest that is valued for its bird watching opportunities, waterfowl habitat and habitat for small amphibians, reptiles and mammals. At one time this black cottonwood / water birch ecological community covered much of the Okanagan lowlands but have been displaced by agriculture, urban development, and the channelization of streams and rivers.  It is now a red listed (endangered) ecological community and ranked by the BC Conservation Data Centre as one of the rarest in B.C. “

*copied from the City of Kelowna Parks and Recreation web page

I had my first opportunity to visit Munson Pond earlier this week. I was in the mood to go somewhere I could just sit, soak up some sun, and maybe see a bird or two.  Chances were pretty good.  More than a hundred species of birds have been recorded at this location.

American Coot

There is a wooden platform that juts out over the water, the perfect place to sit and soak up the sun.  I should have remembered that where there’s a body of water, there’s usually a breeze.  I left my sweater in the Rodeo and wore goosebumps instead.  But it felt good, all the same. 

Female Mallard

European Starlings

American Wigeon

For those who prefer walking to sitting, the trail around the pond is about a kilometer long.  Keep in mind that due to the sensitive nature of the area, dogs are not permitted.