VNHS Calendar

The Victoria Natural History Society offers many field trips and presentations each month for it members. Visitors are welcome to come and check out our events. If you like what you see, please support VNHS by becoming a member and/or making a donation.

Ongoing Events:

Year-Round:

Tuesday morning birding group: Meet at the foot (waterfront) of Bowker Ave. (off Beach Dr.) at 9:00 am. Birding activities take place at various locations around Greater Victoria. For more information, call Bill Dancer at 250-721-5273.

Saturday morning birding: Call the Rare Bird Alert (250-704-2555) or click 'Rare Bird Alert' on the Thursday or Friday before to find out this week's location. Starting between 7 am and 8 am depending on sunrise, rain or shine. For more details, call Rick at 250-885-2454 or email Agnes at thelynns at shaw.ca. Novice and experienced birders all welcome.

September to April: (No presentations scheduled during May to August, or between December 14 and January 1.)

Natural History Night: 2nd Tuesday, 7:30 pm, University of Victoria (see details below for locations)

Botany Night: 3rd Tuesday, 7:30 pm, Swan Lake Nature Centre

Birders' Night: 4th Wednesday, 7:30 pm, University of Victoria (see details below for locations)

Marine Night: Last Monday, 7:30 pm, University of Victoria (see details below for locations)

Codes for Field Trip Difficulty Levels:
Level 1 - easy walking, mostly level paths
Level 2 - paths can be narrow with uneven terrain
Level 3 - steeper grades or obstacles in paths requiring agility
Level 4 - very steep, insecure footing or longer hikes requiring good physical condition

Sunday, April 28
FIELD TRIP (LEVEL 3)
Intertidal Exploration
Examine the marine life at Macaulay Point in Esquimalt with Phil Lambert. A low tide of 0.7 ft should reveal some interesting flora and fauna. Meet in the parking lot of Fleming Beach boat ramp at the foot of Lampson Street at 11:00 am. From there we will walk out to the Point and scramble down to the rocky shore. The tide-pools are wet and the rocks are slippery so wear rubber boots or hiking boots. Walking poles are useful if you have them. For more information, call Phil at 250-477-5922.

Sunday, April 28
Field Trip (LEVEL 3)
Two for One Bargain - Horth Hill and Bear Hill Wildflowers
It is hard to fit all the good wildflower areas into the short period when they are at their peak so we'll give you two treats in one day. Despite the close proximity of these two areas, the flora is quite different. Horth Hill is sunnier and drier. The chocolate lilies (Fritillaria affinis) should be great there. Bear Hill is more woodsy and doesn't get as much sun. If we are lucky, we’ll see some pink fairy slippers (Calypso bulbosa). Please note the trails are steep but not as challenging as some of the other areas. The walks are at a leisurely pace to enjoy the habitat. Wear good hiking boots and you might want to bring a walking stick and binoculars. Bring a lunch and drinks and we’ll eat it between walks. No pets please. Meet at the parking lot at Horth Hill at 10:00 am. To get to Horth Hill, take the Pat Bay Highway north to the Wain Road exit. Follow Wain Road west, then turn right on Tatlow Road to the park entrance on the right. To get to Bear Hill from Horth Hill, return to the highway and go south. Turn right at Island View Road, left on Saanich Cross Road to Central Saanich Road. Continue south on Central Saanich Road to right on Keating Cross Road, left on Oldfield Road and left on Bear Hill Road to the parking lot. Contact Agnes at thelynns at shaw.ca or (250) 721-0634 if you need more information.

Sunday, April 28
Event
CAMAS DAY
The 22nd Annual Camas Day will be held on Sunday April 28, 2013. Check the website at www.friendsofbeaconhillpark.ca or call 250-592-6659 closer to the date for more details. Camas Day has been co-sponsored with Friends of Beacon Hill Park and Victoria Natural History Society for the past 21 years. There will be a wide choice of walks to suit all tastes, from 7 am to early afternoon, some repeated. Themes such as birds, wildflowers, archaeology, First Nations culture and more are planned.

Monday, April 29
MARINE NIGHT
A Sense of Place on a Changing Coast: an Arctic Perspective
Maeva Gauthier recently graduated from the University of Victoria with a Masters in Marine Ecology. Last summer, a coastal mapping project took her to the Arctic of Alaska to facilitate a film workshop with youth in two small villages. Young Inupiat students made movies about the coast and interviewed elders in their community about their coastal knowledge, stories, and observations of change. Maeva will show recent aerial imagery of the North Slope coast from this survey and will also discuss people's perspective of these dramatic cultural and physical changes. She will also show the short film 'Weather or Not' produced by Tracy Burns, 18 years old, from Kaktovik. Join us at 7:30 pm in Room 159 of the Fraser Building, University of Victoria. Everyone is welcome.

Tuesday, April 30
TUESDAY MORNING BIRDING GROUP
Meet Tuesday at 9:00 am at the foot of Bowker Avenue on the waterfront (off Beach drive) in Oak Bay. For more information call Bill Dancer at 250-721-5273.

Members! Remember that if you want to do a talk or know someone who might, please contact one of the talk night coordinators. Many of you do interesting things either for fun or for work, and it would be great to share. Contacts: Birder’s Night and Natural History Night – Christina Ball; Marine Night – Phil Lambert; Botany Night – Kristen and James Miskelly. Email/phone numbers on p.2 of the newsletter.
MAY

Saturday May 4
FIELD TRIP (LEVEL 3)
Birding Witty’s Lagoon
Join Dannie Carsen and Gordon Hart on this visit to an important resting and feeding area for migrating birds. The trail at Witty’s Lagoon drops quickly via a scenic waterfall to the beach. Enjoy the birds such as resident Brown Creepers in the woods on the way down mixed with the migrant warblers and vireos. Watch for shorebirds such as dowitchers or yellowlegs along the estuary and in the salt marsh behind the beach. Meet at 7:00 a.m. at the main parking lot on Metchosin Road (across from golf course). Contact Rick Schortinghuis at 250-885-2454 or email Agnes Lynn at thelynns at shaw.ca for more information.

Sunday, May 5
FIELD TRIP (LEVEL 3)
Birding Royal Roads & Esquimalt Lagoon
Join Ann Nightingale for a birding walk around Esquimalt Lagoon. We should see a good variety of migrating shorebirds and passerines. Meet at 7:00 a.m. at the south end of the lagoon by the washrooms. This is a five-hour walk. Bring a drink and a snack. Contact Rick at 250-885-2454 or email Agnes at thelynns at shaw.ca for more information.

Tuesday, May 7
TUESDAY MORNING BIRDING GROUP
Meet Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. at the foot of Bowker Avenue on the waterfront (off Beach drive) in Oak Bay. For more information call Bill Dancer at 250-721-5273.

Friday-Sunday, May 10-12
EVENT
British Columbia Field Ornithologists’ Annual Conference
BCFO is holding its 23rd Annual General Meeting on Southern Vancouver Island. It will be in Sidney and all conference events will be held at the Mary Winspear Centre. Lots of good birding locations within easy driving distances and a full complement
of great trips is being planned. For more information see
http://bcfo.ca/annual-conference/

Saturday, May 11
EVENT
4th Annual International Migratory Bird Day!
The Victoria Natural History Society, Rocky Point Bird Observatory, and CRD Regional Parks are proud to present the 4th Annual International Migratory Bird Day from 7:00 am – 2:00 pm at Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park. Help celebrate and learn more about the journey that birds take from their summer and winter homes by participating in this free all-day event that offers engaging activities for birders of all ages, expertise, and abilities. Participate in guided bird walks, mist-netting demonstrations, hummingbird and passerine banding demonstrations, live raptors, and children’s activities. Be sure to check out booths representing local organizations focused on studying migratory birds and gather information on ways to help conserve species and their habitats.
9 am: Event opening – Picnic shelter (at the Elk/Beaver Lake filter beds). Displays, touch tables, crafts, scavenger hunts, games, fun! Follow the signs!
9 am to 2 pm: Bird banding demonstrations – mist nets will be nearby and constantly checked for songbirds.
9 am to 2 pm: Hummingbird banding demonstrations – hummingbird feeder traps will be monitored all day.
Birding walks: There will be a 7:00 am walk with the VNHS Saturday Morning Birding Group. Meet at the main parking
lot at Beaver Lake. All other walks (~ 40 minutes in length) leave from the picnic shelter and run every hour, starting at 10:15 am).
Live raptors: Pacific Northwest Raptors will have birds of prey at the event, with a presentation in the morning and afternoon.

Saturday, May 11
FIELD TRIP (LEVEL 2)
Birding at Beaver Lake
This event will be part of International Migratory Bird Day. For other events planned for the day, see the IMBD info (see above) or on the VNHS web site. Join Dannie Carsen as he checks out the trails and the lakeshore to see what migrants have joined the resident birds in this productive area. Meet at 7:00 a.m. at the main parking lot at Beaver Lake. To reach this parking lot, turn on to Beaver Lake Road off Elk Lake Drive (parallels the Pat Bay Highway). There is a large park sign at this intersection. Contact Rick at 250-885-2454 or email Agnes at thelynns at shaw.ca for more information.

Sunday, May 12
FIELD TRIP (LEVEL 2)
Enjoy the Birds at Panama Flats
Join us at Panama Flats which is former farm land now owned by Saanich. It has berms holding water that provide waterfowl and shorebird habitat. Last year it proved to be the best spot in the region for shorebirds. The area is also surrounded by shrubbery providing habitat for good woodland birds as well. Meet at 7:00 a.m. at the parking lot at Hyacinth Park on Marigold Avenue. Contact Rick at 250-885-2454 or email Agnes at thelynns at shaw.ca for more information.

Sunday, May 12
non-vnhs FIELD TRIP (LEVEL 4)
Race Rocks with Friends of Ecological Reserves
A rare opportunity to visit Race Rocks ER. Interesting natural history. 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Must pre-register and pay. For more information and to register, call Marilyn 250-477-5922 http://ecoreserves.bc.ca/2013/04/01/race-rocks-field-trip/

Friday, May 17
FIELD TRIP (LEVEL 2)
Birding Along Lochside Trail at Blenkinsop Lake
Join us as we walk along Lochside Trail in the Blenkinsop Lake area. Migrants such as swallows, Black-headed Grosbeaks and Yellow Warblers will have joined the residents such as Cooper’s Hawks and Downy Woodpeckers. Meet at 7:00 a.m. opposite Don Mann Trucking on Lochside Drive (off Cedar Hill Cross Road). Contact Rick at 250-885-2454 or email Agnes at thelynns at shaw.ca for more information.

Saturday, May 18
FIELD TRIP (LEVEL 3)
Scramble up the Back of Mount Douglas
Join Mike McGrenere in birding Mount Douglas. We should get a good number of warblers, flycatchers and vireos. Also Western Tanager, House Wren and Chipping Sparrow are likely. The late wildflowers such as Menzies’ Larkspur (Delphinium menziesii) and Wooly Sunflower (Eriophyllum lanatum) should still be good as well. Please note the trail is steep but will be taken at a leisurely pace to enjoy the habitat. Meet at 7:00 a.m. at the new parking lot to the right off Blenkinsop Road just north of Lohbrunner Road on the left. Wear sturdy footwear. Contact Rick at 250-885-2454 or email Agnes at thelynns at shaw.ca for more information.

Saturday/Sunday. May 18/19
Victoria Butterfly Count
We are always looking for keen-eyed volunteers to submit butterfly records. If you would like to participate, please contact James Miskelly at 250-544-0455, james.miskelly@gmail.com

Sunday, May 19
FIELD TRIP (LEVEL 4)
Stewart Mountain Road
Join us in this very productive birding area. This trail, mostly under power lines, is a great place to see warblers, vireos and flycatchers. This is the most reliable spot for MacGillivray’s Warbler. Take the Trans-Canada Highway to the Millstream Road exit. Follow signs to the Highlands and you will be on Millstream Road. Right at Stewart Mountain Road and meet at the mailboxes at 7:00 a.m. Wear sturdy footwear. Contact Rick at 250-885-2454 or email Agnes at thelynns at shaw.ca for more information.

Monday, May 20
FIELD TRIP (LEVEL 3)
Natural History Cycling Tour of the Galloping Goose Trail from Sooke Potholes to Leechtown
Join Rick Schortinghuis on a cycling tour into the Sooke Hills. We will enjoy the flowers, birds, and scenery along the way. Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the Galloping Goose parking lot 2.3 km along Sooke River Road (off Sooke Road). Bring a cool drink and lunch. Contact Rick at 250-885-2454 or email Agnes at thelynns at shaw.ca for more information.

Friday, May 24
FIELD TRIP (LEVEL 2)
Birding Mount Newton
Join us on this leisurely loop on the south side of Mount Newton looking for warblers, flycatchers and other spring migrants in this area of mixed forest and large rural lots. This is a great area to see Western Tanagers, Black-headed Grosbeaks, Black-throated Grey Warblers and Mourning Doves. Take East Saanich Road to Haldon Road. Meet at the corner of Haldon Road and Newton Heights at 7:00 a.m. Contact Rick at 250-885-2454 or email Agnes at thelynns at shaw.ca for more information.

Saturday, May 25
FIELD TRIP (Level 2/3)
Zero Tide at Harling Point
Better known as a National Historic Site for its Chinese Cemetery, Harling Point also offers up a very accessible and close to the city rocky shore to explore! With a zero tide, expect to see a variety of algae and intertidal invertebrates adapted to this habitat. Leader Tina Kelly will describe what makes this a challenging place for an animal to live and how the sub-zones within the intertidal zone are different. A variety of field guides will be on hand to help us identify any surprises. Please wear appropriate footwear for scaling slippery rocks and wet seaweed. Meet at the end of Crescent Road adjacent to Chinese Cemetery at 9:15 a.m. For more information, call Tina at 250-881-4191.

Saturday, May 25
FIELD TRIP (LEVEL 3)
Birding Little Saanich Mountain (The Observatory)
Join Ed Pellizzon on a birding walk up and around Little Saanich Mountain. This is an excellent place to see lots of migrant species of birds. Meet at 7:00 a.m. at the bottom of the road leading up the mountain at the big sign for Centre of the Universe at 5071 West Saanich Road. Wear sturdy footwear. Contact Rick at 250-885-2454 or email Agnes at thelynns at shaw.ca for more information.

Sunday, May 26
FIELD TRIP (LEVEL 2)
Butterflies, Birds and Blooms on Mount Tolmie
Join us for a natural history walk on Mount Tolmie (off Cedar Hill Cross Road). Meet at 9:00 a.m. at the main parking lot just north of the summit. Contact Rick at 250-885-2454 or email Agnes at thelynns at shaw.ca for more information.

Saturday, June 1
FIELD TRIP (LEVEL 2)
Birding Jordan River Area
Join us for a trip to Jordan River. In the past it has been a hot spot for rarities in the spring and fall and it is a great place to hear Fox Sparrows singing in the spring. Meet at 7:00 a.m. at Helmcken Park & Ride to car-pool. Bring a lunch and drinks. Contact Rick at 250-885-2454 or email Agnes at thelynns at shaw.ca for more information.

Sunday, June 2
FIELD TRIP (LEVEL 2)
Duncan Butterflies
Join us on our search for the amazing array of butterflies in this area. This trip is weather dependent – it needs to be sunny to make it worthwhile. Meet at 9:00 a.m. at Helmcken Park and Ride to car-pool or at 10:00 a.m. at the entrance to the boardwalk at Somenos Marsh in Duncan (off the highway north of Beverly). Contact Rick at 250-885-2454 or email Agnes at thelynns at shaw.ca if the weather is doubtful or for more information.

Saturday, June 8
FIELD TRIP (LEVEL 4)
Birding the Power Lines and Ponds at the Hydro Substation near Francis King Park
Join us for a walk along the power lines that border Francis King Park and the area around the Hydro substation. This is a great area to hear or see most of the warblers, vireos, and flycatchers that we have in our area. This is the most reliable spot for Black-throated Grey Warbler. This is a four-to-five hour walk. Meet at 7:00 a.m. at the Francis King Park Nature House on Munns Road. Wear sturdy footwear. Bring a drink and a snack. Contact Rick at 250-885-2454 or email Agnes at thelynns at shaw.ca for more information.

Sunday, June 9
FIELD TRIP (LEVEL 4)
Enjoying the Last of the Wildflower Season at Eagle Heights
Join James Miskelly on our visit to an area northwest of Shawnigan Lake that is in need of protection for its unique habitat. It has interesting native grasses and other late wildflowers such as Clarkia. We might have time to look for some of the things that Pojar & MacKinnon refer to as “oddballs” if the weather is good. Meet 9:00 a.m. at Helmcken Park and Ride to car-pool. Wear sturdy footwear and bring a walking stick if you wish. Dress for the weather. Bring a lunch and drinks for the all day outing. Contact Agnes at thelynns at shaw.ca or 250-721-0634 for more information.

June 15/16
Victoria Butterfly Count
We are always looking for keen-eyed volunteers to submit butterfly records. If you would like to participate, please contact James Miskelly at 250-544-0455, james.miskelly@gmail.com

Saturday, June 15
FIELD TRIP (LEVEL 2)
Birding the Duncan Area
We will try to find a Red-eyed Vireo and other warblers, vireos and flycatchers. Meet at 7:00 a.m. at Helmcken Park & Ride to car-pool or at 8:00 a.m. at Cowichan Bay Dock Road (north of the intersection of Cowichan Bay Road and Tzouhalem Road). Contact Rick at 250-885-2454 or email Agnes at thelynns at shaw.ca for more information.

Sunday, June 16
FIELD TRIP (LEVEL 2/3)
Rhododendron Lake
There are few native rhododendrons growing on Vancouver Island. This area near Nanoose Bay is one of only two known sites on Vancouver Island where the pink Pacific Rhododendron (Rhododendron macrophyllum) grows, even though it is quite common in Washington State. The area surrounding the lake where these plants grow is quite boggy and, surprisingly, the plants growing with them are more like one would find in a high elevation bog. We usually think of rhododendrons requiring well-drained soil but these plants look very healthy despite their soggy surroundings. The timing of the trip should find them in bloom in a very scenic location. Meet at 8:00 a.m. at Helmcken Park and Ride to car-pool. Note that the road into the area is a logging road so cars with good clearance are necessary. Bring a lunch and drinks for the all day outing. Contact Agnes at thelynns at shaw.ca or 250-721-0634 for more information.

Saturday, June 22
SATURDAY MORNING BIRDING
Meets every Saturday morning, usually at 7:00 a.m. Call the Rare Bird Alert (250-704-2555) or check the Rare Bird Alert http://www.vicnhs.bc.ca/rarebird.html on Thursday/Friday before for this week’s location. For details, call Rick at 250-885-2454 (evenings) or email Agnes at thelynns at shaw.ca. Novice and experienced birders welcome.

Sunday, June 23
FIELD TRIP (LEVEL 3)
Cowichan River Footpath
This is an area well known to hikers and fisherman. Jack Sutherland has enjoyed hiking this area but this time he will slow down to enjoy the birds and flowers along this scenic waterway. We will be investigating the area between Skutz Falls and Marie Canyon. Joy Finlay will be along to help look for the wildflowers such as the rare California Tea Plant (Rupertia physodes). There is also a small segment of Garry Oak meadow where we will see some of the late spring wildflowers but another highlight of this section of trail is the abundance of plants found in the “Oddballs” section of the field guide by Pojar & McKinnon. This includes Ground Cones (Boschniakia hookeri) and Candy Sticks (Allotropa virgata). Meet at
7:00 a.m. at Helmcken Park & Ride to car-pool. Although the terrain is not terribly rugged, wear sturdy footwear and you might wish to bring a walking stick. Bring a lunch and drinks for the all day outing. Contact Agnes at thelynns at shaw.ca or 250-721-0634 for more information.

Sunday, June 30
FIELD TRIP (LEVEL 3)
Jordan Ridge and San Juan Ridge
Due to uncertainty with access availability to the areas high above Jordan River, we are asking you to contact Agnes Lynn to get on an email list which will have more details on field trips in this area closer to the dates, probably starting on June 30. Trips in this area may include visits to see some high elevation early wildflowers such as Smith’s Fairy Bells (Prosartes smithii), high elevation bogs containing plants such as Common Butterwort (Pinguicula vulgaris), areas with fields of White Avalanche Lilies (Erythronium montanum) and other meadows rich in plants that you would expect at much higher elevations such as White Rhododendron (Rhododendron albiflorum). We will also be checking out the birds on these trips although there is not a great diversity at these elevations. Trips may include hiking on the Kludahk Trail which goes along the San Juan Ridge. You must pre-register for these trips due to transportation limitations and potential change of plans due to snow cover and/or road conditions and changeable access limitations. Number of participants will be dependent on availability of high-clearance or 4-wheel-drive vehicles for carpooling. We generally start from Victoria around 8:00 a.m. Be prepared in case of cold and/or wet weather due to the elevation. Also wear sturdy footwear and a hiking stick is a good idea due to the uneven ground. Bring a lunch and drinks for the all day outing. Contact Agnes at thelynns at shaw.ca or 250-721-0634 to be put on the email list for further information on field trips in this area.