If space allows, guests may join for up to three trips, after which they are expected to join the Society.
Codes for Field Trip Difficulty Levels:
LEVEL 1—Easy walking, mostly level paths.
LEVEL 2—Paths can be narrow with uneven terrain.
LEVEL 3—Obstacles in paths or steeper grades, requiring agility.
LEVEL 4—Very steep, insecure footing, or longer hikes requiring good physical condition.
Please—no pets on VNHS field trips.
If you would like to do a talk or know someone who might, please contact one of the presentation night coordinators. If you have an idea for a field trip or wish to volunteer as a leader, please contact the Field Trip Coordinator. Many of you do interesting things either for fun or for work, and it would be great to share! See Contact page for email addresses and phone numbers.
TUESDAY MORNING BIRDING – Meets every Tuesday one block south of the foot of Bowker Ave on the waterfront (off Beach Drive) at 9:00 a.m. or at the foot of Bowker Ave at 9:30 a.m. Birding activities take place at various locations around Greater Victoria. For more information call Bill Dancer at 250-721-5273. Novice and experienced VNHS members all welcome.
SATURDAY MORNING BIRDING –Meets every Saturday morning, usually at 8:00 a.m., rain or shine. Check on the Calendar on the Thursday/Friday before to find out the week’s location. Novice and experienced VNHS members all welcome.
SWAN LAKE GUIDED BIRD WALKS – Every Wednesday 9:00 a.m. Bring your binoculars and walking shoes and meet in the parking lot for this informal and informative walk around the lake area. Walks are led by Victoria Natural History Society members. Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary is at 3873 Swan Lake Road, off Ralph Street.
January 4, 2025 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Victoria Region
FIELD TRIP (LEVEL 1)
Meet at 9:00 a.m. at the Surfside Beach Access on Surfside Place. Winter is a good time to visit the Sidney waterfront, as many seabirds and bay ducks can be found in waters near shore. We'll make several stops at accessible beaches. (See Roberts Bay.) DIRECTIONS: In Sidney, drive down Beacon Drive, turn north on 3rd Street, then drive for 1.2 kilometres. Turn right onto Beaufort Road, drive a short distance and then turn right at Surfside Place. Parking is curbside around the cul-de-sac.
January 7, 2025 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Corner of Bowker Ave. and Bowker Place, Victoria
TUESDAY BIRDING. We meet every Tuesday, one block south of the foot of Bowker Ave on the waterfront (off Beach Drive) at 9:00 am, or at the foot of Bowker Ave at 9:30 am, rain or shine. Birding activities take place at various locations around Greater Victoria. For more information call Bill Dancer at 250-721-5273 or Agnes Lynn at thelynns at shaw.ca or 250-721-0634. Novice and experienced VNHS members all welcome.
January 11, 2025 @ 8:30 am - 11:30 am Victoria Region
FIELD TRIP (LEVEL 2)
Meet at 8:30 a.m.
***NEW: A Parking Permit is required on Saturday for public parking. Rate: $2.25/hr. We'll gather as a group first to agreeing on a time limit for parking (and then purchase a parking pass).
We will start at the lagoon and then head up Charlie’s Trail. (See Royal Roads University.)
DIRECTIONS: Turn off Sooke Road at the Royal Roads University entrance at the intersection of Aldeane and University Drive to go down to the waterfront. Continue on University Drive past the buildings on the right and park as close to the bottom as possible. Meet at the edge of the University Drive near the Blue Heron House on the left.
January 14, 2025 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Corner of Bowker Ave. and Bowker Place, Victoria
TUESDAY BIRDING. We meet every Tuesday, one block south of the foot of Bowker Ave on the waterfront (off Beach Drive) at 9:00 am, or at the foot of Bowker Ave at 9:30 am, rain or shine. Birding activities take place at various locations around Greater Victoria. For more information call Bill Dancer at 250-721-5273 or Agnes Lynn at thelynns at shaw.ca or 250-721-0634. Novice and experienced VNHS members all welcome.
January 18, 2025 @ 8:30 am - 11:30 am Victoria Region
FIELD TRIP (LEVEL 1) Meet at 8:30 a.m. This week, the Saturday birding group will make several stops along the waterfront, to look at some of the many seabirds (including gulls and ducks) and shorebirds that spend winters in the Victoria area, starting at Clover Point and ending at the Ogden Point breakwater. DIRECTIONS: Clover Point is off Dallas Road, between Moss and Bushby Streets.
January 21, 2025 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Corner of Bowker Ave. and Bowker Place, Victoria
TUESDAY BIRDING. We meet every Tuesday, one block south of the foot of Bowker Ave on the waterfront (off Beach Drive) at 9:00 am, or at the foot of Bowker Ave at 9:30 am, rain or shine. Birding activities take place at various locations around Greater Victoria. For more information call Bill Dancer at 250-721-5273 or Agnes Lynn at thelynns at shaw.ca or 250-721-0634. Novice and experienced VNHS members all welcome.
The rise and fall of bird populations tells us how they, and by extension their habitats, are doing. Birds reflect our impact on the environment, tell us where conservation action is working, and show us where we need to focus more effort. Birds Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada released the latest “State of Canada’s Birds” report in October 2024. It explores the status of Canada’s bird populations today, how they have changed over time, and what we can all do to help the birds that call Canada home.
January 25, 2025 @ 8:30 am - 11:30 am Victoria Region
FIELD TRIP (LEVEL 2)
Meet at 8:30 a.m. Viaduct Flats has a good viewing platform to highlight the waterbirds that spend fall and winter here, plus many birds in the surrounding woods and fields. DIRECTIONS: The parking lot is at the foot of Viaduct Avenue off Interurban Road.
January 28, 2025 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Corner of Bowker Ave. and Bowker Place, Victoria
TUESDAY BIRDING. We meet every Tuesday, one block south of the foot of Bowker Ave on the waterfront (off Beach Drive) at 9:00 am, or at the foot of Bowker Ave at 9:30 am, rain or shine. Birding activities take place at various locations around Greater Victoria. For more information call Bill Dancer at 250-721-5273 or Agnes Lynn at thelynns at shaw.ca or 250-721-0634. Novice and experienced VNHS members all welcome.
