2024 May 9 – Victoria Natural History Society

2024 May 9

Aziza Cooper writes: On May 8, at about 4 pm, I saw four species of butterflies at Mount Tolmie: two Painted Ladies, two Mourning Cloaks, one Western Spring Azure and one flyby Anise Swallowtail. [Jeremy Tatum writes: The two Painted Ladies and a Mourning Cloak were still there on May 9, 4:00 pm.]

Painted Lady Vanessa cardui (Lep.: Nymphalidae) Aziza Cooper

Mourning Cloak Nymphalis antiopa (Lep.: Nymphalidae) Aziza Cooper

Here are a few photographs taken on May 5 to 9 by Ian Cooper at Colquitz River Park.

If anyone can help with the first two insects below, please let us know. At present we label them as “probablys”.

Probably an aphid (Hem.: Aphididae) Ian Cooper

Probably a crane fly (Dip.: Tipulidae) Ian Cooper

Harvestman Protolophus sp. (Opiliones: Protolophidae) Ian Cooper

Tetragnatha versicolor (Ara.: Tetragnathidae) Ian Cooper

July 2025

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Tuesday Birding
Tuesday Birding

July 1, 2025 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Corner of Bowker Ave. and Bowker Place, Victoria

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.

Novice and experienced Nature Victoria members are welcome!

For more information call Bill Dancer at 250-721-5273.

See more details

Birding Viaduct Flats
Birding Viaduct Flats

July 5, 2025 @ 7:30 am - 10:30 am
Victoria Region

FIELD TRIP (LEVEL 1.5)

Meet at 7:30 a.m. Not many waterbirds are still around, but there will be lots of migrant passerines as well as the resident birds. DIRECTIONS: Parking is adjacent to the observation stand on Interurban Road, a short distance north of the Interurban Campus of Camosun College.

See more details

Monthly Butterfly Walk
Monthly Butterfly Walk

July 6, 2025 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Field trip (Level 2)

Join us on our monthly Butterfly Walk. Each outing is intended to help us learn more about local butterflies. This field trip is weather-dependent as it needs to be sunny and warm to make it worthwhile. We start at the top of Mount Tolmie (off Cedar Hill X Road). Meet at 1 p.m. in the lot by the reservoir where we will have an initial look for butterflies and then decide where to go from there. Car-pooling is encouraged. We try to return by 4 p.m. Cancellations or special instructions will be posted on the calendar (https://www.vicnhs.bc.ca/?page_id=1518 ) closer to the date. Contact Gordon Hart at 250-721-1264 or butterflies@vicnhs.bc.ca for more information.

See more details
The Evening Chorus at Blenkinsop Lake
The Evening Chorus at Blenkinsop Lake

July 6, 2025 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

FIELD TRIP (LEVEL 1)

Meet at 7:30 p.m. This is part of the continuing series of evening walks. Blenkinsop Lake is a great place for evening birding. Commuting cyclists and group running clubs are done for the day, and we should have the trail largely to ourselves. Late in the day, diurnal birds are starting to wind down but are still foraging for the day’s last meal for themselves and their young. A few songbirds sing until late in the day or even at sunset. Around sunset, birds such as owls and Common Nighthawks may be active. DIRECTIONS: Parking is available between Don Mann Excavating (4098 Lochside Drive) and the Lochside Trail.

See more details

Tuesday Birding
Tuesday Birding

July 8, 2025 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Corner of Bowker Ave. and Bowker Place, Victoria

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.

Novice and experienced Nature Victoria members are welcome!

For more information call Bill Dancer at 250-721-5273.

See more details

Saturday Birding
Saturday Birding

July 12, 2025 @ 8:00 am - 11:00 am
Victoria Region

Meets every Saturday morning, usually at 8:00 a.m., rain or shine. We ask that participants have both vaccines completed, to come on this walk. Check here on the Thursday/Friday before to find out the week’s time and location. Novice and experienced VNHS members all welcome. Non-members can participate up to three times, after which they are expected to join the Society.

See more details

Tuesday Birding
Tuesday Birding

July 15, 2025 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Corner of Bowker Ave. and Bowker Place, Victoria

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.

Novice and experienced Nature Victoria members are welcome!

For more information call Bill Dancer at 250-721-5273.

See more details

Birding Thetis Lake
Birding Thetis Lake

July 19, 2025 @ 8:00 am - 11:00 am
Victoria Region

FIELD TRIP (LEVEL 2)

Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the top right edge of the main parking area near the south end of Thetis Lake. This will be a mostly leisurely walk around the picturesque lakes. This forested area is productive for nesting songbirds. We can expect to encounter many juvenile forest birds, possibly including chickadees, juncos, robins, sparrows, nuthatches, creepers, warblers, and more. Taking a clockwise route, we will first go around Upper Thetis Lake, where Belted Kingfishers and Great Blue Herons may be seen fishing. We will then return along Lower Thetis Lake. DIRECTIONS: To reach the park, take the Colwood exit off the Trans-Canada Highway and follow the Old Island Highway for a short distance. Turn right at the traffic light at Six Mile Road just before the bridge. Continue on this road when it goes under the highway, and you will come to the Thetis Lake Park parking lot. Parking is $2.00 for two hours or $4.00 for the day; information about fee options can be found at https://www.crd.bc.ca/parks-recreation-culture/parks-trails/crd-regional-parks/park-usage-rules/parking-fees

See more details

Tuesday Birding
Tuesday Birding

July 22, 2025 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Corner of Bowker Ave. and Bowker Place, Victoria

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.

Novice and experienced Nature Victoria members are welcome!

For more information call Bill Dancer at 250-721-5273.

See more details

Birding on Sooke Hills Wilderness Regional Park
Birding on Sooke Hills Wilderness Regional Park

July 26, 2025 @ 7:30 am - 10:30 am
Victoria Region

FIELD TRIP (LEVEL 2)

Meet at 7:30 a.m. at Humpback Reservoir. We will walk along the Sooke Hills Wilderness Park Trail past the side of Humpback Reservoir and gradually up to the Waugh Creek Falls/Goldstream River Suspension bridge. This area has a few different habitats, and we should see some good birds, both around the reservoir and in the forest. The trail is in good shape, and the route is gradual and shaded. DIRECTIONS: From Langford Parkway and West Shore Parkway roundabout, drive a short way to Meridian Avenue (right). Follow for 200 metres to Irwin Road. Turn left on Irwin and continue to Humpback Reservoir. You will see two parking lots and may park in either. Meet by the washroom in the big parking lot below Humpback Reservoir.

See more details

Tuesday Birding
Tuesday Birding

July 29, 2025 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Corner of Bowker Ave. and Bowker Place, Victoria

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.

Novice and experienced Nature Victoria members are welcome!

For more information call Bill Dancer at 250-721-5273.

See more details

	July 2025
Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
		1 Tuesday Birding Tuesday Birding July 1, 2025 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Corner of Bowker Ave. and Bowker Place, Victoria 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. Novice and experienced Nature Victoria members are welcome! For more information call Bill Dancer at 250-721-5273. See more details •	2	3	4	5 Birding Viaduct Flats Birding Viaduct Flats July 5, 2025 @ 7:30 am - 10:30 am Victoria Region FIELD TRIP (LEVEL 1.5) Meet at 7:30 a.m. Not many waterbirds are still around, but there will be lots of migrant passerines as well as the resident birds. DIRECTIONS: Parking is adjacent to the observation stand on Interurban Road, a short distance north of the Interurban Campus of Camosun College. See more details •
6 Monthly Butterfly Walk Monthly Butterfly Walk July 6, 2025 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm Field trip (Level 2) Join us on our monthly Butterfly Walk. Each outing is intended to help us learn more about local butterflies. This field trip is weather-dependent as it needs to be sunny and warm to make it worthwhile. We start at the top of Mount Tolmie (off Cedar Hill X Road). Meet at 1 p.m. in the lot by the reservoir where we will have an initial look for butterflies and then decide where to go from there. Car-pooling is encouraged. We try to return by 4 p.m. Cancellations or special instructions will be posted on the calendar (https://www.vicnhs.bc.ca/?page_id=1518 ) closer to the date. Contact Gordon Hart at 250-721-1264 or butterflies@vicnhs.bc.ca for more information. See more details The Evening Chorus at Blenkinsop Lake The Evening Chorus at Blenkinsop Lake July 6, 2025 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm FIELD TRIP (LEVEL 1) Meet at 7:30 p.m. This is part of the continuing series of evening walks. Blenkinsop Lake is a great place for evening birding. Commuting cyclists and group running clubs are done for the day, and we should have the trail largely to ourselves. Late in the day, diurnal birds are starting to wind down but are still foraging for the day’s last meal for themselves and their young. A few songbirds sing until late in the day or even at sunset. Around sunset, birds such as owls and Common Nighthawks may be active. DIRECTIONS: Parking is available between Don Mann Excavating (4098 Lochside Drive) and the Lochside Trail. See more details • •	7	8 Tuesday Birding Tuesday Birding July 8, 2025 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Corner of Bowker Ave. and Bowker Place, Victoria 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. Novice and experienced Nature Victoria members are welcome! For more information call Bill Dancer at 250-721-5273. See more details •	9	10	11	12 Saturday Birding Saturday Birding July 12, 2025 @ 8:00 am - 11:00 am Victoria Region Meets every Saturday morning, usually at 8:00 a.m., rain or shine. We ask that participants have both vaccines completed, to come on this walk. Check here on the Thursday/Friday before to find out the week’s time and location. Novice and experienced VNHS members all welcome. Non-members can participate up to three times, after which they are expected to join the Society. See more details •
13	14	15 Tuesday Birding Tuesday Birding July 15, 2025 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Corner of Bowker Ave. and Bowker Place, Victoria 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. Novice and experienced Nature Victoria members are welcome! For more information call Bill Dancer at 250-721-5273. See more details •	16	17	18	19 Birding Thetis Lake Birding Thetis Lake July 19, 2025 @ 8:00 am - 11:00 am Victoria Region FIELD TRIP (LEVEL 2) Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the top right edge of the main parking area near the south end of Thetis Lake. This will be a mostly leisurely walk around the picturesque lakes. This forested area is productive for nesting songbirds. We can expect to encounter many juvenile forest birds, possibly including chickadees, juncos, robins, sparrows, nuthatches, creepers, warblers, and more. Taking a clockwise route, we will first go around Upper Thetis Lake, where Belted Kingfishers and Great Blue Herons may be seen fishing. We will then return along Lower Thetis Lake. DIRECTIONS: To reach the park, take the Colwood exit off the Trans-Canada Highway and follow the Old Island Highway for a short distance. Turn right at the traffic light at Six Mile Road just before the bridge. Continue on this road when it goes under the highway, and you will come to the Thetis Lake Park parking lot. Parking is $2.00 for two hours or $4.00 for the day; information about fee options can be found at https://www.crd.bc.ca/parks-recreation-culture/parks-trails/crd-regional-parks/park-usage-rules/parking-fees See more details •
20	21	22 Tuesday Birding Tuesday Birding July 22, 2025 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Corner of Bowker Ave. and Bowker Place, Victoria 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. Novice and experienced Nature Victoria members are welcome! For more information call Bill Dancer at 250-721-5273. See more details •	23	24	25	26 Birding on Sooke Hills Wilderness Regional Park Birding on Sooke Hills Wilderness Regional Park July 26, 2025 @ 7:30 am - 10:30 am Victoria Region FIELD TRIP (LEVEL 2) Meet at 7:30 a.m. at Humpback Reservoir. We will walk along the Sooke Hills Wilderness Park Trail past the side of Humpback Reservoir and gradually up to the Waugh Creek Falls/Goldstream River Suspension bridge. This area has a few different habitats, and we should see some good birds, both around the reservoir and in the forest. The trail is in good shape, and the route is gradual and shaded. DIRECTIONS: From Langford Parkway and West Shore Parkway roundabout, drive a short way to Meridian Avenue (right). Follow for 200 metres to Irwin Road. Turn left on Irwin and continue to Humpback Reservoir. You will see two parking lots and may park in either. Meet by the washroom in the big parking lot below Humpback Reservoir. See more details •
27	28	29 Tuesday Birding Tuesday Birding July 29, 2025 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Corner of Bowker Ave. and Bowker Place, Victoria 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. Novice and experienced Nature Victoria members are welcome! For more information call Bill Dancer at 250-721-5273. See more details •	30	31