FIELD TRIP (LEVEL 2)

Monthly Butterfly Outing

Join Gordon Harton our monthly Butterfly outing. Each outing is intended to help us learn more about our local butterflies. This outing is weather dependent. It needs to be warm and sunny to make it worthwhile. We will start at the top of Mount Tolmie (off Cedar Hill Cross Rd). Meet at 1:00 pm in the lot by the reservoir where we will have an initial look for butterflies and then decide where to go from there. Contact Gordon at (250) 721-1264 or butterflies@vicnhs.bc.cafor more information.

FIELD TRIP (LEVEL 3)

Sidney Spit Birding

Caution, this date may change so please communicate with Agnes closer to the day to confirm the date. It’s the time of year to make the trek over to Sidney Spit on Sidney Island to look for interesting shorebirds on their southern migration. There are always good ones reported from there – Baird’s Sandpiper, Sanderlings, Semipalmated Sandpipers and Plovers, maybe even that illusive Buff-breasted Sandpiper we always hope to see! Also close-ups on Purple Martins and we’ll see other passerines in the woods. You will be impressed with the recent removal of invasives plants from the Spit to allow more habitat for native plants and areas for nesting birds. Bring a lunch and drinks (no drinking water available on island). Due to the over-crowding on the ferry on the weekend, we have chosen to go during the week. We will go over on the ferry from Sidney that leaves at 10:00 a.m. You must book the ferry online in advance (www.sidneyspitferry.com/schedule). The return ferry leaves the island at 1:00, 3:00 and 4:00 p.m. so you can choose how long you wish to stay. Cost is $19 for adults ($16 seniors). Ferry now leaves from the foot of Bevan Ave. Allow enough time to find a place to park. Parking rates vary on how far you are willing to walk. Contact Agnes at thelynns at shaw.ca or (250) 721-0634 for more information and to tell her if you are planning to come.