Victoria Natural
History Society
Sharing a love of nature since 1944
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Field Trips & Events
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Join Us
Learn about the benefits of membership
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The Victoria Natural History Society (VNHS) formed in 1944 and currently has about 750 members. We are a volunteer-run organization. Members have developed their interest in nature in a wide variety of ways—some are professional biologists, others are students, most are amateur or volunteer naturalists. VNHS provides an opportunity for those interested in the natural world to come together to share their ideas and experiences.
The Victoria Natural History Society offers many field trips and presentations each month for its members. Note that while evening presentations are open to the public, field trips are designed for members. Guests may join for up to three trips, after which they are expected to join the Society. If you like what you see, please support VNHS by becoming a member and/or making a donation.
The primary objectives of the Society are:
  • To stimulate active interest in natural history
  • To study and protect flora and fauna and their habitats
  • To work with other societies and like bodies having interests in common with this Society.

LATEST POSTS IN INVERTEBRATE ALERT

2021 September 22

   Say goodbye to Summer, and welcome to Autumn.   The declination of the Sun was zero at 12:21 pm PDT today.

    Jeff Gaskin reports that Kirsten Mills saw two Lorquin’s Admirals yesterday, September 21.    One was seen on the Cedar Hill Golf Course, and the other was seen while Kirsten was driving along Royal Oak Avenue near Lochside School.   These are late dates for Lorquin’s Admiral, but not unprecedented.  For example, in 2019 one was seen as late as September 25.

   ...

2021 September 21

    Jeremy Tatum sends a photograph of a creature found in his bathroom this morning.  It belongs to the Order Thysanura (Zygentoma of some authors), Three-pronged Bristletails.  Taxonomists don’t seem to have settled whether or not they belong in the Class Insecta. The three species most commonly encountered  indoors are the Firebrat Thermobia domestica, the Silverfish Lepisma saccharina  and the one below, Ctenolepisma longicaudata,  whose English name varies from  author...

Calendar

September 25, 2021

  • Hawkwatch

    September 25, 2021 @ 10:30 am - 2:00 pm
    East Sooke Regional Park - Aylard Farm Parking Lot, 1 Becher Bay Rd, Sooke, BC V9Z 1B7, Canada

    FIELD TRIP (LEVEL 3) 

    Hawkwatch 

    The VNHS Birding Group will start from Aylard Farm in East Sooke Park to get to the vantage point above Beechey Head to watch for raptors. We ask that participants have both vaccines, to come on this walk. Meet at the parking lot at the end of Becher Bay Rd at 10:30 am. Rick Schortinghuis will lead the way up to the lookout. Rick and others will be available up at the top to help you find those illusive raptors till about 2 p.m. The hike up to the viewpoint requires a 20-minute trek up a steep and rocky trail. Bring binoculars, water and perhaps a lunch. You can stay as long as you like and then return to the parking lot whenever you wish. If you do not want to make the trek up to the hill, there are good opportunities in the field near the parking lot to look for raptors as well. You must register for this trip up the hill as the number is limited to 10 people at the top. WE ASK THAT PARTICIPANTS BE DOUBLE VACCINATED, KEEP PHYSICAL DISTANCE BUT IF UNABLE, PUT ON A MASK. Contact Agnes at thelynns at shaw. ca or (250) 721-0634 to register or for more information. PLEASE COME ON A DIFFERENT DAY IF YOU WISH TO COME ON YOUR OWN TO AVOID OVERCROWDING. 

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September 26, 2021

  • Hawkwatch(2)

    September 26, 2021 @ 10:30 am - 1:30 pm
    East Sooke Regional Park - Aylard Farm Parking Lot, 1 Becher Bay Rd, Sooke, BC V9Z 1B7, Canada

    SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 

    FIELD TRIP (LEVEL 3) 

    Hawkwatch 

    We will repeat the Saturday trip on Sunday. Please register for it as well. We ask that participants have both vaccines to come on this walk. WE ASK THAT PARTICIPANTS BE DOUBLE VACCINATED, KEEP PHYSICAL DISTANCE BUT IF UNABLE, PUT ON A MASK. Contact Agnes at thelynns at shaw.ca or (250) 721- 0634 to register or for more information. PLEASE COME ON A DIFFERENT DAY IF YOU WISH TO COME ON YOUR OWN TO AVOID OVERCROWDING. 

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September 27, 2021

  • Marine Night

    September 27, 2021 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
    On Zoom

    Monthly Marine Night Sept to April.

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