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

2022 May 26 morning

    Gordon Hart sends photographs of caterpillars of the Sheep Moth Hemileuca eglanterina from Snowberry in Uplands Park, May 24.  In the second photograph you can see the cast skins (exuviae) of the previous instar.

Sheep Moth Hemileuca eglanterina (Lep.: Saturniidae)  Gordon Hart

 

Sheep Moth Hemileuca eglanterina (Lep.: Saturniidae)  Gordon Hart

 

   I have noticed (writes Jeremy Tatum) that some recent authors (not Gordon!) have taken to calling this moth the “Ele...

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2022 May 25

    Val George writes:  Monday, May 23, I did my official May butterfly count for Mount Douglas and the surrounding area. Result: 7 Cabbage White, 4 Sara Orangetip (photo of a female attached), 1 California Tortoiseshell, 4 Western Spring Azure.

Female Sara Orangetip Anthocharis sara (Lep.: Pieridae)  Val George

   Jeremy Tatum writes that there was a Red Admiral on the Mount Tolmie reservoir at 5:00 pm today.

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Calendar

May 28, 2022

  • Birding Power line

    May 28, 2022 @ 7:00 am - 10:00 am
    691 Stewart Mountain Rd, Victoria, BC V9B 6E4, Canada

    Saturday May 28

    FIELD TRIP (LEVEL 3)

    Birding the Power Line off 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. Turn right on to Stewart Mountain Road and meet at the mailboxes at 7:00 a.m. Contact Agnes at thelynns at shaw.ca or (250) 721-0634 for more information.

    Organiser: Victoria Natural History Society

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May 29, 2022

  • Birding near Francis King Park

    May 29, 2022 @ 7:00 am - 11:00 am
    Francis/King Regional Park, Munn Rd, Saanich, BC V9E 1H7, Canada

    Sunday, May 29

    FIELD TRIP (LEVEL 4)

    Birding the Power Lines & the 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 place to hear or see most of our warblers, vireos and flycatchers. This is the most reliable spot for Black-throated Gray Warbler. This is a four- to five-hour walk. Meet at 7:00 a.m. at the Francis King Park Nature House on Munn Road. Bring a drink and a snack if you wish. Contact Agnes at thelynns at shaw.ca or (250) 721-0634 for more information.

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June 5, 2022

  • Monthly Butterfly Outing

    June 5, 2022 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
    Mount Tolmie Park, 3492 Mayfair Dr #3486, Victoria, BC V8P 4P9, Canada

    Sunday, June 5

    FIELD TRIP (LEVEL 2)

    Monthly Butterfly Outing

    Join us on our monthly Butterfly outing. Each outing is intended to help us learn more about our local Butterflies. Each 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 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. The meeting time may change. Check the website closer to the date for updates. Contact Gordon Hart at (250) 721-1264 or butterflies@vicnhs.bc.ca for more information.

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