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 April 13

 

   Jeff Gaskin writes:  April 12, on Mount Tolmie there were two California Tortoiseshells on the concrete reservoir and one Sara Orangetip  just below the reservoir.  One of the tortoiseshells was photographed by Marie O’Shaughnessy.

 

California Tortoiseshell Nymphalis californica (Lep.: Nymphalidae)  Marie O’Shaughnessy

    Rosemary Jorna writes from Kemp Lake today: This little moth was among our daffodils at noon.

Jeremy Tatum writes:   If anyone sees this moth ovip...

2021 April 21

 

   Although it has been sunny in the last few days, there has been a cold, cold wind – a bit too cold for most butterflies.  Today, Jeremy Tatum caught a glimpse of a Cabbage White near Shelbourne Street and Cedar Hill Cross Road,  and yesterday Marie O’Shaughnessy caught a glimpse of a Satyr Comma at Francis/King Park.

Satyr Comma Polygonia satyrus (Lep.: Nymphalidae)

Marie O’Shaughnessy

Calendar

April 13, 2021

  • Natural History Night: iNaturalist Project

    April 13, 2021 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
    Via Zoom

    To join us, please register in advance for this meeting by entering this link in your browser and following the instructions: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwpc-ChrTgqE9SJXYKQo7ycE1anKPx9teih  After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing a URL link and a passcode which you enter at the time of the talk.

    NATURAL HISTORY NIGHT 

    The BC Parks iNaturalist Project: Using Community Science to Inform Conservation 

    iNaturalist is the largest community science platform in the world, and it’s growing exponentially. John Reynolds and Brian Starzomski will explore the ways in which community science projects such as iNaturalist can be used to learn about biodiversity, emphasizing its use in documenting species in BC’s provincial park system. They will also consider how iNaturalist and other community science platforms are informing conservation assessments, with an emphasis on Canadian species at risk.

    See more details

April 18, 2021

  • Swan Lake Bird Walks

    April 18, 2021 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
    Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary, 3873 Swan Lake Rd, Victoria, BC, Canada

    Every Wednesday and Sunday at 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 generally led by Victoria Natural History Society members. Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary is at 3873 Swan Lake Road, off Ralph Street. Note that the Wild Birds Unlimited Nature Store in Shelbourne Plaza posts the bird reports from the Sunday walk.

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April 20, 2021

  • Tuesday Birding

    April 20, 2021 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
    Corner of Bowker Ave. and Bowker Place, Victoria

    TUESDAY 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, 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.

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