2020 July 04 morning

 

   Message from Gordon Hart:

 

Hello Butterfly Watchers,
We will be having a Butterfly Walk on Sunday, July 5. We will be following the Covid-19 policies approved by the VNHS Board of Directors. They can be found on page 5 of the July August issue of The Naturalist and I have copied them below. 

 We meet at the top of Mount Tolmie by the reservoir, at 1.00 p.m. You can park in the parking lot there, or in the large lot north of the summit. After a look around the summit, and depending on the weather, we will decide on a destination from there. 
See you on Sunday,
Gordon 

Gordon Hart,

Butterfly count coordinator

Victoria Natural History Society

 

In this “new abnormal environment”, when many events and activities are being cancelled, Dr. Bonnie Henry encourages us to get outside. For VNHS members, the preferred activity is a field trip. Yes, trips are still possible, if they can be done safely according to public health directives and using common sense. 

Following are what we hope will be temporary guidelines for leaders and participants. 

1. For now, trips are to be limited to 10 participants, including the leader. However, if there are more than 10, the leader has the option of splitting the group. 
2. Please respect physical distancing, two metres apart, while on trails and in groups. 
3. Please bring a face mask to be used if physical distancing is not possible. 
4. Please ensure that your field trip waiver (attached to the membership application and renewal form) is current and signed. As stated on the form, you are attending field trips at your own risk. 
5. Please do not carpool unless all occupants are from the same household. 
6. Please bring your own binoculars and/or spotting scopes and avoid sharing them. 
7. Please stay at home if you are feeling ill, especially if you have any possible COVID-19 symptoms, or even feel unsure about being with a group of people. 
8. Please respect the trip leader’s right, and obligation, to limit the number of participants in any field trip. The leader also has the right to alter or even cancel a field trip. Please remember that our field trip leaders are volunteers, giving their time and knowledge freely and generously. 
9. Finally, please check the VNHS website ahead of time to ensure that the trip is still scheduled to take place. 

 

 

  Jeremy Tatum shows a moth that emerged today, reared from a caterpillar found last year on Gumweed at Island View Beach, where it was released today:

 

Cucullia montanae (Lep.: Noctuidae)  Jeremy Tatum

 

   He also shows a chrysalis formed today from a caterpillar found on Stinging Nettle at Lochside Drive:

 

Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta (Lep.: Nymphalidae)  Jeremy Tatum

 

   Jochen Möhr shows two moths from his Metchosin home this morning:

Pyrausta perrubralis (Lep.: Crambidae)  Jochen Möhr