VNHS Calendar

Ongoing Events:

Year-Round:

Tuesday morning birding group: Meet at the foot (waterfront) of Bowker Ave. (off Beach Dr.) at 9:00 am. Birding activities take place at various locations around Greater Victoria. For more information, call Bill Dancer at 250-721-5273.

Saturday morning birding: Call the Rare Bird Alert (250-704-2555) or click 'Rare Bird Alert' on the Thursday or Friday before to find out this week's location. Starting at 7:00 a.m., rain or shine. For more details, call Rick at 250-885-2454 or email Agnes at thelynns at shaw.ca. Novice and experienced birders all welcome.

September to April: (No presentations scheduled during May to August, or between December 14 and January 1.)

Natural History Night: 2nd Tuesday, 7:30 pm, University of Victoria (see details below for locations)

Botany Night: 3rd Tuesday, 7:30 pm, Swan Lake Nature Centre

Birders' Night: 4th Wednesday, 7:30 pm, University of Victoria (see details below for locations)

Marine Night: Last Monday, 7:30 pm, University of Victoria (see details below for locations)

Codes for Field Trip Difficulty Levels:
Level 1 - easy walking, mostly level paths
Level 2 - paths can be narrow with uneven terrain
Level 3 - steeper grades or obstacles in paths requiring agility
Level 4 - very steep, insecure footing or longer hikes requiring good physical condition

Saturday, December 31
FIELD TRIP (LEVEL TBA)
Saturday Morning Birding
Call the Rare Bird Alert, 250-704-2555, or click “Rare Bird
Alert” on the VNHS website <www.vicnhs.bc.ca> on the Thursday or Friday before to find out this week’s location. Usually starts at 8:00 a.m., rain or shine. For more details, call Rick at 250-885-2454 or email Agnes at thelynns at shaw.ca. Everyone welcome.

Sunday, January 1
EVENT
Duncan Christmas Bird Count
See the article (p.16) or visit <www.vicnhs.bc.ca/cbc/>

Saturday, January 7
FIELD TRIP (Level 1)
Birding Saanichton Bay Park
Join Rick Schortinghuis in birding this hot-spot for wintering waterfowl. We should see loons, grebes, diving ducks, and dabbling ducks.It is also a good area for passerines Meet at the parking lot off Mt Newton x Rd just past the four way stop with Lochside Drive at 8:00am.
Call Rick at 250-388-2454 if you need more information. Everyone welcome.

Tuesday, January 10
NATURAL HISTORY PRESENTATION
Premiere of Aldo Leopold Documentary **Note Time Change
VNHS is sponsoring the Victoria (and Western Canada) premiere of Green Fire, the new Aldo Leopold documentary. Leopold, an American wildlife and forest ecologist, founded environmental ethics in the 1940s with the publication of his famous book, A Sand County Almanac. The Almanac, one of the most popular environmental books ever published (sales in the millions), makes a lyrical plea for the preservation of intact ecosystems. Leopold’s life, the film argues, is no less interesting than his book. Once an active foe of every keystone predator, Leopold risked his reputation in the 1940s to make a place for bears, cougars, and wolves in conserved landscapes. VNHS member Kem Luther will provide a short introduction to Leopold, his book, and the documentary. We meet at 7:00 p.m. in Room 159 of the Fraser Building at the University of Victoria. Everyone is welcome. Bring a friend and a coffee mug. (Note that, due to the 70 minute length of the film, we will start at 7:00 p.m.)

Saturday, January 14
FIELD TRIP (LEVEL TBA)
Saturday Morning Birding
Call the “Rare Bird Alert” (250-704-2555) or click “Rare Bird Alert” on the Thursday or Friday before to find out this week’s location. Usually starting at 8:00 a.m., rain or shine. For more details, call Rick at 250-885-2454 or email Agnes at thelynns at shaw.ca. Everyone welcome.

Tuesday, January 17
BOTANY NIGHT
Variations In Holocene Moisture and Fire Disturbance Regimes As Evidenced From Paleoenvironmental Records
Dr. Kendrick Brown from the Pacific Forestry Centre will talk on how paleoecological and paleoclimatological records are used to examine the interaction between fire disturbance, plant community composition, and climate – principally moisture availability. Records from the coastal temperate rainforest complex of western North America, Northern Great Plains, and boreal Scandinavia provide examples over millennial time scales. Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature House, 7:30 p.m. Everyone welcome. Bring a friend.

Saturday, January 21
FIELD TRIP (Level 1)
Birding Viaduct Flats
Join Rick Schortinghuis at this great year-round birding spot.
This time of year it is all about the waterfowl - Rick's record is 17 species of waterfowl in one visit. There are a lot of other birds to see as well. Meet at the VNHS viewing tower at the end of Viaduct Avenue at Interurban Road at 8:00 a.m. Call Rick at 250-885-2454 if you need more information

Sunday, January 22
Field Trip (LEVEL 1)
Guided Tour of Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre
Want to explore the amazing marine life in our Salish Sea? Join Tina Kelly and her “Oceaneers” as she gives us a personalized adult tour. Experience the aquariums, each representing different habitats, ranging from the sea floor to the sea shore. See hundreds of fish, invertebrates, and marine plants. You will have a chance to ask questions and listen to fascinating facts about the sea life that inhabits our local waters. We’ll also get to investigate the touch tanks and examine creatures under the microscope, things usually reserved for school groups. Tour starts at 10:00 a.m. and you are free to continue your exploration of the facility on your own after the tour. Address is 9811 Seaport Pl. (off Beacon Ave.), Sidney BC. Cost is $14.00 per person. You must pre-register before Monday January 16 by contacting Agnes at thelynns at shaw.ca or 250-721-0634.

Wednesday, January 25
BIRDERS’ NIGHT
How Citizen Science Contributes to Bird Conservation
Bird Studies Canada (BSC) is Canada’s leading non-profit bird research and conservation organization. In addition to research, BSC coordinates several citizen-science monitoring programs where volunteers collect data using standardized methods. This information provides a valuable long-term database, which is being used to understand changes and patterns in bird abundance and distribution, and to identify emerging conservation issues. Join Karen Barry as she describes recent results from the BC Coastal Waterbird Survey and BC Beached Bird Survey, and provides an update on a global conservation initiative in Canada, the Important Bird Areas program. We meet at 7:30 p.m. in Room 159 of the Fraser Building. Everyone is welcome. Bring a friend and a coffee mug.

Saturday, January 28
FIELD TRIP (Level 4)
Saturday Morning Birding
Birding Elk Lake and Beaver Lake
Join Rick Schortinghuis in this 10 km birding walk around Beaver and Elk Lake. Elk Lake is a great place to see Canvasbacks, Redheads, and Ruddy Ducks in the winter. Meet at the main parking lot at Beaver Lake at 8:00 a.m.
Call Rick at 250-885-2454 if you need more information.

Sunday, January 29
Field Trip (LEVEL 2)
Goldstream Nature Walk
Goldstream Provincial Park is lush with foliage all year round. Let’s meander along the stream and through the lower reaches of the park, enjoying the evergreen foliage and challenging ourselves to identify the bare branches of the deciduous shrubs and trees. The mosses and lichens are lovely as well at this time of year. There will be birds to enjoy too. There still should be some eagles and gulls around cleaning up after the remnants of the fish that spawned earlier. We also hope to see and hear the American Dipper who frequents the edges of the river and walks under water looking for any leftover salmon eggs or other goodies. The old cedars and other rotting trees encourage all the woodpeckers, including the occasional Red-breasted Sapsucker. We’ll stop afterwards at the fire pits and have hot dogs, marshmallows, and hot chocolate to warm up. Who says that adults can’t enjoy these things! Even snow will not cancel the event as long as the roads are passable. Meet at 10:00 a.m. at the far end of the parking lot near where the trail starts to the Nature House. Parking is free! Contact Agnes at thelynns at shaw.ca or 250-721-0634 to register or for more information.

Monday, January 30
MARINE NIGHT
B.C.’s Forgotten Oyster, the Olympia Oyster, Ostrea lurida.
The Olympia Oyster, native to the Pacific Northwest coast, was once common and widespread and supported a commercial fishery, until it crashed in the early 1900s. In 2003 it was listed under the Species At Risk Act (SARA) as a species of special concern. Alicia Donaldson, a Masters candidate at UVic, is studying the effects of temperature, salinity, and substrate type on their growth and development, and hopes to determine their preferred settlement substrate. Results from this work will inform restoration efforts and management decisions. Meet at 7:30 p.m. in Room 159 of the Fraser Building, University of Victoria.
Bring a friend. Everyone is welcome.

Saturday, February 4
Field Trip (LEVEL 2)
Boundary Bay and Raptors
Join us for a trip to Boundary Bay in Vancouver. We can expect to see large flocks of wintering waterfowl and shorebirds as well as visit some of the best wintering habitat for raptors in western Canada. There should be time for a quick trip to Reifel Bird Sanctuary as well. Participants will carpool from in front of the Elk-Beaver Lake Regional Park Sign on Elk Lake Drive at 5:45 a.m. for the 7:00 a.m. ferry. We will return on the 5:00 p.m. sailing. Cost should be about $55.00 per person with car-pooling. Bring lunch and a drink. Dress warmly. Call Rick at (250) 885-2454 or email Agnes at thelynns at shaw.ca to register.

Saturday, February 11
FIELD TRIP (LEVEL TBA)
Saturday Morning Birding
Call the “Rare Bird Alert” (250-704-2555) or click “Rare Bird Alert” on the Thursday or Friday before to find out this week’s location. Usually starting at 8:00 a.m., rain or shine. For more details, call Rick at 250-885-2454 or email Agnes at thelynns at shaw.ca. Everyone welcome.

Saturday, February 11
FIELD TRIP (Level 4)
Reifel Bird Sanctuary and Boundary Bay By BICYCLE
This a great time of year to see wintering raptors in the lower Fraser Delta area: 20 species are possible and 10 would make for a good day! Meet at the Swartz Bay Ferry terminal at 6:30 a.m. for the 7:00 a.m sailing. Cost is $31.50 return.
We will return on the 5:00 p.m. sailing. This trip is weather dependent.
Dress warmly and bring a lunch. Please call Rick at 250-885-2454 to register.

Sunday, February 12
BIRDING EVENT
VNHS Valentine Couples Birdathon
From 6 a.m. to Noon, count as many bird species as you and your valentine can find in the Victoria checklist area. Gather at noon at the Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature House to meet other birder couples, compare war stories, and share a laugh or 10. Event fee is $10 per couple, the proceeds of which go entirely to supporting VNHS conservation efforts. For event checklist and/or additional information contact ringleader Alan MacLeod, bigadore@gmail.com, or 250-382-3854.

Tuesday, February 14
NATURAL HISTORY PRESENTATION
BC’s Magnificent Parks: The First Hundred Years
British Columbia is home to many magnificent parks and is one of the few jurisdictions to realize and exceed the UN target of protecting 12 per cent of its area. Join author James Anderson as he talks about the 100th anniversary of the BC Parks system. He will speak about the roots of our parks system and how its focus has changed over time. He will also discuss the growth of the parks system in the broader context of an emerging framework for land use planning and the debate over resource allocation. We meet at 7:30 p.m. in Room 159 of the Fraser building. Everyone is welcome. Bring a friend.

Saturday, February 18
FIELD TRIP (LEVEL TBA)
Saturday Morning Birding
Call the “Rare Bird Alert” (250-704-2555) or click “Rare Bird Alert” on the Thursday or Friday before to find out this week’s location. Usually starting at 8:00 a.m., rain or shine. For more details, call Rick at 250-885-2454 or email Agnes at thelynns at shaw.ca. Everyone welcome.

Tuesday, February 21
BOTANY NIGHT
The Highlands of Western Honduras
Though overshadowed by the reputation of some its neighbours, Honduras boasts large areas of forest and a great diversity of ecosystems. The highlands of western Honduras feature tropical dry forest, rainforest, pine/oak, and cloud forest. James Miskelly will provide a botanical overview of this under-explored corner of Central America. Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature House, 7:30 p.m. Everyone welcome.

Wednesday, February 22
BIRDERS’ NIGHT
Birding Southern Africa – A Truly Exciting Experience
Over the past 15 years safari guide Brent Reed has explored the entire southern portion of Africa as well as several major islands off the mainland. Join Brent as he takes us on an armchair safari through Botswana’s Chobe National Park, Zimbabwe’s birding highlights and into Mozambique’s tantalizing hinterland where large areas of pristine lowland forest still exist. This talk will showcase both the amazing endemic birds of the region as well as Africa’s scenic beauty. We meet at 7:30 p.m. in Room 159, Fraser building. Everyone welcome. Bring a friend and a coffee mug.

Saturday, February 25
FIELD TRIP (LEVEL TBA)
Saturday Morning Birding
Call the “Rare Bird Alert” (250-704-2555) or click “Rare Bird Alert” on the Thursday or Friday before to find out this week’s location. Usually starting at 8:00 a.m., rain or shine. For more details, call Rick at 250-885-2454 or email Agnes at thelynns at shaw.ca. Everyone welcome.

Sunday, February 26
Field Trip (LEVEL 1)
The Winter Hummers of Cadboro Bay
Join Dave and Agnes Lynn in their garden in Cadboro Bay from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. to check out the Anna’s Hummingbirds that stay all winter. We will have special guest Cam Finlay to tell you about his banding of hummingbirds over the past few years. See what encourages them to hang around. You will also learn about their food plants, both native and non-native. There should be lots of hummers around. The males might still be doing their aerial shows, although the females should be on their nests by then. Address is 3913 Woodhaven Terrace, off Tudor Avenue in Ten Mile Point. No pets please. Dress warmly. Contact Agnes at thelynns at shaw.ca or 250-721-0634 for more information.

Monday, February 27
MARINE NIGHT
Intriguing Behaviour of the Whales of British Columbia.
Did you know that there are 25 different kinds of whales that spend time along the coast of British Columbia? Come and learn about the diversity of whales in B.C. and how they make a living in the waters off our coast. Marine educator, Leah Thorpe, will show us how to identify these species and will also discuss research techniques being used to better understand whale behaviour, as well as threats facing these marine mammals and how we can all be part of the solutions. Leah is completing her Master’s degree in environmental education and communications at Royal Roads University. She is also the Outreach Coordinator for Cetus Research and Conservation Society and is on the Board of the Marine Education and Research Society. Meet at 7:30 p.m. in Room 159 of the Fraser Building, University of Victoria. Bring a friend. Everyone is welcome.