Invertebrate Alert – Page 28 – Victoria Natural History Society

2024 August 9 evening

2024 August 9 evening

Aziza Cooper photographed an Arctic Blue near the top of Mount Washington on August 8.

Arctic Blue Agriades glandon (Lep.: Lycaenidae) Aziza Cooper

Val George writes: This morning, August 9, these two moths were on the wall of my Oak Bay house: An Alfalfa Looper, Autographa californica, and a Eudonia sp.

Autographa californica (Lep.: Noctuidae – Plusiinae) Val George

Eudonia sp. (commortalis? echo?) (Lep.: Crambidae – Scopariinae) Val George

Jeff Gaskin writes that Kirsten Mills saw a Mourning Cloak near Hillside Mall today, August 9, and yesterday, August 8, she saw four California Ringlets at the disc playing field at Layritz Park.

2024 August 9 morning

2025 August 9 morning

Some recent pictures by Ian Cooper:

Moth Fly (Dip.: Psychodidae) Ian Cooper

Tipula (probably pubera) (Dip.: Tipulidae) Ian Cooper

Arion rufus (Pul.: Arionidae) Ian Cooper

Limax maximus (Pul.: Limacidae) Ian Cooper

Cybaeus signifer (Ara.: Cybaeidae) Ian Coopr

2024 August 8

2024 August 8

Ian obtained these six photographs below on August 6 near the 9 km marker in View Royal.

Harvestman (Opiliones) Ian Cooper

Cybaeus signifer (Ara.: Cybaeidae) Ian Cooper

Folding-door spider – Antrodiaetus pacificus (Ara. – Myg.: Antrodiaetidae) Ian Cooper

Running crab spider: Philodromus dispar (Ara.: Philodromidae) Ian Cooper

Pterostichus sp. (Col.: Carabidae) Ian Cooper

Raspberry Weevil – Otiorhynchus singularis (Col.: Curculionidae) Ian Cooper

Marie O’Shaughnessy photographed the beetle below in Outerbridge Park and the bee along Munn Road recently.

Golden Jewel Beetle Buprestis aurulenta (Col.: Buprestidae) Marie O’Shaughnessy

Bombus vancouverensis (Hym.: Apidae) Marie O’Shaughnessy
Steven Roias writes: It’s Bombus vancouverensis. They seem to be outnumbering vosnesenskii this year, or at least at many locales.

2024 August 7

2024 August 7

Val George writes: This Palthis angulalis moth was on the wall of my Oak Bay house yesterday morning, August 6.

Palthis angulalis (Lep.: Erebidae – Herminiinae) Ian Cooper

On August 4, Ian Cooper took a series of photographs, along the Galloping Goose trail, of a dome spider Neriene sp. working on her web, occasionally being pestered with intent by a male.

Female dome spider – Neriene sp. (Ara.: Linyphiidae ) Ian Cooper
She was fiddling with a fir needle in her web for some unknown reason.

Same individual, seen in its habitual spot in its dome web

Enlargement of previous picture

I spotted this spider nearby and initially thought it was a random ‘other spider’ in the vicinity. Then realized it was stealthily approaching the dome web and it occurred to me that it may be a male dome spider making his approach to the female dome spider.

Another view of the male, getting closer

This one clearly shows the spider’s prominent male pedipalps, confirming it is indeed a male spider

2024 August 6

2024 August 6

The grasshopper below was photographed at Island View Beach during Sunday’s (August 4) VNHS Butterfly Walk. James Miskelly writes: “This is Trimerotropis pallidipennis. On the coast it’s highly associated with sand and it’s a common species at Island View.”

Trimerotropis pallidipennis (Orth.: Acrididae) Aziza Cooper

The moth below was photographed by the Galloping Goose Trail in View Royal on August 4. Libby Avis writes that it is Parabagrotis insularis, a very variable species.

Parabagrotis insularis (Lep.: Noctuidae) Ian Cooper

Marie O’Shaughnessy visited Outerbridge Park on Saturday Aug, 3rd. 2024.
She saw:

5 Cabbage Whites, and two were busy attempting the mating game
11 skippers – I believe most were Woodland Skippers
2 Lorquin’s Admirals

6 Cardinal Meadowhawks
2 Paddle-tailed Darners
3 Striped Meadowhawks
2 Blue Dashers
1 Blue-eyed Darner

She sends these photographs:

Woodland Skipper Ochlodes sylvanoides (Lep.: Hesperiidae) Marie O’Shaughnessy

Cabbage Whites Pieris rapae (Lep.: Pieridae) Marie O’Shaughnessy
I believe (writes Jeremy Tatum) that she is trying to tell him that she is not interested.
She has two spots on her forewing; he has one.

Lorquin’s Admiral Limenitis lorquini (Lep.: Nymphalidae) Marie O’Shaughnessy

Cardinal Meadowhawks Sympetrum illotum (Odo.: Libellulidae) Marie O’Shaughnessy

Striped Meadowhawk Sympetrum pallipes (Odo.: Libellulidae) Marie O’Shaughnessy

Paddle-tailed Darner Aeshna palmata (Odo.: Aeshnidae) Marie O’Shaughnessy

August 2025

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Sat

Island View Beach Birding
Island View Beach Birding

August 2, 2025 @ 7:30 am - 10:30 am
Victoria Region

FIELD TRIP (LEVEL 1.5)

Meet at 7:30 a.m. at the north end of the parking lot. At this time of year, we may find some interesting shorebirds on their southbound migration, and we will still see a few beach flowers in the dunes as we walk along. We’ll walk back on the inland trail to check for interesting land birds. DIRECTIONS: To reach Island View Beach, go north on the Pat Bay Highway, turn right at the lights at Island View Road (Michell’s Market) and follow that to a left on Homathko Road, which leads to the parking lot.

See more details

Monthly Butterfly Walk
Monthly Butterfly Walk

August 3, 2025 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Field trip (Level 2)

Join us on our monthly Butterfly Walk. Each outing is intended to help us learn more about local butterflies. This field trip is weather-dependent as it needs to be sunny and warm to make it worthwhile. We start at the top of Mount Tolmie (off Cedar Hill X Road). Meet at 1 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. Car-pooling is encouraged. We try to return by 4 p.m. Cancellations or special instructions will be posted on the calendar (https://www.vicnhs.bc.ca/?page_id=1518 ) closer to the date. Contact Gordon Hart at 250-721-1264 or butterflies@vicnhs.bc.ca for more information.

See more details

Tuesday Birding
Tuesday Birding

August 5, 2025 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Corner of Bowker Ave. and Bowker Place, Victoria

We meet every Tuesday, one block south of the foot of Bowker Ave on the waterfront (off Beach Drive) at 9:00 am, or at the foot of Bowker Ave at 9:30 am, rain or shine. Birding activities take place at various locations around Greater Victoria.

Novice and experienced Nature Victoria members are welcome!

For more information call Bill Dancer at 250-721-5273.

See more details

Fall Migration Birding at the RPBO Pedder Bay Banding Station
Fall Migration Birding at the RPBO Pedder Bay Banding Station

August 9, 2025 @ 7:30 am - 10:30 am
Pedder Bay RV Resort & Marina, 925 Pedder Bay Drive, Victoria, BC V9C 4G9, Canada

FIELD TRIP (LEVEL 3, OR 1.5 IF YOU SKIP THE HILL LOOP)

Meet: 7:30 a.m. at Pedder Bay (check online calendar for parking instructions).

Join us at the Rocky Point Bird Observatory banding location at Pedder Bay. We will start the morning birding the Pedder Bay census route and contribute our sightings to Pedder Bay’s day list. The location should be busy with passerine migrants, so there should be many birds around. Mid-morning, we will visit the banding station to see the fall bird monitoring program in operation, maybe watch a bird being banded, and meet the RPBO banders and crew there that day.

DIRECTIONS: Drive time from Victoria is approximately 30 minutes. The most enjoyable drive to Pedder Bay is following Metchosin Road, turn right on Happy Valley Road, then left on Rocky Point Road. Follow Rocky Point Road until Pedder Bay RV Resort and Marina. Turn left on Pedder Bay Drive. PARKING: Please check the online calendar for parking location updates. (Usually, the grass parking lot is available, but Pedder Bay RV may need to put us elsewhere to accommodate boat trailer customers.)

See more details

Tuesday Birding
Tuesday Birding

August 12, 2025 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Corner of Bowker Ave. and Bowker Place, Victoria

We meet every Tuesday, one block south of the foot of Bowker Ave on the waterfront (off Beach Drive) at 9:00 am, or at the foot of Bowker Ave at 9:30 am, rain or shine. Birding activities take place at various locations around Greater Victoria.

Novice and experienced Nature Victoria members are welcome!

For more information call Bill Dancer at 250-721-5273.

See more details

Saturday Birding
Saturday Birding

August 16, 2025 @ 8:00 am - 11:00 am
Victoria Region

Meets every Saturday morning, usually at 8:00 a.m., rain or shine. We ask that participants have both vaccines completed, to come on this walk. Check here on the Thursday/Friday before to find out the week’s time and location. Novice and experienced VNHS members all welcome. Non-members can participate up to three times, after which they are expected to join the Society.

See more details

Tuesday Birding
Tuesday Birding

August 19, 2025 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Corner of Bowker Ave. and Bowker Place, Victoria

We meet every Tuesday, one block south of the foot of Bowker Ave on the waterfront (off Beach Drive) at 9:00 am, or at the foot of Bowker Ave at 9:30 am, rain or shine. Birding activities take place at various locations around Greater Victoria.

Novice and experienced Nature Victoria members are welcome!

For more information call Bill Dancer at 250-721-5273.

See more details

Sidney Spit Birding
Sidney Spit Birding

August 22, 2025 @ 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Sidney Spit Ferry, 9835 Seaport Pl, Sidney, BC V8L 4X3, Canada

FIELD TRIP (LEVEL 1.5)

Please purchase ferry tickets as soon as possible, before they sell out.

Meet: 9:00 a.m. -- Each year, around this time, we take the ferry to Sidney Spit to look for interesting shorebirds on their southbound migration. Possibilities include Baird’s Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Sanderling, Semipalmated Plover, and maybe the elusive Buff-breasted Sandpiper. We will also check out the Purple Martins at their nest boxes on the dock and enjoy other passerines migrating through.

The group will take the 9:30 a.m. ferry from Port Sidney Marina. We will have lunch on the island. Bring food and water as there is no drinking water within the park. N.B., Purchase your ticket online at SidneySpitFerry.com to reserve your spot (remember to book your return time as well). The cost is $25 for adults ($21 for seniors and children). The return ferry leaves the island at 1:00, 3:00, and 4:00 p.m., so you can choose how long you wish to stay.

DIRECTIONS: Port Sidney Marina is at the end of Seaport Place in Sidney. Parking can be found a short distance away in the residential areas.

See more details

Saturday Birding
Saturday Birding

August 23, 2025 @ 8:00 am - 11:00 am
Victoria Region

Meets every Saturday morning, usually at 8:00 a.m., rain or shine. We ask that participants have both vaccines completed, to come on this walk. Check here on the Thursday/Friday before to find out the week’s time and location. Novice and experienced VNHS members all welcome. Non-members can participate up to three times, after which they are expected to join the Society.

See more details

Tuesday Birding
Tuesday Birding

August 26, 2025 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Corner of Bowker Ave. and Bowker Place, Victoria

We meet every Tuesday, one block south of the foot of Bowker Ave on the waterfront (off Beach Drive) at 9:00 am, or at the foot of Bowker Ave at 9:30 am, rain or shine. Birding activities take place at various locations around Greater Victoria.

Novice and experienced Nature Victoria members are welcome!

For more information call Bill Dancer at 250-721-5273.

See more details

Saturday Birding
Saturday Birding

August 30, 2025 @ 8:00 am - 11:00 am
Victoria Region

Meets every Saturday morning, usually at 8:00 a.m., rain or shine. We ask that participants have both vaccines completed, to come on this walk. Check here on the Thursday/Friday before to find out the week’s time and location. Novice and experienced VNHS members all welcome. Non-members can participate up to three times, after which they are expected to join the Society.

See more details

	August 2025
Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
					1	2 Island View Beach Birding Island View Beach Birding August 2, 2025 @ 7:30 am - 10:30 am Victoria Region FIELD TRIP (LEVEL 1.5) Meet at 7:30 a.m. at the north end of the parking lot. At this time of year, we may find some interesting shorebirds on their southbound migration, and we will still see a few beach flowers in the dunes as we walk along. We’ll walk back on the inland trail to check for interesting land birds. DIRECTIONS: To reach Island View Beach, go north on the Pat Bay Highway, turn right at the lights at Island View Road (Michell’s Market) and follow that to a left on Homathko Road, which leads to the parking lot. See more details •
3 Monthly Butterfly Walk Monthly Butterfly Walk August 3, 2025 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm Field trip (Level 2) Join us on our monthly Butterfly Walk. Each outing is intended to help us learn more about local butterflies. This field trip is weather-dependent as it needs to be sunny and warm to make it worthwhile. We start at the top of Mount Tolmie (off Cedar Hill X Road). Meet at 1 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. Car-pooling is encouraged. We try to return by 4 p.m. Cancellations or special instructions will be posted on the calendar (https://www.vicnhs.bc.ca/?page_id=1518 ) closer to the date. Contact Gordon Hart at 250-721-1264 or butterflies@vicnhs.bc.ca for more information. See more details •	4	5 Tuesday Birding Tuesday Birding August 5, 2025 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Corner of Bowker Ave. and Bowker Place, Victoria We meet every Tuesday, one block south of the foot of Bowker Ave on the waterfront (off Beach Drive) at 9:00 am, or at the foot of Bowker Ave at 9:30 am, rain or shine. Birding activities take place at various locations around Greater Victoria. Novice and experienced Nature Victoria members are welcome! For more information call Bill Dancer at 250-721-5273. See more details •	6	7	8	9 Fall Migration Birding at the RPBO Pedder Bay Banding Station Fall Migration Birding at the RPBO Pedder Bay Banding Station August 9, 2025 @ 7:30 am - 10:30 am Pedder Bay RV Resort & Marina, 925 Pedder Bay Drive, Victoria, BC V9C 4G9, Canada FIELD TRIP (LEVEL 3, OR 1.5 IF YOU SKIP THE HILL LOOP) Meet: 7:30 a.m. at Pedder Bay (check online calendar for parking instructions). Join us at the Rocky Point Bird Observatory banding location at Pedder Bay. We will start the morning birding the Pedder Bay census route and contribute our sightings to Pedder Bay’s day list. The location should be busy with passerine migrants, so there should be many birds around. Mid-morning, we will visit the banding station to see the fall bird monitoring program in operation, maybe watch a bird being banded, and meet the RPBO banders and crew there that day. DIRECTIONS: Drive time from Victoria is approximately 30 minutes. The most enjoyable drive to Pedder Bay is following Metchosin Road, turn right on Happy Valley Road, then left on Rocky Point Road. Follow Rocky Point Road until Pedder Bay RV Resort and Marina. Turn left on Pedder Bay Drive. PARKING: Please check the online calendar for parking location updates. (Usually, the grass parking lot is available, but Pedder Bay RV may need to put us elsewhere to accommodate boat trailer customers.) See more details •
10	11	12 Tuesday Birding Tuesday Birding August 12, 2025 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Corner of Bowker Ave. and Bowker Place, Victoria We meet every Tuesday, one block south of the foot of Bowker Ave on the waterfront (off Beach Drive) at 9:00 am, or at the foot of Bowker Ave at 9:30 am, rain or shine. Birding activities take place at various locations around Greater Victoria. Novice and experienced Nature Victoria members are welcome! For more information call Bill Dancer at 250-721-5273. See more details •	13	14	15	16 Saturday Birding Saturday Birding August 16, 2025 @ 8:00 am - 11:00 am Victoria Region Meets every Saturday morning, usually at 8:00 a.m., rain or shine. We ask that participants have both vaccines completed, to come on this walk. Check here on the Thursday/Friday before to find out the week’s time and location. Novice and experienced VNHS members all welcome. Non-members can participate up to three times, after which they are expected to join the Society. See more details •
17	18	19 Tuesday Birding Tuesday Birding August 19, 2025 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Corner of Bowker Ave. and Bowker Place, Victoria We meet every Tuesday, one block south of the foot of Bowker Ave on the waterfront (off Beach Drive) at 9:00 am, or at the foot of Bowker Ave at 9:30 am, rain or shine. Birding activities take place at various locations around Greater Victoria. Novice and experienced Nature Victoria members are welcome! For more information call Bill Dancer at 250-721-5273. See more details •	20	21	22 Sidney Spit Birding Sidney Spit Birding August 22, 2025 @ 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Sidney Spit Ferry, 9835 Seaport Pl, Sidney, BC V8L 4X3, Canada FIELD TRIP (LEVEL 1.5) Please purchase ferry tickets as soon as possible, before they sell out. Meet: 9:00 a.m. -- Each year, around this time, we take the ferry to Sidney Spit to look for interesting shorebirds on their southbound migration. Possibilities include Baird’s Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Sanderling, Semipalmated Plover, and maybe the elusive Buff-breasted Sandpiper. We will also check out the Purple Martins at their nest boxes on the dock and enjoy other passerines migrating through. The group will take the 9:30 a.m. ferry from Port Sidney Marina. We will have lunch on the island. Bring food and water as there is no drinking water within the park. N.B., Purchase your ticket online at SidneySpitFerry.com to reserve your spot (remember to book your return time as well). The cost is $25 for adults ($21 for seniors and children). The return ferry leaves the island at 1:00, 3:00, and 4:00 p.m., so you can choose how long you wish to stay. DIRECTIONS: Port Sidney Marina is at the end of Seaport Place in Sidney. Parking can be found a short distance away in the residential areas. See more details •	23 Saturday Birding Saturday Birding August 23, 2025 @ 8:00 am - 11:00 am Victoria Region Meets every Saturday morning, usually at 8:00 a.m., rain or shine. We ask that participants have both vaccines completed, to come on this walk. Check here on the Thursday/Friday before to find out the week’s time and location. Novice and experienced VNHS members all welcome. Non-members can participate up to three times, after which they are expected to join the Society. See more details •
24	25	26 Tuesday Birding Tuesday Birding August 26, 2025 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Corner of Bowker Ave. and Bowker Place, Victoria We meet every Tuesday, one block south of the foot of Bowker Ave on the waterfront (off Beach Drive) at 9:00 am, or at the foot of Bowker Ave at 9:30 am, rain or shine. Birding activities take place at various locations around Greater Victoria. Novice and experienced Nature Victoria members are welcome! For more information call Bill Dancer at 250-721-5273. See more details •	27	28	29	30 Saturday Birding Saturday Birding August 30, 2025 @ 8:00 am - 11:00 am Victoria Region Meets every Saturday morning, usually at 8:00 a.m., rain or shine. We ask that participants have both vaccines completed, to come on this walk. Check here on the Thursday/Friday before to find out the week’s time and location. Novice and experienced VNHS members all welcome. Non-members can participate up to three times, after which they are expected to join the Society. See more details •
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