If space allows, guests may join for up to three trips, after which they are expected to join the Society.
Codes for Field Trip Difficulty Levels:
LEVEL 1—Easy walking, mostly level paths.
LEVEL 2—Paths can be narrow with uneven terrain.
LEVEL 3—Obstacles in paths or steeper grades, requiring agility.
LEVEL 4—Very steep, insecure footing, or longer hikes requiring good physical condition.
Please—no pets on VNHS field trips.
If you would like to do a talk or know someone who might, please contact one of the presentation night coordinators. If you have an idea for a field trip or wish to volunteer as a leader, please contact the Field Trip Coordinator. Many of you do interesting things either for fun or for work, and it would be great to share! See Contact page for email addresses and phone numbers.
TUESDAY MORNING 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. Birding activities take place at various locations around Greater Victoria. For more information call Bill Dancer at 250-721-5273. Novice and experienced VNHS members all welcome.
SATURDAY MORNING BIRDING –Meets every Saturday morning, usually at 8:00 a.m., rain or shine. Check on the Calendar on the Thursday/Friday before to find out the week’s location. Novice and experienced VNHS members all welcome.
SWAN LAKE GUIDED BIRD WALKS – Every Wednesday 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 led by Victoria Natural History Society members. Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary is at 3873 Swan Lake Road, off Ralph Street.
July 1, 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.
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.
Meet at 7:30 p.m. This is part of the continuing series of evening walks. Blenkinsop Lake is a great place for evening birding. Commuting cyclists and group running clubs are done for the day, and we should have the trail largely to ourselves. Late in the day, diurnal birds are starting to wind down but are still foraging for the day’s last meal for themselves and their young. A few songbirds sing until late in the day or even at sunset. Around sunset, birds such as owls and Common Nighthawks may be active. DIRECTIONS: Parking is available between Don Mann Excavating (4098 Lochside Drive) and the Lochside Trail.
July 8, 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.
July 12, 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.
July 15, 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.
July 19, 2025 @ 8:00 am - 11:00 am Victoria Region
FIELD TRIP (LEVEL 2)
Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the top right edge of the main parking area near the south end of Thetis Lake. This will be a mostly leisurely walk around the picturesque lakes. This forested area is productive for nesting songbirds. We can expect to encounter many juvenile forest birds, possibly including chickadees, juncos, robins, sparrows, nuthatches, creepers, warblers, and more. Taking a clockwise route, we will first go around Upper Thetis Lake, where Belted Kingfishers and Great Blue Herons may be seen fishing. We will then return along Lower Thetis Lake. DIRECTIONS: To reach the park, take the Colwood exit off the Trans-Canada Highway and follow the Old Island Highway for a short distance. Turn right at the traffic light at Six Mile Road just before the bridge. Continue on this road when it goes under the highway, and you will come to the Thetis Lake Park parking lot. Parking is $2.00 for two hours or $4.00 for the day; information about fee options can be found at https://www.crd.bc.ca/parks-recreation-culture/parks-trails/crd-regional-parks/park-usage-rules/parking-fees
July 22, 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.
July 26, 2025 @ 7:30 am - 10:30 am Victoria Region
FIELD TRIP (LEVEL 2)
Meet at 7:30 a.m. at Humpback Reservoir. We will walk along the Sooke Hills Wilderness Park Trail past the side of Humpback Reservoir and gradually up to the Waugh Creek Falls/Goldstream River Suspension bridge. This area has a few different habitats, and we should see some good birds, both around the reservoir and in the forest. The trail is in good shape, and the route is gradual and shaded. DIRECTIONS: From Langford Parkway and West Shore Parkway roundabout, drive a short way to Meridian Avenue (right). Follow for 200 metres to Irwin Road. Turn left on Irwin and continue to Humpback Reservoir. You will see two parking lots and may park in either. Meet by the washroom in the big parking lot below Humpback Reservoir.
July 29, 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.
