Birdwatching

A Canada goose family enjoys a Monday morning breakfast together at Oak Bay’s Kitty Islet. Bruce Harrison of Ducks Unlimited Canada said the abundance of geese in B.C. causes water contamination, algae blooms and messy sports fields. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)

Canada goose poop problem in Greater Victoria needs new solutions, experts say

Egg sterilization only goes so far; robotic fox, feces Zamboni tried elsewhere

 

A Nazca booby rests on driftwood approximately four nautical miles south from the Trial Islands Ecological Reserve on July 24. Whale watcher Tasli Shaw sighted the bird, which only breeds as far north as southern California, for the first time on record in the Victoria Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuary the day before. (Photo by Matt Stolmeier)

Rare bird sighting off Oak Bay excites whale watchers, leaves birders jealous

First Nazca booby observed in Victoria Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuary, 3rd in B.C.

 

The rare white raven Blizzard has taken centre stage at the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre. (NIWRC photo)

Rare white raven grabs the spotlight at Vancouver Island wildlife centre

Iconic bird Blizzard can now be viewed by the public and is soaking up the attention

 

A retired professor from the Comox Valley has been fighting for more access for birdwatching in the Fairy Creek area, especially when it comes to mapping threatened species. Photo supplied

Vancouver Island birder fights for more access to Fairy Creek region

Supreme Court turned down petition on grounds Royann Petrell had access, other legal option s

A retired professor from the Comox Valley has been fighting for more access for birdwatching in the Fairy Creek area, especially when it comes to mapping threatened species. Photo supplied
A great blue heron, which is listed on the Species at Risk Act, waits for breakfast on an early morning in South Oak Bay between Kitty Islet and the Victoria Golf Club. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)

Federal report deems dogs the greatest risk to migratory birds

Off-leash dogs, disturbed birds throughout Victoria Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuary

A great blue heron, which is listed on the Species at Risk Act, waits for breakfast on an early morning in South Oak Bay between Kitty Islet and the Victoria Golf Club. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)
Two sandhill cranes are pictured during a summer visit to Panama Flats in Saanich. They cranes are rarely seen on the ground in Greater Victoria due to the region’s lack of wetland habitat. (Courtesy of Geoffrey Newell)

PHOTOS: Sandhill cranes swoop back to Panama Flats

Species returns for summer wetland visit, frog feast

Two sandhill cranes are pictured during a summer visit to Panama Flats in Saanich. They cranes are rarely seen on the ground in Greater Victoria due to the region’s lack of wetland habitat. (Courtesy of Geoffrey Newell)
Siobhan Powlowski and Jeffrey Nicholls watch birds in Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary. The couple are avid birders and have become well-versed on the various species and plant life in the area. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)

Bird-watching couple tout benefit of native plants to biodiversity in Saanich green spaces

Both native and non-native plant eco-systems have a place, biologist points out

Siobhan Powlowski and Jeffrey Nicholls watch birds in Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary. The couple are avid birders and have become well-versed on the various species and plant life in the area. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)
Volunteers braved the cold weather on Dec. 27 to take part in the annual Sooke Christmas Bird Count. (Contributed - Mark Byrne)

Sooke birders spot 111 species in annual Christmas Bird Count

More participants needed for next year

Volunteers braved the cold weather on Dec. 27 to take part in the annual Sooke Christmas Bird Count. (Contributed - Mark Byrne)
Perhaps a chestnut-backed chickadee will show itself during the annual Christmas Bird Count on Saturday (Dec. 18). (Ann Nightingale photo)

Christmas comes early for Greater Victoria bird watchers

The outdoor activity of birding has really taken off in the last year

Perhaps a chestnut-backed chickadee will show itself during the annual Christmas Bird Count on Saturday (Dec. 18). (Ann Nightingale photo)
Birder Geoffrey Newell, 25, spots and identifies birds flying overhead in a clearing around Uplands Park early on Saturday, July 31. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)

Talented birder resumes immersive tours at Oak Bay’s Cattle Point

52 bird species spotted by dozens of attendees during first bird walk in months

Birder Geoffrey Newell, 25, spots and identifies birds flying overhead in a clearing around Uplands Park early on Saturday, July 31. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)
Victoria resident Ian Taylor has created a livestream of a mother hummingbird and her two chicks in hopes that it brings people a bit of joy. (Courtesy of Ian Taylor)

Victoria man creates livestream of hummingbird chicks to spread a bit of joy

Livestream will continue until the chicks fly away in March

  • Feb 21, 2021
Victoria resident Ian Taylor has created a livestream of a mother hummingbird and her two chicks in hopes that it brings people a bit of joy. (Courtesy of Ian Taylor)
A Blue Jay, commonly found in the Central and Eastern United States and the southeastern coast of Canada, was spotted in Sooke on Dec. 27. (Contributed – Robin Robinson)

Blue jay, usually found in southeastern Canada, spotted in Sooke

Around 80 birders counted 118 different species within a single day

A Blue Jay, commonly found in the Central and Eastern United States and the southeastern coast of Canada, was spotted in Sooke on Dec. 27. (Contributed – Robin Robinson)
Victoria’s Christmas Bird Count has finished with a total of 142 individual bird species spotted within a single day. (Mark Byrne photo)

Rare bird usually found between Oregon and South America seen in Central Saanich

Greater Victoria birders spot more than 140 bird species within a single day

Victoria’s Christmas Bird Count has finished with a total of 142 individual bird species spotted within a single day. (Mark Byrne photo)
Victoria’s Christmas Bird Count, in which birders spot as many bird species within a single day, is set for Saturday, Dec. 19. The area extends from south of Island View Beach Road in Central Saanich to Witty’s Lagoon in Metchosin. (Ann Nightingale photo)

Greater Victoria birders tasked with specific areas for annual count

Christmas Bird Count takes place in Greater Victoria on Dec. 19

Victoria’s Christmas Bird Count, in which birders spot as many bird species within a single day, is set for Saturday, Dec. 19. The area extends from south of Island View Beach Road in Central Saanich to Witty’s Lagoon in Metchosin. (Ann Nightingale photo)
Saanich parks are for the birds!

Saanich parks are for the birds!

Discover this popular pastime and get to know your feathered friends

  • Sep 14, 2020
Saanich parks are for the birds!
Oak Bay resident Jacques Sirois happened upon an eagle hunting a yearling seal. (Photo courtesy Jacques Sirois)

Oak Bay resident stumbles upon eagle hunting seal, grabs camera just in time

The eagle did ‘a perfect butterfly stroke to shore’ with its prey, photographer says

Oak Bay resident Jacques Sirois happened upon an eagle hunting a yearling seal. (Photo courtesy Jacques Sirois)
The yellow-rumped warbler tends to arrive on Vancouver Island in early March. (Black Press Media file)

Despite reports of decline, birds flocking to national parks in Canadian Rockies

Recent studies suggest overall bird population has slid by three billion since 1970

The yellow-rumped warbler tends to arrive on Vancouver Island in early March. (Black Press Media file)
A flock of Lesser Goldfinch birds were seen in Oak Bay this week. (File contributed/ Geoffery Newell)

Rare flock of birds spotted in Oak Bay

Lesser Goldfinch birds were seen munching on local greenery

A flock of Lesser Goldfinch birds were seen in Oak Bay this week. (File contributed/ Geoffery Newell)
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