Southern Vancouver Island Wildlife

Post by **sassyk** » Fri Mar 02, 2018 10:48 pm

Welcome to the Southern Vancouver Island Wildlife thread where photos of wildlife seen in parks, on trails, at lagoons and wildlife sanctuaries/estuaries, in ponds, etc. in the Southern Vancouver Island area, can be posted for everyone to enjoy. Anyone who visits an area on Southern Vancouver Island and has photos of wildlife they see is welcome to post their photos here on this thread, with a description of the area where the wildlife was photographed. Photos & videos of eagles for which there is no dedicated thread are also welcome here on this thread. General discussion of the various wildlife in the photos is appreciated. You are welcome to post links to websites for specific areas, if they are available. You will find information and photos of wildlife in areas on Southern Vancouver Island in the old forum here.

Post by **sassyk** » Fri Mar 02, 2018 10:57 pm

One of the places I love to visit is the Esquimalt Lagoon, in Colwood, BC. Today we saw many different species of ducks, gulls, pigeons, eagles. There is a resident Trumpeter Swan at the lagoon but we didn't see her today. In the spring and summer months there are many different species of birds and Great Blue Herons nest on the little island in the lagoon. There is an eagle nest on the edge of the lagoon and an osprey nest close by. The lagoon is a favourite place for eagles and osprey to fish. If you are lucky you might see the Otters fishing for a meal.

Male Northern Pintail Duck

Male Northern Pintail Ducks

Male & Female Northern Pintail Ducks

Post by **sassyk** » Fri Mar 02, 2018 11:00 pm

A few more ducks at the Esquimalt Lagoon today.

Male Northern Pintail Duck snoozing.

Female Northern Pintail Duck.

A lot of Northern Pintail ducks

Post by **sassyk** » Sat Mar 03, 2018 12:19 pm

Another place I like to visit is Albert Head Lagoon in the Metchosin area near Witty's Lagoon. There are many different birds and ducks that use the lagoon and there is a pair of eagles nesting nearby. A few years ago there was a pair of Mute swans that raised 6 offspring in the lagoon.

I visited the lagoon yesterday and was surprised to see a Yellowlegs shorebird running in and out of the water. I was able to get a few photos of it before it flew off to the far side of the lagoon.

I also managed to get a photo of the Belted Kingfisher I have seen at the lagoon most times I have visited.

Post by **sassyk** » Fri Mar 16, 2018 10:19 pm

Another favourite area I like to visit is King's Pond at the north end of the Cedar Hill Golf Course in Saanich. I visited on Mar. 14th and photographed some of the ducks and one American Coot.

American Coot

A pair of Wood Ducks

Post by **sassyk** » Fri Mar 16, 2018 10:23 pm

A few more photos of the male Wood Ducks.

Post by **sassyk** » Fri Mar 16, 2018 10:25 pm

The female Wood Ducks.

Post by **sassyk** » Fri Mar 16, 2018 10:32 pm

Another great spot in Saanich where you can see many different species of birds and ducks is Swan Lake. There is a floating bridge across the lake and a wonderful nature house. More info here

I visited Swan Lake on Mar. 14th and the Stellar's Jays were hopping along beside the path and making quite the racket.

I managed to sneak up on a Red-winged Blackbird in the feeder.

Post by **sassyk** » Sun Mar 25, 2018 9:28 pm

Mar. 25th - Black Oystercatchers at Saxe Pt. Park.

Post by **sassyk** » Sun Mar 25, 2018 9:29 pm

A few more photos of the Black Oystercatcher scratching and stretching.

Post by **sassyk** » Mon Mar 26, 2018 12:02 pm

Mar. 25th - Beacon Hill Park

Manky Mallard Ducks

Female Hooded Merganser

Post by **sassyk** » Mon Mar 26, 2018 12:03 pm

Beacon Hill Park (cont'd)

Great Blue Heron

Post by **sassyk** » Mon Mar 26, 2018 12:05 pm

Beacon Hill Park (cont'd)

Male Eurasian Wigeon

Black Squirrel

Post by **Marg** » Mon Mar 26, 2018 3:17 pm

Fantastic pictures of the wildlife Kay thanks for sharing.

Post by **sassyk** » Mon Apr 02, 2018 9:08 pm

Marg thanks, it was a nice afternoon with the birds

On the local CTV news tonight the segment at the end featured the female Hooded Merganzer duck that I photographed at Beacon Hill Park, in the photo above. She was the only one there the day I photographed her and today people were wondering what was sitting on the log with all the turtles

Post by **elle** » Wed Apr 04, 2018 3:51 pm

Barred Owl in Beacon Hill Park a few days ago. We had given up looking for it when it hooted and there was a response hoot from afar. I am not sure where the nest is but it would seem there is a pair

Post by **sassyk** » Thu Apr 05, 2018 9:37 am

elle there is a big broken tree a short distance down the path from the maintenance yard; that is where they nested last year.

Post by **sassyk** » Thu Apr 05, 2018 9:45 am

Some photos I took on March 19th.

A Killdeer at the construction site where the Reay Creek nest is.

A Red-tailed Hawk on the eagles' perch tree on the Epicure property.

A Loon at the north end of Pat Bay running across the water trying to launch itself airborne.

Post by **elle** » Thu Apr 05, 2018 5:03 pm

sassyk wrote: ↑
Thu Apr 05, 2018 9:37 am
elle there is a big broken tree a short distance down the path from the maintenance yard; that is where they nested last year.

___________

Thanks. We have looked everywhere. I know what kind of tree to look for but I have not been successful. . May have a boo tomorrow on our Friday afternoon touring that will end up at Ogden Point.

Post by **sassyk** » Fri Apr 06, 2018 12:39 pm

When I was at Saxe Pt. Park on Apr. 3rd I saw a few young Golden-Crowned Sparrow foraging in the grass beside the flower bed.

I couldn't resist taking a few photos of this beautiful 10 year old dog. It was lying on the grass beside the bench and kept making a soft growling sound that reminded me of a male lion.