JULY AUGUST 2010 VOL 67 - vicnhs.bc.ca

TheVictoriaNaturalist Vol.67.1(2010) 1

JULY AUGUST

2010 VOL 67.1

VICTORIA NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

2 TheVictoriaNaturalist Vol.67.1(2010)

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PublishedsixtimesayearbytheVICTORIA NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY,P.O.Box5220,StationB,Victoria,BCV8R6N4Contents©2010ascredited.ISSN0049—612XPrintedinCanada

Editors:ClaudiaCopley,250-479-6622,PenelopeEdwardsDesktop Publishing:FrancesHunter,250-479-1956Distribution:TomGillespie,PhyllisHenderson,MorwynMarshallPrinting:Fotoprint,250-382-8218

OpinionsexpressedbycontributorstoThe Victoria Naturalist arenotnecessarilythoseoftheSociety.

VICTORIA NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETYHonorary Life MembersDr.BillAustin,Mrs.LyndisDavis,Mr.TonyEmbleton,Mr.TomGillespie,Mrs.PeggyGoodwill,Mr.DavidStirling,Mr.BruceWhittingtonOfficers: 2009-2010 PRESIDENT: DarrenCopley,250-479-6622,[email protected] VICE-PRESIDENT:JamesMiskelly,250-477-0490,[email protected] TREASURER:GordonHart,250-721-1264,[email protected]:JenniferEllenton,250-388-7158,[email protected]

Directors and CommitteesDarrenCopley,250-479-6622,[email protected](Membership)ClaudiaCopley,250-479-6622,[email protected](Publications)WilliamDancer,250-721-5273,[email protected](Schools Project)JamesMiskelly,250-477-0490,[email protected] (Swan Lake representative, FBCN representative.)Directors at Large:PhilLambert,250-4775922,[email protected]:250-508-4021,[email protected]:250-477-5280NancieDohan:250-592-1956,[email protected]

Presentation CoordinatorsMarineNight:PhilLambert,250-477-5922, [email protected]:AdolfCeska,250-477-1211,[email protected]’Night:ChristinaBall, 250-383-3188,[email protected]

Membership Payableonline–seewebsite<www.vicnhs.bc.ca>fordetailsIndividualsubscribing$30*Familysubscribing$35*Subscriptiononly:$20Membershipwithoutsubscription:$15*lessdiscount:Senior$5orStudent$10Anydonationinexcessoftheabovefeesisincometaxdeductible

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VNHS Website: www.vicnhs.bc.caPrintedon100%post-consumerrecycledpaper.


Contentsa note from the editor

COVERPHOTOASanderlingatSt.GeorgeIsland,Florida–alocationinthedirectpathofoilfromBP’sDeepHorizonoilspill.Photo:EricWalters

TheBPspillpromptedamemberto

suggestthatImakethecoverofthisissueof

themagazineblack,todramaticallyillustrate

thedevastation.AtfirstIembracedtheidea–

itmatchedmymoodandfeltjustified.Butit

wasn’tlongbeforeIstartedtothinkabout

alltheimpactsour“needs”arehavingon

theearth.TheGulfspillisabruptand

unsanctioneddevastation,buteveryminute

ofeverydayisatorturefortheother

organismswesharetheplanetwith.All

becauseofthedemandsweplaceonit.

Bythetimeyoureadthis,thespillmay

haveslippedoffthenews-cycle,despitethe

factthattheregionwillreelfromitsimpacts

fordecades.IguessI’mgratefulitmadethe

news–somuchofourday-to-daydestruction

isn’tnewsworthy.Itisjustthe“costofdoing

business”.Ittakesasuddenandspectacular

eventtogetoneveryone’sradar.Fora

while,atleast.

Claudia

P.S.Tofeelcheered,Isuggestyoucheck

outthevideoputtogetherbyPurnima

GovindarajulushowingtheHaliburton

wetlandconstruction(seearticlep.12of

theMay/June2010issueofThe Victoria

Naturalist).Itisviewableat<http://vimeo.

com/12527834>.

President’sMessage

By Darren Copley........................................... 4

2010ScienceFair............................................ 5

Off-HighwayVehiclesintheRegionalParksSystem............................................................. 6

AlpineFlowersofVancouverIsland

By Judith Holm ................................................ 7

ButterflyNamesBy Jeremy Tatum ............................................. 8

BirdingChile

By Philip Critchlow ....................................... 14

WelcometoNewVNHSMembers............... 18

GroupsApplaudIntroductionofStrongLawtoProtectWildlife......................................... 19

RememberingConnie

By Jina Mousseau, Habitat Acquisition

Trust .............................................................. 20

Letters........................................................... 21

CalendarofEvents........................................ 21

BulletinBoard.................................................23


President’s Message

By darren Copley

Where is the Colour? It’s Out There!Visit it in nature and bring it home in Patrice’s artFor original art; museum quality limited edition reproductions,

notecards and commissioned art, please contact:

PATRICE PLANK FINE ART250-474-3907 or [email protected]

www.patriceplankfineart.com

excellentsubmissiononpage6.IalsomadeapresentationtoCRDParks,thistimeitwastotheCitizens’AdvisoryPanelregardingtheRegionalParksStrategicPlan.Itwasasessiondedicatedtocommunitygroupsandweonlygottheinvitationtopresentsecond-hand,passedalongthroughBCNature.Ifyouareinterestedinseeingthispresentationletmeknow–Iwillemailyouacopy.Thereisstillanopportu-nityforyourinput.Visit<http://www.crd.bc.ca/parks/plan-ning/strategicplan.htm>formoreinformation.

Onasadnote,inthisissuewehonourthepassingofConnie Hawley,along-timememberoftheVictoriaNaturalHistorySociety.IwillrememberConniefondlyasshewassofriendlyandwelcomingwhenIfirstjoinedtheSociety.Connieverynicelycombinedattractingwildlifebygrowingnativeplantswithaproductivevegetablegarden.ClaudiaandIoccasionallyhelpedheroutinhergarden,fromwhichweborrowedmanyideas.AmongthelegaciesofConnieinourgardenareahalfdozenpinkfawnlilies.Shehadgrownthemfromseedsfromhergardenandgavethemtouswhiletheywerestillveryyoung.Sincetheytakeuptosevenyearstoflower,wedidhavetowait,butnowtheyareinfineform.TheirbloomisalovelyannualreminderofConnie,andnowtheyareproducingseedsforthenextgeneration.

I’llendherewithareminderthatifyou’veneverbeenononeofoursummertripstotheOlympicPeninsula,youaredefinitelymissingoutonanincredibleopportunity.Signupearlyastheyfillquickly,andenjoyanaturalhistoryspectaclethatishardtobeat.It’salsoagreatwaytogettoknowotherSocietymembers.Haveanicesummer!

AlthoughtherearenoplannedboardmeetingsfromMaythroughAugust,wedon’twantyoutothinkthatwearen’tbusyworkingfortheSociety.This

May/Junehasbeennoexception.BCNature’sAnnualGeneralMeetingwasheldinMayinKamloops,andJamesMiskellyandIattendedasrepresentativesoftheVictoriaNaturalHistorySociety.TheseAGM’sareagreatopportu-nitytoseeandlearnaboutanotherareaofBC,whilesharingideaswithothermemberclubs.AndBCNatureissuchanactiveorganizationthatIalwayscomeawayinspired.

AttheBCNatureAGMIwasveryproudtoreceiveaBC Nature Regional AwardonbehalfofourSociety’sownAnn Nightingale.HernominationwillappearintheupcomingissueoftheBCNaturemagazinebutitwon’tsurpriseanyofyoutohearthatithadtobeshortenedtofit.ThelistofreasonsAnndeservedtheawardwasextensiveandstillincomplete.CongratulationsAnn!

ThefirstannualInternationalMigratoryBirddaywasabigsuccess–thankstoallthevolunteerswhohelpedout.ThispartnershipwithCRDParksandtheRockyPointBirdObservatoryprovideduswithagreatopportunitytoshow-casethenewteachingshelteratWitty’sLagoon,aswellaspromoteournaturalhistoryactivities.Andwearereferringtoitasthe“firstannual”forareason–watchformoreinformationinthespring2011issuesofthismagazine.

TheSocietymadepresentationstoCapitalRegionalDistrictParksontwooccasionsinthepastcoupleofmonths–thefirstwasbyJamesMiskellytotheRegionalParksCommitteeonApril21regardingtheproposaltoallowoff-roadvehiclesintoregionalparks.ReadJames’s


2010 Science Fair

What to do with all that Poo? Birch Bansgrove, Grade 8, Cedar hill Junior Secondary See “Letters” (page 21) for a thank-you from Birch.

A Worm’s Work. emily Groseth, Grade 7, Gordon head middle School Bush beans were planted in three different conditions: soil only, soil with fertilizer, and soil with earthworms. it was found that beans grown in the soil only containers grew the poorest. near the end of the project the beans grown in the soil with earthworms grew the best. Photos provided by Harvey Williams.

Soil Growth Test. Jessie Paras, Grade 7, mt Prevost middle School. my experiment was to grow cherry belle radish seeds in different soils, climates, and water amounts to find out which combination grew the highest, fastest, and best radishes.

HarveyWilliamsservedasajudgerepresentingtheVictoriaNaturalHistorySocietyatthe2010ScienceFairheldattheUniversityofVictoria.Heselected

fourprojectsworthyofanaward,anditwaslefttothe

committeetorankthem.Belowarethreetitlesandtheavailabledescription.Allthreeweregivena$250prize.Thefourth,agrade10student,receivedmanyrewardsinothercategoriesandsowasnotchoseninthiscase.


Your Vice President, James Miskelly, presented the following to the CRD Regional Parks Committee on April 21, 2010. With only one exception, the Committee heard from groups opposed to motorized access to the Sea to Sea Green/Blue Belt, and the resulting vote was a resounding “no”– off-highway vehicles will not be permitted in our Capital Regional District Parks.

Off-Highway Vehicles in the Regional Parks System

TheVictoriaNaturalHistorySocietyisacharitableorganizationdedicatedtotheappreciationofourfloraandfauna.Wehavebeenactiveformorethan65

yearsandpresentlyhaveapproximately750members.IamtheVicePresidentoftheSociety.IamalsoabiologistwithmorethanadecadeofexperiencewithspeciesatriskandtheecologyofGarryoakecosystems.IhavealsoworkedforCRDParksastheEnvironmentalConservationSpecial-ist.I’mheretodaytoexpresstheconcernsoftheVictoriaNaturalHistorySocietyoverthepossibilitythattheCRDmayallowoff-highwayvehiclesaccesstotheSeatoSeaGreen/BlueBelt.Ourorganizationfeelsthatallowingoff-highwayvehiclesaccesstotheSeatoSealandsrepresentsarealthreattoCRDParks.Thisthreatisthreefold:AthreattothewildernesscharacteroftheSeatoSealands,tothesocialcapitalthatCRDParkshasworkedtobuild,andtotheecologicalvaluesoftheland.

ThevisionoftheSeatoSeaGreen/BlueBeltisofawildernessarea.Wildernessbydefinitionrequireslargeareasthataremostlyfreeofpeople.IftheSeatoSealandsincludelargeareasthataredifficulttoaccessandreceivelittlevisitoruse,thisisnotadetrimenttothequalityoftheparklands,it’sanasset.Openingtheselandstooff-highwayvehiclesputstheinterioroftheparklandsintoeasyreachanddegradesthewildernesscharacter.Furthermore,oncetrailsareopenedtooff-highwayvehicles,thetrailswillbecomeunsafeandunpleasantforotherparkusers.Nobodywantstohikewiththedangerandnoiseofoff-highwayvehicles,sohikerswillavoidtheseareas,andCRDParkswillhaveeffectivelycreatedanexclusiveareaformotorizedrecreation.ThisisthebeginningofthecollapseofthesocialcapitalthatCRDParkscurrentlyenjoys.

Theareainquestionisverylarge.CRDParkswillbeseentobegivinghundredsofhectaresoverfortheexclu-siveuseoflessthanonepercentofresidents.Theother99percentwon’twanttopayforthat,andwillcallforanendtotheParksAcquisitionFund.CRDParkswillhavealreadyalienatedthenaturalists,hikers,conservationists,bikeriders,andequestrians,sowhowillcometoitsdefense?Aswell,CRDParkswillloseitstraditionalpartnersinlandprotection,becauseorganizationsliketheLandConser-vancyofBCwon’tbeabletoparticipateintheacquisition

oflandthatisn’tgoingtobemanagedfortheconservationofecologicalvalues.

TheSeatoSealandslieinthedriestportionofthecoastalwesternhemlockzone.Thisisoneoftheleast-protectedforesttypesintheprovinceandithasenormousecologicalvalue.ItisatransitionalareabetweenthedryforestsandGarryoakecosystemsoftheVictoriaareaandtherainfor-estswestofSooke.WithintheSeatoSealands,youcanfindagreatdiversityofspecieslivingclosetogether.Thenorth-facingslopesandwatercoursessupportspeciestypicalofthewesternrainforests,whilethesouth-facingslopesandhilltopssupportdrymeadowswithspeciestypicalofGarryoakecosystems.Includedintheselandsareagreatnumberofspeciesatrisk,someofwhichhavetheirentireCanadianpopulationswithintheCRDParkssystem.SomeofthesespeciesareprotectedunderthefederalSpeciesatRiskAct.TheSpeciesatRiskActisclearthatwhenlowerlevelsofgovernmentfailtoprovideeffectiveprotection,thefederal


actapplies.Thismeansthatiftheendangeredspeciesthatliveontheselandsareharmed,theCRDwillfacecharges.

Anyonewhohasquestionsaboutwhetheroff-highwayvehiclesareharmfulneedsonlytotalkawalkupHarbor-viewandseewhatkindoflegacyremainsfromthetimebeforeCRDParksacquiredtheland.You’llseemassivetrailerosion,particularlyinmuddysectionsorslopespeoplewerespinningtheirwheels.You’llseedamagetostreambedsandriparianvegetation,includingtheuppersectionsofsalmon-bearingstreams.Youcanseeformerflowermeadowsthatwereusedforhillclimbsandscrapeddowntobarerockandplaceswerepeopletookshortcutsacrosscornersandstrippedthesoilandvegetationfromdrywoodlands.IfyougoasfarasSheildsLake,youseemoreofthesame:mead-owsstrippeddowntobedrock,damagetosoilsandunderstoreyvegetation.Alsotreesthatpeoplehavechoppedhalf-

waythroughbeforegivingupandbrokenglassandassortedrefusegenerallyscatteredaround.Thehistoricuseofthisareawasn’tsomeidyllicfamilycampground;itwasjustapartyspot.

Insummary,wedonotbelievethatoff-highwayvehiclescancoexistwiththenaturalvaluesthattheregionalparkssystemisdesignedtoprotect.TheVictoriaNaturalHistorySocietyurgestheRegionalParksCommitteetostandbythevisionandpurposestatementsintheexistingCRDParksMasterPlanandnotallowoffhighwayvehiclesintotheSeatoSealandsoranyotherregionalparklands.Webelievethattoallowtheminwouldhavedisastrousconsequencesforthewildernesscharacterofthelands,fortheirecologicalvalues,andforthesocialcapitalthatCRDParkshasworkedhardtobuild.Wethankyoufortheopportunitytospeaktoday.

Alpine Flowers of Vancouver Island

By Judith holm

Throughateameffort,thereisnowagoodfieldpamphletforanyoneinterestedinthealpineflowersofVancouverIsland.HansRoemer

hasprovidedthebotanicalinformationandmanyofthephotos.Hisfamiliaritywiththemountainsandhisbackgroundasanecologistresultedinthesuccinctdescriptionsofthehabitatsand,wherenecessary,thedistinguishingfeaturesoftheplants.ThealpinehabitatdescriptionsspecificallydescribeVancouverIslandand,whenyoureadthenames,thesearethespeciesthatgrowrighthere.

Theassociatedwebsite<www.islandalpineflowers.ca>providesfurtherdetailsandenablespresentandfuturecontributionsbeyondthescopeofapamphlet.ExistingplantrecordsforourIsland’salpinearequitesparse,especiallyforareasthataredifficulttoaccess.ThereisstillmuchtobediscoveredaboutalpineplantsandtheirdistributiononVancouverIsland.Torecordfinds,useyourcameraandGPS.Itiseasiertofindaflowerifyouknowwhatyouarelookingforandwhereitlikestogrow.Formoreinformation,pleaseseethe“AdditionalRareAlpineFlowers”websitepage,whereyouwillfindmorephotosandhabitatdescriptions.

Ifitisrainingorwindy,it’sOK:thepamphletisofsimilarmaterialtowaterproofmaps.Ifyourpackisalreadytooheavy,noworries,thissyntheticpaperisfeatherweight.Ifyou’retent-bound,hereisinterestingreading,withrelativelylargephotos.Ifyouonlylikeviewsandmaybe

geology,beware,youmaybegintoseetheflowers!And,ifyoualreadyseeandknowtheseflowers,hereisone

morewaytosharethemwithyourfriends.

Available through the website or at:CamosunCollegeBookstore,Lansdownecampus andInterurbancampus,VictoriaCrownPublications,563SuperiorStreet,Victoria 250-387-6409<www.crownpub.bc.ca>Ivy’sBookshop,OakBay,VictoriaMountainEquipmentCo-opinVictoria&VancouverUVicBookstore,VictoriaNanaimoMaps&Charts,8ChurchStreet,Nanaimo, 250-754-2513ValhallaPureOutfitters,NanaimoStrathconaParkLodge


Butterfly Names

By Jeremy tatum

Everyonewithaninterestinourlocalbutterfliesisaware that, among the many books that have been published on North American butterflies, and those

of British Columbia in particular, it is quite literally the case that no two books use the same names, English or scien-tific. From time to time various official committees have arisen which have compiled a set of “official” names, but few people are aware of the work of such committees, and each has, in any event, come up with yet more different sets. And all the while the taxonomists are hard at work with their task of lumping and splitting. To those of us who are not professional taxonomists, but who just enjoy admiring these delicate and beautiful creatures, this is not something of huge importance. However, since the Society started its Invertebrate Alert website, <http://vicnhs.bc.ca/invertalert.html>, which I am at present monitoring, I found myself wondering what names I should use on the site. Sure enough,

within days of the site’s opening, we receivedreportsfromobserversusingdifferentnamesforthesamebutterfly,andIwasfacedwithmakingdecisions.

Somewillsay:WhynotjustusethenamesthatareusedinGuppy&Shepard’sbookorAcorn&Sheldon’sbook?Well,thefirstquestion,then,iswhichbook?OrwhynotLayberryet. al.?IfwechooseGuppy&Shepard,dowereallywanttousethename“CaliforniaRinglet”?AndifwechooseAcorn&Sheldon,dowereallywanttotalkaboutthe“RedAdmirable?”.

WhensettlersfromEuropefirstcametoNorthAmerica,notallofthemwereknowledgeablenaturalists,andtheyoftenappliedanEnglishnametothefirstanimalorplanttheysawwhich,intheirminds,boresomeresemblancetoonethattheyrememberedfromhome.Thustheycalledthefirstbirdtheysawwithsomesemblanceofaredbreastarobin,andthefirstlargeungulateanelk,thoughneitherwas

Lorquin’s admiral. Photo: darren Copley


atallcloselyrelatedtotherobinandtheelkthattheyhadleftbehind.Thesameproblemoccurswiththenamesofthebutterflies.Therearetwosortsofproblemsofthatnature.SometimesthesamenameisusedinBritainandinCanadafortwoverydifferentspeciesofbutterfly.“Silver-spottedSkipper”isanexampleofthat.Inothercases,thesamespe-ciesofbutterflyhasbeengivendifferentnamesinBritainandinCanada.AnexamplewouldbeourMourningCloak,whichisknowninBritainastheCamberwellBeauty.Besidesthesetrans-Atlanticproblems,namechangesareanalmostannualresultofthefrequenttaxonomicrevisionsproposedbylepidopterists.

Withrespecttotheproblemoftaxonomicsplittings,IbelieveitisanimportantprincipletoobservethatspecialEnglishnamesshouldnotbegiventopopulationsofaspeciesthathavebeendesignatedassubspecies.Englishnamesshouldrefertoafullspecies;ifwewishtorefertoaparticularraceorsubspecies,thescientificnameofthesub-speciescanbecited,oratmostanEnglishnamecanbeusedinquotes,asthebirdwatchersdo.Afurthergeneralprincipal,Ithink,isthatEnglishnamesingeneralshouldnotbegiventothecaterpillarstageonly,butshouldrefertothespeciesinallofitsstages.

What shall we call our Skippers?Nowfromthegeneraltotheparticular,I’llgothroughourlocalskippersonebyone.

TheonlyproblemwiththePropertius Duskywingishavingtothinkaboutwhether“duskywing”isasingleunhy-phenatedword,orwhetherithasahyphen,orwhetheritistwoseparatewords.Iproposetowriteitonthewebsiteasasingleunhyphenatedword.ThesamewillapplytotheNorth-ern Cloudywing,ifindeedanyonefindsthatspecieshere.

TheTwo-bandedCheckeredSkipper,however,raisesseveralproblems.Aminoroneiswhethertousethespelling“checkered”or“chequered”–butthat’snottheonlyproblem.InBritainthereisthe“ChequeredSkipper”(Carterocepha-lus)andthe“GrizzledSkipper”(Pyrgus).Botharewellnamed,forthefirsthasachequeredpattern,whilethesecondisclearlygrizzled.Unfortunately,someoftheNorthAmeri-canPyrgus species,allofwhichcloselyresemblethegrizzledpatternoftheEuropeanGrizzledSkipper(oneoftheminfactbeingthesamespecies),arecommonlyherecalled“check-ered”skippers.Tocomplicatemattersfurther,thespeciesknownastheChequeredSkipperinBritainalsooccurshereinVictoria(thoughitisraretofindit)sowhatshouldwecallit,giventhatwehavemisappropriatedthename“checkered”forthegrizzledspecies?IfinditdifficulttocallaPyrgusskipperwithanobviouslygrizzledpatterna“checkered”skipper.AtsomerisktolifeandlimbIproposetousethenameTwo-banded Grizzled Skipper forPyrgus ruralis. (Ittakesabitofimaginationtobelievethatthewhitespotsarearrangedintwobands,butthat’sanothermatter!).IsupposeitwouldcausetoomuchconfusiontocallCarterocephalus palaemon byitsBritishnamethe“ChequeredSkipper”,soI’llsettleforArctic Skipper,thoughtheadjective“Arctic”isnotparticularlyappropriate.

JeremyGattenmadetheexcitingdiscoveryofacolonyofHesperia comma hereafewyearsago.Thisisanotherbutterflywithatransatlanticnameproblem.ThebutterflyHesperia commahasbeenknowninBritainforcenturies(literally)astheSilver-spottedSkipper,butthatnamehasbeenappliedtoaverydifferentskipperinNorthAmerica,justasthenamerobinwasgiventoaverydifferentbirdfromtheOldWorldrobin.InNorthAmericatheskipperH. commahasgenerallybeencalledtheBrandedSkipper.However,withinayearofJeremy’sfind,thetaxonomistsdeclaredthattheWestCoastpopulationsshouldbetreatedasadistinctspecies,namelyHesperia colorado,andthesug-gestedEnglishnameisWesternBrandedSkipper.Iamnotsurethatalltaxonomistshaveacceptedthis,andIthinkI’llwaituntilIhavefoundandrearedthecaterpillarsbeforeIamconvinced.Inthemeantime,IthinkI’llsticktothenameBranded Skipper,evenforourlocalpopulations.

Thymelicus lineola has longbeenestablishedineasternCanada,butitwasin1993thatGordonHartandothersfoundithere,andsincethenithasbecomeabundantlocally.ItisknownherevariouslyastheEuropeanSkipperortheEssexSkipper.AstrikeagainsttheformernameisthatitisnottheonlyskipperoccurringinEurope;astrikeagainstthesecondnameisthatthenameofasmallcountyinEnglandisnotverymeaningfulhere.Adecisionisneeded,so,bypersonalpreference,IoptforEssex Skipper.

Woodland Skipper. Photo: Jeremy tatum


IseetwoproblemswiththenameWoodlandSkipper. Oneisthatwoodlandisabouttheonlyhabitatwhereyouwouldnotexpecttofindthisbutterfly,thename“Wood-land”merelybeingadirecttranslationofits(inappropriate?)scientificnamesylvanoides.TheotheristhatonedaythetaxonomistsmayreluctantlyadmitthattherereallyisnodifferenceatthespecieslevelbetweenourbutterflyandtheLargeSkipperofEurope.However,wealwayscallourbut-terflytheWoodlandSkipper,solet’scontinuetodoso.

IknowofnonamingproblemswithDun Skipper andRoadside Skipper.

What shall we call our Swallowtails and Whites?OnewouldthinkthataspectacularbutterflysuchasParnas-siuswouldbearanunambiguousname,butunfortunatelythisisnotquitethecase.ThegenusParnassius hasseveralspeciesinbothEuropeandNorthAmerica.OneofthebestknownEuropeanspeciesisP. apollo,knownastheApollobutterfly.Surelyotherspeciesinthegenusshouldbeknownas“Parnassian”butterflies,andthename“Apollo”shouldberestrictedtothespeciesP. apollo.YetIhearourlocalspecies,P. clodius,calledthe“ClodiusApollo”,whensurelyitsnameshouldbeClodius Parnassian.Ihavealsohearditcalledthe“CloudedParnassian”,whichisquitewrong.

ThereisalreadyaEuropean“CloudedParnassian”ofaquitedifferentspecies.“Clodius”isnotLatinfor“clouded”–itreferstotheRomanemperorClaudius.

Thecurrenttaxonomyoftheswallowtailsisamess,withfullspeciesstatusbeinggiventothemostminorperceivedvariationsinboththemachaongroupandintheTigerswallowtails,yetbothverydistinctgroupsaregroupedinasinglegenus.Untilthisissortedout,wemightaswellusethenamesAnise Swallowtail, Western Tiger Swallowtail andPale Tiger Swallowtail.Somepeoplecallthelatterjustthe“PaleSwallowtail”,thoughitisclearlyoneoftheTigergroupandperhapsscarcelymorethanaminorcolourvariation.

ThereisnonamingdifficultywiththePine White,butthenapigroupofwhitesgivesseeminglyendlesstrouble.Atonetimejustasinglespecieswasrecognized,namelyPieris napi,ahighlyvariablespecieswithaHolarcticdistribution.Whileitistruethattheadultinsectsshowgreatvariationthroughoutthefullrangeofthespecies,theimmaturestagesofourbutterflyanditsEuropeancounterpartareessentiallyidenticalandindistinguishable.Yettherecenttendencyhasbeentogivefullspeciesstatustobutterfliesshowingthemostminordifferenceindegreeofmaculationorinenzymecomposition,andthenumberofdistinctspeciesdependsonwhoiswritingaboutthem.ForthetimebeingthenameIshalluseonthewebsiteforourVancouverIslandpopulationwillbeMargined White.

Pale tiger Swallowtail. Photo: darren Copley


ThenameoftheEuropeaninvaderthatweknowastheCabbageWhitehashadaninterestinghistory.AtonetimeinBritainitwasknownastheCommonWhite,ortheGardenWhite,andsotheexpression“commonorgarden”hasenteredourlanguagetomeananythingordinaryorcommonplace.InfactneitherofthesenameshasbeenusedinBritainforalongtime,anditisknowntherenowastheSmallWhite,todistinguishitfromanothercabbage-feedingbutterflycalledtheLargeWhite,whichsofarhasnotmadeitacrosstheAtlantic.HerewealwayscallPieris rapaetheCabbage White,andIdon’tthinkthisislikelytocausetheslightestconfusiontoanybody,sothat’swhatI’llcallit.We’lltreatthedreadfulname“ImportedCabbageworm”withthecontemptthatitdeserves.

Sara’sOrangeTiphastwoquestionstothinkabout.OrangeTip,Orange-tiporOrangetip?Ihaveusuallywrit-tenitastwounhyphenatedwords,but,tobeconsistentwithDuskywingandCloudywing,IsupposeOrangetipshouldbeourchoice.Nowifthebutterflywasdiscoveredby,orfirstdescribedby,ornamedafter,Sara,thenweshouldcallitSara’sOrangetip.ButnobodyseemstoknowwhoSarawas,orindeedifthereeverwassomebodycalledSara,orwhetherthenamewasjustborrowedfromits(meaningless)scientificnamesara.Ithink,untilsomebodydiscoverswho,ifany-one,Sarawas,weshouldcallittheSara Orangetip,justaswedoforthePropertiusDuskywing.

Thesulphursarerarehere,andhardtoidentifyinthefield.Taxonomistsdon’tallagreeonhowmanyspeciesthereareandtowhatextenttheyhybridize.Ithinkourspecies(bothrare)areOrange Sulphur andWestern Sulphur,andthatweshouldpreferthe–ph-spellingtothe–f-spelling.

What shall we call the rest of our butterflies?Purplish Copper is,mercifully,oneofthefewlycaenidswhoseEnglishnameisreadilyunderstoodbyall.Theblues,hairstreaksandelfinsarequiteanothermatterandseemtohaveachangeinnameoroftaxonomicstatusalmosteveryyear.ThenameSylvan Hairstreak hasbeenprettystable,thoughitissomeyearssinceIhaveseenthebutterflyhere,andpeopledidnotagreeastowhichspeciesitwas.Ican-notrememberhowmanychangesinname,andlumpingsandsplittings,ourMitourahasenduredovertheyears.IthasbeencalledNelson’sHairstreak,Rosner’sHairstreak,Barry’sHairstreakatvarioustimes,andmanyvariationsinitsscientificname.ForthewebsiteI’llcallitCedar Hair-streak.Guppy&ShepardsplittheBrownElfinintotwospecies,calledBrownElfinandWesternElfin.I’mnotsurehowmanyagree,butforthewebsiteI’llcallourlocalbut-terflytheWestern Brown Elfin,anamethatneitheragreeswithnordeniestheproposedsplit.

Moss’sElfin hasbeensplitfromorlumpedwiththeEarlyElfinseveraltimesovertheyears.Isuspectitwillremainsplitforawhile,soMoss’s Elfinitis.Western Pine Elfin hasnoproblemsunlessitevergetslumpedwiththeEast-ernPineElfin,fromwhichitissaidtodifferinonlyavery

minorway.Grey Hairstreakhasnoproblemotherthanhowtospell“grey”.Ioptforthee.

AslongastheWestern Tailed Blue remainsaseparatespeciesfromtheEasternTailedBlue,weneedhavenoproblemwiththename.

TheSpringAzurehasbeensubjecttoalmostcontinuouschangesintaxonomicstatuseversinceIremember.AtoneextremeithasbeenjustonespecieswithawideHolarcticdistribution,beingconspecificwiththeEuropeanHollyBlue.TheextremesplitterswoulddividetheNorthAmericanformsintomanyspecies,andhavenamedthepopulationsonVancouverIslandeithertheEchoBlueortheWesternSpringAzure.I’llstickwiththenameSpring Azure. WeusedtohaveararebluehereinthegenusLycaeides,andnotwobookswouldagreeastowhatitwas.Untilsomeonefindsitagain,I’lldeferdecidingwhattocallit.Therearenoproblems,however,withtheSilvery Blue.

Whilethetendencyinrecentyearshasbeentosplitthespeciesofmanybutterflies,therehasbeenatendencytolumpthefamilies.ThuswhatwereformerlytheverydistinctfamiliesNymphalidae,SatyridaeandDanaidaearenowlumpedintoonegreatoverweightNymphalidae.AsweentertheNymphalidaeweimmediatelyencounteranamingproblemwiththecommasandtheanglewings.ThemostcommonnamesforourtwomostfamiliarspeciesareSatyrAnglewingandGreenComma,thoughIhavealsoseenSatyrCommaandFaunAnglewing.ItseemsillogicaltocalloneofthesetwoverysimilarspeciesanAnglewingandtheotheraComma.Ishallcontinuetobeillogical,andusethenamesSatyr Anglewingand

Western Brown elfin. Photo: darren Copley


Green Comma,thoughIhavetousealotofimaginationtoseeanyconvincinggreenanywhereonthelatterspecies.Itispossiblethattherearesomeotherspeciesinthegenushere.Idon’tthinkwegettheComptonTortoiseshellhere,but,ifanyoneshouldfindone,let’snotfallintothetrapofcallingitCompton’sTortoiseshell.InmyyouththerewasafamouscricketplayercalledDenisCompton,butneitherhenoranyofhisrelativesdiscoveredtheComptonTortoiseshell,whichisnamedafteravillageinQuebec.California Tortoiseshell and Milbert’s Tortoiseshellhavenoproblemsaslongasnoonethinks(asIdo!)thattheymaybeconspecificwiththeEuropeanLargeandSmallTortoiseshells.

Nymphalis antiopahashadtwoabsolutelysplendidnamesinEngland.ToMosesHarrisitwastheGrandSurprize,butnowitistheCamberwellBeauty.Ournameforthespeciesisequallysplendid,soMourning Cloakitshallbe.

Wehavethreeladies,andIproposetousethenamesAmerican Painted Lady, Painted LadyandWest Coast Lady.

Thereisapotentialproblemwiththewell-knownRedAdmiral.ItisoftensaidthattheoriginalnamewasRedAdmirable,andthatRedAdmiralisacorruptionofthat.ToMosesHarris,itwassimplytheAdmirable.Acorn&Sheldonpropose(notunreasonably)torestrictthename“admiral”toLorquin’sAdmiralanditscloserelatives,andto“restore”thename“RedAdmirable”.

Infact,theRedAdmiralwascalledan“admiral”beforeit

wascalledan“admirable”,sothatwecouldjustifiablyclaimthat“admirable”wasacorruptionof“admiral”ratherthantheotherwayround.“Admirable”isaratherdifficultwordtopronounce,andRed Admiral issuchafamiliarnamethatI’mnotgoingtotamperwithit.

Ihavegreatdifficultyidentifyingthefritillaries,butI’llusethenamesHydaspe Fritillary andZerene Fritillary. Thename“Bremner’sSilverspot”hasbeenusedinthepastforthelatterspecies.Ihaveneverseenanyofthesmallerfritillarieshere.

DowecallPhyciodes “crescentspots”orjust“crescents”?Recentpracticeseemstobethelatter,sowehaveMylitta CrescentandField Crescent.Icannotguaranteethatthetaxonomistsaregoingtoleavethelatteralone–thereareatleastthreeversionsofitsscientificnamegoingtherounds.

Edith’s Checkerspot seemstobelonglostfromourarea,thoughitsurvivesonHornbyIsland.I’llrefrainfromusingthename“Taylor’sCheckerspot”untilitisproveddecisivelythatthatisadistinctspecies.I’llassumethattherewasatsometimesomeonecalledEdithafterwhomthespecieswasnamed–otherwiseitwouldhavetobetheEdithCheckerspot,liketheSaraOrangetip.Asyet,nooneseemstoknowwhoEdithwas.

TherereallywasaPierreLorquin,sowehavenoproblemwithLorquin’s Admiral.

ThenameoftheRingletisarealproblem,andIhavenoentirelysatisfactorysolution.Ithasusuallybeencalledsome

West Coast Lady. Photo: darren Copley


sortofRinglet,thoughsincethe1960s,IhaveseensixormoreadjectivesplacedinfrontofourVancouverIslandpop-ulation.Thelumpersrecognizeonesinglespecies(admit-tedlyavariableone)withaHolarcticdistribution.Othershavegivenfullspeciesstatustoeveryminorvariationinpatternorcolour.Irecentlyraisedonefromegg,andasfarasIcanseetheimmaturestagesareidenticalinallrespectstotheEuropeanbutterfly,soItendtobealumper.Butwhat,then,tocallit?ItisanentirelydifferentspeciesfromthebutterflyknowninBritainastheRinglet.Thisisacaseofearlysettlersgivingthewrongnametoabutterflythattheywronglyrememberedfromtheirhomeland.Afurtherpointisthatourpopulationofthisvariablespeciesgenerallyshowsnotraceofany“ringlet”markonitswings.Forthesetworeasons,thename“ringlet”seemstometobeaboutasinappropriateascouldbe.ThebutterflyisknowninBritainastheLargeHeath,andIdoubtifourversionisreallyadistinctspecies.Iamthereforetemptedtocallitthe“LargeHeath”,butIsuspectthatthiswouldnotbeatallapopularmove.IthinkI’llassumethatitisthesamespeciesastheEuropeanone,andI’llcallitjustCoenonympha tullia.

I’llcallourothersatyrids(orsatyrinestofollowthemod-erntrend)theCommon Woodnymph (tobeconsistentwithOrangetipandDuskywing–oneunhyphenatedword)andtheGreat Arctic.ThelatterhasalsobeencalledtheNevadaArctic,thoughIdon’tbelieveitoccurseitherinNevadaorintheArctic.(Apparentlythe“Nevada”isaplacenameinCalifornia.)

ThelastspeciestomentionistheMonarch.Ithasborneorstillbearssomeothernamesindifferentpartsoftheworld,butnonethatneedworryus.

Here,then,isasummaryofthenamesandspellingsthatIamusingonthewebsitehttp://vicnhs.bc.ca/invertalert.html.Iamsurethatnoteveryonewillbehappywiththesenames,sobyallmeansletushearyourviews.Justbearinmindthough,thatitisgoingtobeveryhardforanyonetocomeupwithalistofnamesthatwillpleaseeveryone!

PropertiusDuskywingNorthernCloudywingTwo-bandedGrizzledSkipperArcticSkipperEssexSkipperBrandedSkipperWoodlandSkipperDunSkipperRoadsideSkipperClodiusParnassianAniseSwallowtailWesternTigerSwallowtailPaleTigerSwallowtailPineWhiteCabbageWhiteSaraOrangetipOrangeSulphurWesternSulphurPurplishCopperSylvanHairstreakCedarHairstreakWesternBrownElfinMoss’sHairstreakWesternPineElfinGreyHairstreakWesternTailedBlueSpringAzureSilveryBlueSatyrAnglewingGreenCommaCaliforniaTortoiseshellMilbert’sTortoiseshellMourningCloakAmericanPaintedLadyPaintedLadyWestCoastLadyRedAdmiralHydaspeFritillaryZereneFritillaryMylittaCrescentFieldCrescentEdith’sCheckerspotLorquin’sAdmiralCoenonympha tulliaCommonWoodnymphGreatArcticMonarch

ReferencesThethreebooksreferredtointhetext,allofwhichuseadifferent

setofEnglishandscientificnames,areAcorn,J.andSheldon,I.2006.Butterflies of British Columbia.Lone

PinePress,Edmonton.Guppy,C.S.andShepard,J.H.2001.Butterflies of British Columbia.

UBCPress,Vancouver.Layberry,R.A.,Hall,P.W.,andLafontaine,J.D.1998.The Butterflies

of Canada.UniversityofTorontoPress,Toronto.Great arctic. Photo: darren Copley


Birding Chile

By Philip Critchlow

Chileisalong(4000km)andnarrow(maximumwidth200km)countryrunningalongthewesterncoastofsouthernSouthAmerica.Ifinthenorth-

ernhemisphere,itwouldstretchfromAcapulcotocentralBritishColumbiainthenorth.Itisboundedontheeastbysnow-cappedmountainsandvolcanoesandtothewestthecoldHumboldtCurrentproducesrichfishinginthePacificOcean.ThefamousAtacamaDesertoccupiesthecoastalregionofthenorthernthirdofthecountry,withhighplateauandmountainsinland.Fertileagriculturelandandwineriesconstitutethemiddlesection.ThesouthisverysimilartocoastalBritishColumbia,mountainouswithnumerousinlets

andfjords.Thereisnojungle,unlikemostSouthAmericancountries.

WebeganourbirdingtripinSantiago,thecapital,withFabrice,aChilean,birdexpertasourguide.Itwaselection-day.Afternavigatingthenumerousblockadedstreets,webirdedalocalpark,quicklyfindingnewbirdsincludingStripedWoodpecker,AndeanFlicker,plussomeChileanendemics–ChileanMockingbird,Dusky-tailedCanastero,andWhite-throatedTapaculo.Wenextwenttothelocalskiresort–nosnowinDecember–findingstillmorenewbirds:MoustachedTurca,CordilleranCanastero,twospeciesofhummingbird(Green-backedFirecrownandWhite-sided

Puna ibis. Photos: Philip Critchlow


Hillstar),GreaterYellow-finchandaMagellanicTapaculofeedingyoungunderastonebridge.Whilehavingapicniclunch,wewatchedaRufous-wingedMinercarryingfoodtoanestunderarock.MeanwhileAndeanCondorscircledoverhead.

Intheafternoon,atsewageponds,wewerejoinedbyanotherbirder,Fernando.AlmostimmediatelyFabriceandFernandoexclaimed“White-facedWhistlingDuck”.ThiswasonlythethirdorfourthsightinginChileforthisspeciesandanewbirdforFernando.Outcamethecellphonesandcallstofriends.Otherbirdsseenincludedthreecootspecies(Red-gartered,Red-fronted,andWhite-winged),andseveralspeciesofduck,someofwhichmighthavebeenwintervisitorsfromNorthAmerica.

ThenextdaywedrovetotheestuaryoftheMaipoRivertowitnessthousandsofgulls(mainlyFranklin’s),andSouthAmericanTernmigratingtotheirfinaldestinationalittlefurthersouth.OtherbirdshereincludedDuskyTapaculo,AmericanOystercatcher,SpectacledTyrant,andWarblingDoradito.Black-neckedSwanssailedgracefullyintheshelteredbays.LaterwesawtheendemicSeasideCinclodes–aspeciesthatneverventuresfarfromseaweedcoveredrooks–and,ataPeruvianPelicancolony,HumboldtPen-guinsandBlue-footedBoobies.Surprisingly,threeWilson’sStorm-petrelwerealsopresent–usuallytheyarefarfromshore.

ThefollowingdaywedidapelagictripfromValparaisowithourguideandeightofthekeenestbirdersinChile.Unfortunately,becauseofdensemistwecouldnotventureoutasfaraswewouldhaveliked.Inaddition,theboatenginestoppedperiodicallybecauseofafaultyfuelpump.Astheseaswerefairlyrough,aback-upvesselwascalled,butwemadeitbacktoportunaidedbutwithanescort.Pink-footedandSootyShearwatersandCapePetrelwereabundant.White-chinnedandWestlandPetrel,SouthernFulmar,andChileanSkuaswerepresentinsmallernumbers.Whenwethrewfishpiecesintothesea,Black-browedandSalvin’sAlbatrossflewinforaneasymeal.BothParasiticandLong-tailedJaegerwereseen.AloneManxShearwater,avagrantinthePacificOcean,wasspottedbysome.

BacktoSantiagoforthenightanda4a.m.flighttoAricainthenorth,almostatthePeruvianborder.ItisacoastalcityjustnorthoftheAtacamaDesert,situatedbetweentheLlutaandAzapaRivervalleys.ThesevalleyscomprisetheonlynaturalgreennessaroundArica.Otherwisethelandscapeisdevoidofvegetation.InSouthAmericathemoisturebearingwindsarefromtheEast–Amazonia.PrecipitationthusfallsmainlyovertheAndesandtoalesserextentthefoothills.LittleornorainfallsinArica–oneofthedriestcitiesintheworld.Onarrival,wevisitedtheLlutaEstuary,commonbirdsbeinggulls(Franklin’s,Grey,Belcher’s,andKelp),egrets(SnowyandGreat),TurkeyVultures,andAmericanOystercatchers.

OurnextdestinationwasPutreinthefoothillsoftheAndes.SoonafterleavingAricawedisturbedsomePeru-vianThick-knees,restingamongroadsideboulders.TheroadskirtsthegreenfieldsoftheLlutaValleyforashort

distance,thenwindsthroughthebarrenhills.Itisfrequentedbymanyslow-movingBoliviantruckstransportinggoods.JustbeforereachingPutre,elevationabout3500m,grasses,shrubsandcactimakeanappearance.BirdingaroundPutreproducedBare-facedGround-doves,CanyonCanastero,White-throatedEarthcreeper,StreakedTit-spinetail,andAndeanHillstaramongothers.

Thefollowingdaywedroveupto4500minLaucaNationalPark.Graduallythelandscapechanges,muchmorewaterappearinginbogs,poolsandevensmallstreams.Thehillsides,thoughstillrocky,havemorevegetation–patchesofbunchgrass,moss,andshrubs,butnotrees.Manymammals(guanaco,vicuna,viscacha)inhabitthearea.AndeanGeeseareeverywhere.FabriceknewaspotwherethegorgeouslyplumedDiademedSandpiper-ploverhadbeenseenpreviously.Afterakilometerwalkoverspongyterrainwespottedone,posinginabog.Thisspeciesismoreregu-larlyseenatElYeso,closetoSantiago.Whenwelatertriedtovisitthefavouredlocality,wewerethwartedbyafloodedroad.LaucaNationalParkcontainsseverallakes,provid-ingfoodformanybirds:threespeciesofflamingo(Chilean,James’s,andAndean),SilveryGrebe,Black-neckedStilt,andAndeanAvocet.PunaIbisandCrestedDucksearchedthesurroundingbogsandgrasslands.Twovolcanoes,eachmorethan6000metres,dominatethePark,butwehadonlyfleetingglimpsesbecauseofmistandcloud–itevensleetedbriefly.Inspiteoffrequentscanningofthegrasslandsandhillsides,wefailedtofindanOrnateTinamou.

Wemadeasecondpelagictrip,thistimefromArica,add-ingBuller’sAlbatross,Swallow-tailedGull,RedandRed-neckedPhalaropes,Elliott’sandMarkham’sStorm-Petrels

rufous-winged miner


tothebirdsidentifiedoffValparaiso.InArica,SurfbirdandRuddyTurnstonessharedthecoastalrocks.AresidentoftheAzapaValleyhassetupagardenwithabundantplantssuitableforhummingbirds.HereOasisHummingbirdswerecommonandalsoafewPeruvianSheartails.

Athirdhummingbird,theendemicChileanWoodstar,isrestrictedtoafewisolatedstretchesofgreenvalleysinthedrymountains.Afour-hourdrivetookustoCodpa,oneofthefewplaceswherethisendangeredspeciesstillsurvives.PlayingthecallofthePeruvianPygmy-Owltriggersmanybirdspeciestoappear–botheredbythe“presence”ofapredator.WemanagedtoenticeafewfemaleWoodstarsintoview.WhilesearchingfortheWoodstar,anotherbirdmadeasurpriseappearance.FabriceglimpsedathrushflyingbyandwasinstantlyawarethatitdifferedfromthecommonChiguancoThrush.Locatingitagain,heidentifieditasaCreamy-belliedThrush–secondorthirdsightingforChilealthoughacommonbirdinArgentina.Later,weflewbacktoSantiagoandtheaborteddrivetoElYeso,butwedidseeapairofendemicCragChiliafeedingyounginanestinanoverhangingcliff.

ThenextdaywevisitedtheBatucoWetlandsclosetoSantiago.WhileFabriceandFernandowereorganizingasandwichlunch,Iwatchedafardistantheron,hoppingaroundthedriedmudbeachcatchinginsects.Icouldonly

makeoutayellowishbirdwithreddishbrownback.Givingthesedetails,itwassuggestedthatitmightbeaCattleEgret.Whatasurprisewasinstore!Afterlunch,weapproachedthebirdmoreclosely.SuddenlycriesofamazementfromFabrice.ThebirdturnedouttobeaWhistlingHeron,abirdneveridentifiedbeforeinChile.Aftercontinuedexcitement,photosandcongratulations,back-slappingandhigh-fives,thecellphoneswerebroughtintouse.Later,e-mailsweresenttoseveralhundredpotentiallyinterestedindividuals.

AltosdeLircayNationalParkisaforestedareasouthofSantiago,mainlyevergreenbeechandoakwithdenseunder-growth.Itishometotwospecialties–Chestnut-throatedHuet-huet(alargetapaculoandanear-endemic)andtheMagellanicWoodpecker(awoodpeckerresemblingourPileated),largeandblackwitharedhead(male)andwhitewingpatches,whilethefemalesportsaplumedblackhead.Weeasilyfoundthefirstasitreadilyrespondedtoplayback.Aftersomesearching,wefinallyheardthedrummingofapairofwoodpeckers.Againplaybackprovedsuccessful,promptingbothmaleandfemaletoflytowardsusandtheybothsatsowehadexcellentviews.LatemorningfoundusatColbúnLake,wherewequicklydiscoveredseveralflocksofBurrowingParakeets,aloneSpectacledDuck,andanAustralPygmy-owl.

magellanic Penguin.


WhileinLircay,FabricelearnedthatotherswhohadsearchedfortheWhistlingHeronhadbeenunsuccessful.WethusreturnedtotheBatucoWetlandsonthewaybacktoSantiago.Thefirstbirdthatwesawwastheheron!Evenaswesawitthesecondtime,twogroupsweresearchingonanotherlagoon,havingfailedtoseeitthatmorning.Theyrushedtothespotafterreceivingphonecalls.Againtherewasmuchexcitement,withrapidconversinginSpanish,astheyarrivedtoseethebird.AdroughtinArgentinahadpos-siblypromptedthebirdtolookforbetterfeedinggrounds.Itdidn’tstaylong,however,andwasgonesoonafterwards.

OnChristmasDayweflewtoPuertoMontt(1000kmsouthofSantiago),rentedacaranddrovetoPuyehueNationalParktosearchfortheBlack-throatedHuet-huet(anotherlargetapaculo),theChucaoandOchre-flankedTapaculos.Thesewerefairlyeasytofind.WehadnowseenallthetapaculosofChile.EndemicAustralParakeetsflewbybutnotinlargenumbers.OurattemptstolocateaRufous-leggedOwlendedinfrustrationasheavyrainsetin.

ThereisagroupofdedicatedbirdersinSantiagowhomeetregularlyandorganizeoutings.TheyarealsoactiveinbandingHudsonianGodwits,Black-neckedStilts,andothersinanattempttounderstandtheirlittleknownmigrationpatterns.Theyareconstantlyincontact(cellphoneore-mail).FewotherpeopleinChileseemtobereallyinterestedinbirdsorbirdwatching–theexceptionbeinganinterestinthetwocommonpenguinspecies–HumboldtandMagellanic.OnChiloeIsland,closetoPuertoMontt,thereisacolonycontainingbothpenguinspecies.Althoughitwasarainy,blusteringday,atleast100Chileansbravedtheshortboattripstoviewthecolony.LaterinPatagonia,severalhundredvisitedalandcolonyofMagellanicPenguinsatOtway.Onemustpaytovisitbothcolonies,solocalresidentsarekeentoprotecttheresource.Otherareassuchasriverestuariesandwetlandsmighthavelegalprotectionbuttherulesandregulationsarelargelyignored.Forexample,dumpingiswidespreadonwetlands,carsdrivealongbeaches,andfour-wheelvehiclesroamondelicategrasslands.

FromPuertoMonttweflewsouthtoPuntaArenas–almostthesoutherntipofmainlandChile.AferryridebroughtustoPorvenironTierradelFuego.ThegrasslandsofPatagoniaandTierradelFuegocontainthousandsofsheep,hundredsofguanachoandsomeinterestingbirds,includingtwospeciesofdotterel,(Tawny-throatedandRufous-breasted),Double-bandedPlovers,Darwin’sRhea,winteringBaird’sandWhite-rumpedSand-pipers,Choco-late-ventedTyrant(aground-lovingflycatcher),andLeastSeedsnipe.Themanyshallowpondsalongtheroadattractgeese(Kelp,Upland,Ruddy-headed,andAshy-headed),ChileanFlamingo,MagellanicOystercatcher,plusvariousducksandsandpipers.Onedaywesaw20Culpeofoxes!

OneofthehighlightsofthetripwasadrivealongagravelroadontheoutskirtsofTorresdelPaineNationalPark.Patagoniansteppe,snow-cappedmountainsinthedistance,asparkling,fast-flowingriver(surprisinglynoTorrentDucks)andnumerousAndeanCondors–afew


Welcome to New VNHS MembersOurSocietygrewbyeightnewmemberssincethelastissue.Thefollowingagreedtohavetheirnamespublishedinour“welcome”column:

Dr. John and Barbara CrawfordMcAnallyRoadBirds, botany, ecology

Nancy DohanRocklandAvenue

Caroline StenglSelwynRoadArt, illustration, wildlife ID, diving, gardening with native plants

George BoettnerShelburneFalls.MAUSABirding, insects, general natural history

flying,somesittingoncliffnests,whilemostwaitedforthesuntoproduceupwardthermals.AYellow-bridledFinchprovidedgreatpictures.

Onourfinalday,wesetouttoseetheAustralRail.Fabricewasnotoptimistic.Nevertheless,wewentintoTorresdelPaineNationalParktofindasuitablelakewithdensereeds.Playbackofitscallsoonresultedinasingleresponse.Waitingpatiently,Icouldnotdetectanysignthebirdwasfurtherinterested.Afterafewminutes,Fabricewhisperedthattherailwascloseandpointedtoacertainspot.ForafractionofasecondIsawthebirddashacrossanarrowopeninginthereeds,thenitwasgone.Askedhowheknewitwasclose,Fabricesaidhecouldhearitsfeetonthemattedreeds!OnthewaybacktoPuntaArenas,westoppedattheMilodonCave,wherebonesofaprehistoricbear-likedinosaurwerefound,toseeaMagellanicHornedOwlwithanowletdozingonarockoutside.Nearby,asecondowletappearedtobedead.

Inall,wehadaverysuccessfultripwithmorethan300ofChile’s476speciesrecognized,someofwhichhaveonlybeenseenonEasterIsland,JuanFernandezIslands(ofRobinsonCrusoefame),faroutatseaorintheChileanAntarctica.Withsnow-cappedmountainsandvolcanoesneverfarfromsight,Chileisagreatbirdingdestination. Yellow-bridled finch.


Groups Applaud Introduction of Strong Law to Protect Wildlife

May 31, 2010 press release from the Sierra Club of BC

EnvironmentalistswelcomeanewprivateMember’sbill(BillM2:SpeciesProtectionAct)thatwillbeintro-ducedintotheBCLegislaturetodaybyNewDemocrat

MLARobFleming.Ifpassed,thebillwouldprovidemuch-neededlegaltoolstoensurethatBC’sthreatenedwildlife,likegrizzlybearsandburrowingowls,arefinallyprotected.

TheproposedendangeredspecieslawcomesatacrucialmomentforBC’sgloballyrenownedbutincreasinglyembat-tledwildlife.Theprovinceishometo76%ofCanada’sbirdspecies,70%ofitsfreshwaterfishspecies,andthousandsofotheranimalsandplants.However,scientistsbelievethatmuchoftheprovince’swildlifeandecosystemsareindirestraits.Accordingtothegovernment’sConservationDataCenter,morethan1,600plantsandanimalsarenowdecliningoratriskofdisappearingfromtheprovince.YetBC,alongwithAlberta,istheonlyprovinceinCanadathatcurrentlylacksalawtoprotectthemortheirhabitat.

“BritishColumbiaisblessedwitharichnessofplantsandanimalsthatisonparwiththeGalapagos,theSerengeti,andotherextraordinaryplacesonourplanet.Butwiththisrich-nesscomesresponsibilityandastrongendangeredspecieslawtoprotectwildlifeandtheirhabitatisurgentlyneeded,”saidtheDavidSuzukiFoundation’sScienceDirector,Dr.FaisalMoola.

TheproposedSpeciesatRiskProtectionActincludesthebasiccomponentsofsuchalaw,suchasscientificassessmentofwhichspeciesareatrisk,legallisting,protectionsagainstkillingindividualsofthespeciesandprotectionoftheirhabi-tat,andthedevelopmentofrecoverystrategiestodeterminewhatactionsareneededforaspecies’survivalandrecovery.Italsooffersabalancedapproachtoprotectingendangeredwildlifebyencouragingvoluntarystewardshipactivitiesandbyallowingforsocioeconomicconsiderationstobetakenintoaccountwhengovernmentdecideswhatelementsofarecov-erystrategytoimplement.

“TheproposedSpeciesatRiskProtectionActincludesthebestpracticesfromdecadesofexperiencewithendangeredspecieslawsinotherjurisdictions.Speciesprotectionmustbeanon-partisanissueandwehopethatallmembersoftheleg-islaturewilltakeaseriouslookatthisprivateMember’sbill,”saidKeithFerguson,stafflawyerforEcojustice(formerlySierraLegalDefenceFund).

Publicpollinghasshownthatalmost90%ofBritishColumbianscaredeeplyaboutendangeredwildlifeandbelievethattheprovinceneedstoenactastronglawtorecoverspeciesatrisk,andtopreventspeciesfrombecomingatriskinthefirstplace.WhiletheprivateMember’sbillworks

itswaythroughthelegislativeprocess,thecurrentLiberalgovernmentisexpectedtoannouncethecreationofalong-awaitedspecialtaskforcetoadviseitonhowtoprotecttheprovince’sendangeredspecies,aspromisedinthegovern-ment’sAugust2009SpeechfromtheThrone.

according to the government’s Conserva-tion data Center, more than 1,600 plants and animals are now declining or at risk of disappearing from the province…

3700 Yellow Point Road,

Ladysmith, B.C. V9G 1E8

(250) 245-7422


Remembering Connie

By Jina mousseau, habitat acquisition trust

AmemberoftheVictoriaNaturalHistorySocietyformanyyears,Constance(Connie)Hawleywasatrueloverofnature.Ifshewasn’t

kneedeepinhergarden,shecouldbefoundonbirdingtrips,studyingbotany,orwalkingthroughBeaconHillPark.

ConniewasbornandraisedinWinnipeg,andspenthersummersatherfamily’scottageinVictoriaBeach,Manitoba.ShegraduatedwithherBachelorofArtsfromWinnipeg’sSt.John’sCollegein1941,andworkedatGreatWestLifeInsuranceduringthewaryearsinbothWinnipegandChicago.ConniecompletedherBachelorofSocialWorkattheUniversityofBritishColombiaaftermov-ingtoBritishColombiaintheearlysixties.HercareerinsocialworktookherfromNewWestminstertoToronto,andshespentampletimeonthewestcoast,coordinatingcommu-nityhealthclinics.ConniewasthefoundingexecutivedirectorwiththeBCCounciloftheFamilyinherlasteightyearsofcivilservice.

Inherretirement,ConnietookbiologyclassesattheUniversityofVictoria,travelled,andtookupwatercolourpainting.Conniewasanavidgardener,andespeciallylovedherveggiegarden.ShewasanactiveVNHSmember,organizingtheannualChristmasBirdCountandtheBeaconHillCamasDaywalksforanumberofyears.ShealsovolunteeredfortheFairfieldCommunityAssociation.

VNHSmemberClaudiaCopleyrecallsspendingtimewithConnieinhergarden,commiseratingabouthousesparrows,“aconstantplague,”anddiscussingplantsandveggies.ConnieinfluencedtheCopley’sveggiegarden,“Itwasherraisedvegetablebedsthatinspiredustobuildsomethingsimilar–wideandhighenoughsoyoucancomfortablysitdownonthemwhileyouworked.”

“Shewasalovely,unassuming,andgraciouswomanwhoembracedthenaturalistworld”saysBruceWhittington,alsoaVNHSmemberandfounderofHabitatAcquisitionTrust(HAT).ConnieleftabequesttoHAT’sEndowmentFundwiththeVictoriaFoundation.WhittingtonspeculatesthatConnie’sinterestinHATwasaresultoftheinvolvementofotherVNHSmembers.“Shewasveryloyal,andgavehersupporttoanorganizationshefeltconnectedto,”saysWhittington.

ConniepassedawayatherhomeinVictoriaonJune23,2009.HergifttoHAT’sEndowmentFundwillhelpHATprotectecologicalsensitivelandsinperpetuity.“Connie’slegacywillhelpHATandotherenvironmental

groupsconservethenaturalenvironmentsshecaredsomuchabout”saysAdamTaylor,HAT’sExecutiveDirector.“Wearetouchedandgratefulforherconsideration.”

Howeveryoucametoknowher,Connieleftastrongimpression.

“Ialwaysadmiredher–shewassoindependentandresilient,”saysCopley.“Shehadapushmowerlongbeforeanyonetalkedofclimatechange,eventhoughitwastooheavyforhertopusheasily!”

Pink fawn Lily (Erythronium revolutum). Photo: Wendy ansell.


DearVictoriaNaturalHistorySocietyThankyouverymuchfortheawardof$250thatIreceivedformyScienceFairproject.Iverymuchappreciateit,andthefairwasagreatexperience.IwillnowbegoingtoPeterboroughtocompeteintheNationalScienceFair.

Thanks,BirchBansgrove

Towhomitmayconcern:IwouldliketoexpressmysinceregratitudeforbeingawardedtheSamuelSimcoeBursary.Post-secondarytuitionfeesandlivingexpensescanbeoverwhelmingandbursariesalwayshelpeasethestressoftheseexpenses.

Withmydegreeinphysicalgeography,Iamhopingtopursueacareerinwildlifeornaturalresourcemanagement.Iamcompletingaco-opworktermthissummer,volunteer-ingatawildlifereserveinMexico.TherearefewecologicalreservesinMexicothatprotectspeciesthreatenedbyhabitatloss.Iwouldlovetohelpwiththedevelopmentofthis

Lettersreserveandsharewithvisitorstheuniquenessofthelandscapeandthespeciesharbouredwithinit.

Thanksagainforyourgenerosityinawardingmethisbursary!

Sincerely,KarilynnDeWolff

the following thank-you letters are from teachers who participated in the VnhS’ Connecting Children with Nature project, where member volunteers lead school groups into nearby natural areas.

JohnH.wasamazing.Clearinformationwelldeliveredandtimed.

AnneNilsen,SouthParkFamily

Itwasgreattohavesomeonewhoknewaboutthegeologyofthesitewevisited.Itwaswelladaptedtotheagegroupandthestudentswereinterested.

ElisabethNaud,CentralMiddleSchool

DearBillandMargie,ThankyouforourwonderfulguidedtourofSummitPark.Welearnedsomuch!

MmeDiBiase,L’ÉcoleQuadraSchool

CALENDAR OF EVENTSREGULARMEETINGSaregenerallyheldSeptember-Aprilonthefollowingdays:Board of Directors:thefirstTuesdayofeachmonth(directors’meetingsareheldatSwanLakeNatureSanctuaryat7:30p.m.);Natural History Presentations:thesecondTuesdayat7:30p.m.,UniversityofVictoria;Botany Night:thethirdTuesday,7:30p.m.,SwanLakeChristmasHillNatureHouse; Birders’ Night:thefourthWednesday,7:30p.m.,UniversityofVictoria.Marine Night:thelastMonday,7:30p.m.,UniversityofVictoria.Locationsaregiveninthecalendarlistings.TheVNHSCalendaralsoappearsontheInternetat:<http://www.vicnhs.bc.ca>,andisupdatedregularly.

Codes for Field Trip Difficulty Levels:LEVEL1—Easywalking,mostlylevelpaths.LEVEL2—Pathscanbenarrowwithuneventerrain.LEVEL3—Obstaclesinpathsrequiringagilityorsteepergrades.LEVEL4—Verysteep,insecurefootingorlongerhikesrequiringgoodphysicalcondition.

JULYSunday, July 4FIELDTRIP(LEVEL1)A Cook’s Tour of Geological Formations of Greater VictoriaInthisfieldtripwewillvisitrepresentativeexamplesofallofthegeologicalformations(terranes)thatoccurintheGreaterVictoriaarea.WewillcarpooltoArmstrongPointinSidney,FinlaysonPointinBeaconHillPark,GonzalesBeachinVictoria,theprehistoricestuaryoftheGoldstreamRiveronMetchosinRoad,andwillfinishatWitty’sLagoon/TowerPointinMetchosin.AlongthewayyouwillseethesandstoneNanaimoGroup,thegneissrockoftheWrangelliaTerrane,theargilliteandschistofthePacificRimTerrane,andthepillowlavabasaltoftheCrescentTerrane.Wewillseelotsofevidenceofglaciationatthevariousstops.MeetattheBeaverLakeRoadentranceonElkLakeDrive(intheparkingareabythePatBayHighway)at10:00a.m.forcarpooling.Abasicmapofthesitestobevisitedwillbeprovided.WalkingateachsiteinvolvesshorteasytrailsandweshouldbefinishedatWitty’sLagoon/TowerPointby4:00p.m.Pleasebring

alunch.ContactJohn [email protected],or250-598-6326ifyouneedadditionalinformation.Thebookreferenceforthisfieldtripis The Geology of Southern Vancouver IslandbyC.J.YorathandH.W.Nasmith.

Tuesday, July 6 EVENTBig, Wet, Rodent Day at Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature SanctuaryTheyareonourmoney,they’reinSwanLake–it’stimetocelebratethesymbolofourcountryandtheirrelatives.Muskratsandbeaversarefascinatingcreatures.Crafts,games,andtouchablebeaverstuff.Admissionbydonation.Crafts$3.EventheldattheNatureHouse12noonto3:00p.m.

Sunday July 11 FIELDTRIP(LEVEL4)Exploring the Tide Pools at Botanical BeachBotanicalBeachisahotspotforbiologicaldiversityonVancouverIsland.Duringlowtide,thecrystalclearsandstone


tidepoolsareteemingwithmarineinvertebratesandfish.JoinBailee McCollinexploringtheintertidalzone.Wewillseehundredsofpurpleurchins,aggregatinganemones,chitons,crabs,fish,and,ifwe’relucky,maybealeatherstaroranopalescentnudibranch.Wewillbestartingearlyinordertocatchthelowtideandincreaseourchancesoffindingsomeseastars.Thistripwilltakealldaybecausewewillspend2-3hoursatthebeach.Weargoodhikingshoesaswewillbewalkingonrocks,comepreparedforallweather,andbringfoodandwaterfortheday.Meetat7:00a.m.atHelmckenParkandRide.ContactBaileeMcCollformoreinformation:[email protected](leavemessage).

Saturday, July 17FIELDTRIP(LEVEL1)Dragonflies for BeginnersAsDennisPaulsonsaysinhisbook,Dragonflies of Washington,“Perhapsevenmorethanbutterflies,dragonfliesarebirdwatchers’insects.”MeetDarren and Claudia CopleyattheBeaverLakeRetrieverPondsat1:00p.m.(anadvantageoverbirding)andwe’llseewhatwecanfind.We’lllookatwhatfieldguidesareavailable,sometrickstocatchingdragonflies,andevenhowtokeyoutthedifficultones.Bringbinoculars,aninsectnet(ifyouhaveone–wecanprovide),andhopeforsunnyweather.

Sunday, July 18FIELDTRIP(LEVEL3)Discovery Island and Chain Islands Ecological Reserve Bird-watchers Kayak TourDiscoveryIslandProvincialMarineParkpresentsmanyopportunitiesforviewingwildlife.ThetourwillalsoexplorethenearbyChainIslands,whichareprotectedbirdsanctuariesandsealrookeries.YoumayseeBaldEagles,RhinocerosAuklets,HarlequinDucks,varioussandpipers,andothershorebirds.Bykayak,weareabletoseethenumerousseabirdsthatnestandfeedinandaroundtheseshoressuchasthePigeonGuillemots,BlackOystercatchers,andcormorants.BabyHarbourSealsremainundisturbedaswequietlyglidepast.Youdonotneedtobeanexperiencedkayakerasenoughinstructionwillbegivenforyoutoenjoyasafedayonthewater.Cost:$95.20fora5-hourguidedtourstartingat9:00a.m.Minimumrequired:8people/tour.Signupassoonaspossiblebutatleastaweekinadvance.Wenormallypulluponabeachtohaveourlunchanddoabitofexploringontheisland.Dependingontheday’sweather,bepreparedtolayerupordownwhileonthewater.Suggestedgear:sunglasses,sunhat,sunscreen,footwearyoucangetwet,windbreaker,toque,binoculars,lunch,snacks,andlotsofliquidtodrink.Formoreinformation/toregister,phonePacifica Paddleat250-665-7411.

Saturday, July 17 and Sunday, July 18VICTORIABUTTERFLYCOUNTWearealwayslookingforkeen-eyedvolunteers,sogetoutyourfieldguides.CallJames Miskelly(countcoordinator)at250-477-0490ifyouwouldliketohelpout.

Tuesday, July 20EVENTReptile Day at Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature SanctuaryScales,slithers,snakes,andsmiles!Comeandjoinusforourannualreptilebashaswelearnaboutallthosewhoarescaly.Observeourfabulousreptilefriends,playgames,makecraftsandgetyourfacepainted.Admissionbydonation.Crafts$3.EventheldattheNatureHouse12noonto3:00pm.

Sunday, July 25 FIELDTRIP(LEVEL4)

Hurricane Ridge High-Elevation WildflowersForseveralyears,VNHShasarrangedforabusinPortAngelestotakeusupthehilltotheHurricaneRidgeVisitorCentreinWashington’sOlympicNationalParktoenjoythesub-alpineflowersattheirpeak.Mostwildflowersatsealevelhavefinishedfloweringfortheseasonbythen.We’llstartfromtheVisitorCentreandfollowaroutethatallowsustoenjoythemountainwithouttoomuchelevationgain(andpain)–theKlahhaneRidgetrail.Thistraildropsawayquicklytogivefabulousviewsaswellasclose-upsofmanyfascinatingsub-alpineplants.Thenwe’llstartdownhillfromthereontheSwitchbackTrail.Thisgoesdownquicklythroughaslightlydamplushareawithanamazingvarietyofplants.Thetraileventuallymeetstheroadthatgoesupthehillandwehavearrangedforthebusdrivertomeetustheretotakeusbacktotheferry.Theroutemayvaryifconditionsdictate.Althoughtheweatherisgenerallysunnyandclear,duetothehighelevation,itcouldpossiblybequitecooloritmightrain,sobeprepared.Alsowearsturdyhikingbootsandhikingpoleswouldbeanasset.Bringalunch,snacks,andlotstodrinkaswewillnotbenearanyfacilities.MeetattheBlackBallFerryterminalintheInnerHarbourat5:45a.m.forthe6:10a.m.sailingoftheM.V.Coho.Allowtimetoparkandpurchaseyourferryticketwhichcostsabout$31.00CDNreturn. Important!! You will require a passport or enhanced driver’s licence for going through U.S. Customs.Wewillreturnonthe5:15p.m.sailingfromPortAngeles(90minutecrossing).Thereisusuallygoodbirdingfromtheferry.Costofthecharterbusandentrytotheparkis$50CDN.Limitednumberofparticipants,soreserveyourspotearly.VNHSmembersgetpriority.DonotbookbeforeJuly1orafterJuly18.ReserveyourspotbypayingthroughPaypalontheVNHSwebsite(vicnhs.bc.ca)oryoucanpaybycheque.SendittoVNHS,Box5220,VictoriaBC,V8R6N4.Eitherway,youmustletAgnes Lynnknowthatyouarecomingonthetripafteryouhavemadeapayment.ContactAgnesat‘thelynnsatshaw.ca’or250-721-0634formoreinformation.

AUGUSTMonday, August 2FIELDTRIP(LEVEL1)Dragonflies for BeginnersSeedescriptionunderSaturday,July17.

Tuesday, August 3EVENTInsectmania at Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary They’recreepy,they’recrawlyandthey’recool.Explorewithusthefascinatingworldofinsectsandspiders.Hands-onexplor-ation,livebugs,crafts,songs,andgames.Admissionbydonation,Crafts$3.EventisattheNatureHouse12noonto3:00p.m.

Friday, August 6FIELDTRIP(LEVEL3)Mount Washington Botanical Day TripThistripisplannedforpeakbloomtimebuttheareaisinterestingoverseveralweekswithasuccessionofflowers.TheplanistomeetatRavenLodgeonthemountainaround11:00a.m.anddecidewhenwegettherewhatwewilldowithourday.Ifsnowlevelspermit,wewillwalkaroundtheLakeHelenMacKenzie-BattleshipLakeroute.WewillalsofitinatouraroundParadiseMeadowonourwaytoandfromourmainadventure.Thetrailwillbeonhillyandunevengroundbutwillbedoneataslowpace.WewillleaveVictoriaat7:00a.m.andreturnlate,stoppingforaquicksupperonthewayhome.Packalunchthatwe’lleatsomeplaceoutonthetrail.PreregisterbycontactingAgnesafter


BULLETIN BOARD

Saturday Birding GroupContactAgnesat‘thelynnsatshaw.ca’or250-721-0634onFridayforthemeetinglocationorotherinformationrequired.

Year-round Tuesday Morning Birding GroupTheTuesdayBirdingGroupmeetseveryTuesdayat9:00a.m.atthefootofBowkerAvenueonthewaterfrontinOakBay,theythendecidewheretheywillgobirdingthatmorning.TheTuesdayBirdinggrouphasbeenaroundformorethan50years.CallBillDancerat250-721-5273formoreinformation.

Every Wednesday and Sunday Bird WalkMeetattheSwanLakeNatureSanctuaryparkinglot:9a.m.–10:30a.m.Foreveryone!

Capital Regional District ParksCRDParksoffersprogramsfornatureloversofallages.See<www.crd.bc.ca/parks>formoreinformation.Programsare1to1½hourslongandfreeunlessotherwisenoted.Pre-registrationisnotrequiredforfreeprogramsunlessotherwisenoted.

Jul1.Firstninepeopletosignuphavetheoptionofcominginhervan.Otherstocarpoolbypre-arrangement.Costtocomeinthevanorcarpoolwithotherswillbeabout$30forthedayfromVictoria.Additionalcostof$15($12senior)ifwegoupthechairliftforascenictouriftimepermitsandweathercooperates.Remembertobringmoneyforafast-foodsupper.Wearproperfootwearandbringahikingstickplusbringwarmclothesasitisusuallycoldupthere.Nopetsplease.ContactAgnesat‘thelynnsatshaw.ca’or250-721-0634toregisterorformoreinformation.

Sunday, August 8 FIELDTRIP(LEVEL4)Olympic Park Hike from Obstruction Point to Deer ParkThishikeinWashington’sOlympicNationalParkisonlyforfithikersasitisalmost13kilometersoverchallengingterrain,alongopenridgesexposedtowinds.Theflowersandtheviewsmakeitworthwhile.WewillbedroppedoffbyourbusdriveratObstructionPointandwehavearrangedforthebusdrivertomeetusatDeerParktotakeusbacktotheferry.Bothendsofthehikeareexcellentwildflowerareasaswell.Bepreparedforallkindsofweather.Alsowearsturdyhikingbootsandhikingpoleswouldbeanasset.Bringalunch,snacksandlotstodrinkaswewillnotbenearanyfacilities.MeetattheBlackBallFerryterminalintheInnerHarbourat5:45a.m.forthe6:10a.m.sailingoftheM.V.Coho.Allowtimetoparkandpurchaseyourferryticketwhichcostsabout$31.00CDNreturn.Important!! You will require a passport or enhanced driver’s licence for going through U.S. Customs.You’llhavetogetyourbirdinginonthewayoverbecausewewillreturntoVictoriaonthe9:30p.m.sailing(90minutecrossingtime).WewillhavedinnerinPortAngeles.Costofthecharterbusandentrytotheparkis$70CDN.Verylimitednumberofparticipantssoreserveyourspotearly.DonotbookbeforeJuly1orafterAugust1.ReserveyourspotbypayingthroughPaypalontheVNHSwebsite(vicnhs.bc.ca)oryoucanpaybycheque.SendittoVNHS,Box5220,VictoriaBC,V8R6N4.Eitherway,youmustletAgnes Lynnknowthatyouarecomingonthetripafteryouhavemadeapayment.ContactAgnesat‘thelynnsatshaw.ca’or250-721-0634formoreinformation.

Saturday, August 14 and Sunday, August 15VICTORIABUTTERFLYCOUNTWearealwayslookingforkeen-eyedvolunteers,sogetoutyourfieldguides.CallJames Miskelly(countcoordinator)at250-477-0490ifyouwouldliketohelpout.

Sunday, August 15FIELDTRIP(LEVEL2)Olympic Peninsula: Tufted Puffins, Brown Pelicans and MoreWearegoingtomergetwotripsonWashington’sOlympic

Peninsulathatwehavedonebeforewithourtrustedtourbusleader.Thistime,wehopetoenjoyseeingsomegoodbirdsbuttherewillbelotsforalltoenjoyalongthewayataleisurelypace.WewillstartwiththetourtoCapeFlattery,themostnorthernpointonthewestcoastofthecontinentalUnitedStatesandoneoftheclosestlocationstoVictoriawhereyoucanseeTuftedPuffins.Islandsoffthepointarehometothousandsofseabirdsthroughouttheyear.Thebirdscanbeobservedfromplatformswhicharelocatedaboutahalfhour’swalkthroughtheforest.Insteadofstoppingattheexcellentmuseumonthistrip,wewillcontinuesouthtoLaPushandotherbeacheswherewehopetoseeBrownPelicansandotherseabirdsthatmightnotventureasfarnorthasVictoria.Wewillmakeintermittentstopsalongthewaytoenjoythebeaches,wherewecantestourknowledgeofduneplants.TheOlympicPeninsulaiscoveredwiththelushgrowthofgianttreesandluxuriantvegetation,makingitaveryscenictrip.TourleaderWilliealsoisfulloffascinatingfactsaboutthearea.Thiswillbealongdaysobringalunch,snacks,anddrinksaswewillnotstopnearanyfacilities.MeetattheBlackBallFerryterminalintheInnerHarbourat5:45a.m.forthe6:10a.m.sailingoftheM.V.Coho.Allowtimetoparkandpurchaseyourferryticketwhichcostsabout$31.00CDNreturn.Important!! You will require a passport or enhanced driver’s licence for going through U.S. Customs.You’llhavetogetyourbirdinginonthewayoverbecausewewillreturntoVictoriaonthe9:30p.m.sailing(90minutecrossingtime).WewillhavedinnerinPortAngeles.Costofthecharterbusandentrytotheparkis$60CDN.Limitednumberofparticipantssoreserveyourspotearly.VNHSmembersgetpriority.DonotbookbeforeJuly1orafterAugust8.ReserveyourspotbypayingthroughPaypalontheVNHSwebsite(vicnhs.bc.ca)oryoucanpaybycheque.SendittoVNHS,Box5220,VictoriaBC,V8R6N4.Eitherway,youmustletAgnes Lynnknowthatyouarecomingonthetripafteryouhavemadeapayment.ContactAgnesat‘thelynnsatshaw.ca’or250-721-0634formoreinformation.

Tuesday, August 17EVENTFabulous Frogs at Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature SanctuaryLongstickytongues,breathingthroughskin,andwebbedfeet!Discoverwhatmakesfrogssofabulous.Joinusforapuppetshow,hands-ondisplays,liveanimalsandfroggycrafts.Admissionbydonation.Crafts$3.EventheldattheNatureHouse12noonto3:00p.m.

Sunday, August 22FIELDTRIP(LEVEL3)Discovery Island and Chain Islands Ecological Reserve Bird-watchers Kayak Tour. SeethedescriptionunderSunday,July18.

P.O. Box 5220, Stn. B.,Victoria, BC, V8R 6N4PublicationMailCommercialSalesAgreementNumber40045722

Shrimp-like animals like this Corophium volutator, a critical food-source for migrating shorebirds along the coast of north america, will be among those affected by the BP spill. Photo: darren Copley

Documents

JULY AUGUST 2010 VOL 67 - vicnhs.bc.ca