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Eagle Extravaganza at Goldstream Park
Vancouver Island is home to more bald eagles than in all of the continental United States. An amazing birding opportunity exists at Goldstream Park, where over 250 eagles gather each fall. Visitors to Victoria can witness this amazing spectacle of nature that includes salmon thrashing their way up the Goldstream River. After the salmon position themselves in the river in order to lay their eggs, birds of prey descend. From mid-December to February, birds such as bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, merlin falcons and, occasionally, golden eagles arrive at the end of the salmon run to eat the fish carcasses.
Hawk Watch at Beechey Head in East Sooke Park
Beechey Head, in East Sooke Park, is a staging area for south-bound migrant red-tailed hawks, turkey vultures, peregrine falcons and Cooper’s hawks. Birders come from mid-September to late October in order to view the migrating raptors at the peak of their migration. As many as 1000 turkey vultures can be seen kettling over the coastal hills of East Sooke Park before they cross more than 18 miles of open ocean. From the observations point overlooking Beechey Head and the Juan de Fuca Strait, a birder can hope to list up to eight raptor species, though it is not uncommon to list more.
Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary
Formed over 12,000 years ago when the last glacier receded, Swan Lake now provides excellent bird viewing opportunities year-round. A 2.5-kilometre loop trail, featuring two wharfs and a floating walkway, provides ample access to the lake environment. Great blue herons can almost always be sighted. Cooper's and sharp-shinned hawks are common. During the winter months, lesser scaup, ring-necked ducks, ruddy ducks, pied-billed grebes, northern shovellers, green-winged teals and American widgeons can be seen. During spring and summer, the lake edge teems with swallows, marsh wrens and red-winged blackbirds. Green herons can also be a treat and be sure to check the feeders at the nature house.
A connecting trail corridor from Swan Lake provides access to Christmas Hill (a 2.5-kilometre round trip). Spring is the best time of year to enjoy the spectacular show of Garry oak meadow wildflowers. White fawn lily, common and great camas, shootingstar and satin flowers are abundant. Look for the elusive chocolate lily along the trail. The view of Victoria and surrounding hills from the glacially-grooved summit of the hill is always exciting.
The parking lot and trails are open from dawn to dusk. Please note that Saanich by-laws prohibit dogs and bike-riding within the Nature Sanctuary grounds.
Esquimalt Lagoon
Esquimalt Lagoon is as diverse in bird life as it is in landscapes, making it a birder's paradise. The park contains over 160 documented species and is considered one of the best places in the region to bird watch. Listen for the rattle call of the belted kingfisher flying high over the creek. Feel the air vibrate as orange-crowned warblers and dark-eyed juncos fill the forest with birdsong. Wander through the tidal flats to Tower Point, following the tracks of great blue heron or western sandpiper. Bring your binoculars, and be prepared for discovery.
Saanich Peninsula, The last Stronghold of the Sky Lark
Examples of Victoria’s rare and diverse birding areas include the Saanich Peninsula, Goldstream Park and Beechey Head in East Sooke Park. The Saanich Peninsula, just ten minutes from downtown Victoria, is the last stronghold of the rare and musical sky lark. The sky lark (Alauda arvensis Lennaeus) population is in decline and the Saanich Peninsula in Victoria has been recognized as one of the last places in North America where it nests and lives. In 1903, the British Columbia Natural History Society imported 100 pairs of sky larks from Great Britain. Some of these sky larks were released near Vancouver and the remainder were sent to Vancouver Island for release. Today, the area near the Victoria International Airport in Saanich is one of only two nesting areas in North America. Although the population is declining, it is still relatively easy to spot one of these birds if you know where to look and what to look for. The sky lark can also be seen at Martindale Valley; park at the Farmer’s Market on Island View Beach Road and walk south on Lochside Trail. You can also stop at the farm reservoir on Wallace Drive. For both these spots, out of town birders should contact a local guide for farm field access restriction.
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