This all day field trip, Thursday October 5th, will begin with taking the 7:50 am ferry from Fulford Harbour. We then drive to Pedder Bay, where we will enjoy a special ‘hands-on’ tour of bird-banding activities at one of the Rocky Point Bird Observatory banding stations. About 3,000 migrating or resident songbirds are caught, weighed and banded each year at this station. We’ll view the mist net setup, and observe how the birds are handled, measured and released at the station, as well as learn how the data can be valuable in assessing bird populations and ecosystem health. 

Following the banding station tour, we will drive by convoy to East Sooke Park, where we will hike up to Beechey Head, an amazing lookout over the Strait. The approximately 2 km hike is not difficult, and with luck we’ll observe kettling and maybe even some raptors beginning to cross the Strait. Our return to SSI will be up to each individual. Peter McAllister will be our guide with Kathleen Maser assisting.

This is a Members-only field trip. If you would like to join this Field Trip (or possibly might), please let Kathleen Maser. Detailed information will be sent out after September 25, and car-pooling, if required, will be arranged then.