Raptor Watch
Thursday, October 1
All Day Field Trip
Songbird Migration, Hands-on Demonstration of Bird Banding, and Watching Thousands of Raptors attempt a dangerous crossing of Juan de Fuca Strait make for an exciting day!
Join us for one of the most amazing natural history events in BC! Late September through early October is Raptor migration time on Southern Vancouver Island in the Metchosin/ East Sooke area. Raptors will be gathering in the hundreds and even the thousands, preparing to cross the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
This all-day field trip, Thursday, October 1, is open only to Nature Salt Spring Members. (You can sign up [$30 individual, $40 Family] on the trip if you are not current or you are yet to become a member). We begin by taking the 7:50 am ferry from Fulford Harbour. We’ll travel to the Pedder Bay Marina and walk a short distance to the Rocky Point Bird Banding Station where researchers will be banding songbirds as they migrate south. We’ll view the banding process and find out what birds are coming through our region.
We’ll then drive to East Sooke Park and hike 2 km up to Beachey Head, an amazing promontory overlooking the Strait. This hike is not difficult. Our lunch stop will be up at the top. If it’s warm, we’ll see hawks and Turkey Vultures riding the thermals searching for the optimum conditions to make the crossing. Down at the ocean, sea mammal watching can be very exciting too, with whales and rafts of California Sea Lions possible.
Binoculars are a must but birding experience is not a necessity, just bring your enthusiasm. Don’t forget to pack your snacks, drinks and a lunch.
Departure time and your return to SSI will be an individual decision or decided by your car pool group.
This is a members’ only field trip. You can join Nature Salt Spring at https://www.naturesaltspring.org/become-a-member. Or you can join at the event - membership forms will be available.
Register: Kathleen Maser and David Denning will be our guides. For details and to register, please contact Kathleen at khmaser@shaw.ca.
Car-Pooling: If you are able to offer a ride or need a ride please let us know. We try to car-pool as much as possible, and we try to use low-carbon vehicles if possible. Please contact David — DavidDenningSSI@gmail.com
Rain–Out Back-up Day, Monday, October 5: Crossing the Strait of Juan de Fuca is a daunting task! Rain or cloudy weather will mean that thermals available on a sunny day may not be sufficient to assist the raptors across the entire 30+ kilometers of the Strait, and the birds will wait patiently for another opportunity.