The Bird Banding and Raptor Watch field trip will be delayed (from Wednesday) until Friday, Sept. 27, 

(when the weather conditions will be more favourable)

Please register with Kathleen at khmaser@shaw.ca. (We need to let the bird banding station know our numbers.)

Here again is the description of the all-day field trip:

Join us for one of the most amazing natural history events of the year! It’s 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, Wednesday, September 25, is open only to Nature Salt Spring Members. We begin by taking the 7:40 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 before they migrate south. 

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 as possibilities. 

Binoculars are a must but birding experience is not a necessity.You’ll want  to pack  snacks, drinks and a lunch. 

Departure time and your return to SSI will be an individual decision.

This is a members’ only field trip. You can join Nature Salt Spring at https://www.naturesaltspring.org/become-a-member (See our special fall membership offer below). Or you can join at the event - membership forms will be available.

Peter McAllister and Kathleen Maser will be our guides. For details and to register, please contact Peter and Kathleen at pbmcallister@gmail.com and khmaser@shaw.ca

If you are able to offer a ride or need a ride please let us know.