Birdwatchers maintain a watch out for eagles catching spawning salmon to migratory birds passing by
While birdwatching is in style all yr lengthy in Greater Victoria, many binoculars are out at Langford bird-watching sizzling spots this fall when giant numbers of fowl migrations take place.
“The two exciting things about fall is migration season is still underway and the second one is, of course, the salmon run season,” stated Hollie Galloway, venture coordinator of The BC Bird Trail.
It’s within the fall season, which matches till mid to late December, stated Galloway, that birds are making their manner from summer time breeding grounds – which might be north of the Arctic Circle for a lot of species – and heading south for a hotter winter.
And whereas Galloway stated because of the secure local weather on the Island, there aren’t actually birds that we see solely in fall, there are numerous species that you’re more likely to see and in bigger congregations.
“In the summer, you might see one or two (of a species); this time of year you might see 10 or 15 and that goes for things like dark-eyed junco. We also get waterfowl that are passing through, like Barrows goldeneye and we tend to see tiny pied-billed grebes.”
Now can be the very best time for viewing bald eagles at Goldstream Provincial Park. From late October by to November, their prey, salmon, are spawning alongside the river.
But there are numerous different birds to maintain a lookout for.
The chestnut-backed chickadee is one of the crucial ample species within the Langford space. This good fowl’s hippocampus (within the mind) grows each fall so it could possibly bear in mind the place it saved all its arduous work in seed caches by the winter.
Brewer’s blackbirds, typically confused with starlings and red-winged blackbirds, are often seen on the bottom, foraging for grasses, seeds, and bugs. Kinglets reminiscent of ruby- and golden-crowned, fox and golden-crowned sparrows, in addition to diverse thrushes, will even be hanging across the forest trails.
Visitors can maintain observe of birds they discover on the BC Bird Trail free cell app.
And in fact, it’s not simply the birds which can be a part of fall birdwatching’s attract.
READ MORE: Victoria fowl sanctuary celebrates 100 years retaining nature alive in metropolis
“For me this time of year it’s the colours on the landscape,” Galloway stated. “You get the beautiful maples starting to change colours and the vegetation is just a beautiful golden hue.”
BC Bird Trail’s web site highlights six picturesque birdwatching spots round Langford.
Glen Lake Park is nice for households, with a playground, swimming seashore and a boardwalk from which to identify waterfowl.
In the town, the 4.5 km Ed Nixon Trail runs by the forest and alongside the southwestern curve of Langford Lake, the place one would possibly spot American coots, mergansers and duck species.
Mount Wells Regional Park is 123 hectares of second-growth forest and mossy rock outcrops with a steep and difficult hike to the summit. On the journey are turkey vultures, band-tailed pigeons and ruffed grouse.
An simpler hike, the 1.5 km Strachan Trail follows the japanese shore of Florence Lake. Visitors would possibly spot double-crested cormorants, pine siskins and several other swallow species.
Goldstream Provincial Park’s path winds by old-growth Douglas firs, previous a formidable 150-foot waterfall and alongside the stream.
Last however not least, Mount Finlayson is a steep, rugged, and difficult hike the place turkey vultures are a typical sight circling the mountain. It’s additionally among the finest spots round Langford to see a golden eagle, a rarity within the space.
Birdwatchers able to perch themselves and have an actual hoot can go to bcbirdtrail.ca/field-notes/bc-birding-in-fall.
READ MORE: Hidden, high-rated mountaineering path truly designated as hazardous
READ MORE: Sweet nectar: Time to commit as Island hummingbirds hunker down for winter
