I'm a very amateur Aussie bird watcher who will be spending all of September in Vancouver and on Vancouver Island based mainly in Duncan but also in Victoria.I have lots of study to do before I arrive and a field guide to buy (Sibley?)but would welcome advice. I will be relying on public transport to get to birding spots as well as distant relatives who may not share my interests. We will be staying near Somenos Marsh a few days so that is on the list.

Hi,

I don't know much about birding in the Duncan or Vancouver areas. In Greater Victoria there are a number of good birding sites. If you can add a bike to your transportation mix you should have no problem getting to most sites. Here are a few of the easier access ones.

1. Swan Lake - Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary (one of my favorites) - short walk from a bus route near McKenzie and Highway 17

2. Whitty's Lagoon Regional Park - nice mix of mud flats, intertidal, and forest. A great walk even if on a low-bird day. This is in Metchosin just outside of Victoria. I believe there is a bus, but don't know how frequently it goes.

3. Dallas Road/Ogden Point/Clover Point/Beacon Hill Park - These are all adjacent to each other. If you are in Victoria this is an easy area to get to (simply walk from James Bay, Fairfield or downtown). Not much in the way of songbirds along the water, but often sea ducks, shorebirds etc.

4. Cattle Point and Uplands Park - In Oak Bay, I think bus #11 goes by. Again good area for seabirds (bring a scope if possible) and a nice Garry Oak Meadow walk in the adjacent (across the road) Uplands Park. I believe that the municipality of Oak Bay has a map of the various walking trails.

5. Viaduct Flats (off Interurban). - This is a seasonal marsh area. Lots of good ducks and such. There are buses that go to the collage just down the road, but I don't know if they keep going past Viaduct Flats. It would probably take about 15 minutes to walk from the collage to the flats. Nice viewing tower and trail.

6. Rithets Bog - In the Broadmead area, there is a ~4km trail around the bog. Good mix of bog/marsh/forest. This area is in the intersection of Royal Oak Drive and Hwy 17. If coming from downtown, get off at the overpass and walk though the Broadmead shopping center. Keep going down Chatterton Way. Probably a 15 minute walk from the bus.

You can always get in touch with the Victoria Natural History Society www.vicnhs.bc.ca they run weekly field trips.

Happy Birding

Hi!

Welcome! Good spots in Victoria, as given in previous response. While in Duncan, there is a bus that goes out to Cowichan Bay. Lots of birds to visit by the public dock. They have nesting sites for Purple Martin, but I am unsure if they'd still be there in September. Good Luck! Have fun!

Thank you very much birdergirl and newbirder. I've printed your replies to take with us. I don't think I will get my scope and tripod in my luggage, not safely. Now I just need to learn some of your birds so my head isn't buried in a field guide too much.Your black oyster catcher is the only one I feel confident with.

my thanks as well, I'm headed to the Island later this week, and I'll definitely check out some of those spots. I hope it's decent birding in Late July!