End of Winter, Migration begins - February

Hutton's Vireos & Sky Larks are beginning to call and these birds can be found in their known local ranges. Owling is near its peak with Great Horned Owls calling nearly everwhere -- no need for tapes! Brant may turn up at Esquimalt lagoon or Island View Beach. Townsand's Solitaire are beginning to move through and possibly a Rufous Hummingbird and Tree Swallow will show up in late February.

Birds to watch for in the next while include: Violet-Green Swallow, Northern Rough-Winged Swallow, Orange-Crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Western Bluebird, and Mountain Bluebird.

Places to go

• Three Scoter species, 2 Goldeneye species, 2 Grebe species, and possible 2 Loon species at Patrica Bay on Saanich Peninsula.
• American Kestral, Skylark, Northern Harrier near Victoria Airport off Willingdon Rd.
• Long-tailed duck close to shore off the Fisherman's Wharf in Sidney.
• Sanderling, Dunlin, Black-bellied Plover, and Black Turnstone at Esquimalt Lagoon. Western Gull as well.
  Whimbrel, Surfbird, Black Turnstone, Rock Sandpiper at Cattle Point in Oak Bay. Also check at the foot of Bowker Rd.
• Ruddy Ducks and Hutton's Vireo at Viaduct Flats.
• Trumpeter Swan, Western Meadowlark, American Pipit, Savannah Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, Sky Lark, Peregrin Falcon, Northern Harrier, Ring-necked Pheasant at Martindale Flats.
• Virginia Rails and Red-tailed Hawk at Quick's Bottom.
• Anna's Hummingbirds at Rithet's Bog, Mt. Tolmie, and Blenkensop Trail.
• Redheads, Common Merganser, Hooded Merganser on Beaver Lake. Canvasback and American Coot on Elk Lake.