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Author: Kelly Sekhon

CHRISTMAS GIFT

CHRISTMAS GIFT

by Nigel Peck and Susan Garber One often thinks it’s only adolescent males who overestimate their capabilities, underestimate the hazards and get themselves into risky situations. On occasion though, even septuagenarians can make those mistakes. Such was the case yesterday on Christmas Day in New Zealand near Wellington on the Escarpment Track from Paekākāriki to Pukerua Bay. It’s not that we were foolhardy in that we did research the walk beforehand on multiple sites with extensive consultation with our trip planner,…

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BUS TRIP TO CHEAM LAKE wetlands regional PARK

BUS TRIP TO CHEAM LAKE wetlands regional PARK

Trip report by Cynthia Crampton  On September 25th, 24 members of Nature Vancouver, travelled by a chartered bus, to spend the day at the Cheam Lake Wetlands Regional Park in Rosedale, near Chilliwack. Members of Chilliwack Nature club, Fernando and Paulina Selles who also volunteer in the park, were our guides. Another volunteer showed our group some newly hatched Turtles, which were to be released later in the Day. We all enjoyed a day of birding and exploring.

EASY URBAN BIRDING AT VANIER PARK

EASY URBAN BIRDING AT VANIER PARK

Trip report & photos by Christine Balkwill Our small group of 6 started out on a cool, overcast day from the north end of Kits Beach.  We had some intermittent rain but not enough to spoil the birding.  A Pacific Wren called from the bushes while we completed introductions and we quickly found a trio of sparrows near the old totem pole site – Golden-crowned, White-crowned and Song.  We took our time identifying a lone drake Mallard in eclipse plumage…

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BIRDING IONA BEACH REGIONAL PARK

BIRDING IONA BEACH REGIONAL PARK

Trip report by Jan Lowcock The September 28th birding field trip, led by Jan Lowcock and John Chandler, at Iona Beach Regional Park began with light winds and cloud cover, slowly breaking way to sunny skies by the trip’s end. A group of 13 set out from the parking lot, scoured the outer pond and southern inner pond from the walkway. The ponds held a few species of dabbling ducks, Pied- billed Grebes and American Coots. Three large flocks of…

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IN MEMORIAM – WILLIAM JAMES (BILL) merilees 

IN MEMORIAM – WILLIAM JAMES (BILL) merilees 

A BORN NATURALIST July 19, 1940 – 18 June, 2025  by Margaret Bear Bill was among Nature Vancouver’s most distinguished naturalists, constantly adding to our knowledge of the natural world. He was also among our most prolific writers contributing many articles to the Discovery Journal, for various newsletters, as well as writing several reference books published for a wider audience. He wrote about a great variety of subjects including mammals, botany, marine biology – and of course birds – where it ostensibly…

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BIRDING ALONG TRANS CANADA TRAIL

BIRDING ALONG TRANS CANADA TRAIL

Trip Report and Photos by Doug Cooper Seven participants enjoyed the morning of June 15th exploring a kilometre or so of the Trans Canada Trail as it climbs up and east from Penzance Drive in north Burnaby.  The main trail and accompanying side branches go through a healthy mostly undisturbed stretch of mixed secondary growth forest.  We saw and heard a total of 33 species of birds and found a few blooming wildflowers, despite the proximity of the trail to…

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NATURE JOURNAL AND BIRDING: AN INTRODUCTION

NATURE JOURNAL AND BIRDING: AN INTRODUCTION

Report & Photos Submitted by Joanna Chin On May 25th, during the Vancouver Bird Celebration week, we had a full house with 18 participants for “Nature Journal and Birding: An Introduction” event. We met at Iona Beach Regional Park on the West side of the outer ponds. It was a beautiful sunny day with a light breeze, and we set-up our chairs in a circular formation conducive for conversations and learning from each other. I started off with a land acknowledgement…

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2025 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

2025 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The 107th Annual General Meeting of Nature Vancouver was held on Thursday, May 15, 2025 at 7:00 pm at Hewett Centre Hall, Unitarian Church, 949 West 49th Avenue (49th & Oak) Vancouver. Some of the members attended the meeting online via Zoom. The draft minutes of the 2024 AGM and, the draft financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2024 were approved. The President and the Treasurer’s report were presented. President’s Report Treasurer’s Report Financial Statements – 2024 Final Minutes…

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2025 VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION & ANNUAL AWARDS

2025 VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION & ANNUAL AWARDS

This year’s Volunteer awards were presented on 15th May, 2025 at the AGM. Kaye and Charles Ney Award The premier award of the Society for “lifetime” exemplary service and dedication to the Society. Active Directors of the Society are not eligible for this award until they have served more than 10 years as a Director. This award was established in 1975 in memory of Kaye Ney by her husband and renamed after his death. Denis Laplante & Teresa Gagné Denis…

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IN MEMORIAM – RICHARD swanston 1955 – 2025

IN MEMORIAM – RICHARD swanston 1955 – 2025

Submitted by Jennifer Swanston Richard Swanston, of Tsawwassen, passed away unexpectedly on April 3. He was born in Vancouver in 1955 to parents Doug and Ella Swanston. A loving brother, uncle and friend, Rick will be dearly missed. He kept connected to his elementary school and high school friends with strong bonds that in some cases crossed date lines and equators. Rick was destined for life on the sea – in a letter home written from Sea Cadets camp he…

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