Trip report by Donna McKenzie This Nature Vancouver Field Trip was held on May 10, 2025 in Musqueam Park. This local park is a good mix of forest, trails and meadows, and off leash dog park. We had 16 participants, and 5 experienced birders as resources. We met at the little parking lot at the corner of SW Marine Drive and Crown Street. After introductions and waivers, we briefly reviewed the use of binoculars and the process of how to…
Trip report by Neill Vanhinsberg; Photos by Richard L Nine birders joined Kelvin and Neill at ƛ̓éxətəm Regional Park on a beautiful Sunday morning. For two folks it was their first bird walk and one intrepid birder drove in from Washington! After introductions we headed off through the community gardens area getting great looks at Tree Swallows on their houses while a White-crowned Sparrow or two serenaded us. One of the best things about leading beginner bird walks is the…
Trip report by Jan Lowcock; Photos by Harvey Dueck The last Birders’ Night of the Nature Vancouver Spring season was held outdoors, with a birding field trip in Queen Elizabeth Park, reprising an end of season tradition (pre COVID) led by the late Adrian Grant-Duff. Twenty-eight Nature Vancouver members enjoyed a warm, sunny evening in the park. Birding was quiet, but we were on a “nest quest”, locating Red-breasted Nuthatch, Cooper’s Hawk and Anna’s Hummingbird nests. Two hummingbird nestlings occupied…
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…
Trip report by Donna McKenzie This trip was a Nature Vancouver field trip lead by Donna McKenzie with the assistance of 4 other experienced birders. It was a sunny 12 C morning as the participants and leaders met at Musqueam Park. It was a full trip with 17 people including the leaders. Most participants were new to birding and keen to learn more. While we were getting ready we could hear Pine Siskins, Chickadees and Song Sparrows. After introductions, we…
Trip report by Jan Lowcock Cloudy skies and cool temperatures greeted 10 Nature Vancouver members plus 8 guests at ƛ̓éxətəm Regional Park in Coquitlam on Saturday April 19. A flock of close to 200 Cackling Geese flew over as we prepared to leave the parking lot. Near the community garden we were amused by peek-a-boo glimpses of a Ring-necked Pheasant as it moved around a deer resting in the field. After the garden, we crossed the Millennium Bridge and made…
Trip report by Jan Lowcock Cool, strong winds greeted 23 Nature Vancouver field trips participants who joined Neill and Jan for exploration of the Burnaby Foreshore Park. We began at the foot of Byrne Road and headed west, moving away from the Fraser River, towards a pond and shelter from the breeze. The pond yielded Mallards, Northern Shovelers, Wood Ducks and Gadwall. Adjacent bushes gave us wrens, towhees, Bushtits and sparrows. Yellow-rumped Warblers, kinglets, Northern Flickers and Downy Woodpeckers were spotted at the edges…
Trip report by Sarah-Jane McAuley Trip leaders Michelle Baudais, Harvey Dueck, and Sarah-Jane McAuley had a full house of enthusiastic birders on a beautiful spring day in Jericho Beach Park. Beginning at the beach, we were lucky to spot Horned Grebes in their striking breeding plumage, a large raft of Red-breasted Mergansers, and a few Bonaparte’s Gulls. As we continued along the beach, a few distant Red-necked Grebes appeared, and the raft of Red-Breasted Mergansers swam close to the beach,…
Trip report by Naomi Ross With a last-minute change of leaders, trip to Horth Hill became an exploratory field trip. Thankfully, Wally was able to join us as a local guide and wildflower expert for part of the trip. Denis and Teresa were our botanists, Harvey and Michelle were our birders, and Denis was able to provide navigation when Wally wasn’t with us. On April 12, twelve participants, including four guests, met on board the ferry from Tsawwassen which more…
Have Fun and Support Nature at the same time! Are you looking for a good reason to get outdoors that also helps nature and is fun for everyone? There is a great challenge for you and it’s easy and free to do. The City Nature Challenge 2025 is an opportunity for individuals or groups to spend time outdoors, make observations of nature and document them in a way that allows others to get a better understanding of biodiversity in the Vancouver area….