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Vanier Park Birding – February 25, 2024

Vanier Park Birding – February 25, 2024

Submitted by Leona Axbey A stalwart group of 10 braved the elements on Sunday, and we were not disappointed.    Among the first to greet us at our meeting spot were Red-winged blackbirds, topped by a male Anna’s hummingbird surveying his kingdom. It was clearing up nicely as we made our way to the ponds behind the Vancouver Museum. Troops of American wigeons greeted us, including one Eurasian wigeon.  Maureen’s bird guide helped us identify short-billed gulls, as well as other species.  Some…

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In Memoriam – Al Grass

In Memoriam – Al Grass

A long-time member of Nature Vancouver, Al Grass, passed away on February 14, 2024. He is survived by his wife, Jude Grass. Al was an all-round naturalist. The depth of his natural history knowledge was unsurpassed. Al worked for three decades as a BC Parks Naturalist in Manning, Wells Gray, Mt Seymour, Cypress, Golden Ears and Rolley Lake Provincial Parks. He’s remembered for readily filling an interpretive amphitheatre and with kids on nature walks, he was the ‘pied piper’. Al…

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Member Social – Feb 17, 2024

Member Social – Feb 17, 2024

Report by Susan Garber On Saturday, February 17th, over 80 members of Nature Vancouver gathered for a lively Social at the Hewett Hall, Vancouver Unitarian Campus. The event began at 2:00 and soon the Hall was filled with chatter and laughter as members joined in conversations catching up with old and new friends. Tables were laden with tasty appetizers brought by the members in attendance. Hot drinks of coffee, tea and mulled apple cider were provided by Nature Vancouver and…

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Reifel Refuge Birding – Feb 17, 2024

Reifel Refuge Birding – Feb 17, 2024

Trip Report by Thomas Plath Once again Reifel refuge did not disappoint. A dozen people enjoyed each other’s company and nice birds at the sanctuary. The first stop was to view the Great Horned Owl roosting in a cedar spotted along the entrance road. One turned to two as the male was located roosting near the female. A small group of immature Barn Swallows were foraging over the parking lot and feeders at the side of the entrance building attracted a few Anna’s Hummingbirds, including…

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Winter Birding at Boundary Bay – Feb 13, 2024

Winter Birding at Boundary Bay – Feb 13, 2024

Trip Report by Thomas Plath The few participants that did show on this sunny Tuesday morning were rewarded with a few sought after open-country bird species. From the foot of 72nd Street we walked westward along the dike towards 64th Street. A few very early immature Barn Swallows foraged overhead and we soon came across a small flock of Western Meadowlarks foraging in the tidal marsh. An immature Northern Shrike perched characteristically on top of a large shrub was viewed through the…

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Birding at Trout Lake Feb. 18th

Birding at Trout Lake Feb. 18th

Harvey and Michelle were met by an eager group of birders on the south beach of Trout Lake Sunday morning.  Today’s attendees were mostly Nature Vancouver members interested in learning what the park has to offer for birders. Once again, we began our tour by examining the birds visible from the beach.  As usual, we had a nice assortment of ducks (Mallards, Green-winged Teal, Wood Ducks, American Wigeon, and Northern Shovellers), American Coots, Canada Geese, and gulls (Glaucous-winged Gulls and Ring-billed…

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Birding at Trout Lake — the prequel

Birding at Trout Lake — the prequel

Harvey and I originally planned to do a birding walk at Trout Lake on Sunday February 18th.  Unfortunately, when Harvey went to post the walk on Meetup, he accidentally advertised it for the 17th.  Ooops!  Rather than change the date for the five people who had instantly accepted the invite, we decided instead to simply lead walks on two consecutive days.  On Saturday morning we arrived on the south beach of Trout Lake a bit early, and immediately noticed a group…

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Protect Our Parks

Protect Our Parks

or VANCOUVER PARK BOARD ABOLITION PRIMER by Nigel PeckMonday, February 26, 2024 The Provincial Government has been asked to approve the Vancouver ABC Party motion to abolish the Vancouver Park Board.  Unless there is massive opposition presented to the Provincial Government this is what they may do.  Once the Park Board is abolished parcels of park lands may be reallocated (sold) for other purposes, most likely starting with housing. The only thing that can stop this is a massive individual email campaign…

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The Long Green Line – Shaking Hands with History

The Long Green Line – Shaking Hands with History

A brief historical account of the Vancouver Park Board, with SUPPORT for its continuation Submitted by Terri Clark, Park Board Communications Officer for 35 years, now retired. I arrived in Vancouver in 1973, straight out of University in Washington DC. I was 23 and a new Permanent Resident with zero knowledge about the Vancouver Park system. That was soon to change. My newly minted Communications Degree seemed a perfect fit for a job offered on the notice board at the…

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Birding at Pitt-Addington Marsh – Feb 4, 2024

Birding at Pitt-Addington Marsh – Feb 4, 2024

Trip Report by Michelle Baudais The mist was thick as we arrived at the Grant Narrows parking lot at 8:30 am Sunday morning.  But we were all pleased to avoid the snow and cold that had cancelled the first attempt at this gathering on January 20th, and the mist added a lovely atmospheric touch to the gorgeous views.   Even better, the mist didn’t deter the many Trumpeter Swans who greeted us with a series of honking fly-bys, or the Great…

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