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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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Birding Musqueam Park – April 26, 2025

Birding Musqueam Park – April 26, 2025

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…

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ƛ̓éxətəm Regional Park  Birding Field Trip Report – April 19, 2025

ƛ̓éxətəm Regional Park  Birding Field Trip Report – April 19, 2025

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…

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Birding in Burnaby Foreshore Park – April 12, 2025

Birding in Burnaby Foreshore Park – April 12, 2025

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…

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Jericho Beach Park Birding Field Trip – April 13, 2025

Jericho Beach Park Birding Field Trip – April 13, 2025

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,…

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Birds and Wildflowers of Horth Hill Park

Birds and Wildflowers of Horth Hill Park

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…

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Nature Vancouver Citizen Science Project – City Nature Challenge 2025

Nature Vancouver Citizen Science Project – City Nature Challenge 2025

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….

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🌿 Report on Hike in West Vancouver Arbutus grove April 2nd, 2025

🌿 Report on Hike in West Vancouver Arbutus grove April 2nd, 2025

Three hikers walked from Cranleigh Dr and Bluebell Dr in West Vancouver (near Marine Dr, to avoid $25 pay parking), and walked up Nelson Creek in the general direction of the old helipad, steep in places. This hike was posted on Nature Vancouver Events Calendar with very short notice, after a report from a friend that the Manzanitas were in flower – they were glorious. There are also thousands of Arbutus in this area, but not yet in flower. We…

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Identifying Trees at English Bay

Identifying Trees at English Bay

Submitted by Nina Shoroplova Twenty seven of us gathered in Alexandra Park, Vancouver, on the morning of Saturday, March 22, to learn about the 160-plus trees that have been planted (including a few that are native) along English Bay Beach Park and Sunset Beach Park.  We admired the Heritage Red Oak,[i] perhaps planted on the first day of the new century, January 1, 1901.[ii] (Caroline took the photo at the end of the walk, which is why no one is there!)…

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Birding in Terra Nova Natural Area

Birding in Terra Nova Natural Area

Submitted by Jan Lowcock Everyone had an eye on the weather forecast as 21 Nature Vancouver members and guests joined Neill and Jan for a birding field trip to Terra Nova Park in Richmond on March 29. The parking lot was active from the start with a flyover of 4 Sandhill Cranes and observation of one immature and 2 adult bald eagles. Stiff winds over the water made for an interesting flight pattern and view of a Pileated Woodpecker. We…

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