May Field Trips
Honeymoon Bay Wildflower Reserve- Saturday, May 2
Tour Buttertubs Marsh with Naturalist Bill Merilees - Sunday, May 3
North Island Wildlife Rescue Assoc - Saturday, May 9
No Field Trip, enjoy the May Long Weekend, May 16-18
Keating Heritage House - Saturday, May 23
Ganges, Salt Spring Island - Saturday, May 30
Honeymoon Bay Wildflower Reserve
Honeymoon Bay, BC
Date: Saturday, May 2
Where: just past Marsh Meadows Golf Course at Honeymoon Bay on Lake Cowichan
Meet: at the Wildflower Reserve - paking along side of a wide road
Time: 10:00am to noon
Costs: none
Washrooms: closest at the golfcourse, about 200 meters east of parking area
Walking Conditions: forest trails 2-6 feet wide with some roots crossing the trail. Hard packed and nearly level.
Directions: Travel to Lake Cowichan and stay on the south shore road, the Honeymoon Bay Wild Flower Reserve is located on the South Shore Road about 2.5 km west of Honeymoon Bay Village, just past Walton Road (which leads to Gordon Bay Park, and the March Meadows Golf course) on the left side of the road.
Flower Reserve Description on the Web (scroll to bottom of page):
http://victoria.tc.ca/Community/Honeymoon/services.html
Cautions: bear and cougar have been seen near this area, make enough noise to be heard so that you do not surprise an animal. River banks are unstable - parking is along a wide road. Reserve Caution: Please remember this is a protected area. Do not pick any flowers or dig bulbs and please take out all litter.
Features: The 6.07 hectare (l5 acre) reserve is noted for its unique and spectacular density of the rare pink fawn lily. There are 22 other wildflowers documented as seen in the reserve. Also features large stream/small river with a mixed forest.
Photo Opportunities: various wild flower species, mixed forest, possible woodpeckers and tbbs, mosses, lichen and fungi
Post Trip Review (coffee): TBA, probably at the golf course
Tour Buttertubs Marsh with Naturalist Bill Merilees
Nanaimo, BC
Please feel free to bring friends and family. All are welcome.
This is a rare opportunity.
Date: Sunday, May 3
Meet: at the parking lot at north entrance to marsh
Time: 10:00am start - approximately 2 hours duration
Costs: No charge but a small donation would be appropriate
Washrooms: at north entrance to marsh
Walking Conditions: Trail is wide and level with a compact gravel base
Directions: Starting south of Nanaimo on the Island Highway:
1. travel north to Naniamo
2. from Cedar Road (south end of Naniamo) go 5.5km to Comox Rd
3. turn left onto Comox Rd
4. travel
1.2km to Buttertubs Drive and turn left
5. go
0.3km to end of road
Features: Bill Merilees is a respected naturalist who will lead us on a trip of discovery. It should be very informative and fun.
Photo Opportunities: We will have the opportunity to see, learn about and photograph a variety of birds, flora and fauna
Post Trip Review (coffee): Tim Horton's (return the way you came and stop one block before the highway on the right)
NOTE: Car pooling could be arranged if required. If you have any questions please call or email:
Ed Maxfield
(250) 710 8372
astronut1@hotmail.com
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North Island Wildlife Rescue Association
Errington, BC
Date: Saturday, May 9
Meet: meet at 8:30am at west parking lot next to the Library at the Island Savings Centre to self-organize car pooling
Time: 10:00am - noon - meet at 8:30am at west parking lot next to the Library at the Island Savings Centre to self-organize car pooling
Costs: $5.00
Washrooms: on site
Walking Conditions: 3-6 ft wide, hard-packed trails
Directions:
1. from Duncan head North to Parksville,
2. stay on Island Hi-Way to Exit 51 ( Port Albernie/Coombs)
3. head for Coombs on highway 4a
4. turn left on Errington Road
5. then left on Grafton Road
6. then left on Leffler, not far on the right to NIWRA (check map on hyper-link)
Map to NIWRA on web:
http://www.niwra.org/images/map.jpg
Cautions:
Features: located on an 8-acre plot of land with a beautiful park where injured birds and mammals are nursed back to health and visitors are educated on wildlife issues. Features non-releasable animals and birds such as eagles, owls, turkey vulture, falcons, hawks, and black bears.
Photo Opportunities: bears, eagles, owls, baby geese and ducks, chickens, turkeys and more if you can spot them
Post Trip Review (coffee): TBA
Keating Heritage House
Date: Saturday, May 23
Meet: Keating Farm Estate Parking Lot
Time: 10:00am - noon
Costs: $5.00 donation
Washrooms: on site
Walking Conditions: varied with some slopes
Directions: to view map with directions visit harbourliving.ca
Cautions: due to space restrictions tripods will not be allowed inside buildings
Features: The Keating Farm Estate, a 13 hectare farm property with organic vegetable gardens, hay fields, and a heritage orchard. It is located in the Koksilah area of the Cowichan Valley. The agricultural lands are complimented by a wetland, a forested area and a stream that is being restored. The farm has a number of heritage structures, the most significant of which is the main farmhouse. This 1880s-era house contains a unique Great Hall designed and built by architect John Tiarks in 1894. In the mid-1900s, the site was farmed by Hugo Tews. He added a number of buildings to the site, including a dairy barn which is still standing today. In June 2005,The Land Conservancy purchased Keating Farm Estate.
Photo Opportunities: barns, buildings, antiques, orchards, flowers, tbbs and more
Post Trip Review (coffee): TBA
Ganges, Salt Spring Island
Date: Saturday, May 30
Meet: Crofton Ferry Dock
Time: no later than 8:15am - ferry departs at 8:30am, sailing time approximately 30 minutes
Schedule:
1. arrival - catch city bus to Ganges at 9:00 am - arrive Gange 9:10am
2. return - catch city bus at 12:20pm @ Visitor Centre
3. catch 12:40 ferry home for return trip
Costs: $4 Bus ($2 each way) Ferry $9.45 (return fare - walk on passenger)
Washrooms: always close
Walking Conditions: paved city type roads with sidewalks, board walks and docks in places and some trails available
Directions: come in to Crofton on the main road from either the north or south and continue until you intersect Chaplin Street; turn towards the water on Chaplin and continue to the Crofton Ferry dock - watch for the BC Ferries signs
Cautions: do not miss the ferry
Features: Open air Farmer's Market featuring local artists, crafts people and vegetable growers; sea walk; several private marinas in addition to the BC Government dock; buildings with both old and new architecture; Coast Guard Station; marine life; for more information on Ganges visit British Columbia.com
Photo Opportunities: marina, public market, historical buildings, Coast Guard Rescue station, ducks, geese, tbb, possible eagles, otters,seals,
Post Trip Review (coffee): TBA