Help us clean up Pat Bay Beach for Peninsula Streams first clean-up event of 2019! We are so lucky to live where we do, so let’s give back a little. Many of our beaches are suffering from being a little too well loved, and unfortunately have collected debris of various kinds, including plastic, paper, glass, cans, etc.

The clean-up is this Saturday April 27th from 9:30 AM until 12:30 PM. We are meeting at the vehicle pull-out just north of Munro Road on West Saanich Road – please look for the PSS sandwich board sign. See the poster below for a map of the meeting location.

Please dress for the weather as we will work Rain or Shine. Wear closed-toe, sturdy footwear and bring a re-usable bottle as light refreshments will be supplied. Gloves, buckets and garbage grabbers will be provided but feel free to bring your own.

Thanks to Tseycum First Nation for allowing us access to their beach, to Surfrider for joining us for the event and the District of North Saanich for debris removal from the site.

RSVPs are appreciated. To do so, please click on the green button below.

We hope you can join us!

Brian Koval
Assistant Coordinator

RSVP to PeninsulaStreams@gmail.com

Bill Dancer from the Victoria Natural History Society sets up a spotting scope at Pat Bay Park. Bill volunteered to guide the party and his route included not only the Waterside Scoter Trail but also some of the roads farther inland where songbirds were active.

We couldn’t have hoped for better weather.  The walks on both the east (Sidney) and west (Patricia Bay) sides of the Peninsula were well attended. Bill Dancer (Thank you, Bill) guided the Pat Bay party and Kerry Finley (Thank, Kerry) guided the Sidney group.

Overwintering and resident shorebirds and waterfowl were well represented on both sides of the Peninsula. Signs of spring were evident to keen observers, notably the amorous behaviour of Bufflehead drakes. On the Patricia Bay side, the hedgerows on the east side of West Saanich Road were fond to be well-populated with songbirds. Noisy Red-Winged Blackbirds made sure that they were noticed.

Many of the attendees made their way to St. John’s United Church in the Deep Cove neighbourhood after the walk for tea, cookies, FOSH news and entertainment.

President, Sue Staniforth updates attendees regarding FOSH activities

“You Won’t Believe This” host, Sue Staniforth interviews Hank-the-Heron (aka Farrell Boyce)

Terry Venables shows some of his outstanding photos of local birds.

We were pleased at the end of the day to find 25 new name on our sign-up sheet. FOSH now has over 100 identified supporters.  We sent a thank-you note to these good people and thought it useful to append a summary of the history, activities and ambitions of Friends of Shoal Harbour. This document is included below.

Continue reading →

Come and join the Friends of Shoal Harbour (FOSH) in exploring the amazing bird life we enjoy here on the Saanich Peninsula! Many species of shorebirds and waterfowl choose to winter here, and some will be leaving soon for their preferred breeding areas. This is a great time of year to celebrate their presence among us this winter, and wish them a successful breeding season and a safe return to the Peninsula in October (watch for the All Buffleheads Celebration in mid-October).
Everyone is invited to participate in a guided bird-watching stroll along the shores of the Saanich Peninsula from 2:00 to 3:00 pm on Sunday, March 10, followed by refreshments, conversation and entertainment at St. John’s United Church (address below) from 3:15 to 4:30 pm. Last year we had a great turnout and were able to spot 24 different species, including buffleheads, wigeons, goldeneyes and a horned grebe.
Attendees may choose between two bird-watching parties, one on the east side of the Peninsula, starting from (1) the bandshell at the east end of Beacon Avenue in Sidney, and the other (2) starting from the parking lot of Patricia Bay Park (on West Saanich Road north of the seaplane ramp). Rendezvous at either site at 2:00 pm sharp for a guided walk.
The “Tea” portion of the event at St. John’s United Church (10990 West Saanich Road, opposite Deep Cove School) will start at approximately 3:15 pm. Light refreshments will be served and there will be opportunities to learn about FOSH activities, enjoy some light-hearted entertainment, and view a presentation of nature photographs by acclaimed photographer, Terry Venables. Hope to see you there!