Streamkeeper training today on Byrne Creek. Thanks to Zo Ann from the Pacific Streamkeepers Federation.
I was heading out for a creek walk when I ran across the group and joined them for a bit.
Home After a Great SEHAB Meeting in Comox, BC
Home after nearly a week on the road.
I was in Comox, BC, for a three-day SEHAB (Salmon Enhancement and Habitat Advisory Board) meeting. We meet three times a year after collating information from streamkeeper and stewardship groups from across BC, and take our advice to Fisheries and Oceans Canada Pacific Regional HQ.
I represent groups on the north side of the Fraser River from Burnaby to Mission.
SEHAB is an amazing board that I’ve been blessed to participate in for decades initially as an alternate board member, and then as a full board member. The breadth and depth of knowledge shared by board members from across the province is impressive.
We share what’s going well with volunteer groups, and what’s needed.
Unfortunately, over the last few months, Fisheries and Oceans Canada has been in upheaval due to drastic budget cuts. Staff are disappearing, even managers don’t appear to know what’s in the future.
Programs continue. . . or not.
And these are programs that leverage hundreds of thousands of hours of volunteer time from over 10,000 volunteers across BC.
I tacked on a couple of days camping on the back end.
One of the local stewardship sites that we visited:
Amphitrite Point Lighthouse at Ucluelet, BC
A visit to Ucluelet on the west coast of Vancouver Island. Amphitrite Point Lighthouse.
Camping at Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park
I camped one night at Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park on Vancouver Island following several days of meeting in Comox, BC.
Swallows ’n Swallowtails at Fraser Foreshore Park
My first sighting of a Violet-green Swallow this year, followed by a Western Tiger Swallowtail and a Lorquin’s Admiral:
Love the colours!
Western Tiger Swallowtail
Lorquin’s Admiral
Sandhill Cranes in Burnaby, BC
What a treat! Sandhill Cranes at the Shadbolt Centre on Deer Lake in Burnaby, BC, today.
Natural Rainwater Drainage System, Huh?
Apparently as a volunteer streamkeeper, I am taking care of “natural rainwater drainage systems.”
It takes talent to turn the word “creek” into “natural rainwater drainage system.”
Thank you government. . . .
Juvenile Great Blue Herons
Juvenile Great Blue Herons on nest in Burnaby, BC.
Birds ’n Blossoms at Historic Stewart Farm
Anyone who checks my blog with any regularity will know that one of my fave photo sites in the BC Lower Mainland is the Historic Stewart Farm – Elgin Heritage Park in Surrey, BC.
There is a variety of habitats easily strolled with camera in hand in half an hour to a few hours depending on which areas you cover and how fast you ramble. There’s the old farmyard, the Nicomekl River, forested areas, a meadow, a marsh. . .
I saw my first Cedar Waxwings this year today, and spotted other birds, while enjoying a variety of blossoms.
Cedar Waxwing
Cedar Waxwing
Anna’s Hummingbird
House Finch
Harrier – Crow Aerial Duel at Centennial Beach
I love looking for Northern Harriers at Centennial Beach in Delta, BC, and was rewarded today with great overflights, and a spat with a Crow.
It was interesting to watch, because Crows often attack and drive off raptors, but this Harrier was standing its ground (claiming its air space?) 🙂 and handing out some licks of its own.
Centennial Beach is part of the excellent Metro Vancouver Regional Parks system.