Victoria, BC - Part 4

22 June, 2026 

Clover Point - Beacon Hill Park - Ogden Point Breakwater - Oak Bay

     We were rapidly becoming used to seeing deer in the neighbourhood and scarcely paid attention to them. This doe meandered around as we left home, totally unconcerned with us.

     I assume the collar signifies that the animal is being monitored by the municipality or the province. They are abundant and unafraid.

Clover Point

     Many Small Whites (Pieris rapae) were fluttering in the light breeze, occasionally even landing for a moment or two.

     Here is the grand sweep around the bay at Clover Point.

     As at all locations the bird life varies with the season, but Black Oystercatcher (Haematopus bachmani) is a fixture year round.

     The same claim is made for Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus histrionicus)

     West Coast Lady (Vanessa annabella) joined the Small Whites to swell the butterfly community.

     As might be expected Glaucous-winged Gulls (Laurus glaucescens) patrolled the shore.

     Puget Island Gumweed (Grindelia integrifolia) was attractive and unfamiliar to us.

    Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica) appear to have had a successful breeding season and many juveniles were patiently waiting for parents to bring food.

     Mallows (genus Malva) were both common and beautiful.

Beacon Hill Park

     On a visit to Beacon Hill Park one is always greeted by Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus), both vocally and visually.

     They are magnificent birds and a great favourite with visitors. 

     I am never quite sure whether these birds are now considered feral, having originated from captive stock to be sure, but they seem to wander and breed at will, and we saw not a single banded bird. They have spilled out of the park and may be readily seen in residential neighbourhoods adjoining the park.

     Whatever their status, they are magnificent birds. 

     A Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) is a little more pedestrian but no less delightful.

     American Sand Wasps (Bembix americana), generally deemed beneficial, were busy, in the way that insects often are.

     Chestnut-backed Chickadee (Poecile rufescens) is the cousin of Black-capped Chickadee (P. atricapillus) so familiar to us at home.

     Water droplets are the jewels of nature, eternally renewable, beautiful, and always available to rich and poor alike without charge.

     We saw Lorquin's Admiral (Limenitis lorquini) quite frequently.

     On every occasion but one, as best I remember, a Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) has been perched atop this totem pole when we have visited Beacon Hill Park.

Ogden Point

     A huge cruise ship was berthed at Ogden Point, the first time we have witnessed this.

     No doubt it provides a substantial boost to the local economy.

     A Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) greeted us and probably greeted the cruise ship wayfarers too.

     We have been visiting this eatery since the very first time we arrived in Victoria, and today we stopped in to have a coffee and share a blueberry scone.

     Ogden Point is possibly the most reliable spot to see Pigeon Guillemot (Cepphus columba), and true to form a pair were swimming in the inner harbour.

     They were moving away from each other in the above picture but flew to the seawall and became very good friends!

    I am unaware of the conditions that prompted it, but there seemed to be a mini invasion of Moon Jellies (genus Aurelia).

     Not something we see often, so we were delighted.

     A Pelagic Cormorant (Urile pelagicus) was equally agreeable.

     We glanced back at the cruise ship as we were leaving.

     We headed for home, stopping to do grocery shopping on the way, had lunch and relaxed for a while.

Scented Garden

      Late afternoon, we decided to walk over to the Scented Garden which we had spotted earlier.

     It is quite lovely, designed primarily for the blind and visually impaired to experience the scents of nature.

     A White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) evidently found this location to its liking.

     With so many flowers and the possibility of caterpillars it came as no surprise to see a European Paper Wasp (Polistes dominula) on the prowl.

     A male House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) surveyed the scene from a lofty perch.

Oak Bay

     If my memory serves me well this female Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) was the only one of its species we saw during our stay on the Island.

     A Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) was in its usual spot.

      Perhaps the fishing was not good at that spot for it took off almost right away to move to the other side of the bay.

     We did not see many shorebirds during our visit but this Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca) was reliable.

     Where Rock Doves (Columba livia) are concerned love is always in the air! Just look at that male puffing out his chest and the female ignoring him!

     Large gulls interbreed frequently and the resulting plumages are variable and confusing, especially for birders from central and eastern Canada who rarely see them. This individual is probably a mix of Western Gull and Glaucous-winged Gull (Larus occidentalis x glaucescens), colloquially known as Olympic Gull.

     Someone had vacated a picnic table and left the ingredients for a substantial feast behind - especially if you are a crow!

     Mirroring humans, they went for the junk food first. Cheesies were the preferred choice and it took them no time at all to get into the bag.

     The crow dietician will not be pleased!

     This female Mallard (Anas platyrynchos) had but one duckling in her care. 

     It's likely that she started out with eight or ten young and they fell victim to various predators. The remaining individual is now big enough that it has a great chance to survive.

     It was with great excitement that we spotted a North American River Otter (Lontra canadensis) just as we were about to leave.

     It was a memorable curtain call to an exceptional day.

A Few Highlights

     I have lots to blog about right now, but time is a commodity in short supply, so I am presenting here just a few recent highlights, in totally random sequence.

     On a walk a couple of weeks ago, we discovered the first nest of Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) we have ever seen with the female incubating eggs.

     Even though we were as stealthy as could be, and took our pictures from a distance, the bird slipped off the nest, no doubt disturbed by our presence.

     After a half hour or so we were able to confirm that the female had returned to incubation duties and we have not divulged the location of the nest to anyone.

     It remains for us a significant highlight in our birding lives.

     I think that this is a particularly lovely shot of a Delaware Skipper (Anatrytone logan) on a coneflower.

     It is the time of year for maximum Goldenrod Leaf Beetle (Trirhabda canadensis) abundance; indeed, they seemed to be everywhere.

     These two seemed exceptionally friendly!

     False Sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides) seems almost like an affront to this gorgeous flower.

     There is nothing false about it!

     Common Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis) has a particular delicacy, it seems to me.

     This attractive insect is a Bee Fly (family Bombyliidae), without a common name, so you will all have to learn Exoprosopa decora until it rolls off your tongue with ease!

     Mere minutes ago, my good friend Dave Collins sent me the following picture taken just this afternoon. It shows a huge Common Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina) with a Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius) perched on its carapace.

     How could I resist using that?