26 June, 2026
Cattle Point/Uplands Park
We had been invited by our new friends George and Jan (more about them in a subsequent post) to join them on a monthly outing to explore the bird life of Cattle Point and adjacent Uplands Park.
We were delighted to do so.
If you have been following the reports of our Vancouver Island vacation you will be familiar with the ubiquity of Columbian Black-tailed Deer (Odocoileus hemonius columbianus), charming animals that have accommodated to human settlement with ease it seems. These two beauties were on the beach, foraging for seaweed perhaps.
They were quite indifferent to us but Miriam and I were entranced by them. We saw deer every day and enjoyed them more each time, I think.
Predictably a Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) worked the shoreline in search of breakfast.
Wily American Crows (Corvus brachyrynchos) were never far away, exploiting every chance to secure food.
Considerable interbreeding takes place between Western Gulls (Larus occidentalis) and Glaucous-winged Gulls (Larus glaucescens) and sometimes it was difficult to tell a pure gull from a hybrid. This challenge was made harder by the simple fact that we never see either one unless we are on the west coast. I am pretty sure, however, this individual is a Glaucous-winged Gull.
We found Gum Plants (genus Grindelia) very appealing.
People had been arriving to participate in the walk and I would estimate that around forty keen birders joined in the fun.
Even though this was a bird outing, we did not neglect anything else that caught our eye.
Here a bee in the genus Melissodes, probably Melissodes agilis, and a crane fly (superfamily Tipuloidea), are possibly sharing pollen and nectar resources.
However, some crane flies do not eat at all, having no functional mouth parts, so I can't be sure!
The walk was led by an engaging young fellow named Geoffroy, enthusiastic and knowledgeable, and we enjoyed him very much.
Many eager eyes scanned the water, hoping all the while for a rarity - or maybe even a pod of Orcas (Orcinus orca).
It was always a singular delight to see (and hear) Black Oystercatchers (Haematopus bachmani).
Fortunately it happened often.
In Ontario we have become accustomed to Chipping Sparrow's (Spizella passerina) nests being heavily parasitized by Brown-headed Cowbirds (Molothrus ater) and expect to see adult sparrows feeding a gargantuan young cowbird. In BC, at least around Victoria, this seems not to be the case, and we saw many young Chipping Sparrows; evidence of successful breeding was widespread.
A Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) was like a friendly face from home.
Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) has been introduced on Vancouver Island and like rabbits everywhere is prolific.
Spotted Towhee (Papilo maculatus) became a firm favourite during our stay.
A Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) was a welcome addition to the party.
A Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) was not to be outdone.
The antics of a Chestnut-backed Chickadee (Poecile rufescens) mirrored the behaviour of the familiar Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) at home.
I am happy to attest that Common Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale) did not make us sneeze.
Rose Spirea (Spirea douglasii) was rapidly becoming a favourite.
Slender Cinquefoil (Polentilla gracilis) dotted the landscape.
Near the end of our walk we spotted a Cooper's Hawk (Astur cooperii) perched in a tree.
Songbirds beware!
When we returned to our vehicles a couple of Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) were on the beach close at hand.
I am not sure whether we on the receiving end of a welcome or being told to get lost!
George and Jan took us to the cafeteria at the University of Victoria where we were treated to a delicious lunch, followed by a very agreeable walk through lovely gardens where two Barred Owls (Strix varia) duetted back and forth.
It had indeed been a memorable day.
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