Cattle Point

I love climbing around the rocks at Cattle Point, especially at low tide. I stop by most afternoons while I'm out looking for birds. In addition to a large assortment of ducks, cormorants can often be seen there as well as a variety of shore birds. Today, I even saw a seal and an otter ... but no cattle. So, what's with the name? Well, I discovered that Uplands Farm occupied the surrounding land between 1860 and 1910. Cattle shipped from the mainland to the farm would be dropped off in the bay. The cattle would then have to swim to the shore on the point.
 

Double-crested Cormorant

       


Surf Bird

    
   



Harlequin Ducks



 Black Turnstone



Martindale Flats

Located in Central Saanich, just off the Pat Bay Highway by Michell's Market, this farming region is a great place for birdwatching. Earlier this year, Tundra and Trumpeter Swans were regularly seen in the fields along Island View Road. I've photographed birds of prey there: an immature Bald Eagle and a Cooper's Hawk. I've seen Mourning Doves and Belted Kingfisher on Dooley Road and singing Meadowlark on Lochside Drive. It is almost always mentioned in the weekly Rare Bird Alert Transcript. In fact, I'm hoping the rain holds off this weekend as some good birds have been reported in the area recently.



Belted Kingfisher



Cooper's Hawk















 



Immature Bald Eagle in flight

Oak Bay Marina

To the immediate north of the Oak Bay Marina, there is a little park.  A rocky outcrop connects this park to the adjacent beach. This is a great place to see shorebirds: Killdeer, Greater Yellowlegs, Dunlin, Black-oystercatcher.  There always seems to be something interesting there. 





Greater Yellowlegs

 

Killdeer



 



Dunlins in flight













Learn more about the Oak Bay Marina.

King's Pond

Located on the north side of Cedar Hill golf course, this fresh-water pond is remarkable for the sheer volume of ducks present. Mallards are by far the largest group, but you'll also regularly see Ring-necked Ducks, Buffleheads and Woodducks there, as well as the occasional Northern Shoveler.

People frequently scatter seed for the hordes, which invariably causes a small stampede.

This male Ring-necked was having trouble holding his own against the larger ducks during this feeding frenzy.

Esquimalt Lagoon

As you've probably guessed, I've been having a little difficulty finding new birds to photograph lately. So, instead of giving up on my blogging altogether, I've decided to start highlighting some of the good birding locations around Victoria. 



Great Blue Heron



Although I've only been there a few times, I opted to start with Esquimalt Lagoon because of the large number of birds you can see in a relatively small area.

You will find it close to Fort Rodd Park and Fisgard Lighthouse in Colwood. It is a migratory bird sanctuary that is frequented by a variety of gulls,ducks, swans, herons and much more. 

  




Male Common Goldeneye

  

Family of Mute Swans



Learn more about Esquimalt Lagoon.