Central Meadow in Bloom – Indian Plum in Colour – Oak Leaves in Yummy Green – Lupin Time Starting – May 18, 2012

Monthly Bird Walk – Uplands Park/Cattle Point – May 27,2012

Birding in Uplands Park (as noted in Oak Bay News, Wed. May 16, 2012)
http://www.oakbaynews.com/community/151461995.html

Join Birder Ralph Archibald of the Friends of Uplands Park in a bird walk from Cattle Point through Uplands Park. Meet at Cattle Point by the kiosks.

Bring binoculars, bird books or checklists or simply show up to enjoy the outing, rain or shine.

This is a free event on Sunday, May 27 at 8 a.m. Contact Margaret Lidkea at 250-595-8084 for more information.

California Quail DO NEST in Uplands Park

Wayne Matthews took these photos (June 2011) of California Quail in Uplands Park. Sun was setting so an odd illumination.

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FOUP at 3rd Annual International Migratory Bird Day – May 12, 2012

The Friends of Uplands Park participated in the 3rd Annual International Migratory Bird Day at Elk Lake (May 12, 2012). The Co-Chairs had fun making blue birds and owls with the younger set and chatting about our monthly birding event and the blooming Garry Oak Meadow flowers. Here are some photos:

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Join FOUP at the 3rd Annual International Migratory Bird Day – Elk Lake. May 12, 2012

The Friends of Uplands Park will be participating at the 3rd Annual International Migratory Bird Day, with a table and a display.  Volunteer to help at the display table or stop by and chat.

Info about the event:  The Victoria Natural History Society, Rocky Point Bird Observatory, and CRD Regional Parks are proud to present the 3rd Annual International Migratory Bird Day from 7:00 am – 2:00 pm at Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park. Help celebrate and learn more about the journey that birds take from their summer and winter homes by participating in this free all-day event that offers engaging activities for birders of all ages, expertise, and abilities. Participate in guided bird walks, mist-netting demonstrations, hummingbird and passerine banding demonstrations, live raptors, and children’s activities. Be sure to check out booths representing local organizations focused on studying migratory birds and gather information on ways to help conserve species and their habitats.

• 9 am: Event opening – Picnic shelter (at the Elk/Beaver Lake filter beds). Displays, touch tables, crafts, scavenger hunts, games, fun! Follow the signs!
• 9 am to 2 pm: Bird banding demonstrations – mist nets will be nearby and constantly checked for songbirds.
• 9 am to 2 pm: Hummingbird banding demonstrations – hummingbird feeder traps will be monitored all day.
•  Birding walks: ~ 40 minutes in length- leave from the picnic shelter and run every hour, starting at 9:15 am.
•  Live raptors: Pacific Northwest Raptors will have birds of prey at the event, with a demonstration flight in the morning (11 am) and afternoon (1 pm).

Here is a link to a brochure with map of the park: http://www.crd.bc.ca/parks/documents/elk_beaver_brochur.pdf  The “filter beds” area is marked at the south end of Beaver Lake

Photo Walk in Uplands Park – All aglow on Camas Day – May 6, 2012

After a long Sunday afternoon working in the garden, such a delight to wander the trails in Uplands Park, between 6:30 and 7:30 in the evening. As the shadows lengthened, the petals of the Camas flowers, and the leaves of every tree and shrub, were translucent in the sunlight.  If you have not been in Uplands Park recently, hopefully these photos will help share the experience. (Yes, maybe too many photos, in my enthusiasm)

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