Bald Eagle in a perch tree, by Kamilla Hindmarch You might walk right past it without noticing. High above the trail, at the top of the forest canopy, a jumble of sticks sits atop an old Douglas fir. The nest is so large it weighs as much as a small Read more
Violet-green swallow by Kamilla Hindmarch Perhaps you are reading this article from your living room, or your garden, or while awaiting a ferry that’s running late. If you have a moment, take one minute to close your eyes and tune into the sounds in your surroundings. Each of you will Read more
Photo of a yellow-rumped warbler by Michael Dunn. As the days get longer and warmer, we begin seeing and hearing the spring and summer migrants who are now flocking northward to their breeding areas. So, it is time to celebrate and welcome them back! World Migratory Bird Day 2026 will Read more
Photo of a purple martin with dragonfly by Andrew A. Reding. In 2005, the B.C. Purple Martin Stewardship and Recovery Program (PUMA) oversaw the installation of two sets of nesting boxes here on SḴŦAḴ | Mayne Island: ten boxes in Bennett Bay beside the Mayne Island Resort pier, and another Read more
The Christmas Bird Counts have always been a fascination for me, in that every year, in terms of number of species and total numbers of birds, there is such variability. Despite your expectations based on weather, temperature, and what you have observed leading up the count date, there are always Read more
At this time of year, these dark and cold days and nights might find us grumbling in front of our woodstoves, bundled in blankets, cradling mugs of hot tea, but let’s spend a few minutes considering how the tiny ones outside survive, some weighing less than a teaspoon of sugar Read more
Among the diversity of bird species we have on SḴŦAḴ | Mayne Island, there is one group that stands out in my mind – the woodpeckers (Picidae). We have five species of this family as year-round residents and they are known to many who have suet feeders. While they provide Read more
Did you know that you can make important contributions to science simply by using your phone? Becoming a Citizen Scientist doesn’t have to be hard. By using a few apps, you can participate in plant, animal and fungi research with ease. Whether you are an avid birder, curious hiker, or Read more
A report on the results of two annual bird survey events on Mayne Island. Christmas Bird Count December 14, 2024 must go down as the wildest weather I have ever experienced in my over 40 years of doing annual Christmas counts. The conditions were extreme in that we had high Read more
In January the Conservancy hosted a hands-on workshop building western screech owl nest boxes. Five participants joined our Stewardship Coordinator, Justine, at the Mayne Island Community Center for a successful and fun event. Each participant left with their very own nest box to put up around their island homes. Currently, Read more