Anna’s Hummingbird
Although normally recognized by their bonze metallic green color and the male’s showy iridescent red coloring around the throat and head, this juvenile with its less spectacular plumage was caught resting in Konukson Park in the third week of May. Anna’s hummingbirds consume more insects than any other North American hummingbird and like other hummingbirds they have a high metabolic rate, their hearts beating at a staggering 1260 beats per minute.
Coastal Chocolate-Tips (Fern Leaved Desert Parsley)
Coastal Chocolate-tips are a red listed species with only 13 populations known in Canada. The reddish-maroon flowers of this plants compound umbel were caught in the afternoon sunlight at Mt. Douglas Park. Please be careful not to disturb this endangered plant.
Humingbird Photo: Amy Medve
Chocolate Tips: Cain van Cadsand
6/4/09
SAANICH PARKS - VANCOUVER ISLAND, BC
This week provided great weather for volunteers working to remove invasive species in Saanich Parks. In Mt. Douglas Park, volunteers carried on the tedious work of removing garlic mustard from the south end of the park. Garlic mustard is an invasive plant that is a relative newcomer to the island; as a result it is being handled according to early detection and rapid response principles. Fortunately, with the help of volunteers the species appears to be contained to the south side of the park and the population has declined since last season.
The release of roughly 50,000 chum fry into Douglas Creek scheduled for this Saturday was cancelled after Bob Bridgeman, longtime stream restoration volunteer, identified that a spill somewhere in the watershed had contaminated the creek's water. Some 5000 private properties are included within the 524 hectare watershed and much of the storm and drain water enters the creek unfiltered. There is hope that the water quality will improve and the event is tentatively scheduled for 11:00am on Saturday May 30th.
In Konukson Park the Cadboro Bay Residents Association continued their ongoing battle with English ivy. Although removing English ivy from the park is a slow process, seeing the re-growth of native plants in areas that were cleared last year is keeping the group motivated.
