Nature Vancouver

Report on the 2008 Field Trip to Horth Hill

by Marian Coope

On Saturday, April 12, John and Marian Coope led a group of 22 members on our annual trip to see the birds and wildflowers of Horth Hill and surroundings, on the north end of the Saanich Peninsula. It’s been a cold spring, but the day was delightfully warm and sunny – what luck! As always, we left our cars at Tsawwassen, and embarked as foot passengers on the ferry for Swartz Bay. (And as always, the bird species count started on the Tsawwassen causeway and ended there 10 hours later.) At Swartz Bay, after the preliminary introductions and distribution of lists of birds and plants, and of John’s maps, we set off across the overpass to walk between Tsehum Harbour and the highway with its ferry traffic. Among other species, we saw the expected Turkey Vultures and Chestnut-backed Chickadees, Buffleheads and Green-winged Teal. When we reached the pedestrian overpass, we crossed the highway to Wain Road. At the turnoff to Tatlow Road, we observed, as we did two years ago, a Horned Owl on a big snag, this time with two young — a stirring sight. ornHor Once in Horth Hill Park, we climbed the paths to the “View Point,” sat on its rocks, ate our sandwiches and admired the view. With a late spring this year, it was too early for chocolate lilies but the Trilliums and shooting stars were in full bloom, and the Erythroniums (white fawn lilies) were spectacular.

We left the viewpoint at about 2 p.m., walked the summit loop, photographed the massed shooting stars, and then walked a loop going down the Ridge Trail and back to the summit on a probably unofficial trail, where there were calypso orchids in flower, before heading down. John led us back by a new, longer route (we saw an Anna’s, but no Rufous Hummingbird) bringing us out onto a grassy meadow by the Fisher Ponds. This year the ponds had Hooded Mergansers, but no Ring-billed Ducks. We stopped there for refreshments because—alas!—the Stonehouse Pub where we usually end our walk is not currently open.  After the ponds, as a final bonus, we had a last, beautiful display of Erythroniums before reaching the 5 o’clock ferry.

On the ferry, some of us basked in the sun all the way back. We had seen 54 species of birds, and the usual wide range of plants: an average trip, but a satisfying average. We had had a leisurely hike, covering about 8 kilometres. What a wonderful day!

Map by John Coope