birds

Officials are warning about several wild birds found dead - including bald eagles - that have tested positive for avian flu. (Black Press Media file photo)

Avian flu confirmed in bald eagle found near 100 Mile House

Wild birds across B.C. testing positive for H5N1 virus

Officials are warning about several wild birds found dead - including bald eagles - that have tested positive for avian flu. (Black Press Media file photo)
If you are a producer and want your flock safe, follow the guidelines to avoid Avian Influenza or bird flu.(Angie Mindus photo - Williams Lake Tribune)

B.C.’s second case of domestic avian influenza confirmed in the Okanagan

CFIA confirms a small backyard poultry flock in Kelowna tested positive for the H5N1

If you are a producer and want your flock safe, follow the guidelines to avoid Avian Influenza or bird flu.(Angie Mindus photo - Williams Lake Tribune)
Cases of avian flu have been detected on certain poultry farms in six central Alberta counties. (File photo from flickr)

Avian flu in North Okanagan creates large control zone

Canadian Food Inspection Agency infected zone includes Grindrod

Cases of avian flu have been detected on certain poultry farms in six central Alberta counties. (File photo from flickr)
Cases of avian flu have been detected on certain poultry farms in six central Alberta counties. (File photo from flickr)

UPDATE: Avian flu confirmed at Okanagan farm

Canadian Food Inspection Agency tests came back positive

Cases of avian flu have been detected on certain poultry farms in six central Alberta counties. (File photo from flickr)
Shorebirds rest and replenish at the estuary on Combers Beach in the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. (Nora O’Malley photo)

Parks Canada imposes seasonal dog ban at Combers Beach near Tofino

To protect migratory shorebirds, dogs are banned on Combers Beach from April 14 to October 1, 2022

Shorebirds rest and replenish at the estuary on Combers Beach in the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. (Nora O’Malley photo)
An Anna’s hummingbird in care. (file photo, Wild ARC)

Hummingbirds can starve in the cold, says Island wildlife centre

MARS in Merville has had more than a dozen birds brought in already

An Anna’s hummingbird in care. (file photo, Wild ARC)
This snowy owl, popular on the Peninsula for its Sidney perch in public the last couple weeks, didn’t show itself for the annual Christmas Bird Count in Sidney/South Salt Spring Island on Dec. 19, but was spotted on Monday. (Photo by Christy Grinton)

Sidney’s snowy owl hides out during annual Christmas Bird Count

Victoria count includes rare Arctic bird sighting by Oak Bay team

This snowy owl, popular on the Peninsula for its Sidney perch in public the last couple weeks, didn’t show itself for the annual Christmas Bird Count in Sidney/South Salt Spring Island on Dec. 19, but was spotted on Monday. (Photo by Christy Grinton)
Perhaps a chestnut-backed chickadee will show itself during the annual Christmas Bird Count on Saturday (Dec. 18). (Ann Nightingale photo)

Christmas comes early for Greater Victoria bird watchers

The outdoor activity of birding has really taken off in the last year

Perhaps a chestnut-backed chickadee will show itself during the annual Christmas Bird Count on Saturday (Dec. 18). (Ann Nightingale photo)
At home, Thomas Dudley is co-owner of Wild Birds Unlimited in the Shelbourne Plaza. He is also a talented videographer who has filmed the documentary series Seeing Canada. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)
At home, Thomas Dudley is co-owner of Wild Birds Unlimited in the Shelbourne Plaza. He is also a talented videographer who has filmed the documentary series Seeing Canada. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)
Von Rywaczuk laughs as he cradles Halo the Swan in his arms after rescuing her from Elliot Lake. (Photo submitted)

Swan gets ‘second-chance at life’ after being rescued near 100 Mile

The swan was unable to migrate south due to an injured wing

Von Rywaczuk laughs as he cradles Halo the Swan in his arms after rescuing her from Elliot Lake. (Photo submitted)
Victoria city staff are recommending a ban on unleashed pets at Gonzales Beach following a letter from the Canadian Wildlife Service. (Black Press Media file photo)

UPDATE: No dogs allowed off-leash at Gonzales Beach as Victoria aligns with federal regulations

Allowing dogs to run free endangered migratory birds, violated bird sanctuary laws

Victoria city staff are recommending a ban on unleashed pets at Gonzales Beach following a letter from the Canadian Wildlife Service. (Black Press Media file photo)
Gull chicks rejoice together on their rooftop home in downtown Victoria on Aug. 13. About 150 gulls, young and old, were admitted to Wild ARC last year, according to senior wildlife rehabilitator Wallis Moore Reid. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)

Bird-hood: A Victoria gull’s early days in photos

Despite unpopularity among humans, gull chicks show a more innocent and intelligent side

  • Aug 21, 2021
Gull chicks rejoice together on their rooftop home in downtown Victoria on Aug. 13. About 150 gulls, young and old, were admitted to Wild ARC last year, according to senior wildlife rehabilitator Wallis Moore Reid. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)
Victoria police Sgt. Jeremy Preston posed for a photo with a lost bird in downtown Victoria Aug. 19 to help find its owner. (Courtesy VicPD)

Tourists, Victoria police return lost bird to owner

Owner quickly found after photos posted to social media

Victoria police Sgt. Jeremy Preston posed for a photo with a lost bird in downtown Victoria Aug. 19 to help find its owner. (Courtesy VicPD)
Birder Geoffrey Newell, 25, spots and identifies birds flying overhead in a clearing around Uplands Park early on Saturday, July 31. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)

Talented birder resumes immersive tours at Oak Bay’s Cattle Point

52 bird species spotted by dozens of attendees during first bird walk in months

Birder Geoffrey Newell, 25, spots and identifies birds flying overhead in a clearing around Uplands Park early on Saturday, July 31. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)
This photo captured what’s believed to be the first-ever sighting of a wood sandpiper on Vancouver Island, in Panama Flats on June 5. (Photo by Geoffrey Newell)

Two separate bird-sightings in Greater Victoria said to be a first on Vancouver Island

Great-tailed grackles seen at Esquimalt Lagoon, wood sandpiper at Panama Flats

  • Jul 6, 2021
This photo captured what’s believed to be the first-ever sighting of a wood sandpiper on Vancouver Island, in Panama Flats on June 5. (Photo by Geoffrey Newell)
Karl and Stephanie Ann Johanson were thrilled to spot a pair of Sandhill Cranes in the Panama Flats this month, an unusual appearance for such birds. (Photo by Stephanie Ann Johanson)

WATCH: Sandhill cranes an unusual, joyful sight in Saanich parkland

The birds don’t often touch down in the south of the Island

Karl and Stephanie Ann Johanson were thrilled to spot a pair of Sandhill Cranes in the Panama Flats this month, an unusual appearance for such birds. (Photo by Stephanie Ann Johanson)
The barred owl is the most likely to be spotted in the south Island. (Ann Nightingale photo)

Barred owls dominate Greater Victoria owl-scape

Western screech owl population decimated, partly due to barred owls

The barred owl is the most likely to be spotted in the south Island. (Ann Nightingale photo)
A rare albino crow has been found nesting in an Aldergrove backyard. (Lizzy Grimes/Special to The Star)

Rare albino crow found in Aldergrove backyard

A genetic mutation resulting in a complete lack of colour makes this bird extremely uncommon

A rare albino crow has been found nesting in an Aldergrove backyard. (Lizzy Grimes/Special to The Star)
A fledgling white raven was spotted near the end of Winchester Road in Coombs. (Mike Yip photo)

Legend continues as iconic white raven spotted once again in Coombs

Sightings rare everywhere in world except for central Vancouver Island location

A fledgling white raven was spotted near the end of Winchester Road in Coombs. (Mike Yip photo)
A fledgling white raven was spotted near the end of Winchester Road in Coombs. (Mike Yip photo)

Legend continues as iconic white raven spotted once again on Vancouver Island

Sightings rare everywhere in world except for central Vancouver Island location

A fledgling white raven was spotted near the end of Winchester Road in Coombs. (Mike Yip photo)