On March 28, the Friends of Shoal Harbour hosted their 11th annual Spring Bird Walk and Tea, welcoming approximately 45 participants to Nymph Point Park and the North Saanich Yacht Club for a morning of learning, exploration, and community connection.
The event offered three concurrent activities, allowing participants to move freely between them. One group visited the nearby heron colony, while another explored local trails in search of early spring birdlife. A third group headed to the beach, where participants learned about forage fish and the shoreline restoration work being carried out by the Peninsula Streams and Shores Society.
A highlight for many participants was observing a female Killdeer guarding her nest. When anyone ventured a little too close, she performed her well-known “broken wing” display—feigning injury to draw attention away from her nest and protect her eggs.
This flexible format encouraged people to experience a range of perspectives on the local ecosystem—from bird habitat to coastal processes—while enjoying the natural beauty of the Shoal Harbour area.
After approximately 90 minutes outdoors, everyone gathered at the North Saanich Yacht Club for tea, conversation, and a series of short presentations. The Yacht Club generously provided tea and coffee, while the Friends of Shoal Harbour supplied a delicious assortment of cookies and cakes.
Bob Peart, President of the Friends of Shoal Harbour, provided an overview of the organization’s mission, ongoing work, and upcoming events and projects. Chloe Kraemer, Beach Program Coordinator with the Peninsula Streams and Shores Society, spoke about the importance of forage fish habitat and the restoration efforts underway at Nymph Point. Craig Cuthbert highlighted the work of the Friends of North Saanich Parks and encouraged attendees to learn more about the organization and consider becoming members.
The event once again demonstrated the strong community interest in local conservation efforts and the value of bringing people together to learn about and appreciate the natural environments of the Saanich Peninsula.
