Dear Neighbours and Friends,
Thanks to Friends of Shoal Harbour, this newsletter contains an invitation to a Zoom presentation by James Reynolds of the Canadian Wildlife Service about protecting Bird Sanctuaries. Other articles identify some of the challenges, even as the sanctuary “continues to support a rich diversity of seabirds, shorebirds and waterfowl, especially in the winter months.” This newsletter contains information about:
- Challenges Facing Bird Sanctuaries – Nov 19 Presentation on Zoom
- Peak Buffleheads
- New Mermaid Creek Development Concerns
- Boats in the Bay
- Quick Catch Ups
- All Buffleheads Day,
- Halloween Fireworks,
- Birds in the Bay now
1. Challenges Facing Bird Sanctuaries Today
January 2025 a flock, mostly wigeons, in Roberts Bay,
Shoal Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuary
Shoal Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuary: Protecting a Natural Legacy
Thursday, November 19, 2026
7:00–8:00 p.m. Pacific Time
To join, just click on this link: JOIN THE PRESENTATION
James Reynolds, Canadian Wildlife Service, will explore the history and current management challenges of Greater Victoria’s three federal Migratory Bird Sanctuaries: Victoria Harbour, Esquimalt Lagoon and Shoal Harbour.
Established in 1931, Shoal Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuary lies within the traditional lands of the Tseycum First Nation and the municipalities of Sidney and North Saanich. Created to protect declining populations of geese, ducks and other birds, the sanctuary continues to support a rich diversity of seabirds, shorebirds and waterfowl, particularly during the winter months. But what does it take to protect a sanctuary over the long term? For more than 20 years, the Friends of Shoal Harbour ( FOSH) has worked to build public support for the continued protection and effective management of this important sanctuary. This presentation offers an opportunity to learn more about the sanctuary and the challenges involved in safeguarding its natural legacy.
- Friends of Shoal Harbour: www.friendsofshoalharbour.ca
- Canadian Wildlife Service: Shoal Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuary
- Questions? Contact Bob Peart, Chair of Friends of Shoal Harbour, at bobpeart@shaw.ca.
2. Peak Buffleheads
We think these excerpts from biologist Kerry Finley’s 2026 Roberts Bay Bufflehead migration diary add a lot to our understanding of the migration and perhaps of the effect of this strong El Nino year.
November 4 – “I obtained peak Bufflehead yesterday – 740 – the largest number I’ve counted in 26 years. I was unable to verify it with photos because of poor lighting and time constraints… the number is inaccurate, probably conservative. Nonetheless it demonstrates the importance of Shoal Harbour as a primary staging area for Buffleheads on southeast Vancouver Island… “
November 8 – ” A powerful storm swept over Vancouver Island last night… B.C. Hydro is busy over all of Vancouver Island and in the Interior Cariboo district… where the Buffleheads breed amongst the Aspen. As forecast, the last wave appeared today. Truly storm surfers, they rode peak pressure… I’ll keep watch for a few more days but that should conclude the season.”
3. New Mermaid Creek Development Concerns
Our August 21, 2026 newsletter contained the above photo of the construction at 10231 Resthaven Drive. At that time, a neighbour had grave concerns about the impact of this development. Discussion with Town staff, Peninsula Streams Society, West Coast Environmental Law, and other experts clarified the current law regarding development in this Environmentally Sensitive Area. However, it left them with serious concerns about the welfare of Mermaid Creek and the Bird Sanctuary.
More recently, the Town of Sidney has received an application to redevelop 10255 Resthaven Drive, which is even closer to Roberts Bay, with 4 residences up to 10 meters in height. Both 10231 and 10255 back onto Mermaid Creek meters from where it flows into Roberts Bay and the bird sanctuary. 10255 Resthaven currently contains mature trees and natural vegetation which neighbours believe contribute to the health Mermaid Creek.
Neighbours assert that the replacement of mature trees and natural soils with saplings and hard surface roofs and paving may contribute to runoff, erosion and localized flooding which has been observed in recent years.
To communicate with the Town about this, write to admin@ sidney.ca
For information about a petition which asks the Town of Sidney to carefully assess environmental and hydrological impacts, contact thierrybodson@gmail.com.
4. Boats in the Bay
Photo by Curtis Evans
The Mona A has been anchored in Roberts Bay off and on since early August, leading to questions about why this is allowed and whether she is polluting the bay or likely to sink as the Maud J did in late November 2022. She is anchored in an grass bed. The Pacific Salmon Foundation identifies this as a problem and how to protect eelgrass when boating.
One of the Roberts Bay paddlers has managed to speak with the Mona A’s owner and learn that it is waiting for an appointment November 16 at Van Isle Marina to be pulled out for bottom work.
Biologist Kerry Finley, says “When I began monitoring this season, there were five vessels parked at the mouth of the bay over top of the eel grass beds and one of the most productive Dungeness crab fishing grounds in the area. The productivity is due to the intense mixing and detrital accumulation during autumn storms. The staging areas of the Buffleheads are dependent on this and have been since time immemorial. The autumn and spring concentrations represent a significant portion of the (birds’) breeding population which is thinly spread over vast areas. Therefore it is highly vulnerable to disturbance and pollution.
Only one vessel remains… It is parked right over the most productive feeding area…. The Canadian Wildlife Service and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans are responsible for these wildlife areas and fishery habitats but have little means of enforcement…
Here are a couple of reasons why such vessels, parked on public waters, pose a threat to the Bufffleheads:
1. Disturbances and displacement interfere with Bufflehead feeding at a time in migration when they require maximum energy2. Moored vessels and buoys aid predation by otters, the most feared predator, who use any sort of flotsam to hide their approach…”
In Kerry’s opinion, these vagrant vessels have no place in a natural wildlife sanctuary. What do you think?
5. Quick Catch-Ups
Photo by Elaine Ethier
a) All Buffleheads Celebration October 18 – About 60 people attended, but the first three Bufflehead arrivals, who had been seen the day before, decided to pass on the party. The words of Tsawout Councillor Mavis Underwood and a song in Sencoten by teacher Megan Supernault and Oren Elliott of the Tsartlip nation were especially moving for attendees.
b) Halloween Fireworks – Although many of us heard occasional bangs not far from the Environmentally Sensitive Area and fireworks casings were found in several places, it was another pretty peaceful Halloween around the Bird Sanctuary. Kudos to Sidney Fire and RCMP for continued successful management of the event, and to all residents who consider the needs of wildlife and pets.
c) Birds in the Bay – In addition to the 470 Buffleheads who visited November 3rd, the many species of winter birds observed recently in Roberts Bay include Red Breasted Mergansers, Hooded Mergansers, Harlequins, American Wigeons, Ravens, Bonapart’s Gull, Short Billed Gulls and many more. At the ebird hotspot on November 3rd, one obviously experienced birder reported seeing 277 individual birds from 20 species in 21 minutes! An online search for any of these species by name will give you photos and information about them.
Warm regards,
Roberts Bay Residents
Jocelyn Gifford, Communications
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Our mission: We are a small group of friends who live on Roberts Bay or nearby and work together to preserve the ecology of the bay for future generations by promoting eological understanding among neighbours through newsletters, relationships, and volunteer projects.
“Our vision is to build a future in which our community lives in harmony with the living wonders of Roberts Bay and where the natural beauty and functionality of the ecosystems of the bay are preserved and enhanced to ensure that this very special place remains a safe refuge for wildlife and a source of inspiration for its present and future residents and visitors.”