Malaspina Naturalists – Field-trips

We like to get up, and get out and about! In the past we’ve

explored the intertidal reef off Hernando Island
wondered at the tidepools of Texada
helicoptered into a snowfield
chased endangered rodents on Mount Washington
marveled at the diversity and elegance of dragonflies
and many, many more!

Important things to remember?

dress for the day. Wear appropriate clothing and ensure that you’re physically capable of undertaking the trip. Bring what you need (hats, gloves, raingear, lunch, water, suitable footwear, sunglasses, sunblock, backpacks, camera, binoculars). And be prepared to pack it all out again.
because our trips are intended to encourage closer human contact with nature, we enforce a strict “no pets on field-trips” rule.
we strive to ensure safety, but please note that all who attend our field trips do so at their own risk.
in addition to club membership, many of our trips also require pre-registration and pre-payment in order to reserve a seat.

So. Ready to sign up? Join us!

A few from earlier field trips…
(click on any image to start a full-screen slide-viewer; hit “esc” or “close” to return)

Male Anna’s Hummingbird
“Tiny Brown Birds” (2017)
– H. Harbord

Cornflower
“Plant Walk” (2016)
– B. Sherriff

Unidentifed blue
“Birding by Ear Part IV” (2014)
– A. Bryant

Curious black bear
“Birding by Ear Part IV” (2014)
– A. Bryant

Moon Jelly and self-portrait
“Toba Inlet” (2014)
– J. Waites

These boots were made for walking…
“Two Landings on Jedediah Island” (2015)
– H. Harbord

The Misty Isles under sail
“Mitlenatch” (2016)
– H. Harbord

A nice day out
“Marmots on Mount Washington” (2012)
– A. Bryant

Pictograph
“Cortez Island geology” (2015)
– T. Siddall

Sunflower Sea Star
“Hernando Reef” (2013)
– A. Bryant

Stillwater Bluffs
“Casual Birdwalk” (2015)
– A. Bryant

Climbing the mast on the Misty Isles “Toba Inlet” (2014)
– M. Glaze

Rainy day on Savary
“Savary beaches and wildflowers” (2013)
– D. Bedry

“The Great Mushroom Cook-out” (2012)
– A. Bryant

Looking for something?
“Birding by Ear Part VI” (2016)
– A. Bryant

Approaching Malibu Camp
“Princess Louisa Inlet” (2016)
– B. Harker

April
Wildflowers 18 April 9:00 am - 2:00 pm David Bedry will lead us on a walking tour in search of spring wildflowers, expect 2-4 km of walking. Bring a field guide, walking shoes, lunch, water and dress for the weather. The mosquitoes may be out! Cost: FREE. Trip coordinator/leader: David Bedry (or send us an e-mail). See your member message for the location.
May
Birding by Ear - Part XI 8 May 8:30 am - 12:30 pm UPDATE: This trip is now fully booked. Sorry! You don't need 20:20 vision to enjoy the wonders of spring bird migration...you just need good ears! Join master birders Pierre Geoffray and Yves Perrault for another of our low-key, low-stress, and highly informative introductions to "ear-birding". Our usual route is about a 5 km hike over variable terrain. This is a "no frills" trip...so bring good boots, lunch, water and whatever else you need...and be prepared to pack it all out again. Don't expect to encounter a black bear...but from experience I think the odds are about 50:50. The odds of encountering a Common Yellowthroat or a Black-throated Grey Warbler are vastly higher...which is why we love this trip! Pre-registration: REQUIRED (max 8 participants). Cost: FREE. Coordinator: Andrew Bryant (or send us an email). NOTE: There will be NO car-pooling this year...you'll have to get there on your own. See your member-message.
June
Desolation Sound 13 June Desolation Sound is a place of magnificent beauty, where mountains rise up from the sea in the deeply cut glacial fjords. Mount Denman dominates the scene, towering more than a mile high above narrow channels which have depths of over 2000 feet. It's a rugged coast, offset by warm sea temperatures, picturesque anchorages, and a mild climate, which make it a world class boating and sea kayaking destination. As we explore the sound, we enter the domain of Bald eagles, Harbour seals, Steller and California sea lions, Dall’s and Harbour porpoises, Humpback whales, Orca, and more. Bring clothing and gear to match all kinds of coastal weather. Walking sticks, sun protection, and binoculars can be great assets as well. Most importantly, bring your curiosity! Coordinator: Howard Bridger (or send us an email). Cost: $195 per person. Pre-registration: required. Limit of 8 participants of which only 2 may be in the wheelhouse at a time.
July
Low Tide Exploration 24 July Marina, Sutil Point, and Hernando Reefs all lie within range of Lund, and on this day we have an extreme low tide of 0.4 ft at 1pm. Join us on board the Misty Isles for a low tide exploration of this intertidal wilderness! Weather will determine which reef system we can access, but no matter where we set ashore, the habitat and species diversity of these reef systems will boggle the mind of any terrestrial dwelling explorer. Home and nursery to many forms of intertidal creatures and algae, these three reefs are exceptionally rich and biodiverse. We will be joined on this trip by the outstanding naturalist George Sirk, one of our previous speakers. Please don’t forget to bring your rubber boots or water shoes as the reefs can be muddy, slippery, and sharp. We encourage clothing and gear to match all kinds of coastal weather. Walking sticks, sun protection and binoculars can be great assets as well. Most importantly, bring your curiosity! Although you are bringing your own lunch, coffee, tea and a cookie will be served on the way home. Coordinator: Howard Bridger (or send us an email). Cost: $195 per person. Pre-registration: required Limit of 8 participants of which only 2 may be in the wheelhouse at a time.
August
Alpine Adventure #4 - a Helicopter Field Trip 7 August Here's a rare chance to see the ecology and geology of our local alpine country (to say nothing of the magnificent views)! The intent is to land a little higher and a little further inland this year, so the environment will look somewhat different from the last 3 alpine trips. There's a possibility that Ken Marr of the Royal BC Museum will join us as well – if so, we will learn a lot about the alpine plants of the area! This will be an all day event, so bring a lunch and good weather clothes appropriate to mountain country (if the weather's bad we don't go!) Coordinator: Tom Koleszar (or send us an email). Cost: $290 per person (from airport) or $230 (from staging area). This cost includes gas money for carpool drivers and pilot tip. Max 20 people. Must be mobile enough to board helicopter and manage uneven ground. Pre-registration: required