Hornby Island Natural History Centre
Category: Nature Report
Citizen Science: Spot and Record Taylor’s Checkerspot Butterfly Larvae
BC Parks has put a call out for volunteers to spot and record butterfly larvae at Helliwell Park on Hornby Island. In particular, the little black Taylor’s checkerspot larvae on the plantain plants that they love to feed on. If…
Read MoreTaylor’s Checkerspot Butterfly Reintroduction at Helliwell Park
This March, Hornby Island Natural History Centre volunteers assisted wildlife recovery specialists with the release of 400 Taylor’s checkerspot butterfly caterpillars into Helliwell Park.
Read MoreHelliwell Park Bird Walk with Art Martell
About eighty people gathered to catch a glimpse of some of the forest and shoreline birds at Helliwell Park. We sought, listened, and enjoyed their presence under the guidance of Art Martell. Art is an ornithologist and keen birder locally,…
Read MoreUnusual Hornby Resident! A Yellow-headed Pileated Woodpecker
This rare yellow-headed Pileated Woodpecker lives by the Shire on Hornby Island. They are so unusual that local bird expert, Art Martell, says it’s the first he has seen. According to Art, it is likely a genetic mutation that will probably not…
Read MoreOtter-Gate! Sweet Video of River Otter Family
It was earlier in the spring that we noticed we had a new resident living under an out building ..first we smelled her..phew! Then we saw her…a big, lovely otter returning from our pond with duckweed on her back making…
Read MoreA Special Sighting
This summer a boy named Zempei who is very knowledgeable about raptors and wished to spot a barred owl while on Hornby Island visited the Centre with his family. One of the Natural History stewards suggested that, when the family go…
Read MoreWestern Tanager Sighting
Thanks to Mary Savoie for this photo of a male Western Tanager among the blackberry bushes on Hornby Island. The beautiful flame-like Western Tanagers like to make their home among evergreens, often staying out of sight. They are often described as…
Read MoreHerring Life Cycle Display
Each year the herring spawn turns the ocean a magnificent turquoise and announces that spring is around the corner. Birds and marine mammals are seen and heard lining the shores in anticipation of the bounty. Eagles soar from trees to fish the herring,…
Read MoreNodding Onion in Bloom
The natural history treasure of the month is the nodding onion (allium cernuum). You can see its long grass-like leaves topped by nodding umbels of pink flowers currently in bloom in our ethnobotanical garden. The herb is used for both medicinal and culinary purposes. When cooking, the…
Read MoreA curious black-tailed fawn
The island’s black-tailed fawns are taking their first steps. This fawn was grazing with her mother after an early-summer rainfall. Full of curiosity, she decided to approach the photographer, stopping just a few feet away. Photos by Sarat Colling Learn what to do…
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Hornby Island Natural History Centre 