The bird watchers gather in the parking lot at the Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary, binoculars and cameras at their sides, chattering about their most recent siting of a tiny wren or a noisy warbler.
ItB次元官网网址檚 a loosely knit group of die-hard locals and visitors from across Canada who will wander the trails of a wild West Coast oasis located in the heart of Greater VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 urban landscape.
Take one or two steps onto a Swan Lake trail, amid the Garry Oak forest, the marshy lakeside bull rushes and the cries of an Osprey circling the water, and the noise of nearby traffic-snarled highway melts away.
B次元官网网址淭his is the unorganized bird watch group,B次元官网网址� says Michael Webb to the dozen people who have arrived to participate in the sanctuaryB次元官网网址檚 twice-weekly free bird watch tours. B次元官网网址淲e havenB次元官网网址檛 had a leader for a year, but we want to make sure nobody gets lost. This is a lovely little refuge in all of the noise.B次元官网网址�
Once the home of sheep pastures, vegetable farms and a lakeside hotel dating back to the mid 1800s, Swan Lake officially became a nature sanctuary society in 1975 as local politicians, naturalists and area schools joined forces to protect the 65-hectare area from development. It is managed by the non-profit sanctuary society.
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Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary does not bill itself as a tourism destination hot spot, but itB次元官网网址檚 a scenic, restful and largely untouched area for those needing to press the pause button without travelling long distances or spending large amounts of money, says Kathleen Burton, Swan LakeB次元官网网址檚 executive director.
B次元官网网址淟iterally, this is a gem in the heart of the city,B次元官网网址� says Burton, sitting on a wood bench overlooking the lake. B次元官网网址淵ou just take a deep breath and you can release a lot of the tension of travelling and daily anxieties.B次元官网网址�
The sanctuary comprises two physically and ecologically distinct areas, including the low wetland surrounding Swan Lake and the rocky, oak forest hilltop of Christmas Hill. The area was shaped by the last glacial period which formed Christmas Hill and the deep clay beds under Swan Lake.
There are up to four dozen native flower and plant species, including Nootka rose hip, western buttercup, pink fawn lily and red columbine at the sanctuary and more than 180 bird species. Red-winged blackbirds can be seen perched on bull rushes at the waterB次元官网网址檚 edge while hawks and eagles hover high above the lake.
Night-vision cameras stationed in the forest reveal bears, raccoons and deer meandering through the bush and foraging for food. The video images are shown inside the sanctuaryB次元官网网址檚 Nature House, which also includes a gift shop, classroom space and displays of animals and plants found in the area.
B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 cool stuff that happens here,B次元官网网址� says Burton, recalling watching a pair of squirrels sending out furious vocal warnings of a Barred owl about to launch its evening hunt over the forest and lake shore.
Bird watcher Norma Smith says sheB次元官网网址檚 a sanctuary regular. Smith, who says she also acts as an unofficial guide, packs binoculars and a camera and her mobile phone includes recordings of bird calls to help her identify the many different ones sheB次元官网网址檚 seen at Swan Lake.
She says she feels blessed to have a largely untouched refuge to visit within the urban boundary.
B次元官网网址淛ust walking among the trees and nature is relaxing and good for your soul,B次元官网网址� she says.
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If you go: The grounds, nature trails and parking lot are all open dawn to dusk every day at 3873 Swan Lake Rd, Saanich. Admission is by donation. The Nature House is open year-round, except for statutory holidays.
Dirk Meissner, The Canadian Press
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