Pelagic tour questions (1 Viewer)

[Barr Tender]

Hello all, or hello Neil (you seem to be the sole poster on this forum!),

Two of us are going to be on Vancouver Island about 3 weeks from now. We'll be ferrying to Sidney, staying 2 nights in Victoria, and camping at least 2 nights on the pacific rim, between Tofino and Ukuelet. We're sorely lacking in pelagic birds in general, and are considering a pelagic day-trip from Tofino. 3 companies are listed that I could find, though they all seem to be mostly whale-watching companies.

Any info on good pelagic bird guides/tours, in Tofino, or Ukuelet, or the Victoria/Sidney area would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Neil Robins]

Hi Barr,

You can try this site---www.justbirding.com/pelagic-cruise.html

You can scope the ocean from the Lighthouse along the Wild Pacific Trail at Ucluelet-- follow the signs-- its a great trail also to walk right next to the ocean and check for birds.

If you are staying at the campsite in the park the walk to the beach can be a good birding area.

Also check out the mud flats. Turn right on the highway into Tofino at the Dolphin Motel on Sharps Road and follow to the end to the mud flats.

Also check at the tourist centre on the highway.

Hope this helps
Cheers
Neil

 

[Barr Tender]

Thanks for the link. I'll contact them... what may be awkward is that they say they only go on the 1st and 15th, and we'll be arriving in that area on the 16th, and wanting to go on the 17th. We'll see what we can put together.

A target nemesis of ours on this trip will be the Red-breasted Sapsucker. On ebird, it looks like the darn things must be dripping from the trees along route 4, and in the Nanaimo area. Can you suggest a reliable spot?

dc

 

[Neil Robins]

Thanks for the link. I'll contact them... what may be awkward is that they say they only go on the 1st and 15th, and we'll be arriving in that area on the 16th, and wanting to go on the 17th. We'll see what we can put together.

A target nemesis of ours on this trip will be the Red-breasted Sapsucker. On ebird, it looks like the darn things must be dripping from the trees along route 4, and in the Nanaimo area. Can you suggest a reliable spot?

dc

Hi Barr,
You can check Neck Point Park & Buttertubs March in Nanimo for the Sapsucker.
The Englishman river both sides the Plummer Road & the Shelly Road side Rathtrevor Provinicial Park in the forest at Parksville off highway 19a Google will help for directions. There is lots of red-breasted sapsuckers here. We have a lot of forest in our rain forest and the sapsuckers are there.
Good luck
Neil

 

[Barr Tender]

I've marked those places on the map-- they're all on our way, so hopefully we'll have good luck with that 'sucker!

Hey, while I'm picking your brain, ebird suggests that the Sidney area (where we're ferrying into from Anacortes) is good for Sky Lark. Any suggestions?

Thanks again,

BT

 

[Neil Robins]

I've marked those places on the map-- they're all on our way, so hopefully we'll have good luck with that 'sucker!

Hey, while I'm picking your brain, ebird suggests that the Sidney area (where we're ferrying into from Anacortes) is good for Sky Lark. Any suggestions?

Thanks again,

BT

The Victoria Airport near the Coast Guard Dock. looking towards the airport from the dock is one spot. Also look over the large farmers field near the airport or in that general area.

Good luck
Neil

 

[Barr Tender]

You da man, thanks.