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Species at Risk All of the Salt Spring species at risk are shown below, along with stewardship suggestions for property owners. Staff of the Salt Spring Island Conservancy are happy to assist in identifying specimens and evaluating habitat, and can advise property owners regarding appropriate conservation strategies. Species at risk and their habitat are afforded legal protection under the federal Species at Risk Act, the British Columbia Wildlife Act, the Forest and Range Practices Act, and the Canada-British Columbia Agreement on Species at Risk. The latter document recognizes that “Stewardship by land and water owners is fundamental to preventing species from becoming at risk and protecting and recovering species that are at risk.” Salt Spring Island is located within the coastal Douglas-fir biogeoclimatic zone, a unique ecosystem in the rainshadow of Vancouver Island with a moderate climate and long growing season. This environment supports many species of plants, animals, and other life forms, but Salt Spring has been subject to intensive human development. Only 30 percent of the land area is relatively undisturbed, and a small fraction of that is protected. Several dozen native species on Salt Spring have been classified with the following Federal (COSEWIC) status levels:
Species at Risk in BC are also classified with the following Provincial status levels:
Click on a species name to view a photograph and further information: The Salt Spring Island Conservancy is working on projects related to the following species at risk and you can find more detailed information about them on the following pages: California Hedge-parsley Yabea microcarpa
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Photo credit: Hans Roemer
This plant has pink to rose-purple flowers with four petals, often with red spots. It thrives on open warm grassy areas such as Garry oak meadows. Conservation requires protecting such areas from development, and weeding of invasive shrubs such as Scotch broom.Further information:
This plant is of typical parsley appearance with finely divided leaves and dense round-topped flower clusters protruding above the foliage with a total height of up to 180 cm. Flowers are chocolate red or occasionally yellow. This parsley on the Gulf islands has been found in open meadows. Seed germination rates are low due to seed predation and the plant does not reproduce asexually. Conservation involves protecting known plants from trampling and weed competition.
Further Information:
http://www.goert.ca/documents/inserts/Lomatium_dissectum_Insert_Sheet.pdf
Futher Information:
http://www.goert.ca/documents/PARFS_lomagray.pdf
This small herb inhabits depressions, seepage sites, and other moist areas, usually close to sea level. Flowers are white to yellowish, usually 4-petalled, with four sepals and two rows of hairs at their base. Leaves are divided into lobes. Fruits are large nutlets. Habitat protection involves conserving moist microsites, and control of invasive grasses and shrubs such as Scotch broom.
Photo credit: Adolph Ceska
Further information:
Photo credit: Paul Linton
The manroot has small whitish bell-shaped five-to-eight petalled flowers on a common stalk. Leaves somewhat resemble small maple leaves, and fruits are spherical and prickly. The plant occurs on south-facing exposures, rocky coastal terrain, and forest openings. Conservation requires protection from herbicides and from trampling, and avoiding the use of pesticides, which may eliminate pollinators.
Further information:
http://linnet.geog.ubc.ca/Atlas/Atlas.aspx?sciname=Marah+oreganus
http://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/eswp/esr.do?id=19892
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Photo credit: Robin Annschild
This unusual plant lacks green leaves, and displays white flowers with yellow throats. It is estimated that there are only about 100 plants in B.C. Habitat includes south and west-facing slopes, usually on the forest floor under dense stands of trees. Conservation involves protecting adjacent natural vegetation and protecting plants from trampling by humans and pets.
Further Information: Environment Canada
Photo credit: Robin Annschild
This small shrub may reach two meters in height, or grow very high as a climbing vine. Leaves, in groups of three, are oval or oak-like and bright green, turning scarlet in autumn. When cut, the plant produces a milky juice. The plant is covered with a resin that may result in a rash when touched. Conservation involves protection from excessive grazing and slashing.
Further Information:This small plant has a single tiny flower born on a stalk of up to 10 cm. The four petals are white and the four sepals are red-purple. Fruits are globular, 6-12 mm across. Elliptical leaves, often with a small lobe on each side, branch from the base of the plant on long stalks. This plant is found on warm dry coastal meadow sites. Conservation involves protection form trampling and from competition with invasive weeds.
Further Information: |
Photo credit: Robin Annschild
This delicate plant may be 5 - 25 cm tall, with tiny bluish flowers 2 - 4 mm wide. The flowers have lobed petals with a broad lobe on one side and smaller lobes on the other (see photo). The flower may have lilac-coloured mottling. The leaves are positioned opposite each other on the stem, and the stems may be branching. This plant flowers in the April - June period, then dries with summer drought. Tonella typically occurs on thin dry soils. On Salt Spring, it has been found in a west-facing open Maple-Arbutus-Oak forest.
Further information:
Photo credit: Robin Annschild
This small plant, with has five bright yellow petals (the upper pair being brownish-backed) flowers in the spring in open grassy areas, especially Garry Oak meadows. Conservation measures include protection from grazing and trampling, and weeding of invasive species such as Scotch broom, which blocks sunlight.
Further information:
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Photo credit: Terry McIntosh
This tiny yellow-green moss a few mm in height grows in small patches on humid soil or rock outcrops, often in arbutus-oak habitat. Stewardship requires protection of known populations.
Further Information:
This small brownish moss reaches several centimeters in height and has spore capsules that are ribbed when dry. It has been found on low elevation dry exposed areas, such as rock outcrops associated with Garry Oak. Stewardship involves protection from trampling, weeding of competitive plans such as shrubs, grasses, and forbs, and conservation of adjacent suitable habitat.
Further Information: Recovery Plan
This moss has tiny leaves, often hair-tipped, and twisted when dry. It is found mostly on the bark of older Garry Oak trees. Conservation involves protecting old trees and conserving tree branches that might otherwise be pruned. Young oak trees should be protected from browsing
Further Information:
This inconspicuous plant resembles a cluster of grass shoots up to 20 cm in length, but can be identified by bulb-like 3-lobed stems (corms) below the leaves, and by the presence of spore cases at the base of the leaves. It is found in seasonally moist habitats that require protection from drainage, grazing, and trampling.
Further Information:
Washington State Department of Natural Resources
The band-tailed pigeon is the largest pigeon in North America, the males being slightly larger than the females and reaching up to 36 cm in length. They are a gregarious species, often flying together in large flocks.Female pigeons lay 1-2 eggs between April-May. Generally, they nest in conifer or broad-leaved trees in closed canopy forests near edges.
During breeding season, the pigeons require mineral springs or intertidal flats with calcium rich gravel that they eat. It is thought that the calcium is needed for egg production, as well as for the crop milk that pigeons make in their crops to feed their young. They also require berry and nut-producing trees, as the adults feed entirely on fruits, nuts, and seeds. Some of their favourite foods include Garry oak acorns, arbutus berries, red elderberry, hawthornberries, bitter cherry, blue elderberry, cascara, dogwood, huckleberry, bunchberry, salal,as well as the pollen and flowers from conifers.
Band-tailed pigeons are federally listed as a species of Special Concern. Scarcity of mineral sites, alteration of available nesting habitats, and past overhunting are allfactors threatening the success of this species.
What Can You Do:
Maintain and plant native trees, shrubs and herbs in your yard to attract birds and otherwildlife. Leave mineral spring sites unaltered and undisturbed, especially duringbreeding season from April to September.
Photo credit: Leslie Palmer
Barn swallows can be found throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, and North and South America. In our region, the barn swallow winters throughout South America and then returns to North America to breed in the summer, covering up to 14,000 miles during the round trip migration! This bird prefers open country, fields, and agricultural lands. It feeds on a variety of insects including aphids, dragonflies, moths, beetles, flies, caterpillars, and bees. The upper sides of the barn swallow are dark, iridescent blue, the belly is an orange-rust colour, and the throat is chestnut. Males are brighter and darker than females. The tails are deeply forked, and the wings are pointed and curved during flight. The size is generally between 15-19 cm long. Barn swallows build cup-like nests made from mud pellets and grass, attached to the sides of man-,made structures, such as barns, houses, and other buildings. The eggs are white with dark speckles. Females lay 3-7 eggs and incubate them for 13-17 days. Both adults tend to the young when they hatch.The once very common barn swallows have shown a steady decline over the past 30 years. Declines have been attributed to pesticide use in much of their range, which has decreased insect availability. Cold spring weather also can affect insect availability, causing young barn swallows to perish when the food source is low. Competition with introduced species, such as the House Sparrow, has also been suggested as a threat to barn swallow populations.
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This medium-sized owl stands 30 -37 cm (just over a foot), and has a unique light-coloured heart-shaped face with dark eyes and a light beak. Preferred feeding habitat is open fields and grasslands. Nesting commonly occurs in barns and other built structures, natural tree cavities, and nest boxes. Barn owls may roost in forest trees in winter. Stewardship involves conservation of rodent habitat (grasslands and old fields), conservation of old out-buildings used by owls, provision of nest boxes, and limiting the use of pesticides and the poisoning of rodents (which constitute much of the owl’s food supply).
Further Information:
Environment Canada Species at Risk
The common nighthawk is a medium-sized bird (22-24 cm) with a large head and a very small bill. Nighthawks are typically crespuscular, flying at dawn and tusk to feed on flying insects. They are quite camouflaged, having a mixture of black, browns and greys through their plumage as well as barring on their chests. They have white wing patches near the tip of their bent wings that can be easily seen during their erratic flight patterns. Females have a light brown throat, while males have a white throat. Nighthawks winter in South America, and spend the summer breeding season throughout much of North America. They lay two eggs on open ground, building no nest. Sometimes they will nest on gravel roofs. The call of the nighthawk is described as a raspy, nasal “peent”. The males also make a booming sound as the air rushes through their wings when they dive dramatically at females, juveniles, or intruders. Nighthawks have recently been listed as Threatened, as they have been serious declines through much of their range.
The great blue heron is a member of the Ardeidae family, which includes herons and egrets. This family is distinguished by its long, pointed bills, stilt-like legs and slender, bendable necks. The fannini subspecies of the great blue heron occupies coastal British Columbia. These herons have adapted to a non-migratory lifestyle, unlike other great blue herons across Canada which migrate. These tall, majestic birds can reach 4 feet in height, with a wingspan of up to 6 feet long. Herons usually nest in colonies with many nests occupying the same tree frequently. These colonies are known as heronries, or rookeries, and can have several hundred breeding pairs at times in the larger populations. Occasionally, herons will also nest in smaller groups with only a few or even a single nest. Their nest locations tend to be situated along the shoreline in trees near eelgrass beds. Most often they select large alder trees, but will also use Black cottonwood, Douglas fir, Western red cedar, and Western hemlock trees. Herons forage primarily in shallow waters with eelgrass beds, quietly hunting for various species of fish as their main source of food. They will also hunt in fields for small mammals.
Declining heron populations have raised the awareness of conservation and stewardship efforts for this bird. Human (and other) disturbances can impact the reproductive rate of a colony and cause them to move to another location entirely. A nesting heron colony should never be disturbed. In winter time, leaving heron hunting grounds undisturbed is also important, as they choose quiet locations to stalk their prey. Preserving shoreline trees, foliage, and especially eelgrass beds is imperative for the continued survival of heron colonies on the coast. Care should also be taken to avoid polluting the shorelines or waterbodies, which can negatively impact water quality.
This small brownish-grey owl (less than 20 cm) has a white belly with dark streaks, white spots on the head, and two dark patches on the back of the neck that resemble eyes. The tail is relatively long. Food may include a wide variety of prey, including other birds, mice, voles, amphibians, snakes, and insects. These owls require natural tree cavities in which to nest. Conservation includes preserving large diameter old trees and snags, preserving younger trees that eventually will qualify as nest and roost trees, and protecting known nests from disturbance. Construction of nest boxes may be of benefit. Raccoons and similar wildlife should not be given artificial food sources that may increase the density of these predators. Release of rabbits into the wild may attract large predatory birds that displace small owls. Also, protection of native vegetation and natural ponds may help this species.
Further Information:
Identified Wildlife Species Account
This relatively large flycatcher (18-20 cm) has a fairly large head, white centre of breast and grey-olive sides on its breast. The back and wings of the flycatcher are a darker brownish-grey, and the throat is white. Males and females have the same colouring, though males tend to be a bit larger in size. The song of this flycatcher is a “Quick-THREE-BEERS”, often sung from the tops of snags. From its perch, it will swoop down to catch flying insects, especially bees, and then loop back up to land on its perch again. The olive-sided flycatcher winters in northern South America and Panama. In the summer, it breeds in coniferous through much of North America, preferring forest edges and openings with meadows and ponds. They nest in trees at the tip of a branch, in a small cup-shaped nest of twigs, lichens and small roots. The olive-sided flycatcher has recently bee listed as Threatened due to serious declines through much of its range.
This-crow-sized bird has a bluish-gray back, barred chest, black wedge under the eye, and long pointed wings, V-shaped in flight. Falcons nest on cliff ledges, especially near wetlands. Stewardship involves protection of nesting habitat from disturbance, and avoiding use of pesticides. The construction of elevated nest platforms has resulted in successful falcon occupancy in some areas.
Further Information:
The purple martin is the largest swallow in North America, reaching between 17-20 cm long. Males are iridescent purple-black, while females and immature birds are dark on the upper side and paler on the under side. They feed on exclusively on insects. Martins are colonial nesters, having up to several dozen pairs in a breeding colony at times. In the past, Purple martins used old pilings on wharfs, tree cavities, as well as crevices in buildings near the water. However, pilings tend to rot away or be removed, and the tree cavities and crevices in buildings began to be taken over by introduced European starlings and house sparrows in many areas. This loss of habitat and aggressive competition from introduced species left the martins with few places to breed. As a result, purple martin populations in British Columbia plummeted to only 3 known pairs on Vancouver Island in the 1980s.
Another factor threatening their survival includes insecticides, which are often used in their winter range in parts of South America. Following their decline, an extensive nest box program was started to establish new colonies on Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, and the Lower Mainland. The population has been slowly and steadily increasing since the commencement of the nest box program, and the purple martins are now virtually reliant on the nest boxes that are installed by humans. There are now over 200 breeding pairs using nest boxes in BC. Purple martins have been residents and visitors to Salt Spring Island in the past. If you have seen any martins, please contact the Salt Spring Island Conservancy.
Photo credit Flickr, Jerry Oldnettel, some rights reserved Photo credit: Peter Ommundsen
Photo credit Flickr, Cotini, some rights reserved
This chicken-sized bird is sooty grey to brownish in colour with a light grey band at the tip of the tail. The male may show visible yellow wattles over the eyes and yellow throat sacs used in hooting. This species seeks out forest clearings and forest edges in summer where food is abundant. Summer food includes berries, seeds, buds, needles, and insects. Ground-nesting occurs in open forest and in forest clearings. In winter these birds are largely confined to the shelter of coniferous forests, with a diet of Douglas-fir needles and the needles of some other conifers. Conservation includes protection of forest habitat and nesting habitat. Coarse woody debris such as logs provide excellent cover for nests and chicks. Observed nests should be protected from disturbance by pets and humans.
Call: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Sooty_Grouse/sounds
Further Information:
http://birdweb.org/birdweb/bird_details.aspx?id=489
This attractive large blackbird (up to 26 cm) has a yellow chest with a distinctive black V-shaped collar. Thus far the meadowlark has been observed on Salt Spring only in the winter. Spring nesting would be expected to occur in grassy fields, where the bird weaves a grassy nest with a roof, located on the ground. Conservation requires protection of known nesting habitat from trampling by cattle and other traffic, and restraint of dogs.
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The western screech owl is a small owl measuring 19 - 26 cm (less than a foot long), grey-brown in appearance with dark wavy stripes on the breast. The eyes are yellow and small ear tufts may be visible. Screech owls inhabit low elevation forests and will occupy cavities of large trees, especially dead trees (snags).
Stewardship involves conservation of trees, including large dead and decaying trees that can be used for roosting and nesting. Placement of nest boxes may improve owl habitat.
Further Information:
Environment Canada Species at Risk
The males of this songbird have a bright blue upper body and throat, orangy-brown breast and sides, a brown patch on the back, and gray belly feathers. Females are a more drab grey-blue colour with a duller reddish colouring on the chest. They have a grey crown, back, and throat. The western bluebird (Sialia mexicana) was once a common migratory songbird in our region. With no known breeding pairs since the early 1990’s, the bird is considered extirpated from our coastal island region, known as the Georgia Depression Population. Habitat fragmentation, loss of suitable nesting cavities, competition from European starlings and other introduced species, as well as climate change have been suggested as some of the reasons for their disappearance. In other parts of British Columbia, the western bluebird breeds at low elevations across the southern part of the province, preferring habitats such as farmlands, meadows, orchards, and forest edges. Garry oak ecosystems are known to be important habitat to these birds. Western bluebirds are members of the thrush family, being closely related to the eastern bluebird and the mountain bluebird. Often the male Western Bluebirds will arrive earlier in February to claim their territories, and the females follow shortly thereafter as they breed earlier than most other songbirds. Extensive and inclement cold spring weather can therefore impact the success rates of these early nesters. Western bluebirds are secondary cavity nesters, requiring nest cavities already excavated by other species of birds. They will also readily use nest boxes of the appropriate size. The bluebirds lay 4-6 pale blue to white eggs, with the female incubating them for a couple of weeks before hatching. Both the male and female take part in rearing their young on a diet primarily of insects. In some areas, such as in Fort Lewis, Washington, the western bluebirds have been making a comeback due to extensive nest box programs, which have increased the nesting pairs from 4 in the 1980’s to over 200 pairs at present. More recently on the San Juan Islands, attempts have been made to reintroduce pairs of western bluebirds from Fort Lewis, WA. Western bluebirds seem to readily use nest boxes when they are available, giving conservationists an opportunity to reestablish other nesting locations for the diminishing birds. As Salt Spring Island is home to highly suitable habitat for the western bluebird, there are several things that we can do to attempt to reestablish our coastal populations. Protecting existing habitats and restoring degraded habitats, particularly our endangered Garry oak ecosystems, is of great importance. There are a variety of conservation options available for landowners on Salt Spring Island. Leaving older trees intact that have nest cavities in them can provide nesting sites for the western bluebird, and many other of our native secondary cavity nesters. Installing and monitoring nest boxes in suitable habitats can also be beneficial. On Salt Spring Island, we are establishing a network of western bluebird boxes in areas with suitable habitat. Many landowners are participating in the project, hoping to attract the bluebirds back to our island. The Garry Oak Ecosystem Recovery Team (GOERT) is also hoping to reintroduce pairs of western bluebirds back to our island at some point in the future.
Attracting the western bluebird back to our island has many benefits. It would help to restore an important component of our rare Garry oak ecosystems, which are home to over 100 Species at Risk. Reestablishing breeding bluebird pairs would help to restore the Georgia Depression Population on the Gulf Islands, hopefully increasing the connectivity to additional suitable habitat in other areas. It also allows our community to be involved in the recovery and monitoring aspects of this beautiful songbird.
Further information:
http://www.sanjuanislander.com/groups/san_juan_preservation_trust/blue-bird.shtml
http://www.abcbirds.org/abcprograms/domestic/sitebased/wbb_reintroduction.html
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/environment/story/343158.html
http://www.sjpt.org/about/programs.php?tab=2
Stewardship involves conserving open grassy areas, native trees, rock piles, logs, decaying wood, and other snake-friendly hiding places. Snake habitat can be created by placing some logs, boards and rock piles on the ground for protective cover, and by clearing vegetation, especially Scotch broom, to open some areas to direct sunlight. Creation of damp areas through watering may favour slugs, upon which this snake feeds. If slugs are being controlled in a garden, avoid using chemical slug bait, which may poison snakes. Free-ranging cats may prey upon snakes.
Further Information:
Sharp-tailed Snake Habitat Assessment
Sharp-tailed Snake Brochure, BC Ministry of Environment
Sharp-tailed Snake, Environment Canada
Natural History of the Sharp-tailed Snake on the Gulf Islands
Photo credit: Todd Harmer
The western painted turtle is a relatively common turtle throughout much of its range. In Canada, there are three subspecies which extend from Ontario westward to British Columbia. In BC, the western painted turtle subspecies (Chrysemys picta belli) can be found, with the Pacific Coast population being federally listed as endangered. This population includes turtles in the Fraser River valley and Lower Mainland, as well as small populations on Vancouver Island and some of the Gulf Islands, including Salt Spring Island.
This freshwater species of turtle requires wetland habitat in low elevation forests and grasslands. The wetland habitat must have muddy bottoms, abundant vegetation and basking sites (such as logs). The basking sites are important places for the turtles to thermoregulate so that they warm up and have enough energy to forage, mate, and lay their eggs. The adult turtles lie dormant on the substrate of muddy ponds and lakes during winters. They also use the wetlands for mating and foraging. The females require upland habitat with well-drained soils. This is the habitat that surrounds the wetlands, as females will nest up to 150 metres from the waterbody, depending on the suitability of habitat. Females dig a hole or nest and deposit up to 23 oval eggs which are generally laid between dusk and dawn in June or July. The turtles generally prefer to lay their eggs on warm, south-facing sites with loose soils. On Salt Spring Island, this type of habitat can often be found in small high-traffic public access beaches with sand, or on private ponds or lakefront properties. Once the eggs are laid, they are left to incubate for about 76 days. When they hatch in September, the baby turtles will often stay in the nest and wait out the winter, not emerging until the weather warms in the spring. Females lay only one clutch of eggs, every other year.
As turtles appreciate and prefer much of the same habitat characteristics that humans do, it comes as little surprise that loss of both productive pond and lake habitat as well as natural nesting sites are in steady decline. Other threats that the turtles face include habitat alteration from fragmentation, degradation of shorelines, changes in hydrology, and water contamination. Road mortality can also impact populations, especially for females heading to a nesting site, or juveniles who are attempting to disperse to new locations. Roads can also negatively impact water quality, impinge on nesting habitats, and increase the risk of predation by increasing the access for predators. Human harassment at basking or nesting sites can also impact the turtles, and as well as harvesting turtles for the pet trade. So if you see see a turtle, slow down, let them pass, allow them some space on the beach and avoid disturbing a nesting site.
Further information:
The red-legged frog is found in southwestern British Columbia, Washigton, Oregon, and northern California. Its preferred habitat includes streams, ponds, marshes, and moist forests. Red-legged frogs range in colour from dark brown, olive, grey, to reddish and have black spots on the back. The skin on the underside of the legs and the belly is red. These frogs breed for 2-4 weeks in early spring, with the males typically calling underwater to attract the females. Egg masses are laid on vegetation in the water and usually hatch in May. The tadpoles are greenish-brown, have pinkish bellies, and dark and light flecks on the back. They feed primarily on green algae. By July, the tadpoles metamorphose into frogs. Adults feed on a variety of prey items including caterpillars, beetles, isopods, and other small invertebrate species. They hibernate overwinter between November to February, either on land or in water, as long as the location does not freeze.
There are several threats facing this species, with the prominent one being habitat loss and degradation. Predation and competition by introduced bullfrogs as well as exotic fish species is also thought to be a threat to red-legged frogs. Conservation efforts for this species can include encouraging and establishing development practices that are more sensitive to the needs of amphibians, such as maintaining pond and wetland habitats in urban and rural areas. Protection of moist forest habitat and streams is also important for this species. Avoiding pollution of wetlands and streams is imperative to avoid negatively affecting the water quality. Care must be taken not to transfer tadpoles and other critters between ponds, as introduced species may be inadvertently spread to new locations.
The western toad is a member of the family Bufonidae. It can be found in the Yukon, British Columbia, and western Alberta, as well as several western states in the U.S. The skin of a toad is bumpy and dry, ranging in colour from olive-green to reddish brown to almost black. The belly is pale and mottled, and there is an obvious white or pale stripe running down the back. The eye pupils of the toads are horizontal. Males grow to 6-11 cm long; whereas females tend to be a bit larger, reaching 12.5 cm long. Females lay 5000-15000 small eggs (approximately 1.5 cm long) in shallow waters of lakes, ponds, and even ditches. The eggs are laid in a long, intertwined double-strand. Three to twelve days after being laid, small black tadpoles (approximately 1 cm) hatch from the eggs. The tadpoles feed on algae, organic matter in the water, and carrion. Adult toads live much of their lives in terrestrial habitats, except when breeding.
Their preferred habitats include forests, grasslands, meadows, moist shrublands and wetlands, as well as clearcuts. Hibernation site requirements are not well known for the toads, though they do tend use burrows of animals or move under debris. Western Toads hibernate for 3-6 months. Females reach sexual maturity between 4-5 years, whereas males only take 3 years to reach sexual maturity. Their life expectancy is between 9-11 years. Adults feed on a wide number of prey items, including spiders, worms, bees, ants, bettles, grasshoppers, and other insects. There are several threats facing the western toad, whose populations have declined in many of their locations in the southern part of their range. Declines are also being witnessed in areas of BC, including southern Vancouver Island. Habitat degradation and loss is a major threat, as large numbers of wetlands have been and continue to be destroyed for urban development and agriculture. With this type of development also comes the threats of road traffic mortalities, pesticides, water contamination, and predation from introduced species, such as the bullfrog. Stocking fish in lakes and ponds where fish were naturally absent can introduce diseases to the toads as well.
Conservation efforts for the western toad include protecting shallow wetlands that retain water for at least 3 months (from early spring to late summer), as water is required by the toads to complete metamorphosis. Wetland and surrounding upland habitat needs to be protected for adult life stage, as well as corridors for dispersal and connectivity to other wetlands.
There are 88 species of dragonflies in British Columbia (including 24 damselflies and 64true dragonflies). Dragonflies are usually larger than damselflies and have larger eyesthat are closer together than those of damselflies. A distinguishing feature between thetwo is the wings: dragonflies have wings that are held perpendicular to the body, asopposed to damselflies whose wings are attached together and folded over the body.Generally, dragonflies require habitat that includes lakes, wetlands, small ponds, bogs,sedge marshes, and occasionally streams. Most dragonfly species lay eggs in the wateror on aquatic plants. Eggs generally hatch and remain in the larval stage over winter.
When ready to metamorphose into adults the larvae (or nymphs) usually climb onto aplant that emerges out of the water. There they will shed their skin and emerge asdragonflies. The larval stage can last up to a few years for some species, and the adultstage can last up to a couple of months. Alteration, destruction and loss of freshwater habitats are a major threat to dragonflies,as they require these habitats for breeding, larval life stages, and foraging.
Learn about what species are in your area and encourage protection of local publicaquatic habitats. Build your own pond in your yard or garden and watch for what wildlifecomes to visit.
Photo credit: James Miskelly
This butterfly has two distinctive dark "eyes" on each forewing. It inhabits Garry oak woodlands and meadows and is declining rapidly in numbers. It feeds on wild flowers and the larvae use wild grasses and sedges. Conservation involves avoiding the use of pesticides, and protecting native plants in Garry oak woodlands and meadows from trampling, grazing, and weed invasion.Further information:
http://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/eswp/esr.do?id=17064
The dun skipper lives up to none of our expectations about butterflies. It is not large or brightly coloured, having only short brown wings. It does not flit gaily among gardens and flowery meadows, instead darting rapidly around ditches, forest edges, and wetland margins. For the most part, it remains an unnoticed inhabitant of unremarkable spaces. The dun skipper (Euphyes vestris) is found throughout central and eastern North America, including all the provinces from Saskatchewan to Nova Scotia. West of the Great Plains, however, it becomes patchy and uncommon. It is not found in Alberta, and BC populations are confined to the lower Fraser River watershed, Vancouver Island, and some Gulf Islands. These western populations were listed as Threatened by the Committee for the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada in 2000. They are now protected under the Species at Risk Act. In the last few years, dun skippers have been discovered on Salt Spring Island. Dun skippers are small, moth like butterflies with wingspans of about 2.5 cm. The wings are evenly brown, ranging from milk chocolate to dark chocolate. Females sometimes have a pair of small whitish spots on the wings, while males are immaculate brown. Dun skippers may be in flight anytime from early June to early August, but are most frequently seen in July. They are rarely abundant and typically only one is seen at a time. They are associated with soft, fine leaved sedges (Carex species), on which the eggs are laid and the caterpillars feed.
Adults sip nectar from purple or blue flowers, and are especially fond of self heal (Prunella vulgaris). Any site that supports a stand of suitable sedges is potential dun skipper habitat, including roadside ditches and seasonally wet fields. Sometimes, these butterflies may be found around ‘micro wetlands’ only a few metres wide that may be dry through much of the summer. The major threat to dun skippers is the same as for most other species at risk: habitat destruction. Historically many wetlands were drained or filled for agriculture. Today, wetlands continue to be destroyed for residential and commercial development. Remaining wetlands may be impacted by invasive plants, such as reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea). This tall grass can form a dense monoculture around wetlands and in wet fields, outcompeting the sedges that the butterflies require. The habitat of the dun skipper supports many other species at risk, including the western pondhawk dragonfly (Erythemis collocata), the red-legged frog (Rana aurora), and flowering Vancouver Island beggarticks (Bidens amplissima).
These species all benefit from wetland protection. For landowners who have wetlands, caring for these species can be quite simple. Leave a small buffer around your wetland unmowed to allow the natural vegetation to grow. And avoid the introduction of non-native plants and animals at all costs.
Photo credit: James Miskelly
This is a small brownish butterfly with a coppery undersurface. The lower hind-wing has a white line separating an inner dark patch from an outer lighter patch. The butterfly is associated with warm dry Garry oak habitats. Adults sip nectar from the stonecrop plant Sedum spathulifolium on which they lay eggs and on which the larvae feed. Stonecrop is found on rock outcrops and may be heavily grazed by deer. This species likely over-winters in the litter beneath the Garry oak canopy. Conservation involves protection of Garry oak habitats, avoidance of raking and trampling, and protection of rock bluffs and stonecrop patches.
Further Information:
Rare Butterflies BrochureBC Conservation Data Center Report
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Photo credit: Patrick Lilley
The caterpillars of these swift-flying gray-brown speckled butterflies feed exclusively on Garry oak leaves and the pupae inhabit the leaf litter on the ground. Adults feed on the nectar of flowers typical of Garry oak woodlands. Stewardship involves conservation of Garry oak and associated plants, preservation of natural leaf litter on the ground, and avoiding the use of pesticides.
Further Information:
This dragonfly has a green face, and the body of the female is green, although the males become bluish-gray as they age. Prime habitat is the edges of wetlands, including small ponds containing floating plants, where the adult dragonflies feed upon other insects. This dragonfly may perch on the ground, unlike some other species. Conservation involves protection of wetland habitats from disturbance and drainage. Native plants and algae should be left undisturbed in and around ponds and lakes. Pond maintenance should not disturb areas where dragonflies have been observed laying eggs in the water. Exotic predatory fish such as carp species should not be introduced into wetlands.
Photo credit: Ann Richardson |
This orange-brown butterfly has black markings on the wings. Eggs are laid in the litter and dried stems of the early blue violet, Viola adunca, a small blue-purple five-petalled plant. Protection of the violet is critical for butterfly conservation.
Further Information:
Canadian Biodiversity Information
Photo credit: Kristiina Ovaska
This small slug is blue-grey in colour and may have lighter speckling. Parallel grooves and ridges are present along the back and along the sides of the foot. Total length is less than two inches. This is a forest animal with a preference for undisturbed mature forests. It is associated with moist habitat containing understory vegetation such as sword fern, salal, Oregon grape, and Nootka rose. Most specimens have been encountered in areas containing abundant coarse woody debris and/or a thick layer of natural litter on the forest floor. This slug feeds upon fungi that assist plant root nutrition, and therefore the slug may be of ecological importance in distributing fungal spores. Conservation includes protecting moist forest sites from disturbance, maintaining connecting corridors among forest patches, and removing aggressive invaders such as Scotch Broom.
Further information:
http://dsp-psd.pwgsc.gc.ca/Collection/CW69-14-464-2006E.pdf
http://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/eswp/speciesSummary.do?id=21333
Photo credit: Paul Linton
The Pacific sideband is one of the more conspicuous land snails that we have in our region. It can be seen on the surface of forest floors, sometimes in trees, and at the base of bigleaf maple trees or in leaf litter. It is found along the Pacific coast from Alaska to California. This snail can be found in deciduous, coniferous, and mixed forest habitats, as well as in open woodlands. The shell is up to 35 mm in diameter, and usually has a dark band around the perimeter. Sometimes a yellow band can be seen as well. The shell is reddish-brown usually, and the body of the snail is reddish-pink.
Threats to this species include habitat loss and fragmentation from human development, forestry, and agricultural practices.
Photo credit Flickr, Kat Kellner, some rights reserved Photo credit Flickr, Ed Schipul, some rights reserved
This whale is identified by the long dorsal fin and the white markings on the head and underside. The southern resident killer whale population is declining in size, presently with less than 100 animals. Killer whales have a low reproductive rate, late age of maturity, long gestation period (up to 17 months) and may reproduce only at intervals of five years or more. They are vulnerable to marine pollution, declining fish stocks, marine vessel collisions, and harassment by boaters. Boaters should observe the “Be Whale Wise” guidelines:
Boats should keep clear of the path of whales, not approach within 100 meters, and limit viewing time to 30 minutes.
Further information:
http://www.sararegistry.gc.ca/species/speciesDetails_e.cfm?sid=699
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