Out of increasing necessity, there are many wildlife/nature sanctuaries to be found around our ailing planet - sanctuaries for grizzly bears, for buffalo, for bird life and even an elephant sanctuary to be found in Tennessee. It is pretty hard …
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius) is the largest and most widely distributed heron in Canada. Our BC population is unique in Canada as they are in residence all year round. Adults stand over 1 metre in height. Tthe head is …
The Red-legged Frog Rana Aurora is the largest frog found on Gabriola. This handsome frog has smooth brown or slightly reddish brown skin marked by small black dots. Males are about 7 cm in length with females slightly longer at …
Wildlife trees are one of the most valuable ecological components of forested areas. Did you know that wildlife trees provide feeding, nesting, denning, and shelter habitat for 80 species of birds, mammals and amphibians in BC? Often after hard winters …
The Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus) is a large new world sparrow and can be found all over Gabriola Island. This handsome and distinctive bird – larger than a song sparrow and smaller than a robin, was lumped in …
The Pacific Treefrog (Hyla regilla) is a very appealing little frog, and quite common in B.C. They are small frogs, up to 5 centimetres long, and may be any colour from pale grey or tan to bronze or …
With their white cheeks, dark caps and throats, Chestnut-backed Chickadees (poecile rufescens) look similar to Black-capped Chickadees. However the caps of Chestnut-backs are brown rather than black, and their backs, shoulders, and sides are a deep chestnut color. They …
Gabriola is home to a vibrant and very visible community of Black-tailed Deer. An old species, Black-tails have been around for over two million years. They are found on the coast of British Columbia and on most of the coastal …
Deer are ruminants with complex digestive systems. Their stomachs are divided into four chambers containing microorganisms that break down the vegetable matter they eat.
Ruminants are prey animals so they are able to eat quickly, swallow and when threatened run …
The American Red Squirrel, Tamiasciurus hudsonicus, is an engagingly feisty little animal. Although primarily a creature of coniferous forests, the diurnal red squirrel also inhabits deciduous woodlands and can even be found in suburban and near-urban areas throughout their …