by Jacqui Birchall
(Click images to enlarge. See “Related Links” at article’s end for cited documents.)

Stanley Park’s trails are a relaxing esape from city life. (City of Vancouver Photo)

IT’S A WALK IN THE PARK

June’s inclement weather has not detracted from the joys of trail walking in Stanley Park. The park is green and lush, delicious salmonberries border the trails, the birds are in full song, and early morning walks continue to delight.

If you prefer to walk on bike-free trails, check out Tatlow, Lees, Meadow, Thompson, Raccoon, Beaver Lake Trail, Wren, and Cathedral. Check the trail map to identify other bike-free trails.

Cathedral Trail, near the concrete bridge on Lost Lagoon, is very special. It is one of the park’s most biologically rich areas.

A 75 metre boardwalk, made out of western red cedar, “protects plants and soil from being trampled, while improving drainage and allowing for the increased movement of small mammals and amphibians. In addition, the boardwalk improves pedestrian safety,” according to the city.

FOR THE BIRDS!

Merlin Bird ID, a free mobile phone app, is a wonderful tool for park visitors. The app can identify bird song based on a recording of one’s vicinity. The deeper into the park one goes, the more bird songs are found. While I was exploring trails recently, the app identified songs of Swainson’s Thrush, Western Flycatcher, Common Raven, Yellow-Rumped Warbler, Song Sparrow, Wilson’s Warbler, American Robin, Black-headed Grosbeak, Townsend Warbler, Bushtit, Pileated Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, and more.

Keep your eyes peeled at Third Beach for the very attractive Belted Kingfisher.

**Ravens can be spotted in and near Second and Third Beach parking lots** *(Jacqui Birchall Photo)*

On several occasions, I have run into a raven family of four. They hang out in both the Second and Third Beach parking lots and can be heard, from what I assume is their nest, close to Lovers Trail. The Stanley Park Ecology Society informed me they believe there are probably only three raven nests in the park.

Ravens are highly intelligent birds. They can be identified by their calls, which are completely different from crow calls. Check the Audubon link at the end of this column if you are unfamiliar with their calls.

Especially listen to the second one. You will hear the unmistakable sound of a raven in the park. Then to the fourth call, the fledglings calls.

The first time I heard the fledgling calls I thought a bird was being murdered. The fledgling call is prevalent in the park now as the fledglings chatter non-stop. The fledglings are identified by their bright pink gape.

The beautiful and industrious Pileated Woodpeckers make nesting holes in dead trees, which in turn creates future important habitats for swifts, owls, ducks, and bats.

**Mute Swans on Lost lagoon**. *(Jacqui Birchall Photo)*

On Sunday, June 16, five Mute Swans landed on Lost Lagoon. While a beautiful sight, they are unfortunately an invasive species, not native to North America. Merlin Birds notes that they are aggressive, with voracious appetites and often disturb local ecosystems, displacing native species. However, they attracted a large group of admiring, camera-wielding birders!

The heronry in Stanley Park is abuzz with activity. This is the 24th year for this colony of Great Blue Herons. Did you know that GBH’s are classified as a species at risk in B.C.? They do not migrate and find it difficult to locate suitably undisturbed habitats.

**A new “Goose pooper-scooper” can be seen cleaning up after our flocks of avian poopers.** *(Jacqui Birchall Photo)*

To ensure the herons are given space to nest and raise their young, SPES advises visitors should avoid making loud noises or playing amplified music within 30m of the colony, keep dogs on leash, refrain from flying drones in the area, and observe the colony from outside the fenced areas. SPES reports 89 nests and 78 juvenile herons this year. Check out the herons on the Park Board’s Heron cam link below.

Should you find a fallen chick, stay with it, don’t touch it, and call Van311.

Canada Geese are increasing in numbers and the city has both guidelines for the public regarding their interactions with geese and their plans for controlling the population. Canada Geese can poop every 9 to 12 minutes as they have a very inefficient digestive system and produce a lot of waste relative to their size.

The City of Vancouver website offers information and a Goose Management Plan. See the links below.

The city has recently purchased a Goose Pooper-Scooper which the park employees say works well. One may observe the machine in action at Ceperley Park most mornings as it clears the grass for the many picnickers.

**KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR THESE SIGNS AROUND THE PARK AND BEACHES, LETTING YOU KNOW WHERE AND WHEN YOU CAN ENJOY A DRINK IN PUBLIC.** *(JACQUI BIRCHALL PHOTO)*

BOTTOMS UP AT THE PITCH & PUTT

The City announced the sale of alcoholic beverages at the Stanley Park Pitch and Putt. The Vancouver Park Board advises that “the new offerings include a variety of alcoholic beverages, such as locally produced wine and non-alcoholic cocktails and beer from our partners, Stanley Park Brewing and Steamworks Brewing.”

Alcohol will be available from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily and may be consumed on the patio and throughout the course.

EXTENDED POOL HOURS

Second Beach Pool hours have now been extended due to the closure of Kits Pool. The new hours are:

Length swimming -7 a.m. to 8.30 a.m. Monday to Friday only.
Public Swimming, 9 am to 11.30 am, noon to 2.30 pm, 3 pm to 5.30 pm and 6 pm to 8.30 pm daily.

A PARK TOUR APP

Talaysay Tours, a Coast Salish owned and operated tour group that works in Stanley Park, now offers a tour experience by app. For $15, you can take a self-guided Indigenous-focused tour of Beaver Lake and Brockton Oval Park. Generations of oral history and teachings are shared for the first time using a location-based video player and interactive map, allowing folks to explore the Talking Trees and Talking Totems tours at your own pace. Fascinating tours!

FIRE

On an early walk through Cathedral Trail on June 21, I smelled campfire smoke. I investigated and found the remains of a fire with a lot of incendiary material still on location. I reported it to Van 311 who passed the information on while I was on hold.

If you smell smoke in the park or on the beaches, investigate. Call 911 for an active fire and 311 for an extinguished one. Please don’t assume the fire has already been reported.

CITY CAN’T SELL PARK LAND

Folks on social media are worried that the Vancouver’s ABC-dominated City Council may seek to sell sections of Stanley Park for real estate and other developments. However, Stanley Park is owned by the Federal Government and leased to the City Of Vancouver. It is also the unceded and traditional territory of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. It can’t be sold by the city.