Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary Wildlife Watching

If you're at the Capital of BC and wonder where you can experience protected wildlife viewing, bird viewing in particular, we have the best recommendation for you. Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary is an urban green zone with two separate ecosystems: a marsh surrounding Swan Lake and a rocky Garry oak forest atop Christmas Hill. A diverse range of rare and endangered natural plants and wild animals can be found in both areas. When you go there, you will see that the Sanctuary is a living school where visitors can better understand nature by engaging in hands-on activities. Environmental stewardship is promoted through educational programs available for people of all ages.
Swan Lake Nature House and the lowland area surrounding it provide a diverse range of wildlife habitats. When the last glacier melted, Swan Lake had formed 12,000 years ago. The underlying bedrock created the basin that delineated the lake's edge, accentuated by the glacier's scouring effect. The lake is now shallow and warm, with abundant life, and it is fed by a vast watershed to the north and east, including Blenkinsop Lake. The water flows west into the Colquitz River before reaching the ocean at Portage Inlet. The Swan Lake and Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary are paths that traverse through an actual ecology for many local birds and other wildlife. It is located directly on the outskirts of downtown Victoria. A trail winds its way around Swan Lake, passing through key bird habitats and through a number of wooden bridges.
The plants and animals that live here change as the season changes, making it possible to see them all year. Throughout the winter, a variety of grebes, ducks, and other waterfowl use the lake and flooded fields as resting and feeding grounds. Nesting birds abound in the forests, fields, and blossoming hedgerows during the spring and summer. Access to the lake is provided by a 2.5-kilometre loop trail with two wharves and a floating deck. Overall, this Sanctuary is one of the best places on Vancouver Island for those who admire nature. Stay with us to tell you about awesome bird watching, and wildlife viewing opportunities Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary provides for visitors.

The primary wildlife viewing opportunity provided for you in Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary is its amazing endless bird watching. Year-round, especially during spring and fall migration, bird watching chances are abundant. Bear in mind to stop by the Nature House and buy a bag of duck food for $2! Cooper's and Sharp-shinned hawks are plentiful, while Great Blue Herons can almost always be seen. Lesser Scaup, Ring-necked Duck, Ruddy Duck, Pied-billed Grebe, Northern Shoveller, Green-winged Teal, and American Wigeon are all observed throughout the winter months. Swallows abound along the lake's edge in the spring and summer, while Marsh Wrens and Red-winged Blackbirds can be heard singing in the cattails and marsh grass fields.
Besides colorful birds flying around, keep an eye on the ground for muskrat and basking turtles during summer, and river otters if you visit the Sanctuary in cold weather. Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary will definitely bring you a dream into reality. Do not hesitate to contact us for a feather-full adventure in Victoria.