Ted Goshulak wrote:

"Fellow Tweeters: I will be spending 2-3 days on Saltspring Island
at the end of June. Since it is a "family reunion" I want to
utilize the 'free time' I can get birding. What is there to see
on Saltspring at the end of June? Any help appreciated!"
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Ted: As you might expect, late June will be relatively quiet on Saltspring.
Most migrants will have passed through, but you will still be able to find
most forest/farm birds. Territorial males will still be singing in early AM
(get up 0500 or earlier!), while other birds will be quiet at nests.

Best sources of information are Dave Fraser/Leah Ramsay at (604) 479-0016.
Dave has compiled a checklist for Saltspring (available in birding stores)
and may be able to direct you to some good spots near your reunion.

Many of the species that nest in our coast forests should be found there.
There are some excellent mixtures of habitats, including the open SW-facing
slopes on Mt. Tuam. Western Bluebirds used to nest on the mountain, but no
reports now for a number of years. And there was a report of a Mountain
Quail there a few years ago...by a single observer, but a fairly
reliable one. This would be an exceptional record, as the species may now
have disappeared from Vancouver Is.

If the Eurasin Skylark interests you, take the ferry from Fulford Harbour to
Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island and drive to the perimeter of the Victoria
International Airport or to Island View/Martindale roads in Central Saanich
(10-15 minutes from ferry). Males should still be flight-singing above the
fields in those areas.

Call me at the Victoria Rare Bird Alert (604) 592-3381) in case something
unusual has appeared on Saltspring or nearby at the time, and let me know
what you find.

Bryan Gates, Victoria
bgates at assessment.env.gov.bc.ca