Susan:
There are a bunch of great trails and walks in and around Victoria. I'd
recommend Goldstream Provincial Park for a great estuary and old growth
walk. There are tons of trails with varying difficulty. The estuary is
great for birding and the visitor centre has the latest sightings.
Goldstream is about a 1/2 hour drive up island from Victoria. Another
great drive/walk is close the ferry. Its sort of a mini-Skagit Flats area
called Martindale Flats. Its a left off the main highway just past Sidney
(1st left after the Waddling Dog Hotel/Pub). Turn on Island View Beach
road. There is a old veggie stand just as you turn that has parking. You
can walk the old road that heads south. Its a nice flat walk that is good
for sparrows and depending on the season there is usually lots of water for
ducks/swans. I've seen Gyrfalcon and Peregrines here. You can continue east
down to the beach. It has a great view of the islands east (as the name
implies) and there are lots of hedge rows for sparrows too.

If you have time you should stop at the Field Naturalist Bookstore in
downtown Victoria . The owner is Bruce Whittington and he is a great
source of local birding information and books. The store is on the corner
of Blanchard St (hwy) and View St. Its right beside the church with the big
steeple.

Tracee Geernaert-displaced Canadian (eh)
tracee at iphc.washington.edu