This post has been contributed by Michael Murray, Communications Volunteer with the Stanley Park Ecology Society (“SPES”). I have been following SPES since I moved into the West End a decade ago and I have been a member for three years. I wanted to offer the team an opportunity to share their news, events, and work so I have created “SPES Saturday” where they contribute and share stories with my audience once a month.

A Who’s Hoooo: Owls in Stanley Park

By Michael Murray, SPES Communications Volunteer

Barred Owl (Photo: Milva De Siena)

“Who’s awake? Me, too!” This haunting call echoed through trees near the Stanley Park miniature railway last month startling SPES Conservation Technician Paul Higginson as he worked nearby.

Paul is used to hearing “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all?” from the more common Barred Owl. This time, however, it was a Great Horned Owl seeking a mate. Along with the Barred Owl and the seldom seen Western Screech Owl, these elusive raptors patrol the forests of Stanley Park as they hunt for prey and call for mates. Love is in the air not only for people this Valentine’s Day, but for owls, too.

Of the three species of owls found in Stanley Park, the most common is the Barred Owl; with its distinctive grey and brown plumage and huge dark eyes, these owls are truly a sight to behold. Typically roosting on tree branches during the daylight hours, the Barred Owls become more active at night hunting for rodents, insects and other smaller birds. As the weather warms and the days become longer, their attention shifts to finding a mate. Courtship usually begins in February and nest occupancy can run from the latter part of March through mid-August. If you’re lucky enough to spot a breeding pair they’ve probably been together for a while as Barred Owls are considered to be monogamous and mate for life.

Great Horned Owl (Photo: Milva De Siena)

The Great Horned Owl is the largest of the three species found in Stanley Park. With its pointed ear tufts, bright yellow eyes and deep hooting voice, the Great Horned Owl is the quintessential owl of storybooks and fairytales.

While beautiful, the Great Horned Owl is a fearsome predator, taking down prey larger than itself and even dining on other owls. Female Great Horned Owls are slightly larger than their male companions. What the males lack in size they make up for in voice, with a deep loud resonating hooting call. They can often be heard hooting together in unison warning other owls to stay clear of their territory.

The Western Screech Owl, including the provincially blue listed (threatened) Kennicottii subspecies, is the smallest and rarest owl to call Stanley Park home.

Western Screech Owl (Photo: Michael Schmidt)

Topping out at under 25 cm high with grey and brown striped feathers that blend into the landscape, these tiny owls can be difficult to spot. They prefer to nest in old growth forests but also thrive in riparian habitats as well as forests along the edges of clearings, rivers and lakes including Beaver Lake.

Threats from larger owl species taking their territory could spell the end for the Western Screech Owl in Stanley Park.

Owls have long been revered for their beauty and grace, so next time you’re walking the trails of Stanley Park look up and keep your ears open; you might be lucky enough to spot or hear one – especially at this time of year when hooting to attract mates increases during nesting season.

The 43rd Chinatown Spring Festival Parade (Chinese New Year Parade) takes place Sunday, February 14, 2016. This signature event in Vancouver’s Chinatown will feature lion dances, cultural dance troupes, marching bands, martial arts performances and much more.

Vancouver Chinese New Year Parade

Celebrating the Year of the Monkey, the parade will begin at 11:00am and follow a 1.3km route from the Millennium Gate on Pender Street (between Shanghai Alley and Taylor Street), over to east along Pender Street, turning south onto Gore Street, turning west onto Keefer Street and then dispersing on Keefer at Abbott.

The parade features the largest assembly of traditional lion dance teams in Canada with dozens of colourful and energetic lions from various local fraternal and martial arts organizations. Over 70 entries will take part, bringing in 3,000 participants and drawing over 100,000 spectators.

Following the Parade

As a Chinese New Year tradition to promote good fortune for the year, some of the lions will be visiting the shops and businesses in Chinatown between 2:00pm and 4:00pm.

Vancouver Chinatown Spring Festival

Throughout the whole weekend, on Saturday, February 13th (1:00pm to 4:00pm) and Sunday, February 14th (2:00pm to 4:00pm), the Vancouver Chinatown Spring Festival will have feature multicultural performances, a special lion dance grand finale, and martial arts demonstrations at the Sun Yat-Sen Plaza (50 East Pender Street).

All events of the 2016 Vancouver Chinatown Spring Festival are open to the public. The Chinese New Year Parade and the Cultural Fair both have free admission. Read more about this event and more via the Chinese Benevolent Association of Vancouver.

The BC Home and Garden Show is happening February 17th to 21st at BC Place, where you can get real advice, real inspiration and hear from real experts to make your dreams for your home a reality.

BC Home and Garden Show 2016

The show features Bryan Baeumler, star of HGTV’s House of Bryan, joined by landscape designer Carson Arthur, star of HGTV’s brand-new series Home to Win, lifestyle expert Leigh-Ann Allaire Perrault, and Vancouver’s top gardeners and design experts, covering everything from home decor to renovations, curb appeal and more.

Shop and consult more than 425 exhibitors and local vendors, all under one roof. Don’t miss the always-popular Ask a Designer booth, where you’ll have direct access to the city’s best designers, offering up free, 10-minute drop-in consultations. Be sure to pay a visit to the Westcoast Smart Home presented by Trinity Post & Panel Inc., where you’ll find a stunning 810-square-foot vacation home featuring chic, cost-effective construction that’s made for left coast living.

Highlights

BC Hydro Main Stage; The Cooking Stage; Battle of the Brewmasters; BC Hydro Power in Style; Westcoast Smart Home; The Balanced Home; Ultimate Upcycle Challenge: Planted; #SewAndShow; M(art)ket; Portobello West; Ask a Designer; FLOFORM Lounge; Feature Gardens: Water Wise; Toyota Test Drives; The Vancouver Sun Gardeners’ School; Barkitecture; and more including celebrities, experts, makers, artists, and special guests.

Check out the Main Stage Schedule, Cooking Stage Schedule, and Garden Stage Schedule. Enter to win a ultimate garden makeover, and thousands in prizes from show exhibitors and sponsors.

Enter to Win

I have a painting by Vancouver contemporary abstract artist Donna Giraud (valued at over $250) to give away along with two tickets to the BC Home and Garden Show at BC Place.

Enter to win this Donna Giraud piece!

Here’s how you can enter to win:

• Leave a comment naming something/someone you’ll see at the BC Home and Garden Show (1 entry)
• Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)

Follow the BC Home and Garden Show on Twitter and Facebook for more information. I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Tuesday, February 16, 2016.

Update The winner is Kim!

Do you love to be social but find yourself without a partner this Valentine’s Day? There are a series of events, shows, and dinners around town that will entertain you this weekend:

Valentine’s Day for Singles in Vancouver

Prestons Restaurant + Lounge

Bring your single friends to Prestons on Saturday, February 13th from 3:00pm to close for an extended happy hour. Chef Shelley Robinson has selected some delectable finger food options from the happy hour menu for you to enjoy along with spirited beverages. Prestons Restaurant + Lounge is located in the Coast Coal Harbour at 1177 W Pender St, Vancouver.

Cafe Medina

Popular brunch spot Cafe Medina invites you to celebrate “Anti-Valentine’s Day” with a communal, all-inclusive feast for singles, couples, friends, family and groups alike. Beginning at 6:30pm on Sunday, February 14th, a special dinner service will include a five-course gourmet menu by Medina Chefs Deniz Tarakcioglu and Adam Perrier, a glass of sparkling wine upon arrival and live music courtesy of “TV Show Band” jazz trio. Tickets are $69 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Cafe Medina is located at 780 Richards St, Vancouver.

Say Hi to a Stranger

Fresh Friendships, presented by Say Hi to a Stranger, is a loosely structured event on February 13th at 11:00am. There you can meet and chat with new people, spread a little joy and learn more about the #SayHiToAStranger campaign and values. Enjoy ZEND snacks and beverages in a space that prides itself on its welcoming, open atmosphere and 100% organic menu.

Other Events

Looking for more Valentine’s Day events for singles? You can try An Affair to Remember at Studio Records on Granville, and dance the night away with friends. There’s also the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre for Singletons at Lana Lou’s.

If you want to do something that doesn’t involve red hearts, pink cards, and chocolates at all, check out these other events this weekend:

Variety Show of Hearts Telethon Live Concert with 54-40 and More, by Donation!
Second Sunday Concert Series: Heart Strings with Cordei Duo
Vancouver Cantata Singers: Liebeslieder
Dance Extravaganza 2016, Surrey
Year of the Monkey Temple Fair Celebration of the Chinese New Year
Rogers Hometown Hockey, New Westminster
Hastings Park Farmers Market
Vancouver Wellness Show
Gateway Theatre Presents: Closer Than Ever
Vagabond Players: Over the River and Through the Woods
Pacific Theatre Presents: Common Grace

Subscribe to the Miss604 Events Newsletter to get a weekly rundown of events right to your inbox.

Meet someone else who is working on their moves at the rink, or skate hand-in-hand with your sweetheart to the sweet pop tunes that echo throughout the plaza. Robson Square ice rink is a great (and inexpensive) Vancouver date night in the winter and this Valentine’s Day you can amp up your affection and commitment with vow renewals and weddings.

Valentine’s Day at Robson Square Ice Rink

The rink is hosting five officiants who will be providing complimentary vow renewals and wedding ceremonies from 12:00pm to 4:00pm, on Valentine’s Day (Sunday, February 14, 2016).

There will be five separate ceremony arches complete with floral arrangements. In the evening the rink will be filled with romantic music, a perfect way to begin or cap off a special valentine’s day with the one you love.

The ceremonies are first come, first served, and conducted by Popup Weddings BC. Register upon arrival for vow renewals and weddings on Valentine’s Day at Robson Square.

Robson Square Info

Skating at the rink will be open 9:00am to 9:00pm on Valentine’s Day
Fee: No fee to skate at Robson Square!
Rentals: Skates $4.00; ice cleats: $2.00; helmet included with skate rental

The The Robson Square ice rink will remain open until the end of February, 2016. Tag your photos with #robsonsquare on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to share the fun. Robson Square is located at 800 Robson Street between Robson and Georgia, Howe and Hornby.