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 over a decade ago and I have been a member for four 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.
Bald Eagle Monitoring Program takes flight in Stanley Park
Bald eagle pair cares for two chicks
Photo by Mark T White, 2013
Urban bald eagle populations have been on the rise over the last 20 years with over 10 active breeding pairs in the Metro Vancouver area. This spring Stanley Park Ecology Society is set to re-launch its Bald Eagle Monitoring Program.
From 2004 to 2014, SPES kept track of the number of active nests throughout Stanley Park. After a year hiatus, SPES Conservation Projects Manager Maria Egerton and Conservation Technician Paul Higginson, along with two Environmental Monitoring Students from Squamish Nation Trades Centre, are keeping a close eye this year on four active nests in Stanley Park. The SPES team is tracking how many breeding pairs have returned to their nests and the number of eaglets that may hatch.
Eagles have returned again this year
to their Malkin Bowl nest
Near SPES’ offices in the Stanley Park Dining Pavilion, a pair of bald eagles have been treating staff to their breeding antics and calls by their nest near Malkin Bowl . Now is the time of year when eagles lay their eggs and SPES staff eagerly anticipates that first glimpse of an eaglet poking its head up above the nest edge. Like most Vancouverites, eagles are very concerned with real estate – preferring to nest in the tallest tree available.
Once a suitable location has been found, both males and females work together building the nest with sticks and twigs; this is an essential part of their pair bonding ritual. Eagles have strong nest site fidelity, often returning to the same nest and nesting territory each year. If they successfully produce young at a nest, they are more likely to return to that nest the following year.
A typical nest like the one near the Stanley Park Dining Pavilion may contain 1-3 eggs. Both male and female birds take turns brooding, sitting on the eggs for up to 35 days before they hatch. Once born, the young eaglets will stay in the nest for about 11 to 12 weeks. Around this time their downy feathers are replaced by juvenile feathers and soon they will begin to practice the fine art of flying on their own. Typically only half of the eaglets born will survive to fledge, so naturally the parents guard the nest very closely taking to turns to hunt for food.
Eagles nesting near Prospect Point, Stanley Park
The next time you are in Stanley Park and looking to spot eagles in action, the nest across from the baseball diamond just west of Prospect Point may be your best viewing option. A breeding pair has set up shop in a tall hemlock on the downward side of the slope. From this vantage point it is possible to see directly into the nest without the aid of binoculars, so be sure to have your camera ready.
You can learn more about Vancouver’s nesting eagles in SPES’ 2014 Vancouver Bald Eagle Update.
Nicole Benda is a local mom who wanted to find a puzzle for her son that featured Vancouver (where they live) and Whistler (where they ski as a family), but she had a hard time locating anything.
“As hard as I looked, though, I couldn’t find anything that came close to what I wanted. So I decided to make my own.” That’s how Butzi Kids was born, and for the last couple of years Nicole has been selling puzzles and placemats in local retail stores in Vancouver, Whistler, and through her online shop.
Vancouver and Whistler Puzzles & Placemats
The puzzle artwork is by Andy Eccleshall, a friend of the family, and each features recognizable attractions in Vancouver and Whistler — like Science World and Vancouver Aquarium, along with the Peak 2 Peak Gondola and snowboarders.
Enter to Win
I have had the pleasure of getting to know Nicole as I mentored her for Shopify’s TGIM podcast this spring. She has generously offered up a prize pack for a lucky Miss604 reader that includes the Vancouver puzzle, Whistler puzzle, and each of the Butzi Kids placemats. Here’s how you can enter to win:
- Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
- Like, share, or comment on this Facebook post (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 9:00pm on Friday, April 15, 2016. Follow Butzi Kids on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to learn more about Nicole’s company and follow her adventures throughout the region.
Update The winner is Sandra!
Mark your calendars and plan your warm summer nights on the shores of English Bay. The schedule and countries have been released for the 26th Honda Celebration of Light fireworks competition in Vancouver, the largest public event in British Columbia!
Honda Celebration of Light Fireworks
July 23, 2016 Royal Fireworks, representing Netherlands
July 27, 2016 Howard’s Fireworks, representing Australia
July 30, 2016 Walt Disney Entertainment, representing United States
The fireworks competition will begin promptly at 10:00pm each night, rain or shine, from the barges located in English Bay. Music simulcast can be heard on LG 104.3 FM and through the festival’s mobile app. The winning team will be announced on Sunday, July 31st.
This is the longest-running offshore fireworks competition in the world, and on top of the dazzling fireworks, each night is filled with free, family entertainment all along the shores of Downtown Vancouver. The SHOREFEST concert series at Sunset Beach returns once again to the LG104.3 Stage in the Keg Lounge, starting at 2:00pm each day, with major Canadian musical act Loverboy headlining Wednesday’s festival night. More performers will be announced soon.
The Honda Celebration of Light is also home to BC’s largest food truck festival. With more than 50 food vendors on site at English Bay, this will be the largest contingent of food trucks brought together anywhere in the province, providing festival guests with a variety of tasty treats and full meals to satisfy any craving.
This year you can level up like never before when you purchase tickets for the Inukshuk Lounge, Keg Lounge, and YVR Observation Deck for the best seats in town.
The new Inukshuk Lounge will have the closest water view of the fireworks out on the peninsula touching English Bay and the new YVR Observation Deck Business Class corporate cabanas hold 24 guests and offers comfortable seating and complimentary appetizers. Early bird ticket pricing for each of the lounges is in effect until May 31st.
Concord Pacific Seawall Challenge
Registration is open now for this year’s Concord Pacific Seawall Challenge. Families and friends can put together teams and engage in fun activities along the seawall for a chance to win over $13,000 in prizing for their schools and their teams, courtesy of Concord Pacific.
Follow the Honda Celebration of Light on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more information.
This weekend, while the sun sticks around and offers us a beautiful spring in Metro Vancouver, I’ll be inside leading a Blogging for Business Workshop at Camp Tech. There’s still room in the workshop if you’re interested in some online business education this weekend, otherwise check out the big weekend event list below to pick your activities:
Things to do in Vancouver This Weekend
Events that run for longer than three days in a row are highlighted in green.
Friday, April 8, 2016
Battle of the Brush
Opening Reception: Easter Eggs, New Works from Andrea Hooge
Wild Fruit – LGBTQ Dance Party
Family Date Night, Surrey
Hives for Humanity Benefit Show
Vancouver South African Film Festival
Wendy D Photo, SCREAM the Exhibition
Royal Winnipeg Ballet Presents Going Home Star
Vancouver Tree Week Events
Royal City Musical Theatre Presents: Fiddler on the Roof
Vagabond Players Present: Tea and Sympathy
Abbotsford Tulip Festival
Twelfth Night
Pacific Theatre Presents: Gruesome Playground Injuries
Saturday, April 9, 2016
Blogging for Business Workshop at Camp Tech
Meet a Scientist – Experiment with an Artist
Artist Tour and Opening Reception
Free Electronics, Small Appliances & Power Tools Drop-off Event
Cooking Class: Don’t Fear the Fish
Songs for Glass Island – Camille Norment with Experimental Music Unit
There is a Way Cabaret
Spring Home Reno Show, North Vancouver
Old School Dance Party
ManTalks – School Of Greatness With Lewis Howes & Ryan Holmes
UBC Symphony Orchestra
Nat Bailey Farmers Market
Wendy D Photo, SCREAM the Exhibition
Sakura Days Japan Fair
Vancouver South African Film Festival
Royal Winnipeg Ballet Presents Going Home Star
Vancouver Tree Week Events
Royal City Musical Theatre Presents: Fiddler on the Roof
Vagabond Players Present: Tea and Sympathy
Abbotsford Tulip Festival
Twelfth Night
Pacific Theatre Presents: Gruesome Playground Injuries
Sunday, April 10, 2016
Big Love Ball in Stanley Park
Stanley Park Walk, Old Money: West of Denman Historical Walking Tour
Fall for Local Spring Market
Dear Vancouver: An Experimental Letter Writing Campaign on Public Space
Roedde House Museum Second Sunday Concert Series
Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center
MEC Vancouver Race THREE, The Fast Blaster
BC Association of Travel Writers Symposium
Annual Nifty for Fifty Sale
Sakura Days Japan Fair
Sunday Paella Series at Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar
Hastings Park Farmers Market
Wendy D Photo, SCREAM the Exhibition
Vancouver South African Film Festival
Vancouver Tree Week Events
Royal City Musical Theatre Presents: Fiddler on the Roof
Vagabond Players Present: Tea and Sympathy
Abbotsford Tulip Festival
Pacific Theatre Presents: Gruesome Playground Injuries
Subscribe to the Weekly Events Newsletter
Never miss my TOP PICKS for events in Vancouver! Receive this event list right to your email inbox by signing up for the Miss604 Weekly Events Newsletter below:
Check out the full April event listings here and if you have an event to include, please send it in by email for a free listing. Follow Miss604 on Twitter for more daily updates.
Refresh Market returns for the 9th time to the West Coast Railway Heritage Park in Squamish, offering a handpicked selection of vintage, handmade and curated wares from more than 95 vendors! Shop one of BC’s largest indie marketplaces as you support local designers, artists on April 23rd.
Refresh Market
What: Refresh Market
When: Saturday, April 23, 2016 from 9:00am to 5:00pm
Where: West Coast Railway Heritage Park (39645 Government Rd, Squamish)
Tickets: Admission is $3
Browse locally made, designed and sourced clothing, accessories, home decor, children’s items, leather and paper goods, and more. Enjoy local food, live music and a cool, local vibe. Get there early, be one of the the first 50 people to walk through the doors and receive a free swag bag.
Win a Refresh Market Prize Pack
Refresh Market has offered up an incredibly generous prize pack loaded with goodies (valued at over $200) for one lucky Miss604 reader to enjoy. This includes:
- Infinity Scarf, courtesy of Adhesif Clothing
- Lemon + Lavender organic skin care set (organic lotion, lip balm and bar soap), courtesy of Fable Naturals
- Organic Coconut Oil, courtesy of Ostro Organics
- Big Smooch toddler tee + Roar toddle hat, courtesy of Tumble + Roar
- Shopping Dollars, Courtesy of Refresh Market (Value $50)
Here’s how you can enter to win:
- Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
- Share or like this post on Facebook (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
Follow Refresh Market on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for more information. I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Thursday, April 14, 2016. The winner must be able to pick up the prize at the market on April 23rd.
Update The winner is @JessicaRF20!
