The Fraser River has hundreds of tributaries and these are the scene of the largest salmon run world wide. Five species of Pacific salmon migrate up the Fraser and to the interior of the province every fall.
People from around the world come to this are to watch the salmon run. This magnificent species move up the province’s rivers and streams from the ocean to the interior, lay their eggs and complete their life cycle. Once the salmon die, a new life cycle begins. This sparks the natural instinct of bears, eagles and other species to gorge themselves on the salmon that provides them with essential nutrients to withstand the winter months.
Migrating Birds
Vancouver Island is located on the Pacific Flyway. Each year thousands of birds migrate as the seasons change. Bird watchers world wide come to the Island to view the migrations of birds and waterfowl.
Turkey Vulture Migration
Turkey vultures migrate in the fall, but most people pay little attention to these great birds. However, in the southern region of Vancouver Island, they can’t be ignored. It’s here that large numbers of this species come together and face the crossing of the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
The breeding ground of the turkey vulture is in the southern region of British Columbia and Vancouver Island. They are cousins to the stork and are no longer classed as birds of prey. Their flying prowess is weak and they use the warm air currents to keep them airborne as they search for food, which is ninety nine percent carrion. Turkey vultures have trouble crossing the Strait of Juan de Fuca because cool air keeps warm wind currents at bay. Often, turkey vultures have to wait for weeks for the warm air currents. This provides bird watchers a unique viewing opportunity, for when the warm air currents move into the area, the turkey vultures take to the air to try their luck at the crossing. The air is filled with hundreds of these magnificent birds.
Turkey vultures are not the only birds that favor the warmer wind currents. Eagles, hawks and a variety of raptors favor the warmer wind currents to cross the Strait. These birds are able to cross the Strait under their own power and do not wait for warm air currents to move into the area.
Watching the turkey vultures and their raptor companions in the air is a spectacular sight. The peak viewing time is the last week of September, though these birds can be seen from mid-September until the end of the first week in October. The best place to view turkey vultures and other bird of prey is the Ayland Farm, which is located west of Victoria at the eastern end of Sooke Regional Park. Be there around 10 am for the best viewing.