Bat walk at Elk/Beaver Lake
Learn more about the world’s only true flying mammal at Winging it with Bats with HAT (Habitat Acquisition Trust), a guided evening walk at Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park on Friday.
The program, hosted by CRD Parks in partnership with HAT, will take participants of all ages on a one-kilometre walk, hoping to encounter bats as they emerge from their roosts to swoop through the air, feeding on flying insects.
“Our naturalist will explain how bats are part of the ecosystem, controlling insect pests, such as mosquitoes,” said Adria Hussain, co-ordinator of interpretation.
Hussain said that Vancouver Island is home to nine of the 15 bat species found in ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ The endangered Little Brown Myotis (Myotis lucifugus) is commonly seen in the region, even though it is considered endangered across ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½.
The difference, Hussain said, is that the Little Brown Myotis population in the rest of the country has been hit hard by White-nose syndrome, a fungal disease estimated to have killed millions of bats in North America.
There are reports of the disease in ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ and Washington state, but none so far on Vancouver Island.
The program is free to join. It runs 7:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, July 12 at Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park. Meet at the Beaver Lake picnic shelter at the filter beds parking lot. The trail has a slight incline.
Dress appropriately, as all programs run rain or shine. Try to arrive 10 minutes early. Please leave pets at home.
The park is serviced by ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Transit No. 70, 71, 72 or 75.
For more information, go to
Crab feast at Banfield Park
Celebrate British Columbia’s sustainable crab fishery with a bucket of Dungeness crab and other seafood at the Authentic British Columbia Dungeness Crab Boil at Banfield Park on Saturday.
This is the second year of the event, which features “heaping” buckets of cooked Dungeness crab, clams, mussels, corn and baby potatoes, prepared by a culinary team that includes Anna Hunt, executive chef at Finest at Sea.
“Summer is the quintessential time to celebrate crabs,” said Heather MacLeod, event director and part of a local second-generation fishing family. “This is truly ocean to plate.”
Hunt said that based on the huge demand from last year — which saw up to 900 buckets sold — she is urging people get tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.
The event is licensed and people can kick back to enjoy live entertainment or wander through an educational marketplace with organizations such as the ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Crab Fishermen’s Association, Surfrider Foundation and the Gorge Waterway Action Society.
The Kids Zone features button making, face painting and a crabby crown making workshop.
Net proceeds from the event will benefit two charities: Reciprocity Trusts and the Vic West Community Centre.
Admission to the festival is free. Buckets are $75 plus GST/fees. The festival runs noon to 7 p.m. with three Crab Boil sessions: noon to 2 p.m.; 2 to 4 p.m. and 4 to 7 p.m. For more information, and to pre-purchase a bucket, go to
Show and Shine features classic cars
Expect to see about 250 classic cars at the Fords and Friends Car Show and Shine at Heritage Acres on Sunday.
Hosted by the Early Ford V8 Club No. 109 since 1980, the annual event is an opportunity to see restored and original pre-1986 vehicles.
While the majority of the assembled cars will be Fords, the show is open to all makes and models.
Virtual Elvis, a stage persona created by Scott MacDonald, will be on hand entertaining the crowd. When you have had enough with cars, you can listen to music, grab a bite or catch a miniature train ride.
Admission is by donation, with net proceeds going to local charities. Entry fee is $20. Gates open at 7 a.m. for the cars, with the public welcome between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Sunday, July 14 at Heritage Acres, 7321 Lochside Dr., Saanichton.
For more information, go to .
