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You’re never alone when hiking in nature: spotting animals

From eagles to salamanders: tips to create nature-filled hikes with many new wildlife friends
A salamander on forest floor
Salamanders are one of the many critters islanders may find on their COVID-friendly hiking adventures.

Heading out for a hike can be great exercise (and one that is COVID-19-approved), but the location of your hike can greatly affect what your experience will be and what nature you may encounter. Some creatures enjoy the wet, others the dry; some high airy cliffs and others dark caves. Let’s take a look at some of the different critters you might see on different hikes all across the island. 

For spotting bald eagles and turkey vultures you’ll want to head up to rocky bluffs, usually with big old-growth conifers nearby. Sitting on the bluffs awhile, I’ve often seen more than a half-dozen of these large birds at a time, circling and diving, riding the air currents. 

Great spots on Bowen for watching raptors are Dorman Point and Mt. Gardner (try the lookout halfway up the Laura Rd. trail and, of course, at the summit).

Garter snakes can be common on Bowen Island and can be found in a variety of locations but they really enjoy warm dry sites, preferably on sunny rocks and under dry leaves. Sometimes you can find them basking in the sun, right in the middle of a trail! 

A few local areas to spot snakes are: the Evergreen Trails, Mike’s Lorg, or the trail around the Golf Course.

It’s not too difficult to plan a hike to see some Pileated Woodpeckers. Your best bet is to venture deep into the forest, where there are large hardwood trees all around. They enjoy snacking on insects in large dead snags. 

Good places on Bowen to find these colorful birds are: along the mid-island trail, or deep into the woods on Mt. Collins or Mt. Gardner.

If you’re in the mood to hang out with some red legged frogs or rough-skinned newts, you’ll have to hike in marshy wetlands, surrounded by ferns, or venture into dark wet caves with standing water. Keep your eyes peeled, as they have excellent camouflage! 

Some good areas for locating these critters are: along (i.e. under!) the boardwalks of Killarney lake, along the banks of Terminal Creek or inside the old mines on Mt Gardner. Just remember to keep quiet to hear the frogs’ song, and not scare them away.

Sometimes it is not so much the “where” but “how” you hike that will give you natural rewards. For example, deer are ubiquitous on Bowen but you might not see any if you are traipsing through the bush while chatting at high volume. They will bound away, long before you reach them. Many birds will also take off if they hear a loud party approaching but might stick around if you are walking silently, alone or with a single companion. 

Planning a hike based on nature viewing can add a new dimension to your exercise routine. It can connect you to the world around you in an entirely new way. With these tips in mind, I hope you create many lovely nature-filled hikes, filled with many new wildlife friends.