A Sunny, Breezy Weekend with the Birds (and Finn) - March 7 & 8, 2026

Weir Beach, Vancouver Island, BC

This weekend greeted us with brilliant sunshine, crisp cold air, and a steady coastal breeze — the kind of weather that feels refreshing but reminds you winter isn’t quite finished yet.

With a stubborn migraine and neck pain still hanging around, I knew this adventure needed to be simple. No long hikes, no pushing too hard. Just bird photography from the car and easy-to-reach spots. Sometimes nature adventures need to meet us where we are.

And of course, my adventure companion Finn the cat came along for the ride.

Our first stop was Weir Beach in Sooke. The ocean sparkled in the sunlight and the logs scattered across the shoreline made perfect playgrounds for Finn, who happily romped among them exploring every nook and cranny.

Weir Beach, Vancouver Island, BC

Sadly, the birds had other plans that morning, not a single one in sight.

To make matters a little more challenging, an overly curious dog began pestering us, which meant our peaceful beach moment came to an early end.

A bit of a bummer, but that’s wildlife photography sometimes.

Birds will always be there another day. I was just grateful to spend time with Finn.

Sunday morning started slower. After a much-needed sleep in, Finn and I headed out again, this time with a new goal: focus on the smaller birds.

Almost immediately I heard the soft call of a Eurasian Collared Dove somewhere in the distance. These birds often stay far away, so I didn’t expect much. But to my surprise, she landed right near where Finn and I were sitting in the sun. From afar she was nearly invisible, blending perfectly among the branches with her soft sand-colored feathers. Somehow I managed to locate her through the maze of twigs.

Did You Know?

Eurasian Collared Doves are newcomers to North America. Originally from Europe and Asia, they began spreading across the continent in the 1970s and are now common in many parts of British Columbia. Their soft sandy color and thin black collar on the back of their neck make them easy to recognize.

In many traditions, doves symbolize peace, love, and gentle guidance. When a dove appears unexpectedly or comes close, it is often interpreted as a reminder to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with calmness and harmony.

Because the Eurasian Collared Dove is known for its soft cooing call and calm demeanor, some people associate its presence with comfort and reassurance, especially during times of stress or emotional strain. Seeing one quietly resting nearby can feel like a small moment of peace a reminder that even in busy or difficult days, gentle moments still exist. Something I need reminding of at the moment.

In many ways, the dove’s quiet presence feels like nature saying: Pause, breathe, and enjoy this moment.

Next came a lively group of Spotted Towhees that emerged from the bushes in a nearby parking lot, happily pecking away at seeds scattered on the ground.

Did You Know?

Spotted Towhees are famous for their “double-scratch” feeding style.They hop forward and then quickly kick both feet backward at the same time, scratching through leaves and soil to uncover seeds and insects hiding underneath.

At one point, a Spotted Towhee stopped scratching around, turned, and stared straight at me as if it suddenly realized it was being photographed. The look on its face made me burst out laughing — like it was saying, “Excuse me… did I sign a photo release for this?”

And then a new species for me. A White-throated Sparrow.

Did You Know?

White-throated Sparrows have two different color “personalities.” Some have bright white stripes on their head, while others have tan stripes. Scientists have discovered that these two types often pair up together and they even behave a little differently when raising their young.

Not only was this a lifer for me, but it’s also somewhat uncommon in the area I was visiting. Yet there he was, calmly enjoying the same seed buffet as everyone else.

Soon a Fox Sparrow joined the gathering, fluffing its feathers against the cool air while hopping around for its share.

Did You Know?

Fox Sparrows are one of the largest sparrows in North America.They are famous for their powerful two-footed scratching, kicking leaves backward to uncover seeds and insects hidden on the forest floor.

And of course, several Golden-crowned Sparrows made an appearance too. Their bright yellow head stripe looks exactly like a tiny crown, perfectly named little birds.

Did You Know?

Golden-crowned Sparrows always look like they’re having a bad hair day. Their bright yellow crown is framed by bold black stripes, giving them the appearance of wearing a tiny, messy crown like they just rolled out of bed but still showed up looking royal.

Our final stop was a small local pond where I hoped the Wood Ducks might have returned.

And they had.

A graceful female wood duck stepped onto the shoreline and paused in the sunlight, flaunting her perfectly applied yellow eyeliner like she had just stepped out of a makeup studio. Meanwhile, I was standing there thinking… how does she make it look so easy? After a few seeds, she slipped quietly back into the water.

Then another surprise appeared. Two male Lesser Scaups and two females. They were incredibly skittish, constantly moving and keeping their distance.

One of the male Lesser Scaups craned his neck up over the ducks in front of him and gave me the most suspicious side-eye, like he was trying to decide if I was friend… or paparazzi.

Male Lesser Scaup

Female Lesser Scaup

As I scanned the pond, something else caught my eye.

A painted turtle was stretched across a log, feet sticking straight out and head tilted toward the sun like he had absolutely nowhere to be and no responsibilities whatsoever. Clearly he had mastered the art of professional sunbathing. Did you know painted turtles actually bask in the sun to warm their bodies and help fight off parasites on their shells? This one seemed very committed to the assignment.

A Great Blue Heron was out in the farm flats braving the chilly wind while searching for lunch. When it noticed me, it gave me the most dramatic side-eye like I had just shown up to critique its hunting technique. LOL.

Far in the distance, a Bald Eagle sat perched, head tilted upward into the sun as well. It struck me that even the most powerful birds take time to sit quietly and soak in the sun a good reminder that slowing down is sometimes exactly what we need.

Birds must love those cool sunny days — the warmth helping them fluff their feathers and soak up a little extra comfort.

During a rainy stretch back at home, I experienced one final wildlife moment. A crow landed on the telephone wire directly in front of my apartment window. For several quiet minutes it simply sat there in the rain, looking inside as if observing me as much as I was observing it.

In many traditions, crows are considered messengers — symbols of intelligence, transformation, and awareness. Some people believe a crow visit can represent guidance, protection, or a reminder to trust your intuition during times of change.

Whether spiritual messenger or simply a curious bird, the moment felt meaningful.

Sometimes wildlife seems to show up exactly when we need it.

Overall, there weren’t a huge number of birds out this weekend. But the ones who appeared felt just as ready for spring as we humans are. And this adventure reminded me of something important: You don’t have to spend hours in nature to feel its healing power.

Sometimes a short outing, a few quiet bird encounters, and a little sunlight are enough to ease a migraine, soften neck pain, and calm the mind.

Spring is just around the corner and there is nothing quite like hearing birds begin to sing again.