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Savary Island

WELCOME

NATURE

( Photo:Rebecca Lutz - " Trumpeter Swans off The Sunset Trail ")

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Savary is basically a sandbar about 5 mile tip to tip, that lies east west, it's not very far North to South ,

a glacial deposit, anchored at the East End by the rocky Mace Point.

Lying in The Coastal Douglas Fir Zone, Arbutus, Cedar, Grand Fir, Hemlock,

,Maple, White Pine, Douglas Fir , Alder and a few Garry Oak thrive here.

Wild cherry, ocean spray, salal, oregon grape, sitka willow.

The rainshadow of Vancouver Island's mountains, surrounded by a shallow sandy shelf,

Savary lies within the Southern tide that forks around Vancouver Island. The tides meet just North of here.

These three factors can combine to produce warm, comfortable swimming waters.

 

Lack of surface water , limits mosquitos and other bugs & may be the reason for few mammals making their home here.

Deer, Squirrels, Mice & Bats are indigenous. River otters den at Mace Point, and the occasional Mink wanders ashore.

Sea Otters have returned to The  Salish Sea

No , bears, cougars, wolves, raccoons or rats ( since Summer 2016 , reports of black rats, eradication efforts underway ).

Bird life is abundant, Bald eagles,Turkey Vultures, Hummingbirds, Woodpeckers ( Pileated, Flickers)  Owls,  Killdeer, I'll go on.

The Trumpeter Swans featured in the banner at top of this page are rarely sighted ( this is the only sighting I have heard of )

however they are resident around Comox on Vancouver Island which is not that far away.

Savary is noted for it's shellfish , though commercial harvest of clams seems to be in decline.

 

Geoduck farming has been in operation at Beacon Point for over 2 decades.

There are clams ,oysters, mussels  & geoducks on the beaches.

For few years now fisherman have been a lot happier, salmon have returned and there are reports of halibut every Summer.

Previously considered a dead zone for whales, things have changed, Humpbacks Whales  & Orcas are regularly sighted.

Dolphins  are regular visitors. ( Sea Lions, now resident on rocks by 'Iron Mines' South of Lund Harbour)

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Natural meadows on the South Side ,near Maclean & Julian Roads.

Chocolate Lilies on The Meadow.

PILEATED WOODPECKERS aren't shy, let you get real close.

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BEAVER - First time , I have heard of one on Savary.

As They are known to travel on driftwood & log booms, I have wondered why Savary doesn't have the occasional visit.

Eco system not friendly though, Very little freshwater ( except Seasonal around Sunset Trail 'Wetland')

Saltwater is not good for beavers.

This on was sent to PROWLS ( Powell River Orphaned Wildlife Society) -

 

 

 

SOME INFORMATIVE LINKS

SAVARY ISLAND LAND TRUST

WHALES and DOLPHINS B.C.

NATURE TRUST of B.C.

CHARLOTTE GRUNEAU WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY, a lot of Savary content he

Orca breeching off South Side - Mid Island- photo Gordie Coles

 

Turkey Vultures - South Beach

Sea Lion carcass "Pecking Order" Eagles ( gone) Turkey Vultures, then Ravens, Crows to follow.

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