While the normal signs of spring — bustling patios, busy beaches and children visiting petting zoos — aren’t quite making a return this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic here are a few signs that you can see while maintaining a metre or two of social distance, as asked by Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer.
Ask any James Bay resident, if the turtles in Beacon Hill Park are out — it’s going to be a sunny day. The turtles — red-eared sliders not native to the area, according to Janis Ringuette, who’s been researching the park’s history since 2002 — have been spotted a number of times basking in the sun leading up March 19 when spring starts.
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Adding to the signs of the season is the temperature forecast, which has now made it into the double digits for the next week.
In non-covid news, masses of herons have been flying over Beacon Hill Park for the past week and landing in the trees near Good Acre Lake. pic.twitter.com/9zeF6piqkj
— kendra crighton (@kendracrighton) March 18, 2020
And while you’re in the park checking out the turtles, you might even get lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the great blue heron colony, located in the tall trees near the Avalon Street crosswalk on Douglas Street. According to Ringuette, the colony started with a single pair in 1982 and has been expanding ever since. Masses of flying herons can be seen taking off and landing in the trees throughout the day.
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And finally, the classic sign of spring in Victoria are the blooming cherry blossom trees and the budding daffodils. Early blooming daffodils were spotted in January, but are now becoming a staple to any outing.
kendra.crighton@blackpress.caFollow us on Instagram
