Birdsong: Listening and Watching Walk

12 September 2026 10:00 A.M. | Cattle Point, Uplands Park

By donation – donations go for the Friends of Uplands Park | Advance registration required

As part of SALT New Music Festival’s Birdsong project, join expert birder Geoffrey Newell, the Friends of Uplands Park and the musicians of the SALT Experiment for a morning of birdwatching, attentive listening, and music in one of Southern Vancouver Island’s richest birding locations.

Tickets

About the program

We will meet at Cattle Point at 10:00 AM, where the morning will begin with a short musical performance and introduction before we set off on a guided bird walk through Uplands Park. The opening music and talk create a bridge between the ways musicians and birders listen to the sounds around them.

Uplands Park has produced an extraordinary 278 recorded bird species over the years. Our walk takes place during peak fall migration, and we may encounter more than 50 species over the course of the morning.

Among the birds we will be looking and listening for are Marbled Murrelet, Pigeon Guillemot, Rhinoceros Auklet, Heermann’s Gull, California Gull, Barred Owl, Band-tailed Pigeon, Cedar Waxwing, and Western Tanager. Many birds passing through the region at this time of year are in the midst of remarkable seasonal journeys, with some continuing as far south as South America for the winter.

Whether you are an experienced birder or have never joined a bird walk before, you are very welcome. The walk offers an opportunity to slow down, pay attention, and discover the extraordinary diversity of birdlife that surrounds us.

About your guide

Geoffrey Newell’s passion for birds began at the age of eight, when his father, David, took him to Beaver Lake in Victoria to see his first Great Horned Owl.

Today, Geoffrey loves sharing that passion with others and regularly leads public bird walks with the Capital Regional District and Friends of Uplands Park. He also volunteers with Rocky Point Bird Observatory, coordinates the Oak Bay Christmas Bird Count, and teaches bird courses—as well as karate classes—with his brother Jean and his family through Recreation Oak Bay.

Tickets

What to expect

The event begins at Cattle Point with approximately 15 minutes of music and introduction, followed by a guided bird walk through Cattle Point and Uplands Park. The complete experience will last approximately two hours.

No previous birdwatching experience is necessary. Geoffrey will help participants identify birds by sight, behaviour, habitat, and sound, while introducing some of the remarkable migratory species that travel through the region each autumn.

A few practical things to know:

Meeting point: Main parking area at Cattle Point. Please arrive a few minutes before 10:00 AM so that the group can begin together.
Duration: Approximately two hours, including the opening music and introduction.
Walking: Expect a leisurely outdoor walk with frequent stops for observation. Participants should be comfortable walking outdoors on park paths and natural, potentially uneven terrain.
Binoculars: Please bring binoculars if you have them. They are helpful but not required to participate.
Clothing: Dress in layers and wear comfortable, weather-appropriate walking shoes.
Weather: The walk will proceed in light rain. In wet weather, the musicians will perform under a tent at the opening gathering. In the event of severe weather, participants will be notified if the event needs to be cancelled or postponed.
Group size: Space is limited in order to maintain a good birdwatching experience, so advance registration is required.
Photography: Cameras are welcome, but we encourage participants to experience the walk primarily through quiet observation and listening.
Respecting the habitat: Please stay with the group and follow the guidance of the walk leaders so that we minimize our impact on birds, plants, and sensitive habitat.
Dogs: Because this is a birdwatching event and quiet observation is important, we recommend leaving pets at home.
Accessibility: The event takes place outdoors on natural park terrain. If you have mobility or accessibility questions, please contact us before registering so we can provide more detailed information about the route.