Good BC Herping Locations

amazongirl · 07-01-04, 01:10 PM

I just gave my two week notice at my job and am looking forward to spending this summer out and about in this lovely province armed with my gum boots and camera.
If anyone has any good suggestions on locations that preferably arn't private property it would be appreciated. I'm in Victoria right now but will be moving to Kamloops soon.

I've already seen most of the indiginous herpitiles on Vancouver Is. - even some that arn't sopposed to be here. But that was a while ago and I didn't take any photographs. I'm NOT interested in collecting anything just having a hard time finding the places I remember from childhood. Lately all I can find are GRRR red eared sliders and bullfrogs. Things sure have changed a lot -growing up I remember local ponds and surrounding forests literally teaming with red-legged frogs, rough skin newts, alligator lizards, red & yellow backed salamanders, pacific tree frogs, western toads, tons of garter snakes and even painted turtles.

Any suggestions would be appreciated and I'll keep the locations confidential if required.

hhw · 07-01-04, 01:27 PM

Well, if you're in the Howe Sound area, on Gambier Island there's a camp named Camp Latona(sp?), on the northern side. They have a trail going up behind the camp up to the mountains and there are tons of garters around. At the top there is a lake/pond where there are tons of newts... I'm not sure what species though. That's about the best place I know... which really isn't saying much. Just make sure you ask the camp manager, but if you pull up to their dock in a boat when they don't have people staying there, he'll most likely see you coming and meet you at the dock.

The Howe Sound area though is great for seeing other wildlife as well. I've seen seals, otters, bald eagles, deer, hummingbirds, and moose.

Kyle Barker · 07-01-04, 06:50 PM

just came back from our property in east sooke, TONS of tree frogs, and the tads are just starting to come out now. A first for me, found a newt or a sal tadpole. never found one before, was VERY excited!

Red legs are out in mass this year. was camping at weeks lake (45 mins into hills by shawnigan) and found a few dozen and heard hundreds. they are getting harder to find i have noticed, at least where i always look.

Beaver lake has painted turtles, garters (mostly northwesterns), bull frogs, and bulls. night is the best for bulls, they are HUGE there.

Alligator lizards i am having a harder time to find. mt doug and here in shawnigan used to have tons, but havnt seen many at all lately. then theres those wall lizards...once you find them you will be finding hundreds of them.