Hello birdwatchers and bird enthusiasts,

In support of Cornell Lab's Global Big Day, we are offering a special tour on May 4th, 2019 - leaving Canoe Cove Marina - E dock at 9 am.  Seating is limited to 11 and we'll have Terry Venables on board to assist with bird ID and photography tips.  

Some of Terry's photography work is currently at The Robert Bateman Centre for a show currently running Plumage: The Majestic Art of Birds

Your tour will be about 1.5 hours long and our skipper will be taking you to our best bird watching areas so we can try and expose you to as many species as possible. 
$45/pp taxes included.​

All tours are weather dependent, so we only take reservations.  We don't take your money unless we go! :)

#yyj #birdwatching #waterfowl #globalbigday #cornelllab #birdcount #cruise

Mark the calendar - Saturday October 6th is another Global Big Day for 2018!  We'll be sure to put together a GBD special for you, with an expert on board as well.  Stay tuned. 
We've included the link below to Cornell EBird for tips on counting, lists and a lot more bird watching information.    Put together your team! :)

Click to find out more from Cornell 

If you're an avid "twitcher", you'll know The Big Day is coming up on May 5th and the focus this year is on shorebirds.  So we've teamed up with Terry Venables, nature photographer, to bring you two chances to get out on the water with us and with Terry.  

Our first run out will be at 10 am and you'll have 1.5 hours on the water to tally up with Terry!  There will only be 11 spots on board for each trip- so if you're doing a group count - sign up quickly!

Round Two will head out at 1 pm for an afternoon of bird watching, counting and whatever else we might see along the way.  We'll be out on the water for 1.5 hours and yes, Terry Venables will be with us! 

As always - weather permitting and we'll all be hoping that by May 5th it will be a safe bet! 

May 5th
Departing from Canoe Cove Marina - E Dock
- Trip #1 - departing at 10 am 
- Trip #2 - departing at 1 pm

$25/per person plus GST

Call us at 250-655-5211 or email info@ecocruising.com

 June Specials
Portland Island Marine Park
This beautiful Gulf Island gem is accessible only by boat.  There is no ferry service, so if you don't have your own boat, look to us to get you there.  All trips are weather permitting and reservations are required.  For an additional charge on some of our sailings you can bring your kayak or SUP with you!  Our boats are small so reserve early. 
This June special is for Sundays only!

• 10 am departure from E Dock - Canoe Cove Marina, 2300 Canoe Cove Rd., North Saanich, BC
• Passage to Portland Island where you'll have about 3 hours to hike the trails, enjoy the beaches or paddle around the island. Pack a picnic lunch to enjoy on your hike.
• Depart Portland Island at 2 pm to return to Canoe Cove Marina.

$35 per person - plus GST
Add a kayak or SUP - $35 - plus GST
Sunday departures only and reservations required for people and PWC (personal watercraft). We can only take 3 PWC per sailing so reserve early!

Call us at 250-655-5211 or email info@ecocruising.com

 
Do you paint En Plein Air? 

We've got something lovely in the works for you this summer.  Be sure to share this with your painting groups so they can sign up for our Specials. 

Our first trip will be Tuesday May 29th with Keith Levang as our Mentor/Artist for the day.  We'll take you to Portland Island for a day of painting.  You'll depart Canoe Cove Marina at 10 am and depart from Portland at 2:30 pm.  Full details and more upcoming dates coming soon.  If you've signed up for our Specials - you'll get the news first. 

$35/person plus GST

Reserve at info@ecocruising.com or call T 250-655-5211

The winter birds are arriving and we want to share their beauty with you.  We've asked local nature photographer Terry Venables to join us for this mini cruise to share his bird and photography knowledge with you. 

We'll spend 1.5 hours on the water visiting little islets in the Salish Sea and Robert's Bay - a popular winter bird site.  Every day more and more winter birds are arriving - Buffleheads, Hooded & Common Merganser, Harlequin ducks and many more.  And with the salmon run underway, more sea lions are in the area too.

Weather permitting we will:
Depart from Canoe Cove Marina - E Dock @ 10 am
Return at 11:30 am 

Only $35/per person
Seating is limited so reserve early info@ecocruising.com or call 250-655-5211

Have you ever heard of a "Big Year"?  If you're an avid bird watcher, likely you have.  The American Birder's Association have a specific set of rules and a list and on that list are a large number of birds that winter here in the Salish Sea.  While the weather can be unpredictable at this time of year, the birds seem to like that and more and more will be arriving over the next few weeks. 
Keep us in mind for an outing with a small group for those beautiful calm winter days that we get in between storms.  We're flexible about meeting your needs for you or your group.  Give us a call or email info@ecocruising.com 250-655-5211.
#ABA #BBY #yyjbirds #birdwatching