Forbes Hall Community Centre Calendar: August 2022

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ThINC Nature House - Wednesday, August 3

9:00 am start: Wednesday Wander at North Cove Beach (meet at the end of North Cove Road) (all ages)

We are back at North Cove Beach for another mini wander! We will walk along the shore identifying birds, plants, and marine species. What we count will be recorded on eBird and iNaturalist. Come spend some time at the beach exploring nature.

2:00 - 4:00pm: Tea Time at the PAG!, Lot 62, North Cove Road (all ages)

We will explore the many incredible medicinal plants of the People’s Apothecary Garden and use some of them to create beautiful blends of tea!

Yoga with Karen - 9am, Today @ Forbes Hall

Happy to say back to teaching, hooray!  All classes are by donation for the Hall, all are welcome!

love

Karen

kareneroff@gmail.com

K nip K nop

Ping pong, we're back, every Tuesday evening at 7 pm at the Community Hall.

Take care
Mary Forbes 

Missing Cat

Missing since yesterday from Lot 448 (Lakeview Road near Cufra inlet)

Theo Monk is a large ginger/buff neutered short hair cat with an extra-long tail and a high squeaky meow. 
3 years old, loves to climb and jump - might be stuck up a tree?

Besides Lakeview/Kenwood area might have climbed the ridge. Anywhere from Lot 145 on out to Pilkey Point seems possible.
If you're out on the inlet, he might be down along the eastern shoreline too.
Likely to run from strangers - but you might see the tip of that tail or hear his squeaky voice.
Grateful for any leads!

thanks,
Mary & Dennis

250-416-9528 (text or call)
thetis@goclenius.net

Free: Apiary Equipment

Honey spinner, wax knife, hive covers, landing bottoms, separator grates, sugar feeders etc. Has been stored inside for several years. No mites.

158A Pilkey Pt Rd by the red mailbox. Don’t be shy, take it all!

News Release: Bats on the Move

August 1, 2022

Click here for pdf. 

Are you noticing more bats around your house or property? You are not alone! Mid-summer is the time when landowners typically notice more bat activity, may have bats flying into their house, and occasionally find a bat on the ground or roosting in unusual locations. 

These surprise visitors are often the young pups. “In July and August, pups are learning to fly, and their early efforts may land them in locations where they are more likely to come in contact with humans“, says Rob Welsh, regional coordinator with the Thetis Island Got Bats? BC Community Bat Program. As noticed in 2021, heat and smoke may also cause bats to use unusual roost sites. 

If you find a bat, alive or dead, remember to never touch it with your bare hands. Bats in BC are known to carry rabies at a low level; this is why it is important to avoid any contact. If you must move a bat, use a trowel or similar, and always wear leather gloves to protect yourself from direct contact. Talk to your children to make sure they understand to never touch, play or try to rescue injured or sick-looking bats.  If you suspect a bite or scratch from a bat, immediately wash the area with soap and water for 15 minutes. Also contact your public health or your doctor as soon as possible, or go to the emergency department. For more information on rabies please refer to the BCCDC website http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/rabies.

Bats are often found in close association with humans, as some species (such as the Little Brown Myotis) have adapted to live in human structures, and colonies may be found under roofs or siding, or in attics, barns, or other buildings. Female bats gather in maternity colonies to have a single pup in early summer, where they will remain until the pups are ready to fly. Having bats is viewed as a benefit by many landowners, who appreciate the insect control. Others may prefer to exclude the bats. Under the BC Wildlife Act it is illegal to exterminate or directly harm bats, and exclusion should only be done in the fall and winter after it is determined that the bats are no longer in the building. If you have bats on your property, the BC Community Bat Project can offer advice and support. 

You can keep bats out of your living space by keeping doors and windows closed and ensuring window screens do not have any holes. If you find a live bat in a room of your home, open the window and close interior doors until the bat leaves, or follow the steps here: https://batworld.org/what-to-do-if-you-found_a_bat/#indoors . Always vaccinate your pets against rabies. 

For information on safely moving a bat if necessary and to report bat sightings, landowners can visit the Got Bats? BC Community Bat Program’s website (www.bcbats.ca), email Thetis@bcbats.ca , or call 1-855-9BC-BATS ext 12.  Call Rob Welsh direct at 250-246-1547 or email rmwelsh@telus.net.  The BC Community Bat Program is supported by the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, the Forest Enhancement Society of BC, the Habitat Stewardship Program, the Government of BC, and Thetis Island Nature Conservancy. 

Photo captions: 

Photo1: Bats roosting in exposed locations, such as this bat on a screen door, can be left alone and will usually move on at dusk or after a few days. Photo: S. Surowy, Sea-Sky Community Bat Program.

Photo2: Baby bats, called pups, are born hairless, but soon grow fur, begin to fly, and may end up in surprising places. Always wear thick gloves if you must move a grounded bat and contact the BC Community Bat Program for guidance. Photo: Okanagan Bat Project

ThINC Nature House Week 6 Schedule - Aug 3-7

'Tis another busy week at the Nature House. For full details, see here: 

https://www.thetisislandnatureconservancy.org/single-post/nature-house-events-week-6-august-3-7

Wednesday, August 3
9:00 am start: Wednesday Wander at North Cove Beach (meet at the end of N Cove Road) (all ages)
2:00 - 4:00pm: Tea Time at the PAG, Lot 62, North Cove Road (all ages)

Thursday, August 4
9:00 - 11:00 Harvest Hours at the PAG - Parth widening!, Lot 62 North Cove Road (all ages)
2:00 pm start: Cyanotyping with Carol Swann at the Nature House (all ages)
7:00 pm start: Doc & Talk: Waste & Recycling at the Nature House (adult)

Friday, August 5
2:00 pm start: Junior Biologist - Sealightful - at the Nature House (kids 8-12)

Saturday, August 6
10:00 am start: Map the Portal with Liam Irwin at the Nature House (all ages)

Sunday, August 7
9:00 - 11:00 Harvest Hours at the PAG - Pruning!, Lot 62 North Cove Road (all ages)
2:00 - 4:00 Family Nature Afternoons at the Nature House - Snorkeling (all ages) 

Rainfall Stats: July 2022

Pet-friendly Vacation Accommodation on Thetis?

We frequently get requests here at Cufra Cliffs B&B from people wanting to come with their dog, and we always have to say no, as we have too many regular guests with pet allergies.  Is there anyone else on the island that either offers pet-friendly accommodation, or maybe would like to do dog-sitting occasionally?  (I would always ask first, of course!)  There are so few places now on our local business listings that I don't know what to suggest to these hopeful visitors-with-dogs. 

Please let me know if this is of interest.

veronicashelford@gmail.com or 250-246-1509

Riding Boots

Hello Islanders,

My daughter will be attending a horse riding camp next week and we are hoping to borrow riding boots in a ladies size 7 (or close).  Please call or text Andrea at 250-210-1785. Thanks!

For Sale

Four winter tires on rims 195/60R15H. 

14' aluminum boat with Evinrude 25 horsepower motor with steering wheel and trailer reduced to $1500.00
Sailboat Reduced to $48,000.00. 

Contact Genny or Ken Redman @ 250-210-3087