July 16 - Welcome to an Eagle and some orcas

Good morning !

We’ve got stories on an American tall ship that’s in port and some other welcome visitors. Southern Resident killer whales are back, after a three-month absence, likely due to the weather’s impact on salmon.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: ☀️ 27 / 14 

Tomorrow: ☀️ 28 / 14

Friday: 🌤️ 20 / 14

7-day forecast

NEWS

The Eagle has landed (docked) in Victoria

It’s the largest tall ship with an American flag on it—and it’s sitting in our waters, ready for you to climb aboard.

The massive US Coast Guard Barque Eagle (WIX 327) is moored at the Canadian Coast Guard pier on Huron, near Fisherman’s Wharf.

We tried to get a fresh photo of it last evening (above is a file photo), but the Eagle was nested behind a mammoth cruise ship and not easily accessible.
But today and tomorrow, you can take a tour of it—for free—from 10am to 4pm.

At 295 feet or 90 metres—just 19 metres shy of an NFL playing field—the Eagle is as impressive in length as it is in height. Its mainmast rises 147.3 feet (44.9 metres) from the waterline, and its 23 sails cover 22K+ square feet, or 6,797 square metres. 
Lay out its rigging on a roadway, and you would need more than 8km of asphalt.

The ship is a moving classroom for the US Coast Guard Academy. “Upper-class trainees exercise leadership and perform the duties normally handled by junior officers, while underclass trainees fill the positions of junior enlisted crewmembers,” the Eagle’s webpage says.

A permanent crew of eight officers and 50 enlisted personnel maintains the ship year-round, and up to 150 training cadets or officer candidates are usually onboard. 

The square-rigged barque was built in Germany in 1936 and is the seventh to bear the name Eagle, dating back to 1792. The Americans took the steel-hulled vessel from the Germans following the Second World War, with a US team joining a German crew to sail it from Bremerhaven to New London, Conn. 

The Eagle has toured Costa Rica, Mexico, and the North American West Coast over the last four months and was most recently in Seattle. It was last here in 2008.

The Eagle’s next port of call when it leaves Victoria the day after tomorrow will be San Francisco before it sails to Los Angeles, San Diego, Panama City, and finally, New London.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Island campfire ban: The category 1 ban will begin this week for the Coastal Fire Centre, taking effect at noon tomorrow. [BC Wildfire Service]

Horse hassle: VicPD looking for cyclist involved in disturbance with horse-drawn carriage on Mon. at 11:30am near Inner Harbour.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

Island citizen scientists are protecting BC bats

Inside the attic of Metchosin Community Hall, a maternal colony of approximately 1,500—including babies—has established itself. 

Further up-Island, a similar colony inside a rural Comox Valley property has become a safe haven for bats to roost.

Bats are heavy hitters for the ecosystem, providing pest control and pollination. But according to the Nature Trust of British Columbia, half of the province’s 15 bat species are at risk.

So, keeping tabs on these flying mammals is helpful. The BC bat count is on for the summer, with the second round kicking off last week. 

Volunteers stay up watching as the bats flit out into the night sky.

They aren’t just counting the bats on their fingers—they use a special device that can detect the various sounds of echolocation calls. These calls are too high-pitched for human ears, but every bat has a unique sound. The device, connected to a tablet, will flag the different species nearby.

This volunteer-led observation program is designed to track our local bat population numbers. But it also functions to monitor the greatest threat to the winged creature: white-nose syndrome (WNS).

WNS is a fast-spreading fungus that latches onto bats, growing white fuzz over the animal’s face. It’s not immediately deadly, but it forces bats to stay awake during hibernation periods while they try to groom themselves, burning through essential fat needed to survive during the winter.

Once it reaches a colony, it can wipe out 80-100% of the population. In 2023, WNS was recorded in BC for the first time, having been found in guano—bat droppings—in Grand Forks.

If you’d like to volunteer for bat duty, contact the BC Community Bat Program.

Read the full story to see how Island citizen scientists are keeping a watchful eye on local colonies.

NEWS

J-Pod returns after a 76-day absence from the Salish Sea

The Southern Resident killer whales are back in Island waters after a lengthy period with no sightings. The youngest two calves—J62 and J63, who were born around Christmas—were both spotted and appear to be doing well. 

The whales typically return to the Salish Sea in the late spring, but have been MIA since March. The SRKWs were gone for just over 10 weeks. 

Their absence was linked to the 2021 heat dome, which affected the Chinook salmon population (salmon follow a 4-5 year life cycle, meaning those born in 2021 would now be adults). 

The Orca Behaviour Institute also says SRKW’s patterns have changed over the last 10 years.

SPONSORED BY WEST COAST PRO PAINTING

Get your free painting quote

West Coast Pro Painting is Victoria’s trusted choice for high-quality interior and exterior painting. With a team of skilled professionals, they bring precision, care, and a commitment to excellence to every project. Whether refreshing a single room or transforming an entire home, their attention to detail ensures a flawless finish. Known for outstanding customer service and clear, professional communication, WCPP makes the painting process seamless and stress-free. Homeowners can count on expert recommendations, premium materials, and results that stand the test of time.

West Coast Pro Painting is now offering complimentary estimates for both interior and exterior projects. Contact them today to schedule your quote and experience the difference of a team that puts quality first.

⭐️ Capital Picks

🧢 Victoria Mavericks vs. HarbourCats. [$12 Thursdays]

 🍎 Oaklands Sunset Market today. [4:30-8pm]

🦴 What a lovely… spine you have: A long spine belonging to an unknown creature was found on a Saanich beach. [Facebook photo]

🗞️ In Other News

Langford girl slated to get privately funded, rare disease treatment tomorrow
Last month, the province cut off Charleigh Pollock’s coverage for medication to slow the progression of Batten disease, from which the 10-year-old suffers. The treatment costs $800K a year, and Charleigh, the only child in the province known to have the extremely rare neurodegenerative disorder, is now reliant on fundraising drives such as this GoFundMe page, which has raised more than $255K. Island Health has offered her family the use of facilities at Victoria General Hospital for tomorrow’s treatment, which is expected to take several hours. [Times Colonist]

Pickup stolen twice in 3 days in Oak Bay; 18-year-old arrested
The owner of a green Toyota Tacoma noticed it had been moved from their residence at Eastdowne near Kinross overnight last Sat., and a spare key had been removed from the unlocked vehicle. Then on Tue., just before midnight, the vehicle was taken again. The owner called Oak Bay police, who notified neighbouring officers and the canine division, which tracked down and pulled over the truck in Saanich. The teen driving it was taken into custody and released on conditions. [OBPD]

Texada grizzly reportedly shot; conservation officers investigating
The RCMP contacted conservation officers following reports that a member of the public was seen shooting at the bear. The four-year-old bruin—nicknamed “Tex” by locals—swam to Texada Island in May. Since then, conservation officers and First Nations have been trying to find a solution for Tex, who has been relocated multiple times. There were no plans to euthanize the animal. [CHEK]

SPONSORED BY PRESSURE PROS

VICTORIA'S GREEN MONSTER TAKING OVER? 🦠💚

Don't let moss and algae devour your home! Those black streaks and slippery surfaces aren't just ugly—they're destroying your property value.

PROOF IT WORKS: PressurePros transformed an Oak Bay home in HOURS, using eco-safe solutions that protect everything from heritage brick to modern surfaces.

Why live with the green when you could:

• Save THOUSANDS vs. replacement

• Boost curb appeal instantly

• Eliminate dangerous slippery spots

🔥 SPRING SLOTS DISAPPEARING FAST! Call NOW for your FREE estimate + BONUS gutter inspection ($75 VALUE)! 🔥

🗓️ Things to do

🔱 Royal BC Museum: Join one of RBCM’s knowledgeable educators for a highlights-only tour through the museum’s immersive Human and Natural History galleries. Today. 11:15am-12pm. [Info]

🎹 Yacht Rock: Kai Aras and friends will perform an evening of high-energy yacht rock, including music from Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers. Hermann’s. Tonight. 7pm. [Info]

🎸 Bamba Wassoulou: Hear the sound of Malian music with this five-piece band from West Africa at Wicket Hall. Tomorrow. 7:30pm. [Info]

🚘 Northwest Deuce Days 2025: See 1K+ fabulous classic hot rods and vintage vehicles—up to and including 1951—by the Inner Harbour. Tomorrow-Sun. [Info] 

☀️ Local Summer Folk Fair: A day of summer fun with a 45-vendor market, kids crafts, tarot readings, and lots of local food (including fresh cider). Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse. Sun. 11am-4pm. [Info]

🎵 Opera In The Summer: Presented by Pacific Opera Victoria, this summer-long series features free and ticketed music events throughout the CRD. Various events and venues. [Info]

🎶 Summer concerts: Check Victoria’s City Vibe for various concerts at Beacon Hill Park’s Cameron Bandshell, Ship Point, and Centennial Square. All summer. [Info] 

👀 In Case You Missed It

Tuesday’s headlines: Victoria street speed limits being reduced; Day parole pulled for Reena Virk killer; Tourist kicks seal into the sea. [July 15]

Airport authority considers YYJ expansion as commuter traffic grows. [Times Colonist]

Hearing adjourned: Billionaire shows up to Hudson’s Bay lease hearing without a lawyer. [CTV]

Victoria’s Urban Grocer vows to keep US produce off shelves. [Black Press]

Oak Bay Collector Car Festival is still drawing crowds at 35. [CHEK]

Three Island wildfires are burning. [BC Wildfire Services]

Need help replacing or obtaining an ID? Join an ID info session with GVPL each fourth Thu. of the month. 12-2:30pm. [GV Public Library]

That’s it!

If you found something useful, consider forwarding this newsletter to a fellow Victorian.

And before you go, let us know: