Species At Risk

Vascular Plants

• Farewell-to-Spring
• Meconella Oregana
• Lomatium grayi
• Phantom Orchid
• California Hedge Parsley
• Slender Popcornflower

Mosses

• Twisted Oak Moss

Birds

• Band-tailed Pigeon
• Blue Heron
• Common Nighthawk
• Olive-sided Flycatcher
• Peregrine Falcon

Amphibians

• Red-legged Frog

Reptiles

• Sharp-tailed snake
• Western Painted Turtle

Gastropods

• Blue-grey Talidropper
• Oregon Forestsnail
• Pacific Sideband

Insects

• Blue Dasher
• Western Pondhawk
• Dun Skipper
• Propertius Duskywing

Farewell to Spring by David Hoffman

Farewell-to-Spring (Clarkia amoena var. caurina)
BC List: Blue.
COSEWIC status: Not listed
Found on Galiano Island

Farewell-to-spring is a summer-blooming plant with pink to rose-purple flowers, each with four petals, often with red spots. It thrives on open warm grassy areas in the lowland zone, such as Garry oak bluffs and meadows on southwest facing slopes. Farewell-to-spring is thought to range from California to southeastern Vancouver Island and the Southern Gulf Islands. Conservation requires protecting such areas from development and weeding of invasive shrubs, such as Scotch broom.

Meconella Oregana by John Davis

White Meconella (Meconella oregana)
BC: Red-listed.
COSEWIC: Endangered
Found on Galiano Island

White meconella is a small annual plant with pale bluish green/white flowers. Resembling the California poppy, it grows to 16 cm and blooms usually in March to early April. The Canadian range is small and contained within the limits of Garry oak ecosystems. In the United States this plant is found in scattered locations in Washington, Oregon and California. White meconella grows at low elevations on the specialized habitat of open south-facing rocky or grassy slopes on extremely shallow soils over bedrock with slight early-season seepage. Like all rare plants of our area, habitat loss and degradation are the main conservation concerns. This species is becoming increasingly overrun by non-native species, which is as or more damaging than outright habitat loss.

Lomatium grayi by Karen Golinski

Gray's Desert Parsley (Lomatium grayi)
BC list: Red.
COSEWIC status: Threatened
Found on Galiano Island

Galiano Island holds a large percentage of the total population of Gray's desert parsley in Canada; the other recorded population is on Salt Spring Island. The species ranges from southern California and New Mexico north through Oregon and Washington to Salt Spring and Galiano, which is the northern limit of its range. The plant is an herbaceous perennial from a long thick taproot. Stems are smooth and hairless and reach up to 50 cm in height. The leaves are mostly basal and very finely cut, short, rough and hairy and the flowers are yellow. It is a strong smelling plant with an odor similar to celery. Gray's desert parsley grows on dry, rocky cliffs and bluffs within the Coastal Douglas-fir zone and Garry oak ecosystems; the micro habitats are shallow soils on inaccessible ledges or vertical fissures in rock faces. Herbaceous plants commonly associated are yarrow, Alaska brome, barren brome, field chickweed, broad-leaved stonecrop, hedgehog dogtail, wooly sunflower and gumweed. Conservation concerns are habitat degradation and destruction from urban development.

Phantom Orchid by Robin Annschild

Phantom Orchid (Cephalanthera austinae)
BC List: Red.
Provincial Status: S2
COSEWIC: Threatened

The phantom Orchid is a strange and mysterious plant of the orchid family. It can be easily confused with the saprophyte Indian Pipe. It is a very unusual and easily spotted species because it lacks chlorophyll and therefore is white in stem, leaves and flower. Interestingly, the orchid requires a symbiotic relationship with a subterranean mycorrhizal fungus for nutrients instead of sunlight. It grows in mature, dark, coniferous forests with rich soil and little undergrowth. Like all plants of the endangered species list on Galiano Island, the phantom orchid occurs at the Northern limit range of its distribution. It is found south of the border into Idaho and California. There are currently only around 100 plants known in BC, most occurring in the Fraser Valley.

California Hedge Parsley by Toni Corelli

California Hedge Parsley (Yabea microcarpa)
BC list: Red.
Provincial Status: S1S2
COSEWIC: Un- listed
Found on Galiano Island

California Hedge Parsley occurs within Garry Oak and associated ecosystems and is found from vernally moist grassy slopes and rock outcrops to closed canopy Garry oak, Douglas-fir woodlands, and Big-Leaf Maple stands. California Hedge Parsley is a slender annual herb growing from a taproot. It has a single or branched stem and ranges from 10 to 40 cm tall. The white flowers are arranged in multi branched clusters and the fruits are oblong flattened side to side. Being a very rare species, there are only 13 known occurrences in Canada. Most of the sites are on hilly terrain on south facing slopes in shallow-soiled open sites. Associated plants in open areas include spring beauty, mountain sweet-cicely, water chickweed and Pacific Sanicle. Associated plants on forested sites include Oregon grape, Ocean spray, Honey suckle, and Alaska oniongrass. Main threats to California Hedge Parsley are habitat destruction and invasive species competition.

Slender Popcornflower by Matt Fairbarns

Slender Popcornflower (PlagiobothrysTenellus)
BC list: Red.
COSEWIC status: Threatened
Found on Galiano Island

The slender popcornflower is a slim plant, with a basal rosette of leaves and a single or sometimes complicated arrangement of hairy branched stems up to 25 cm tall. The small white flowers are tubular with five lobes. Associated with Garry oak ecosystems, this annual herb grows on grassy southwest facing slopes and coastal bluffs, often on exposed gravelly soils or rocks. The British Columbia population occurs at the northern extent of its geographic range in BC, the species ranges south from the east side of the Cascade Mountains into southern California. Of the total seven known locations in Canada, Galiano holds the largest number of plants. This species is particularly vulnerable to invasive plant encroachment, and like all species within Garry oak ecosystems, habitat loss and degradation through housing development is a major concern.

Twisted Oak Moss by Ananda Reijnen

Twisted Oak Moss (Suntrichia laevipia)
BC: Blue
COSEWIC: Special concern
Potential to be found on Galiano Island

Twisted oak moss is from a diverse family of mosses with many of its species restricted to dry environments. It grows as small clumps on exposed Garry oak tree bark, and is one of the smallest species in its genus, with leaves rarely over 2 mm long. The leaves are often hair-tipped and become twisted when dry, hence the name. Twisted oak moss has a widespread and scattered distribution and can be found from South America to North Africa. In Canada, the distribution is found along the coast of BC and basically follows the western distribution of the Garry oak ecosystem.

Band-tailed Pigeon by Steve Parsons

Band-tailed Pigeon (Patagioneas fasciata)
BC: Blue-listed
COSEWIC: Threatened
Found on Galiano Island

The Band-Tailed Pigeon lives along the BC coast from southern Vancouver Island to the Queen Charlotte Islands, with habitat in the Fraser Lowlands and a sparse distribution in the interior of northern and southern BC. Not as gregarious as some other species of doves and pigeons, these birds often perch in small groups high in trees on open branches. They nest in both coniferous and deciduous trees and prefer open sites and edges bordered by tall conifers for roosting. In the spring the birds feed on grains, peas, seeds and insects and are often found on farmland. During summer they move to breeding areas when trees and bushes provide food sources in berries, fruits and nuts. The winter distribution appears to coincide with the favored food trees of arbutus and Garry oak. They are migratory birds, but where areas are warm enough and have adequate food sources, such as on Galiano Island, the species can be found year-round.

Blue Heron by Bill Franz

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias fannini)
BC: Blue-listed
COSEWIC: Special concern

The Great Blue Heron Pacific subspecies is an adaptable and widespread bird found in a variety of habitats along the Pacific coast from southeastern Alaska south to Washington and east to the interior of central and southern BC. It feeds in slow moving salt, fresh or brackish water. On Galiano Island the Great Blue Heron can be found at a variety of locations, including shallow bays, inlets, marshes, wet meadows and the shores of Laughlin Lake. There is a possibility that several nests exist on Galiano, although as of yet no nests are confirmed. Nesting colonies such as the one outside of the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal are typically large and found high up in mature conifer trees close to mudflats. This large and cunning bird hunts for fish, amphibians, reptiles, invertebrates, small mammals, and even other birds. The sub species of Heron found in our region is non-migratory; however, they hunt in different areas in different seasons. During the warmer seasons the Great Blue Heron generally lives near beaches; during the winter near grasslands and marshes. Threats to this endangered species include: industrial contaminants and general pollution of food sources, urbanization, wetland drainage, and human disturbance such as noise and activity.

Species Information:
birdweb.org/birdweb/bird_details.aspx?value=search&id=41

Common Nighthawk by Jared Hobbs

Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor)
BC: Red-listed
COSEWIC: Special concern
Found on Galiano Island

The Common Night Hawk is one of the most compelling birds to watch fly through the sky. Its erratic flight and intense bombing for bugs makes it an easy spot for the novice birder. This species is dark-brown/white with black and beige specks, and a white stripe on both its wing and tail. It has one of the largest distributions of the endangered species found on Galiano Island, with its range extending from the Arctic to Columbia. The Common Night Hawk nests on the floor of sand, rock, gravel, and leafy areas on beaches, deforested areas, rocky areas and grassy habitats. Known for their amazing hunting performances, they forage for a variety of flying insects. This once common bird can be spotted hunting high in the sky in open areas, such as fields and lake edges both at dawn and later on at dusk. Their populations are decreasing yearly in certain parts of their range; this could be due to a decline of insects, habitat, agricultural development and climate change.

Olive-sided Flycatcher by Todd Hardley

Olive-sided Flycatcher (Contopus cooperi)
BC: Blue-listed
COSEWIC: Threatened
Found on Galiano Island

The Olive-sided Flycatcher is a reclusive and solitary bird with dark-olive sides and a mottled dark chest. Historically, this flycatcher frequently used newly burned areas, but fire suppression has caused it to change habitats, and it is often found at clearings and edges, which hold some of the characteristics of post-fire stands. This bird is often seen perched high on the tops of dead or living trees where it looks for food. Their diet consists of a wide variety of flying insects, which it captures via aerial attack. The song is a loud, ringing whistle, rather easily imitated, delivered by the male generally from the top of an upright dead snag or tallest living coniferous tree. Breeding range extends from Alaska eastward to Labrador, with winter migration taking the Olive-sided Flycatcher as far south as Central and South America. The Olive-sided Flycatcher is considered an indicator species of the coniferous forest throughout North America, and population decline is believed to be the result of disappearing winter habitats.

Species Information:
birdweb.org/birdweb/index.aspx

Peregrine Falcon by Helen Grose

Pergrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus anatum and Falco peregrinus pealei)
BC: Red-listed
COSEWIC: Special concern
Found on Galiano Island

The Peregrine Falcon is viewed by many as the most impressive bird of prey. This incredible bird is designed for speed and is the fastest bird in the world, reaching speeds up to 175 mph. Physically, the two species of Falcon found in our region have long pointed wings and a narrow dark blue-black tail, a black head from the crown to below the eye which resembles a helmet, a yellow ring around the eye and a yellow bill with a dark tip. The Peregine Falcon is generally silent except when breeding or disturbed. In the Gulf Islands they nest on seaside cliff edges where the vantage point will offer good hunting results for shorebirds and waterfowl. They are faithful to nesting sites and aeries, some of which have been used by successive generations for centuries. After nesting, their search for prey can take them as far as South America, although the two Peregrine Flacon subspecies of our area are known to stay in the local region. Conservation concerns include organochlorine compounds which bioaccumulate in the falcons' bodies. When DDT was banned in the 1970's it had a significant positive impact on population numbers. Breeding programs were also introduced, and together these two forces have secured the populations of the falcons, although careful surveying and monitoring continues to be integral for the bird's survival.

Blue-grey Talidropper Slug by Kristiina Ovaska

Blue-grey Talidropper Slug (Prophysaon coeruleum)
BC: Red Listed
COSEWIC: Endangered
Potential to be found on Galiano Island

The Blue-grey Talidropper Slug is a small- to medium-sized slug (up to 45 mm long) with a slender and brilliant blue-grey colored body with parallel grooves and ridges on the back and sides of the tail. In western Canada, this species exists at the northern limit of its range; there are currently only five sites known, all on southern Vancouver Island. Habitat for this species includes moist coniferous and mixed mature forests. Like the Oregon Forestsnail, this slug is almost always found in big-leaf maple groves with a rich and productive understory of sword fern, salal, and nettle; the habitat features coarse woody debris and a deep leaf litter with moist soil conditions. Feeding specifically on fungi, the slugs are solitary or occur in very small groups. Much about their secretive habits are still unknown. Threats to the Blue-grey Talidropper Slug include heavy recreational use within their habitat range, and the introduction of exotic plants and animals, such as invasive slugs and snails.

Oregon Forestsnail by Kristiina Ovaska

Oregon Forestsnail (Allogona townsendiana)
BC: Red
COSEWIC: Endangered
Potential to be found on Galiano Island

The Oregon Forestsnail, part of a large and diverse group of land snails endemic to North America, has a pale-brown or straw-coloured shell with 5 or 6 whorl lines. The lip of the shell is white, thickened, and flares. The actual snail body is a light-brown to brown-red colour. The Oregon Forestsnail is long lived and most active in the spring mating season. Hermaphroditic, this snail reaches sexual maturity at around five years. This large snail can be found in coastal lowlands between British Columbia and western Oregon. Habitat includes mixed and deciduous forests typically dominated by big-leaf maple with a great amount leaf litter and a vigorous understory of salal, sword fern and stinging nettle. Because it cannot move easily into new areas, the Oregon Forestnail is susceptible to habitat damage. Today, habitat suitable for A. townsendiana is fragmented by agricultural lands, urban development, and natural topography (such as rivers and mountains). With their habitat becoming degraded and fragmented, predation by mammals, birds, and amphibians has increased, along with competition from introduced exotic gastropods.

Pacific Sideband by Kristiina Ovaska

Pacific Sideband (Monadenia fidelis)
BC: Blue-listed
COSEWIC: Not listed
Found on Galiano Island

The Pacific Sideband snail can be found in deciduous, coniferous or mixed forests but also in open woods and grassy areas; it has also been found in trees up to 7 m. The reddish-brown shell, up to 35 mm in diameter, usually has a dark band around the perimeter, though sometimes with a yellow band. The body of the snail is reddish-pink. This species occurs along the Pacific coast from southeastern Alaska to northern California, generally west of the crest of the Cascade Range. Although their range is large, these areas are vulnerable to habitat loss and fragmentation from development and forestry and agricultural practices.

Sharp-tailed snake by Christian Englestoft

Sharp-tailed snake (Contia tenuis)
BC: Red-listed
COSEWIC: Endangered
Potential to be found on Galiano Island

The Sharp-tailed snake is a very small dark-brown and red reptile that is often confused with garter snakes. Very elusive, this species typically lives on south-facing rocky slopes and small openings in Douglas-fir/arbutus forests in southern British Columbia to southern California and is generally found under logs, rocks, fallen branches, or other cover in oak woodlands and meadows. They are very uncommon with only seven locations so far mapped in Canada. One of their more interesting traits is teeth perfectly designed for swallowing slippery slugs. They hibernate in the winter months from November to February and are most active during moist conditions of early spring and fall. During summer months they stay clear of the heat by hiding underground and are very seldom spotted. Conservation concerns are habitat loss, fragmentation, degradation and road mortality from expanding urbanization such as housing developments and road building. The Sharp-tailed snake is associated with old-growth forests of the Coastal Douglas-fir zone, of which only 0.5 percent is left.

Species Information:
bcreptiles.ca/snakes/sharptail.htm

Western Painted Turtle by Todd Harmer

Western Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta)
BC: blue listed
COSEWIC: Endangered
Potential to be found on Galiano Island

The Western Painted Turtle is a small freshwater turtle with a smooth green upper shell, dark limbs with yellow lines, and a beautiful ventral shell of patterned lines of red, yellow and browns. The most northern turtle in North America, they can grow up to a foot in length and can often live to thirty yeas old. Their habitat is lower-elevation wetlands with muddy bottoms, an abundance of emergent vegetation, and several basking sites. This turtle feeds on both plants and insects from the bottom of the wetland and among aquatic plants. In the winter months from October to March, they hibernate along the bottom of lakes, ponds and wetlands. Its range extends from Ontario to the southern interior of BC, west to Vancouver Island and into Oregon, with pockets of habitat throughout much of the United States. Threats include habitat loss, road kill during nesting season, and increased predation. Areas in southern BC are undergoing major loss of wetlands and a rapid increase of roads and development.

Species Information:
bcreptiles.ca/turtles/westernpaint.htm

Red-legged Frog by Robin Annschild

Red-legged Frog (Rana aurora)
BC: Blue-listed
COSEWIC: Special concern
Found on Galiano Island

The Red-legged Frog is a medium-sized brown frog, generally grey and reddish with dark spotting; the skin on the lower belly and under the legs is bright red. This species is found at the northern part of its range on the Gulf Islands, the mainland adjacent to the Strait of Georgia, and through the Fraser Valley to Hope and south into Northern California on the western side of the coastal mountain ranges. Found in lower altitudes, the Red-legged Frog breeds in cool ponds, lake margins, slow moving streams, marshes, and swamps with suitable vegetation. They prefer mature forests with lots of leaf litter and fallen logs. Of special conservation concern are forestry practices that take out mature stands of trees. (There are 3 to 6 times more amphibians in old-growth forests.) Habitat degradation, habitat loss, and fragmentation are other concerns for this species.

Species Profile:
env.gov.bc.ca/wld/frogwatch/whoswho/factshts/redleg.htm

Blue Dasher by John Davis

Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis)
BC: Blue
COSEWIC: Not listed
Found on Galiano Island

The Blue Dasher is a small dark-blue dragonfly with a white face, metallic green eyes, and a black and yellow striped thorax. The outer halves of the wings are often tinted brown. Blue Dashers are enigmatic and rarely still; male Blue Dasher's are constantly patrolling their territories and dash from perch to perch to challenge other dragonflies as they look for females with which to mate. Blue Dashers are found in a variety of wetlands with abundant aquatic and riparian vegetation, favoring floating plants. The largest populations on Galiano Island are found at Laughlin Lake. Conservation concerns are wetland loss and degradation.

Western Pondhawk by Micheal Woodruff

Western Pondhawk Female by John Davis

Westerm Pondhawk (Erythemis collocate)
BC: Blue Listed
COSEWIC: Not listed
Found on Galiano Island

The Western Pondhawk is a dragonfly similar in appearance to the Blue Dasher but larger, with a green face and dark-blue eyes. Another difference is the flight pattern; the Pondhawk will perch on the ground or on floating vegetation while the Blue Dasher flies higher up in the air. Both species are found in similar wetland habitats, such as Laughlin Lake.

Species information:
creagrus.home.montereybay.com/ WesternPondhawk.html

Dun Skipper by James Miskelly

Dun Skipper (Eupheyes vestries)
BC: Blue Listed
COSEWIC: Threatened
Potential to be found on Galiano Island

The Dun Skipper is a dull earth-toned butterfly with a fast erratic flight. They fly from the beginning of June to the beginning of August and are found in open, grassy, moist/wet meadows with large numbers of sedges. The larval host plant and larval food plant is most likely sedges of the Carex and Cuperus esculentus species. Typically, this species is seen at wet roadside ditches. The Dun Skipper frequents eastern North America but has scattered populations in the southwest of British Columbia, which is the northern part of its range. Within ecosystems of the Gulf Islands, this butterfly's habitat has been greatly reduced by human activities, including drainage and the introduction of weedy exotic plants, such as Scotch broom.

Species Information:
env.gov.bc.ca/wld/documents/statusrpts/wr101.pdf

Propertius Duskywing by John Davis

Propertius Duskywing (Erynnis propertius)
BC: Blue
COSEWIC: Not listed
Found on Galiano Island

Galiano Island is near the northern limit of the Propertius Duskywing butterflies, whose habitat stretches as far south as Baja California. This rare butterfly is black and grey speckled with white spots on the forewing and hooked antennae. They are most often seen circling around hill tops and forest edges in Garry oak or mixed woodland ecosystems from sea-level to middle elevations. Oak leaves are the exclusive food plant for the caterpillars, and the pupae are found in the leaf litter below. Food plant sources for the butterfly include the nectar from several Garry oak meadow flowers, including camas, vetch and Hooker's onion, and therefore the survival of this species depends on the preservation of large Garry oak woodlands. On Galiano, the continued removal of Scotch broom and invasive grasses will improve the recovery of this endangered butterfly.

Brochure on Rare Butterflies:
env.gov.bc.ca/wld/documents/butterflies.pdf