Metchosin Meadows
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The Metchosin Meadows are a collection of visually stunning, ecologically complex sites located in Metchosin. They feature steep slopes, rugged terrain, and expansive views. These landscape hosts at-risk Garry oak meadows, rocky outcrops, steep southwest-facing slopes, and riparian areas alongside second-growth Douglas-fir forests. These sites contain diverse bryophyte, geophyte, grass, and forb communities that are especially evident in Spring, when the meadows come to life and showcase a colourful sea of native wildflowers.
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Garry oak-associated meadows
Riparian habitats,
Second-growth Douglas-fir forests
Terrestrial herbaceous ecosystems characterized by steep, moss-covered, rocky knolls, a diverse bryophyte, geophyte, grass, and forb community
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Purple Sanicle (Sanicula bipinnatifida) - A red-listed (threatened) species in British Columbia, found in dry Garry oak meadows and woodlands. Scotch Broom and invasive grasses pose an ongoing threat to this species.
Slimleaf Onion (Allium amplectens) – Provincially blue-listed, found in vernally moist rocky bluffs and ledges within oak meadow habitats, and prefers minimal tree and shrub cover.
White-top Aster (Sericocarpus rigidus) – Provincially blue-listed.
Northern Red-legged Frog (Rana aurora) - A blue-listed (special concern) species in BC, observed in a small forest pond that also supports Rough-skinned Newts (Taricha granulosa) and possibly Long-toed Salamanders (Ambystoma macrodactylum). While the pond is self-sustaining, Spurge Laurel (Daphne laureola) must be be removed to maintain natural hydrology and protect native vegetation.
Sharp-tailed Snake (Contia tenuis) – Federally endangered. Observed after installing an Artificial Cover Object (ACO).
Western Branded Skipper (Hesperia colorado oregonia) – Provincially blue-listed butterfly. Thought to use fescue and sedge species as host plants. These sites retain some abundance of Roemer’s Fescue (Festuca roemeria) and Long-stoloned Sedge (Carex inops) which could be the larval stage food source.
Moss’s Elfin (Incisalia mossii mossii) – Provincially blue-listed butterfly, depends on Broad-leaved Stonecrop (Sedum spathulifolium) as a host plant.
Island Snow Scorpionfly (Boreus insulanus) – A snow scorpionfly species, believed to be endemic to one of the Metchosin sites, associated with mosses.
Hairy Tufted Jumping Spider (Phidippus comatus) – July 2024, one of the first Canadian records was observed on a Metchosin site by HAT crew member Hannah Hickli. There is one other record in Saskatoon, however details are unknown. There have been other occurrences on Vancouver Island but nowhere else in BC.
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Invasive species spread, particularly Scotch broom, shiny geranium, orchard grass, tansy ragwort, daphne laurel, invasive grasses, Himalayan blackberry, bur chervil, cut-leaf blackberry, English holly, English ivy, and thistle.
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