Species at Risk

The District of Sooke is home to two species (streambank lupine and the blue-grey taildropper slug) that have been listed as endangered by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). Both of these species occur along the banks of the Sooke River. The lupine occurs within the Sooke Potholes Provincial Park and thus is afforded some protection within the park. The blue-grey taildropper slug is known to occur adjacent to the Galloping Goose Regional Trail along Sooke River Road. The critical habitat (older forests with a deciduous component) of this species is threatened by habitat loss from recreational use and habitat loss from urban development.

The entire District is considered habitat to the ermine (Auguinae subspecies) and potentially Keen’s myotis (a bat). The ermine is blue-listed 1 by the BC Conservation Data Centre (BC CDC) and appears to prefer low elevation sites near the ocean, rivers, creeks and estuaries. They can be seen occasionally on Whiffin Spit. Keen’s myotis is red-listed by the BC CDC and is believe to nest in tree cavities, rock crevices and small caves. They are believed to hunt along forest edges and openings as well as over ponds.

The District of Sooke has the only known occurrence of the Nevada marsh fern in Canada and is red-listed by the BC CDC.  An additional four blue-listed plant species occur within the District.

  • Pacific waterleaf is widely dispersed in the moist woodlands and stream banks.
  • Common bluecup can be found in moist seepages around the Sooke River.
  • Fleshy jaumea is found in moist tidal beaches and salt marshes in the lowland zone.
  • Macoun’s groundsel is found in the dry open forests, disturbed areas and rock outcrops of the District.

In 2005, bald eagles nested at three locations (two additional inactive nests) within the District. Four chicks fledged from these nests. Habitat loss and degradation as well as shooting the animal for their feathers, are considered key threats to this species. This species is not listed by the BC CDC or by COSEWIC.

Great blue herons, listed as Special Concern by COSEWIC, are also known to use habitat within the District of Sooke. No up-to-date information is available on nesting and roosting sites for the area. Human activity near heron colonies poses the largest threat to this subspecies (COSEWIC 2008).