Sounds of Mayne Island

When people think about Mayne Island, they usually picture forests, beaches, ferries, and spectacular sunsets. But after hosting guests at The Grove B&B for a while, I've come to realize that Mayne Island is experienced as much through sound as it is through sight.

Some sounds are loud and unmistakable. Others are so subtle that you only notice them after you've slowed down and settled into island time. Together, they form the Sounds of Mayne Island.

The Horns of Active Pass

One of the most recognizable sounds on Mayne Island is the deep horn of a BC Ferries vessel transiting Active Pass.

The pass contains two sharp bends where vessels cannot easily see what lies ahead, so ferries and other mariners use horn signals to communicate their presence and intentions. These deep, low-frequency sounds travel remarkably well over water and can often be heard for kilometres across the Southern Gulf Islands.

One signal that occasionally catches people's attention is five short, rapid blasts, an internationally recognized warning indicating uncertainty or potential danger.

Most days, however, the ferry's horn is simply part of life in the Gulf Islands. For many residents, it serves almost as a clock, marking the passage of ships through Active Pass and reminding us that although Mayne Island feels pleasantly secluded, it remains connected to the wider coast by the waters of the Salish Sea.

Click here for samples of BC Ferries' horn signals.

That Famous Eagle Screech? Not a Bald Eagle...

Guests are often surprised by the number of bald eagles they see around Mayne Island. What surprises them even more is what bald eagles actually sound like.

If you've watched movies or television shows, you've probably heard the dramatic, piercing scream that filmmakers almost always associate with a soaring eagle. The catch? That's usually not a bald eagle at all.

For decades, Hollywood has commonly used recordings of the red-tailed hawk because its call sounds more powerful and dramatic on screen. Real bald eagles tend to make a series of relatively high-pitched chirps, whistles, and chattering calls.

Click below to hear what Bald Eagles sound like:

https://youtu.be/2Z0ycs4LkDs?si=MdNZcq_T7dmw3WBp

Once you know what to listen for, you'll start recognizing the authentic voice of one of Canada's most iconic birds.

Ravens: The Island's Master Communicators

If bald eagles are the celebrities of Mayne Island's skies, ravens are the intellectuals.

These remarkably intelligent birds seem to be in constant conversation. Their repertoire includes deep croaks, clicks, gurgles, and a variety of calls used to communicate with mates, family members, and other ravens.

Photo: John Marzluff

But ravens don't communicate only with their voices. When one passes low overhead, the sound of its wings is unmistakable. Their powerful wingbeats produce a deep, rhythmic whoosh-whoosh that can often be heard before the bird comes into view.

Ravens often form long-term pair bonds, sometimes lasting for life. On Mayne Island, it is not uncommon to hear mated pairs calling back and forth across the landscape, their voices carrying through the forest canopy and over open fields.

Whether calling from a treetop or sweeping overhead on broad black wings, ravens provide one of the island's most distinctive soundtracks.

The Morning Chorus

Guests who rise early at The Grove are often treated to one of the island's most beautiful daily performances.

Our property attracts a variety of songbirds, including chickadees, nuthatches, towhees, sparrows, finches, woodpeckers, and other seasonal visitors. The dawn chorus begins shortly before sunrise and gradually builds as more birds join in.

As I noted in my earlier post on birdwatching, you don't need to be an experienced birder to appreciate the experience. Simply sitting quietly with a coffee on the deck can reveal an astonishing variety of calls and songs.

For many guests, it becomes an unexpected highlight of their stay.

Wind Through the Arbutus Trees

Arbutus trees are among the defining features of the Gulf Islands.

With their twisting red trunks, peeling bark, and evergreen leaves, they are visually striking throughout the year. They also contribute a unique sound to the Mayne Island landscape.

When a gentle breeze moves through an arbutus grove, the leaves create a soft, rhythmic swishing. It is not the loud rustling associated with larger deciduous trees. Instead, it is a subtle and soothing sound that blends naturally with the forest around it.

On warm summer evenings, it can feel almost meditative.

Pacific Treefrogs

Photo: Marc Tremblay

One of Mayne Island's most distinctive natural sounds is the chorus of Pacific Treefrogs, also known as Pacific Chorus Frogs. Despite their small size, these tiny amphibians can produce a surprisingly loud chorus near ponds, wetlands, and seasonal pools.

Their call is so recognizable that variations of it have been used in countless movies and television shows as the classic "frog sound."

On a quiet evening, their rhythmic chorus can carry surprisingly far, becoming part of the island's natural soundtrack.

Here are more info and a sample recording of their calls.

The Sound of Silence

Perhaps the most remarkable sound on Mayne Island is the one many visitors notice only after a day or two: Silence.

Not complete silence, of course. Nature rarely works that way.

Instead, it is the absence of constant background noise. No traffic noise. No sirens. No urban hum.

Occasionally the stillness is interrupted by a branch falling in the forest, a raccoon investigating the undergrowth, or the sharp bark of a deer. Near the shoreline, you may hear waves gently lapping against the beach or a flock of Canada geese announcing their arrival in a nearby bay.

Then the quiet returns.

For many guests, that quiet becomes one of the most memorable parts of their stay. It's a reminder that the world can still slow down, if only for a little while.

Listen Closely to the Sounds of Mayne Island

When people remember Mayne Island, they often remember what they saw: the view from Mount Parke, a sunset over Active Pass, or an eagle perched in a towering fir.

But if you listen carefully, you'll discover another side of the island.

The ferry horn in the distance. The chatter of eagles and ravens. The morning songs of birds. Wind in the arbutus trees. Frogs calling from a pond. Waves on the shore.

Together, they create a soundtrack that is unmistakably Mayne Island.