Greater Victoria has just experienced one of the driest Mays ever recorded, according to Environment Canada data, raising concerns about drought conditions and the months ahead as Vancouver Island heads into wildfire season.

Western red cedars in South Langley, BC are dying, with browning starting at the tops during summer and progressing downward until the trees are completely dead.

Lesser Goldfinch birds were seen munching on local greenery

The ‘persistent and widespread decline’ of the province’s official tree is due to drier, California-like summer droughts of two to three months.

Bird is uncharacteristically alone and far from home