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2014 Brant Wildlife Festival
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2014 Brant Wildlife Festival
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2014 Brant Wildlife Festival
Herring Spawn tour
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2014 Brant Wildlife Festival
Kids around table viewing critters
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2014 Brant Wildlife Festival
By Robin Rivers
Talk about a long trip…Black Brant geese fly from California and Mexico to their northern breeding grounds in Alaska and the Arctic each year. On their northward migration, these chatty little geese stop to rest and feed on the shores of mid-Vancouver Island, in particular Parksville and Qualicum Beach. Over 20,000 Brant will stop on their journey.
They arrive thin, tired and hungry. Most have only a few days to gain weight and strength before making another non-stop flight north. Brant spend their nights out on the Strait of Georgia. They fly in–shore to land on the first exposed sandbars with the receding tide. The Brant follow the tide out, feeding as they go on their primary foods – eelgrass, sea lettuce and nutrient rich herring roe. They spend up to 70% of their day feeding.
Coinciding with the arrival of the Brant geese is the Pacific herring spawn. This abundant food source attracts thousands of water birds and marine mammals to beaches and bays in Parksville and Qualicum Beach. Pacific herring lay their eggs on seaweed such as eelgrass. The spawning of millions of herring turns the colour of the water a turquoise hue and the surf turns foamy white as it breaks onto the beaches. The herring eggs are an important source of protein and lipids for Brant as they put on fat to complete their journey to the northern breeding grounds.
In honour of Brant geese and other spring spectacles of nature, The Nature Trust of British Columbia hosts the Brant Wildlife Festival with the help of local volunteers and organizations. The 2014 festival includes wildlife tours and activities to inspire people of all ages to explore the wonders of nature in Parksville and Qualicum Beach. Details about events can be found at www.brantfestival.bc.ca or by calling toll free 1-866-288-7878.
- The festival kicks off with an Opening Night on March 1 at the Bayside Quality Resort in Parksville. Join us for live music, great food, and auction items for every taste.
- Herring Spawn Tour by boat on March 1 and 2 led by the Deep Bay Marine Field Station
- Gary and Ronda Murdock of Pacific Rainforest Adventure Tours will be leading guided tours by van to see the herring spawn and other wildlife on March 9 and Brant on March 16 and 23
- The Arrowsmith Naturalists will be providing spotting scopes and expertise at Parksville Community Park on March 2 so everyone can have a chance to view Brant geese and other birds
- The North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre in Errington will be releasing a rehabilitated eagle and also providing bird presentations and refreshments on April 12
- The Deep Bay Marine Field Station will be hosting a number of events in March and April including an open house, featuring touch tanks and aquaria, food and hands-on learning, and guest speakers
To limit disturbance to migratory Brant geese and other wildlife, BC Ministry of Environment has seasonal “no dog” restrictions in certain areas. Please do your part by observing the signs posted in these sensitive locations.
The Nature Trust of British Columbia is proud to coordinate the Brant Wildlife Festival. As a non-profit land conservation organization, we welcome the opportunity to encourage people to get outdoors and discover local wildlife, particularly the amazing Brant goose. For details about our conservation work, visit www.naturetrust.bc.ca or e-mail info@naturetrust.bc.ca.