Tag Archives: the brant wildlife festival

2011 Brant Wildlife Festival

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Saturday, March 5th is the start of the 21st annual Brant Wildlife Festival which runs until April 19th with events held at Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Nanoose Bay and Port Alberni.

This festival heralds the stopover in the long flight of the Brant Geese from southern California to the Arctic.  Parksville and Qualicum Beach are their resting points.

You can check out some of the activities scheduled here including some FREE events such as:

  • The Amazing Lives of Pacific Black Brant
    Tuesday, March 8, 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.
    Speaker: Guy Monty
    Craig Park Heritage Museum
  • Family Day on the Farm
    Saturday, March 19, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
    Young Naturalists Bird Blitz from Noon – 2 p.m.
    Nanoose Edibles Organic Farm
    Tours, treats, chicks, kids’ activities
  • Wild in Alberni–Somass Estuary Tour
    Sunday, March 27, 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
    Foot of Johnston Rd, Port Alberni
    Pre-register:

The Brant are an endangered species and therefore every precaution must be made to ensure that they are not disturbed. 

graph brantdisturb e 2011 Brant Wildlife Festival
Brant feeding disrupted (Environment Canada)

Because the chum salmon returns are extremely low this year, eagles are expected to turn to other sources of prey such as the Brant.

This year it is more crucial than ever for people and their pets to stay off the beaches. 

For more information, go to http://brantfestival.bc.ca/

Brant Festival Starts Friday in Parksville

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The Brant Geese are arriving from their non stop flight from Morro Bay, California! Over 3000 air km!

Drop by Parksville Community Park to find out all about Brant geese as they congregate waiting for the amazing spring phenomena of the Pacific herring spawn.  Time to feed up for the next leg of their amazing journey to Alaska.

Spotting scopes will be set up and Arrowsmith Naturalists will be on hand to answer all of your questions about the biodiversity in Parksville Bay and the Strait of Georgia.

Learn about the life history of Brant, how biologists keep track of individuals that have been coming to Parksville & Qualicum for decades and about the biodiversity of species that make the Strait of Georgia one of the most fascinating places on earth.

Saturday, March 6, 2010
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Parksville Community Park

For more information on activities visit The Brant Festival

The Brant Wildlife Festival – March 6 to April 26

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What's new with you Mr. Black Brant?

Well, I’m sure the Black Brant would reply I’m very tired after a long flight non stop flight from Mexico! The Black Brant fly up from Mexico and usually arrive in the Parksville-Qualicum Beach area in late February although they don’t appear in large numbers until the end of March.  Peak numbers occur about the time of the Brant Wildlife Festival.   The Black Brants will fuel up for their last non stop flight on up to Alaska.

The Black Brant is very different from the Canada Goose ( notice the shorter neck).   Enjoy the sight and sounds.