Lately we have seen flocks of Black Brant geese along the shores of Parksville/Qualicum Beach and so, to find out more about them we spent one day last weekend at the Brant Geese Festival learning all about these beautiful birds.
The ones we are currently seeing are on a remarkable journey of migration from California and Mexico to their northern breeding grounds. On this northward migration, Brant geese relay heavily on coastal estuaries, beaches, bays and spits like those found along the shores of Parksville and Qualicum to feed and rest.
Some of the key facts we gleaned from the experts included the fact that the global population of Pacific Black Brant is estimated to be only 150,000 birds and that Brant spend up to 70% of their day feeding.
Whilst we were at the shore, binoculars in hand and telescopes at the ready we were treated to several sightings. There were at least 5 flocks which came in to land whilst we were there, not to mention a number of bald eagles including immature bald eagles who had decided to stay on the sandbar for a time and as a result, scared off the brant from landing!! We also had the good fortune to spot a beautiful Great Blue Heron, plenty of Black Oyster Catchers and the stunning Northern Pintail duck.
You could be forgiven for thinking we are serious "twitchers" - and, there are some who would argue that we have always shown a penchant for birds(!!!), truth is, we have always enjoyed seeing all sorts of wildlife, in the wild, and the sheer variety of different birds here cannot fail to spark some interest.
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