A Wildlife Spectacle

In Spring, coinciding with the arrival of the Brant geese there is another wildlife spectacle; the Pacific herring spawn. This abundant food source attracts tens of thousands of water birds and marine mammals to the beaches and bays in Parksville and Qualicum.

Pacific herring lay their eggs on seaweed such as eelgrass. The spawning of millions of herring turns the colour of the water a turqoise hue and the surf turns foamy white as it breaks onto the beaches - it is quite a sight.



















We ventured out to French Creek, the local fishing harbour and



















we were lucky enough to see lots of harbour seals and sea lions feasting on the herring along with more gulls than we have ever encountered!