BRANT GEESE IN PARKSVILLE

Mar 17

Winter is winding up and spring is seeping into the air.

The days are longer, the sun is out, and the air is crisp with hints of flowers poking through the soil.

Something unique happens on the East Coast of Vancouver Island this time of year, the Oceanside community of Parksville and Qualicum celebrate the Brant Geese.

Photo taken by **Angie Ooms** of Brant Geese from brantfestival.bc.ca

The Black Brant geese you see along the shores of Parksville are on a remarkable and arduous journey of migration from California and Mexico to northern nesting grounds. Our beaches provide an abundant food source for the geese, which need to gain weight and strength before making another non-stop flight.

A disturbance caused by something as simple as a child running on the beach can have drastic effects on the geese while feeding. For this reason, Parksville beaches are close to dogs both on-leash and off-leash for a period each year from March 1 to April 20.

To celebrate the Brant Geese there are a variety of events happening in Parksville and Qualicum hosted by Brant Wildlife Festival. The Brant Wildlife Festival celebrates nature, particularly Brant geese as they rest and feed on the shores of Parksville and Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

Photo of Englishman River Estuary from brantfestival.bc.ca

There are many events including, Lift Off with The Nature Trust of BC; a Movie Night at French Press Coffee Roasters; an Eagle Release with North Island Wildlife Recovery Association; the 30th Pacific Brant Carving, Woodworking & Art Show; Seafood demonstration and tours with Deep Marine Field Station; Englishman River Estuary walking tour; Hamilton March Tour and much more!

Oceanside CWeed is participating in Spot the Brant along with many other retailers in Qualicum and Parksville. This is a fun way to explore shops in this area by finding the Brant Geese the store has on display. Be sure to take a selfie and post it on Social Media.

This is a great time of year to get outside with your favourite way to get high and enjoy participating in these events, or if you like to ride solo, sit back and enjoy watching the Brant geese fill their empty stomachs on our beaches.