Big Day Birding Competition

Big Sittas bring the spirit of the competition to the platform!

127 species seen in total.
9 Teams participated
The Olde Country Twitchers got the award for most species.
Interesting sightings included;
Snow Goose
Western Grebe
Northern Harrier
American Kestrel
Glaucous Gull
Western Screech-Owl
Northern Pygmy-Owl
Anna’s Hummingbird
Purple Martin
Townsend’s Solitaire
Wilson’s Warbler
American Goldfinch

I will say, that the battle on the Englishman Estuary was the most fun I’ve
had in a long time, and the tie result between The Big Sittas and The Broken
Wings is absolutely priceless. This is what Big Days are supposed to be about!

Thanks to everyone who participated, all of the Brant Festival Volunteers, and
the sponsors;

The Nature trust of BC
BC Hydro
The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store
Arrowsmith Mountain Bikes

A Celebration of Nature, Children and the Arts

Debbie Goodman, Cher Sherwood, Cheryl Campbell, Terri Bowen, Lynn Bieber-Weir, Geoff Campbell, Lori Lynch and Donna Monty

The Brant Wildlife Festival, Oceanside Community Arts Council, artists, photographers and children brought over 200 people to the Oceanside Art Gallery to celebrate biodiversity, children, and community arts. And what a treat for young artists from the Robert Bateman “Kids Get to Know” program to have their works displayed in this beautiful gallery for all to admire.

Guests were entertained by the Geoff Campbell Jazz Trio and learned about Biodiversity, Brant and other wild neighbours that are so much a part of our lives. One of the art displays holds treasures from a Brant Care Package which children from Baja to Cold Bay Alaska send along the Pacific Flyway in tandem with the Brant during their spectacular migration. The treasures include salt crystals from Baja, to art works, essays, photos and other mementos from all of the stop-overs along the route where Brant come to rest and feed. The Package will go from Parksville-Qualicum to Cold Bay Alaska when the Brant make their journey to Izembek Lagoon.

Geoff Campbell Trio

The Nature Trust of BC and the Brant Wildlife Festival would like to thank all of the artists and photographers and guests who supported this event and are happy

to donate the evenings proceeds to the OCAC in support of their important community arts programmes.

The exhibit will be on display until April 30th

THE BAND – Geoff Campbell Trio: Ben Dwyer, Geoff Campbell,  & Brian Anderson.

Big Day Birding:Deadline Extended

©Guy Monty

Once again we are extending date for Big Day registration. Please notify organizers if you plan on participating so we have a rough idea of how many people we will be feeding at the awards dinner. Non team members are welcome to pre-register for the dinner.

It looks like there will be a knock down drag out over best Big Sit spots for the new category that requires a comfy chair, maybe a bar-b-q and good ears and eyes.

Any questions or to register your team contact Robin Rivers at 1-866-288-7878 ext. 226 or 604-924-9771 or e-mail rrivers@naturetrust.bc.ca. Or go to; www.brantfestival.bc.ca

• Big Day Checklist
• Big Day
• Results Form 2010

http://brantfestival.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/checklist-2010.pdfBig Day Checklist

Brant Wildlife Festival celebrates it’s 20th year…

Pacific Black Brant

Brant Wildlife Festival celebrates it’s 20th year…

“The 20th Brant Wildlife Festival celebrates the International Year of Biodiversity.

From March 5 to April 28 the festival will host nature walks, wildlife viewing adventures, community celebrations, learn to fish and nature camps for children, family days and more on mid-Vancouver Island.”  Read More in the PQB NEWS

Island Times Article

Island Times Magazine has done an article on the Brant Wildlife Festival Click here

Rathtrevor Beach

Herring are here!

2010 Spawn from French Creek

“In case you couldn’t smell it in the air… Between French Creek Marina and Parksville Bay Friday February 26, 2010 there was lots of milt colouring the water…don’t see eggs yet though.

Will the girls accept the boys’ invitation to this favoured location?

We also saw 10′s of thousands of gulls and thousands of sea lions up at Qualicum Bay last night though herring had not spawned yet.”

– Cheers, Donna Monty

Brant Wildlife Festival ~ International Year of Biodiversity

Week One 2010!

How exciting! Week 1 is only 16 days away! Click on the PDF’s below for details on each event.

• March 5 – Opening Event – Quality Bayside Inn – 7-10pm PDF
• March 6 – Brant in the Bay – Parksville Bay – 10am-1pm  PDF
• March 6 – Stargazers Astronomy Night - 7 pm – 9 pm  PDF
• March 7 - Kids Art Workshop – OCAC- 10am-2pm  PDF
• March 7 - Wild Shores Herring Tour – Parksville – 10am-Noon  PDF
• March 8 – March 12  – Spring Break Camps – 5 days 9am-3pm  PDF
• March 13 - Corridors for Biodiversity – Beach Acres -6pm-9pm  PDF

Want to Learn More…?

Guy Monty - Bird Biologist

Want to learn more about Pacific Black Brant, Vancouver Island Brant Conservation and why we may these geese such special attention? Click Here for Brant Conservation Brochure

You’re in luck! Local bird biologist and Brant expert, Guy Monty,  will be doing several speaking engagements on Vancouver Island.

• Monday, February 15 – Arrowsmith Naturalist Meeting – Springwood Middle School, 7pm
• Thursday, March 11 – Nanoose Naturalists Meeting - Nanoose Library 7pm
• Saturday, February 20, Bald Eagle Festival – Campbell River – 10-3:30pm

Countdown to Opening Night

Opening Night

Today marks 1 short month until the 2010 Brant Wildlife Festival opens.

20^th Anniversary Opening Night

March 5, 7 –10 pm, Quality Resort Bayside, Parksville.  Kick off 2010 Brant Wildlife Festival with keynote speaker Marian Adair, Presentation: Biodiversity BC – Taking Nature’s Pulse.  Discussion.  Refreshments & no host bar.  Pre-register $10 per person

Schedule of events 2010!!

We are very pleased to announce the completion of the 2010 Brant Wildlife Festival Schedule of Events.

Schedule of Events

For more information on the events please call

Robin Rivers 1.866.288.7878

Donna Monty 250.586.3838 (Parksville)