Parksville, Vancouver Island Birding Capital

Did you know that many birds come to Parksville annually, and that is the reason the city has become the bird watching capital of Vancouver Island? The long sandy beaches, tidal estuaries, and wooded hills of this Important bird area in the Pacific Flyway are ideal for many types of birds, from bald eagles, owls, and other raptors to the Brant geese who migrate to the area each spring. But birds aren’t the only species inhabiting Parksville. Hundreds of birds, animal, and amphibian species move through Parksville Qualicum Beach and dwell there. During the spring and autumn migration periods, check and see the native birds of Parksville Qualicum Beach as well as hundreds of visiting species. water birds and shorebirds abound throughout the migration season. The location is part of the Mt. Arrowsmith Biosphere Reserve, which was recognized as a UNESCO biosphere reserve in 2000 and is one of only two in British Columbia. Marine invertebrates stay on the coastal sand flats as the tide pulls away from the shore. Take the whole family to the beach to look for them. Whales and other species may be seen in plenty in the northern regions of the Salish Sea, which encompass Parksville and Qualicum Beach. One of the extraordinary Pacific herring spawning grounds on the British Columbia coast may be found in this thriving maritime habitat. Whales, seals, sea lions, wolves, bears, and marine birds, to mention a few, rely on Pacific herring for critical nutrients.

Which Birds Do you think you can see in Parksville? The various types of birds that make their home in the Parksville Qualicum Beach region year-round or during their yearly migration has brought tourists to the central. Many species, especially migrating water birds and shorebirds, can be observed beginning in March, especially during the Pacific Herring spawn. Every year in April, you may enjoy the arrival of migrating Brant with the Brant Wildlife Festival. Visit The Faye Smith Pavilion to learn more about Brant Geese. This interpretive site, located just north of Qualicum Beach on Island Highway, provides much background information on migratory geese, and what draws them to this staging point. While many species live here the whole year, meaning there's always something to view, photograph, and document. With a growing interest in birding fueled by COVID, you must know that bird watching has become a trend during the era of Corona Virus; who are these feathered buddies perched in the backyard, anyway?! Enthusiasts will discover Parksville Qualicum Beach as one of the best venues to explore their avian interests.

Orcas, Biggs Killer Whales, Humpback Whales, Pacific White Sided Dolphins, Steller & California Sea Lions, Pacific Harbour Seals, Bald Eagles, and Stunning Scenery and Seascapes are just a few of the creatures you'll see. Sometimes known as Stellars, Northern Sea Lions may be seen all year along our shores, with California Sea Lions and Harbour Seals being most common between November and March. All five species of Pacific Salmon have been spotted at Parksville Qualicum Beach. Chum, Coho, and Chinook Salmon are the most common, with Sockeye and Pink Salmon appearing less commonly. In the fall, visit the Little Qualicum and Big Qualicum Fish Hatcheries to witness the spawning season and even see fish up close in a special viewing area.

The Wildlife Management Area comprises beaches, foreshore gravel bars, and the Englishman River estuary and is located in a moderate coastal temperature zone under a mountain rain shadow. According to the BC Government, the many estuaries, beaches, and coastal gravel bars offer essential staging grounds for the globally significant Pacific Brant Sea Goose.
The PQBWMA protects a varied diversity of species and habitats that are important both locally and globally. According to RDN the PQBWMA's highlights include:
✓ It has a lot of estuaries, beaches, and coastal gravel bars that are significant staging areas for the Pacific Brant Sea Goose, which is an internationally important bird.
✓ It is home to around 60 different aquatic bird species. Over 100,000 water birds visit the region to eat on the abundant beachfront waters.
✓ All pacific salmon species, steelhead, and coastal cutthroat trout rely on the estuaries and foreshore zones for rearing habitat.
✓ Each spring, millions of herring spawn on the foreshore's extensive eelgrass and algal beds; consequently,
✓ Several marine animals are drawn to the region to eat, including the California Sea Lion, Harbour Seal, Northern Seal Lion, and Harbour Porpoise.