Happy landings by Brant geese
Celebrate spring by welcoming the arrival of thousands of migratory birds at the Brant Wildlife Festival, running until April 20 at venues on the Island.
The festival celebrates the return of the Brant geese that stop at Parksville and Qualicum Beach every year on their migration.
The beaches, marshes and estuaries in the area are a convenient midway point between their wintering areas and their nesting grounds.
Apart from viewing the thousands of birds, the festival features more than 25 events for all ages and interests.
Activities include wildlife viewing, river walks, nature camps for kids, a bioblitz, nature carving and art.
Couples can also renew their marriage vows with Weddings for Wildlife, a seaside wedding ceremony for a donation.
Activities include a guided tour of the Deep Bay Marine Field Station, today at 2 p.m. and on Monday and Wednesday at 11 a.m.
The cost is $12 adults, $6 children ages 6 to 17 and free for ages 5 and under.
On Friday, at Arrowsmith Independent School, you can watch Winged Migration, a documentary about winter bird migration filmed over four years on all seven continents. Admission is by donation. Doors open at 6:30 and the movie begins at 7:30 p.m.
Then you can view the main stars of the show at Brant in the Bay, hosted by the Arrowsmith Naturalists, on Sunday. View Brant geese and other coastal birds using binoculars and spotting scopes that will be provided. There will also be interesting displays. You can join for free. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at Parksville Community Park.
On Monday, take the Little Qualicum River Estuary Tour. Join the hosts, the Qualicum Beach Streamkeepers, to learn about this important estuary, about the Streamkeepers’ restoration work, their Canada geese management and native plantings.
The program is free. It starts at 10 a.m. from the parking lot near the beach end of Surfside Drive in Qualicum Beach. Raingear might be needed, as the program runs rain or shine. Wear a pair of good walking shoes or boots (rubber boots not required).
Join the Streamkeepers again on Wednesday for the Grandon Creek Walk and Salmon Recovery Work. See native plants, restoration plantings, invasive species, the railway and, perhaps, count any passing fish.
You can also join in a walk to the new Seaside Nature Park. The event is free. It starts at 1 p.m. Wednesday from the bottom of Grandon Creek, Qualicum Beach (Crescent Road West and Beach Terrace). Wear a pair of good walking shoes or boots and raingear as needed.
The Nature Trust of British Columbia, a non-profit land conservation organization, co-ordinates the festival. For more information, and a schedule of events, go to brantfestival.bc.ca.
Rehab centre has saved thousands of animals
Reserve now to go behind the scenes at the B.C. SPCA’s Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre’s Open House, this weekend in Metchosin.
At the once-a-year event, an experienced volunteer takes guests on a tour of the facilities to see how wild patients are rehabilitated.
There will be educational raptors on site, children’s activities and displays by several community groups.
No wild patients will be on display, as the centre wants to ensure their recovery takes place with as little stress as possible.
The centre’s specialized team of staff and volunteers cared for more than 2,800 sick, injured and orphaned wild patients in 2018 and has looked after more than 40,000 since it opened in 1997.
Saturday’s event is free, but donations of cash, food or supplies are appreciated and will go towards the continued life-saving work at the centre.
Due to high demand, reservations are necessary to ensure all guests get the most out of their experience.
The Open House weekend takes place rain or shine and always fills up quickly.
Reservation questions for large groups, or requests for special accessible tours for those with mobility issues, can be sent to [email protected].
The event runs from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Wild ARC, 1020 Malloch Rd.
For more information, or to reserve a place, go to spca.bc.ca/events/event/wild-arc-open-house.
Bike racers gather at Bear Mountain
Watch the exciting challenge of cross-country racing, the thrill of mountain bike enduro and more at the Bear Mountain Bike Festival, Saturday and Sunday at the Westin Bear Mountain Resort, 1999 Country Club Way.
This is the third year of the event, touted as Vancouver Island’s premier off-road bicycle event, with more than 500 participants — ranging from children to Olympians — and nearly 5,000 spectators.
The UCI Bear Mountain Canada Cup XC kicks off the festival on Saturday with the 2019 Canada Cup XCO Long Course, on a notoriously challenging race course.
Racers from various age groups and abilities get to test their strength, endurance and technical abilities on the mountain’s trail system.
The highlight of the event will be watching Olympic bronze medallist Catharine Pendrel race as defending champion.
On Sunday, you can watch the action at the Russ Hay’s XC Short Track, a dynamic race that lasts about 30 minutes.
This discipline is held on a shorter and simpler circuit (of about two kilometres) with fewer terrain obstacles, which naturally pushes the riders to ride in a group.
With point-scoring bonuses or prize money during each passage of the finish area, a hard fight is guaranteed on the finish line of each circuit, making a great show for spectators.
Marty’s Mountain Cycle presents the Rocky Mountain Enduro on Sunday with up to five timed technical descents.
With sections totalling up to five kilometres and 600 metres of combined descending elevation, the event will offer a fun and fast Enduro experience for riders of all abilities.
You can get the children out on the trails at the Oak Bay Bikes Westshore Kids Bike Day on Sunday. Kids can join in a guided trail ride with some of Canada’s top mountain bike racers.
Rides will be grouped by experience and ability, with beginner, intermediate and advanced levels.
The festival also features a Bike Expo featuring vendors, a food court, demonstrations and family-friendly activities.
The festival is free to view. Cross-country events run from 8 a.m. Saturday to 4 p.m. Sunday. The Kids Bike Day features free registration and runs from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Sunday. For information, go to victoriabikerace.com/bear-mountain.
Learn a lot about fish at Sooke centre
There’s something fishy going on.
Find out what it is at Salmon Saturday, a drop-in event at the Charters Interpretive Centre in Sooke on Saturday.
The centre is run by the Juan de Fuca Salmon Restoration Society in the park-like surroundings of the Charters River.
You can check out the demonstration hatchery, operating under permit from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and view fry growing in tanks. In the fall, the young fish will be released into the Charters and Sooke rivers.
You can also enjoy displays at the centre or explore the surroundings yourself along the river banks.
The event is free to attend. It runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The centre is at 2895 Sooke River Rd. The facility is wheelchair accessible.
Please leave pets at home. For more information, go to crd.bc.ca/parks.
Filipinos tell their stories
Help to celebrate the Victoria Filipino Canadian Association’s 50th anniversary at two events at the Philippine Bayanihan Centre on Sunday.
Get a taste of Filipino cuisine and meet members of the community at a lunch that features traditional food. Lunch costs $12.
It runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the centre, 1709 Blanshard St.
After lunch, you can find out about the rich history of the Philippines and its peoples at a song and dance presentation by members of the local Filipino community at Story of Victoria Filipino Canadian Association: 1969-2019.
Tickets are available at the door. They cost $10 adults, $5 students. The event starts at 3 p.m. at the Dave Dunnet Community Theatre, Oak Bay High School, 2121 Cadboro Bay Rd.
Tickets can also be purchased in advance by phoning 250-704-8311. For more information, call the centre at 250-472-1898 or go to bayanihan.ca.
Be a pirate for day in Nanaimo
Paint on a mustache, grab an eyepatch, dress in your best pirate gear, practice your best “Arrrrgh!” and take your children to salute the Jolly Roger at Pirate Fest, Friday at the Country Club Centre, 3200 North Island Hwy. in Nanaimo.
The fun-filled day has all things to do with pirates, including a parade, crafts, ship races, bowling, performers on stilts and jugglers. The event is free and there are free refreshments. It runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
