Three CVN members hiked the BC Hydro Trails on the east side of the Puntledge River from Bevan upstream toward Comox Lake.
Using the info from the online Nature Viewing Guide as reference we followed the River Trail about 4km upstream toward Comox Lake to a small bog, then returned on the Palm Beach trail for a total of about 7.5 km.
Bigleaf Maple Grove
We had sightings of several birds which were added to the online nature information for this site: Steller’s Jay, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, and Northern Flicker.
Puntledge River View
Several large fish, probably Chinook Salmon, were visible in the river, sometimes leaping out of the water.
We also saw deer prints, heard tree frogs, and saw woolly bear caterpillars, all sightings which were added to the nature information.
Bog Cranberry
Plants of interest in the bog include Labrador tea, western bog-laurel, sweet gale, and bog cranberry.
Purple Mushrooms
Mushrooms were again plentiful in the woods, most we could not identify.
White Mushroom
The final Nature Hike in the series is Monday October 14 to the Puntledge River west side BC Hydro Trails: meet at Harmston Ave. across from the Old Church Theatre in downtown Courtenay at 9 a.m. or at the trailhead about 20 min. after. Here is a link to a Google map with the trailheads marked.
The hike will be about 11 km with some hills & muddy sections and could take 4-5 hrs. These hikes are for CVN members & guests only.
Please print out the online information for reference during the outing. Dress for the weather, wear proper footwear, bring lunch or snacks, & plenty of water.
