CVN Facebook Posts
Hands Off Old Growth, this Sunday October 4th in Simms Park:
Join Comox Valley Nature for a walk to celebrate Comox trees on Saturday, October 3, 2026. We will meet in the parking lot of the Comox Tennis Courts at 1:00 p.m. This 1.5 to 2 hour walk will be led by tree lovers Alora Griffin and Barbara Neilson. The number of participants is limited, and registration is required. RSVP on our events page at comoxvalleynaturalist.bc.ca/events/We will walk beneath the graceful boughs of some of Comox’s glorious trees, while enjoying their surroundings and the ambience they create for us. The trees selected will include examples of all the native trees now protected by the Town of Comox, as well as some exotic trees.We will discuss their biological features and historical significance as we amble along Brooklyn Creek and through Filberg Park and other parts of Comox. The path through Brooklyn Creek is uneven and there are stairs to climb. Bring your curiosity and questions as well as a water bottle and sun or rain protection, if needed. Please wear comfortable walking shoes. Children are welcome but please leave your furry friends at home, except for service dogs.This event is free, but donations are welcome.
The Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis laingi) is a top-level avian predator in mature and old coastal rainforests and is considered an indicator species of these habitats, as well as an indicator of forest health and biodiversity.Over half of the global range of this subspecies occurs in coastal British Columbia, where it favours mature coniferous forest. This non-migratory bird needs a relatively large home range that contains a good food supply. Despite some recent habitat protection efforts, continuing habitat loss is predicted, in part because of anticipated short rotation times in forest harvest. On Haida Gwaii, populations are very low and face an added risk from declines of prey species due to forest understory losses associated with high levels of browsing from an introduced population of deer.The Gitsegukla Huwilp of the Gitxsan.have drafted a petition to call for the legal protection of Northern Goshawks. These birds are keystone species in the Skeena Natural Resource Region which covers northwest British Columbia and includes the northern half of the Great Bear Rainforest. The coastal subspecies of Northern Goshawk on Haida Gwaii is the most vulnerable.The petition urges the Province of British Columbia to recognize and implement Regionally Important Wildlife protection for the Northern Goshawk. To sign please go to form.jotform.com/261745367749068For more information on the Goshawk visit www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/species-risk-public-registry/cosewic-assessm...
Our partners in conservation; CV Land Trust & Conservation Partnership are crowdfunding to purchase a very ecologically important property in Deep Bay.
Comox Valley Nature invites its members and the public to CVN’s September general meeting, this Sunday, September 27th.This month John Neilson will be speaking on “The Challenges in Maintaining an Urban Salmon Population – the Brooklyn Creek Story”Streams in urban environments that support healthy Pacific salmon populations are uncommon, as natural watercourses are often degraded or even buried during the course of development of roads and other urban infrastructure. Of the various Pacific salmon species, coho salmon show special abilities to survive and even thrive in close proximity to human settlements. In this talk, John Neilson reviews the status of coho salmon in the region, and explores the characteristics of this species that promote their resilience. He will also speak of the work of the Brooklyn Creek Watershed Society as they work to conserve the watershed in Comox.Dr. John Neilson has had a 30-year long career as a research scientist with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, including leading research on the population status and ecology of bluefin tuna and swordfish in Canadian waters. He was also a member of the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC), and most recently, led the preparation of the status report on chinook salmon in southern British Columbia. He is the President of the Brooklyn Creek Watershed Society.A brief business meeting follows. Reports from some of our interest groups and projects are an opportunity for guests to learn more about what we do.
Category Archives: Birds
Old growth forests and the Marbled Murrelet
We know many reasons why old-growth forests should be conserved. One reason that has been in the mainstream news in recent times (and earlier) is the Marbled Murrelet, particularly in the Fairy Creek watershed. (For example, see this story in … Continue reading
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Black Swift workshop at SWI
Strathcona Wilderness Institute (SWI) is sponsoring a workshop on July 15 by Birds Canada on birding and the Black Swift. See the details in the poster below.
Birding schedule
A message from Kelly Kline, leader of the CVN Birders Group. The CVN Birders Group goes on bird-watching field trips every Thursday morning and on the first Sunday of each month. We skip the Thursday immediately following a Sunday outing. … Continue reading
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Pileated Woodpecker experience
Bruce Moffat sent these great shots to the Birding Group on April 7. “Shot these today at Rathtrevor Beach.” [Click a photo to enlarge it.]
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CVN birders and the MARS connection
This report was prepared by Royann Petrell and Kelly Kline. In 2020, the CVN Birders Group established a partnership with the Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society (MARS) to enhance the bird displays at their visitor centre. Last spring, Art Martell gave … Continue reading
Posted in Birds, Wetland Restoration
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Bird story: Something unexpected
This story from Bruce Moffat was distributed to the Birding Group on February 2. I followed 7 Red Crossbills around a Highway 19 rest area for almost an hour, watching their behaviour and following them from tree to tree. It … Continue reading
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The 2020 Bird Photo Challenge
From an email by Bruce Moffat distributed to the Birders Group on January 2. The CVN Photography Group took up the challenge started by Terry Thormin last year to photograph (web worthy vs. just ID shots) as many bird species as … Continue reading
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Christmas Bird Count – Wrap-up meetings December 15 and 20
Although Comox Valley Nature is not organizing the Christmas Bird Count this year given the recommendations of Public Health authorities, and given that our insurance does not cover any liability due to the pandemic, some birders in the Valley are … Continue reading
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eDNA sampling project completed
From an email by Kelly to the Birding Group on November 23. Today the last sample was taken from Courtenay Airpark Lagoon. All 17 weekly samples were shipped today to Guelph University for analysis. The sampling team consisted of myself, … Continue reading
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Bird sighting – Wilson’s Snipe
Mark and Pat W. recently contacted the Birding Group when a pair of unusual (at least to most of us) birds was spending time feeding in their back yard for about a week. From the mobile phone photos provided, several … Continue reading
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