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To celebrate our 60th anniversary we invite you to come for a guided stroll on the Courtenay Riverway Heritage Walk with a member of Comox Valley Nature on April 24, 10 am -noon. Learn about the history of this area, including how the former sewage lagoon has become one of the most popular walking spots in the Comox Valley. Check out the restoration work that has replaced invasive plant species and added more native plants, shrubs and trees that is being done by Comox Valley Nature in partnership with the City of Courtenay. Hear why invasive plant species are so damaging to the ecosystems. Enjoy the view from the "lookout" over the estuary and be reminded how important the estuary is to the web of life.REGISTRATION required on our events page cvnature.ca/events An easy 1 km walk on a wheelchair accessible paved path. Dress for the weather and bring a water bottle Sorry, no dogs. This event is free, but donations are welcome.
For more information, add your name to a wait list or to cancel your reservation email: .
To celebrate our 60th anniversary Comox Valley Nature is offering this opportunity to get together with knowledgeable birders to share skills and learn more about birding in the Comox Valley.This outing is designed for beginners, but birders of all levels are welcome. Experienced birders will help with identifying species, equipment, useful apps, and field guides.
Both CVN members and the public are welcome on this walk at the Courtenay Airpark which will be on a wide smooth pathway for about 2km round trip. Bring binoculars if you have them. Dress for the weather. Warm clothing necessary – it’s often windy there! Please leave pets at home.
Register through our events page at This event is free. Donations welcome.
#birding #comoxvalley #iba #courtenay airpark
Plant more native plants and weed out invasives to build a stronger food web:
To celebrate our 60th anniversary we offer this opportunity to learn more about Garry oaks in the Comox Valley.Vanier Nature Park is home to a small grove of Garry oak trees which is being stewarded by Comox Valley Nature. These oaks are at the northern extent of their range, and are a remnant of a culturally modified ecosystem that once covered 160 square kilometres in the Comox Valley
This walk will be lead by Geologist Bob Hauser and Forester Terry Lewis. They have spent many hours in the park removing invasive holly. Terry and Bob will look at the work in progress in the grove and share their unique perspective on this forest, with a focus on soil science and tree species.
The Vanier Nature Park project is being co-managed by Comox Valley Nature and the City of Courtenay with funding from the City of Courtenay, BC Nature and the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation.
Registration required through
The walk is partially on level ground with some gentle to moderate uphill walking on a forest trail that has some uneven footing. No dogs please.
For more information, to add your name to a wait list or to cancel your reservation, email: Details of the meeting place will be sent to registrants. Please be at the meeting spot at least 10 minutes before the walk starts to sign in.
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
Posted in Birds, Conservation and Restoration, Ecology
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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
Posted in Birds, Photography
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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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