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Comox Valley Nature invites its members and the public to CVN’s October general meeting, where you can hear the following keynote presentation by our guest speaker: Birdbrains – Smarter than you think- with Sandra Milligan Once dismissed as “birdbrains,” birds are now recognized for their remarkable intelligence. Sandra explores the evolution of our understanding of avian neuroanatomy, focusing on local species. Through engaging stories and videos, Sandra explores how birds solve problems, use tools, express empathy, and communicate with rich vocabulary – inviting you to see these creatures with newfound respect and wonder.Sandra Milligan has been teaching university level biology at North Island College for over twenty years. With graduate degrees in neuroscience, she’s now a generalist, naturalist, and lifelong learner. In Campbell River, she’s a recognized environmental advocate and public educator. Her passion for birding has evolved into a deep interest in avian behaviour and intelligence. Drawing on her neuroanatomy background, Sandra has followed the growing research on bird cognition, confirming what many intuitively felt – birds display an extraordinary range of intelligent behaviours. Sunday, October 25, 2026 at 3 pm in the main hall of Comox United Church, 250 Beach Drive, Comox. Members of the public welcome.This will be an in-person only meeting. We will not record the presentation on this occasion [this is a correction to previous information].As always, there will be a break after the presentation with a chance to meet new people and socialize with old friends. Tea, coffee and treats will be available (by donation).A brief meeting follows. Reports from some of our interest groups and projects are an opportunity for guests to learn more about what we do.
It's that time of year! A couple of off leash dogs have been seen romping at the confluence of Morrison Creek and the Puntledge River. Dogs get quite excited to see those big chum. The chum do spawn right at the mouth of the creek, salmon eggs are very sensitive to disturbance so paws, or feet, in the creek kill eggs. Keep your dog on a leash, especially if you do not want a smelly dog! Dogs like to roll in dead fish. Salmon spook, be a quiet calm wildlife paparazzi.
Fish Walk!!! ( Well, not really...but don't miss this chance to follow their journey!)Join the Morrison Creek Streamkeepers for a walk along Morrison Creek, starting at its confluence with the Puntledge River in Puntledge Park, to watch salmon spawning after their remarkable journey back from the ocean. Register here: form.jotform.com/262924316992264
Thanks to community support, a property in Deep Bay is now protected, safeguarding its mature forests, salmon streams and diverse shoreline.Now, we’re helping restore this land so it can regenerate into a healthy forest.Join the Comox Valley land Trust and WolfTree for a hands-on day to rehabilitate the former homestead by planting trees and shrubsIf you'd like to volunteer your time, the work party is Sunday, October 25th, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.Meet at Rosewall creek Provincial Park parking lot at 9:50 to carpool to the deep bay restoration site.See this link or link in bio to register and for more information: www.jotform.com/form/262826298698277
Comox Valley Nature’s Wetlands restoration group has been working on the Courtenay Rotary Trail removing invasive plants.Removing invasive plants ensures that native plants can thrive. A vigorous native plant population also provides food for insects and birds.Join us in liberating native plants from invasive thugs such as ivy.We meet at the end of 21st street in Courtenay, where it meets the Courtenay Rotary Trail near Dogwood Park. You’ll find us there every Sunday starting Oct 18 to mid-Dec, mid-Jan to March 14, from 1:00 to 3:30 Bring gloves and water, dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes.For more information contact
Category Archives: Plants and fungi
Learn about restoring Garry oaks in Vanier Forest
Comox Valley Nature members and the general public are invited to the following free online lecture presented by CVN and facilitated by the Canadian Society of Environmental Biologists: Title: Conserving and Restoring a Legacy: Vanier Forest Garry Oak Restoration ProjectSpeakers: … Continue reading
Posted in Conservation and Restoration, Ecology, Guest Speakers, Plants and fungi
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Purple fungi
From an email by Jocie to the Botany/Mycology Group on November 22. Click a photo to enlarge it. Here are a few examples of colourful purple-tinged fungi recently seen:
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New article: All about bunchberries
In the latest in our occasional series of long-form articles, Véronique McIntyre dug deep into the life histories and origins of the herbaceous members of the dogwood genus (Cornus) to find some lessons in anatomy, ecology and evolution. Learn all … Continue reading
Posted in Articles, Ecology, Evolution, Plants and fungi
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Later fall fungi in the Comox Valley
Notes and photos from Alison M., distributed to the Botany/Mycology Group on November 18. Click a photo to enlarge it. Until a couple of days ago I had given up on there being anything of interest in our woodlands here … Continue reading
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Mushrooms at Paradise Meadows in October
From an email by Jocie to the Botany/Mycology Group on November 16. Click a photo to enlarge it. One of the highlights from our fungi trip to Paradise Meadows on October 20 was the handsome Admirable bolete (Aureoboletus mirabilis). The … Continue reading
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New article: A dwarf mistletoe’s story
If you’ve ever wondered about the dwarf mistletoe that you can see parasitizing coniferous trees in our forests, you can find out all about it in the latest addition to our occasional series of long-form articles, as Véronique McIntyre listens … Continue reading
Posted in Articles, Ecology, Evolution, Plants and fungi
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Merville Woods fungi
From an email by Jocie to the Botany/Mycology Group on October 18. Click a photo to enlarge it. We had a great time looking at a bonanza of fungi at Merville Woods on October 12! I got a bit carried … Continue reading
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Hairtrigger Lake moments
From an email by Jocie to the Botany/Mycology Group on October 9. Click a photo to enlarge it. Here are a few photos from a recent hike I did to one of my favourite spots: Hairtrigger Lake. Hairtrigger has lovely … Continue reading
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Plants of Miracle Beach Park, part 2
From an email by Jocie to the Botsny/Mycology Group on September 19. Click a photo to enlarge it. Here’s “Part 2” of the September 15 walk, featuring plants from the Black Creek gravel flats (accessed just upstream from the bridge … Continue reading
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Plants of Miracle Beach Park, part 1
From an email by Jocie to the Botany/Mycology Group on September 19. Click a photo to enlarge it. On September 15 we took advantage of a sunny day to check out Miracle Beach Park, visiting the Black Creek estuary and … Continue reading
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