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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
More fabulous plants!
From an email by Jocie to the Botany Group on May 25. Here are a few examples of our amazing local flora, courtesy of John B., with some habitat notes [click a photo to enlarge it]: Small-flowered woodland star (Lithophragma … Continue reading
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Kin Beach botany walk
From an email by Jocie to the Botany Group on May 14. Last Monday (May 9) we enjoyed a rare sunny day at Kin Beach Provincial Park. There were lots of plants in bloom. Special thanks to Helen R. for … Continue reading
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Spring beauties
The Botany Group recently had a quiz based on these photos of spring blooms by John B. Here we include the answers with the photos. Click a photo to enlarge it. A closeup of red elderberry flowers (Sambucus racemosa) Hooker’s … Continue reading
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Ripple Rock Trail: Botany highlights
From an email by Jocie to the Botany Group on April 26. Last weekend I took my kids for a hike on the Ripple Rock Trail (trailhead is about a 15 minute drive north of Campbell River). This is about … Continue reading
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Plants from Ships Point & Fanny Bay Conservation Area
From notes and photos by Alison M. distributed to the Botany Group on April 18. [Click a photo to enlarge it.] Ships Point Park Last Saturday (April 9th) in the warm sun at Ships Point Park, where there are a … Continue reading
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Botany walk highlights: Exhibition Grounds
From an email by Jocie to the Botany Group on April 16. Last Monday we enjoyed our first botany walk at the Exhibition Grounds access to the Tsolum River. Trilliums & fawn lilies, just getting started in Alison’s last photos, … Continue reading
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Plants & blooms from the wet west coast
From an email by Jocie to the Botany Group on March 28. I was over in Ucluelet from March 20-23 with my family, which coincided with 3 days of pelting monsoon rain alternating with drenching misty rain. Anyway, it was … Continue reading
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Early blooms at Comox Lake Bluffs and Tsolum River flats
Notes and photos from Alison M. emailed to the Botany Group on March 27. It seems that our usual first spring blooms are very slow to appear. After the long winter, there has not been sufficient warmth on average to … Continue reading
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Early blooms and plants from Yellow Point
From an email by Jocie to the Botany Group on March 22. I was down at Yellow Point Lodge (a bit south of Nanaimo) with my mother for a weekend in late February and found some interesting plants there and … Continue reading
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Hip to be a botanist!
From an email by Jocie to the Botany group on March 6. Before the spring growing season explodes, take a moment to check out some colourful rose hips! [Click a photo to enlarge it.] Our native Nootka rose (Rosa nutkana) … Continue reading
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