Today’s comment challenge: Where are some of your favourite wildlife watching spots on Vancouver Island and other places around the world?
Did you check out the great thread about food and your family yesterday? Thanks to everyone who jumped in. And the winner of a cool dino puzzle is…Stacey. Wahoo. Boynton books up for grabs today.

There are days when living on an island, away from the city dwelling that dominated all of my years before our move here, I feel like life is painfully quiet.

…and then I go outside.

Of all of the high-rise, concrete, urban jungles we’ve hung out in – Vancouver Island is by far one of the noisiest places I have ever lived.

This noise is all about nature…I wake up to birds looking to hook up with a mate instead of a police car roaring down the street…and the buzz in the air is because the herring spawning in the Straight have drawn every fish eating creature on the West Coast in one of the most spectacular wildlife shows in North America.

Yeah, I’d love a plate of excellent, yet reasonably-priced Vancouver sushi.

But, since the Brant geese have just flown non-stop from Mexico to drop by on their only major stop on the Pacific Flyway during their Spring migration, I feel good about passing on the blacktop and sashimi and heading straight for the beach.

Did you know that most of these guys have only a few days to fatten up and recharge for the +2,000km long haul to Alaska? They stop here, much like so many other creatures, because of the herring spawn that turns the ocean ice blue and the shorelines foamy with milt.

It’s phenomenal…and if you’ve never gotten out onto the beaches this time of year to experience the herring run and the amazing wildlife show that those crazy fish bring with them it is something you and your family will never forget, ever.

Talk about a great way to spend Spring Break!

Getting the family out to the beach right now is all about learning, fun and exploration. We’ve been out the last few weekends checking out this cool slice of the island ecosystem and have short-listed some hot spots that are relatively easy to access and teeming with life including:

1. Pt. Holmes out at Lazo – by far, the most outstanding sea life locale in the Valley in terms of ease of getting to, sweeping vistas and crazy amounts of creatures. Eagles and gulls dominate the scene here. But, you can often catch seals bobbing in the water and other birds making their way in between the tenacious gulls and dominant eagles. It’s amazing to watch the eagles clear a beach full of birds as they come in for a meal.

2. Seal Bay Beach at Seal Bay Nature Park – This brisk walk through a lush forest on the way to an incredible, lengthy, secluded beach is outstanding, and you can often catch the seals and sea lions out on the rocks this time of year. Really amazing. You definitely have to check the tide charts before heading here as the beach is nearly inaccessible at high tide and so much more fun when the tide is on its way out.

3. The Goose Spit – the Brant Geese dig the Spit. If you want birds and herring, go here. Fun tide pooling at low tide and family-friendly sand along with bathrooms.

4. Mack Laing and MacDonald Wood nature parks – adjacent to each other, at low tide these two are one big bird festival. We were out at The Filberg the other day and walked all the way down to MacDonald Wood to discover more than a dozen eagle, crows, kingfisher, seagulls, ducks and herron all snacking down. It was stunning and incredibly loud.

5. Willow Point Reef in Campbell River. If you want eagles, go here. On a lucky day, whales and seals too. Very cool.

If you read all of this and think, “Yeah, that’s nice. But, I don’t know enough about migration and the ocean to make this a good time.”
I have good news.

Parents concerned that winging it in the quest to find cool things would be too frustrating if you happen to wing it on the wrong beach on the wrong day (nature has that way of doing its own thing, wherever it wants), the Nature Trust of British Columbia and its partners bring you this natural wonder in all of its glory – entirely mapped out, tour guided and scheduled in the form of the annual Brant Festival.

A majority of the activities including hikes, tours, interpretive sessions and family events such as the Family Easter tour at Hamilton Marsh, learn to fish days and incredible concerts, require a drive south toward Parksville and Nanaimo. But, it’s so very worth it since French Creek and the Hamilton Marsh are two of the most active spots for wildlife and the chance to experience it all with the help of conservationists is priceless.

The festival runs through April 19 and many of the events require advance registration. So, check out the schedule and make plans to experience it all.

Gearing back up for outdoor adventures is something our family gets seriously enthusiastic about. But, I was reminded by conservation officers recently that we have to temper our excitement with some practical thinking.

They shared the top safety precautions to take during these adventures:

- Cougars are very active this time of year. Hike in big groups, keep kiddos at arms length.
- An incoming tide can be fast and dangerous. Always check the tide charts and go out as the tide is headed out and begin to head back in at low tide.
- It’s still very cold in and near the water. Winter gear, wellies, wet pants and extra clothes are a must. You can always take it off.
- Don’t attempt to touch or get close to the wildlife. All wildlife is unpredictable. Bring binoculars and enjoy watching the animals go through their Spring rituals from a distance. There are definitely times when you can get out on the tide line to tide pool and check things out. Just think safety – for you and the animals – first.