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During the
summer, go for a walk, mountain bike
riding, play mini-golf or Frisbee golf.
Take a scenic chairlift ride to the top.
http://www.mountwashington.ca
Courtenay Estuary and Birding
This
is the wonderful paved walkway that runs
along the estuary, the Courtenay River,
and our unit. It is a popular place for
walkers, cyclists, rollerbladers,
birdwatchers, and nature lovers. The
level grade will accommodate wheelchairs
with ease. There are several trails,
viewing structures, and interpretive
signs. The trail will also take you
right into town, or to Millard Creek
wooded parkland.
The estuary area is an
important wintering home for many
waterfowl species. The second
highest concentration of over-wintering
waterfowl in British Columbia is found
in our area. Approximately 2000
Trumpeter Swans over-winter in the Comox
Valley. This magnificent bird can be
spotted in the estuary from October
until March.
You may spot: Bald Eagles,
Great Blue Herons and Mallards. The
estuary is especially good for birding
during the winter and migratory periods.
To be here in March is a sight. The
herring are spawning.......this attracts
the Harbour Seals, Osprey, and sea
gulls. Shorebirds include Dunlin,
Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs,
Short-billed Dowitcher, Long-billed
Dowitcher, Semipalmated, Least, Spotted,
Solitary, Pectoral and Baird's
Sandpipers. Waterfowl species include
American Wigeon, Horned Grebe, Western
Grebe, Greater Scaup, Harlequin Duck,
Oldsquaw, Bufflehead, Marbled Murrelet,
Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter and
Common Loon. If you are there during a
low tide you will even increase your
chance of seeing the birds, and ducks,
as they enjoy feeding on the uncovered
tidal grounds.
Around the corner at the
Visitor Information Centre you can check
out the comprehensive Bird Checklist
for the area. It can be purchased, along
with a book of Nature Viewing sites,
produced by the Comox Valley Naturalist
Society. Please visit the Naturalist
Society site at
http://www.comoxvalleynaturalist.bc.ca/ .
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