Oceanside beaches are closed to dogs around this time every year to ensure there is no disruption to the migrating patterns of certain animals, like Black Brant geese.(Angie Ooms/Brant Wildlife Festival Facebook Page)

By Jordan Davidson

annual migration

Parksville & Qualicum beaches close to dogs ahead of Brant geese arrival

Feb 11, 2023 | 6:46 AM

PARKSVILLE — Oceanside beaches will soon be off-limits to dogs due to migrating birds.

Beginning Wednesday, Feb. 15, beaches within the Parksville-Qualicum Beach Wildlife Management Area (PQBWMA) will be closed to dogs, both on and off-leash, to make way for the annual migration of the Black Brant geese.

Parksville’s Rathtrevor Beach will be off limits for dogs between Feb. 15 and April 30, while Parkville Bay beach will see similar restrictions March 1 to April 30. All public beaches in Qualicum Beach will be closed to dogs from March 1 to April 30.

“They’re a skittish kind of bird, so if there is a dog on the beach or even humans too close to them, they may move on and we really don’t want that. We want them to get nice and fat here to be able to travel on,” said Ceri Peacey, community facilitator for the Brant Wildlife Festival.

Uninterrupted feeding without flying is vital for their survival, according to Peacey.

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“They travel from Mexico up to Alaska. They are one of the farthest travelling geese, and they rely very much on our area for feeding so that they have the strength to make the trip and breed in Alaska.”

Black Brant geese like to feed on the eelgrass beds, while also taking advantage of the spawning herring to consume some of their eggs.

Peacey said the PQBWMA was first started in the early 90’s as a way to help protect these migrating species, with the Brant Wildlife Festival now in its 32nd year.

The annual festival, which takes place from March 31 to April 9, encourages people to explore the area rich in biodiversity while learning about the various animals that migrate to the area.

Members of the Arrowsmith Naturalists conduct a bird count every year around this time to monitor the Black Brant geese’ numbers.

A count from last March around Parksville beaches saw a total of 301 in a two hour stretch.

Fines of $100 will be in place for dogs on the beach. On-leash dogs are still permitted on the street-level walkway, and dogs must always be on leash anywhere in the PQBWMA.

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jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNow