Festival Program
* This page will be updated as we have more details.
March 15–April 10: “Spot the Brant” – via Festival Passport
Artistically painted Brant Geese will be strategically located in businesses throughout Oceanside. When you spot one, key in the code, take a selfie with the goose and post it to social media with the tag #spotthebrant. Spot 10 or more and be entered to win prizes including:
- Brome Squirrel Solution 150 Birdfeeder
- One year family pass to the North Island Wildlife Recovery Center
- Two nights at Coombs Country Campground
- Over 10 spotted geese and you’re entered to win overnight stay at the Beach Club Resort plus a $100 service or meal gift Certificate
April 1–10: Qualicum Beach Museum Display
Enjoy the Museum’s display of vintage Brant Goose decoys, learn about the connection between nature and humans at the Fish, Trees, and Folk display. Explore area residents’ many cultural, ecological and economic connections to nature. The museum is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1pm – 4pm.
April 1: Brant Wildlife Festival “Lift Off” event Raise a glass to nature and learn about the great work of The Nature Trust of BC in this beautiful part of Vancouver Island at the Bayside Oceanfront Resort. The event will take place from 6pm – 8pm. Purchase tickets here.
April 2: Little Qualicum River Estuary Tour Meet at 1pm in the parking area at the far west end of Surfside Drive. Qualicum Beach Streamkeepers will lead a tour of the spectacular spot and the restoration projects that are underway. This tour will also include an opportunity to observe, with experts, the abundant species of birds present at this time of year. Register for free here.
April 1–3: Inter-tidal Bio-Blitz Deep Bay Marine Field Station will be hosting a self-directed “Inter-Tidal Bio Blitz” using the iNaturalist app. Go to the iNaturalist app. View iNaturalist tutorial video.
April 2: Field Station Tour Deep Bay Marine Field Station Open House The Field Station, will open especifically for the Brant Wildlife Festival. Open House is between 10am-2pm. Admission is free. Register for free here.
April 3: “Brant in the Bay” View Brant Geese and other birds at Parksville Community Park from 11am-3pm and view interesting displays provided by The Arrowsmith Naturalists. Register for free here.
April 6: Basic Bird ID with Lynne Brookes Dr Lynne Brookes will lead this enjoyable, practical, beginning to intermediate level workshop from 8am to 12:30pm for participants age 14 and up. You must pre-register to attend this event as there will be a maximum of 15 participants. To register call NIWRA 250-248-8534 Option #3 (Gift Shop)
April 8: French Creek Estuary Tour Visit this spectacular area where a creek, estuary, forest, wetlands and beaver pond provide habitats for diverse native plants and wildlife. Watch eagles soar as you walk the trails with two knowledgeable guides. Rain or shine. Register for free here.
April 8–10: MABR Bio-Blitz Join the 6th annual Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region Bio-Blitz. You can survey plants and animals and help to contribute to biodiversity research. This will be a self-directed digital bio-blitz using the iNaturalist app. Win an identification book on birds, flora and fauna, or edible and medicinal flora on the West Coast! Go to iNaturalist app. View iNaturalist tutorial video.
April 9: Eagle Release Video The Annual North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre Eagle Release will be a virtual event this year. After months of specialized care by the NIWRA Animal Care team, a rehabilitated Bald Eagle will be released to return home to the wild skies where it belongs. The event will be filmed and released as part of the Brant Festival! A link will be provided via the Festival Passport.
April 9: Englishman River Estuary Tour Join the Arrowsmith Naturalists at 10am for a walk through forest and riparian areas of the storied Englishman River. Meet at the Shelly Rd parking area. Join us on the Estuary Tour to discover how this invaluable river estuary is being restored to its former glory through the dedication of The Nature Trust of BC, the ongoing stewardship work of volunteers such as the Arrowsmith Naturalists, the research of scientists and the generosity of donors who are devoted to this multi-year recovery effort. Register for free here.
April 10: Film Festival at Qualicum Beach Civic Center Spend an idyllic afternoon from 3pm-6:30pm watching a series of 6 short films and be captivated by the beauty and wonder of nature. Register by donation here.
April 16: Hamilton Marsh Tour Bring your friends and family to explore the largest wetland in the area just outside Qualicum Beach and learn about the flora, fauna, and insect populations. The Friends of French Creek Conservation Society and Arrowsmith Naturalists will be leading guided tours, with many other partners on hand to join in the fun. The tour will take place throughout 10am-3pm. Register for free here.