We had a cloudy but warm and dry early morning for the Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre Coastal Waterbird Survey. Regulars Gail Mitchell, Hilary Stead, Robin Lawson, and John Scull were joined by Jill Thompson and Oliver Price. Most of the ducks have headed north, leaving only Common Mergansers, and a few other ducks behind. But the Great Blue Herons, Purple Martins, and Ospry have arrived to replace them. We saw a distant flock of shorebirds, but they were too far away to identify. Maybe the north shore group will pick them up. There was a special treat at the end of the count — a piliated woodpecker was busily pecking one of the logs on the beach — it must have been enjoying the salted bugs. Data from our waterbird counts can be viewed at http://www.cowichanestuary.ca/wildlife/birds/#Coastal_Waterbird_Survey.

Join us for this episode of One Ocean:

Caitlin Birdsall of the Vancouver Island will be at the Nature Centre on Friday evening to talk about our local cetaceans.

Have you seen any whales lately? Find out why the BC Cetacean Sightings Network wants to know! Join us for a multi-media presentation on the whales, dolphins, porpoises and sea turtles that inhabit BC waters. Discover which species are most commonly spotted off the Cowichan Valley, their unique natural histories, the threats they face, and how coastal citizens can participate in stewardship and research through the Sightings Network. The evening will have you informed, inspired, and ready to become a citizen scientist.

Admission by donation.

Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre Beer and Burger Fundraiser with Celtic music from Jane’s Way- February 17th 5pm – 8pm

Drop In Story Time for Children

join Kerrie for songs and stories

Thursdays in February @ 11 am

All ages welcome