Welcome to Little Qualicum Estuary to Nanoose Bay Important Bird & Biodiversity Area, part of a global network of more than 12,000 IBAs worldwide that have been identified as essential habitat for birds.
This globally significant birding area includes the Parksville-Qualicum Beach Wildlife Management Area (the waters below the high tide line), and is itself part of the larger Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region (which includes the whole watershed).
The excellent interpretive signage has a wealth of information about the birds, marine animals, fish, plants and Indigenous culture here.
To claim this Virtual Cache, send me the answers to the following questions. Do not include answers in your log!
1) Find the two signs featuring Coastal Birds. What are eight species of birds pictured on the signs?
2) Find the round panel carving to the west. What bird is represented?
3) Find the large Garry Oak Meadow Biogeoclimatic Zone sign. What rare bird mentioned can be found in Garry Oak ecosystems?
4) Find the sign on Global Impacts on the Salish Sea. How many seabirds are killed each year by ocean pollution?
5) Find the remnant wooden railing. What caused the rare lichen to grow on the weathered wood?
OPTIONAL: Post a photo of any birds that you see here!
Photos of answers will be deleted. If answers are not sent your 'found it' log will be deleted.
Enjoy the area and the birds!
Virtual Rewards 3.0 - 2022-2023
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between March 1, 2022 and March 1, 2023. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 3.0 on the Geocaching Blog.