The 8th Central Walbran BioBlitz, was  held with gratitude on Pacheedaht Nation territory and was again a great success as we continue on this journey of learning and understanding in this most precious of places.

For the birders there were some very early misty mornings to listen and watch the Marbled Murrelets who are coming from the ocean back to their nests where they tag team the other parent who can fly back to the ocean to feed.

Their numbers are still quite low this early in the nesting season but will slowly build into the summer and will usually reach their peak in early August.  Watching them it does seems the MarMu follow the sea mists.  The Walbran is in an advection zone and every evening the mist rolls up the valley and then retreats in the morning sun. The mists must help guide and shelter them on their perilous commute and it also helps the moss in which they make their nests grow thick and deep.

The guided flora and fauna hike on Saturday was well attended and was focused in part on identifying the many types of Saxifrage that grow along the Walbran river.

So until next time…….thanks to Bobby and Royann for sharing your knowledge and Bill Jones for the welcome.

Photo below is of endangered Old Growth Specklebelly lichen found at this years Bioblitz. The updated 2023 species list will be posted soon.