After being cooped up in the house this past week we decide to drive over to Orlebar Point. There is no evidence of them having the heavy snow that we received this past week. The rocks on the beach here are extremely treacherous and slippery with all the green algae growth on them. We still have a nice outing and Jake loved exploring the tide pools once again.
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| Jake in the tide pools at Orlebar, Gabriola Island |
Hundreds of seagulls are gathering on the shores today. Possibly in anticipation of their annual feast of the freshly spawned herring eggs that happens here in February. The commercial fleet of seine and gill-net boats will begin to gather north of here and come down into Nanaimo and other ports, too. These waters are frequently the destination of millions of Pacific herring that make their annual migration from the Pacific Ocean off the West coast of Canada and the U.S.A. Parksville is known for it's large herring spawn in it's shallow waters and sheltered coves.
From freshly spawned eggs to full grown fish, herring are targeted as a source of food. People along with birds, predatory fish and other animals, eat herring at all their life stages. A healthy herring spawn is important to the eco-system.
Stellar and California sea lions are in high concentrations at this time of the year on some shores. Dolphins, orcas and larger whales will also take in their share of the herring.
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| Seagulls at Orlebar, Gabriola Island |
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