Dog owners are required to leash their dogs at Comox Valley Regional District’s (CVRD) Goose Spit park March 1 to May 20 to give the migrating Brant geese a chance to rest and feed.
The Brant geese arrive thin, tired and hungry after making a 2,500-kilometre non-stop trip from Baja, Mexico. They have only a few days to fatten up on herring eggs, eelgrass and sea lettuce before making another non-stop flight to Alaska and beyond.
“Dogs and people can easily scare the Brant and cause them to take flight,” said CVRD’s parks manager Michael Nihls. “The leashing requirement is to allow these geese and other migrating shorebirds at Goose Spit a chance to feed without being disturbed. If the birds aren’t able to gain strength, their ability to migrate can be seriously compromised, which could cost them their lives.”
Regular patrols are scheduled at Goose Spit and owners who allow their dogs to run free can face a $100 fine. Those who wish to exercise their dog off-leash can do so under the bluffs at Goose Spit or the beach at Little River ferry slip. Leashing is also optional at several other Comox Valley Regional District parks such as Nymph Falls, Tsolum Spirit and Eagles Drive.
— Comox Valley Regional District