BUTTERTUBS MARSH: EARLY SPRING

What am I?

What am I?

Anna's hummingbird

Mt. Benson in early Springtime in Nanaimo

One of the viewing platforms

The Red-winged Blackbird's favorite lookout

The very flighty Red-winged Blackbird 

One of the tamest birds in Buttertubs Marsh, American Robin

American Robin

Male Hooded  Merganser with a catch

Hooded Mergansers

This Great Blue Heron got a small fish just after I took this photo!

Great Blue Heron

Female and Male Mallard Ducks

Female Mallard

Spotted Towhee

The Majestic-looking Cedar Waxwing

The Cedar Waxwing with its sleek brown body and always appear to be neatly groomed all the time.

Bewick's Wren singing for a mate

Male and Female Hooded Merganser

The male House Finch

Probably one of the best times of the year to really enjoy Buttertubs Marsh is early springtime. This is the time when most of the birds fly back to Nanaimo from their winter habitat wherever that maybe. Among the early arrivals are Bewick's wren, marsh wren, Red-winged blackbird, Spotted Towhee, Pine Siskin, Dark-eyed Junco, Canada Geese, Stellar's Jay, Great Blue Heron, Mallard, Hooded Merganser and others. There's an abundance of birds that habitually stay all-year round in Buttertubs Marsh.You can find the location of Buttertubs Marsh in my wintertime posting a couple of months ago. There are numerous birds that visit this area but unfortunately majority are really so flighty and easily spooked and almost impossible to photograph. My most recent visit to Buttertubs Marsh proved to be very productive much to my enjoyment! I am quite happy to share my very recent photos with you. Enjoy!

GABRIOLA SANDS PROVINCIAL PARK

This is a designated day-use only Park and there's no potable water available.

Gabriola Sands Provincial Park is located on the Northwest side of Gabriola Island on the isthmus dividing Taylor Bay and Pilot Bay. You can reach Gabriola Island via BC Ferries from Nanaimo on the Southern Vancouver Island, just a 20- minute ferry ride on the MV Quinsam. From the ferry terminal on Gabriola Island, turn left on Taylor Bay Road and follow until you see signs for Gabriola Sands Provincial Park, located on Decourcy Drive. The park is also accessible by boat. Gabriola Sands Provincial Park features two large sandy beaches and large manicured grassy lawns. This is a small day-use only park and proves to be a very popular local destination for swimming, picknicking and other sporting and special events. The park's two sandy beaches form an isthmus that divides Taylor Bay and Pilot Bay. This isthmus and sandy beach are relatively uncommon in the rocky Gulf Islands and provide important ecosystems for migratory and breeding shorebirds and various marine invertebrates that live in the sand. There is no potable water available in the park so it's a good idea to bring your own drinking water. It doesn't have a boat launch either. The nearest boat launch is located at Silva Bay Marina on Gabriola Island.

DESCANSO BAY PROVINCIAL PARK

One of the two oyster bays

Oyster Bay

Mussels clinging to the rocks

Vanocuver-bound BC Ferry

Low tide shows the sandy beach

Trail leading to the campsite

MV Quinsam ferries passengers and vehicles to and from Nanaimo to Gabriola Island.

Duke Point as seen from Descanso Bay Campground

Sunset at Descanso Bay

One of the 32 campsites in the park

Two frolicking Orcas or killer whales near the ferry terminal

Formerly known as the Gabriola Campground, the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) second regional campground renamed it Descanso Bay Provincial Park in 2002. It was acquired by the RDN following a generous donation by the Coastal Community Credit Union. It is located at 595 Taylor Bay Road less than 5 minute drive from the BC ferry terminal. It offers 32 great camping sites on a beautiful 10 hectares oceanfront property. There are many activities available such as kayaking, picnicking, hiking and tent/rv camping. There are three coves that are sandy at low tides and offer abundant oysters and mussels. Descanso Bay also offered wooded campsites. Firewood can be purchased from  a small convenience store which is located at the check-in shelter  at the park's entrance. It is opened year-round and the rates are very reasonable. I recommend making a reservation especially during the busy summer season. There is a small boat and kayak launch and day-use areas overlooking the shellfish coves. Campers and visitors can explore the seafront, watch the ferry boats go by and marvel at the beautiful view of downtown Nanaimo and Mount Benson . The wooded trails in the regional park connect to the adjacent Cox Community Park. Descanso Bay is the only public campground with forested tent and rv sites in Gabriola Island. However, there are no public showers or running water available. There are pit toilets and artesian wells with potable water.