With winter brings flocks of black brant to the Salish Sea. While it’s not a big deal for us, this is a major event for these interesting birds. This time of year, I see flocks pretty much anywhere eel grass grows, probably right out in front of your marina along sheltered shorelines. These are not Canada geese, but a separate species, and are relatively small compared to those bigger birds. Brant begin their lives in the extreme northern parts of North America, the farthest north of any goose. Nesting on arctic islands, very short summers mean they need to migrate south earlier than most birds, and maybe that’s one reason they’re much smaller than Canada geese. There’s no time to hang out and fatten up.

As winter approaches, all brant fly south to one place half way out on the Aleutian peninsula at Izembek Lagoon. They stage here, resting for the next leg of their journey. From here, as winter is fast coming down on them, they fly 1800 miles straight across the Gulf of Alaska to the Salish Sea where some winter while others meander south all the way to Baja. To me, this is a good example of why we have a federal government, a Fish and Wildlife Service and wildlife refuges. One small lagoon, ALL the brant. It’s a disaster waiting to happen, and would have had it not been for this tax-payer protection. It’s a thin line between an entire species perishing from market hunters or human harassment. Look for brant – imagine the trip they just took, and you’ll appreciate these travelers.

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