Silver Rivercarts Return to Spawn
November 25th, 2010 | by Dave Ingram | 11 Comments
Published in Shopping Carts
Tags: British Columbia, Comox Valley, Courtenay, Salmon, Silver Rivercart, Vancouver Island, Vancouver Island Carts
Salmon aren't the only species returning to the Courtenay River to spawn.
The Courtenay River is awash in life and death these days. Spawned out salmon litter the banks of the river. Gulls have gathered to feed on the carcasses and countless diving ducks are feasting on salmon eggs washed downstream. With death comes new life.
Silver Rivercart
Classification: B/12
A spawned out Silver Rivercart provides hope for the survival of the next generation of this rare species.
Also returning to the Courtenay River at this time of year is the occasional rare Silver Rivercart. The lifecycle of the Silver Rivercart mirrors that of the salmon. The male rivercart uses its endgate to scoop out loose gravel and create a deep depression in the stream bed in which the female lays its eggs.
After spending the winter in the stream small juvenile rivercarts emerge from the eggs and make their way down to the estuary where they adapt to the salinity of ocean water. Little is know of the adult stage of the Silver Rivercart. It is suspected that great schools of this species make their way from the sheltered waters of the Salish Sea to the dense feeding grounds of the North Pacific Gyre. Following four years in the ocean they make their way back to their home streams to spawn and die.
The cycle begins again.
Even in death there is a sublime beauty to the graceful gleaming lines of the Silver Rivercart.
Silver Rivercarts are an endangered species. The large nests of the spawning carts can cause irreparable damage to key salmon spawning areas and as a result salmon enhancement projects often have a component that focuses on the capture and removal of the carts before they can harm salmon eggs.
Only the occasional cart is now seen where in the past the streams and rivers feeding into the Courtenay River used to be alive with the thrashing and crashing of wire end gates as dominant males competed for the best females. This sighting provides hope that one day the Silver Rivercart will return in numbers to the watersheds of Vancouver Island.
This is the ninth species account of the Vancouver Island Shopping Carts series. Julian Montague at The Stray Shopping Cart Project has developed a method of classifying stray carts that might be of interest to those wanting to learn more about species of carts in their own area. Researchers should also consult Rock, Paper, Lizard for detailed species accounts of Lower Mainland/Vancouver carts.
November 25th, 2010 at 9:59 pm (#)
I have found these spawning in Victoria too! http://www.flickr.com/photos/bryntassell/2615158128/
November 25th, 2010 at 9:59 pm (#)
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Wildlife Photography, Nature Blog Network. Nature Blog Network said: NBN member: Silver Rivercarts Return to Spawn http://bit.ly/hxS1I9 [...]
November 25th, 2010 at 10:00 pm (#)
“…used to be alive with the thrashing and crashing of wire end gates as dominant males competed for the best females.”
I’ll never look at a cart the same way again!
November 26th, 2010 at 1:02 pm (#)
Wild cart enthusiasts should definitely check out Bryn’s photograph at http://www.flickr.com/photos/bryntassell/2615158128/- tranquil beauty! Gorgeous.
November 26th, 2010 at 1:04 pm (#)
Did you see Hugh’s latest cart at http://rockpaperlizard.blogspot.com/2010/11/someone-left-cart-out-in-rain.html – very nice!
November 27th, 2010 at 11:30 am (#)
I love this post…I think. The subspecies ‘Safewayensis’ occurs down here on Fidalgo Island. They have evolved a loose wheel structure giving them an unstable, rambling gait. This probably accounts for their relatively short lifespan.
November 29th, 2010 at 9:46 pm (#)
Good thing those fish lay a bazillion eggs so maybe some will make it back to the sea.
December 1st, 2010 at 10:25 am (#)
Hahaha, hilarious!
How can I not have known about the stray shopping cart field guide?! Just to think of all the sightings I’ve already missed out on…
December 1st, 2010 at 10:44 am (#)
Glad you enjoyed the post – keep an eye out for wild carts and domestic escapees in your own neighbourhood! If you blog about them let me know and I’ll throw a link your way.
Cheers,
Dave
December 5th, 2010 at 2:22 pm (#)
Years ago, friends made a movie spoofing “The Beachcombers”…with shopping carts instead of logs. Your post brought back some fun memories! =)
December 5th, 2010 at 2:25 pm (#)
Now that would be something to see! Any chance that it might be on YouTube?! Glad you enjoyed the post.