Anahim Lake is part of the Pacific Interior Flyway, one of the major migration routes in North America. American white pelicans and trumpeter swans are just two of the numerous bird species that frequent the area. Birdwatching opportunities vary year-round, as most bird species are seasonal.
A number of lodges situated along the shores of Anahim Lake provide excellent accommodation for birders and access to several hiking trails.
More than 100 bird species have been identified along the Eagle's Nest Marsh hiking trail. Even more trails birdwatching trails are found at Nimpo Lake.
Bird Species
Watch for sandhill cranes, bohemian and cedar waxwings, and western tanagers. Mountain bluebirds are found all across the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast region, as well as in Anahim Lake. Look out for the lazuli buntings, olive-sided flycatchers, ruby crowned kinglets, Audubon's warblers, western meadowlarks, grosbeaks, red-winged blackbirds, and Rufous hummingbirds. There are five varieties of swallows, and seven kinds of woodpeckers. Chickadees, nutcrackers, whiskeyjacks, hawks, American bitterns, great blue herons, bald eagles, and kingfishers are seasonally common.
Waterfowl
Anahim Lake is also polulated by waterfowl in the spring and summer. Waterfowl species include wood ducks, green-winged and blue-winged teals, Barrow's goldeneyes, red-necked grebes, and common loons.
Tweedsmuir Provincial Park
Tweedsmuir Provincial Park, south of Anahim Lake, is one of British Columbia's largest provincial parks and a great birdwatching area. The park's Turner Lake and Lonesome Lake provide habitat to numerous trumpeter swans from late October to mid-April.
Tatlayoko Lake Bird Observatory
The Tatlayoko Lake Bird Observatory, located in the Tatlayoko Valley, was established in 2006 as a banding station for migratory birds. Every August and September, volunteers gather to observe and track some 210 species of birds using this conservation corridor. Visitors can volunteer to become bird banders and work alongside locals and biologists.
Chilanko Forks Wildlife Management Area
Chilanko Marsh, measuring more than 265ha/654ac, has three separate wetland basins, which serve as home to a wide variety of waterfowl such as sharp-tailed grouse.
The Chilanko Forks Wildlife Management Area is also located on Highway 20. Some 52 species of birds, a large number of these waterfowl, have been documented here.
The Puntzi Marshes are located near Chilanko Forks. Migratory waterfowl here include the horned grebe, northern pintail, and northern shoveler. Some woodpeckers, such as northern flickers may also be found.
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