Valemount Bird Watching

Duck, Tourism BC photo

The Robert W. Starratt Wildlife Sanctuary, located next the Best Western Hotel on the southern edge of Valemount just off Highway 5, is a prime bird watching locale. The sanctuary, a Ducks Unlimited project, features 7km/4.27mi of trails and walkways. The first bird watching platform is less than five minutes from the parking lot. Reaching the second viewing platform takes about 30 minutes, and an entire walk around takes about 1.5 hours. Canoeing through the sanctuary is also an option.

Bird Species

The Robert W. Starratt Wildlife Sanctuary is located along a major migration route utilized by more than 140 species of birds each year. These include varieties of hawks, eagles, geese, ducks, swifts, woodpeckers, sandpipers, owls, finches, vireos, flycatchers, chickadees, bluebirds, and warblers. The best time to view birds at the sanctuary is in the spring or fall, at daybreak and dusk.

Robert W. Starratt

Robert W. Starratt was a pilot, who pioneered bush flying in the north, operating an airline from Hudson, Ontario. In 1950, Starratt moved to Canoe River, near Valemount, and seven years later purchased 486ha/1200ac of land south of Valemount. After Starratt's death, his family donated 202ha/500ac of ranchland to British Columbia, which became the wildlife sanctuary.

Stop by the Valemount Visitor Centre for more information about bird watching at the Robert W. Starratt Wildlife Sanctuary.

Bird Watching		Business or Service Provider
Show all listings A-Z

^ Back to top