Grab a pair of binoculars and camera for excellent bird watching throughout all four seasons and the region of Vancouver, Coast and Mountains. With an abundance of forests and wetlands, bird watchers can spot a variety of song birds, waterfowl, raptors and birds of prey. The best time to see the widest range of species is during the spring and fall migrations. Learn more about Bird Watching:
The Bald Eagle
Sea To Sky Country
Metro Vancouver
Mighty Fraser Country
Sunshine Coast The most famous feathered resident of this region is the Bald eagle. Over 120 pairs nest within the Metro Vancouver city limits. In the winter, large numbers of Bald eagles gather on the banks of rivers throughout the region to feed on the spawning salmon. The highest concentration can be found along the Squamish, Mamquam and Cheakamus Rivers in Sea to Sky Country, as well as on banks of the Harrison River in Mighty Fraser Country.
Visitors can view these majestic birds by booking a guided float trip down one of the rivers. The best time of the year to view eagles in Mighty Fraser Country is from November to December, and from December to January in Sea to Sky Country. Sea to Sky Country is home to the annual Brackendale Bald Eagle Festival. Brackendale earned its title - The World Eagle Capital - back in 1994 when a world record count of 3,766 Bald eagles was recorded. During the festival the Brackendale Art Gallery hosts a number of popular events including art shows, tours, presentations and photo contests.
Birds of prey can be seen at various facilities in the region. The Orphaned Wildlife Rehab Society (OWL) in Delta is a non-profit society dedicated to the rehabilitation and release of injured birds of prey. Each year about 360 birds come in to be rehabilitated. Boundary Bay in Metro Vancouver has seashores, inter-tidal mud flats, estuaries, salt marshes, and land habitats that are all perfect homes for birds. Great numbers of wintering waterfowl and birds of prey can be found in this part of the Fraser River Estuary. Rated as the top "Important Bird Area" in Canada, it exceeds global, continental and national standards for the diversity and number of birds supported.
Every year between mid September and late January, over 20,000 Lesser Snow geese arrive in the Fraser River estuary. These geese are returning from their nesting grounds on Wrangel Island in Russia.
Bird watchers also flock to Manning Park. Over 200 separate species of birds, including the at-risk Spotted owl, beautiful flora, camping facilities, and numerous trails for hiking, horse back riding and biking, make this a popular choice. Cheam Lake Wetlands Regional Park, a 93ha/ 230ac park with a lake, marsh and forests, is a sensitive habitat which makes it unsuitable for pets and intensive recreation. However, it is a great place for bird watching, wildlife viewing and photography.
The Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve is home to over 200 Great Blue heron nests and variety of flora and fauna including Painted turtles, Bald eagles and Salish sucker. This 130ha 321ac site is located on the un-dyked floodplain of the Vedder River in Chilliwack.
Journey up the Sunshine Coast to Ruby Lake and discover the spectacular wood ducks, the focal point of the resort's conservation efforts. Be sure to visit the Ruby Lake Nature Reserve and the Iris Griffith Interpretive Centre to see informative displays and lagoon, which is also home to the annual Ruby Lake Lagoon Duck and Wilderness Festival. Bird Watching Etiquette: - View or photograph from a distance
- Avoid noises or activities that stress wildlife or cause them to burn up energy in unneccessary flight
- Avoid approaching wildlife that are breeding or with young as they are especially vulnerable at these times
- Avoid feeding wildlife, as feeding can lead to unnatural food dependency, habituation to humans, disease or even death
- Keep pets on a leash around any wildlife, and avoid bringing pets into sensitive wildlife habitats
- Avoid trampling or damaging vegetation.