With an inventory of more than 220 species including populations of interior, coastal, and boreal birds, Lillooet is a prime location for amateur bird watchers and ornithologists alike. In the Lillooet Naturalist Society's Canyon to Alpine, Lillooet Hiking Guide birders will find a handy checklist of the best birding locations, whatever the season.
In the spring and summer, warblers and western tanagers find their way here, while beautiful harlequin ducks nests near Cayoosh Creek. As well, lazuli bunting, Bullock's oriole, western meadowlark, and the chukar, amongst hundreds more, make their home in the Lillooet area. Bald and golden eagles are sometimes seen.
Spring and fall migrations bring a host of birds to the area, as several arctic-bound waterfowl and shorebirds make Lillooet's many lakes their stopover. The tundra is represented by white-tailed ptarmigans. American pipits, fox and golden-crowned sparrows, the grey-crowned rosy-finches and horned larks arrive on the alpine in summer to breed. Have a camera ready for Clark's nutcrackers spotted amid whitebark pine in timberline areas.
Owls
Carpenter and Seton lakes also play host to a number of owls. Flammulated owls, along with their roost sites, and western screech owls have been identified in the lake areas as well as near the township of Seton Portage and Anderson Lake. Spotted owls are an endangered species, and some from the Lillooet area are successfully participating in a provincial breeding program.
Even Bats
Lillooet is also home to a number of bat species, some of which are endangered: California myotis, western small-footed myotis, western long-eared Myotis, little brown myotis, long-legged myotis, Yuma myotis, silver-haired bat, spotted bat, and pallid bat. The District of Lillooet and the Lillooet Naturalist Society have made the old bridge "bat friendly", installing bat houses as part of the restoration project. Watch closely at dusk by the water while the bats perform their amazing aerial stunts catching insects in mid-flight.
Bird Watching Activities
In the fall, Lillooet hosts BC Nature Camp, which covers birding terrain from the Fraser Canyon to the Alpine Meadows. The camp includes a cultural tour of the Fishing Rocks, a rafting trip, and a geology trip.
With guidance from the local naturalist club, members of the Sek'wel'was First Nation are working to enhance bird habitat within spawning channels. The channel's berms are excellent nesting areas for ducks and other bird species. Tours of the spawning channels are available and information is provided on the nesting areas.
Regular birding hikes and walks are organized during the summer. As well, the community participates in the annual Christmas Bird Count. There are also opportunities in Lillooet to attend lectures and presentations on the birdlife in the area.
Stop by the Lillooet Visitor Centre for more information about good bird watching locales in the area.
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