Some of BC's best birding happens in the Thompson Okanagan. It contains one of the last, large, undeveloped marsh areas in central BC and a great number of lakes, many of which are havens for uncommon bird species.
The winters in much of the region are mild and many species make permanent homes there. During the spring and fall migrations, vast numbers of birds descend on the region to nest or rest before continuing northward.
The Vaseux Lake Migratory Bird Sanctuary near Penticton, the Robert W. Starratt Wildlife Sanctuary near Valemount, and the Salmon Arm Bay Nature Reserve near Kamloops are a few ideas for a birding excursion.
Vaseux Lake Migratory Bird Sanctuary
More than 220 bird species are known to frequent Vaseux Lake, among them Canada geese, trumpeter swans, blue-winged teals, wigeons, wood ducks, lazuli buntings and golden eagles. Canada's smallest hummingbird also calls the lake home.
Vaseux Lake is an important staging area for migratory birds, so the best time to visit is in the spring and fall. Follow the trail that leads from the Vaseux Wildlife Centre at the north end of the lake down to the marsh and along the boardwalk to the enclosed, two-storey bird blind.
The bird sanctuary is located in Vaseux Lake Provincial Park, a 20-minute drive south from Penticton via Highway 97.
Robert W. Starratt Wildlife Sanctuary
The Robert W. Starratt Wildlife Sanctuary is one of Canada's finest birding locations. Located along the path of a major migration route, it's visited by more than 140 bird species a year. Among them are several species each 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 or dusk.
The wildlife sanctuary is located on Highway 5, just south of Valemount.
Salmon Arm Bay Nature Reserve
Salmon Arm Bay Nature Reserve contains one of the last, large, undeveloped marsh areas in central BC.
During the spring and fall migrations a remarkable variety of bird species descend on Shuswap Lake; in early summer it becomes a nesting ground for many of them. Naturalists come from all over the world to study the avian activity here. The lake is one of only two nesting areas for the western grebe. Other species to watch for include the great blue heron, tundra swan, pileated woodpecker, bald eagle, common loon,green-winged teal, hooded merganser, western sandpiper and belted kingfisher.
The nature reserve is located in Salmon Arm, a one-hour drive east from Kamloops via Highway 1.
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