BC Bird Trail

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BC Bird Trail

Whether you’re a seasoned birder or just taking off, the BC Bird Trail is your guide to explore birding, conservation, and community in British Columbia.

Situated on the Pacific Flyway, British Columbia is home to a vast array of North America’s best birdwatching opportunities. The BC Bird Trail is your guide to explore birding, conservation and community in the province. As an online resource and trip-planning tool, The BC Bird Trail connects locals and tourists with all there is to know about bird watching destinations and activities across Briti

sh Columbia. Funded in part by Destination BC, Tourism Richmond, Birds Canada, Indigenous Tourism BC, and more – the informative local travel website and self-guided itineraries can be found online at BCBirdTrail.ca

20/12/2024

🤔 Are you participating in North America’s longest-running Citizen Science project this year?
🎄🐦️ The Christmas Bird Count takes place between December 14th and January 5th, and occurs all over the continent!

🗒️ The Christmas Bird Count is very important to conservation research. The information collected becomes one of the world’s largest sets of wildlife survey data!

👉️ Find out when a Christmas Bird Count is happening in your area here: https://bcbirdtrail.ca/field-notes/christmas-bird-count-preview/

📸 Photo by on Instagram. Tag us in your bird photos or use for a chance to be featured!
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16/12/2024

🦅🍂The Season of the Wild has returned!
Celebrate the beauty and biodiversity of the . ⁠
Taking place from October 2024 until January 2025, explore the trails and waterways to immerse yourself in this ecologically rich ecosystem and witness the abundant wildlife that flocks to the region. ⁠
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🪶Throughout the season, several exciting events and tours are scheduled to help you discover the mesmerizing world of spawning salmon, majestic Bald Eagles, and the prehistoric Sturgeon.⁠
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👉️ Learn more about Season of the Wild: https://tourismharrison.com/event-directory/season-of-the-wild/
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📸 Image Credit:
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13/12/2024

What do these two shorebirds have in common❓

Both Dunlins (first photo) and Surfbirds (second photo) breed in the high north and spend their non-breeding months (that’s wintertime for us) along the shores of the Pacific coastline. 🌊

🌎 While Dunlins can be found in the winter on both the east and west coasts of North America, Surfbirds are only found along the rocky shores of the west coast.

fun 🆒 fact 👉 Surfbirds have the longest and narrowest winter range of any North American breeding bird. In winter, they can be found from Alaska all the way down to Chile - that’s almost 17,500 km! But they never stray far from the ocean, you’ll only find them within a few meters of the shore. [source: allaboutbirds.org]

🗒️ read our Field Notes blog, Winter Birding in BC, for more seasonal tips

📷️ Photo credit: Dunlin by Shayne Kaye, Surfbird by Soly Moses.

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11/12/2024

🐦 Here's a feisty bird to look for this winter: the .

Northern shrikes are incredible predatory songbirds known as “butcher birds”, and are an exciting rarer winter sight in the Columbia Valley or the .

🐁 Their carnivorous habits make them pretty unique in the bird world. The tiny predators use their notched bill to hunt for insects, rodents and small birds. They're even known to save their meals for later by impaling them on thorns or wedging them into branches!

⚠️ Not to be confused with Loggerhead shrikes, which are smaller and darker than Northern shrikes.

👉 Read our blog, Winter Birding in BC, for more seasonal tips. https://bcbirdtrail.ca/field-notes/bc-birding-in-winter/

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Photo credit: Shutterstock

09/12/2024

@🪶Looking for some new birding hotspots in the South Fraser? Check out the Itinerary on the South Fraser Bird Trail! The heart of the Pacific Flyway, Richmond’s diverse ecosystems are home to a plethora of .🐦️

🌊 Be sure to stop by Garry Point Park, a large waterfront park where the West and South D**e Trails meet. It's common to spot a variety of raptors, shorebirds, and waterfowl in this area.

👉️Read the full itinerary here: https://bcbirdtrail.ca/trails/south-fraser/richmond/

🎒 Need some extra birding equipment? Rent a Birdwatching ExplorePACK from the Richmond Public Library ()!
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, BC

06/12/2024

Embrace the elements and you might be treated to a glimpse of a short-eared owl! 🦉

☀️ Unlike most owls, they’re active and hunt during the day. The best times to look for them are at dawn and dusk, which, with the sun rising just before 8 AM at this time of the year, makes them much easier to enjoy.

👀 Find some farmlands or fields and keep an eye low to the ground. are often seen sitting on the ground or flying low as they hunt for prey. (Psst... the has some good spots with fields and farmlands).

👉️ Read our blog post, Winter Birding in BC, for more seasonal tips and birds to watch out for. You know where to find it!

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04/12/2024

🌲🦅 Play our Birdwatching Bingo, part of the Scavenger Hunt in collaboration with !

🏆️ Download the Squamish Scavenger Hunt PDF to participate, and you could win an awesome BC Bird Trail prize pack!

👉️ Read our blog post to learn more about the contest, how to enter, and details on the prize package: https://bcbirdtrail.ca/field-notes/squamish-scavenger-hunt/

*Contest runs until January 14, 2025*
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28/11/2024

🪶 Have you been to the Swan Lake Nature Reserve in ?
🦆 This hot spot is a breeding, nesting and migration haven for a number of species of ducks, waterfowl, and marsh birds. The surrounding grasslands are home to small mammals and reptiles, drawing in Birds of Prey year-round.

You can expect to spot the American Crow and Common Goldeneye (pictured in photos 4 and 5), among many other species in the Okanagan right now.

👉️ Check out this and many other birding hot spots in Vernon on the Vernon Itinerary, part of The Okanagan Bird Trail: https://bcbirdtrail.ca/trails/okanagan/vernon/

27/11/2024

Who else's grandma would start grumbling when a stellar’s jay made an appearance at the backyard bird feeder? 👵

These strikingly blue birds are known for their raucous calls, bold behaviour, and dominating backyard feeders (queue grandma's grumbling).

🔹 The provincial bird of British Columbia, stellar’s jays are a common visitor along all of the BC Bird Trails, especially in the fall. Look for them foraging for food in coniferous forests, around campsites, or at backyard feeders.

For more birds to keep an eye out for this fall 👉🏼 https://bcbirdtrail.ca/field-notes/9-bc-birds-to-see-this-fall/

📷️ in . Source: Shutterstock.

19/11/2024

🪶 We're super excited to announce the brand-new Ucluelet Bird Trail Outpost!

🌊 Beautiful rugged shoreline, dense forest, and a peaceful sheltered harbour create the community of Ucluelet, or as the locals affectionately call it, 'Ukee'. Ecosystems brimming with life provide the perfect landing ground for countless species of birds, both local and migratory.

🌲 Explore the epic coastlines and lush old-growth forests to catch a glimpse of bald eagles, great blue herons, kingfishers, oystercatchers, osprey and more.

👉️Check out the Ucluelet Bird Trail Outpost now: https://bcbirdtrail.ca/trails/ucluelet/

📸 Photos courtesy of
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14/11/2024

🐦 🐟 What do cooler temperatures and heavy rainfall in late October signal in BC? The return of the , of course.

Every year, hundreds of 🦅 gather along the shores of the Squamish River, eagerly awaiting the return of the salmon and creating a spectacular opportunity to view these iconic raptors!

📍 Eagle Run Vista Viewpoint, part of the Itinerary of the BC Bird trail, is an excellent location to respectfully view this spectacular sight.

🗒️ Check out our Field Notes blog “Bald Eagle Encounters Along the Squamish River” for more information on when to go and how to be an ethical eagle observer.

👉🏼 https://bcbirdtrail.ca/field-notes/bald-eagle-encounters-along-the-squamish-river/

📷 Photo credit: Hollie Galloway (Instagram: arctosarts)

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11/11/2024

🐦️👏 We're excited to bring you a brand new BC Birder Profile! In this profile, we speak with Gord Curry, a enthusiast from Sointula in , and a member of the Malcolm Island Bird Club.

🪶 Read his profile to learn the backstory of these amazing photos by Gord, and about birding in northern Vancouver Island.
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🗒️Check it out here: https://bcbirdtrail.ca/field-notes/bc-birders-profile-series-gord-curry-sointula/

📸 Photos 2-4 courtesy of Gord Curry
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07/11/2024

🍂🐦️ Can you name these 3 birds commonly spotted in the fall in BC?🤔

🪶 As the days grow shorter and cooler, many bird species are preparing for migration or settling into their winter territories. 🍁 Fall is a great time to grab your binoculars and enjoy the changing bird activity. You can spot these 3 birds in several regions across BC (and many others).

🗒️ Check out our Field Notes blog "9 BC Birds to See This Fall" to learn which other birds you should be on the lookout for this season: https://bcbirdtrail.ca/field-notes/9-bc-birds-to-see-this-fall/

📸 Photo Credit: Shayne Kaye
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25/10/2024

With their tiny round heads and piercing yellow eyes, these little owls are a treat to see in the wild! 🦉

are diurnal, meaning they're awake and hunting during the day. This is unusual for owls, but great for bird enthusiasts! Keep your eyes 👀 peeled though, they’re about the size of a robin.

In BC, Pgymy owls are usually seen in the central interior, from the Fraser Plateau to the US border and eastwards to Alberta.

📷️ Renée Nicole, IG user: capturinginthewild

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23/10/2024

🐣 We can't believe it's already been 4 years since the first hatched! 🎂

😊 We are so grateful for your support these past four years. We are honoured to continue to share your stories, support our communities and local businesses, and celebrate birding in beautiful .

🫂 Thank you to and all our amazing community partners who make the BC Bird Trail possible. AND to all of you for sharing your stories and beautiful photos with us.

🎥 Here are some of our favourite stills from our documentary series.
Watch them on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/

Thank you! 🤗
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22/10/2024

🪶 Did you know this week is ?

🐦️ Birdability Week is a yearly event that celebrates with disabilities and other health concerns. It aims to create a supportive and welcoming community by sharing resources and promoting and !

👉️ Here are some great suggestions from on how you can support making birding more accessible:

1️⃣ Advocate for Accessible Trails by reaching out to local parks and nature reserves in your community.

2️⃣ Create a Welcoming Birding Environment by hosting bird outings that are inclusive of folks with different mobility, sensory, or communication needs & preferences.

3️⃣ Submit a Site Review to the Birdability map at Birdability.org.

4️⃣ Support and Volunteer with organizations like that are working towards making the outdoors more inclusive.

📷️ Graphic from

17/10/2024

🌲🐦️ Looking for an immersive, nature-filled adventure on your next trip to Squamish? We’re thrilled to announce the first-ever BC Bird Trail Scavenger Hunt in collaboration with Squamish

🪶 Explore stunning birding locations, play our bird bingo, answer trivia questions, and discover the vibrant wildlife that makes this region special. You could win an awesome BC Bird Trail prize pack!

👉️ Read our blog post for instructions on how you can participate in this scavenger hunt, and how to win our prize package: https://bcbirdtrail.ca/field-notes/squamish-scavenger-hunt/

*Contest runs until January 14, 2025*
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14/10/2024

Did you know Trumpeter Swans are the largest waterfowl in North America? 🦢 With wingspans up to 2 meters and weighing up to 30 lbs, they are massive and majestic. Their all-white feathers, black beaks, and elegant long necks make them easy to spot - once you find them!

In BC, they breed in remote, shallow wetlands and spend winters near estuaries, lakes and rivers that remain partially thawed. You’re most likely to spot them in , but there are also populations in the and .

🎺 have a distinctive call that gives them their name. Have you ever heard it in the wild?

📷️ Frank Cone | Pexels

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🪶 Here's a clip from the second installment of our Stories from the BC Bird Trail documentary series. 🦅 We spoke with Dilan Praat, an environmental educator about associative nesting between Great Blue Herons and Bald Eagles at the Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve in #Chilliwack. This fascinating phenomenon sees Herons nesting close to their main predator, the Bald Eagle to benefit from their protection. 👉️Learn more about associative nesting and the Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve by checking out the full video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRLcj4CKwng&t=9s&ab_channel=TheBCBirdTrail @GBHNR @tourism.chilliwack - #ShareChilliwack #InStólō #ProtectingThisGift #LookUpStayGrounded #GreatBlueHerons #ExploreBC #BCBirdTrail #Birding #BirdWatching #Conservation #TravelBC #HabitatRestoration #WetLands #TheFraserValley

🪶 Introducing, the new Okanagan Bird Trail! Home to diverse ecosystems and habitats such as wetlands, deserts and grasslands, the Okanagan offers a fantastic bird-watching experience. The region’s unique climate attracts both migratory and resident birds. Explore birding itineraries in Osoyoos, Vernon and Kelowna. 👉️Check out the Okanagan Bird Trail now at: https://bcbirdtrail.ca/trails/okanagan/ #BCBirdTrail #LookUpStayGrounded #IndigenousBC #ExploreBC #HelloBC #Birding #BirdWatching #Birders #vernonbc #ExploreKelowna #OsoyoosBC @CityofVernon @TourismKelowna @DestinationOsoyoos

🌲🐦️ Named “BC’s Best Community 2021” by Maclean’s Magazine, Langford has plenty of opportunities for #birding. When visiting #Langford, be sure to check out Langford Lake, Glen Lake, and Florence Lakes. These lakes are home to a wide variety of waterfowl throughout the year, including mergansers, grebes, goldeneyes, and plenty of species of ducks.🦆 👉️ Check out the Langford Bird Trail Outpost to learn more about birding in Langford: https://bcbirdtrail.ca/field-notes/9-bc-birds-to-see-this-summer/ - #BCBirdTrail #LookUpStayGrounded #ExploreBC #BCNice #ExploreLangford⁣

🤗 Love this moment with Jody Allair, the Director of Community Engagement at @birds.canada, from our documentary series #StoriesFromtheBCBirdTrail 🪶 🦅 In the third installment of our Stories from the BC Bird Trail documentary series, we attended The #WingsOvertheRockies Nature Festival, where we spoke with event organizers and birding experts about this important event. 👉️ Watch the full video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuR4QIgpsEE& - #RadiumHotSprings #TravelCV #ShareInvermere #BCBirds #BCBirding #birds #birding #birders #birdwatching #BirdsCanada #BCBirdTrail #LookUpStayGrounded

🦅🏔️ The Wings Over the Rockies Nature Festival in Radium & Invermere started Monday and runs until Sunday! There are tons of fascinating events taking place all week long, from guided birding walks and hikes to social gatherings and seminars. 👉️ Check out the full calendar of events and get your tickets here: https://wingsovertherockies.org/all-events/ - #ColumbiaValley #RadiumHotSprings #TravelCV #ShareInvermere #BCBirdTrail #LookUpStayGrounded #IndigenousBC #ExploreBC #HelloBC #Birding #BirdWatching #Birders

🏔️🦅 Tickets for The Wings Over the Rockies Nature Festival are now LIVE! 🪶 There will be over 100 events during the 7-day festival, covering all things nature in the #ColumbiaValley. This year's theme is "Wings 'Way Over' the Rockies - The BIG Picture. 🎟️ Get your tickets now at: ⁠ https://WingsOvertheRockies.org/⁠ 📹️ This video is from our mini-documentary Stories from the BC Bird Trail Vol. 3, you can watch the full video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuR4QIgpsEE - #BCBirdTrail #LookUpStayGrounded #IndigenousBC #ExploreBC #HelloBC #Birding #BirdWatching #Birders #RadiumHotSprings #TravelCV #ShareInvermere #Radium #Invermere #WingsOvertheRockies #NatureFestival

🏔🦅 Experience the Wings Over the Rockies Nature Festival with us in our latest Stories from the BC Bird Trail video. We speak with fellow birders, event organizers, and experts to learn about the unique ecosystems in the Columbia Valley, and wildlife that call it home. This week-long festival explores the intricate relationship between wildlife, landscapes and people with over 100 dynamic and engaging events. 🪶 The Wings Over the Rockies Nature Festival returns this May 6th through 12th. Visit https://wingsovertherockies.org/ for the full events calendar (available March 28th), and to purchase your tickets (on sale April 9th). 🐦 Discover more stories like this along the Columbia Valley Bird Trail: https://bcbirdtrail.ca/trails/columbia-valley/ 🎥 You can also watch this video on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@bcbirdtrail #BCBirdTrail #LookUpStayGrounded #IndigenousBC #ExploreBC #HelloBC #Birding #BirdWatching #Birders #RadiumHotSprings #TravelCV #ShareInvermere #Radium #Invermere #ColumbiaValley #WingsOvertheRockies #NatureFestival

🐦️ COMING SOON: Stories from the BC Bird Trail Vol. 3 - Wings Over the Rockies Nature Festival 🏔️Experience the Wings Over the Rockies Nature Festival with us, and learn how this important event educates the public about birds, wildlife, and natural habitats in the Columbia Valley. 🪶The Wings Over the Rockies Nature Festival returns this May! Stay tuned for the event calendar release on March 28th. 👉️AND keep an eye on our socials for the release of our third installment of Stories from the BC Bird Trail, on March 18th. - Learn more about the Wings Over the Rockies Nature Festival: https://travelcolumbiavalley.com/event/2024-wings-over-the-rockies-nature-festival/ #BCBirdTrail #LookUpStayGrounded #IndigenousBC #ExploreBC #HelloBC #Birding #BirdWatching #Birders #RadiumHotSprings #TravelCV #ShareInvermere #Radium #Invermere #ColumbiaValley #WingsOvertheRockies #NatureFestival

☀️ Cowichan takes its name from “Quw’utsun,” the name given to the valley by its original inhabitants, the Quw’utsun people. It is rooted in the Hul’q’umi’num word “shquw’utsun” which when directly translated means “to warm one’s back in the sun". 🪶During the winter in the Cowichan area, you can spot plenty of seabirds, like loons, scoters, and auks, and buffleheads. Near fresh water, you can also spot graceful trumpeter swans. 🗒️Check out the BC Bird Trail website for birding hot spots in the Cowichan area, explore other trails, or read our field notes blogs. 👉️https://bcbirdtrail.ca/trails/central-vancouver-island/cowichan/ #BCBirdTrail #LookUpStayGrounded #IndigenousBC #ExploreBC #HelloBC #Birding #BirdWatching #Birders #ExploreCowichan

🪶Here's another video from our first edition of Stories from the BC Bird Trail launched in February of 2022, where we share 3 stories of #birding, #conservation, and community.⁠ ⁠⁠ 🦆 In this video, Kris Cu, a Conservation Engagement & Outreach Worker at Birds Canada leads a Filipino bird walk through Blackie Spit in #Surrey, and speaks to how community birding events help increase diversity and representation in the birding community! 📹️Watch the full video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSiG7H86A1s Watch all 3 stories here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=db5Y3jmQ3Wk View Kris's work here: https://www.instagram.com/kris.cu/?hl=en #BCBirdTrail #LookUpStayGrounded #IndigenousBC #ExploreBC #HelloBC #BirdWatching #Birders #TrueSurrey #DiscoverSurreyBC

🪶Here's another video from our first edition of Stories from the BC Bird Trail launched in February of 2022, where we share 3 stories of #birding, #conservation, and community. ⁠ 🐤This story takes us to the Iona Island Bird Observatory in #Richmond. Biologist Quinn McCallum explains the importance of the #birdbanding project run by the team at @WildResearch and the insights it provides into the habits of #migratorybirds throughout BC’s #lowermainland.⁠ ⁠ 📹️Watch the full video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpXE9rsiY94 #BCBirdTrail #LookUpStayGrounded #IndigenousBC #ExploreBC #HelloBC #Birding #BirdWatching #Birders #RichmondMoments #BirdBanding #Conservation⁠ #WildResearch

🪶 In February of 2022, we released the first edition of Stories from the BC Bird Trail, where we shared 3 stories of #birding, #conservation and community. 🦅 In this video, Animal Care Supervisor Derek Downes tells the story of the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre, located just outside of #ParksvilleQualicumBeach, and the important work they’re doing to rehabilitate the young #baldeagles impacted by recent summer heat waves across #VancouverIsland. 📹️Watch the full video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cp40ByOcPSk #BCBirdTrail #LookUpStayGrounded #indigenousBC #ExploreBC #HelloBc #BirdWatching #Birders #MyPQB #NorthIslandWildlifeRecoveryCenter ⁠#NorthIslandWildlifeRecoveryAssociation

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Look Up, Stay Grounded

As an online resource and trip-planning tool, The BC Bird Trail connects locals and tourists with all there is to know about bird watching destinations and activities across British Columbia. Funded in part by Destination BC, Tourism Richmond, Birds Canada, Indigenous Tourism BC, and more – the informative local travel website and self-guided itineraries can be found online at BCBirdTrail.ca