Birding in Southwestern British Columbia

One of the best ways to see new birds is to join the local naturalist club on a field trip. Participants often visit new areas, learn how to identify new birds, and meet people who share a common interest.

After studying the birds in your yard, visit local parks and greenbelts. A selection of top birding locations in southwestern British Columbia is listed below. For maps and directions to these and other fine regional birding sites, consult the birdfinding guides and other resources listed on pages 24–26.

Greater Vancouver Stanley Park, Jericho Beach, Lighthouse Park, Cypress Provincial Park, Iona Island, Roberts Bank, Boundary Bay, Blackie Spit, Campbell Valley Park, Minnekhada Park, Pitt River marshes

Fraser Valley Harrison Bay, Cheam Lake, Chilliwack River

Squamish-Whistler Squamish River estuary, Brackendale (for Bald Eagles in midwinter), Whistler-Blackcomb (alpine species), Garibaldi Provincial Park

Sunshine Coast Mission Point/Davis Bay, Roberts Creek estuary, Sechelt Marsh, Sargeant Bay Park, Smugglers Cove Park, Tetrahedron Park

Greater Victoria Clover Point, Island View Beach, Martindale Flats, Esquimalt Lagoon, Witty’s Lagoon, East Sooke Park (fall raptor migration)

Duncan Cowichan Bay, Quamichan Lake, Somenos Lake/Flats, Duncan Sewage Lagoons

Nanaimo-Parksville-Qualicum Nanaimo River estuary, Buttertubs Marsh, Piper’s Lagoon, Nanoose Bay, Rathtrevor Park, Mount Arrowsmith

Comox Valley Baynes Sound, Courtenay River estuary, Mansfield Road Slough, Mount Washington

Campbell River Discovery Passage, Miracle Beach Park, Strathcona Park

Northern Vancouver Island Salmon River estuary, Queen Charlotte Sound/Johnstone Strait

West Coast Vancouver Island Grice Bay, La Perouse Bank (offshore species), J.V. Clyne Nature Sanctuary

To find out more about the better places to find birds, order the book, Birds of Southwestern British Columbia.