Birds of Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island is home to many species of birds migrating up and down the Pacific Coast. Often congregating in estuaries, the wide variety offers a splendid scene to those who are fascinated with the creatures that rule the air. Below we have listed many of the offshore and onshore marine birds.Some good places to bird watch include the Tofino Mudflats, Deep Bay Spit, Admirals Lagoon, Sidney Spit, Little Qualicum Estuary, Nanaimo Estuary, Somass Estuary, Englishman River Estuary and Courtenay Airpark. You can also see birds in many of the rocky and sandy beaches along each coast.
Bring your binoculars, camera, and an excellent field guide, because the treasures of nature on Vancouver Island are on display for everyone to see and witness.
Good places to bird watch:
Cowichan Region:
Cowichan River Estuary
Chemainus River Estuary
Somenos Marsh Wildlife Park
Cowichan Bay Estuary (Dock Rd.)
Central Island:
Nanaimo Estuary
Englishman River Estuary
Deep Bay Spit: Winter and spring birding
Admirals Lagoon (close to French Creek—in between Parksville and Qualicum
Somass River Estuary
Pacific Rim
Tofino Mudflats
Chesterman Beach
Long Beach
Ucluelet Harbour
Tofino Harbour
North Central
Courtenay Airpark
Courtenay River Estuary
Trent River Estuary
Mittlenatch Island (accessable only by boat)
Campbell River Estuary
Goldstream River Estuary
North Island
Zebellos River Estuary
Quatse Estuary
Ducks, Geese, Swans
Vancouver Island has many diving birds and some of the best divers are ducks. Read More…
Sandpipers, Phalaropes
Sandpipers are a large group of shorebirds that are found all over the world that two subfamilies… Red More…
Loons
Grebes
Murres, Puffins
Shearwaters
Shearwaters are offshore birds that live over water for months at a time in both summer and winter depending on the migration pattern. Shearwaters can be mistaken for seagulls, but besides appearance have very little in common.
